Kenya has no plans to shut down the internet before, during or after the general election in August, the Communications Authority said yesterday.

The Authority officials made the statement in response to reporters' questions at a briefing on what is expected of broadcasters covering the August 8 polls.

"We are using all possible means not to reach a level where the country can be in tension and force us maybe to take a drastic step," director general Francis Wangusi told the media at CA headquarters.

The statement comes at a time when cases of hate speech and incitement are on the rise. Officials frequently warn against rising temperatures, fear mongering and stirring ethnic contempt in the run-up to the polls.

Expert comment: Why shutting down the Internet is counterproductive

Read: Social media shut in Uganda poll day

"We don't believe it is our intention to deter people from communicating and that is why we have called you here to start alerting you on how we can ... freely communicate without having to bring a lot of tension."

Officials emphasised that a shut down was not government policy and Cabinet and security agencies had not been consulted.

Wangusi continued, "Sometimes, when tension is so high, the government may decide to take an action for purposes of protecting the people of Kenya from any adverse outcomes caused by those who want to cause trouble."

Kenya had an estimated 37.7 million internet users in June 2016, 85.3 per cent of the population, according to the CA's latest statistics.Growth is largely driven by increased penetration of smartphones.

ICT minister Joe Mucheru was quick to say, "I can tell you categorically that is not government policy. It is not our expectation the country will be in the position to shut down internet services.

"We are a digital country and that is not our intention. It is not even a remote fall back position."

If it shut the internet,Kenya would be following in the footsteps of other African governments, which have in the past two years blocked electronic communications for political reasons during elections. Gambia, Ghana, Gabon and Uganda are the most recent and linked to elections.

Other nations closing the internet for political reasons are the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Burundi, Libya, Egypt, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Niger.

Wangusi said the CA spent Sh400 million last year on an internet surveillance system that can monitor activities through mobile phones.

Another Sh1.1 billion was spent to instal a spectrum monitoring system to monitor unauthorised communication through other channels.

Politically driven Internet shutdowns have also been witnessed in India, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Syria and Turkey.

In Kenya social media has been used to spread hate speech and fake news.

Social media is fast-becoming a prominent part of everyone's life especially that of young adults. Many of them spend large amounts of time on various platforms that exposes them to disturbing content.

Social media has allowed many politicians and their supporters to engage in character assassination, ethnic contempt and threats to ethnic groups. Fake accounts have been created to malign and threaten rivals and perceived enemies.

A number of high-profile lawmakers and other politicians are facing cases of hate speech and inspiring ethnic contempt.

According to research paper by the Brookings Institution, there were 81 short-term internet shutdowns in 19 countries between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016.This cost the global economy at least $2.4 billion (Sh249.16 billion).

Morocco lost $320 million (Sh33.22 billion) after disrupting the internet for 182 days, while Republic of Congo lost $72 million (Sh7.45 billion) for 15 days of shut down.

Neighbouring Uganda also lost $2 million (Sh207.64 million) when it disrupted the internet for five days.

Kenya's economy is driven largely through mobile commerce, meaning it could lose billions if the electronic communication systems are shut down even for a day.

Gituku said the CA will be monitoring the media to ensure reporting is fair and balanced during the campaign and election period.

“As the country approaches the general election in 2017, the Communications Authority of Kenya wishes to remind broadcasters of the regulatory provisions governing the responsible use of broadcasting platforms,” he said.

“We expect media operations to be above board. Media owners and journalists who have a political stand have to de-link from media house operations.”

Despite the constitutional right to freedom of expression in the constitution, the CA cites exceptions that outlaw spreading propaganda for war, inciting violence and spreading hate speech.

Wangusi said the CA will set the time and the manner in which broadcasters will air political news and programmes, in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications (Broadcasting) Regulations, 2009.

These provide guidelines for the “polling period” that covers the period when national general elections are held, election campaigns, the post-election and referendum periods.

“It is clear from the Code that radio and television broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest at all times. This includes provision of equitable coverage and opportunities to registered political parties participating in an election,” Wangusi said.

Penalties for media houses that violate guidelines include revocation of broadcast licences and broadcast frequencies.

“This is not only a legal requirement but also the public responsibility of the media to uphold the democratic principles of our nation, particularly during the election period,” Wangusi said.

Doctors’ union officials yesterday chose to be jailed for one month rather than negotiate with the government within the next two weeks.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union secretary general Ouma Oluga said they cannot negotiate under duress and will serve their jail terms beginning January 26.

“We cannot negotiate with a noose on our necks,” he told striking doctors and students at Railways Club, Nairobi.

Oluga compared the seven officials to freedom campaigners such as Nelson Mandela, Jomo Kenyatta and Mahatma Gandhi, who were jailed.

“On [January] 26th if the government does not implement the collective bargaining agreement, hospitals will still be closed,” he told striking doctors and students.

Employment and Labour Relations Court judge Hellen Wasilwa sentenced the seven national officials to a one-month suspended sentence to give them time to negotiate with the government. She said the sentence will apply automatically if the strike is not called off by January 26.

The officials were sentenced for disobeying a December court order that declared the strike illegal.

“You now have a sentence hanging on your head... The ladies will be taken to Lang’ata Prison and the men Kamiti Prison,” Wasilwa said yesterday.

The officials are Oluga, deputy secretary general Chibanzi Mwachonda, chairman Samuel Oroko, vice chairman Titus Ondoro, treasurer Daisy Korir, assistant treasurer Evelyn Chege and Allan Ochanji.

About 3,500 doctors in public hospitals have been on strike for 40 days since December 5 last year, demanding implementation of the 2013 CBA they signed with the Ministry of Health.

However, on October 6, the Labour Court declared the document void because it lacks the input of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the county governments, which now employ 80 per cent of Kenyan doctors.

The CBA was also signed after health was fully devolved and the governors accused the national government of signing the pact illegally.

Justice Monica Mbaru ordered the union to negotiate a new CBA within 90 days, but officials called a strike.

The old CBA gives the lowest paid doctor, an intern, a monthly salary of Sh325,000, up from Sh127,000.

The government has offered them a 40 per cent pay hike, giving an intern a maximum monthly pay of Sh208,000, which unionists reject.

Yesterday, the national officials accused Justice Wasilwa of insulting doctors by calling them “sewage”.

The judge had likened the disobedience of court orders to the stench of sewage. “I will not hear you until you purge the contempt,” she said.

Oluga and other officials also accused the judge of lacking independence and reading from a script prepared by the government.

Oroko said private investors are behind the stalemate. “They want public hospitals to collapse so they can make more money,” he said.

Oroko said the union officials are ready to be imprisoned until their CBA is implemented.

“You take us to spend one month in jail, so what?” he said.

The poor performance in the recently released 2016 KCSE examination results may be a blessing in disguise for Technical and Vocational Colleges, which have suffered a crunch in admissions for many years now.

The quest to market the TVCs to the critical mass numbers that fail to join universities over the years has been a daunting task.

Most students and parents view the technical colleges as a place for failures, as compared to joining universities, which lead to white-collar jobs.

In the 2015 KCSE results, 169,492 candidates scored grade C plus and above, the minimum university entry requirement, as compared to the 2016 results, where only 88,929 achieved this pass mark.

In the 2016 KCSE, 44,792 candidates scored a C plain, 61,026 C minus, 80, 951 D plus, 112,135 D plain, 149, 929 D minus, while a whopping 33, 399 got Es, six times as many as 2015’s 5, 350 Es.

During university admission last year for the 2015 KCSE candidates, the Kenya Universities Colleges Central Placement Service selected 74,389 students as government-sponsored students to public universities for the year 2016-17.

This number, however, was increased when the government, through KUCCPS, extended the sponsorship to 12,096 students joining private universities, brining the total of state-sponsored students to 86,485.

The ominous scenario this year is that the 88,929 who meet the university entry requirement will all join public universities, leaving private universities with zero numbers to rush for. A total of 577,253 candidates sat for the 2016 KCSE exams.

IMPACT ON PRIVATE VARSITIES

Attention, therefore, turns to what private universities will do to fill in their academic programme vacancies.

Prof James Tuitoek said: “It will be hard for the private varsities and those offering parallel programmes to get students to admit. The imminent risk is closure of especially some of the universities campuses.”

Knec national chairman Prof George Magoha said some universities, like Mt Kenya, Strathmore and Kenya School of Monetary Studies might survive, but a sizeable number that have relied on leftovers will have to fold.

The trick, though, is for private universities to mount quality, relevant and competitive academic programmes to attract the remainder of KCSE students.

Dr John Mugo, the Uwezo Kenya country coordinator, said: “Universities will suffer drastically with this performance, but market demands will play a key role here.”

He added that the strict administration and management of KCSE examination will eventually force universities to specialise in their academic programmes to meet the relevance of skills required by the market.

TECHNICAL TRAINING OPTION

As disturbing as the situation is, Education CS Fred Matiang’i notes that the large population of secondary school leavers still qualify for tertiary and technical training.

“The time has come for us to embrace the role of tertiary and technical training in national development,” he said.

“We must shift from the populist view of white-collar jobs, which are highly pegged on university degree qualifications, and focus more on skills-oriented approaches that equip our youth with practical skills,” Matiang’i said.

TVET Authority CEO Kipkirui Langat said the poor KCSE results belong to all Kenyans, such that the earlier we accept them, the better, in order to have a rational debate on how to accommodate students that will not join the coveted universities.

He said the TVET option is not failure in itself because there are some candidates who scored higher marks in KCSE but chose to join TVETs.

“TVET is driven by demand in the market, which requires skilled persons to support the economy,” Langat said.

He argued that TVET is all about making every Kenyan productive, including a Form Three dropout who is no different to a person who scored an E.

COLLEGES TURNED TO VARSITIES

Lately, the country has made historical policy mistakes of closing down middle-level colleges and turning them into universities.

The repercussion has been the lack of technical personnel in the job market, leading to an artificial demand for university education.

Matiang’i reveals that that the most horrific consequence of the demand is that more than 80 per cent of our enrolled university students are in the liberal arts and humanities courses, completely at variance with our current development needs.

“The massification of universities in our country has dealt a body blow to the quality of our university education,” Matiang’i said.

The CS pleaded for honesty as people discuss the KCSE results, saying we cannot continue to live a lie. “We have for a long while now and it is time to start an honest journey towards the right direction in developing our country,” he said.

The Kenya Vision 2030 champions a growing and inclusive economy, one that is fostered by strong knowledge-based sectors, particularly manufacturing and services. Achieving this vision will depend heavily on how well-equipped the graduates are with 21st century universal skills.

TVET CAPACITY

There is capacity for about 400,000 Form Four leavers in TVET institutions under various government ministries.

There are 64 operational Technical and Vocational Colleges (TVCs), out of which four are for trainees with special needs.

Since 2014, the government has constructed 60 TVCs, which are complete and ready to become operational.

An additional 70 TVCs are under construction and are expected to be completed by June 2017.

The government plans to have a TVC in each constituency. Apart from construction of new TVCs, the Education ministry is also equipping existing institutions with state-of-the-art training equipment to attract trainees and provide them with skills that match modern-day technology.

The ministry has an enrollment of about 140,000 trainees in the 64 operational TVCs. This number is expected to grow to about 200,000 following the ongoing rebranding of TVETs and operationalisation of other new colleges.

HELB FUNDING FOR TVETs

In 2015, of the 50,000 declared vacancies in various TVETs, only 12,000 applied to join TVET colleges, leaving an excess capacity of 38,000 places.

Students who apply for TVET also qualify for HELB loans. TVET students funded in 2015 were a dismal 11,000 (Sh396 million) against a government budget of Sh500m for 20,000 students.

This year, Helb has an allocation of Sh900 million targeting to educate 30,000 students.

Matiang’i asked other stakeholders to move in and encourage and support youths to join TVET institutions under the Education ministry, just like the Equity Bank, which has widened support to 2,900 youths to train in TVETs.

RESISTANCE TO REFORMS

Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion has demanded a forensic audit on the results and the processes to ascertain the authenticity of what he termed a predetermined marking that could end up as the biggest scandal in the country’s education sector”.

He accused some ministry officials of having been in a hurry to display that the war on cheating is being won.

But Matiang’i said any kind of reforms will always attract resistance. Sincere people will seek to dialogue while others plan hidden resistance out of unfounded fear, the CS said.

The Jubilee Party smart card, that will be launched on Friday by President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto, is aimed at ensuring free and fair nominations.

The card will ensure only registered voters who are genuine members of the party participate in the nominations in May.

It will also make sure no one votes twice in the nominations through a system that is integrated with the voter register database.

The unique smart membership card contains a member’s name, identity number, mobile phone number and voting details such as the polling station.

Aspirants have been encouraged to buy the cards en-mass for their supporters, at Sh20 a piece, but this is just the first step in becoming a Jubilee Party member.

Read: Jubilee Party plans to net Sh200 million from smartcards sold at Sh20 each

A member will have to send a text message with the word 'accept" to the short code 30553, for free, to activate the smart card in the database at the headquarters in Nairobi.

Aspirants who buy cards for their supporters will have to ensure this process is completed as they will not access more cards from the headquarters.

They will then be prompted to complete registration by sending their name, identity number and the plastic smart card number.

The card is connected to the database of the Registrar of Political Parties and that of the IEBC, so that not only members not registered in other political parties are voters

If you are a member of another party and try to register through the card system, it will prompt you to respond to questions like ‘Sorry, you are a member of another political party, do you wish to resign and register as a JP member?'

At the nominations, party members will be required to produce the cards before casting their votes.

The card will be scanned for verification and then authenticated through a smart phone by the polling agent for one to be allowed to vote.

The authentication will be done by a Jubilee application that has been developed for the purpose, that will be downloaded by polling officials using smart phones.

Once the card has been used, it becomes inactive and cannot be used used for voting in a particular polling station.

An attempt for second verification and authentication will be flagged from the database at the party's headquarters.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was allegedly detained at Urban Police station after visiting a relative arrested earlier on Friday.

County director of communications Richard Chacha said the Governor was blocked from leaving the station since he went there at midday.

Chacha said the relative Joho visited was arrested when officers raided and ransacked his home, amid a security withdrawal saga.

"The officers told him he also had to stay at the police station," Chacha said, adding there was no further communication.

Joho went to the station with Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, who is also reportedly being held there.

Sources said the Governor went to find out why his relative, only identified as Haroub, was arrested but refused to leave.

He was allegedly detained for causing a disturbance.

Read: Joho’s relatives, friends homes raided, ransacked by police

Area OCPD Lucas Ogara told the Star he was not aware the two had been detained.

"I left my office a few minutes ago. I am not aware of such an incident. Maybe it is at the DCIO's office. I am following on the matter," he said.

The officer neither commented on whether Joho and Nassir were under arrest nor spoke of any possible charges.

Police IG Joseph Boinnet told the media Joho and the two MPs were not detained but were at the police station, demanding release of a suspect.

But Joho's lawyer Mohamed Balala said the politicians might spend the night at different stations.

"Orders were issued that the governor and the rest should not leave and should be brought clothes, indicating they were to stay here long," he said.

Earlier in the day, police also raided the business of Mombasa county inspectorate director Naheed Musa, 30, a licensed gun dealer.

Musa said the heavy police presence was a routine inspection.

“This inspection has come at the wrong time because of too much speculation out there. This thing is very normal,” he said.

Musa said the officers arrived at his firearms store in Nyali at 10 am to conduct regular inspection which is done four times annually.

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Officers at the Urban Police Station also detained MPs Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni) and Suleiman Dori (Msambweni), as well as several MCAs.

The Communications Authority of Kenya will revoke the licences and frequency spectrum of television and radio broadcasters that allow politicians to incite violence and spread hate speech through their media.

CA board chairman Ngene Gituku on Thursday warned broadcasters against violating the Programming Code for free-to-air radio and television services that came into effect on July 1, 2016.

The code defines ‘election period’ to mean the period between publication of a notice by the electoral body for a presidential, parliamentary or county election and the gazettement of the election results.

According to the code, radio and television broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest at all times. This includes equitable

coverage and opportunities to registered political parties during polls.

“As Kenya approaches the general election in 2017, the Communications Authority of Kenya wishes to remind broadcasters on the regulatory provisions governing the responsible use of broadcasting platforms,” Gituku said.

“The Authority expects the broadcasters to abide by the provisions in the Code ... This is not only a legal requirement but also the public responsibility of the media to uphold the democratic principles of our nation, particularly during the election period,” he added.

A key parliamentary panel has been accused of brushing aside petitions from the public objecting to the nomination of at least two people as commissioners at the electoral agency.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, yesterday bashed the crucial panel for ignoring “serious integrity concerns” raised.

The committee chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a on Thursday approved the nomination of Wafula Chebukati as chairman of the IEBC and six others as commissioners.

During the two-day vetting, Chepkong’a said there were no objections raised against the nominees.

The committee okayed Abdi Guliye (Animal Scientist), Boya Molu, a human resource practitioner, Consolata Nkatha (Public Relations practitioner) and Kiswahili language expert Margaret Mwachanya for appointment as commissioners.

However, Kaluma and Wajir woman representative Fatuma Ibrahim dissented with the report, saying there were serious integrity concerns raised against some nominees.

“We have been sent confirmations that some Kenyans presented memoranda opposing the nomination of some members,” Kaluma said.

“Where did these petitions go to? We were being told no petition was received from the public. I have personally asked the chair and all that he told me is that there was no petition.”

There are concerns that other than nominees Roselyne Kwamboka, a political officer at the United Nations, and Paul Kurgat, a senior lecturer at Moi University, none of the other candidates has the necessary experience on electoral matters, a key requirement for their jobs.

Kaluma said integrity questions had been raised against Nkatha and Molu, but the committee leadership allegedly ignored them. Molu was allegedly accused of “dirty work” in the judiciary.

Nkatha allegedly has an active criminal court case in which she is accused of defrauding the National Museums of Kenya of Sh280 million.

The nominee has two diplomas and two master’s degrees but no bachelor’s degree, Kaluma said.

“A bachelor’s degree is a basic requirement for appointment as IEBC commissioner ... We can’t ignore requirements stipulated in the Constitution,” the Homa Bay Town MP said.

“How did she obtain a master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree? This is a fundamental issue that touches on the Constitution.”

Kaluma faulted the selection panel for failing to consider the need to have more than two nominees who are qualified lawyers to help in resolving dispute arising from primaries.

Only the Chebukati is a lawyer.

“This is an issue the selection panel should have looked into. We need at least two lawyers. The chairman will be overwhelmed by disputes,” Kaluma said.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is a “political conman full of retrogressive thinking” and is keen to discredit state projects for undeserved political mileage, the government spokesperson has said.

Eric Kiraithe said the state exercises authority and legitimacy not to sound tough, but to improve citizens lives.

Kiraithe said Joho’s arguments and bashing of Coast projects by the state are myopic.

Last week Joho and Kilifi Governor Amazon Kingi said the Jubilee government is taking credit for projects started by Coast counties and funded by the World Bank and other donors.

It was an embarrassment during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commissioning last week of the Buxton Footbridge and the Bamburi storm water drainage system.

Kiraithe said the government is on course to achieve Vision 2030, which could have remained a dream if it were not for Jubilee.

“I pity citizens of a county whose governor would come and introduce a new project in the name of ‘my’ project,” Kiraithe said.

Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, he criticised Joho for discrediting Jubilee projects meant to make Kenyans “wealthy”.

Kiraithe said most government projects were started after Independence and successive administrations have carried on with the work.

He said the thinking that one political side should determine the development projects to be implemented is unfortunate and should be

condemned by everyone of good will.

“On election day, they [electorate] should be keen to single out people who have their own political survival in mind when they distribute public

resources,” he said.

“The idea that a leader or government should start a project for attribution [to themselves] is myopic, unfortunate and reduces the exercise of

state authority to a personal whim.”

The Gambia's President-elect, Adama Barrow, has left the country after talks failed to persuade President Yahya Jammeh to step down.

Nigeria's president flew to Banjul to try to broker a deal but Jammeh would not relinquish power.

Barrow is now heading to Mali, where he will meet West African leaders attending a summit there.

The former estate agent wants to resolve the transitional deadlock so he can be sworn in next week.

President Jammeh's term ends on Thursday.

The African Union has said it will no longer recognise Jammeh's rule beyond this point.

More on this: AU to stop recognising Jammeh as Gambia president on January 19

Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari had flown to The Gambia's capital, Banjul, to try to broker a deal, as the region fears the consequences of a non-peaceful transition.

Ecowas, a 15-nation bloc of West African states that organised the delegation, has it said it would consider removing Jammeh using military force if he refuses to step aside.

Barrow is travelling to Mali with the Ecowas delegation for further discussions this weekend.

Jammeh had initially admitted defeat after the December election. But shortly afterwards he called for the result to be annulled.

The 51-year-old leader seized power in the country in 1994 and has been accused of human rights abuses, although he has held regular elections.

Read more: Cash gifts and torture holes: Gambia's outgoing ruler in profile

A lawyer for Jammeh filed a request with the Supreme Court on Thursday, asking for an injunction to block Barrow's swearing-in.

The Supreme Court is unable to hear the challenge until May because of a shortage of judges, and Jammeh says he will not step down until then.

There are growing fears that the uncertainty could cause a refugee exodus.

Thousands of Gambians, mostly women and children, have already crossed the border into neighbouring Senegal and further afield to Guinea-Bissau, where they do not require a visa, officials say.

Barrow won 43.3 per cent of the vote in December's election, compared with Jammeh's 39.6 per cent. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, got 17.1 per cent.

Hassan Joho's alleged arrest alongside two MPs on Friday was aimed at intimidating opposition leaders, ODM has said.

The Mombasa Governor and MPs Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita) and Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni) were allegedly detained at Mombasa CID headquarters.

Joho, who went to visit a relative arrested earlier in the day, is said to have caused a disturbance.

Read: Joho, MP Nassir allegedly detained at Mombasa CID headquarters

ODM acting Secretary general Agnes Zani said the county chief, who is ODM deputy party leader, was manhandled harassed and embarrassed.

Zani said in a statement on Saturday that Joho was being humiliated by the government as he refused to join Jubilee and because of firmly defending his people.

"It is an open secret that Joho’s woes began the day he rejected overtures by the government and their agencies to lead a mass defection from the opposition to Jubilee,' she said.

"The fact that [he] commands massive support among the people of the Coast, for his bravery to stand against Jubilee's lies and propaganda, has made him an enemy of the state hence the harassment."

The Governor lectured President Uhuru Kenyatta for failing to launch fresh project at the Coast, a dressing down that some said resulted in the withdrawal of his security.

More on this: [VIDEO] Joho lectures Uhuru on hijacking Mombasa projects

Also see: [VIDEO] Joho moves from Nyali home after security withdrawn

Zani, who is a Nominated Senator, asked the Jubilee government to serve the people equally and embrace the basic democratic tenets of fair competition at all times.

"Harassment of our leaders shall be resisted," she said, adding ODM leaders read mischief in statements by government spokesman Eric Kiraithe and the Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa on the security matter.

She said the statements were malicious and may have led to the arrest of Joho and the MPs.

Marwa said only those who deal in drugs require many guns to protect their trade and that Joho was only 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.

Read more: [AUDIO] Only drug dealers want many guns, says Marwa

Kiraithe termed Joho a a “political conman full of retrogressive thinking”, who is keen on discrediting projects for undeserved political mileage.

Kiraithe said the government was on course to achieve Vision 2030 which he noted could have remained a dream if it were not for Jubilee.

“I pity citizens of a county whose governor can introduce a new project in the name of ‘my’ project,” he said.

More on this: Governor Joho a retrogressive myopic conman, says Kiraithe

Joho, Nassir and Bedzimba were released after depositing a Sh20,000 cash bail. Joho thanked the youth who went to the station to demand his release.

Also read: Joho’s relatives, friends homes raided, ransacked by police

Hassan Joho was not arrested on Friday, Nelson Marwa has said, adding the Mombasa Governor stayed at the police station to cause chaos.

Marwa, who is Coast regional coordinator, said Joho stormed Mombasa CID headquarters demanding the release of a suspected drug baron found with more than three guns at his home.

He said the outspoken county boss, who caused a frenzy yesterday night, faked his arrest after police refused to release the suspect.

“Joho sent short messages that he had been arrested only to create acrimony, tension, conflict, sympathy and the ‘we' feeling,” Marwa told a press conference in Mombasa on Saturday.

“Why was the Governor so determined to rescue a drug baron who was in possession of more than three guns? What was the big agenda?”

But county director of communications, Richard Chacha, said the Governor was blocked from leaving the station since he went there at midday.

Chacha said the relative Joho visited was arrested when officers raided and ransacked his home, amid a security withdrawal saga.

Read more: Joho, MP Nassir allegedly detained at Mombasa CID headquarters

The regional coordinator alleged a link between Joho and the suspect, whom he refused to name, concerning a business he was transacting. 

Marwa said the suspect was also found with an air ticket and that he was planning to escape. He did not give the destination but said authorities have established the suspect has connections the world over.

The regional coordinator said the guns may have been stolen from a store in Nyale which police raided and are searching.

Nyali range is owned by Mombasa inspectorate director Naheed Musa, who said on Friday that heavy police presence at his shop was normal.

But Marwa said they were looking into claims that Musa has been selling guns illegally or leasing them to youths for use in intimidating "his master's" political opponents.

Musa, he feared, was running a secret gun range and training youth to use the weapons. There have been allegations that Musa recruited ex-military into the inspectorate.

Marwa, who has been at loggerheads with Joho, said the operation that led to the arrest and the store raid, will go on despite interference by Joho.

"Security will not be sacrificed for politics," he said, terming Joho's "vigorous involvement" suspicious.

He noted more arrests will be made.

The security and guns drama that has surrounded Joho has resulted in speculation over whether the government is after him or if  he is carrying out a public relations stunt.

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar demanded an audit of firearms in Joho's possession. He accused the Governor of employing diversionary tactics by playing the victim in his security saga and said his detail should be reduced.

Joho, he said, moves around with at least 35 guns with 450 bullets on a regular day, a size enough to take out the Deputy President's entourage.

But Joho moved from his house in Nyali after his security was withdrawn. He said he did not care whether officers freshly deployed to the home were to spy on him, and reiterated that he did not need the government's security.

More on this: [AUDIO] Senator Omar demands Joho guns audit amid security drama

Read: Joho now enemy of the state for defying Jubilee, says ODM

Marwa, who announced a war on drug dealers and illegal gun owners at the Coast, said two notorious barons have been arrested in Lamu so far.

“They are Faizal Shee and Varazina Mohamed. There is a warrant for the arrest of Mohamed Shee and Moto Shee,” he said, adding they seized cocaine and bhang.

Moto has been linked to cartels in Malindi, Mombasa and Diani.

“The government is mopping up criminals in all counties. [Drug dealing] is unacceptable,” said Marwa.

Read: [AUDIO] Only drug dealers want many guns, says Marwa

Also read: State closing in on drug-dealer politicians, Kiraithe warns

Kalonzo Musyoka has reiterated that he will write to the ICC about incitement remarks against Kambas allegedly issued by Aden Duale.

The Wiper leader first said this on January 9, after the emergence of an audio clip of youths in Garissa being told to attack Kambas and keep them from voting.

Duale, who is Garissa Town MP and National Assembly majority leader, denied that he was the one giving the instructions.

Kalonzo said if police do not take action against him, Cord will notify the ICC about the remarks, which he says if actualised will lead to genocide, forcible eviction or war crimes.

More on this: I will call ICC on Duale remarks, Kalonzo warns

Also read: [AUDIO] Duale dismisses audio of incitement against Kamba voters as concocted propaganda

But Kalonzo noted, in an address in Garissa on Saturday, that a Kenyan who engages in misdeeds does not necessarily have to be taken to The Hague.

He said the constitution has domesticated international law, making it possible for a case to be handled locally, especially after Cord "takes over" after the August 8 general election.

" Any citizen has the freedom, under the supreme law, to live and work anywhere in Kenya and not be discriminated against on tribal basis," he said.

He spoke during the homecoming ceremony for former deputy speaker Farah Maalim, before which he opened the party's office and visited Garissa University Memorial Park where he planted a tree.

Al Shabaab militants attacked the university on April 2, 2015, killing 147 people, mostly students.

Maalim, who has joined Wiper party as its deputy leader, echoed the Cord co-principal's sentiment that Duale has fanned ethnic hatred.

Wiper chairman David Musila and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe said the majority leader has targeted Kamba voters after sensing Jubilee will be defeated in the poll.

Read: Duale belongs in jail, Farah Maalim says after alleged incitement remarks

The national cohesion team launched investigations to unravel the voice in the incitement audio.

NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo told the Star on phone that the commission's probe will be centred on establishing the veracity of the two-minute clip.

"We have dispatched our detectives to establish where the audio was recorded and advise on further action," said Kaparo, who said he was alerted by a colleague.

The chairman noted no one is above the law and that Duale will be dealt with accordingly should he be found responsible.

Duale said he was not afraid of the International Criminal Court as he has been there several times.

More on this: NCIC opens probe on incitement audio clip linked to Duale

Also read: [AUDIO] I am not afraid of ICC, Duale tells Kalonzo on incitement clip

Others who attended the rally were Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, womanrepresentative Mishi Mboko and MPs Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Marcus Muluvi (Kitui East) and Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni, ODM), and Kiminini's Chris Wamalwa who represented Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula.

Joho said no amount of intimidation will make him abandon his political beliefs.

Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth has officially declared he will vie for Nairobi governor on a Jubilee ticket in the August election.

Kenneth, formerly of the Kenya National Congress party, said he was interested last October, but was torn between Nairobi and Murang'a.

He announced his decision on Sunday, soon after Senator Mike Sonko said "foreginers" were not welcome to the contest.

More on this:'Foreigners' not welcome to Nairobi governor race - Sonko

"I am ready for nominations or consensus to pick winning teams because all we want is development for the people of Nairobi," said the politician who vied for president in 2013.

He attended a service at Jesus Winners Ministry Church in Roysambu, accompanied by Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi and MPs Rachel Shebesh (woman representative), Maina Kamanda (Starehe) and James Gakuya (Embakasi North).

Others were MPs George Theuri (Embakasi West), Waihenya Ndirangu (Roysambu), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), John Njoroge (Kasarani), John Omondi (Embakasi East) and several MCA’s

Read: Kikuyu leaders plot and groom Peter Kenneth for 2022 – Mandago

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Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, Gatundu South's Moses Kuria, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and other politicians attend a service at former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru's Jesus Is Alive Ministries church, January 15, 2017. /COURTESY

At Jubilee's grand meeting at Kasarani stadium on Friday, Sonko said nobody will be pushed from outside the county to confuse the people in the race for county chief.

Sonko said all aspirants for the race were at the function. Kenneth wasn't.

Regarding the Senator's criticism, the aspirant said Nairobi is key to Kenya and belongs to everyone.

"This city needs a manager who has a proper track record... who can show people what he has done to enable proper governance. If you are looking for that person look no further. I am here," he said.

Kenneth pointed out his desire to tackle challenges that incumbent Governor Evans Kidero has not, which include the traffic and garbage collection menace.

"We want to see a city where when you want to move from town to Karen you can do so in 30 minutes... a city that is free of garbage," he said, and urged the public to register to vote.

Read: Peter Kenneth sets eyes on race for Nairobi governor, to support Uhuru in 2017 poll

Also read: Jubilee MCAs welcome Peter Kenneth to run for Nairobi governor

The former Gatanga legislator is expected to shake up city politics but Kidero has often expressed certainty about his re-election.

The leaders who accompanied Kenneth heaped praises on him saying his track record as MP spoke for him.

Ndirangu said the Murang'a leader has shown he is the right person to develop the city.

Hassan and Kamanda said they will back Kenneth should he be selected as the party's flag bearer.

"Jubilee has decided that it has to scoop all the top seats in the city. If Kenneth becomes our flag bearer, we will make sure we push for him to be the next governor," said Kamanda.

Raila Odinga's ODM party said it will back Kidero's re-election. Chairman George Aladwa, who intends to run for the Makadara MP seat, said they hope to get at least 70 of the 85 elective posts in the county assembly.

More on this: ODM to back Kidero, eyeing majority seats in Nairobi assembly

While Kenneth attended the Roysambu church service with his supporters, Sonko and the others attended one at former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru;s

Sonko was with politicians including Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, Gatundu South's Moses Kuria.

Fresh details have emerged in the investigations into the controversial murder of businessman Jacob Juma last May 5.

A brother of slain whistle-blower Juma has asked police to investigate billionaire Jimmy Wanjigi in connection with the unsolved murder.

Wanjigi also recorded a statement with Directorate of Criminal Intelligence detectives in June last year.

Francis Shiundu Juma, the victim’s elder brother, has requested the police to, among other things, investigate the business relationship between his brother and Wanjigi.

Shiundu also wants the police to investigate the relationship between Wanjigi and Juma’s widow – Miriam Wairimu Wambugu. “The family would want to know why he also helped to raise funds for the burial,” says Shiundu in his statement.

Wanjigi was among the individuals who took an active role in preparing for Juma’s burial, including mobilisation of resources. Juma was buried on May 15 in Mungore village, Bungoma.

Shiundu also wants the police to investigate claims that soon after the death, Wanjigi and Wairimu were searching for documents at Juma’s Karen home.

The 61-year-old retired accountant does not however disclose what documents Wanjigi and Wairimu were allegedly searching for at Juma’s Karen home. Shiundu lives in Kisumu with his family.

Expert comment: Don’t hold your breath waiting to fi nd out who killed Juma

Read: [VIDEO] Businessman Jacob Juma shot dead

Juma was shot dead in mysterious circumstance as he drove to his Karen home on the night of May 5, 2016, and his vehicle found along Ngong Road. Police found Juma’s Mercedes Benz had stalled a few metres from the bypass heading to Ngong.

Shiundu made a statement with Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives on June 2.

Wanjigi is the CEO ofthe Kwacha Group of Companies, which has investments in real estate, agriculture, oil and manufacturing, among many other business ventures.

Wanjigi has been closely linked to the who’s who in government, political and business circles since the era of President Daniel Moi. He wielded much power during the government of President Mwai Kibaki. Wanjigi also remained powerful during the first months of the Uhuru Kenyatta government, but is reported to have fallen out with the Jubilee regime when he and a consortium of businessmen lost a deal to build the SGR funded by the Chinese government.

He counts as among his long-time friends former Vice President and Minister for Finance the late George Saitoti and even read the eulogy at the latter’s funeral on June 16, 2012.

In his statement recorded with the DCI at his Westlands offices on June 3, 2016, Wanjigi said Juma had told him he was afraid for his life. According to Wanjigi, a warning came from sources that Juma had in the National Intelligence Service.

Wanjigi said even though he had known Juma for more than 10 years, they were not business partners and neither did they socialise. “I did not socialise or do business with Jacob Juma,” Wanjigi said in his statement.

Wanjigi said that at 8pm on May 4, he spoke to Juma on the phone. He told investigators they spoke about a tweet by Juma on comments that the US Ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec, had made on the IEBC. They however did not end the conversation as Juma was driving and promised to call Wanjigi back.

Wanjigi said on the early morning of May 6, he received a call from Nairobi lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, who informed him that Juma had been shot.

Wanjigi said he told Abdullahi that he had not received the news and inquired if Juma’s wife was aware of the incident.

Wanjigi said he proceeded to Karen, to drop his daughter at school and, while at the unnamed school, he met Juma’s widow, whom he informed about the death of her husband.

Abdullahi has also recorded a statement with the police and said he last spoke to Juma a day before his death and that Juma was asking to borrow Sh200,000 from him.

Homicide detectives have since concluded their investigations and forwarded the file to Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko with recommendations to order an inquest.

This came after a former police officerfound an AK-47 said to have been used to shoot Juma in the hands of an interdicted police officer and an accomplice shot dead by police on May 25, 2016, at the Nyayo National Stadium Roundabout, Nairobi.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said the weapon found on 28-year-old Police Constable Simon Mungai Muturi and 39-year-old Francis Kinuthia Njuguna was used in the murder of Juma.

Ballistics examiners at DCI Headquarters said the grooves on two spent cartridges recovered from the scene where Juma was killed had matched those on the gun found on the criminals.

The two are believed to be members of a four-man gang infamous for carjacking and kidnap that has terrorised residents of Nairobi for more than 10 months.

Muturi, a police officer interdicted on suspicion that he was involved in crime, is said to be the leader of the gang suspected of at least 20 cases of carjacking, kidnap and demands for ransom.

Muturi was interdicted from the police in 2012 on suspicion that he was involved in robberies. At the time he served serving at the Central Police Station in Mombasa.

Previously, the officer had served at Wilson Airport, the Ngong Police Station and the Nairobi Central Police Station. He came from Thigio village in Tigoni, Limuru.

Muturi’s accomplice Kinuthia came from Ndarugu village, Gatundu South. He is said to have been be a handcart-pusher turned criminal.

Police are investigating if Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has any links to the alleged illicit business his purported relative, Ibrahim Khatri, is reportedly transacting, Nelson Marwa has said.

The regional coordinator made unsubstantiated reports that Khatri’s house in Ganjoni was ransacked and more than three guns recovered. Marwa said the authorities suspects Khatri is involved in drug business. He said Kharti, whom he did not name, is under thorough and intense probing.

Read: [AUDIO] Only drug dealers want many guns, says Marwa

More on this: Joho, MP Nassir allegedly detained at Mombasa CID headquarters

Marwa on Saturday at a press conference in Mombasa questioned why the governor was so “determined” to rescue the suspect.

“Why must he obstruct justice? What is his relationship with the suspect? And why must he mobilise everyone to come and rescue a potential drug baron who is wanted by everybody and with several armories in his house?” he asked.

Joho on Friday said he had gone to the Urban police station to enquire about the crime committed by his relative and why he was arrested under unclear circumstances.

Last February in a live interview on Citizen TV, Joho said he is a law-abiding citizen who has never cut corners to earn his wealth. He dismissed as propaganda claims that he engages in the drug trade, saying “those behind the dirty politics aimed at mudslinging my name will never succeed.”

The county boss dismissed as false reports that Mombasa has about 100,000 drug addicts, saying he has been in the forefront fighting the problem through rehabilitation and outreach programmes funded by the county government, the Hassan Joho and Shariff Nassir Foundations, among other initiatives.

Marwa said, “The government is mopping up criminals in all counties.”

Prominent Mombasa businessman Tahir Sheikh Said, popularly known as TSS, was laid to rest on Tuesday, marking the end of his reign over a multibillion-shilling empire.

Despite the massive wealth he accumulated, Said died heartbroken and left a family in turmoil as his sons fight to control his wealth.

Said joins a list of former Coast kingpins whose influence was once felt in one way or another in the region. Others include Ronald Ngala, Karisa Maitha (popularly known as ‘Mgogo wa Pwani’ — the pillar of the Coast) and Kanu stalwart Shariff Nassir.

Although he kept a low profile, Said was a kingmaker who controlled Coast politics by financing candidates and blocking opponents.

According to his close confident, Said was the right-hand man of retired President Daniel Arap Moi and was also appointed as Kanu branch chairman in Lamu, making him a powerful tycoon.

Said was born in Moyale in 1942 but later settled in Lamu, where he invested in properties and charity organisations that build schools, Madrassas and mosques, making him a dominant figure in the Muslim community.

The tycoon was buried at the Kikowani Muslim cemetery in Mombasa.

Former Chief Kadhi Sheikh Hammad Kassim led thousands of mourners in the last prayers at TSS Mosque along Haile Selassie Avenue.

Leaders present included Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, politician Suleiman Shahbal, former Kisauni MP Anania Mwaboza and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s elder brother Abubakar.

Said’s body was flown to Kenya early on Tuesday from South Africa and taken to his family home at Kizingo.

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TSS Towers in Mombasa town.Photo / JOHN CHESOLI

AMONG LARGEST LANDOWNERS

A Wealth in Kenya report for 2014 listed Said as one of the largest landowners in the country, citing land he acquired during the Kanu regime.

But after the end of the Moi era, his empire crumbled when another regime took over led by President Mwai Kibaki, despite him funding Kibaki’s campaign in Mombasa.

At one point, the tycoon was denied access to the VIP section at Moi International Airport during a visit by Kibaki in 2000. The then provincial commissioner Ernest Munyi told him he was not invited, forcing the tycoon to drive off from the airport frustrated.

In 2014, his fortunes seemed to take a turn for the worse when the government cancelled title deeds to large tracts of land in Lamu county associated with him.

Some of the land is said to have been used to secure loans in excess of Sh5 billion from two banks listed on the stock exchange.

Speaking to the Star, former Kenyan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Said Hemed said he had known Said for decades, describing him as a kind-hearted, generous philanthropist.

Hemed said Said supported various projects, including building schools and mosques, offering scholarship and medical assistance for the poor, among other charitable activities his foundation supported.

Mombasa leaders described him as an icon whose death is a big blow to the society that depended on him. Said was known for helping the less fortunate.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the death of Said. He was a well-known fatherly figure, mentor to most prominent personalities of Mombasa and beyond, and a kind-hearted, generous philanthropist," Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said.

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Sons of the deceased TSS owner Mohamed Twahir and Twahir Said while addressing the media in their father's compound in Kizingo Mombasa county. Photo Mkamburi Mwawasi.

BITTER END

Sheikh died a frustrated man.

His frustrations began after his sons moved to court fighting for the ownership of his property and the debts surrounding him.

In November 2016, the tycoon appeared to be worn down by debts and fighting among his sons and other family members over his vast wealth.

The fighting, some of which ended up in court, appeared to have taken a toll on Sheikh’s health.

Late last year, Sheikh obtained restraining court orders, stopping the Bank of Africa from forfeiting his assets over a Sh1 billion loan.

He blamed his financial problems on some of his sons and a brother-in-law.

The orders also stopped the bank from accessing assets of his other firms related to the one that had taken the loan.

The bank wanted to access assets owned by TSS Transporters Ltd and TSS Investments Ltd, while the loan was taken by a related firm called Juja Coffee Exporters Ltd.

Five parcels of land in Mombasa, registered in the names of TSS Transporters Ltd and TSS Investments Ltd, are cited in the suit.

In May, TSS Unga Millers was taken by the Kenya Commercial Bank over another Sh1 billion loan. KCB, which has non-performing loans with TSS Unga Millers, issued a notice in May, indicating it had taken over operation of the miller.

Sheikh is said to have Sh8 billion in non-performing loans with several banks, booked under subsidiaries in his business empire.

His children also have a case in court, fighting for his property.

Son Sabir has accused his brother Noorein, of Transmara Logistics, of alleged fraud. Sabir, through lawyer Muriu Mungai, alleged the transfer and registration of vehicles and trailers by Noorein’s company was done fraudulently.

“I wish to put the record straight and refute claims by my brother [Noorein] that he owns three motor vehicles, two trailers and three 30,000-litre fuel tankers,” he said.

Mungai said Sabir is the bona fide owner of the vehicles, registered under TSS’s Pop-In Service company in Nairobi. Sabir told Justice Njoki Mwangi he is the legal owner of the Pop-In Service Stations chain.

He dismissed his brother’s claims that he will suffer loss if he is allowed to retain the property.

“Let Noorein prove he owns the property listed in this suit and prove the loss and damages he will incur if I retain the property,” Sabir said.

Sabir’s lawyer said his client has no intention of unlawfully repossessing the vehicles.

He said his client is entitled to the repossession and use of all vehicles.

“The move was initiated after Sabir was instructed by the majority shareholders of TSS Investments to collect and account for assets at the service stations,” Sabir’s lawyer said.

Sabir said he was instructed to recover the vehicles after they were abandoned on the side of the road in Tudor, Mombasa county.

He said it was not until June that they discovered there was change of ownership of the vehicles after documents were filed in court through his brother.

“The service stations show the management was oblivious all along of any change of ownership,” Sabir’s counsel said.

He said his client’s brother purported to convene a meeting of the board of directors of the service station early this year, knowing the meeting was not genuine.

Police have received 500 new vehicles to enhance their mobility and welfare.

President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the vehicles on Monday saying one of the most glaring gaps in the security sector was transport.

Uhuru said his government intervened as the effectiveness of the National Police Service had been hampered.

“This sorry state of affairs meant our police officers could not effectively execute their mandate of keeping this country safe and secure,” he noted at Uhuru Park.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta trying out the new police equipment./PSCU 

The service had only 3,155 vehicles in 2013 and most of them were in poor condition. They have received 2,720 new vehicles so far, under the national police vehicle leasing programme.

Tthe government has also procured 30 armoured personnel carriers to improve police response and capability.

It has also acquired 25 mine resistant armoured personnel carriers that will be deployed to the Coast and North Eastern.

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Armoured police cars launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday at Uhuru Park Photo/Monica Mwangi

President Uhuru said the tooling gap in the police service was huge and historical but that his administration was committed to bridging the gap.

"In 2013, police had only one working helicopter and two fixed wing single engine planes. Today they have three serviceable helicopters and the fleet is expected to expand to seven by July," he said.

He further noted that police officers now have Comprehensive Medical Insurance Cover which came into effect last year. This was in addition to the Group Life Insurance Cover, which they have had for three years.

“This is in my administration’s conviction of the unique circumstances under which police work," said the President.

Uhuru said the first phase of the police housing programme - the construction of 1,500 units in Nairobi and other parts of the country -  was underway.

"Two hundred units have been completed and are now occupied,” he said.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta commisison 500 new police vehicles at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, January 16, 2017. /PSCU

He said the construction of phase two's 4,800 units will begin soon, in line with the government’s commitment to resolving police officers' housing challenge.

The President said investment in CCTV cameras and improved street lighting as well as better forensics is paying off.

He noted the number of reported robberies fell from 436 in 2014 to 295 in 2016, motor vehicle thefts from 340 to 195, and offences targeting individuals, such as muggings from 1,360 in 2014 to 992 in 2016.

The President asked police and all other relevant agencies to deal firmly with incitement as the country enters the electioneering period.

“Elections come and go, so it is our duty – all of us – to ensure our country remains united, peaceful and secure before, during and after elections," he said. "I urge politicians of all shades to conduct their campaigns peacefully to confirm our maturity as a democracy."

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and IG Joseph Boinnet thanked the President for leading efforts to sufficiently equip the police service.

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 President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioning police equipment on Monday../PSCU 

If the election were held today, President Uhuru Kenyatta would defeat opposition chief Raila Odinga by 54 per cent to 32 per cent in the first round, a survey indicates.

However, the poll by the Star's research department indicates Raila remains the preferred presidential candidate to fly the National Super Alliance (NASA) flag on August 8. The alliance has all but been launched.

The random survey of 2,000 eligible voters was conducted from January 11-13 in 16 counties, based on the number of eligible voters. The margin of error was +/-2.19.

Respondents voting for the President cited development, those preferring Raila said he was more likely to fight corruption.

Recent polls have given Uhuru the victory.

However, analysts say that if the opposition sticks together and fields a single presidential candidate, their odds would improve dramatically and spell trouble for Jubilee.

A lot can happen in seven months to change voters' minds.

Raila's NASA comrades — Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Amani National Congress counterpart Musalia Mudavadi — would garner three per cent and two per cent, respectively. Ford Kenya Leader Moses Wetang'ula would get only one per cent of the vote.

The survey is likely to leave Raila and his advisers pondering their strategy at a time when the opposition chief is drawing up an elaborate strategy to unseat Uhuru.

However, the poll indicates nearly one-fifth — 18 per cent — of voters are still undecided, seven months to the polls.

The other presidential candidates — including Philip Murgor and Ekuro Aukot — would not win any votes today, the survey indicates.

Also without a single vote for President were DP William Ruto, ex-assistant Minister Peter Kenneth and Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto.

Ruto has declaredhe is backing Uhuru's reelection and will run for President in 2022.

Kenneth is also backing Uhuru's reelection. He came a distant fourth in the 2013 presidential contest and is running for Nairobi governor.

Though there is intense debate over who would be the strongest NASA standard-bearer, the poll indicates most Kenyans today want Raila to once again face-off with Uhuru. He ran and lost three times.

Forty-four per cent of Kenyans want Raila to be the joint opposition candidate, while 18 per cent prefer Mudavadi.

Twelve per cent prefer Kalonzo, two per cent Wetang'ula and one per cent Kanu chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

Twenty-two per cent are still undecided on who should be the opposition candidate.

Kanu has been sending mixed signals on opposition unity. Secretary general Nick Salat says Kanu is part of the movement, a position rejected by other officials.

It is not clear what method the opposition will use to choose its presidential candidate. They plan to unveil their line-up next month.

According to the survey, most Kenyans who prefer Uhuru over Raila cite the need to develop the country and grow the economy, create jobs, fight insecurity, forge unity and fight tribalism.

For example, 83 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Uhuru to develop the country, compared with 13 per cent who said they would vote Raila for the same reason

However, 56 per cent said they would vote for Raila to fight corruption, compared with 36 per cent saying they would choose Uhuru to tackle graft.

Raila and his Cord brigade have made fighting corruption, tribalism and exclusion — and protecting devolution — their rallying cryagainst the ruling coalition.

If the vote were held today, the poll indicates Uhuru would outdo Raila in 11 of 16 counties sampled.

These include Nairobi where the President would win 58 per cent, Raila 22 per cent.

In Garissa, Uhuru would garner 44 per cent, Raila 36 per cent. In Wetang'ula's Bungoma backyard, Uhuru would get 30 per cent, Raila 29 per cent.

Other counties, and percentages for Uhuru, are Nakuru (74), Kiambu (84), Meru (68), Machakos (44), Uasin Gishu (64), Kajiado (69), Bomet (58) and Nyeri (89).

Raila, however, would defeat Uhuru in Mombasa where he would secure 43 per cent against Uhuru's 27 per cent.

The Cord leader would also defeat Uhuru in Kisii by 39 per cent to 33 per cent and in Kisumu by 70 per cent to 15 per cent.

In Kakamega, Raila would get 41 per cent, the President 25 per cent.

Nearly all recent polls have indicated an Uhuru victory if the election were held when the questions were asked.

An Ipsos poll on December 21, 2016, indicated Uhuru would get 50 per cent, Raila would get 22 per cent.

The President would get 55.1 per cent to Raila's 35.1 per cent, according to a poll released in on December 31 by Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and conducted by University of Nairobi researchers.

However, analysts say the opposition's fortunes and ratings are likely to improve if they remain united and field a single candidate.

“They can send Jubilee home if they rally behind one candidate and mobilise their bases to register as voters,” Prof Edward Kisiang'ani of Kenyatta University told the star in October last year.

Onyango Oloo, who was TNA secretary general, has ditched Jubilee Party for ODM.

He did not reveal his reasons but sources said TNA's dissolution for the Jubilee merger made things difficult for him.

Oloo told the Star on Tuesday that he was finalising talks with leaders of the party under Raila Odinga's Cord coalition.

"We have had a series of consultative meetings. Soon, we shall make a formal announcement," he said.

Oloo played a key role in President Uhuru Kenyatta's presidential campaign in 2013.

He said he will move from Uhuru's party with several other officials.

Read: Overtaken by events: Court rules ex-TNA secretary general cannot hold two posts

More on this: Give Oloo key roll on poll team, angry JP members tell Uhuru

It was alleged that Oloo pulled one-man shows during his tenure as TNA secretary general but that his rivals in Jubilee had pledged to prevent this.

"For now I will not comment on the matter," he said.

Also read: TNA’s Oloo tells Luos how to return to power

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, state television said, after refusing to hand power to opposition leader Adama Barrow who won an election on Dec. 1.

The terms of the state of emergency and its implications for Barrow's inauguration on Thursday were not immediately known although sources say it will be imposed for 90 days "to prevent a power vacuum".

But the declaration appears to represent a hardening of Jammeh's position. Opposition leaders say an emergency could allow the government to cancel or postpone Barrow's inauguration.

"I...hereby declare a state of public emergency throughout the Islamic Republic of Gambia," the declaration said.

Jammeh took power in a coup in 1994 and his government gained a reputation for torturing and killing of perceived opponents. Pro-democracy activists across Africa welcomed his defeat and his refusal to step down has provoked a test of mettle for regional leaders.

Nigeria and other West African countries are preparing to intervene militarily and the ministers of finance, foreign affairs, trade and the environment have resigned from the government, according to ministry sources and state television.

In addition, hundreds of Gambians have fled into Senegal, Gambia's only neighbour. Gambia has had just two presidents since independence from Britain in 1965.

"The chiefs of defence staff of West African countries met yesterday (Monday) to discuss strategies on the best way to get Yahya Jammeh out," a senior Nigerian military source said.

"Some West African countries will be contributing troops, including Nigeria, for the operation," said the source, adding that the United Nations and African Union had offered support to regional body ECOWAS for the plan.

State television said on Monday that Finance Minister Abdou Kolley was being replaced by Benjamin Roberts, the Minister of Tourism. Finance ministry sources said on Tuesday Roberts had also resigned.

Ministry sources said other government figures, including Foreign Minister Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, had left the government and the country. The mayor of the capital Banjul has also resigned, according to sources at the city council.

The departures follow the resignation of the communications minister last week.

Hundreds have crossed into Senegal, fearing for their safety because of the turmoil, and Senegalese authorities have increased security.

"We are scared. There are soldiers with guns all the time," said Awa Sanneh, 25, from Birkama in Gambia, who was leaving with two children and 24 other family members.

The Senegalese town of Diouloulou, 12 km (7 miles) south of the border point of Seleti, has seen 650 Gambians cross since Christmas and the flow has increased in recent days, the mayor's office said.