Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has hit back at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for expelling him from the party.

He termed the move as cowardly, adding that he would support President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 polls.

"Mimi nime furahi sana. Nilikuwa kule kwingine maana nialnza na chama cha wiper. Lakini nilifukuzwa huko na wakanitukana kwa sababu nime simama na rais Uhuru Kenyatta," Mutua said on Saturday.

This loosely translate to: " I am so happy. I was on the other side because I started with Wiper but I was chased because I chose to stand with Uhuru."

"Whether they like it or not, I will stand and support Uhuru's re-election," he added.

More on this: Mutua backs Uhuru, markets Chap Chap party

Read: Uhuru’s visit will be a game changer, says Mutua

Mutua accused Kalonzo of resorting to divisive politics by isolating the Ukambani region from the government. He said Kalonzo lacked a clear vision for the people of Ukambani.

"Jubilee is busy selling its policy, while others are busy complaining and abusing us. We do not want to dwell on their storytelling gimmicks but rather focus on development-oriented politics to build our economy," he said.

Also read: Alfred Mutua party confusing Kenyans, should fold up for Jubilee - Sonko

Mutua said he would rally the entire Eastern region to cast their presidential vote for Uhuru.

"I want to confess that I personally have refused to be like a watermelon. You neither know whether it is red or green. My focus is to ensure Uhuru serves for a second term as president and this I will achieve at all cost," said Mutua.

The Governor said his friendship with Uhuru started way before he ventured into politics.

"We shall rise and fall together with Uhuru, we shall eat and dine together, I have chosen to die with him because he is my friend and his political agenda and policy is to ensure that we all together move forward," he said.

He was speaking while touring Olkalao in Nyandarua county.

Mutua was among six rebels who were kicked out of Wiper Democratic Movement of Kenya by the disciplinary committee.

A document seen by the Star indicated that Mutua's conduct was found to be expressly and constructively amounting to a publicly advocating for the formation of another political party.

The documents adds that Mutua was promoting the interests, ideologies and policies of Maendeleo chap chap party which was not a member of Cord coalition.

More on this: I am still in Wiper Party, Maendeleo Chap Chap is a movement - Alfred Mutua

The party also expelled MPs Regina Ndambuki (Kilome), Joe Mutambu (Mwingi Central), John Munuve (Mwingi North), Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni) and Richard Makenga (Kaiti).

Read: Governor Alfred Mutua among rebels kicked out of Wiper

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday honored ailing football legend Joe Kadenge’s dying wishes by paying him a visit at his South B home in Nairobi.

The President donated Sh2 million to aid in offsetting Kadenge’s hospital bill and offered him a full medical cover.

Uhuru arrived at Kadenge’s humble abode at around 7pm accompanied by Margaret, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Sports CS Hassan Wario and other government officials.

Kadenge who in his prime was Kenya's finest footballer made a wish to see the President last year, when he was admitted in hospital.

He is suffering from diabetes.

In his career, Kadenge played for Maragoli United, and scored the fastest ever goal in the Kenyan Premier League.

He also played club football for Abaluhya United, winning the Kenyan Premier League in 1966.

Kadenge managed the Kenya national football team in 2002. He suffered a stroke in January 2006.

Read: [AUDIO] Ailing soccer star Joe Kadenge's dying wish: A meeting with Uhuru

Joe Kadenge collapses while watching match, complains of hunger

A High Court clerk and a secretary attached to a judge have been arrested by EACC detectives for receiving part of a Sh2 million bribe at the Milimani Law Courts.

The two are alleged to have collected the cash from a member of the public who wanted to influence the outcome of a case.

The secretary and clerk attached to High Court and Judicial Review Judge Roselyne Aburili were on Friday afternoon arrested, detained and questioned after receiving treated money believed to have been demanded for a yet-to-be-established reason.

The EACC has not confirmed whether the money was to be handed over to the judge, but investigations to establish where the cash was being taken are ongoing.

EACC investigators recovered over Sh1 million of the treated money from the two suspects.

Justice Aburili is reported to have cooperated with the EACC investigators over the alleged bribery.

She is the judge who on Thursday January 5, 2017, suspended the implementation of the new election laws requiring candidates to name their campaign team and open campaign fund accounts.

Expert comment: Corruption is still in full swing in the Judiciary

Justice Aburili issued temporary orders following an ODM application objecting to the December 8, 2016, deadline for aspirants to disclose their campaign finances, saying it is vague, since public servants who seek to run in the August 8 polls have yet to resign.

Chief Justice David Maraga yesterday confirmed that he had received the allegation late Friday afternoon – and instructed the EACC to investigate the matter.

“I confirm I know of the allegation and confirm that arrests were made. I received the allegations on Friday late afternoon and instructed the EACC to take action because the Judiciary does not have its own investigating arm. I believe the arrests made by the EACC were pursuant to my request,” the CJ said.

Justice Maraga said that the information is still sketchy, but he expects to get more information today.

According to EACC spokesman Yasin Amaro, the bribery allegations were reported to them by the Office of the Judiciary Ombudsman. The Judiciary Ombudsman is Kennedy Bidali.

“I can confirm that two people, including a court clerk and secretary, were on Friday arrested and some money recovered from them. The investigation is still fresh and there is need to unravel the truth. The money had not reached its destination and we are carrying out further investigation to establish whom it was meant for. We want to know why the two were taking the bribe and who it was for,” Amaro said.

Several judicial officials and other people are scheduled to be interrogated beginning today, following the recovery of the money from the clerk and secretary in the latest bribery scandal to hit the Judiciary.

In January 2016, a former Kass FM journalist, Geoffrey Kiplagat, submitted an affidavit to Chief Justice Willy Mutunga alleging that Justice Philip Tunoi of the Supreme Court received a Sh200 million bribe from Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to rule in his favour in an election petition filed by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu.

The Judicial Service Commission formed a six-member committee to investigate the allegations within seven days, although Justice Tunoi continued to maintain his innocence and said the allegations were a smear campaign ahead of a decision over who should succeed CJ Mutunga.

During the 2003 “radical surgery” reforms of the Judiciary by the Justice Aaron Ringera Commission, 23 out of 45 Court of Appeal and High Court judges, as well as 82 out of 254 magistrates, were declared corrupt.

The Ringera Commission recommended the immediate prosecution of the judges implicated, and they were given two weeks to resign over corruption or face tribunals to defend themselves. Some of those declared corrupt and unfit to hold office were later cleared of the allegations and returned to work.

Immediately after his appointment as CJ, Maraga admitted that there are Judiciary staff, including judges and clerks, who are corrupt, and vowed weed them out.

“We have been accused of abetting corruption, and, as per my statistics, around 10 per cent of our staff are involved in this vice. We will strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate corruption cases. The office will investigate the cases then hand them to the JSC and we shall take decisive action against any judge found guilty,” Maraga said in his first public speech after appointment.

On Friday, the CJ transferred several judges, but retained the controversial Judge George Odunga in a High Court unit that provides a judicial check on national government actions.

Odunga will be the head of Judicial Review at the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi.

Also serving in the same division is Justice Aburili, who last week suspended the law that required politicians vying for elective posts to name campaign teams by the first week of December 2016.

In the transfer, the newly launched Anti-Corruption Court also got a boost, when the CJ posted one more judge to the division.

High Court judge Lydia Achode has been moved from the Family Division to join Judge Hedwig Ong’undi in the Anti Corruption Court.

The Anti-Corruption Court was launched with the objective of speeding up graft-related cases. This came after the Executive complained about the Judiciary being the weakest link in the war on corruption.

Those who will serve in the Family Division of the High Court in Nairobi are justices Aggrey Muchelule, William Musyoka, Rose Ougo, Margaret Muigai, Farah Mohammed and John Nyabuto.

Two Jubilee senators have asked Cord to stop issuing threats of war to Kenyans whenever they are defeated.

Addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Friday, Senate majority leader Kithure Kindiki and his deputy Kipchumba Murkomen said Cord should stop intimidating Kenyans.

“We want to call on our competitors to stop threatening the country whenever their agenda has failed. The opposition, in particular, should learn to respect and honour our nation and stop fear mongering,” Kindiki said.

He added, “Time has come for us to condemn any attempts by the opposition to disrupt peace.”

Kindiki urged Cord to use the right channels and public institutions to challenge the decision of the Senate on election laws, adding that the opposition should not intimidate speaker Ekwee Ethuro.

He said Cord should be “gracious to defeat”, adding that the contentious Election Laws (Amendments) Bill passed on Thursday night is now for all Kenyans.

“We understand why Cord is unhappy with the results - they did not get the numbers. For those unhappy, there is a legal and democratic way of expressing it. Laws can always be revisited, it is not an end in itself,” Kindiki said.

Murkomen on his part said there is “no substitute for democracy so far”, saying the opposition has become hopeless in its attempts to discredit Jubilee’s development agenda.

Murkomen also took issue with Senate minority leader Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him of disparaging young senators who hold contrary opinion to his.

“The attitude and language he has against young senators is wanting, shameful and unacceptable for a man who wants to become the President of Kenya,” he said.

With free maternity services not significantly reducing mother and child deaths at birth since their introduction in 2013, focus is turning to traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in the fight against maternal mortality.

Some 65 per cent of women in pastoralist communities still seek the services of TBAs instead of delivering at hospitals.

Health professionals and organisations fear that this will increase child and maternal mortality at a time when huge investments are being made by the national and county governments to improve health.

WHY HOSPITALS ARE SHUNNED

Long distances to hospitals, arrogance among trained midwives in hospitals and poverty have been identified as the major factors that scare away expectant mothers, who in turn seek the services of TBAs.

Other factors include fear of male doctors and of questions about FGM from inquisitive nurses.

Amref Kenya maternal and child health programme manager Peter Ofware says poor handling of the mothers by nurses and midwives in hospitals has forced most of them to give birth at the houses of “compassionate” TBAs.

Ofware said pregnant women are putting their lives at risk, since traditional birth attendants cannot respond to emergencies that arise at birth, given that some women don’t attend prenatal clinics.

According to Ofware, TBA-assisted deliveries are the biggest contributors to increasing child and maternal mortality in most pastoralist communities.

Ofware said many pregnant women in rural areas prefer to deliver at TBAs’ houses than giving birth in hospitals due to fear of ‘arrogant’ midwives in public hospitals.

He said the worrying trend has compelled Amref and other partners to begin a training programme that will equip hundreds of midwives in urban and remote areas of Marakwet, Pokot, Samburu and several parts of Northern Kenya with midwifery skills. They will be encouraged to quickly refer birth complication cases to hospitals for specialist medical assistance.

Ofware said insults by midwives and nurses are discouraging expectant women in such areas from delivering in hospitals.

He said: “Midwives take a long time to attend to pregnant women who come to hospitals to give birth. This scares the expectant women. They narrate the ordeals they go through in the hands of trained midwives and nurses in hospitals to other women, who also get discouraged and choose to visit TBAs.”

Speaking at Elgeyo Marakwet County Referral Hospital in Iten during the launch of a midwives training programme, Ofware said less than 35 per cent of women receive medical assistance during birth.

He said failure by women to deliver in hospitals is increasing child and maternal mortality rates.

“We are persuading traditional birth attendants to refer expectant mothers to give birth in health facilities. There are many reports of women bleeding to death due to complications while giving birth at traditional birth attendants’ houses,” he adds.

He said women are still charged to deliver in some public hospitals, despite the government abolishing the costs in 2013.

Ofware said Amref will train 15 traditional birth attendants from Elgeyo Marakwet and a similar number in neighbouring counties at a cost of Sh10 million per county.

He said the number of TBA and midwife trainees will be increased annually.

Amref US official Robert Geldy said the foundation is working in partnership with marathoners from the county to raise funds for the programme.

TBAS' GENTLE, AFFORDABLE

Siblina Cheserek, a traditional midwife from Bugar, Keiyo North subcounty, said the training programme will help midwives to detect birth complications and refer them to hospitals for specialist attention.

Cheserek, 65, said traditional birth attendants offer cheap or at times free services, hence attracting women in rural areas, where it is a taboo for expectant mothers to be helped by men during delivery.

“Our services are cheap, at times we charge nothing. We take good care of them at birth, unlike in hospitals where they are harassed by some nurses,” Cheserek, who is among 15 TBAs being trained in Iten, said.

She said she expects to receive training on hygiene and use of basic equipment and detection of complicated cases at birth during the 12-month training.

Cheserek recalled how a pregnant woman in her village in Bugar, 15km north of Iten, bled profusely two years ago as she assisted her to give birth at her house before she was rushed to Iten County Referral Hospital for specialised care.

Many expectant women, she said, keep flocking to her home at birth, despite the risks.

She attributed this to her tender care to the women who come calling when their days to deliver are due.

“They call me kogo (grandma). When their days are due, they come to kogo because they fear arrogant doctors in hospital,” Cheserek said.

In Marakwet East subcounty, Talaa Suter, a famous TBA in Kipkaner location, said expectant women will keep visiting TBAs at birth due to their availability and willingness to unconditionally help mothers.

Suter said women have a bad perception of trained midwives in hospitals.

“We often convince them to accept modernity and deliver at the hospital but they say they fear nurses and doctors,” she said.

Other pregnant women, Suter said, fear to be attended to by male doctors at birth.

She added: “Culturally, it is a taboo for men to assist women at birth.”

Suter said traditional birth attendance is a practice that cannot be carried out by any woman. She said it is practised by women from certain families and passed on to the families’ generations.

She said circumcised women fear to be asked why they have undergone FGM.

“To avoid answering difficult questions posed by nurses about their genitalia, pregnant women just keep off going to health facilities,” she added.

INADEQUATE FACILITIES IN HOSPITAL

Susan Tangus, a nurse and midwife at the Iten County Referral Hospital, praised the training programme, saying it will go a long way to reducing child and maternal mortality.

Tangus defended doctors and nurses over failure to offer better services to pregnant mothers at birth, blaming this on inadequate facilities in hospitals.

She said there are not enough theatres ultrasound machines in most public hospitals, making it difficult to attend to expectant mothers quickly during birth.

“We don't have modern maternity rooms. These are rooms that are equipped with theatres, ultrasound machines, antenatal rooms, delivery rooms, postnatal and neonatal rooms,” Tangus said.

The TBA and midwives training programme has the support of several marathoners, who normally do their athletics training in the high altitude Iten. Notable examples include Wilson Kipsang, Abel Kirui and Mary Keitany.

Kipsang, in a speech during the launch of the programme, said he supports the programme to save the lives of mothers, since his mother succumbed to complications at birth when he (Kipsang) was young.

Keitany, a mother of two, said the programme will impact positively on how midwives deliver their services.

She said the programme will make midwives, especially those in public health facilities, more compassionate and able to detect problems that could complicate deliveries.

INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH

A report by Amref indicates that there is only one medical doctor per 62,000 people in Elgeyo Marakwet, compared to the national figure of one doctor per 25,000 people, putting it among the lowest in the country.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, while donating mobile medical clinic through her Beyond Zero Campaign in Iten in March 2015, urged county governments to increase resource provision to the health sector.

Elgeyo Marakwet became the 21st region to receive the medical equipment, aimed at eliminating mother and child mortalities.

Speaking at a recent TV interview, Deputy President William Ruto said the huge investments in health have saved 30,000 child deaths per year.

Citing free maternity and increased number of referral hospitals from two in 2013 to 94 in 2016, Ruto said maternal deaths have been reduced significantly.

The DP said 2,000 maternal deaths have been prevented annually since the start of free maternity in 2013.

Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Gabriel Lagat said the county has equipped more health centres with maternity beds to encourage women in the remotest areas to give birth at health facilities.

The deputy governor said women from neighbouring counties are also benefiting from Elgeyo Marakwet’s health investments.

He said community health workers have been deployed to remote villages to dispel cultural fears that discourage women from giving birth at health facilities.

According to the World Health Organisation, maternal mortality remains high at 488 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This is below the average of 640 deaths per 100,000 live births.

WHO identifies unsafe abortions, obstetric complications such as severe bleeding, infection, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour as the major causes of maternal mortality during birth.

Politician Jackson Kibor, 86, has married his 40-something-year-old lover just months after filing for divorce from his second wife.

Kibor and Yunita tied the knot two weeks ago and pictures of them on an outing have made him the talk of Eldoret town.

The wedding was only attended by a few family members and friends.

“We decided to formalise our marriage so we put things right once and for all,” said Yunita.

Kibor will be back in court on February 1 for the proceedings of his divorce from 67-year old Josephine.

There was drama in an Eldoret court last month when Josephine wailed during a hearing and said said Kibor was insensitive.

“Why are you putting me through all this? What have I done to deserve this? I am unwell and can only continue when I get well,” she said.

But Kibor insisted the case proceed to full hearing.

Kibor, once a powerful, Kanu bigwig filed for divorce last months, after 51 years of marriage - he married Josephine in 1965.

The politician told senior principal magistrate Charles Obulutsa that he wanted the case concluded quickly so he could move on.

“You can see how disrespectful she is. Someone sick cannot make such a loud wail in court. What I want is the divorce and that is it,” he said.

Kibor accused his second wife of desertion, cruelty and interfering with his 800-acre property in Kipkabus, Uasin Gishu county.

“She is my wife but I have not slept in the house I built for her for the last 30 years. She does not respect me and has abandoned the farm for long, causing the death of my livestock and chickens,” he said.

But Josephine told the court she loves and respects her husband and does not understand why he filed for divorce.

Read: We’re happily married, Kibor’s wife shows court pictures to save her 51 years marriage

Also read: Politician Jackson Kibor files divorce case to end 51-year marriage

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday signed the controversial Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015 into law at State House, Nairobi.

The assent now allows IEBC to use a manual back-up to the electronic voting system in the August 8 general election.

It also enforces a requirement for MPs and MCAs to have degrees fromrecognised universities before they can seek elective posts.

The laws, passed by the senate on Thursday last week, have been assented to amid threats by the opposition to call for mass action.

According to Statehouse spokesman Manoah Esipisu, the President singed the bill following the approval by a majority of senators.

Present during the signing was Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Majority Leader Aden Duale.

Also present was Solicitor General Njee Muturi and Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi.

The opposition had claimed a manual voting system will allow ghost voters to participate in this years poll, and termed the laws a plot by Jubilee to rig the scheduled poll.

The claims have been dismissed by the Jubilee administration as well as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba said voters will be identified electronically, and that the manual system will only be used in the event that the former fails.

According to the newly-assented law, IEBC is allowed to use "a complimentary mechanism for identification of voters and transmission of election results".

That mechanism must be "simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent" in line with Article 38 of the constitution.

Despite Cord senators fighting hard to compel Senate not to pass the laws, their Jubilee counterparts put up a spirited fight to ensure the same sailed through.

An accumulative total of 26 Jubilee senators voted in favour of the Bill compared to 19 Cord legislators who opposed it.

Read: Jubilee carries day as Senate votes to adopt amendments to election laws

Kilifi Speaker Jimmy Kahindi has reported the withdrawal of his security under unclear circumstances, barelydays after that of two Coast governors was taken away.

The government withdrew the security detail of Governors Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Mombasa's Hassan Joho on Friday, without a clear explanation.

Kahindi told the Star that his security officer was called at 4pm on Sunday and ordered to surrender his firearm in Malindi, and "wait for further orders from above".

In a telephone interview, he said the officer was with him at his Mariakani home in Kilifi county when the orders were relayed.

"I had only one security officer at the time he was called. So far, I have not been contacted by any authority," he said.

Kahindi said the issue of withdrawal of his security seems to be part of a scheme targeting Kilifi leaders, which lacks justification.

The Speaker noted his colleagues countrywide have their security detail intact, therefore it beat logic for his to be withdrawn.

But Kahindi said he would let the government to do what it deemed fit.

"At the end of the day, we are all under the mercy of God. The person who made the call to recall the security must have had reasons which are not known to me," he said.

"If he or she feels it is necessary for me to have my security back, they will return. I will not contest the decision. I am keen on delivering my mandate to the public."

But Kilifi county commander Wachira Mathenge said he was not aware that the Speaker's security had been taken away.

Kingi and Joho's security was withdrawn on Saturday resulting in protest by ODM leaders and governors alike.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the decision was not political, in response to claims that the action was taken after Joho criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta over Coast projects.

IG Joseph Boinnet said the withdrawal was part of an operation that will not affect other counties but he did not give details.

Read: Joho, Kingi security withdrawal 'purely coincidental', says Boinnet

Also read: ODM leaders ask Nkaissery to reinstate Joho, Kingi security detail

Opposition parties will announce a joint presidential candidate in February, six months to the polls, and they will set the stage tomorrow at a mass meeting at the Bomas of Kenya.

More than 15,000 leaders and members from at least five affiliate parties are to attend. The leaders of all major opposition parties, those likely to form a National Super Alliance, NASA, will be together for the first time. Kanu is not expected.

Officially, the meeting will chart the way forward after passage of controversial electoral laws the opposition says will be used to rig the August 8 election.

It will decide whether to hold mass street protests, as the opposition had promised in December, against manual backup to electronic voter registration and results transmission.

However, this appears unlikely. The violent and deadly — but effective — anti-IEBC protests alienated many people.

More important, they would conflict with and undermine the national voter registration the opposition desperately needs. It begins next Wednesday and lasts a month.

Unofficially, the mass meeting is intended to cement unity of the increasingly likely NASA. A technical team is completing crafting the leadership structure.

“I can confirm there are plans to unveil the presidential candidate by February,” ODM director of elections Junet Mohamed said in an interview yesterday. This was confirmed by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, NASA's main proponent.

Mudavadi expressed optimism the joint opposition will be ready by next month and satisfaction it had “avoided playing into the hands of Jubilee by unveiling our candidate too soon”.

“Those saying it's February are not speaking from out of the blue. Remember when we talked about it with Tinga [ODM leader Raila Odinga], we alluded to the same date,” Musalia told the Star.

In his first public appearance with Musalia at Storm Resort in Laikipia on December 6, Raila said they were consulting and would forge a formidable super alliance by February.

A broad and united alliance would pose a serious threat to Jubilee and the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto.

“They will be surprised with the team we will put forward. We are preparing ourselves and I am sure we shall be together by February,” Raila had told the ODM delegates.

Yesterday, Cord management committee co-chairman James Orengo said tomorrow's Bomas meeting is significant in setting out winning strategies.

"This has been in the work plan for some time but for the first time we will have the leadership of all opposition parties together,” Orengo said.

He said they will appeal to thousands of aspirants to mobilise their bases to register to vote in the IEBC's final mass listing.

Details of coalition and NASA negotiations, membership of the technical team — and who will be the opposition flag bearer — are closely guarded secrets.

When asked yesterday, Orengo said, "Just watch this space. There's work in progress."

There are indications NASA could eventually be adopted as the opposition coalition.

In addition to Cord's three affiliates — ODM, Wiper and Ford Kenya — Mudavadi’s ANC and Charity Ngilu’s Narc are expected at Bomas.

Chama Cha Uzalendo leader Wavinya Ndeti yesterday told the Star her party would be present.

“Beyond the electoral laws, we will discuss how we can unite and work together as Kenyans with a common interest,” Ndeti said.

There are doubts Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Mashinani will be represented.

Gideon Moi's Kanu is not expected. Its officials have sent mixed signals and contradicted each other on opposition plans.

While secretary general Nick Salat has said Kanu would attend, West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo recently said it's too early for the party to forge an alliance with any coalition.

“We wish those attending well. If we dare attend, we will lose our mediating role. We are neutral for now,” Lonyangapuo said.

The recent namingof Mudavadi as Luhya spokesman by Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli has rattled Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula.

It is not clear whether Wetang'ula, who has dismissed Mudavadi's elevation, would join a coalition with someone threatening his support in Western Kenya.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa (Ford Kenya) scoffed at Mudavadi.

“We wonder whether these people are truly with us or on Jubilee's side. The Cord coalition already has structures in place. Now that Mudavadi has seen the light, we are telling him to join Cord, not the amorphous body called NASA," he said.

But the opposition's multiple issues and battle fronts — including sanctioning street protests –– are likely to slow its planning and momentum to unseat Uhuru.

A call for street action would hurt its voter registration drive.

The IEBC plans to register more than six million voters, those who have ID cards.

Pundits predict that as in 2013, the election will be won on the strength of voter registration and turnout.

Some 14.3 million voters were registered in 2013. Slightly more than million voters have registered since.

Cord has filed four separate lawsuits: three against the IEBC and one against debate and approval of the contentious electoral laws amendments passed by the Senate last week. The session was acrimonious.

Some Raila allies say Jubilee is forcing the opposition into a corner — it had pledged never to accept a manual backup system. They say the response must be powerful.

“Fighting all these wars is not the best of things for Cord, especially with elections on the horizon," said ODM director of political affairs Opiyo Wandayi.

“But we have no choice because circumstances necessitate these actions. We cannot take chances. Our resolve has grown stronger,” he said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has named his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.

Kainerugaba, 42, who was Special Forces Commander, was appointed on Monday night.

His deputy Don Nabaasa was promoted to Colonel and appointed acting Commander of the Special Forces Command.

He will now be in charge of the president’s security and other sensitive installations in the country Museveni has ruled since 1986.

Museveni, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, won a new five-year term in elections last year that the opposition said were rigged. He denies the charge.

More on this: Museveni promotes son to Major General in the army

Analysts have said Kainerugaba's appointment is part of a plan to groom him to take over the top job.

Political rivals have regularly accused the 72-year-old President of handing powerful positions to members of his family and adopting an increasingly autocratic style - charges his supporters dismiss.

His brother, Salim Saleh, is another presidential adviser and his wife, Janet Museveni, is minister of education.

"Muhoozi ... is going to play a significant role in a post-Museveni Uganda, there's no doubt about it," said political commentator and rights activist Nicholas Opiyo.

"He is just giving the boy a hand in experiencing how government works on the side of politics."

Human rights lawyer and political commentator Andrew Karamagi described the appointment as a "real clear move to bring the man closer to succession".

Kainerugaba has risen quickly through the ranks since he joined the army in 1998. He jumped two positions from 2nd Lieutenant to Major in 2001.

Asked whether it was a move to boost Kainerugaba's political credentials, Military spokesman Paddy Ankunda told Reuters: "No, this is just a normal change in command."

Ugandan media reported on Tuesday that Museveni also fired top military officials including Chief of Defence Forces Katumba Wamala.

Wamala was appointed Minister of State for Works and was replaced by Major General David Muhoozi, now a full General.

Muhoozi, who had been commanding the Land Forces, will be deputised by Major General Wilson Mbadi, who had been Army Chief of Staff.

Deputy CDF Charles Angina took over as Deputy Commander Operation Wealth Creation, in what has been seen as a demotion.

Brigadier Peter Elweru moved from Mbarara where he had been serving as 2nd Division commander to take charge of the Land Forces.

Elweru commanded the operation that saw UPDF Commandos raid Rwenzururu palace and capture King Wesley Mumbere.

Brigadier Sam Okiding, who had been commanding UPDF in Somalia, was promoted to Major General and Commander of the Field Artillery Division.

Chief of Military Intelligence Brigadier Charles Bakahumura was transferred and appointed Chief of Logistics and Engineering.

Brigadier Gavas Mugyenyi was promoted to Major General and appointed Commander Air Defence.

Lieutenant Colonel Abel Kandiho was promoted to Colonel and appointed CMI boss.

It's all about the numbers, the calculus of victory.

There may be seven months to the polls, but the outcome could be decided by the month-long registration starting next Monday, as well as the coalitions' turnout machines.

Jubilee and Cord are geared up for a do-or-die battle for voters as the IEBC embarks on its final registration.

The ruling coalition and opposition are strategising how to capitalise on the drive. They are leaving nothing to chance.

Elected leaders, aspirants and supporters are being mobilised and both sides will have mobilisation teams on the ground to motivate eligible voters and collected uncollected ID cards.

They will closely monitor the process and know the location of the essential eligible but unregistered voters.

More than 15.8 million Kenyans are registered to vote. That could rise to more than 24 million if those yet to register turn up, the electoral agency's CEO Ezra Chiloba said on Monday.

The IEBC targets six million new voters, almost evenly distributed between the two coalition's strongholds. But JP is ahead by more than 1 million.

The previous registration in March last year signed up only 1.4 million voters, far short of its targeted four million. Voter apathy, poor organisation and lack of education were blamed.

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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga blames his loss in 2013 on both rigging and lack of turnout. Many vocal supporters were unregistered.

This time he's determined to supplant Jubilee's 'tyranny of numbers' with his own.

Yesterday, Deputy President William Ruto hosted Jubilee Party elected leaders and aspirants from Rift Valley and urged them to mobilise eligible voters to register. Speaking at his Karen office, he told the party faithful more than 1.6 million eligible voters have yet to register in Jubilee's Rift strongholds.

"For us to win, we must have numbers and this can only be achieved by asking eligible people to register in large numbers," he said.

"As you campaign in your wards, constituencies and counties, you must mobilise."

Leaders pledged to deliver.

“We will launch campaigns to ask our people to register," Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony said.

Soin/Sigowett MP Justice Kemei said, "Only those who turn up to vote will have the chance to decide our country's future."

Uhuru and Ruto's mobilisation teams will also collect thousands of uncollected IDs, deliver them and goad owner to register.

Today, the opposition holds a joint meeting to chart the way forward after its election laws defeat and rally elected leaders and aspirants to mobilise everyone to register.

The meeting at Bomas will bring together Raila's ODM, Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper, Musalia Mudavadi's ANC and Moses Wetang'ula's Ford Kenya and other parties.

On Friday, a day after returning from India, President Uhuru Kenyatta will energise JP elected leaders and aspirants in Kasarani.

Uhuru and Ruto will launch the JP membership smart card.

“Once our membership programme is launched, it's upon you leaders to register as many as possible. We want people to have ownership of the party,” Ruto said yesterday.

Late last month in Kisumu, Raila said winning the presidency will depend on how many people longing for change register and vote.

“We want first-round victory. The best tool to realise that is for you to acquire ID and voter's cards," Raila said. He tasked governors, senators, MCAs and MPs to ensure everyone 18 and above register.

Already the former Prime Minister has established a directorate of IDs and voter registration, complete with a call centre for around-the-clock monitoring of the exercise.

According to the National Registration Bureau, Raila's strongholds led in new ID registrations and 1.9 million people acquired IDs since the 2013 polls. Last registration ended in March.

Nyanza and Western had 304,965 and 285,582 new IDs, respectively, while Kenyatta's Central backyard had 222,683 IDs.

Ruto’s political bedrock that overwhelmingly supported Uhuru in 2013, had 460,417 new IDs, while at the Coast 215,912 IDs had been issued in the six counties.

In former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Ukambani turf, 190,129 IDs were issued, while Upper Eastern had 147,995 and Nairobi 126,340.

In Northeastern — Garissa, Mandera and Wajir — only 28,614 IDs were issued.

Prospective voters must present an ID or valid passport to register.

After last year's registration, IEBC reported 1,428,056 people had registered, but 6,875,082 eligible voters remained unregistered.

The Coast had 821,299 eligible but unregistered voters, Northeastern had 98,755, Eastern 1,109,566 and Central 711,583.

Rift Valley had 1,315,978 eligible but unregistered, Western 892,536, Nyanza 979,240 while Nairobi had 946,125.

In Central, 192,093 people registered to vote, a 43 per cent turnout, followed by Nyanza, with 260,637 at 42 per cent.

Ruto’s Rift Valley, Eastern and Northeastern each had 36 per cent turnout, with 285,303, 240,536 and 21,428, respectively.

Rift Valley backyard overtook Nyanza in new voters.

Western and Coast, considered Raila strongholds, had turnouts of 31 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively.

Western had 164,205, while Coast has 129,157 new voters.

In Nairobi, only 134,670 new voters acquired the card, a turnout of 25 per cent.

Only seven counties managed to get 50 per cent and above their targets: Kajiado 154 per cent; Marsabit 66 per cent; Tana River 61 per cent; Narok 57 per cent; Migori 53 per cent Kiambu 52 per cent and Siaya 51 per cent.

The worst performers, in terms of targets, were Vihiga 17 per cent, Kilifi 21 per cent, Embu 21 per cent, Taita Taveta 22 per cent and Elgeyo Marakwet 23 per cent.

However, Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru and Kisumu had the highest number of applications, despite failing to meet targets.

Others in the top list are Kakamega, Kitui, Bungoma and Siaya.

Nairobi county has 134,670 new voters, Kiambu 82,754, Nakuru 66,507 and Kisumu 59,616.

President Barack Obama received a hero's welcome in Chicago Tuesday night as he took the stage to deliver his farewell speech.

Supporters stomped on the bleachers set up behind him and members of the crowd shouted 'four more years' over a disruption.

The exiting president who campaigned on "hope and change" told his supporters 'you were the change' and encouraged them to continue standing up for their values.

Obama never mentioned his successor by name but made multiple references to his nemesis as he declared to loud clapping and cheers 'that science and reason matter' and referenced his attacks on Muslim Americans.

He also decried the 'selective sorting of facts' he said members of the other party have embraced.

In the hour-long speech Obama also took on the touchy topic of race, saying that talk of a "post-racial America" after he was elected "was never realistic."

The president was accompanied on his trip by First Lady Michelle Obama.

"Michelle – for the past twenty-five years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didn’t ask for and made it your own with grace and with grit and with style and good humour," he told his wife in his remarks.

He called Vice President Joe Biden, also in attendance, 'a brother' and said his decision to add him to the ticket was the first he made and the best.

Obama's primetime address, which began promptly 9pm EST, is his last attempt to steer the country toward the policies and values at the core of his vision for America before Donald Trump enters the White House.

The Democratic president offered advice to the American people about the challenges that lie ahead. He only briefly rehashed his eight-year presidency.

"The President certainly could give a long speech reciting the many accomplishments of his administration, but that’s not how he’s choosing to spend his time tomorrow night," Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday.

The Obamas arrived in Chicago at 5.35 pm local time. They both wore black winter coats as they exited Air Force One with their older daughter Malia, who was sporting a stylish camel topcoat.

President Obama sat for an interview with Lester Holt of NBC News at Valois, a Chicago restaurant, before the first family traveled the short distance across downtown for his final speech.

"My fellow Americans," Obama said to cheers, "Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes we’ve received over the past few weeks. Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man."

The president also brought his sister Auma Obama, who is from Kenya, along with speechwriter Cody Keenan, national security adviser Susan Rice and counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco.

The 55-year-old will step down in just 10 days with his legacy hanging in the balance after Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton won the national popular vote but came up short in the Electoral College.

"Progress isn't always a straight line," he reminded his supporters in an email Monday.

He'll also talk about fairness and justice, the White House said, and the idea that "if you work hard, you should have the opportunity to succeed regardless of what you look like, or what your last name is, or who you love."

The president will publicly needle his successor to back away from changes to existing US policy that Trump forcefully campaigned on such as his border wall with Mexico.

As President Obama and his family left Washington, DC for his farewell address Monday, it was clear to the crowds watching the outgoing First Family that Malia - more than anyone there - will leave the White House transformed.

Just six months ago the 18-year-old appeared to be in the middle of a fierce rebellion, being filmed twerking, apparently smoking marijuana and partying alongside a massive bong.

That in itself was a vast change from how she first appeared in public in 2008 - the confident, precocious young girl happily waving to the crowds as her father accepted his historic nomination into the Oval Office.

Smile! Malia looks confident on camera as her mom hugs her at an election night gathering in 2008. AGENCIES

But on Monday she had changed again: Gone were the denim cut-offs and midriff-baring T-shirts of summer, replaced by a chic wool coat and smart black boots.

And as the 6'1' young woman strode beside her parents, she looked as much a glamorous, mature, political mover-and-shaker as either of them.

This was the Malia that Barack Obama paid tribute to on Monday, as he spoke to ABC about seeing his daughters grow up in the White House, and the fears he had that they might 'develop an attitude'.

'All I can say is they have turned out to be terrific young women,' the proud father said. 'They are sweet, kind, funny, smart, respectful people, and they treat everybody with respect.

'You know, we feel pretty good when... they go to other folks' houses and when the parents say, "Oh, you know, Malia, she's just so sweet,"' he said.

Stepping out: Malia (seen here in 2015 visiting Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister) blossomed into almost as much of an ambassador as her mom, joining the family on official visits abroad. AGENCIES

Malia was 10 when the family moved into the White House; Sasha just seven. But both of the girls adapted quickly to growing up in a very unusual environment.

'They complained about Secret Service as they became teenagers,' Obama said. 'But as you might imagine, if you're a teenager having a couple of people with microphones and guns always following you around, that could grate on them. But they've handled it with grace, and I give Michelle most of the credit for how well they've done.'

But it wasn't just the world inside the White House they had to worry about - it was the world outside, and the glares of crowds and flashes of cameras that came with it.

In their earliest appearances in public, Malia, always seemed the more confident of the two. Almost as tall as her mom - even at the age of just ten - she was always happy to give the cameras the sparkling smile she inherited from her dad.

In her clothing, though, she toed the party line, looking to her mom for style cues - such as the coordinated red numbers they wore for their father's election day, or the adorable pink dress she wore for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Away from the limelight, though, Malia cut a more relaxed figure in those early years, wearing flat sandals and jeans in a tomboy look.

She also came out from under her mom's shadow at formal events, dropping straight-laced looks for flowing dresses in colorful hues.

In 2010 Malia - at that point almost as tall as her father - suffered like so many other teens when she had braces fitted. That came as a relief to Barack Obama - or so he told the Associated Press.

'Even though she's 5'9" now, she's still my baby,' he said. 'And she just got braces, which is good, because she looks like a kid and she was getting ... she's starting to look too old for me.'

Malia still followed her mom's trends as she grew older - aided, no doubt, by the rows of designers eager to give the Obamas their clothes.

But as their father entered his second term in office, she started to get into the swing of her teenage years - and began to push her way out of the nest.

In 2014, designer Gregory Parkinson announced that 'the torch has been passed' from Michelle to Malia - then 14 - after he spotted her in a string of stylish ensembles.

Lucky magazine's executive fashion director, Alexis Bryan Morgan, agreed, telling USA Today: 'I'm hard pressed to think of anyone, period, who had such great style potential at 14.

'She has all the elements that make a great fashionista. It's really exceptional.'

Morgan added: 'She's smart in that she seems to be aware so many eyes are on her. [But] her style seems very genuine. ... She's adding her own twist and having fun. You can't really have style unless you're being true to yourself.'

The long limbs she inherited from her father stood her in good stead as she donned everything from flowing ballgowns to effortlessly chic jeans-and-jackets combos.

And while Barack Obama had admitted to ABC News in 2012 that seeing his daughter looking grown-up unnerved him, he said he didn't expect things to get too messy as Malia continued into her teenage years.

'I'm not anticipating complete mayhem for the next four, five years,' he said. 'But I understand teenagehood is complicated. I should also point out that I have men with guns that surround them often.'

As it turned out, his prediction of complications was right on the money.

Nelson Marwa has claimed only those who deal in drugs require many guns to protect their trade.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, the visibly agitated Coast regional coordinator asked residents to report to him if they "see somebody carrying two guns".

"Are they protecting heroin, cocaine? Kwani bunduki ni za nini? Si ni kuprotect heroin na cocaine ((What are the guns for? It is to protect heroin and cocaine)...if you see someone carrying two guns you should know that is an international dangerous criminal," he said.

"That is a very dangerous individual and he must be dealing in drugs ... We are cracking down on drugs. Guns are used to protect drug barons," he continued.

He noted the only people they were arresting were drug barons, suppliers and brokers.

Read: Joho, his family have over 19 guns - Omar

Marwa said Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was not special and accused him of playing victim in his security withdrawal saga.

He said Joho has employed tactics in his own favour yet all governors have been affected by security changes.

"What is so special about Joho? ... ni mwananchi ... na siwezi kukuambia ni nani (He is just a citizen... I cannot tell you who he is)," he said.

Marwa added that the Governor should not be complaining as all governors will be allocated only five officers.

"If you are not dealing in drugs na hujawahi iba sadaka ... wasi wasi yako itakuwa wapi (If you are not dealing in drugs in drugs and have never stolen church offering, why all the worry)?" he asked.

The regional coordinator said Kenya will step into the August 8 general election while law and order are being maintained. 

"Anybody who wants to challenge me [can even go to the ICC]. I will shock you guys ... You have never seen me drunk and I am very sober," he  said,.

Joho said in February last year that he was a law-abiding citizen who has never cut corners to earn his wealth.

He dismissed as political propaganda claims that he engages in the illicit drug trade, saying “those behind the dirty politics aimed at mudslinging my name will never succeed”.

More on this: My business is clean, says Joho

Also read: Joho: The man with nine lives

Marwa's remarks came shortly after Senator Hassan Omar demanded an audit of Joho's firearms.

Omar called for Joho's security detail to be reduced according to the guidelines issued by the office of the IG.

"What is Joho afraid of? Joho has 15 guards, plus his cronies in the convoy who each have a gun. During public rallies they move around and are always trying to intimidate the public by showing off their guns," he said on Tuesday.

"The guns each have 15 bullets, which is about 450 bullets in Joho's convoy ... that is an armoury... not for security," he added.

Joho wrote a protest letter to IG Joseph Boinnet demanding the reinstatement of his bodyguards.

Through his lawyer, Joho told Boinnet on Tuesday that he had 24 hours to act on the matter, failure to which he would be sued for taking away the security detail.

In the letter by Dennis Mosota, the governor demands that the government gives an equivocal written assurance that it will take responsibility in case anything happens to him.

The governor's bodyguards were pulled out on Friday, some hours after he left with Cord leader Raila Odinga to Ghana for the inauguration of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Media reports indicated that those of Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and Kilifi speaker Jimmy Kahindi were also withdrawn.

This emerged amid reports that Vigilance House had reinstated Joho's security; information that Mombasa Director of Communications Richard Chacha disputed.

Joho's lawyer also dismissed reports that the governor's security detail had been reinstated, adding it was just an impression the government wanted to create.

Read: Just Who Is Nelson Marwa?

Confusion rocked the opposition's gathering at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday when Cord supporters took over the auditorium.

It was apparent that organisers underestimated the number of leaders and aspirants who would attend the meeting billed as the opposition's grand show of unity.

All sitting spaces were occupied ahead of the arrival of leader Raila Odinga and his allies, who include Amani's Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula of of Ford Kenya party.

Aspirants for the six elective positions are expected at the event. Various groups are dancing ecstatically, dressed in the colours of parties associated with the National Super Alliance.

The master of ceremony was forced to send away dignitaries who sat at the dais as they could not find space.

"Even MPs should not come to the dais" the distressed MC announced incessantly.

Kisumu Governor Jack Raguma was taken to the latrines under heavy security. His officers pushed their way as he followed helplessly.

Various youth groups also harassed aspirants as they walked to the venue.

It was said they followed them amid cheers, keen on showing who they were allied to, but then asked for cash.

Thousands of Kenyans are trooping to the venue for the meeting of what is shaping up to be the grand opposition coalition, that will take on President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 general election.

Traffic slowed others down on Lang'ata Road, forcing them to abandon their vehicles and walk to the venue.

Kenya will advertise in Cuba and India to woo at least 188 doctors who are experienced, unemployed and more affordable than Kenyan medics.

Both Cuba and India are well known for their high level of medical training and thousands of Kenyans seek treatment in India.

Healthcare is in crisis because of the nationwide doctors’ strike, now in its 40th day, and the long-standing shortage of skilled medical personnel throughout the country. The lowest-paid Kenyan doctor earns Sh1.52 per year.

The lowest-paid Indian general practitioner earns the equivalent of Sh303,092 per year.

Hiring foreign doctors is meant to ease the shortage and improve services and research.

Kenya has 600 health facilities and about two-thirds of them do not have doctors.

The government will employ two foreign doctors for each of the 94 level four and five hospitals.

The plan is being developed by the Council of Governors and the ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and Devolution.

Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta will remain in India after the current Gujarati Trade Summit. He will review progress of agreements signed in Nairobi on the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

Healthcare was also covered in the agreements. Uhuru is expected to discuss terms and conditions.

Th government spokesperson called it described it as a government-to-government initiative.

An additional 198 doctors — priority given to Kenyans — will be hired on top of other foreign medical personnel.

“We’ll give local doctors priority but will also consider costs and exposure. The Salary and Numeration Commission has advised us on what we should pay medical personnel,” Eric Kiraithe said.

“When you compare what Kenyans pay for specialised treatment in India with Kenya, you will find we pay more here at home.”

CoG chairman Peter Munya is expected on Tuesday next week to announce plans to hire foreign doctors. He will speak at headquarters in Nairobi and announce the plan will be executed with the state.

The council has instructed its members not to pay striking doctors. Nairobi was the first to announce its compliance with the directive yesterday. County secretary Robert Ayisi said they will not pay 124 striking doctors. He confirmed talks on foreign hires.

Kanu members are split over remarks made by secretary general Nick Salat at Bomas of Kenya that the independence party will join hands with the Opposition during the August poll.

While Salat stated that the Kenya African National Union was fully part of the National Super Alliance (NASA), NEC member Ziporah Kittony dismissed the assertions as 'personal'.

She said Salat's statement does not reflect the party's position on which political outfit it will join hands with ahead of the August 8 general election.

Read: Opposition forms alliance in unity bid before August election

Kittony said Kanu's policies and decisions are guided by its constitution which stipulates that such resolutions must first be discussed by the national delegates congress.

She said that Kanu supports the idea of opposition parties coming together in efforts to field one candidate, as that is "a milestone for Kenya's growing democracy".

"However, the remarks made by Hon Nick Salat at the Bomas of Kenya are his personal sentiments. They do not reflect in any way the position of the party on the matter of an election coalition at this juncture," Kittony said.

According to the nominated senator, the remarks by the Secretary General were therefore not official since the party had not convened the congress as required by its constitution.

"...as they have not been subjected to the internal constitutional processes for ratification," Kittony said.

During the charged Bomas meeting, Salat - who was one of the speakers - said that Kanu was fully behind the formation of the alliance and will live by the resolutions of the meeting.

"Mimi kama katibu mkuu wa KANU nawahakikishia kwamba tuko ndani kabisaa (As the sec Gen of KANU i want to assure you that we are fully part of NASA)," Salat said.

NASA is an outfit that brings key opposition parties namely ODM, Wiper, Ford-K, and Amani together ahead of the vote.

Leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula and Musalia Mudavadi are part of the coalition that is positioning itself to fight it out with Jubilee Party (JP) during the poll.

JP has fronted President Uhuru Kenyatta, who will be defending his seat for a second term in office, as its candidate.

Uhuru has steered the country since the March 4, 2013 general election.

Also read: Bomas rally: I am ready to sacrifice presidency again, Kalonzo says

More on this: Pray for NASA to solidify, trounce Jubilee, Mudavadi tells Bomas crowd

Opposition chiefs have for the first time pledged publicly remain united in a strategic effort to unset President Uhuru Kenyatta.

They announced they would have a single flagbearer, however, they did not launch the National Super Alliance, which is expected to take off early this year.

The clock is ticking down to the August general election, just seven months away.

In an historic unity bid reminiscent of the 2002 Narc accord, about 5,000 opposition supporters, including aspirants, thronged the Bomas of Kenya yesterday and promised to make Uhuru a one-term head of state.

In a move that surprised some members but not analysts, the leaders shelved plans for street protests against the controversial electoral laws — until after the month-long voter registration starting next Monday.

\Analysts say the opposition could not risk the violence and bad press of violent protests, especially since it would conflict with voter registrations.

ODM Leader Raila Odinga, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang'ula led the meeting, amid anxiety about which of them will fly the opposition presidential standard.

At least five major opposition parties attended, but Kalonzo announced that a record 15 political outfits were represented.

And for the first time, the four leaders' lieutenants warned their bosses against ruining unity for "selfish" personal ambition.

The warning shots were fired by Kakamega Senator Bony Khalwale, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.

In fact, Muthama pledged that they will publicly name and shame any “betrayer” derailing opposition unity. He said Kenyans will never forgive the four if they separate.

“What do we gain if we all say that we have to be on the ballot?” asked political economist David Ndii, who gave a presentation about Kenya’s “deteriorating economy”.

The opposition is under pressure to name its single candidate to face off with the mammoth Jubilee Party, as the clock ticks down to the showdown.

“I have sacrificed before and I am ready to sacrifice again,” declared Kalonzo, sending the gathering into frenzy of cheers and applause.

Musalia, champion of National Super Alliance, cautioned against infighting and urged leaders to be open to an expanded coalition.

“Let this [unity] be a serious issue.I have been defending the National Super Alliance not because I don’t respect the existing Coalition but because my eyes are open,” he said.

Throughout the meeting, Raila's presence loomed large.

The former Prime Minister and veteran of many battles was the last to speak, signifying his seniority.

His think tank members, including Ndii and ODM East African Legislative Assembly member Abubakar Zein, were among the three think tanks to make presentations.

And stung by criticism that their supporters never turn out to register as voters and to actually vote, the opposition is leaving nothing to chance.

Yesterday, opposition captains pleaded with thousands of aspirants to take charge of the voter registration process starting next week.

The IEBC aims to register more than six million new voters. They could tip the balance and create a new political scenario as Jubilee and NASA plot winning strategies.

In 2013, only 14.3 million voters were enlisted.

“We have to register and send the message that we have a critical mass. The election would be won before the last ballot is cast,” said Abubakar Zein from a think tank.

Raila said Kenyans should be afraid that Jubilee would, once again, rig the general election. He warned the Jubilee government that the consequences of rigged polls would be serious.

“We want Kenyans to discard the fear that Jubilee will steal the August elections. They will not. The cost of stealing the elections will be regrettable. Therefore, Jubilee should not try it,” Raila warned.

Apart from the Cord’s three affiliates — ODM, Wiper and Ford Kenya — also present at the Bomas were Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC, the Independence Party Kanu and Wavinya Ndeti’s CCU.

Conspicuously absent was Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, although secretary general Nick Salat insisted the independence party was fully in the opposition.

“As secretary general, let me announce that as Kanu we are in,” Salat said.

And in a move that could eventually lock out Jubilee from the vote-rich Western region, ANC leader Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya's Wetang'ula agreed to bury the hatchet.

Raila praised the Western leaders for what he termed the Mulembe Declaration in which the leaders held hands and pledged to work together.

The naming of Mudavadi as the Luhya spokesman had rattled Wetang'ula and his allies who publicly said the ANC leader was a Jubilee project.

“If Mudavadi is seriously interested in teaming up with Cord, he should focus on the agenda and forget associating himself with [Cotu secretary general Francis] Atwoli who is engaged in political business,” Wetang'ula said on January 9.

The leaders accused Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto of running down the country through massive corruption,

Yesterday, Wetang'ula narrated how the 2013 polls were rigged in favour of Jubilee, giving the examples of Tiati and Jomvu constituencies.

He claimed that in Tiati, Uhuru got a total 17,800 votes but IEBC declared 50,000 votes in their final tallying at Bomas.

Wetang'ula alsosaid that in one poling station at Jomvu, Raila got 450 votes but IEBC later gave him only22 votes.

The government claims it has met 80 per cent of the CBA, the only contention being salaries and allowances, but doctors disagree.

What else is inside the 2013 collective bargaining agreement that doctors are so ready to die for?

According to Daisy Korir, the treasurer of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union, the 27-page document has been so mystified that a certain Cabinet Secretary winces whenever it is mentioned during negotiations.

“Whenever you mention the CBA on the negotiating table, some people are nearly convulsing. We need to let people know what it is,” she says.

NOT LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE

The current document is not legally enforceable after the Labour Court in October ruled that it must be negotiated afresh.

However, the KMPDU negotiating team chairman, Dr Alex Muturi, says without it the union might just die.

“Any union stands on two things: the membership and the CBA. The CBA is the only reference any union has with the employer,” he says.

Muturi on Tuesday told striking doctors he suspects the government’s unwillingness to implement the agreement is a plan to kill their union.

KMPDU was registered in 2011, when the new constitution was adopted. The new laws gave every Kenyan worker the freedom to join a trade union and compelled every employer to recognise employees’ trade unions.

Their first action was organising the December 2011 strike that lasted only a few days after doctors agreed on a return-to-work formula.

On March 22, 2012, the Health ministry signed recognition agreement with the union and the two formed a team that worked out the collective bargaining agreement.

Negotiations for CBA lasted more than one year, and the document was finally signed by then KMPDU secretary general Sultani Matendechero and chairman Victor Ng’ani on June 27, 2013.

Former PS Mark Bor signed on behalf of the Health ministry.

The agreement suspended the proposed salaries and allowances until the Salaries and Remuneration Commission sets out guidelines for remuneration of doctors in public service.

The ministry was expected to submit the document to SRC for review and then the Labour Court for registration.

The union accuses the ministry officials of using “delay tactics” to frustrate implementation of the agreement for three years.

The union moved to the Labour Court in June 2015, seeking registration of the CBA in its current form or with amendments agreed by both parties.

The union also asked the court to declare the unregistered CBA valid if the Health ministry does not cooperate, and to backdate it to 2013.

COUNTY EMPLOYMENT

Doctors also insisted they are not county employees.

“The county governments are not the employers of doctors and, therefore, have no legal obligation that a collective bargaining agreement be negotiated with them,” KMPDU said.

In response, the ministry said the 2013 CBA was defective because health was devolved on February 1, 2013 (Gazette notice No 16 of 2013) and most doctors are now employed by counties.

“The respective county governments were not involved at the negotiations and signing of the CBA,” the ministry said.

It also claimed the agreement was signed by a former PS illegally. Health PS Fred Segor replaced Bor, now the chairman of Kenyatta National Hospital, on June 25, 2013.

However, Bor signed the agreement two days later, when he was already out of office.

“The CBA has not been implemented because it was signed by a non-officer. It had not been assessed by the SRC and Treasury. The ministry had not approved its signing,” the ministry says.

Dr Muturi says if Bor acted illegally, he should be in jail.

In her ruling on October 6 last year, Lady Justice Monica Mbaru told doctors the 2013 CBA does not comply with the law and cannot be registered.

“Without such registration, the collective bargaining agreement has no legal effect and cannot be enforced,” she said.

She noted the Health ministry acted in bad faith all along to derail the agreement’s registration.

Justice Mbaru also ruled that Bor’s signature on the CBA is valid because the backdated gazette notice that announced a new PS in the ministry was published on June 28, a day after the signing.

She asked doctors to embrace the reality of devolution and the fact that most of them are now employed by county governments.

“It will aid justice, fair labour practice and effective administration of the CBA to include major stakeholders — county governments,” she said.

ORDERED TO NEGOTIATE

She directed the union and the ministry to meet within a month to review the clauses they had not agreed on in the 2013 CBA.

They would then get the input of all other parties and return to the court in 90 days (expiring January 6, 2017) to register a new CBA.

KMPDU secretary general Ouma Oluga complains the ministry did not constitute a negotiation team within the first month.

The union immediately issued a strike notice and disregarded belated attempts by the ministry to start negotiations before expiry of the 90 days.

Labour Court judge Hellen Wasilwa last month declared the strike illegal and ordered doctors to return to negotiations.

The government has since offered the 5,000 doctors in public service an additional Sh4 billion, pushing the monthly salary of an intern to Sh197,000, up from Sh127,000. Public Service Commission chair Prof Margaret Kobia says union proposal for interns to earn Sh325,000 will distort the public service pay structure and burden Kenyans with additional Sh12 billion every year.

Kenyans on Thursday took on Labour Court judge Hellen Wasilwa after she ordered doctors to end their strike and resume duty.

Through a Twitter hashtag #StinkingDoctor, Kenyans accused the judge for comparing the medics to a stinking sewage.

In her ruling, Wasilwa gave the doctors a two-week window period to finalise negotiations to end the strike or face a month jail term.

The agitated Judge accused doctors off 'adamantly refusing' to end the strike.

"You are all talking about a CBA. There is no CBA... I have not registered any CBA because it is not registered," she said.

Noting her duty was to protect the people's lives, Wasilwa said she cannot allow doctors to let people die because of their demands.

However in her ruling remarks, Wasilwa compared the doctors to a stinking sewage which Kenyans on twitter did not take lightly.

"If you are leaders who cannot control your members then you should not be officials of the union. You are elected to represent and speak for them. As long as you are dirty, your clients are dirty. They are stinking of sewage. They cannot come before this court and seek other orders. A contempt is same as stinking sewage," the judge said.

Read: [VIDEO] Court orders doctors' officials to call off strike or face one month jail

It is this comment that outraged Kenyans on Twitter who supported the doctors and the judges in equal measure.

User by the name Samson said: "When u work, u get dirty. #StinkingDoctors accept to be in the sewage till we implement CBA,"

Winnie Mwebia said: "The #stinkingdoctors deal with worse hospital smells from ailing patients daily and still treat with the dignity deserved,"

Ochola Felix said: "Judge Wasilwa should know the only stinking sewage is a kangaroo judiciary which nobody trusts,"

Samson Misango said: "The ruling by judge Wasilwa is an arm twisting by a compromised judiciary and a disgrace to our constitution,"

The doctors' union officials however trashed Wasilwa's directive and said they were not scared to serving a jail term.

KMPDU's Ouma Oluga said they would take their services to court if that what so the government wished.

Read: Kenya to hire skilled, cheaper and jobless doctors from India, Cuba

Also read: Inside the striking doctors’ 2013 collective bargaining agreement