Nairobi and Kiambu counties account for the largest population of the 19,611,423 registered voters eligible to take part in the August 8 general elections.

IEBC data released on Tuesday showed that Nairobi leads with a total of 2,250,853 voters followed by Kiambu which has 1,180,920 eligible voters.

The two counties are home to 17.4 per cent of the voters in the country.

Nakuru came third having registered 949,618 voters followed by Kakamega's 743, 736 and Meru's 702, 480.

Machakos emerged sixth with 620,254 voters followed by Murang'a which has 587,126 voters while Mombasa is position eight with 580,223.

The Coastal county is followed by Bungoma which has listed 559,850 voters whereas Kisii closes top 10 counties with 546,580 voters.

Kisumu is in position 11 with 539,210 voters followed by Kilifi (508,068), Homa Bay (476, 875), Kitui (475,512) and Siaya (457,953).

Nyeri county is position 16 with 456,949 voters followed by Uasin Gishu, Makueni, Kajiado and Migori with 450,055; 423,310; 411,193 and 388,633 respectively.

Kericho came at position 21 with 375,668 registered voters followed by Busia (351,048), Kirinyaga (349,836), Nandi (346,007) and Narok (341,730).

Trans Nzoia, the electoral agency data suggests, is position 26 with 339,622 voters followed by Nyandarua with 335,634 registered voters.

Isaac Rutto's Bomet county took position 28 with 322,012 voters followed by Embu with 309,466. Kwale is at position 30 with 281,041 voters.

While Nyamira has a total of 278,583 voters, Vihiga follows closely with 272,409 while Laikipia has 246,487 registered voters.

Baringo, in the verified register, has 232,558 voters while Jubilee's perceived Tharaka Nithi stronghold is at position 35 with 213,154 voters.

Turkana is among the counties with less than 200,000 voters with a total of 191,435 registered voters.

It is followed closely by Elgeyo Marakwet with 180,664, West Pokot (180,232), Mandera (175,642) and Garissa at position 40 with 163,350 listed voters.

Wajir county has 162,902 voters compared to Taita Taveta which has 155,716 followed by Marsabit with 141,708 voters.

Tana River is at position 44 with 118,327 voters hence closes the list of counties with more than 100,000 voters.

Samburu, on the other hand, has 82,787 registered voters, Isiolo (75,338) with Lamu trailing all the 47 regional units with only 69,776 registered voters.

In the latest update released by the electoral agency on Tuesday, at least 4,393 voters in the diaspora are eligible for the polls whereas 5,528 will vote in prison.

The number represents the number of voters whose details were verified and found to be up to date.

Some 88,602 voters were expunged from the register after a forensic audit done by KPMG clarified that they were dead.

(Updated, Tuesday August 8, 8.19am)

BOSTON__In a bid to keep Kenyans in the Diaspora measure their impact in the Kenyan elections even after being denied a chance to participate in the voting process, Ajabu Media will keep track the performance of several Diaspora based candidates from the USA who have returned home to contest in various positions.

During the last 2013 General elections, Kenyans in the Diaspora were highly engaged in the election campaigns with the empty promises by many visiting politicians that they will participate in the voting process to be conducted at the Kenyan embassy in Washington D.C as well as the two Consulates in New York and Los Angeles.

The stakes went several notches higher with the advent of an infamous political network dubbed the Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council that was promptly launched by the former US Ambassador to Washington D.C, Elkanah Odembo as soon as he was appointed to head the embassy in the new coalition government formed in order to end the infamous post election violence that rocked Kenya in the 2007 elections.

However the highly anticipated Diaspora voting fell flat when the IEBC ruled that Kenyan living outside of the African continent would not be allowed to vote, hence limiting to the Diaspora voting to Kenyans in Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and a few other African countries.

Hopes for a 2017 Diaspora voting we also thwarted for the same reasons, with the IEBC citing concerns of unpreparedness due to "logistical difficulties" that would make it difficult to ensure a free and fair Diaspora voting.

In the run up the 2013 elections, an infamous political network dubbed the Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council was promptly launched by the former US Ambassador to Washington D.C, Elkanah Odembo, ostensibly to unite Kenyans and serve as a bridge between the government and its nationals in the USA.

Unfortunately, the council faced stiff opposition and rejection as many Kenyans across the US soured on the outfit as it appeared to take over and thwart previously ongoing efforts by existing community associations to promote unity and civic engagement independently without interference from the government.

Many Kenyans also complained that the Diaspora Council appeared interested in hosting politicians primarily from one political party for networking and self promotion in order to curry favor and capture seats in the new anticipated administration.

Shocked by the resistance and backlash many of it's leaders received from Kenyan nationals in various communities across the US, and the lack of recognition and support from H.E Njeru Githae, the new incoming Kenyan ambassador who succeeded Odembo( ODM) under Jubilee Party, the Diaspora Council pretty much folded operations, going totally mute mute in the run up to the 2017 elections.

However, despite the disappointments, several Kenyans who have lived and worked in the Diapsora have retuned back home to throw their hats in the ring hoping to unseat incumbents at various positions in order to bring much needed chance to their constituencies.

Among the candidates from USA we are closely following include Presidential candidate,Japhet Kavinga Kaluyu from Newark, New Jersey,Festus Kasyoka Mbuva from Boston Massachusetts, (MP Mbooni), Martin Owino, Boston Massachusetts (MP, Ndhiwa), Susan Kihika, Sacramento, CA (Senator, Nakuru) and Simon Kirubi, Boston Massachusetts,(MCA, Karura).

Ajabu Media will be following tracking the impact of the Diaspora Candidates we are currently aware of in order to view the impact of their messages for change.

However, we are aware that there are more Diaspora candidates on the ballot box that we may not be aware of.

We are therefore requesting our readers to help us identify them by texting their names, pictures, city in the Diaspora they lived in before relocating back and the current position they are running for as well as any campaign flyers.

Text/WhatsApp your info to: 781-953-2490

Thiru Karanja from Lowell, MA, running for Kabete MP as an Independent candidate, PIC BY COURTESY

Presidential candidate, Japhet Kavinga Kaluyu from Newark, New Jersey running as an independent candidate. PIC BY COURTESY

Martin Owino, formerly of Framingham near Boston, Massachusetts under the NASA Party

Festus Mbuva from Lowell near Boston, Massachusetts running as an independent candidate.

Campaign poster for Susan Kihika, formerly of California and now candidate for Senator, Nakuru town. courtesy, Facebook

Simon Kirubi from Lowell near Boston, Massachusetts campaigns for the MCA seat in Karura, Nairobi under the New Democrats Party affiliated to Jubilee.

To inform us of more diaspora candidates,

Text/WhatsApp to: 781-953-2490
Email: Info@AjabuMedia.com

Anne Waiguru, journalist Mohammed Ali and businesswoman Esther Passaris are likely to win the seats they vied for in the national election.

Waiguru, who once served as Devolution Cabinet Secretary, had 108,736 votes, by 6.50am on Wednesday, against Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua's 77,874.

Bedan Kagai had 6,599 votes while Governor Joseph Ndathi trailed at 3,033.

Waiguru and Karua battled it out for the governor post in the county that has 349,836 registered voters, and is position 23 in the list of counties with the most voters.

Waiguru resigned from her minister post in November 2015 following the Sh1.8 billion NYS scandal while Karua was Justice minister in former President Mwai Kibaki's regime.

The former CS trounced Ndathi during the Jubilee Party primaries.

The public had expected President Uhuru Kenyatta to endorse Waiguru or Karua during their rigorous campaigns but he said the people would make the choice.

Ali, known for the Jicho Pevu show, wants to take over from Hezron Awiti as Nyali MP. He went independent after ditching NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga's ODM party.

The former KTN journalist had 20,768 votes at that time and was followed by ODM's Said Salim (12,643), Jubilee's Ashraf Bayusuf (7,556) and Wiper's John Mcharo (2,586).

Passaris had 639 470 votes and was followed by incumbent Nairobi woman representative Rachel Shebesh who had 514,790.

Passaris is in the orange party and Shebesh in Jubilee Party.

NASA flagbearer Raila Odinga's claim the electoral system was hacked sent the IEBC into "manual" mode yesterday as chairman Wafula Chebukati asked to check crucial forms 34A.

Raila also released results of his own parallel tallying centre, showing he won 8.1 million votes against President Uhuru Kenyatta' 7.2 million. On Wednesday night, IEBC provisional figures gave Uhuru 7.9 million and Raila 6.5 million votes.

The 34A forms were being compared last night with what was transmitted from polling stations, reflected in form 34A, and then posted on the IEBC portal as provisional presidential results.

All presidential candidates and the IEBC will compare their copies of the forms with those of the IEBC. The tallies should be identical.

The IEBC says any manipulation of polling station Form 34A would be easily detected.

It urged everyone to be calm.

Chebukati told reporters the claims would be investigated though he believed the system was secure.

Yesterday NASA rejected as fraudulent and a sham the provisional results posted by the IEBC, showing Kenyatta far ahead. Yesterday evening he was leading by more than 1.4 million votes, 54.32 per cent to Raila's 44.8 per cent.

Raila told a Nairobi press conference the IEBC's Election Management database was hacked by "unknown people" using the log-in of the commission's murdered ICT manager Chris Msando. Thus, he said, they were able alter information and to rig votes in favour of Kenyatta.

The former Prime Minister released an eight-page statement outlining how the system was hacked and information altered. A 52-page technical addendum containing details.

He said the hackers altered "real results" from the presidency down to MCA.

"We are technically telling our people not to accept the results. We did not have an election but a complete fraud. Our parallel tallying center shows completely different results," Raila said.

"We are just pointing out the thief has been nabbed on broad daylight and that is why we are saying that Uhuru must go home."

The ODM chief was accompanied by running mate Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, NASA chief agent Musalia Mudavadi, Senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Johnson Muthama (Machakos).

NASA has demanded that IEBC declare Raila Odinga winner of the just-concluded presidential election.

The Opposition chief defeated President Uhuru Kenyatta, chief agent Musalia Mudavadi told a press conference on Thursday.

"We have received further information furnishing us with results from IEBC data. The results show Raila garnered 8.04 million votes and Uhuru 7.7 million," he said.

"We demand that Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka be declared President and Vice President immediately."

Mudavadi, who is Amani National Congress leader, claimed a confidential source at the IEBC gave the data.

He said they know the number of people who voted and that the commission should do what is right.

"The results being published by IEBC through their national tallying center are a fraud based on a hacked system," he said.

"We have formally delivered a letter expressing our disappointment, pointing out certain serious irregularities that we want them to look into immediately. They have received it."

There have been concerns that the contradictions will trigger violence but the NASA principal said this is not their intention.

"We are not doing IEBC's job but the numbers posted by IEBC have anomalies," he said.

"At this point we have stated our position. We have indicated the facts before us. We doubt the verification process at Bomas."

President Uhuru Kenyatta has been reelected following a bitterly contested election.

In his acceptance speech on Friday night, he extended an olive branch to NASA flagbearer Raila Odinga and the opposition, which had rejected the election results as rigged and walked out.

"We shall work together, partner together, grow together and develop this country together," Uhuru said to cheers.

He called for peace and pledged to work equally for all Kenyans.

"Elections come and go. Kenya is here to stay. Let us remember we are brothers ad sister You neighbor is still your neighbor," he said.

The declaration sparked riots in parts of Kibera in Nairobi and in Nyanza, especially in Kisumu and Migori counties. Gunshots were heard and police battled protesters.

Kenyatta, in office since 2013, took 54.3 per cent of the vote, Raila took 44.7 per cent.

He was declared winner of Tuesday's presidential election,garnering 8,203,290 votes Raila's 6,762,224.

NASA disputed the results, calling the process a "charade" but ruled out going to court.

After the official IEBC announcement, Kenyatta said observers had ensured a "free, fair and credible election".

But the opposition rejected the results even before they were declared, calling the process a "charade".

International observers have endorsed the election.

Earlier, Odinga's supporters said he had won, and published their own figures. The electoral commission said this was "illegal and premature", and said basic mathematical errors had been made.

Many observers fear a repeat of the violence after the disputed election 10 years ago when more than 1,100 Kenyans died and 600,000 were displaced.

Odinga's chief agent Musalia Mudavadi, said before the results announcement that its concerns about the poll had not been adequately addressed.

Kenyans celebrate Uhuru victory in Nairobi. PIC BY COURTESY/NATION

NASA had complained of fraud and hacking.

Deputy chief agent James Orengo said the coalition would not be taking its issues to court, raising the spectre of street protests.

He hit out at international observers, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki and former US Secretary of State John Kerry, casting doubt on their impartiality.

"Nobody should think this is the end of the matter," he said.

Last night President Kenyatta said he will serve all Kenyans equally to ensure fairness and prosperity and without any bias.

"It is their right to bee served by their government," he said.

"We cannot fight over an election. There is no reason to fight. The country remains united and works together and we must shun division."

According to results announced by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, Uhuru scored at least 25 per cent of the total votes in a record 35 counties

"Having fulfilled the requirement by law, and having garnered 8,203,290 votes, representing 54.2 per cent of the votes cast and 25 per cent in 35 counties, I wish to declare Hon Uhuru Kenyatta president elect," Chebukati said, sending the Bomas auditorium into frenzy.

Raila secured 25 per cent of the total vote in 29 counties.

Earlier, enraged Opposition representatives stormed out of the Bomas of Kenya and mulled calling for street action.

"Going to court for us is not an alternative. We have been there before," Orengo declared, rubbishing the IEBC results as "a charade and a disaster."

But Kenyatta called for cooperation with the opposition, saying, "We are not enemies.|

"I extend a hand of friendship and cooperation, knowing fully well that this country needs all of us specifically, the Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga. I reach out to you, all your supporters, we shall work together, row together so that we can build the nation together," Uhuru said

"Elections come and go but Kenya is here forever," he said

Former Minister Joseph Nyagah came third in the grueling presidential contest garnering 42,259 votes followed by Abduba Dida who got 38,093. Lawyer Aukuro Aukot secured 27,311.

Joseph Kavigah got 15,482 votes, Michael Wainaina garnered 13,257, Cyrus Jirongo came last with 11,705 votes.

Uhuru achieved a decisive victory in his stronghold and invaded what were once opposition zones.

Kenyatta also beat Raila in many regions, initially seen as battlegrounds.

For example, Uhuru won in Nyamira, Kajiado, Narok and performed exceptionally well in Bungoma and Kisii counties.

While Raila maintained lead in Western Kenya, Coast and Nyanza, Uhuru secured a substantial chunk of the vote, dimming Raila's chances.

Uhuru's Jubilee Party has firm control of the Parliament with a super majority in both houses.

None of the other six candidates managed to secure 25 per cent in any of the 47 counties.

But NASA principal Musalia Mudavadi of ANC and Orengo stormed out of an earlier meeting with IEBC chiefs.

"Going to court for us is not an alternative. We have been there before," Orengo declared, rekindling memories of the 2013 petition, which Raila lost.

In a clear demonstration the opposition could call for mass action, Orengo said they have great hope with the Kenyan people. He called the IEBC an arm of government.

"No force on earth can go against the might of the people united for a cause. So nobody should think this is the end of the matter. Nobody should make us feel guilty," Orengo said.

Mudavadi said the IEBC had failed to respond to their numerous issues. He promised to address supporter on the way forward and castigated IEBC for engaging in what he termed]s a public relations exercise.

NASA claimed IEBC had assured them that all their concerns including alleged discrepancies in presidential results would be addressed before the big announcement.

At a press conference earlier, NASA demanded IEBC make public the information in its computer servers and promised to accept its verdict.

The opposition claim that actual and complete data captured in the IEBC servers shows Raila beat Uhuru by a huge margin before the system was hacked and the results manipulated.

"We have given an offer to the commission and a challenge to the commission that in order to bring this matter to an end we should be given access to their servers, not just us even jubilee, religious leaders, the media, that we should look at their servers retaining the raw data coming from the field particularly," Orengo said

"Our note of finality is this, if they can open those servers and we all look at it, we are prepared to accept the results as contained in those servers, that is the challenge we have also given religious leaders the commission to access."

Orengo singled out Commonwealth observer mission head and Ghana's ex-President John Mahama for allegedly harbouring bitterness against Raila for his friendship with the current Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo.

"He [Mahama] is not happy that our candidate has a relationship with the current President of Ghana," Orengo said.

"President Thabo Mbeki is a great Patriot, I admit of South Africa but I think he should have been vetted. The AU should have determine whether he was the right person to come here and the same goes to John Kerry. I mean these characters when you hear their names they look like they are from heaven but they also have a history which need to be looked at."

BOSTON, MASS.,__Congratulations to H.E Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto and all their supporters for a much deserved win as he was overwhelmigly re-elected to serve another 5 year term that has been poilulary refered to as Uhuru Tano Tena (Uhuru Five Again) in campaign slogans. It's not easy to beat H.E Raila Odinga of the NASA coalition as he is one real formidable and competitive Kenyan as evidenced by his 6,762,224 (44.74%) votes he ganered against Uhuru's 8,803, 290 (54.27%), a difference of 1,441,066.

We Kenyans should actually be gracious enough and actually give Raila the recognition he deserves for is role in fighting for the 2nd liberation (multiparty politics) and the new devolution system of governance that has opened up a of economic activities everywhere in Kenya including the very rural ones, making a lot of people wealthy in the process.

For all NASA supporters, am sorry for the loss and hope you will take it with grace. Let's move on as brothers and sisters as we did for the last 5 years when Kenyan experienced massive infrastructural expansion and GDP growth in the range of 5.8%. This could get even better if there is a stable political environment that has the capacity to address the remaining bottlenecks to development, mainly corruption, plunder of public funds and insecurity in some areas of the country.

Uhuru should now get down to work to make Kenya move to the next level of a Second World country like South Korea wihtiout further ado, hence leave a legacy that will set a new standard for generations to come by aggressively addressing these issues without fear or favor.

President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with Deputy President William Ruto soon after being declared winners in the August 8 elections at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, on August 11. /MONICA MWANGI-The Star

After tonight's election, no one deserves to lose their life while protesting the result since you don't know whether you will be the next president of Kenya, senator, MP or MCA.

Some of these NASA folks are actually our dear friends, business associates or even family.

We should all learn from the shortcomings that the NASA coalition made along the way in this process and avoid them in the next elections by crafting a better strategy that can appeal to the majority well ahead of time.

I believe RAO still has another chance in the future if he can sharpen his strategy some more and find a way to form a bigger coalition than the current NASA as it is.

If NASA makes good its determination to contest the elections at the Supreme Court, they should be allowed to do so they can present their paper and electronic trail of their case, upon which they should also agree to honor whatever the Supreme Court may decide.

But in the meantime, for all Kenyan youth who may feel aggrieved by this loss to the breaking point, you should think twice and not allow yourself to die recklessly in the aftermath of this election, you rob yourself, your children and your entire lineage and your own village of future blessings.

Plus you don't even know if you are really ready to meet up with the Almighty God at this very moment, unless you have already organized your Living Will for the sake of your loved ones and have made peace with your Maker!

Last but not least, Uhuru Kenyatta and his new Government together with IEBC need to start putting effort to have all the entire Diaspora participate in the next elections. It's unacceptable that we Kenyans in the Diaspora support the motherland with billions of $$ in remittances yet we are denied the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Am sure the funds that the Diaspora contributes to the motherland are more than enough to motivate the government to give back to the "Diaspora County" by setting up voting logistics in coordination with foreign missions and community associations on the ground.

We can help put such logistics in place as we already know how to do this, and in fact, if it was to ship the now popular form 34A and B after electronic voting, these can be put in a chartered airplane that would leave DC, or London and arrive in Nairobi within 48 hours that took the forms to arrive from Turkana and other far flung counties!

Unbelievable that the Diaspora County had only 4,393 registered voters who voted and all are in other African countries like Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa etc while we have over close to 0.5 million Kenyans or more in the US alone!

Kenyans in Nairobi celebrate Uhuru Kenyatta re-election. Pic by courtesy/Daily Nation

In the worst case scenario, the Kenya Government needs to immediately set out the Diaspora County and a real County that would be allocated a budget like all other Counties back home where Diaspora leaders will decide on where to allocate such funds. The notion that the Diaspora is only there to remit funds with nothing in return in the form of government investment in its own people living abroad needs to end with the new Uhuru administration.

However, in order to benefit from the aforesaid, the Kenyan Diaspora itself needs to get its house in order, end religious, tribal based divisions and unhealthy competition so as to organize civically. This will enable us to have have strong, democratic and inclusive community associations legitimately registered under in all States and Countries, which would ideally have their leaders form one big Diaspora Coalition, managed right from the Diaspora and not in from the motherland.

We don't need multiple community associations in the same State. This smacks of reckless divisions that send a signal to leaders back home that the diaspora is hopelessly divided so remains a laughing stock when it comes to policy formulation. Anyone advocating for multiple associations in a state that has an existing association should be shunned for perpetuating divisions at a time when they should be supporting already existing associations and help them fix any issues hindering their effectiveness.

Technically speaking, if you refuse to support those who already did a lot of work to organize a Diaspora Association in some State, you can’t expect members of such associations to ditch their work and come to join yours because Diaspora civic associations are not like political parties where one can hop in and out as they like.

Without one strong voice, you can never have an impact in the big league politics.

No more excuses. Let the Diaspora Vote and have a Diaspora MP, Senator and MCA's who have lived and worked outside of Kenya for over 10 years or more!.

Last but not least, Kenyans in the motherland should stop taking bribes from politicians during election period while justifying it as "Kula kwa Fulani, Kura kwa Huyu," (Eat from so and so but vote for this one!).

This is basically a corrupt mentality. You can't complain of corruption by the leaders if every other citizen everywhere is basically wired for corruption.

Praying for peace in the motherland.

Long live Kenya.!

Kenyana Opposition chief Raila Odinga's chances of victory were dimmed by infighting, lack of coordination, multiple centres of power and bungled party primaries.

Raila had tens of technocrats who worked on a grand strategy to seal what they said was the only possible rigging loophole, but the game plans remained largely on paper.

The initial plan was that NASA's state-of-the-art parallel tallying centre would provide presidential vote results within eight hours after polling stations close.

The eight-hour tallying was to put pressure on the Wafula Chebukati-led electoral agency not to fiddle with tallies, as NASA strategists say happened in 2007 and 2013, when Raila lost.

However, on the Election Day, Raila did not have agents in hundreds of polling stations across Jubilee bastions, mostly in Central and Rift Valley.

The adopt-a-polling station strategy,a major rallying cry by NASA of deploying at least five agents per polling station, was not implemented.

This was a replica of the 2013 blunder that the then Cord claimed created a major loophole for the doctoring of the presidential results.

The white supremacist forces arrayed in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend--the largest gathering of its sort in at least a generation--represented a new incarnation of the white supremacy movement. Old-guard groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the Aryan Nations and the Nazi skinheads, which had long stood at the center of racist politics in America, were largely absent.

Instead, the ranks of the young men who drove to Charlottesville with clubs, shields, pepper spray and guns included many college-educated people who have left the political mainstream in favor of extremist ideologies over the past few years. A large number have adopted a very clean cut, frat-boyish look designed to appeal to the average white guy in a way that KKK robes or skinhead regalia never could. Interviews show that at least some of these leaders have spent time in the U.S. armed forces.

Many belong to new organizations like Vanguard America, Identity Evropa, the Traditionalist Workers Party and True Cascadia, which have seen their numbers expand dramatically in the past year. Most of these groups view themselves as part of a broader “alt-right” movement that represents the extreme edge of right-wing politics in the U.S.

These organizations exhibited unprecedented organization and tactical savvy. Hundreds of racist activists converged on a park on Friday night, striding through the darkness in groups of five to 20 people. A handful of leaders with headsets and handheld radios gave orders as a pickup truck full of torches pulled up nearby. Within minutes, their numbers had swelled well into the hundreds. They quickly and efficiently formed a lengthy procession and begun marching, torches alight, through the campus of the University of Virginia.

Despite intense interest from the media, police and local anti-racists, the white supremacists kept the location of their intimidating nighttime march secret until the last moment.

The next day, the far-right forces --likely numbering between 1,000 and 1,500 -- marched to Emancipation Park. Once again, they arrived in small blocs under military-style command. The racist groups were at least as organized and disciplined as the police, who appeared to have no clear plan for what to do when the violence escalated. The racist groups stood their ground at the park and were not dislodged for many hours.

For many of them, this will be seen as victory. "Every rally we’re going to be more organized, we're going to have more people, and it's going to be harder and harder for them to shut us down," said a spokesman for Vanguard America, a fascist group, who gave his name as "Thomas." "White people are pretty good at getting organized."

And though police arrested James Fields Jr., a 20-year-old Ohio man, for allegedly driving a Dodge Charger into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and wounding many others, the white supremacists generally avoided arrests.

They also outmaneuvered their anti-racist opponents. On Saturday, a multifaith group met at the historic First Baptist Church for a sunrise prayer ceremony featuring academic Cornel West and pastor Traci Blackmon. The anti-racists, many of them clergy members, walked quietly to Emancipation Park, where they were vastly outnumbered by the white supremacists.

Later, a band of more aggressive counter-protesters showed up at the park, chanting "Appalachia coming at ya. Nazi punks we're gonna smash ya!" These militant "antifa," or antifascists, were also repelled by the white supremacists.

Given the scale of the protests, the far-right groups suffered few injuries. That was particularly notable given the fact that multiple people near the protests were armed. Throughout the weekend, right-wing and left-wing militias equipped with assault rifles, pistols and body armor patrolled the streets of Charlottesville. (Virginia is an "open carry" state, so gun owners are legally allowed to tote around firearms.)

Many of the armed men viewed their role as maintaining a modicum of order. A "Three Percenter" militia out of New York state posted itself near Emancipation Park with the intention of keeping anti-racists from disrupting the rally. The group says it disapproves of racism but is dedicated to defending the free speech rights of all.

Blocks away, Redneck Revolt, a leftist militia from North Carolina, watched over the perimeter of a park where anti-racists had gathered, committed to preventing violent attacks by the white supremacist groups.

The presence of heavily armed citizens may have played a role in the decision of authorities to largely stay out of the violent skirmishes between the white supremacists and their opponents.

Those who actually marched included many new to the right-wing cause. The victory of Donald Trump in last year’s presidential election has energized a whole wave of young people who were previously apathetic or apolitical, rally organizer Eli Mosley told ProPublica. The president has served as "megaphone"” for far-right ideas, he said.

Mosley and his comrades are seeking to draw in as many of these newly politicized young people as possible. "We're winning," he said. "We're targeting the youth and making a movement that appeals to the youth."

Some of those who've gravitated to the extreme right milieu are former liberals -- like Mosley's fellow rally organizer Jason Kessler -- and supporters of Bernie Sanders. Many are ex-Libertarians.

"I was a libertarian," said Mosley, as white supremacists chanted "Whose streets? Our streets!" in the background. "I looked around and noticed that most Libertarians were white men. I decided that the left was winning with identity politics, so I wanted to play identity politics too. I'm fascinated by leftist tactics, I read Saul Alinsky, Martin Luther King... This is our '60s movement."

Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe did not make an expected appearance at a summit of regional leaders in South Africa on Saturday, following allegations of assault against her by a 20-year-old model.

South Africa has granted Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity, a security source told Reuters on Friday.

Police had placed border posts on "red alert" to prevent her fleeing after Gabriella Engels said she was whipped by Grace Mugabe with an electric extension cable on Sunday as she waited with two friends in a luxury Johannesburg hotel suite to meet one of Mugabe's adult sons.

Robert Mugabe, the 93-year-old president of Zimbabwe, was seen in Pretoria on Saturday attending the South African Development Community summit, but his 52-year-old wife was not at his side or part of his delegation.

While the man who has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980 was being welcomed with other heads of state in a conference hall, protesters outside the building demanded his wife face justice.

South African television reported that Grace Mugabe had not attended the summit where she had been scheduled to take part in a session for leaders' spouses from 1000 GMT.

Harare has made no official comment on the saga and requests for comment from Zimbabwean government officials have gone unanswered. The South African government has restricted all official comment to the police ministry.

Adding to the diplomatic wrangle, South African Airways (SAA) suspended flights to Harare after one of it planes was grounded in Zimbabwe on Saturday for failing to produce an operating permit, the airline spokesman said.

"We've been operating for more than 20 years in that market, without this being a requirement," said SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali, adding the airline had cancelled one Harare-bound flight so far while its plane was grounded in Zimbabwe.

The move followed the grounding of an Air Zimbabwe flight in Johannesburg on Friday for not having a foreign operator's permit on board after a random check by South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority.

The Kenya government has dismissed NASA strategist David Ndii, saying he is free to relocate to Somalia if displeased with the elections outcome.

After the August 8 poll, IEBC announced that Uhuru Kenyatta defeated Opposition leader Raila Odinga with more than 1.4 million votes.

But Ndii, who is NASA strategist and an economist, said the coalition is well prepared for mass action over claims over rigging.

"If change cannot come through the ballot, it will come through the bullet."

The government responded to Ndii's remarks on Thursday, in a press statement by spokesperson Eric Kiraithe at the KICC in Nairobi.

Kiraithe touched on secession, a narrative to split Kenya into Jubilee- and NASA-controlled regions, that has swept the country as the Opposition talks tough that mass action is on the cards.

A petition, its promoters undisclosed, is already being signed online. The intention is to table it for consideration in the African Union's judicial arm, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.

"If every time the candidate you support loses the election there is a secession, to provide him with the presidency through a section that supported him, what would happen to democracies like the US, UK and Kenya after these leaders are no longer viable? Is it that they will secede again?" the spokesperson asked.

"Countries and nations are not about individual leaders. Political opinions are political opinions. For the people expressing that political opinion, it must be good for them but you cannot tell what is good for them in that opinion. So you leave them and they are entitled to that."

Kiraithe said security forces will be keen on actions that may threaten national stability.

"As a government, we have no intention or obligation of engaging political activists. They have their opinions but where they threaten security, security forces will be watching. As far as entitlement to your ideas is concerned, you can even decide to migrate and go to Somalia," he said.

"That is the country where we have as many states as we have competing leaders, and maybe Libya and a few other examples we shudder to give because it is unfortunate for the progress of humankind."

Ndii said that in societies where avenues of legitimate political dissent are closed, people will take up arms.

He said the National Super Alliance will not relent and give in to fear but will continue to resist even if police shoot at them.

"We will call for mass action. That is a definite. We have been calling for mass action since 1991 and we will not stop as long as some people try to restore dictatorship," he stated.

Raila and his team filed a petition against Uhuru's win at the Supreme Court.

The court warned against determining the matter in other settings and asked stakeholders and the public to keep from issuing remarks or taking actions that could affect their work and the country's status.

The ban on plastic bags, which takes effect today, has caught most traders off-guard despite a six-month notice by the Government.

A spot check by The Standard showed that most small-scale traders in Nairobi's Muthurwa market had not bought alternative packaging materials for their goods.

Ms Hannah Wangare, a fruits and cereals vendor at the market, said she was yet to get pocket-friendly wrapping materials.

"Customers will just have to come prepared. Packaging of cereals will, however, not be a big issue because we have the brown khaki bags but then again if someone is buying more than five kilogrammes how will they be able carry the product?" posed Wangare.

She added that the brown bags will also pose a challenge when it rains because they easily soak in water hence ruining the contents in the bag.

While calling for pocket friendly and reasonable alternative, Wangare urged the Government to crack the whip on manufacturers and distributors rather than lay blame on end users.

Supermarkets were also racing against time to clear their current stocks.

Customers were being given too many paper bags despite the quantity of goods bought.

One customer at a leading chain of supermarkets joked that it was the first time each of his products was being packed separately.

The Government has maintained its stand on the ban through Gazette notice number 2356 made on February 28, 2017 by Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu, despite opposition from manufacturers.

The High Court last week also ruled against a case filed by two plastic bags importers and declined to suspend the ban, saying the need to conserve the environment overrides commercial interests.

The notice banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging to be effected on August 28, 2017.

Anyone, including consumers, flouting the ban will face between one and two years jail term or a fine of between Sh2 million and Sh4 million.

According to National Environment Management Authority (Nema), the papers contribute 9 per cent of total waste and create over 90 per cent of the environmental degradation.

Across the country, several towns have a recorded a rush for alternative shopping bags as the ban  kicks off.

In Nakuru, residents and business people visited supermarkets to buy environmental-friendly bags to replace the plastics carriers.

A spot check by The Standard, however, showed that there was no supply of the bags despite the high demand in the supermarkets.

In Gilanis Supermarket, customers struggled to get a share of the limited bags that ran out a few minutes after being displayed.

"We do not have enough bags to cater for the high demand. We have had orders and we are unable to meet them because the bags are limited. We provided them on the basis of first-come-first served," said a source who requested anonymity.

Business persons who visited the supermarket opted to get other packaging materials for their customers.

Mary Oduor, who cooks mandazis in Wakulima market, said she is forced to pack the food in brown papers.

"I am now forced to pack the mandazis in brown envelops which are expensive and unavailable at the moment," said Oduor.

At Choppies Supermarket, a 1kg of the brown envelopes are sold at Sh287 from the previous Sh127.

In Woolmatt Supermarket, posters written, 'bring your own bag or buy a woolmatt bag' are stuck on walls.

However, there were no stocks of the Woolmatt-branded biodegradable bags as indicated by one of the workers in the supermarket.

The situation was the same at Tuskys Supermarket where goods were packed in carton boxes.

In the supermarket, smaller products were wrapped in newspapers due to lack of enough packaging material.

Monicah Mwangi, who owns an electronic shop in Kenyatta Avenue, told The Standard that she has lacked packaging material for her customers in the last three days due to poor supply.

"The person who used to sell us the plastic bags says there are no bags in the market. The ones he brings are very expensive and we are forced to buy them at between Sh10 and Sh25 a piece," she said.

In Eldoret town, a group of traders led by Sava Herbert are pondering  their next move after 15 years of selling customised 'California' mattresses made from nylon gunny bags.

According to Mr Sava, demand for mattresses made from nylon material that is stuffed in gunny bags and knit has been high in the region.

But all that is set to change.

"The upcoming ban is a shock and a worry to us. We have raised our families from this venture but the law that will be taking effect this soon means that we are jobless and we will have to find something else to do," he said.

Herbert and his team conduct their business at Riverside area in Eldoret and earn Sh150 from every mattress.

"We are now staring at closing shop and going back to our villages because the law simply means that our business is illegal. The Sh2 million fine is something no one would dare risk," he said.

Eldoret Jua Kali association chairperson James Kibisu called on the government to reconsider the move to effect the ban will render thousands of Kenyans jobless.

A survey around supermarkets in Eldoret revealed that polythene has been replaced by khaki bags that are sold to clients at between Sh25 and Sh50.

Alex Kipkurui, who operates a butchery in Langas, said he has embraced the old methods to package meat.

"I am fine with the move. Fifteen years ago we were not using nylon papers to package meat but papers which I think are more hygienic.

Nylon bags make meat develop a bad smell. Those selling milk will be affected, maybe," said Mr Kipkurui.

John Kidogo, Kaptagat Forest Station Manager supports the  ban saying they have already found an alternative for packaging seedlings.

"We have embraced wooden boxes measuring 60 by 60 centimetres and a height of 15 centimetres where we are planting about 200 seedlings at once. After purchase or during planting we slice the soil around the seedlings and plant them. The boxes are reusable, nylon bags had become expensive," said Kidogo.

He however echoed sentiments by some seedlings sellers that it will be difficult to package single seedlings for sale and that new methods should be improvised.

Julius Mirii, a law student at Catholic University, lauded the move to ban polythene bags. However, he observed that the fines ranging between Sh2 million and Sh4 million are exorbitant.

"Such fines should be applied to large-scale users like manufacturers but should be toned down on some individuals. Public sensitisation is important to help individuals become responsible in conserving the environment rather than focusing on harsh penalties," he said.

Uasin Gishu county Environment executive Mary Njogu said they are ready to implement the law.

In Mombasa, some of the businesses had already placed notices advising their customers to carry their shopping bags.

Some businessmen have also started capitalising on the ban with light bags already being sold in the streets.

Businesswoman Janet Wamaiga, who runs hotels, said she welcomed the new law as it aims to conserve the environment.

"I think the idea is good. In the past we were using the khaki papers that were disposable. With the new law, we shall also help clean the environment that has been chocked by polythenes everywhere," said Ms Wamaiga.

Small-scale business operators in Kakamega have expressed their unpreparedness for the ban on plastic papers.

Speaking to The Standard, they said they had not been given an alternative.

Lucy Wanjiru, who has been in the butchery business since 1992, said manufacturers ought to have made the alternative papers available before the ban is effected.

"As we speak, I have not seen those recommended papers in Kakamega. We heavily rely on papers and the government in association with the manufacturers ought to have supplied the alternative in advance," said Ms Wanjiru.

She said that the khaki papers being considered will not be suitable as sometimes the meat contains small traces of water which will tear the papers before reaching the intended destination.

[Report by Lonah Kibet, Sarah Otieno, Michael Ollinga, Silah Koskei, Joakim Bwana and Jack Murima] 

"There is a difference between loving white people and loving whiteness."

This is something I often say when I begin social justice conversations around topics related to race. For some, the concept is easy to process and we begin a conversation around what it means to be white and a person of privilege. For others, the concept seems to be extremely hard to process.

Since hearing about what transpired in Charlottesville, Va., I have struggled with this notion of knowing that the person who shares so much of my life is in fact a cisgender white man. I also struggle with watching him process what is happening in our country and never having the right words to make me feel safe in times where I feel like all elements of my intersectional existence are in fact under attack.

A question I know most black people struggle with: How do you continue loving white people when whiteness hates you?

When addressing what it means to be white, we have to acknowledge that both whiteness and white supremacy are systems cut from the same cloth. While each system helps to benefit the lives of white people, we have to think about the ways in which the white people we love are working to either uphold the systems or dismantle them. What's key in these types of conversation is recognizing when white people love and care enough for you to step back and do their own work.

As someone who is partnered with a white man, I often get asked questions of how I negotiate loving him in moments like these. Being that I spend most of my days teaching people about race, racism, white supremacy and white fragility, I will admit: It does become difficult not to see elements of these issues come up in my own relationship. Especially when a few of my extended family members share the same views as "alt-right" assclowns. But what I often challenge people to think about is how to quantify systems of whiteness and how the white people they love either feed into and choose to benefit from these systems or help in their struggle to get free.

I have been with my partner for a little over seven years and it has been both an educational and sometimes exhausting feat. Helping him to understand his white privilege and what it means to benefit from white supremacy can be an exceptionally taxing task. Helping anyone navigate how they can remove themselves from a system that benefits them is always tough. But sometimes it's about the moments when you see the person you love do the work, step outside of their whiteness and fully get it.

Here's the tea: Any person in an interracial relationship will tell you that loving a white person is difficult. Having to negotiate the moments when my pro-black stance might rub his white fragility the wrong way takes a great deal of work. And I am not just talking about the moments when he makes a comment filled with white privilege or elitism. It is often the moments when you just want someone to see your struggle. Moments when you really want someone to see you and the pain that is often being a black queer man in an all-white world.

I often tell folks who are in interracial relationships or have a high number of white friends to also step back and do a bit of their own reflecting by asking themselves if they are in the relationship with ulterior motives. I am a true believer that all races can benefit from whiteness, and it is important for us to ask ourselves if we are involved with the person for the leisure that whiteness provides or because of what the person brings to the table.

I realize that in moments like these, it is about acknowledging the complexities of what life and love look like while making sure you don’t lose yourself in the process. No matter the race of the person I love or who I choose to surround myself with, I recognize that I will always be black and will forever call out the injustices that happen to me and my people. And as someone who is working day in and day out to end anti-blackness in all spheres, I will still tell him to check his privilege.

Yes, I love me some white people. I love them profoundly. But you better trust and believe that I will always remind ANY white person when their white privilege is showing.

DoctorJonPaul is a speaker, writer and educator from Southern California. He is a regular contributor to the site and enjoys discussing all things race, gender, sexuality and identity.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday said the opposition had schemed a misfortune for the country by misleading the Supreme Court to nullify his victory which was clear to all Kenyans and was confirmed by all election observers.

The President said the opposition expected that the Jubilee Government would reject the directions by the courts because the election was free, transparent and the victory was clear.

"Raila was shocked that we accepted the verdict of the court. He thought we are like him and would reject the decision," said the President when he addressed a mammoth rally at the historic Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

The President said the decision of the Supreme Court to nullify his clear victory on questionable grounds was very painful, but his anger is now over.

He said he did not agree with the judges because they overturned the voice of 15 million Kenyans on the basis of forms that had errors, pointing out that these were actions of unscrupulous presiding and returning officers.

The President pointed out that Raila Odinga’s use of the Supreme Court to sabotage his victory is similar to the former Prime Minister’s use of the International Criminal Court to weigh down Jubilee leaders ahead of the 2013 elections.

"In 2007, he lost the election and he refused to accept defeat and caused bloodshed. When he got what he wanted (Raila was appointed Prime Minister to stop the post-election violence), he turned around and said Uhuru and Ruto were responsible for the violence," said the President.

The President said their innocence and prayers by Kenyans ensured that they were cleared of the false charges.

He said he was happy that Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for Jubilee leaders at all levels in the August 8 elections, and gave him victory with a margin of 1.4 million votes.

The President said the Jubilee Government has made progress in its first term, including the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, equipping two hospitals in every county with modern equipment, transformed education and built more than 7000km of roads.

"Our objective is to see Kenya progress and nobody can make us deviate from that," said the President.

He thanked Kenyans for maintaining peace during the prolonged electioneering period.

"Their is no need for Kenyans to fight one another; the vote is the real truth teller," said the President.

The Head of State thanked the residents of Nairobi County and other counties in the Nairobi metropolitan (Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado) for supporting Jubilee and electing Jubilee Governors.

The President said encouraging trends are already being seen in Nairobi, which was previously controlled by an ODM governor.

He said the county government now under Jubilee's Mike Sonko has sealed corruption loopholes and is collecting Sh39 million a day up from Sh7 million.

The President said there is evidence money was being siphoned and used to fund the opposition.

"Now they cannot steal from Kenyans to run their political affairs and that is why they are carrying around pay bill numbers," said the President said.

Deputy President William Ruto said the Supreme Court was used to subvert, shortchange and overturn the will of 15 million voters. He asked the court to "come to its senses and apologize to the people of Kenya".

He said "at the heart of any democracy" is the right of the people to decide. The DP pointed out that neither the will of candidates nor civil society sponsors can decide for the people.

Mr Ruto predicted that Kenyans' resolve to elect President Kenyatta will be restated on the October 17, the date set for the fresh presidential election.

He told the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman to take his responsibilities as presidential election returning officer seriously, and stop "apportioning blame, stop writing memos and stop holding night meetings".

Majority Leaders in the National Assembly and Senate Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen told the IEBC to concentrate in planning the fresh election, not sideshows.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta was also at the meeting. In a brief speech, she urged Kenyans to vote in in peace in the repeat elections ordered by the Supreme Court.

Today's life expectancy rate for United States citizens stands at 76.5 and 81.2 years for men and women, respectively, according to recent data provided by the world's leader of medical research, Imperial College London.

But before we celebrate, it's important to note that these levels are among the lowest of the world's richest countries --a list of "lows" that includes places like Croatia and Mexico.

Why? Because, among other factors, America lacks universal health insurance and has the highest child, maternal, homicide and body-mass index rates of any high-income country.

What's more, many Americans 50 years of age or more have discovered that living longer often requires them to work longer in order to keep up with their financial obligations and personal desires.

'Faking Normal' Over 50

That's what one Washington, D.C., resident, Elizabeth White, a former chief operating officer for a midsize nonprofit organization, once-celebrated entrepreneur and MBA graduate of Harvard Business School, learned while struggling on the edge of a financial precipice for years, despite her outward appearances.

White, now in her 60s, chronicles the pain she experienced as her flourishing career and upper-middle class lifestyle came to a grinding halt in her 2017 self-published book,Fifty-Five, Unemployed and Faking Normal.She says that while she "pretended" that things were going great, in truth she feared the future--and soon discovered that she had a lot of company.

"There's a lot of pressure to act like you're doing well. That's why I describe my personal reflections as an act of 'faking normal,'" she said while speaking to media at the World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in San Francisco last July.

White admits that the townhouse she purchased years ago now has a rental rate that she couldn't begin to afford today. Nor can she afford to pay the fee for private parking.

Meanwhile, and in terms of how she reached her unexpected financial crisis, White says that after making her mark as one of only a handful of black women employed by the World Bank, she took a huge piece of her retirement savings to fund her own business. Her enterprise promoted African-inspired products--a venture that had tremendous potential but which eventually failed.

"We were doing well, but I could see that we were not going to be able to grow the business into a national chain as we were already struggling with volume," she said. "One day I just closed my stores."

From $200K a Year to $0

For a while, White survived on receiving consistent consulting work. Then, as the 2008 economic crash occurred, she went from close to $200,000 a year to zero.

"The jobs of the past weren't there anymore," she said. "And I found it harder to get hired than I did years earlier-- probably due to age discrimination. It didn't matter how great I may have looked. I learned that early; being in one's 50s was no longer considered 'young' in the workplace. I realized I was in trouble."

Recent data from several social research organizations indicate that from ages 45 to 55, wages decline by nine percent or more -- then dropping by an additional nine percent for those between 55 and 64. And most experts say age discrimination starts at around 35 with women bearing the brunt much sooner and more intensely than men.

"Maybe it was too many bottled waters and too many visits to Starbucks," White says with a laugh. "I was embarrassed to admit to my friends what was going on in my life. But it was those same friends who helped me make it. I realized I had to come to terms with my new reality and deal with life on new terms."

In her book, White provides over 100 online resources and offers ways to deal with the emotions she faced after landing in financial ruin.

"We're in the midst of a massive paradigm shift," she states in the book's conclusion. "Much of what we know has been turned on its head. We're going to make mistakes. Learn from them. Forgive yourself. Focus on what is working. Throw the rest away."

Kevin McNeir wrote this article for the Washington Informer as part of the Journalists in Aging Fellows Program organized by The Gerontological Society of America, New America Media with sponsorship from AARP.

Kenya's National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga said that he will be seen as a flower girl by Jubilee if he participates in Thursday's election rerun.

Odinga said that Jubilee has since formulated ways of stealing the election that is is why he calling on all Kenyans to boycott the exercise.

"I still insist that I am not going to participate in an already flawed exercise. If I do so then Jubilee will see me as a flower girl," Odinga said.

He said that he has no option other than to boycott the repeat polls because IEBC had failed to meet their demands.

Odinga was addressing a mammoth of supporters at the Gusii Stadium where he urged them to stay away from polling stations.

The ODM party leader said that it was a clear testimony from the electoral body chairman Wafula Chebukati and Commissioner Roselyn Akombe who has since resigned that the commission is not prepared to conduct a credible election.

"I am categorically stating that there will be no election of Thursday. I am urging you to stay away from polling stations," Odinga said.

Accompanying Raila were two co-principals Moses Wetangula, Moses Wetangula, Governors James Ongwae (Kisii), John Nyagarama(Nyamira), Okoth Obado, senators James Orengo(Siaya), Okong'o Omogeni (Nyamira) and Sam Ongeri (Kisii).

Others were Women reps Janet Ong'era (Kisii), Esther Passaris(Nairobi) and several MPs from and outside Kisii.

"The Commission is divided that is why commissioner Akombe resigned. The chairman himself Chebukati has since given a testimony that they body is unable to conduct a free and fair election," said NASA leader.

He called for the arrests and prosecution of CEO Ezra Chiloba, commissioners and Presiding officers who played a role in the bungled elections.

Odinga said that their efforts to demand for the relocation of the main server used in the August polls from France to Kenya have been ignored by the Commission.

Addressing the crowd from Germany through phone, Odinga's running mate Kalonzo Musyoka thanked Kisii and Nyamira for voting for them in large numbers but the same was stolen by Jubilee.

Kisii said that he was happy that residents from both counties have accepted to join the rest across the country in boycotting the flawed exercise.

He said that Justice Maraga and Commissioner are heroes because of their decisions of nullifying presidential election and resigning respectively.

Mudavadi said that the Chiloba and the commissioners who were mentioned in polls scandal should have resigned immediately the Supreme Court annulled President Kenyatta’s victory to guarantee a free and fair rerun.

He said that Jubilee Government is derailing devolution by delaying to release development funds.

"I wonder where Jubilee government gets money to teargas and guns to kill innocent Kenyans but no money for devolved units," Mudavadi said.

Wetangula told Kenyatta not to pretend to seat like a naked king when things are going wrong.

He also supported Mudavadi’s sentiment that Akombe was a great women because she exposed the rottenness of the Commission.

During the rally Kisii declaration was made by local leaders that no reforms no elections.

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's opposition rejected the nation's election re-run as "a sham" and said on Friday that plans to reorganise voting in its western strongholds where polls did not open risked provoking further violence and should be cancelled.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has won over 96 percent of votes counted so far, according to a local media tally of numbers released, but his second term mandate is weak with turnout below 35 percent and a vote undermined by clashes.

Pockets of violence continued on Friday, with police saying they shot dead one man, bringing to five the number of confirmed dead since voting began on Thursday. All were killed in the west of the country, which supports the opposition.

The vote has exposed Kenya's deep political and ethnic divisions as violence flared and court cases drag on. It is being closely watched as Kenya is a regional trade and logistics hub and powerful security ally for Western nations.

Musalia Mudavadi, a senior opposition leader, accused authorities of "ethnic profiling" and having "militarised elections" as they beef up security ahead of a plan to hold voting in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya on Saturday.

"In the event that (the election commission) refuses to listen to wisdom and instead goes on with this meaningless forced poll, we advise the people not to walk into this trap of death," he told reporters on Friday.

"We call on the residents of these counties to stay away from these planned polls," he added.

ONE KENYA, TWO FACES

Kenya's first election, in August, was annulled by the courts because of procedural irregularities, denying Kenyatta a simple victory over his political rival. Turnout in that election was 80 percent.

If the expected legal challenges fail to clear a path out of the crisis, including a possible order for another re-run, the result will be a protracted and economically damaging political stalemate between the Kenyatta and Odinga camps.

"Unless the courts annul the election, Kenyatta will move forward without a clear mandate and Odinga will pursue a protest strategy whose chances of success in the circumstances are not very high," International Crisis Group analyst Murithi Mutiga said.

The division was neatly captured in local media, with the Standard, a leading tabloid, headlining its front page: "One Kenya, two faces"

The election commission said more than one in 10 polling stations failed to open due to "security challenges". Its chairman, Wafula Chebukati, tweeted overnight that 6.55 million ballots had been cast - just 34.5 percent of registered voters.

A tally of results announced at the constituency level compiled by the Nation media group showed Kenyatta had won over 96 percent of the vote with 200 of 292 constituencies announced.

Figures released by the election commission showed turnout in Kenyatta's Rift Valley and Central region strongholds was similar to levels seen in August.

However, the boycott call was heeded by voters on the coast, which is far from his western homeland and saw little violence but has overwhelmingly supported Odinga in previous polls.

LEGAL CHALLENGES?

Around 50 people have been killed, mostly by security forces, since the original Aug. 8 vote, raising fears of sustained violence only a decade after 1,200 people were killed in serious ethnic fighting triggered by another disputed vote.

On Friday morning, shops started to reopen and traffic returned to Kisumu and the restive Nairobi slums of Kibera and Mathare, although rocks and the remnants of burnt barricades sill littered the roads.

Opposition lawyers may cite the failure to open polling stations in parts of the country as a reason to declare the poll unconstitutional and seek a fresh contest.

Other grounds could include a High Court ruling the day before the election that said hundreds of election officers had been improperly recruited.

"The election obviously did not conform to constitutional requirements," said James Orengo, co-chair of the opposition legal team. But he said no decision on whether to file a case had been reached yet. The team has seven days after polls close to file a case.

On Friday, civil society activist Okiya Omtata filed a Supreme Court case challenging the legality of the elections.

Also on Friday, amendments to an election law became legal that curtail reasons the Supreme Court can cite to nullify an election. Kenyatta had not signed the amendments, but they were pending long enough to become law, his spokesman said.

Opposition supporters hailed the Supreme Court when it overturned Kenyatta's August win in an unexpected rebuke to election authorities. The court ruling was the first of its kind in Africa.

But for many, concerns over the independence of the judiciary returned after five out of seven judges failed to show up for a hearing on Wednesday seeking to delay the election.

Chief Justice David Maraga said one was sick, one was stranded and another too upset to show up after her bodyguard was shot the night before, an unsolved attack many Kenyans interpreted as a threat. He did not account for the other two.

"I think it was deliberately choreographed," said motorcycle taxi driver Steve Aluoch in Kisumu. "I would not be surprised if a similar charade plays out if a petition is filed."

(Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld, Humphrey Malalo and John Ndiso in Nairobi and Maggie Fick in Kisumu; Writing by David Lewis and Ed Cropley; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg).

A group of 39 US Senators on Tuesday urged interim Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Elaine Duke not to use the personal data of undocumented youths known as "Dreamers" to deport them.

"The US government committed to these young people that the information they provide would not be used against them or against their families...and the people who applied for the DACA program relied on this" assurance when they applied for the program, the senators pointed out in a letter addressed to Duke.

The 39 lawmakers are concerned over Duke's statements to the House Homeland Security committee, where she said she could not promise that the information in the DACA database would not end up in the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities.

In the letter, senators petitioned the interim secretary, who replaced General John Kelly when he was appointed chief of staff of the White House, detailing the number and cases of DACA beneficiaries whose information has now ended up in hands of ICE.

"As a result of the Administration's decision to terminate DACA, hundreds of thousands of people who entrusted the U.S. Government with a great deal of detailed personal information about them and their families live in fear," they wrote.

The letter is signed by Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Robert Menendez and Catherine Cortez Masto, as well as three House Democratic leaders: Michelle Lujan Grisham, leader of the Hispanic Caucus; Cedric Richmond, leader of the Black Caucus, and Judy Chu, leader of the Asian Caucus.

Data from "dreamers" was a thorny issue in the last days of the administration of former President Barack Obama, as nearly a hundred Democratic congressmen and some organizations called for concrete action to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from using the data for deportation purposes.

However, outgoing National Security Secretary Jeh Johnson simply asked Trump to "comply" with the U.S. Government's commitment to these young people and to maintain that discretion.

About 700,000 undocumented youth have joined the DACA program since 2012. Trump has signaled that he is going to end the program, which granted deportation relief and work permits to undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children and who meet other eligibility requirements.

Trump suspended the program in early September, but gave Congress six months to find an alternative.

The White House is now negotiating with Democratic leaders to pass a law that will give new "dreamers" legal cover in exchange for possibly including funding for hiring more immigration agents.

NASA politicians have dared IEBC to declare Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto as president elect.

The politicians on Saturday said if the commission dares to declare the duo as president elect, they will go ahead and swear in their party leader Raila Odinga as president.

Led by Siaya senator James Orengo and former Machakos Senator Johson Muthama, the politicians said they do not recognize Uhuru Kenyatta as the President of Kenya.

Addressing the public at Athi River town in Mavoko, Machakos County, the politicians maintained Raila remains the people's president.

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, former Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale and MCAs Daniel Mbevi (Mlolongo) and Robert Kisini (Athi River) wards were also present.

"We will use August 8 results to swear NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga if Uhuru Kenyatta tries to use October 26 poll results to be sworn in," said Orengo.

He said, "Sisi hatumtambui Uhuru kama Rais wa Kenya na NASA pia haimtambui, sheria inasema serikali ya Kenya itaundwa kikatiba. It is our decision that Uhuru cannot use the October 26 election results to be sworn in, that will be an act of treason".

Orengo said their leads from the region had indicated the purpoted votes Uhuru got in the repeat election were cooked up figures.

"The executive authority of Republic of Kenya is with the people of Kenya, the constitution says you have the sovereign authority. Uhuru does not have sovereign authority, you people have," Orengo said.

He said Kenyans can execute the powers either directly or indirectly constitutionally.

"We must get our country back, tumeanza safari sasa. Former President Daniel Moi said Kenya is a unitary state but later agreed that we have multiparty after Raila Odinga fought for it," he said.

"Raila Odinga alipambana na Kenyatta wa kwanza mpaka akafa, Moi alienda nyumbani baada ya kufunga Raila, Kibaki joked with Raila and he went home, Uhuru Kenyatta will go home and Raila Odinga will come to be the President of Kenya," said Orengo.

He said from Monday, the nation will go in a way president Uhuru Kenyatta has never known.

This comes as leaders from other quarters especially those affiliated to Jubilee party continue to mount pressure on IEBC to declare Uhuru president elect.

A section of Jubilee MP's from Nakuru had said IEBC should not delay announcement of the results after they suspended voting in areas that experienced violence.

Their sentiment were echoed by West Pokot governor John Lonyangapuo who said since the main competitor against Uhuru had withdrawn from the race and polls suspended in his stronghold, the commission should proceed and declare Uhuru the winner.

Lonyangapuo said as it stands it is evident the other candidates are way far below.

Deputy President William Ruto now claims that NASA coalition hired Militia men to block the repeat of presidential election.

Ruto on Saturday exclusively told CNN that a lot of Kenyans were ready to participate in the repeat polls but were threatened by their NASA competitors.

Ruto further dismissed claims that the low voter turn out experienced in the polls was occasioned by Raila Odinga's withdrawal from the race.

He said to them majority of Kenyans had cast their vote and only a few in specific areas would not manage due to fear of their lives.

"We are reliably aware that our competitors blocked voting in some areas through violent protests orchestrated by hired militia but that does not mean that an election did not happen. The rest of the country voted peacefully," Ruto said.

Ruto said Odinga had organised Militia groups in his strongholds to intimidate and harass election officials with an aim to portray that people in his region did not vote.

He said through the organised violence, about 9 percent of Kenyans in the affected areas were denied their constitutional right to vote.

If it is true that people in his region did not vote let them remove all the militia and allow IEBC to conduct an election, they will be surprised at the overwhelming turn out," he said.

The DP said it was the worst kind of injustice to deny innocent Kenyans a chance to vote and such moves should not be allowed to go unpunished.

Ruto dismissed allegations by NASA coalition that only 3.5 million Kenyans had cast their vote.

"It is incorrect for Odinga to say only 3.5 million turned out. More than 7.5 million turned out. Odinga wants to peddle a narrative that suits his political propaganda," Ruto said.

He said the announcement made earlier by IEBC chairman indicating that only 6.5 million Kenyans had voted in the October 26 was just an estimation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has thanked God and the people of Kenya for vindicating him as the validly elected president in the August 8 general election.

Uhuru noted his gratitude after IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati officially declared he and Deputy President William Ruto will rule for another five years.

There was clapping as Chebukati spoke and before and after Uhuru's acceptance speech, people sang songs including 'tano tena'(five more) and the 'happy birthday' tune.

The repeat election took place on the Jubilee Party leader's 56th birthday.

The Jubilee Party boss said he chose to abide by the law despite winning the August election to let peace prevail.

"The Opposition petition that led to my nullification was not based on my election but on the process, and since the law is supreme,I submitted myself to the people leading to the October 26 election," he noted. "I defeated violence, intimidation and witchcraft."

Uhuru said the re-run was notr easy as rules of engagement changed and then caem Election Laws(Amendment) Bill, 2017, which he is yet to sign.

"I listened to all the voices regarding the rules of engagement in the run up to the elections and decided not to sign the document because the law should be reasoned based on principles," he stated.

"Any other country that would have experienced what we went through would have burst asunder but we stayed strong since you cannot choose the opportunity to exercise a right and thereafter abscond from the consequences of that choice."

Uhuru was to face NASA chief Raila Odinga but he withdrew citing lack of electoral reforms and claimed the outcome had already been determined.

Raila asked his supporters to boycott the vote, and they did so, primarily in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya counties.

In his address, Uhuru acknowledged the right to vote or not.

"I WILL SUBMIT TO CONSTITUTION"

The president-elect said his government will focus on rebuilding and uniting the country to ensure growth and development and respect for human life.

He added he will be ready for a challenge to his election through the courts to ensure the lives of Kenyans are protected.

Many people have died since August 8 and in a statement earlier today, Amnesty International regretted punitive policing, noted police should not firearms on protesters and asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to look into allegations against police.

Uhuru stated he will engage with other leaders who lost in the polls only after all avenues are exhausted.

"There is still another process. We shall wait for that process and its outcome and i will submit to this constitutional path no matter the outcome."

He called on other leaders to ensure peace despite deep political divides after the polls especially with schools heading into an examination period.

"The future of our children should not be disrupted because of our political concerns.My commitment is to ensure that the exams continue as scheduled," he said.

WHAT NEXT FOR RAILA?

The president-elect garnered 7,483,895(98.26 per cent)of the 7,616,217 cast in the election while NASA leader Raila Odinga, who withdrew, was second with 73,228 votes.

Lawyer Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance) got 21,333, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo14,107,Kavinga Kaluyu 8,261,Michael Wainaina 6,000 and Joe Nyaga 5,554.

In the August poll, Uhuru got 8,203,290 votes (54.27 per cent) against Raila's 6,762,224 votes (44.74 per cent).

The president-elect met the 50+1 national requirement and the one for 25 per cent support in each of at 24 of the 47 counties.The August general election had a voter turnout of 79.17 per cent -Uhuru was declared winner with 8,203,290 votes against Raila's 6,762,224.

The turnout for the re-run was 38.84 per cent.

This was Raila's fifth attempt to get into State House but he had declared he will not retire until Kenya is in a better state.

After Raila disputed the 2007 election that Mwai Kibaki won, violence erupted leaving at least 1,300 dead and more than 600,000 internally displaced. The two formed a coalition government following intervention by Kofi Annan.

The Opposition leader also vied in the 2013 general election but lost to Uhuru and alleged rigging.

He claimed Jubilee rigged with help from the IEBC, allegations which have been refuted, and turned to the Supreme Court but then resorted to mass action. He has now turned the National Super Alliance into a national resistance movement.

Harare --Zimbabwe was reeling on Tuesday after the army warned it could intervene if President Robert Mugabe continued to purge veteran ruling party figures in an apparent effort to help his wife succeed him.

Both the ruling party's youth wing and the main opposition party called for civilian rule to be protected, while analysts called the crisis a potential turning point.

Army chief General Constantino Chiwenga on Monday warned Mugabe to "stop" purges of the ruling Zanu-PF party after the president abruptly sacked vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa last week.

Mnangagwa had clashed repeatedly with First Lady Grace Mugabe who is widely seen as vying to replace the 93-year-old leader when he dies.

"We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in," Chiwenga told top brass at Harare's King George VI military headquarters in an unprecedented intervention.

He appeared to be referring to the increasingly open efforts of Grace Mugabe to elevate her public position and publicly undermine her opponents--including Mnangagwa.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called for civilian rule to be defended following Chiwenga's threat.

"No one wants to see a coup - not that I am saying there is going to be a coup. If the army takes over that will be undesirable. It will bring democracy to a halt, and that is not healthy for a nation," the MDC's shadow defence minister, Gift Chimanikire, told AFP.

Zanu-PF's Youth League, which strongly supports Grace Mugabe, said in a statement that Chiwenga would not be allowed to pick Zimbabwe's leaders.

"We will stand guard in defence of the revolution--like the people of Turkey last year who repelled rogue security forces from interfering with an elected government," it said.

Neither the ZBC state broadcaster nor the government-run Herald daily covered the army chief's open threat to Mugabe, prompting senior commanders to demand why his intervention went unreported.

Speculation has been rife in Harare that Mugabe could now remove Chiwenga who is seen as an ally of ousted Mnangagwa.

The crisis "marks another landmark ominous moment in the ongoing race to succeed Mugabe," said political analyst Alex Magaisa in an online article.

'A turning point'

"(Mugabe) has previously warned the military to stay away from Zanu-PF's succession race.

"His authority over the military has never been tested in this way. If he does nothing, it might be regarded as a sign of weakness. If he puts his foot down, it could result in open confrontation."

Chiwenga, 61, was on official business in China when Mnangagwa was removed. They were both prominent figures in the struggle for independence from Britain, along with Mugabe.

Mnangagwa was widely seen as Mugabe's most loyal lieutenant having worked alongside him for more than 40 years and his ouster sent shockwaves through the region.

He fled the country and is thought to be in South Africa but has yet to make a public appearance following his searing five-page condemnation of Grace's ambition and Mugabe's leadership style.

Shadrack Gutto, the director of the Centre for African Renaissance Studies at the University of South Africa, told AFP that if Grace attempted to take control, the army "will throw her out and she can go into exile or die".

"They will not accept Grace Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe...(This) is a turning point in Zimbabwe because Robert Mugabe is semi-senile."

Wright Chirombe, a 36-year-old barber in Harare, welcomed the army's pledge to intervene.

"We have a ruling party that has been hijacked by individuals who want to create a dynasty. All these people want is their own gains and to protect those gains. No one cares about the ordinary people's suffering," he said.

But Zimbabwe's business community, which is already contending with shortages of foreign currency and essential supplies caused by economic uncertainty, was more cautious about Chiwenga's intervention.

"The general can talk about the revolution but it does not help the ordinary people. The people just want bread and butter," said 37-year-old Oscar Muponda who runs a technology retailer in the capital.

Deaths, injuries, chaos and destruction characterised NASA leader Raila Odinga's return to the country yesterday from a trip abroad, as police and his supporters engaged in daylong confrontations.

At least five people were killed, while scores were injured and a police lorry was among vehicles torched by the irate supporters after they overwhelmed anti-riot police.

One person was killed at Nacico plaza, near Muthurwa as officers tried to stop the youths from setting the police lorry on fire.

Three people died on Jogoo road, while the fifth person was killed along Haile Selassie Avenue as the NASA leaders and their supporters braved police bullets, teargas and water cannons in an attempt to enter Uhuru Park. 

On Jogoo road a 42-seater Public Service Vehicle (PSV) belonging to Forward Travellers was set ablaze, while more than 30 vehicles had their windscreens smashed on Mombasa road.

Several people heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport missed their flights while traders along Mombasa road, Industrial area, Jogoo road, Landhies Road, Haile Selassie and parts of the city centre were counting losses after business was disrupted for the better part of the day.

Journalists were not spared after rival groups clashed at Muthurwa market leaving KTN senior reporter Duncan Khaemba with a head injury after he was hit by a stone that smashed the Standard Group’s car.

Police had barricaded several roads but Raila’s supporters outwitted them and headed to JKIA to receive him.

The ODM leader jetted into the country aboard a mid morning Kenya Airways (KQ) flight from Dubai and landed at the JKIA, where NASA leaders who had managed to beat the police at their game to enter the airport received him.

NASA supporters were locked out of the busy airport by anti-riot police who had barricade the main entrance and conducted security check for every vehicle entering JKIA.

Mombasa road had a gridlock that lasted several hours amid the chaos.

The traffic jam was worsened by lorry drivers who parked their vehicles in the middle of the road and fled fearing the violence.

The Saturday Standard counted at least five drivers who were injured just metres from the JKIA entrance when the rowdy youths pelted the cars with stones after police violently stopped them from heading towards the airport.

Those injured were rushed to the airport clinic by police and Good Samaritans where they were treated and discharged; but left counting their losses.

Drive on the wrong side

"I had been hired to drop passengers at the airport but now they have damaged my car. I don't know how I am going to offset my loan with this damage. I have also not gone home for the last three days and was depending on today’s income to buy food for my family," Abel Nyangaresi, a taxi driver whose saloon car had its windscreen smashed said. 

Chaos were also reported along the Airport North road after youths who had been blocked from heading to Mombasa road, lit bonfires and set ablaze a private car neat Taj Mall.

The NASA leader's convoy snaked through Mombasa road and took a diversion at Likoni road, towards Jogoo road where police, who tried to disperse the crowd in vain clashed. At some point, motorists were forced to drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid the rowdy crowd.

Police had erected roadblocks using lorries at the Cabanas and Enterprise road junctions, near St Stephens ACK Jogoo road, City Stadium, Muthurwa and Haile Selassie/Uhuru Highway junction but were overwhelmed by the NASA brigade.

The ODM leader's Range Rover and several cars in his motorcade including Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed vehicles had their windscreens smashed. Raila’s front windscreen was left with a huge dent but did not break. 

The NASA leader who was accompanied by co-principal Moses Wetang'ula did not hold any roadside rally during the near five hour journey to the city expect a brief address outside Uhuru Park, near Railways Club.

Police had banned the rallies by NASA citing the ongoing KCSE exams but opposition figures could hear none of it.

Three "intelligent" people linked to a shocking movie-like bank theft, complete with an underground tunnel, were charged in Thika on Monday.

Helford Munene (32), Charles Mwangi (30) and Julius Ndung'u (32) appeared before chief magistrate Theresa Murigi over the theft of more than Sh50 million.

A senior police source termed the suspects learned people who have Master's degrees and second class honours of the upper division.

Two studied agricultural engineering and the other electrical engineering at JKUAT's Nairobi campus.

"These are intelligent people. In fact the one who got the lowest marks in their O level course had an A-," the officer said.

Plenty of money stolen

The prosecution said that between November 18 and 20, the suspects and accomplices entered KCB Thika through an underground tunnel and stole several bundles of cash.

These were Sh52,650,000, 95 Australian dollars, 185 Euros, 1,630 Pounds, Tsh 271,000, Ush947,000, $5,781, 40 South African Rand and five Canadian dollars.

More on this:Thieves dig tunnel under KCB Thika, steal Sh50 million

Also read:Three arrested over Sh50 million Thika KCB tunnel heist

The suspects were also charged with handling stolen property.

They were further charged with dishonestly handling Sh17,135,000, $1,311, 340 Pounds, 3,660 Euros, five Canadian dollars, 85 Australian dollars, Tsh26,000, 40 South African Rand and Ush20,000.

The three allegedly committed this offence in the course of stealing at Joy Land Estate in Juja on November 25.

The suspects denied all the charges and their lawyer Zacky Odegi pleaded with the court for lenient bail and bond terms.

"Bails and bonds are constitutional rights and my clients are no exception. They were arrested in their house in Thika on Saturday and have been in police custody for the whole weekend," he said.

But police said the suspects were apprehended on Saturday morning at Marurui Estate in Kiambu after which they led officers to a house in Joy Land where the money was found.

A police source said they had rented a house in the area but residents raised suspicions.

"Rigorous investigations led us to their whereabouts," the officer told The star.

Police also found tools used to drill the tunnel that led them to the bank's vault, over a period of six months, and several Kenyan IDs.

Suspects planning to abscond?

The lawyer further noted his clients were not flight risks and that they were ready for justice.

"The accused are first offenders and have no intentions of leaving the country until the matter is fully determined," he said.

State counsel Stella Oyagi objected saying the prosecution had compelling reasons to deny the suspects bond or bail.

Referring to a sworn affidavit by the investigations officer, Oyagi said the three had been planning to leave the country.

"They are a flight risk and will likely jeopardise the proceedings if granted bail," she said, adding that they would destroy evidence.

Justice Murigi will rule on the application on November 30.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked politicians to use the country's diversity for national good instead of abusing it for personal gain.

Two days to his swearing-in, Uhuru attendeda thanks giving service at Redeemed Gospel Church in Huruma. His message was that celebrations at Kasarani will not be about him and winning an election but about Kenyans celebrating their diversity, peace and unity.

His remarks came amid criticism by NASA leader Raila Odinga and others in the Opposition, who say sober leaders cannot celebrate with the bodies of their supporters in mortuaries.

The inauguration will cost Sh300 million.

Raila said Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto have become "animals that drink blood".

The NASA chief said this on Saturday in reference to supporters killed as crowds welcomed him back from his US tour on November 17.

Police put the number at five but the Opposition said more than 30 were killed and is planning a memorial on Tuesday.

The President noted that with democracy, it is normal to compete for political positions but the competition should not be based on ethnicity, race or tribe.

He wants ideas that will improve the people's lives.

"And like in any competition, there will be winners and losers but in terms of the election we, as Kenyans, are all winners. Our responsibility after the political competition is to come together and work to build the nation."

Uhuru, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, said Kenyans want to live together as one so they should be dragged into political battles.

"Within the political world, it is normal to have differences but that does not mean we can't co-exist and live together in peace."

The Jubilee Party boss responsibilities are peace for all Kenyans and unity for the sake of development.

Ruto urged the public to shun those preaching hate, negative ethnicity and divisive politics.

"Today, let us all resolve that we will refuse hate, resist negative ethnicity and reject divisive politics so we can live together as one people-the people of the great nation of Kenya."

The DP said he was in church with the President to fulfill a covenant they made with God - that if He grants them victory they will glorify Him.

He asked citizens to continuously build bridges of friendship and brotherhood because that is the will of God. He further asked religious leaders to pray for the President and his team so they can have the wisdom to serve everybody irrespective of political affiliations.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said his administration is ready to work with the national government to ensure the city is safe and that the rights of every person are safeguarded.

"A few people should not be allowed to violate the rights of others. We have witnessed women being stabbed, property looted and others destroyed. We will not allow this to continue."

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Ruto's wife Rachel also addressed the congregation.

Western powers are pushing for national dialogue to heal the country after months of bloody and divisive politics that threatens to plunge Kenya deeper into a political crisis.The push came just hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn into office for a second term.

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto on their inauguration on Tuesday but called for immediate talks to heal widening rifts.

"As part of the process of addressing these tensions and strengthening institutions, we urge Kenyans to join together to hold an immediate, sustained and open national conversation to heal divisions between communities," US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

The calls came as opposition chief Raila Odinga declared that he too will be sworn in as President on December 12. The US said they are deeply concerned by the ongoing political tension and called for restraint from security forces.

The UK, on the other hand, said all Kenyans should recognise the significance of dialogue and healing after months of divisive politics.

The message was delivered by British Minister for Africa Rory Stewart who attended the swearing-in ceremony at Kasarani and the official inauguration luncheon at State House. "I hope all Kenyans will recognise the need for national dialogue and healing," Stewart said.

The international calls for talks was recognition of months of divisive campaigns and turmoil that has pushed the country to the brink of chaos.

On Tuesday, there was police terror in Nairobi's Eastlands area as police battled NASA supporters from entering Jacaranda Grounds. A seven-year-old boy was shot dead in the process.

But despite calls for dialogue, it also emerged that the international community was firmly behind Uhuru as the legitimate President.

The UK government, for instance, has formally invited Uhuru to the Commonwealth Summit in London next year. Many Western states did not congratulate Uhuru after the controversial October 26 rerun.

"The US congratulates the people of Kenya on the conclusion of the presidential election process, as well as President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto on their inauguration for a second term," US said in a statement.

After more months of diplomatic negotiations, four Kenyans held in South Sudan are set to return home today.

President Uhuru Kenyatta managed to secure their release last week following a meeting with his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir in Nairobi. Kiir attended Uhuru's inauguration and the two leaders later held bilateral talks where the Kenyan President is said to have made the request. Kenyan ambassador to South Sudan Cleland Leshore and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed have been involved in diplomatic negotiations over the matter.

But with the South Sudan government standing its ground, sources say that Kenya decided that Uhuru directly engages Kiir to secure their release.

"There has been a lot of negotiations over the matter, but, as Kenya, we were careful not to jeopardise this by publicly making comments over the matter," a senior government official said. Yesterday morning, a delegation led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma travelled to Juba where they were to be engaged in the release process. It is yet to be established whether Anthony Keya, Boniface Muriuki, Ravi Ghaghda and Anthony Mwadime will be tried afresh after they arrive in this country.

Sources within government, however, tell the Star the matter is likely to stretch the relationship between the two countries if Kenya does not institute charges against the four. South Sudan is said to want Kenya to open charges against the four under Kenyan laws, which is also said to be one of the conditions set for the release.

Kenya's argument in the negotiations is that the four were never accorded a fair trial even after the Appeal Court in Juba ordered a re-trial. The four were arrested in Juba on May 29, 2015, alongside 12 others - mostly South Sudanese nationals, and jailed for suspected fraud. In June of 2016, they were convicted of stealing Sh1.4 billion ($14 million) from President Kiir's office. The suspects were held for more than 40 days without being interrogated. The four worked for Click Technologies Company, with Ravi serving as a business development manager, Muriuki as a sales and development manager, while Keya and Mwadime were employees.

In March, Amina told Parliament she would follow up the matter but the families of the four said no action had been taken. "The Kenyans have been condemned when there is no evidence adduced in court linking them to the alleged crime. The government is considering a range of diplomatic measures to ensure these Kenyans are freed and come back home," Amina said in her statement to Parliament.

Kenyan diplomats say the case is "extremely sensitive" due to the "colossal amounts involved" and aspects touching on the office of the South Sudan President. Their families accused the government of failing to put in enough effort to have the four released.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Satruday urged Kenyans to register as members of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) so that they can be able to access medical services.

Uhuru said that through this, Kenyans will not have to worry about hospital costs when they fall sick.

"There is no person who knows when they will require medical services. It would be prudent for all citizens to register themselves with the scheme," Uhuru said.

He said in the next five years the government will expand NHIF services to ensure that the health scheme serves all Kenyans without any challnges.

The president spoke in Kigumo, Murang'a County during the funeral service of the late mama Susan Wairimu Chege.

Deputy President William Ruto and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta also attended the funeral service.

The late Susan Chege who is mother to Murang'a Women Rep Sabina Chege died in a road accident on October 5th.

The father of Sabina, Michael Chege Mutema, was also seriously injured and has been hospitalized for the last two months.

"If the family was not insured by NHIF, they would have had challenges clearing the bill." Uhuru said.

The funeral was attended by Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen and governors Mwangi wa Iria (Muranga), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Joyce Laboso (Bomet) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu).

Raila, the once future President, found himself alone.

Three NASA principals did not support the much-hyped swearing-in of Raila Odinga as the People's President, leading to collapse of the plan. Raila, the fourth principal, gave in. The pressure to capitulate was enormous.

There were fears of convulsive violence leading to deaths of innocent supporters, fears that Raila himself would be arrested and jailed for treason for life, fears his legacy would be irredeemably tarnished and his cause of electoral justice and democracy would founder.

IDA'S IDEA?

NASA announced on Sunday that it had postponed the inauguration from today to a later date. Yesterday the Star learnt the decision to call off the ceremony was reached on Sunday after intense discussions among Raila, his family, NASA leaders and diplomats led by US Ambassador Robert Godec. It is understood Raila's wife Ida told those pushing for Raila's swearing-in to swear in someone else --not her husband.

She has avoided active politics since she lost her son Fidel in January 2015 and her daughter Rosemary fell sick this year. Ida and other family members were worried Raila could have been jailed for life if he had been sworn-in at the age 72.

"She was very clear the swearing-in was crazy and wondered where it came from," a family member told the Star.

From the onset, the NASA principals were opposed.

LITTLE SUPPORT

Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, also NASA's Deputy President candidate; Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetang'ula (Ford-Kenya) all believed inauguration would hurt their cause. Separately and through lieutenants, they urged Raila to drop the idea. Kalonzo, tending to his ailing wife in Germany, raised objections through Wiper leaders, including Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Wiper deputy leader Farah Maalim. Mudavadi and Wetang'ula reportedly spoke with Raila several times last week and at the weekend and pushed for scrapping the idea. Their biggest fear was lack of a plan for what NASA would do after the oath was administered.

They feared a confrontation with the police -- who said they would arrest 'President' Raila -- that could have caused the deaths of many people.

FEAR OF ARREST

"The question asked was what happens after Raila is sworn in? The fact NASA could not protect its supporters made it possible for old counsel to prevail," a NASA MP told the Star. Even Siaya Senator James Orengo -- who was once vociferously in favour of swearing-in -- went quiet.

David Ndii, chair of the organising committee and a proponent of secession, is also said to have opposed the oath-taking. Only former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama was steadfastly in support of the inauguration in Mombasa. This was despite warning that everyone involved would be arrested and charged.

US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec made it clear to Raila the international community would not support his idea. He said swearing-in would be counterproductive and erode Raila’s democratic credentials. Yesterday Godec praised Raila's move.

"NASA's decision yesterday (Sunday) is a positive step. We again call for a sustained, open, and transparent national conversation involving all Kenyans to build national unity and address long-standing issues," he tweeted.

On Friday last week, Godec led a powerful Western envoys' delegation to Raila's office where they pleaded with him to back down. The envoys urged him to avoid engaging in any illegal activity.

"I stress the need to uphold the Constitution. We urge the government, opposition and all Kenyans to engage in open, transparent national conversation," Godec said on Friday.

Raila's spokesperson Dennis Onyango said NASA is committed to dialogue on security reforms, securing and strengthening the Judiciary, devolution and governance structure. This was rejected by President Uhuru Kenyatta who ruled out any electoral reforms talks. Yesterday Uhuru again said he will not engage in endless politics at the expense of development.

Dismay and anger greeted the decision by NASA to postpone the swearing-in of Raila by supporters, some calling it an act of cowardice. Immediately after the postponement announcement on Sunday, NASA supporters said the coalition had let them down.

PROMISE GOLD, DELIVER TISSUE

Supporters were furious with Raila’s long-time adviser Salim Lone, who tried to justify postponement. Ben Musungu, ODM National Youth Coordinator, said, "Disappointed to the core as was on my way to Mombasa. No phone calls. Don't know anything," he wrote on Facebook before pulling it down.

"Welcome to Cord-madness. NASA world. Talk, heave, puff, bluff play games, promise Gold, deliver tissue. Repeat process. Long live Baba," Political analyst and strategist Benji Ndolo wrote.

A pastor at one of the evangelical churches in Naivasha, Kenya was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl.

The pastor from KCC village along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway was nabbed hours after the incident after the minor reported the matter to her parents.

"The pastor, who is well known in this estate, gave the minor Sh50 and told her to keep quiet over the issue that has left area residents seething with anger," a neighbour said.

Naivasha sub-county commissioner Isaac Masinde said cases of child abuse were on the rise, especially in informal estates.

He called on members of the public to work with chiefs to deal with the cases adding that no suspect will be spared.

"We have had two bizarre incidents where very young minors have been sexually abused by their mentors. We are keen to address this emerging problem," he said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, police in Kongoni Naivasha are holding a 13-year-old boy for allegedly defiling a girl, 3, and leaving her for the dead.

The teenager escaped lynching from irate members of the public at Moi Ndabi area, some 40kilometres from Naivasha town.

The minor, who was bleeding from her private parts, was rushed to Naivasha sub-county hospital for treatment.

Neighbours said the suspect was left to take care of the minor by the mother who had rushed to hospital.

"When the mother came back she found the minor bleeding and on been questioned, the teenager gave contradicting stories before he was arrested," Naivasha assistant county commissioner Joseph Opondo said.

He said the standard three drop out will be charged in court with various offences once police were through with their investigations.

LOWELL, MA__An attempt by Rev. Samuel Kimohu to return to his familiar position at the pulpit in front of the St. Stephen's church in Lowell was denied for a second time by a superior court judge, barely two days before Christmas day, one of the most important celebrations in the Christian Calendar.

The ruling, seen by Ajabu Media, was delivered yesterday after Rev. Kimohu had moved to court on Wednesday with a motion to reconsider the earlier ruling that barred him from conducting any priestly duties at the Kenyan community church.

In his ruling, Justice Salim Tabit said that there was no evidence of any new circumstances that would sway him from his prior decision on the preliminary injunction filed by the American Anglican church seeking to keep him out of the church until a full hearing of the dispute is heard and determined.

On Friday last week Justice Tabit denied another emergency motion by Rev. Kimohu seeking to overturn the ruling made last month hoping to return to church by last Sunday, indicating that both parties needed to make arguments in court, which prompted Kimohu's new attorney, Mr. James Leahy to file the motion for reconsideration.

While endorsing his earlier decision to keep Kimohu away from the church for now, the judge directed the court to hold a full hearing of the dispute on March 13, 2018, a blow to Rev. Kimohu who had hoped for a 'return to glory' before Christmas Day, although none of his party attended the hearing except his attorney and young daughter.

During Wednesday's hearing, the judge cast doubt on the validity of an alleged church council vote held on September 3rd, 2017 by some members of the church seeking to remove several members of the Vestry, the church body made up of several parishioners within the Anglican Communion charged with the responsibility of overseeing the day to day running of the church, some of  whom had openly questioned Kimohu's actions as the pastor that have left the church bitterly divided while others fear a possible loss of the church property valued at over $600,000.

However, there was no vote held for a new church council (vestry) on the particular day but elections were held for other church groups including the Father's and Mother's unions. Later the same night, Kimohu was defrocked and the vestry dissolved by Bishop Herzog who was alarmed by his defiance for conducting and illegal marriage against the bishop's advice.

On the following day, September 4, 2017, Kimohu convened an emergency meeting where a vote to disaffiliate St. Stephen’s church from the American Anglican church hierarchy was allegedly cast after the pastor had already defrocked.

Several members of the old vestry attending the meeting denied a vote ever took place, but added that several parishioners were handpicked to join the new pro-pastor vestry.

Several weeks later, the new vestry was accused of over stepping it's "authority" by electing new directors of the church who eventually "voted" to disaffiliate St. Stephen's church from the oversight and authority of the American Anglican church, a 'vote' that took place after Judge Tabit had ruled to ban Kimohu from the church on a temporary basis.

The judge noted that according to evidence presented to the court, members of the church were not properly notified of the planned voting for new vestry members in violation to the bylaws of the church as filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the Canons of the American Anglican church which St. Stephens church had willfully and knowingly entered into an ecclesiastical affiliation with.

Judge Tabit further said that the bylaws and canons of the church clearly indicate that no election for the members of the vestry can take place at the church without the bishop's permission in addition to the proper notification of the parishioners.

"People did not know about it. There was no permission from the bishop. It seems to me like father Kimohu was the one behind it. These pictures provided to me here don't mean anything. Photos are just photos and they don't even have dates on them," judge Tabit grilled Attorney Leahy, Kimohu's lawyer who was trying to counter allegations of fraud leveled by the American Anglican church. He further demanded that his client produce minutes from the meeting, but attorney Leahy was unable to produce any.

"A trial court has to establish credibility. There are no dates on these photos, no explanation or anything to tell us the full story," Judge Tabit continued.

"I have yet to find the minutes. Why this is so, I still need to find out," attorney Leahy countered while admitting he lacked immidiate evidence of a valid vote that ushered in a new vestry.

"In a regular corporation, this is negligence your honor. It does not rise to the level of fraud," Leahy added, adding that he would not have advised the vestry to hold the vote if he was representing them at the time.

Leahy charged that several parishioners opposing pastor Kimohu had attempted to grab power in the church by force when they recently changed all the locks in the church in an effort to lock out the new vestry members and board of directors, prompting the vestry to file a restraining order on two of them.

However, the judge dismissed Leahy's charge indicating that it was obvious that the church is now divided into two warring factions that were competing to grab power at the Kenyan community church, giving rise to the current litigation.

The judge further said that pastor Kimohu had no right to the church property located at 279 West 6th Street in Lowell to warrant the locking out of members who don't agree with him as Leahy sought to disassociate the current St. Stephen's church form any affiliation with the American Anglican church, but the judge remained unconvinced.

"Do you agree that this dispute we have today resulted from the decision by the American Anglican church to defrock father Kimohu," judge Tabit asked Leahy as he paced behind his desk where he had abandoned a sitting position when arguments heated up  in the courtroom.

"Prior to this, I would agree with that contention, but they are no longer affiliated. If Rev. Kimohu passed away today, this suit would still go on," Leahy responded.

Attorney James Doherty for the American Anglican church said that the problems at St. Stephen's church caused by pastor Kimohu were many, but an illegal wedding he performed is what precipitated the current dispute.

While making the ruling that keeps pastor Kimohu out of the church until the dispute is heard in March, the judge also ordered the plaintiffs to post a $5,000 surety bond to guarantee that they will be present during the hearing for the suit to continue to the end.

Mr. Samuel Mbugua, pastor Kimohu's right hand man who also serves as the people's warden took to social media posting the surety bond section of the ruling on WhatsApp while leaving out the main content in what was perceived to be an effort to cast the plaintiffs in a negative light, when asked for comment on why the left out the rest, Mr. Mbugua went mute and has not yet responded.

A few families at St. Stephen's church who are fighting to defend the church from collapsing and keep it under the over sign authority of the American Anglican church as a way of safeguarding the property have stated that they have worked hard to acquire and pay off the mortgage over many years and have vowed to fight on to the end to ensure that the church survives this rough patch in its history.

"It's very unfortunate that pastor Kimohu was defrocked for his own failures and negligence but wants to drag all members of St. Stephen's into his problems and misfortunes. He is now dividing members by directing them what to do or not to do from his home after he was banned from the church. The current vestry is only working to advance his agenda but not the agenda of regular members or the general Kenyan community who have helped us build this church through many fund raisers," said James Karuchi, a former chairman of the Fathers' Union during an interview with Ajabu Africa News while reading a statement from members opposed to Kimohu.

The group has set up aGoFund Meaccount in order to raise money from well wishers to help them meet the rising litigation costs.
https://www.gofundme.com/t3t36-st-stephens-anglican-church-lowell
"We are asking all Kenyans and well wishers in this region and beyond to help us with donations to defend this church we have worked so hard to acquire and pay off for our worship and for our future generations. Anything you can donate he highly appreciated," he added.

Read full ruling below
 

The NASA leaders head for a retreat in mid-January to unveil their calendar of events, including what insiders claim will be the swearing-in of principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the People's President and Deputy President.

ODM chairman John Mbadi said on Friday the retreat was on the cards and the alliance's captains shall unveil the details on Tuesday.

"We've not decided on the venue of the retreat and the exact dates, but the principals will communicate to their parties on Tuesday next week," he said.

NASA leaders are playing their cards close to their chest amid fears that details of the planned meeting could be used against them by the state. The outfit has vowed to use the activities to push out President Uhuru Kenyatta from power after the disputed October 26 election rerun. They say the end game is secession if Uhuru refuses to step down.

"The retreat is meant to push the NASA agenda and ensure its teams understand each other, the activities ahead and the endgame of everything being put in place," Mbadi said.

An insider said, "We will also audit the coalition activities as we move forward."

Governors, senators, woman representatives, MPs, MCAs and party officials will attend the meeting. NASA will use the occasion to heal emerging rifts with regard to those appointed to top House posts. ANC, Wiper and Ford Kenya had claimed the list that had John Mbadi as Minority leader was not approved by the alliance's parliamentary group.

In the six-month calendar of events, NASA wants to enhance the economic boycott, reach out to the global leaders and increase street protests to exert pressure on Uhuru's regime. The calendar also has details of the county assemblies that do not recognise Uhuru and the People's Assemblies, which they expect to hold across the country.

"As stated earlier by NASA, no one will ever think of stealing an election in this country again," Mbadi said.

ANC and Wiper have held their retreats and ODM was considering having its own retreat before the umbrella retreat. "We'll have back-to-back retreats for ODM and NASA," Mbadi said.

"The calendar shows when we are swearing in Raila and Kalonzo and the way forward. It also has the endgame of the whole process."

President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law the controversial Age Limit Bill recently passed by the Ugandan Parliament.

According to Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper, the President's press secretary Linda Nabusayi said he signed the bill into an Act of Parliament on December 27, before sending communication on December 29.

This means that Museveni, 73, can run for another term, come the 2021 presidential poll, should he choose to.

Kenya has no lower or upper age limit for contesting for the presidency. The main qualification is one being a citizen by birth and qualifying to stand for election as MP and be nominated by a political party.

However, the President can only serve for two terms of five years each.

Museveni's signing of the Bill comes amid calls from religious leaders and political activists urging him to return the bill to Parliament.

The Ugandan parliament on December 10, voted by majority of 317 MPs against 97 to change the Constitution and remove the 75-year age limit and to extend the term of MPs from five to seven years.

The Archbishop of Gulu who doubles as the chairman of Episcopal conference John Baptist Odama, had, like other religious leaders, cautioned President Museveni against appending his signature on the bill.

Odama had said if Museveni signs the Bill passed without the views of majority Ugandans, he would be tormented by his conscience.

"If what has been passed by Parliament is not the view of the majority citizens, let him not sign it," he said.

Kenya's opposition CORD leader Raila Odinga has blamed "ethnic chauvinists" for preventing the Kikuyus, and the Central Kenya population generally, from voting for him.

The former Prime Minister said that Kikuyus do not vote for him as a Luo, because there is massive propaganda that he does not work well with them.

This, he said in an interview with Al Jazeera aired on Friday night, has created a wedge between him and Kikuyu voters.

"I work with Kikuyus. My legal adviser is a Kikuyu. I have a lot of Kikuyus who work with me. But Kikuyus have not voted for me because, basically, there is this propaganda spread by ethnic chauvinists to keep them away from me," Raila said.

He told Al Jazeera's Head to Head programme in an interview that Kikuyus and Luos have always worked together, but the Central Kenyans never vote for him.

He said he was instrumental in ensuring former President Mwai Kibaki won during the 2002 general election.

"It has not always been like that. When [Jomo] Kenyatta was in prison, my father, who was a Luo, Oginga Odinga, led the campaign for the release of Kenyatta. In 2002, I came up and said 'Kibaki Tosha', went out and campaigned for Kibaki, a Kikuyu, and the Luos voted for Kibaki 98.5 per cent," Raila said.

At Independence, Founding President Kenyatta appointed Raila's father Odinga the Founding Vice-President.

Raila has run for President thrice, twice losing to a Kikuyu opponent --Kibaki in 2007 and Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.

In 1997, the only Presidential election he says he lost fairly, Raila came in third after then President Daniel arap Moi and Kibaki.

The ODM leader has claimed that he had his victory stolen the two times that he has lost to a Kikuyu candidate, though he could not prove this at the Supreme Court after the 2013 election.

In 2008, the Kriegler Commission that probed the 2007 disputed poll said that both Raila’s side and Kibaki's were involved in rigging.

But Raila disputes this narrative, saying he was a clear favourite at the 2007 elections and it was the incumbent, Kibaki, who rigged the election.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. We did not, in 2007, try to rig the election. We never have any reason to cheat because we are always very confident that we are going to win," Raila said during the interview.

During the 2007 elections, Raila got less than two per cent of the votes in the predominant Kikuyu region of Central Kenya.

The same pattern was repeated at the 2013 polls, where Uhuru got more than 98 per cent in all the counties in Central Kenya.

With the 2017 election early campaigns under way, Raila is most likely to face Uhuru again on the Presidential ballot.

Raila however has always had Kikuyus in his campaigns, but has also fallen out with them later on.

Two of the most prominent Raila supporters from Central Kenya have been businessman Peter Kuguru and one-time Attorney General Charles Njonjo.

Some of those who have worked with him include political commentator Ngunjiri Wambugu, communication consultant Tony Gachoka and politicians Margaret Wanjiru, Rachel Shebesh and Stephen Kariuki.

The 2007 election led to the post-election violence crisis that saw 1,300 people killed and 650,000 displaced from their homes.

Raila's supporters went to the streets protesting his "stolen" election after Kibaki was declared President. Their slogan was "No Raila, No Peace". The greatest post-Independence crisis pitted the Kikuyus against the Kalenjins.

During the interview, Raila said he and his supporters were not out to incite people to violence if he loses the next election.

However, Raila warned during the interview that Kenya has yet to deal with the triggers of the 2008 post-election violence by failing to reform the electoral commission.

"We need to address factors that may lead us to a state of violence such as that we witnessed in 2008. We will not go to the gallows. If the Electoral Commission is not properly reformed, there would definitely be no reason for us to participate in the coming elections," he told Al Jazeera.

If he wins the next election, Raila has said that he will focus on dealing with the corruption, tribalism and inequality that face the country.

On corruption, Raila will send individuals who are involved in graft to jail, if he is elected President next year.

"When was the last time that a high-profile Kenyan political was sent to prison for corruption?" Head to Head host Mehdi Hasan asked Raila.

"I don't remember," Raila said, after mentioning that there are people who had been charged in court for corruption.

"Will you put people behind bars when elected President?" Hasan asked the ODM leader.

"Certainly... certainly," the former PM said.

Raila said that when he was Prime Minister in the grand coalition government he sacked "three or four" people in his office who were involved in corruption.

The Cord leader however refrained from naming these individuals he said he had sacked following an email from his adviser Sarah Elderkin, read to him on the show.

"When we came to government we reduced the amount of corruption. Unfortunately, some of ourselves actually allowed ourselves to be involved in this graft. I accept that some of my allies were involved in corruption. And when I was Prime Minister, I suspended two ministers," Raila said.

Nigeria's government on Monday summoned the United States ambassador to explain reported remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Trump reportedly said that some immigrants from Africa and Haiti come from "shithole" countries.

Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama responded to a text message from Reuters in which he confirmed that ambassador Stuart Symington had been summoned. He gave no more details.

Trump reportedly made the remarks at a private meeting with lawmakers on immigration on Thursday.

A US senator who attended the gathering said the president used "vile, vulgar" language, including repeatedly using the word "shithole" when speaking about African countries.

The US president on Friday denied using such derogatory language. But he has been widely condemned in many African countries and by international rights organisations. African Union countries demanded an apology on Friday.

The Sh120 million tiny 10 by 10cm cube nanosatellite is to be launched in April or May from the International Space Station.

The satellite was developed by the University of Nairobi in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, mostly funded by Japan.

The University of Nairobi said the satellite will also be used to test technologies for the launch of a larger earth observation satellite in the future.

The launch, if successful, will earn Kenya a position in the small club of African countries engaged in space science.

Only South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, and Egypt have satellites in space. Koichi Wakata, the Japanese agency's ISS programme manager, said Kenya's satellite will be delivered to the ISS in March.

It will be launched from a robotic arm known as Kibo in April or May

"At Jaxa, we are committed to making every effort to prepare for the successful deployment of the Republic of Kenya’s first satellite utilising unique capability of the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo on the ISS," he said.

COMPLETED LAST WEEK

The ISS is a large spacecraft built by several countries to orbit Earth and house astronauts working on experiments.

UoN engineer Dr Jackson Mwangi, who was involved in the satellite development, said it was handed over to Jaxa in Japan on Tuesday last week.

"The 1KUNS-PF ( 1st Kenyan University Nano Satellite Precursor Flight) is the first satellite to be developed by Kenya and first satellite to be operated by a Kenyan university," he said.

It comes in a new form, a nanosatellite. It's extremely small, a 10 by 10 centimetre cube, with volume of one litre.

Miniaturised satellites increasingly perform commercial missions that previously required larger satellites.

Kenya's first satellite was developed through a programme known as KiboCUBE, launched in September 2015 by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Jaxa.

The programme offers educational and research institutions from developing countries the opportunity to deploy cube satellites from the ISS.

The term "nanosatellite" or "nanosat" is usually applied to an artificial satellite with a mass between one and 10kg.

For the first time, a voice call was made via a nosatellite using a regular smartphone, in September last year.

BOSTON__Admired by many for is oratory skills, popular Kenyan lawyer PLO Lumumba currently in Boston to receive an African Luminary Award from the Lowell African Cultural Association held a Facebook Live media interview with Harrison Maina of Ajabu Africa News last night, January 2017 2018.

Ben Opara, vice president fo the African Cultural Association also took part in the interview as a suprise guest.

From US president Donald Trump's "shit hole" comments on Africa and Haiti to the epic battle between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga during just concluded, first ever Kenyan and African repeat elections, potential run for life presidency by Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni, devastating corruption in the African continent, the second scramble for Africa by Chinese and Western governments, the disharmony among Africans in the Diaspora and the role of the black man in human civilization all were covered.

Due to a technical hitch, some viewers were not able to log in the correct channel. However, we shall repost the entire interview here soon for those who may still want to view.

We apologize for al inconviniences caused.

BOSTON__The Massachusetts House of Representatives, led by speaker Robert De Leo officially recognized the courageous work by Kenyan top lawyer, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, popularly known as PLO Lumumba to raise awareness on how the scourge of corruption is weighing down on efforts to raise the standard of living in Kenya and across all African countries.

The recognition came in the form of a citation read on behalf other speaker and the entire House of Representatives by State Representative, Rady Mom of the 18th Middlesex District in Lowell Saturday during an event held by the African Cultural Association where Lumumba was also feted with the African Luminary of the year Award.

In addition, Lumumba also received another citation in recognition of his work from the city of Lowell presented by Mayor, Bill Samara.

The event took place at the Elks Lodge in Lowell with over 200 guests from various African communalities and American friends attending.

"Professor Lumumba, it's truly an honor to be in your presence. I know for sure through all what you have shared with us this evening that all you ever wanted is to realize how special Africa is. I am deeply touched by that," said Mom before presenting the citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, recognizing Lumumba's "contributions in fighting corruption and selflessly working to promote Africa's empowerment."

Massachusetts State Representative, Rady Mom presents Kenya's top lawyer, PLO Lumumba with a citation to honor his ani-corruption efforts in the African continent during an awards ceremony in Lowell, MA. to the right is Rev. Rafu Najem, who hosted the event. AJABU PIC/DANIEL MAINA

Describing his own difficult journey to freedom when his father decided to ran away from genocide in Cambodia with his little children in a desperate effort to give them a second chance in life, Mom urged Lumumba and Africans present to never forget where they came from.

"I survived gencide in Cambidia. Now i am truly honored to live I the greatest country inn the world. I share this with you to remind you that it is true, we must never ever forget where we came from!," he emphasized.

Mom also presented the African Cultural Association with another citation from the House of Representatives in recognition of their "exceptional service to the African community in promoting opportunity and social empowerment".

Thanking Lumumba for his courageous work and his inspiring speech during the event, Lowell mayor, Bill Samaras said that he will live to remember the day.

"I would like to thank the African cultural Association for the invitation to be here to give this ward tonight. Professor Lumumba, what an inspiring speech. I will remember this forever," said the mayor.

He added that the city of Lowell decided to honor Lumumba, a distinguished professor of law and former director of the Kenya school of Law for his fight for human rights and the fight against corruption.

"When I researched and read more about you, I came to realize that your fight is not just about Kenyans and Africans, it's about all human beings. I think you believe everybody should be safe, have a good home, a good education and a good future. You have written so many books about this including a judicial review. We are all very proud of you," added the mayor before handing Lumumba the citation while accompanied by Lowell City councilors, John Leahy and Dave Conway.

L to R: PLO Lumumba, Lowell Mayor, Bill Samaras, African cultural Association vice president, Ben Opara, together with city councillors, John Leahy , 2nd right and and Dave Conway, extreme right during the African Luminary awards ceremony at elks Lodge in Lowell Saturday January 27th, 2018. AJABU MEDIA PIC/DANIEL MAINA.

While recognizing the Kenyan professor with the African Luminary award for his exceptional work, Ben Opara, vice chairman of the African Cultural Association on behalf of the president, Levania Furusa who was out of the country for the burial of her mother, said that the ACA was extremely proud to honor Prof. Lumumba for his admirable work in Africa.

"The ACA and the board of directors voted unanimously to give this award, the very first of its kind to the distinguished professor of law, Prof. PLO Lumumba for your fight against corruption across the African continent," said Opara.

Giving a brief note of appreciations, Lumumba said he was very happy and encouraged by the recognition he received from fellow Africans and authorities in Massachusetts.

"Thank you very much for this recognition. The beauty of such recognition is that it serves to energize one to remind us that we must move with renewed enthusiasm as we struggle put Africa in its rightful place among the table of nations," he said.

However, before the award ceremony, Lumumba gave a keynote speech where he urged Africans in the Diaspora to rise up and take a leading role to transform Africa into a continent able to solver her own problems regardless of all injustices, factual or perceived--that that were wrought on the resource rich continent since the early civilization of man to the ugly slavery period and eventually debilitating colonialism.

"The continent now considered a dark continent was at one time the home of civilization. When the Europeans were in caves, Africans were building pyramids," lamented the professor.

Directors of the African Cultural Association, Zoe Arthur, center, Dr. Emile Tabea, 2nd right and Rev. Jeremiah Menyongai, right pose for a picture with PLO Lumumba, Lowell mayor and city councillors during the Awards night. AJABU MEDIA PIC/DANIEL MAINA.

He added that all injustices committed on Africa and her people by Arabs who started the slave trade in conjunction with Europeans and Americans, as well as the stain of colonization--may provide tantalizing historical lessons and valid excuses--but that dwelling on them will not help Africa solve her contemporary problems.

Lumumba revealed that the biggest threat to advancement of the African people at the moment is endemic corruption that has seeped into all sectors of life in many countries across the motherland.

He praised the African Union for dedicating 2018 as the year to fight corruption that has become a huge "headwind that has slowed down the growth since many of her countries attained independence over 50 years ago."

"The reason for this dedication by the African union is that Africa and Africans have recognized that Africa has to be at the dinner table among civilized nations as a diner, not a waiter. For far too long, Africa has continued to punch below her economic and political aims."

He said that for things to change, Africans must roll up their sleeves and do what is necessary so that Africa can solve her problems herself.

He urged Africans in the Diaspora and their friends of goodwill to unite and help come up with solutions to Africans current problems.

"We are all sojourners in these other lands. When I look at the men and women who are here tonight, I have no doubt that we can make Africa great again," Lumumba concluded to a standing ovation and loud applause.

Debating African issues at a Facebook Live interview with Ajabu Media last Saturday to be aired again soon, Lumumba said Africans need to stop referring to corruption by its name as it makes it feel official.

He instead suggested it be referred to as plain theft so as to make the public officials and masses alike think twice before they engage in corrupt transactions.

During the awards event, Irene Egan was also awarded with a Friend of Africa award for her financial and moral support she has extended to the African cultural Association year after year.

The event was moderated by Rev. Rafu Najem of the CCF church in Lowell.

Among the ACA board members present included Rev. Jeremiah Menyongai of the Jubilee International Christian Ministries, Zoe Arthur, Dr. Emile Tabea and Ms. Prudent Brighton.

The Special event coordinate coordinator for the ACA is Valerie Opara.

Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui of the PCEA Neema church and Bishop David Karaya, also of the CCF church Lowell also attended as well.

Following the colorful ceremony, Lumumba was also presented with keys to the city of Lowell by the mayor on Tuesday before addressing a city council meeting at Lowell City hall. He was scheduled to meet with Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker and House speaker, Robert De Leo Wednesday morning before ending his brief trip to Boston.

LOWELL, Mass.__In a hilarious speech to Africans in Boston laying out how Africans can rise up to make Africa great again, celebrated top Kenya lawyer, PLO Lumumba was awarded with the African Luminary Award. Watch the highly entertaining ceremony and inspiring speech in the videos below.

ROSEMARY LWANDE MUTAHAKANA of Southborough, Massachusetts and Kampala, Uganda passed away peacefully Sunday February 4th, 2018 at Lahey Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Burlington, Massachusetts, after a courageous battle with Breast cancer at the age of 46.

A beloved wife of Franklin Mutahakana and daughter of Paul Lwande and Catherine Nabwire Lwande. She was the devoted and loving mother of Mwebesa, Aine and Asiimwe.

Sister of Dr. Jerry Lwande, Jackie Lwande and James Lwande. Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend funeral services in celebration of her life. Viewing and Memorial Service on:

Friday 9th February at 6pm-9pm St. Mary Church 133 School Street, Waltham, Massachusetts.

Funeral service on Sunday 11th 2018 at 11am- 2pm Anointed Worship Centre, Pastor Kenneth Mutegyeki 556 Trapello road, Belmont MA 02478 Tel: 508-933-1804

Rosemary's remains are at the: Brasco Funeral Home in Waltham, Massachusetts, 773 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453 Phone: 781-893-6260 Visitation hours and appointments are arranged through the funeral home.

For further information contact Dr. Richard Mutyabule at +1-774-368-0015

The family can be reached at:

Mr. Franklin Mutahakana-781-547-9559

Dr. Richard Mutyabule-774-368-0015

Mr. Barnabas Nkore-781-244-5912

Mrs. Jackie Tindyebwa-857-247-9905 

A Kenyan attorney deported to Canada this week on charges of treason is challenging his removal in court, seeking a return to the African nation while insisting that its rightful leader is opposition figure Raila Odinga and not President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Miguna Miguna, who holds dual citizenship in Kenya and Canada, was sent to Toronto on Tuesday after participating in a mock presidential swearing-in ceremony for Odinga in Nairobi on January 30. Miguna also is one of Odinga's attorneys.

"Today, my lawyers filed a petition seeking to invalidate the whimsical, illegal decision" to deport, Miguna said in a phone interview Friday with VOA's Swahili service. He spoke from his home in a Toronto suburb.

Miguna was arrested last Friday at his home in Runda. On Tuesday, Kenyan authorities forced Miguna onto a late-night KLM flight from Nairobi to Toronto via Amsterdam. His removal flouted a Kenyan high court's order that Miguna be presented to a Nairobi judge on Wednesday, five days after his arrest.

Kenya's interior ministry contended in a Twitter post that Miguna had renounced his citizenship years ago and had become a Canadian citizen, after being granted political asylum in Canada while attending the University of Toronto and law school.

The Kenyan-born Miguna disputed the idea that he had forsworn his homeland, asking for evidence of a "document of renunciation. It does not exist, because I would never have done that."

He added that his rights as a Kenyan citizen had been violated because "a court must be able to make the determination" both on the treason charge and on deportation. "I've not been convicted, so how do they put me in a plane?" Miguna said. "... The fact is, the Kenyan authorities have acted rogue, have employed draconian measures against legitimate critics and opponents, and must be exposed."

Election ruled invalid

Miguna and other Odinga supporters maintain that Kenyatta, who has governed the East African country of 47 million since 2013, used fraud to win a second term last August. The Supreme Court ruled that election invalid on procedural grounds; Odinga then boycotted an October rematch, saying Kenya's electoral commission could not conduct a fair election. Kenyatta won 98 percent of the vote then.

Miguna has identified himself as a general in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which Kenyatta's government in January declared was a criminal group.

The lawyer rejected the criminal label, telling VOA, "Our objectives are not violent. ... Our objectives are not illegal."

He suggested his NRM affiliation was a factor in his deportation. "When they arrested or abducted me from home," he said of authorities,"...Why didn't they take me to court if they believe that I had committed a criminal offense? … I'm a general in NRM Kenya, the movement, and I have no apologies to make about that."

In the interview, Miguna called for new presidential elections "even before August. ... Uhuru Kenyatta should not be the president of Kenya, and we should have a credible election held as soon as possible."

Asked about Kenyan authorities' move to temporarily halt transmissions from three Kenyan television stations that had covered Odinga's mock inauguration, Miguna called it "a demonstration of desperation."

"They are scared to death. They are desperate. They are fearful, and eventually they will have to be removed from power," he said, adding that authorities didn't want Kenyans to see "the multitude of people that attended our [Odinga] rally at Uhuru Park."

Miguna also was asked about speculation that he might succeed Odinga in a presidential bid against Kenyatta.

"That's not something I'll comment on," he responded. "It's not up to me to decide who steps into whose shoes, who gets into what positions. That's up to Kenyans to decide."

Eleven envoys have asked Opposition leader Raila Odinga to accept Uhuru Kenyatta's presidency as legitimate.

Led by US ambassador Robert Godec on Sunday, the envoys said the Opposition must accept that Uhuru and William Ruto are the legitimate President and Deputy President of Kenya.

"The Opposition needs to accept this as the basis for the dialogue that it and many Kenyans want," Godec said in a statement signed by the envoys on February 11.

Raila has maintained that he does not recognize Uhuru as the President of Kenya saying they will continueto push for electoral reforms through civil disobedience.

The NASA leader plans to shift the fight against Uhuru's "illegitimate" re-election to the United Nations.

Close allies of the Opposition leader disclosed that NASA was working on a petition to challenge Uhuru's legitimacy at the New York-based global agency.

But Godec said "stoking and threatening violence" are not acceptable nor are extra-Constitutional measures to seize power.

"Only Kenyans can resolve the country's problems. We again call for an immediate, sustained, open, and transparent National Conversation involving all Kenyans," he said.

Godec said Kenyans must summon all their strength and resolve, reaffirm the Constitution, and put the country back on the path to democracy, prosperity, and security.

"We are investing in Kenya and have great hope for the future. Like all democratic countries, including our own, Kenya's democracy is not perfect. But it can and should remain a source of strength, and an inspiration to all of us," he said.

Concern?

He said they are 'deeply' concerned by recent political developments in Kenya where the Government and the Opposition have taken steps that have undermined Kenya's institutions.

The Opposition leader swore himself in on January 30 as people's president, a move that sparked anger from the government.

The government commenced a crackdown of the media and Opposition leaders where arrests, detentions, withdrawal of their passports and gun license took place,

"The ambitions of politicians are fundamentally weakening institutions, and breaking the bonds of shared citizenship, which Kenyans have built up patiently over decades," Godec said.

Noting that they are not dictating how Kenyans should regulate their country's affairs, Godec said leaders must govern justly on behalf of all citizens.

"When citizens disagree with the decisions leaders make, they dissent peacefully," he said.

Godec urged the government to comply fully with court orders and follow the legal process.

Last week, CJ David Maraga warned state officials and institutions against disobeying court orders.

He spoke after IG Joseph Boinnet and DCI George Kinoti defied five orders to release lawyer Miguna Miguna from police custody.

"When individuals are arrested, their rights should be respected and due process followed. Citizens have the responsibility to protest non-violently, and security services should avoid the unnecessary or excessive use of force," Godec said.

Godec said the government has a special duty to protect democratic institutions and adhere to the Constitution and the rule of law at all times.

The statement was signed by;

1. Robert F. Godec (Ambassador of the United States)
2. Nic Hailey (High Commissioner for the United Kingdom)
3. Jutta Frasch (Ambassador of Germany)
4. Alison Chartres (High Commissioner for Australia)
5. Sara Hradecky (High Commissioner for Canada)
6. Mette Knudsen (High Commissioner for Denmark
7. Anna Jardfelt (Ambassador of Sweden)
8. Victor Conrad RA¸nneberg (Ambassador of Norway)
9. Frans Makken (Ambassador of Netherlands)
10. Tarja FernAindez (Ambassador of Finland)
11. Kim Ramoneda (Charge d'Affaires a.i., France)

The relationship between NASA chief Raila Odinga and the Western powers has deteriorated, as they traded barbs over the legitimacy of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Just a day after 11 Western envoys asked NASA to recognise Uhuru and DP William Ruto as duly elected, Raila responded with fury and accused the ambassadors of neocolonialism.

Raila termed the envoys hypocrites who are hiding behind "so-called democracy" to advance the business interests of their nations.

"Those envoys are hypocrites. Stop interfering with our business in a colonial way. We will not accept to be colonised again," Raila said yesterday.

"We want to tell them in clear terms that Kenya is an independent state and Kenyans themselves know whom they elected. They should only be observers. Kenyans have never dictated to the US who their President is. We’ve never told the British who their Prime Minister is."

On Saturday, the envoys, led by Robert Godec (US) and Nic Hailey (UK), castigated Raila and warned that stoking and threatening violence are unacceptable.

"A father of multiparty democracy has made unsubstantiated claims about elections and unilaterally sworn himself in as 'President', in deliberate disregard of the Constitution for which he so proudly fought," the envoys said.

"The Opposition must accept the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the election of October 26. Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are the legitimate President and Deputy President. The Opposition needs to accept this as the basis for the dialogue that it and many Kenyans want."

NASA has refused to recognise Uhuru’s election and its MPs last week skipped the vetting of Cabinet nominees in a radical move to discredit Jubilee. But in a statement to newsrooms, the ambassadors accused unnamed politicians of weakening institutions through their unbridled ambitions.

"The ambitions of politicians are fundamentally weakening institutions and breaking the bonds of shared citizenship, which Kenyans have built up patiently over decades," they said.

Speaking when he visited the victims of the Kijiji slum fire in Lang'ata, Nairobi, Raila said the envoys are on record lauding the IEBC preparedness for the October 26 presidential rerun when it was clear things had been messed up.

This was despite the fact that IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati had declared a few days earlier that his commission could not guarantee free and fair polls and Roselyne Akombe had fled the country.

"They can't come out now and say they were independent observers and try to lecture Kenyans. Kenyans will solve their problems themselves. They don't need advice from those ambassadors," Raila said.

Nasa boss Raila Odinga has defended CEO Norman Magaya and strategist David Ndii following claims they are working with the ruling Jubilee Party.

In a statement on Monday, he said the coalition has confidence in both Ndii and Magaya.

"My attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media, attributed to Miguna Miguna, claiming that two of Nasa Secretariat staff...are working for Jubilee Party.

"We wish to make it clear that as a coalition, we have full confidence in Ndii and Magaya, who have dedicated time and resources working for Nasa's course."

Raila said the allegations, "if at all they were made, are very unfortunate and detrimental to the course we are pursuing."

He asked all supporters of the National Super Alliance to ignore Miguna's remarks and focus on the issues they need to address.

Miguna, who declared himself the general of the National Resistance Movement, stamped documents for Raila's swearing-in as the People's President.

He was arrested and deported to Canada as a result but he has remained charged despite his once shaky relationship with Raila.

Miguna has been the face of the movement while Ndii has been leading the People's Assembly coordinating committee wing of Nasa.

Both of these find convergence in their rejection of the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the recognition of Raila as the bona fide "People's President".

The lawyer cum politician charged at Ndii and Magaya accusing them of overstepping their mandate or at least trying to usurp the leadership of the NRM.

The movement has metamorphosed from an amorphous front charged with the boycott of products of companies alleged to have had a hand in bungling the August 8 presidential election to become the face of resistance to the Jubilee administration.

Miguna accused Ndii of opposing Raila's swearing-in and threatening to lead a walkout from the coalition.

He claimed Magaya is a mole in the Opposition and "silently cuts deals" with the Jubilee administration.

Popularly known as Njoki Wa Ndegwa, a Kenyan Diaspora radio presenter passed away on Friday after a four year battle with breast cancer.

The late Njoki, who started her career as a radio journalist as a presenter at Kameme FM back in the motherland passed away peacefully in Dallas Texas where she had just recently moved to establish the Jambo Radio Network after the breakup of Jambo Radio Boston she helped establish together with former partners in Lowell near Boston.

According to close friends and social media announcements, Njoki was a mother of four at the time of her death.

Family and friends are meeting daily for prayers and funeral planning at the home of Jane Muhia, located at C3209 Galaxie Rd, Garland Texas 75044 starting 6pm.

A Boston memorial in her honor was held yesterday at the Ushindi church in Lowell where about $20,000 was reportedly raised towards funeral expenses.

A Dallas memorial planned to take place on Saturday February 24 at the Upendo Baptist church, 916 N. Jupiter Rd, Garland, Texas starting 3pm.

May her soul RIP till we meet again

US evangelist Billy Graham--one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century--has died aged 99.

Graham became one of the best-known promoters of Christianity, beginning his worldwide mission in large arenas in London in 1954.

He died at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, a spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said.

In a 60-year career, he is estimated to have preached to hundreds of millions of people.

Graham reached millions of them through TV - the first to use the medium to convey the Christian message on that scale.

Young preacher to worldwide phenomenon

Born in 1918 and raised on his family's dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, Billy Graham became a committed Christian at the age of 16 after hearing a travelling evangelist.

He was ordained a minister in 1939, aged 21.

Graham's public profile was raised in the United States when he held a two-month ministry in a giant tent in Los Angeles in 1949.

His global mission took him to all corners of the world including Nigeria and communist North Korea.

An early sermon outside the US took place before 12,000 worshippers in 1954 in Haringay Arena, London.

At first ambivalent about the civil rights movement in the US, he became more sympathetic in the 1950s, preaching to racially integrated congregations.

His fiery delivery became more measured with advancing years and controversy surrounding the techniques of mass evangelism.

Graham avoided the scandals--sexual and financial--which dogged some contemporary televangelists through the decades.

A social conservative, he opposed same-sex marriage and abortion.

Graham preached his final revival meeting in New York in 2005 at the age of 86.

As the end of his life approached, he said: "I know that soon my life will be over. I thank God for it, and for all He has given me in this life. But I look forward to Heaven."

'Plus side of history'--tributes

Reacting in a tweet, President Donald Trump called him a special man.

He wrote: "The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man."

Former President Barack Obama said he was a guide to millions of Americans.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, tweeted that he was an example to generations of modern Christians.

Civil rights campaigner Rev Jesse Jackson was among others to pay tribute.

Chaplain to presidents

Billy Graham was close to US presidents from Harry Truman, through Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.

He played golf with Gerald Ford and went on holiday with George H W Bush. The latter's son, George W Bush, credits him with restoring his faith in 2010.

Graham endorsed Nixon for the presidency but went on to criticise him over the Watergate scandal.

Mr Obama became the 12th president to meet Graham when he visited the preacher at his hilltop home in North Carolina in 2010.

Graham later acknowledged that his closeness to power risked compromising his message.

"If I had to do it over again, I would also avoid any semblance of involvement in partisan politics.

"An evangelist is called to do one thing, and one thing only: to proclaim the Gospel."

The government of Kenya has introduced special fees on passports for Kenyans living abroad that would see them pay almost double the current amount.

The move is seen as punishment for Kenyans in the diaspora who were outraged by the dramatic deportation fiery lawyer Miguna Miguna to Canada early this month.

Under the new regulations, Kenyans living abroad have been classified into five broad categories with those living in the US and the Caribbean countries expected to pay the highest fees.

The five categories are Americas and the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Africa, Australia and Asia and the European Union.

According to the regulations signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, Kenyans in the US and the Caribbean will pay Sh8,000 for a 32-page passport, Sh11,000 for a 48-page passport and Sh14,000 for a 64-page passport. Initially, the passports cost Sh4,500, Sh6,000 and Sh7,500 for a 32 page, 48 page and 64 page respectively.

Diplomatic passports will go up by almost Sh10,000 for those living in the US and the Caribbean countries.

From Sh7,500 initially, those who want to hold diplomatic passports will be expected to pay Sh17,000.

Similarly, those who have lost their passports or would like to renew their their mutilated documents will pay double after the fees were elevated from Sh10,000 to Sh20,000.

Kenyans in the US who would like to replace their lost passports will pay Sh21,000, up from Sh12,000.

For those living in the United Kingdom, a 32-page passport will cost Sh6,403. They will pay Sh7,516 for a 48-page passport while a 64-page passport will cost them Sh12,807.

Kenyans living in the EU will part pay Sh7,516 for a 32 page passport, Sh9,395 for a 48-page passport and Sh11,274 for a 64-page passport.
Kenyans living in Africa, Australia and Asia will pay Sh5,000 for a 32-page passport and Sh6,500 for a 48-page passport. A 64-page passport will cost them Sh8,000.

The Matiang'i changes were triggered by an amendment of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012 that were put in place by then Immigration Minister, the late Otieno Kajwang.

More than 2,000 mourners, including President Donald Trump, have attended the funeral of evangelical preacher Billy Graham in North Carolina.

Graham, who preached to millions in person and through mass media televangelism, was being laid to rest at his Charlotte home.

He was due to buried next to his wife Ruth, who died in 2007.

His son Franklin told the assembly: "My father's greatest longing has been granted. He's in the presence of God."

Following his death at the age of 99, Graham became the fourth private citizen in US history to lie in repose in the United States Capitol building, where President Trump paid tribute to him as "an ambassador for Christ who reminded the world of the power of prayer and the gift of God's grace."

The President and Vice-President Mike Pence both attended the funeral service alongside their wives, but did not speak at the service.

The funeral was held under an enormous white tent built to resemble Mr Graham's famous "canvas cathedral"--two giant circus tents erected by the preacher in Los Angeles in 1949 which helped to build his name.

Graham's simple pine casket was built by inmates at a Louisiana prison, and will be buried next to his wife near the Billy Graham Library on the family's property in Charlotte.

His headstone, media reports say, will be inscribed with: "Preacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" at his own request.

It will also refer to John 14:6 of the Christian bible, which reads: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'

Franklin Graham, speaking at the service, told the congregation that his father was genuine in his media appearances.

"The Billy Graham that the world saw on TV, and in the big stadiums, is the same Billy Graham we saw at home. There weren't two Billy Grahams," local newspaper the Charlotte Observer quoted him as saying.

He also said his father was a true believer in the Bible, saying: "He didn't understand it all, but he sure believed it all."

Billy Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, added that she believed her father's death had an important meaning.

"I believe this is a shot across the bow from heaven," AFP quoted her as saying.

"And I believe God is saying, 'Wake up church. Wake up world. Wake up Anne. Jesus is coming.'" It will also refer to John 14:6 of the Christian bible, which reads: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'

Franklin Graham, speaking at the service, told the congregation that his father was genuine in his media appearances.

"The Billy Graham that the world saw on TV, and in the big stadiums, is the same Billy Graham we saw at home. There weren't two Billy Grahams," local newspaper the Charlotte Observer quoted him as saying.

He also said his father was a true believer in the Bible, saying: "He didn't understand it all, but he sure believed it all."

Billy Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, added that she believed her father's death had an important meaning.

"I believe this is a shot across the bow from heaven," AFP quoted her as saying.

"And I believe God is saying, 'Wake up church. Wake up world. Wake up Anne. Jesus is coming.'"

Uganda authorities have accused Kenya of playing a key role in the trafficking of teenage girls seeking foreign employment.

High Commissioner to Kenya Phoebe Otara told Citizen TV on Tuesday that many girls sneak into Kenya but end up "dumped" at the JKIA by cartels that con them after lying about helping them to find jobs.

Otara said the 15 to 19-year-olds arrive through the Rwakaka, Buka, Malaba and Busia boarders with hopes of securing employment in Oman.

"We have intelligence that these girls are kept somewhere in Limuru before they are transported to the JKIA for various destinations. Those who cannot make it [for various reasons], or who could not secure visas, are dumped at the airport and later arrested and kept in cells," Otara said.

The High Commissioner further said that Ugandan authorities are often forced to part with lots of money to secure the freedom of these girls yet the problem seems to be escalating.

"We are worried about this trend and the heavy penalties imposed on these girls. The two countries need to look for better ways to seal the porous borders so we can redeem the dignity of these young girls," she said.

Otara also accused Kenyan authorities of making it difficult for Ugandan traders to do business in the country.

She said it is unfortunate that her country has opened doors to Kenyan traders at the border yet her countrymen are subjected to difficult environments.

"The EAC policy champions for free movement of goods and people. We know we have had small hiccups on the boarders but Kenyan authorities go to the extent of harassing and arresting traders from Uganda."

Regarding illicit brews, Otara dismissed claims that a lot of what is manufactured in Uganda finds its way into Kenyan markets.

Uganda has a strong policy that regulates the manufacture of alcohol, she said, adding "a few criminal elements" may be capitalising on a black market in Kenya.

Otara said newly appointed Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma should be praised for her efforts to ensure relationships among countries in the East African Community are revived.

She said Juma, Tourism CS Najib Balala and Trade's Adan Mohamed are also doing a commendable job.

Ababu Namwamba, the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Foreign Affairs ministry, however refuted Otara's claims saying Kenya has always opened her doors to Ugandans.

Ababu said President Yoweri Museveni's country has served as Kenya's number one trading partner, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship that cannot be disputed.

"Our focus on the antelope should not be lost while we chase the squirrel. Even President Uhuru Kenyatta has made it categorically clear that his second term will focus on afrocentric foreign policies which put Africa first."

Ababu said this means Uhuru's administration has opened doors to African country, so Uganda which he termed a "default neighbour" is no exception.

He added that the EAC summit held in Kampala revived the hope of bringing Tanzania on board as all parties agreed to quash "small matters" on boundaries to allow free trade.

Nasa has suspended the People's Assembly following the talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga.

Steering committee chairman David Ndii said: "We have accepted and we acknowledge that is better to reason together than alone."

"We are therefore suspending the peoples assembly process," Ndii said in a press conference at Okoa Kenya offices on Monday.

The Nasa strategist said they have impressed upon the leaders for the unity process to be honest truthful and courageous.

"...the process will acknowledge that tribalism is not a name but a means used used to aquire power," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the People's Assemblies, Ndii commended Raila and Uhuru for agreeing to end the fights over last year's elections.

"A nation is shared...this is the glue that holds us together...we must commend the two leaders because we have not had leaders do that in the past."

But Ndii said the coalition will not hesitate to resume the process should the deal between the leaders be breached.

He said no negotiation had taken place leading to the memorandum between Uhuru and Raila.

"The memorandum is an individual initiative by the two leaders. As friends and compatriots, we are remaining vigilant and we ask Kenyans to join hands so that we can do this together."

The assembly was launched by Nasa leader Raila Odinga last year having disputed the presidential elections held in August and October.

Principals Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) were part of the plan.

It was here that the Opposition announced that it will swear in Raila and Kalonzo as the Peoples' President and Deputy President on January 30.

Fast forward to last Friday, Raila and Uhuru reached a deal ending the antagonism that characterised what turned to be Kenya's longest election season.

The two leaders agreed to set out the path for national healing and reconciliation, but they are yet to define the structure the of the said talks.

Their action prompted mixed responses from their supporters. While others welcomed the idea, key Nasa members expressed scepticism.

Most affected are Nasa principals who cried foul for being left out of the Uhuru-Raila negotiations.

They called for a meeting on Monday at Athi River to chart the coalition's path going forward.

Members of the Ajabu Diaspora Support Network Group who had donated the bulk of the $2,100 raised three months ago in aid of Steve Mwangi, the reportedly "very sick" Kenyan army veteran at that time, then withheld the funds when Mwangi failed to produce evidence of his sickness, have unanimously decided to redirect the money towards burial funds for the late Victor Onyango Ang'awa, a Kenyan member of the group who passed away last week in his apartment in Framingham, MA.

In addition to the previously raised funds, members also donated an additional $600 for Victor's burial, bringing the new total to around $2,700.

The funds will be handed over to the fundraising committee and family of the late Ang'awa during the main memorial and fund raising ceremony slated for tomorrow, Saturday March 16 at the CCF Church, 105 Princeton Boulevard in Lowell around 6pm soon after the memorial service that will take place at the Morse Bayliss Funeral Home located next to the church venue.

The funeral home located at 122 Princeton Boulevard.

According to the group members, the action was necessary in order to safeguard donated funds from misappropriation when it turned out that Mwangi had grossly exaggerated the nature of his illness and provided some inaccurate information to the media when hospitalized at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston in December last year after suffering two strokes.

Due to the perceived seriousness of the alleged terminal stomach cancer illness faced by Mwangi, a committee of four Kenyans including a clergyman held a meeting with Mwangi at his then apartment in Lowell in an effort to help plan for a bigger fundraiser to help him avoid eviction and car repossession he had been facing when he lost his job during an extended hospital stay.

During the meeting, concerned members of the committee advised Mwangi to appoint a medical proxy who would accompany him to the hospital to verify the nature of his illness since he had inaccurately claimed that he had no close relative living in USA, only for an uncle to surface after media reports of the illness.

Mwangi failed to provide evidence of his terminal illness, claiming that the hospital would not provide him with documented diagnosis of the "suspected stomach cancer" as he informed the public by word of mouth.

Unfortunately, Mwangi did not show up for an appointment set up to visit the doctor in the company of a designated medical proxy due to the absence of a close family member who would serve the role.

Due to the unfortunate developments, members of the group debate the issue and decided to withhold and disburse the funds for a "more deserving case" if it happens in the future.

A few other donors demanded a refund of their donations which was immediately refunded, while all donations from other well-wishers who donated upon learning of the illness from the press accounts, were among the total funds held and now redirected to the late Ang'awa's funeral.

The funds had been raised mainly through a Go –FundMe online account created by Ajabu Media for the effort ($1,605) while about $700 were raised via a CashApp account.

Members thanked Ajabu Media for doing necessary due diligence on the illness claim, a move that helped protect the funds, which comes in handy since members did not need to donate again for the dead member.

However, willing members with extra funds to spare still donated again towards the late Victor's burial while others plan to do the same during the fundraiser tomorrow.

According to reliable sources, the previously ailing Kenyan man was able to recover sufficiently from his condition, found a new job as a nurse and reorganized his living situation, a far much brighter picture than the previously painted of "terminal illness", thus no longer required the help envisioned by the Ajabu Diaspora Network Group when the news of the new death by Victor Ang'awa hit.

Before the untimely death, the late Ang'awa had been an active member of the Ajabu Diaspora Network that debates on various ways to produce diaspora grown solutions to many of the social, political, cultural and economic problems facing the African Diaspora.

Unfortunately, he was found dead in his apartment last week on Sunday March 3 by his landlord, barely a few hours after he had been seen up and about the yard around his Framingham Apartment.
The cause of death is still under investigation.

Steve Mwangi (right) addressing members of the Christ is the Answer church in North Chelmsford days after being discharhed from Beth Israel Hospital. AJABU MEDIA PIC/H.MAINA

The late Ang'awa's father, Prof. Francis Ang'awa of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University in Bondo, Kenya, accompanied by his son, Jack Ang’awa arrived in Boston last Friday to take part on the funeral planning and shipping of the body back home for burial.

The Memorial service will start at 4pm at the Morse Bayliss Funeral Home, 106 Princeton Ave, followed by the fundraiser at the CCF church next nearby.

Members of the Kenyan community and well-wishers were urged to turn out in large numbers to help raise enough funds to repatriate the body back home for burial according to the wishes of the family.

Well-wishers who have extra room in their apartments were urged to reach out to the organizing committee to help accommodate expected out of state friends of the late Victor who may need a place to stay for a day or two as they attend the memorial.

The Ajabu Diaspora Support Network group is free membership group comprised of over 200 members from different African immigrant communities mostly in USA and Canada.

In addition to brainstorming for diaspora based solutions for problems faced during their lives as live and work in foreign lands, members of the group agree to contribute a minimum of $10 towards assisting any member facing extreme illness or death either to themselves or to a member of their basic family unit.

The funds so raised go a long way to provide emergency help within 24 hours before a member receives any extra help from other sources including their churches, mosques or insurance companies.

The fast growing group still has room for more members and those wishing to join can text/WhatsApp their name, mobile phone number and State of residence to: 781-953-2490 or register via the link below:

signup.php

Donors who donated to the Steve Mwangi sickness and may still require refunds or need more information  are also urged to contact Ajabu Media using the same contact number.

To contact the organizing committee, call:
Shadrack Ondo- Chairman:857-244-3875
Viva Inyagwa-Secretary:508-579-2745
Abel Okoth-Financial management:508-933-2262

Nine MPs and four Senators are among thousands of Kenyans being treated for cancer in Indian hospitals, a legislator who was successfully treated for brain cancer says.

The identity of the MPs cannot be revealed but most of them are booked at Apollo Hospital outlets in New Delhi and other cities in the country.

Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu, popularly known as Wakapee, returned home on Friday after successful treatment for brain cancer.

Waitutu stayed in India for seven weeks.

He interacted with senior Kenyan government officials and well-known businessmen being treated for cancer in India.

Waititu said most of the public figures are suffering secretly and cannot seek treatment in Kenya, partly because of the stigma associated with advanced chronic diseases.

"So many people are suffering in silence from cancer. Nobody wants to talk about it because of the stigma behind it. In India, I met hundreds of cancer patients from Kenya alone. Among them were nine of my fellow MPs and four Senators. The cancer scourge is enormous and we can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand. We must get out and talk about it," he said.

Approximately 10,000 Kenyans travel abroad every year in search of treatment and end up spending at least Sh10 billion in the same period, according to the ministry of Health.

Waititu also disclosed thousands of Kenyans who were taken to India for treatment, and their caregivers, are sleeping in the streets after running out of money.

He met many of them because there is an existing network of sick Kenyans in India.

"Those people you have been helping in fundraising to go for further treatment in India cannot find anywhere to lay down their heads...they are sleeping in trenches because they cannot afford renting the expensive houses in India," said Waititu.

"I personally spent Sh1.8 million on housing alone for the period I was there. How many Kenyans can afford that?" he wondered.

Yesterday, West FM journalist Dennis Omondi, who is admitted at an Indian hospital with leukemia, appealed for help, saying treatment was stopped a week ago after he run out of money.

"I come to you again Mr President @Ukenyatta and your deputy @WilliamRuto help me raise Ksh6.5m. For nine days I have not received medication, this may complicate everything," he said.

About 40,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually, and the disease kills about 15,000 people every year, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

The Juja MP also said there was a need for prominent Kenyans to declare their cancer status to fight stigma.

"If they could have come out openly like myself, a solution would have been realised so far," he said.

A 2015 survey by the ministry of Health found that 40 per cent of Kenyans who travelled overseas for treatment had renal (kidney) diseases.

At least 21.2 per cent had cancer, 11.8 per cent had a spinal disease, 5.6 per cent had joint and bone diseases, 1.9 per cent had connective tissue disorders, while 1.6 per cent had peripheral vascular disorders.

The patients said they chose to go abroad because of lack of enough specialists and specialised medical equipment, long waiting periods, especially for cancer treatment and kidney transplants, and the high cost of treatment in Kenya.

Mary Wangai, from the Standards and Quality Assurance department at the ministry of Health, said patients seeking treatment outside the country currently require approval from the government.

They fill out a form with their details and give valid reasons for seeking treatment out of the country.

"If the patient states they are going to undergo, for instance, a caesarian section in India, we decline because we have so many hospitals in the country offering that type of service," Wangai said.

"Others apply for normal visas, which makes it harder for the government to establish the number of people travelling outside for medical purposes."

Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations chairman Dr David Makumi said 75 per cent of cancer patients seeking treatment in India can be treated in Kenya for less money.

"The remaining 25 per cent would be patients needing specialised surgery or bone-marrow transplants," he said.

Makumi said PET scans would also be available in Kenya mid-this year, which could slow down the exodus to India.

Makumi said, currently, many poor Kenyans are unnecessarily referred to India by doctors seeking kickbacks and the mushrooming medical travel agencies in Nairobi.

MP Waititu said some of the patients also told him the deplorable conditions and long wait times at the Kenyatta National Hospital discouraged them.

The average wait time at KNH before treatment begins is three months.

He warned the KNH administration that he would fight tooth and nail until they streamlined their operations, especially in regards to the diagnosing and treatment of cancer patients.

Waititu also said a local businessman had donated 50 acres of land near the Mang’u High School where the MP would spearhead building of a cancer centre.

Waititu said President Uhuru Kenyatta had okayed the plans.

The centre would be a partnership between the Government of Kenya, the County Government of Kiambu, doctors from India and the local private businesspeople.

"I am happy to announce that someone has donated a piece of land along the Thika Superhighway that will be used to put up the facility. The President has promised to accord us with all the necessary support. The Indian Prime Minister has also promised to provide us with doctors too," he said.

A recent World Bank feasibility study shows that the establishment of a functioning cancer screening and treatment centre in Kenya would cost between Sh1.5 and Sh2 billion.

Thika MP Patrick Wainaina, who accompanied Waititu, said screening for cancer, diabetes and other related diseases should be made free.

Wainaina said MPs should set aside a kitty from the CDF to support their constituents to pay for NHIF, saying the monthly Sh500 premium was not affordable to many people.

"If CDF pays Sh300, then the voter can afford to add Sh200 to make it Sh500 for NHIF," said Wainaina.

Lauded everywhere in Africa and across the globe for a supreme court ruling that nullified the first 2017 Kenyan Presidential elections August 8th for irregularities committed by IEBC, Kenya's electoral body, Chief Justice and president of the Supreme Court of Kenya David Maraga will be arriving in Boston this week to deliver the opening keynote speech at the 9th Annual African Development Conference organized by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Maraga will be accompanied by Justice Professor Joel Ngugi, the Presiding judge at the High court in Kiambu whorecently nullified the electionof one of the first ever women Members of Parliament in Gatundu North, Wanjiku wa Kibe following a petition by former MP, Clement Waibara.

Maraga will deliver the keynote on Friday at 3pm, while professor Ngugi, an award winning professor at the University Of Washington School Of Law who later relocated back to Kenya to lead the Judiciary Training Institute that serves to reinvent the delivery of justice in Kenya and now serves as the Presiding Judge in the Kiambu High court, will lead a workshop panel on Saturday at 11.am in an event that is open to the public.

Professor Ngugi is also alumni of the Harvard University School of Law and practiced law in Massachusetts before relocating back to his motherland.

Justice Joel Ngugi of the High Court of Kenya, Kiambu. PIC BY COURTESY/THE STAR

Maraga's keynote will take place at the Ames Conference hall after which a memorial and cocktail mixer will be held in honor of the late renowned Kenyan professor, Calestous Juma who taught at the Harvard Kennedy School for many years before his death from Cancer in December 2017.

According to official information from the Harvard Kennedy School, the late Juma was a Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of the Science, Techonology and GlobalizationProjectat the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Faculty Chair of theMason Fellows Program.

He also directed the Center'sAgricultural Innovation Policy in Africa Projectand Health Innovation Policy in Africa projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The late Kenyan served as Faculty Chair of the Edward S. Mason Fellows Program as well as Faculty Chair of the"Innovation for Economic Development"and "Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa" executive programs.

During the annual conference that attracts top leaders from around the world to debate on various issues affecting the African continent, Somalia's former president, Hassan Sheik Mohammed will deliver a second Keynote speech on Saturday at 2.45pm, with Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations delivering the closing keynote at 5.15pm.

Themed : "Our Time Our Vision: Wielding Africa's potential for Sustainable Growth"the 2018 conference, aims to bring to light modern approaches to internally grown development strategies across Africa that emphasize unity and a common vision in the attainment of sustainable growth.

Former Somalia president, Hassan Sheik Mohammed. BY COURTESY/HIIRAN ONLINE

Keynote speeches and plenary hall panel discussions will revolve around strategies derived from three major pillars of sustainable growth: Democracy and Good Governance; Technology and Development, and Economic Partnerships.

Maraga's ruling was hailed by many as heroic as election irregularities and voter manipulation have caused havoc in presidential elections in Africa, especially with many African rulers defying any court rulings that don't go in their favor.

However, shockingly, Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta decided to comply with Maraga's ruling and subjected himself to a repeat election that he ended up winning by a landslide after opposition leader; Raila Odinga abstained, citing failure by the IEBC to institute electoral reforms the opposition was advancing.

Together with other principals of the NASA coalition, Raila rejected to recognize Kenyatta as the legitimately elected president of Kenya despite a Supreme Court ruling delivered by Maraga upholding the repeat elections held Octorber 26 as a free and fair process.

The late Professor Calestous Juma of Harvard University. PIC BY COURTSEY/NY TIMES

Raila's then moved to lead his Nasa coalition supporters in civil disobedience activities that culminated in his self appointment as the "people's president" at an event held at the Uhuru park in Nairobi.

The move plunged Kenya into an unprecedented political crisis as countrymen became even more polarized along tribal lines, dealing a further blow to economic growth that had slumped during the electioneering period as investors held tight to their wallets as they adopted a wait and see position.

Nasa's other principals, including deputy Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wentang'ula failed to attend the swearing-in ceremony without logical explanations, a move that was seen as having let Raila and ODM party down.

Kenyatta's government also moved hard to crack on Nasa coalition agents who administered the "illegal oath" to Raila that culminated in the arrest of Ruaraka MP, Tom Kajwang and fiery lawyer, Miguna Miguna, both of whom administered the oath.

Miguna was later bundled into a plane and deported back to Canada where he held a dual citizenship, although the high court in Kenya eventually ruled the move as illegal and ordered Miguna be issued with a Kenyan passport to travel back whenever he wished.

However, in a shocking development, Raila and Uhuru, both sons of Kenya's founding fathers, came together to announce the end of hostilities between the ruling Jubilee coalition and NASA opposition two weeks ago and came up with a common development strategy aimed at uplifting the economic lives of all Kenyan citizens regardless of their party affiliation.

As the chief Justice, Maraga is still overseeing the resolution of many election petitions in Kenya that have seen about 20 MPS, Governors and Senators lose their victories and now awaiting heated by- elections.

"We welcome the Kenyan community in Boston to join these and other events they may be interested in that will take place at the 2018 ADC conference. We may also be able to organize a meeting between the Kenyan community ad Justice Maraga if time and schedule allows," said Jacqulene Mwangi, one of the organizers of this year's conference.

Speaking to Ajabu Africa News, Mwangi said that organizers have agreed to offer a 50% discount off the event ticket prices to the Kenyan and African Diaspora community members who would with to attend.

As a result, regular tickets to attend the two day event will now go for $48.60 to attend the conference only, and $59.10 to attend both the conference and networking cocktail party, down from $95.87 and $116.88 respectively. Tickets costs cover both dinner and drinks.

To purchase tickets, click on the link below:
https://ticketbud.com/events/47adf15e-01cf-11e8-b901-4fcec0fbc8a7?pc=KenyaMA

NAIROBI__Miguna Miguna has been denied entry into the country after he refused to apply for a visa that grants him legal stay in Kenya.

Immigration officials have barred the self-declared NRM General from exiting the airport clearance area unless he applies for the visa.

A source at the airport says Miguna has forced his way past immigration clearance area after a heated exchange but has again been barred at the luggage area.

He arrived at 2.30om from Toronto, Canada where he was deported on February 5 via Emirates EK19.

None of the high-ranking opposition leaders is at the airport to receive Miguna.

Lawyer Miguna Miguna with his lawyers at the JKIA after arriving from Canada on Monday, March 26, 2018. /CAROLE MAINA

However, Miguna's lawyers Nelson Havi and Cliff Ombeta are at the airport.

Some officials from the KNCHR are also within to facilitate his clearance.

Miguna was deported to Canada on February 6 after a dramatic arrest and detention for his role in the mock swearing-in of Nasa leader Raila Odinga as the People's President.

He has been vocal about the rights of the people and the "despot" that President Uhuru Kenyatta is but Raila and Uhuru have since signed a peace and unity deal.

The self-styled NRM General, who was still held up at JKIA's International Arrivals lounge by press time, said applying for the Visa would take away his rights.

"There is no way I will agree to what they are asking because what it does is that it waives rights that will never be restored. I know the mischief," Miguna said.

He said the Immigration department was acting against a court order issued by Justice Luka Kimaru on February 15.

The orders were that immigration should provide him with alternative travel document or allow him enter Kenya on a Canadian passport.

"I will not fall into the trick. If I was advising a client as an immigration lawyer, I would not do it. So why should I do it for myself?" Miguna posed.

Foreigners who enter Kenya on tourist Visas cannot enjoy certain privileges including participating in political activities.

Miguna arrived into the country on Monday aboard an Emirates flight and was denied entry owing to the visa debacle.

His lawyers Nelson Havi, Julie Soweto, and John Khaminwa were at the airport to the facilitate his entry.

Nairobi_Kenya's Opposition leader Raila Odinga will sue British data mining firm Cambridge Analytica for using his name to fuel "devilish" propaganda.

Raila, who spoke toChannel 4 News on Monday,said he will also sue Facebook for coordinating the propaganda during the campaign season.

"You see stories such as 'Who is Raila Odinga' and 'The real Raila Odinga'... the Raila in those adverts was very evil, the devil incarnate..." he said.

He continued: "Kenya is leading the continent in terms of use of social media and they have found the right environment here for this kind of propaganda.

"I am disappointed that Facebook agreed to cooperate in this clandestine enterprise. We are contemplating legal action against Facebook."

Raila, who is Nasa and ODM leader, said they will take the action through a company that isn't in Kenya as they have lawyers both locally and internationally.

"We will certainly take legal action against Cambridge Analytica. The introduction of this system being brought by Cambridge is bad for electoral democracy in the continent."

Raila explained that the National Super Alliance had a "very difficult" time during the 2017 campaign season.

"We did campaign under difficult conditions...consultants at Aristotle Global countries were arrested and deported from Kenya without reason," he said.

The Opposition boss further noted that Kenya is vulnerable and that fake news by Cambridge Analytica is a danger universally so it must be dealt with.

Raila said Kenya was probably one of the first guinea pigs in the propaganda experiment in 2013.

"We were new and did not know how to deal with it. Then they came back in 2016 and this time they had perfected the art of manipulating data. We were introduced to negative campaigns," he said.

"If it [data manipulation] is allowed to succeed there will be no point of having elections. People will be like robots that vote according to how they are manipulated. That is not the meaning of democracy," he said.

The data mining firm confirmed that it was behind the TNA and Jubilee presidential election campaigns in 2013 and 2017.

In a undercover film broadcast on Channel 4 News in the UK, Managing Director Mark Turnbull confirmed the company worked for Uhuru Kenyatta.

"We have rebranded the party twice, we have written their manifesto, done two rounds of 50,000 surveys, huge amounts of analysis, research, messaging," he said in a secretly recorded meeting in a London hotel. "Then we’d write all the speeches and we'd stage the whole thing so just about every element of his campaign."

Cambridge Analytica is credited with helping DonaldTrump to win the US presidential election last November and with helping the Leave side to win in the Brexit referendum in the UK last June.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.,__In his Keynote Speech during the opening of the just conlcuded 9th African Development Conference at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Friday, Kenya's Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, the Honorable David Maraga said that bad governance resulting in injustices as well as disregard for the rule of law, corruption, state capture and unequal development are the major impediments to sustainable growth and socio-economic development in the African continent.

In his maiden visit to the Harvard University, which he noted was one of the most prestigious Institutions of higher learning in the world, the Hon. Maraga mesmerized delegates with his mastery of language and facts as he explained how the rule of law is critical to growth and development.

The delegates, who included Harvard University students and faculty as well as other African Business leaders and college students from surrounding colleges and from as far as New York and Indiana occasionally cheered and applauded the Kenyan CJ as he went on to explain how the absence of rule of law hampers growth, stalls development and subsequently hurts Africa as a continent.

In line with this year's Conference theme which emphasized that the time for Africa was now and that it was time to "Wield Africa's potential for Sustainable Growth", Chief Justice Maraga stated that the law creates an environment of creativity which spurs development and growth.

The sustainability of Africa's potential is, therefore, "totally dependent on conducive environments across Africa which would ensure human rights are respected; law and order prevails; and the rights of economic actors are respected and enforced," he said.

Kenya's Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, the Honorable David Maraga posig for a pic with delegates at the 2018 ADC copncerece at Harvard Law School. H.MAINA/AJABU AFRICA NEWS

Maraga added that that equitable access to resources is key for growth and development but was lacking in Africa.

"There can be no meaningful development without inclusivity.Inclusive development not only ensures the active participation of all in development matters but also guarantees social justice that has empirically been shown to yield broad-based benefits for all in the society."

The Kenyan Chief Justice, now renowned across the globe for his recent landmark ruling that nullified the first Kenyan elections held in Augusts 2017--then upheld the re-election of president Uhuru Kenyatta in the subsequent election re-run boycotted by his main rival and opposition leader, Raila Odinga two months later-- ended his speech by urging African countries to try a new paradigm of development through democratic institutions founded y the rule of law and an independent, competent Judiciary.

"Africa's development problem is a political one not an economic or legal one," the Chief Justice pointed out, adding that that most of African Countries' constitutions are transformative in nature.

"It is incumbent upon Courts in Africa to seize the transformative provisions of these Constitutions to link governance with development while effectively limiting governments through the rule of law," he said.

He outlined the efforts that the Kenyan Judiciary has undertaken to increase access to equitable and expeditious delivery of justice including efforts to curb corruption and increase personal integrity of judicial staff; increase functional and physical access to courts as well as clearing case backlogs and delays.

Maraga said the Kenyan Judiciary has begun several initiatives as part of a reform effort dubbed "Sustaining Judiciary Transformation".

Among such initiatives include expanding the High Court System to all 47 counties in the country; automating court procedures; increasing Court personnel and instituting Performance Measurement and Management and Appraisal System.

In addition, the courts have now begun to speed up disposal of cases including the activation of small claims courts and mainstreaming alternatives of dispute resolution including traditional justice systems.

Justice Maraga pointed out that the Kenyan Judiciary has embraced innovative jurisprudence in accordance with Article 23 of the Kenyan Constitution in fashioning appropriate remedies which go beyond the traditional declaratory reliefs which are routinely ignored by the government.

Consequently, he said, the Kenyan Judiciary has issued structural prohibitions in the enforcement of social and economic rights.

While responding to questions from delegates during the Q&A, Maraga clarified that his landmark ruling nullifying the August 6 Kenyan election was sound within the law according to documents and other evidence produce before the Supreme Court.

"When making a ruling on such a case with such a huge magnitude to many people, you always have to ask yourself what you want for the best of your country. After looking at the evidence produced, i had no doubts that that election was not conducted in best manner expected. Besides, we had 4 other judges who concurred, two dissented and one was sick," he said to loud applause.

The chief justice received a standing ovation when he narrated how he ordered the immediate arrest of a policeman who had approached him when he served as a high court judge in Mombasa urging him to dismiss a case against of the policeman's relatives in return for "something small" (kickback).

"I had him arrested right away. People told me I was stupid as I missed to make a lot of money on that deal, but I said I needed to uphold my integrity."

"If we let Africa go down, it will go down with all of us," he concluded.

Chief Justice Maraga was accompanied by Justice (Professor) Joel M. Ngugi, Presiding Judge at the High Court of Kenya at Kiambu and a Harvard Law School alumnus who led a panel on Constitutionalism, Rule of Law and Development during the same Conference, and the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief Justice, Duncan Okello.

"This was a great conference. Cleary, there is a great future in Africa bases on all the discussions held that updated us on the current progress back in our motherland. I wish more young Africans could attend this conference and see a different picture of Africa that we always see in the mainstream western media," said Giana Mathey of Mali, a delegate from City University in New York who attended the conference with over10 other fellow students.

A panel discussion on the rapidly expanding transport networks in Africa. H.MAINA/AJABU AFRICA NEWS.

"This was awesome. I love Africa and I came here to learn even more. There is a lot of future for Africa. I am glad to see a lot of African professionals and students here discussing very important strategies to spur even more faster development in the continent," said Bakari Qijia Xiao, a.k.a Bakari Mchina, a Swahili speaking Chinese student of African studies at Harvard.

TheHarvard African Development Conferenceis organized annually by Harvard students from Africa or with an interest in Africa. This year, more than 300 delegates attended the conference.Those who organized the conference this year were drawn from Harvard Law School; Harvard School of Government, Harvard School of Design as well as the Harvard College and Center for African Studies.

The Conference Co-Chairs were: Ms. Jacquelene Mwangi, LLM Candidate, Harvard Law School; Ms. Adaora Ndukwe-Ugwu, MC/MPA Candidate & Edward Mason Fellow Harvard Kennedy School of Government; Ms. Mihret Woldesmait, JD Candidate at Harvard Law School (2019); and Ms. Priya Singh, Mid-Career Master in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School and Fellow at the Harvard Center for African Studies.

During the Conference, a special dedication was held to the late Calestous Juma, a Kenyan professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Prof. Juma was an internationally recognized authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development. Prof. Juma died in December, 2017.

Experts in Russia designed a free app dubbed Gero, which uses AI to analyse activity data from your phone accelerometer to estimate your lifespan within a tenth of a year.

When combined with information recorded by wearable fitness monitors, this prediction becomes even more precise.

The estimate will even be revised downwards if you don't keep up with your healthy living routines, hopefully adding an incentive to stick to them.

The app is the work of researchers at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

They analysed physical activity records and clinical data from the 2003 to 2006 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

A neural network was then trained with the results to predict the biological age and mortality risk of volunteers using a week long stream of activity measurements.

The recent introduction of affordable fitness wearables means individuals now have access to their own measurements.

This tracking is already done without interfering with the daily routines of hundreds of millions of people all over the world.

Using the AI's knowledge from NHANES, the app is able to analyse activity data from such wearables or a smatphone's built-in accelerometer.

In a written statement, Dr Peter Fedichev said: "Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool in pattern recognition and has demonstrated outstanding performance in visual object identification, speech recognition and other fields.

"Inspired by these examples, we explored AI potential for Health Risks Assessment based on human physical activity.

"Life and health insurance programs have already begun to provide discounts to their users based on physical activity monitored by fitness wristbands. We report that AI can be used to further refine the risks models.'

MailOnline decided to put the beta version of the app, which currently only works on iPhones, to the test on members of staff.

Our first volunteer, MailOnline senior health reporter Stephen Matthews, who scored 69.2, said: "I was utterly shocked to discover I'll die before I reach 70, if this app proves true.

"I live an unhealthy lifestyle, full of junk food, booze, late nights and work a stressful job -- so the app probably isn't too far off the truth."

Science and Technology reporter Joe Pinkstone, who scored 71.8, added: "The prediction from the app that I'll make it to more than 70 years old was a pleasant one.

"With a diet that has definite room for improvement and a gym schedule that's whimsical at best, I can now make informed decisions about my activity and the long-term impact these choices make.

"I struggle to believe that it can account for the many external factors involved in life expectancy, but as a baseline for general well-being I believe it has its uses."

Health reporter Alexandra Thompson, who scored the highest at 73.6 said: I'm not happy with result! I run 5k three times a week, I'm a non smoker and healthy eater, although I do drink red wine."

Freelance reporter Jack Flanagan, who scored the lowest at 68.9, added: In my go with it, it didn't take into account my weight or sleep patterns -- so that could've improved my score.

"My family also tend to have long lives, so that might've also impacted the results if it'd be a incorporated.
Also, I'd expect healthcare to be a lot better by then... I wonder if that's been factored in?'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.