Shocking details of alleged fraud at Chase Bank have emerged in a plaint against former Chairman Zafrullah Khan and 19 other defendants submitted to the Commercial Court in Milimani yesterday by Chase Bank (in Receivership).

Khan bought his wife Shehla Khan a vintage Ferrari Dino for USD 455,000 (Sh45,500,000 ) and a limited edition Chevrolet Corvette for $127,551 (Sh12,755,133 ) using Chase Bank funds without passing through a personal account.

Read the court papers: Chase Bank wants chairman assets frozen after fraud revelations

The bank also bought him an apartment in the Opera Grand residential tower in Dubai, next to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, at a cost of Sh600 million.

Chase Bank also paid $2.1 million

(Sh210 million) to AMB Real Estate to build a house for Khan in Michigan, USA.

But the plunder went far beyond the acquisition of a few personal assets.

The plaint states that Sh7.9 billion of loans and advances to customers were irregularly classified as ‘other assets’ in the Chase balance sheet; Sh1 billion was irregularly advanced to Khan; Sh6.9 billion was irregularly advanced to companies largely owned by Khan and Chase Group Managing Director Duncan Kabui; Sh8.7 billion in loans and advances to customers; Sh3.1 billion of loans not supported by any documentation; and Sh5.6 billion in overdue interest on loans and advances.

In April 2016 the Central Bank put Chase Bank into receivership after it declared a loss of SH686 million for the financial year 2015. Kabui and Khan were dismissed.

Chase Bank started imploding last year after Deloitte refused to accept that properties in the names of Khan and others belonged to Chase Bank.

When the crisis started at Chase Bank, Khan tried to claim that these companies were Islamic investment vehicles that were owned by him but where Chase bank would get 99 percent of the profits. But the six ‘musharaka’ agreements supporting his claim were only registered in March 2016, two weeks before the bank went into receivership and long after Deloitte raised the red flag.

Veteran banker and financier Khan founded Chase Bank in 1996.

Properties worth Sh7.5 billion were paid for by Chase but held in the names of various companies owned by Khan and his associates. However the plaint states that James Mwaura, the Chase Corporate Assets Manager, was “only able to verify the purchase price and property costs totalling to Sh1.3 billion”.

The plaint states, “there is no evidence that the Plaintiff (Chase) Board of Directors was made aware of the purported SPV companies and their activities.” It said that board members only found when they received an email from a whistleblower in February 2016.

The court documents indicate that Sh2,205,642,136 was fraudulently transferred to Khan or companies owned by him and his associates. These included payment of Sh48 million to set up Iman Bank in Somalia; Sh100 million for Rivieres Finance, his equipment leasing company; Sh161 million to Genghis Capital; Sh253 million to Orchid Capital for offshore investments; Sh83 million for IT investments; and a bonus payment of Sh1.05 billion.

The bonus payment of Sh1.05 billion was supposed to be paid out to Khan over five years based on performance but was instead collected within six weeks.

After Khan became non-executive chairman in 2015, Chase paid him a monthly consultancy fee of $50,466 ( Sh5 million). The bank is now demanding that Khan refund $756,990 ( Sh76 million) that he was paid in consultancy fees.

An account in Development Bank of Kenya set up to handle staff loans had discrepancies totaling Sh 1.42 billion.

An Sh108 million withdrawal from Development Bank was paid in cash to Carlo van Wagenginen, a shareholder in Chase Bank, to fund his Lake Turkana Wind Project. However Wageningen told investigators the cash was for selling his shares in Chase Bank that he wanted to keep private because of ‘family matters’.

Kibwezi West MP Patrick Mweu Musimbi received Sh1.358 billion through his two companies Porting Access and Itecs Ltd. The loans are not being repaid for “reason of national security”.

Other big shots are reported to be among the non-performing loan portfolio of Chase Bank but their names have not yet emerged.

The killing of three commercial sex workers in Mombasa last month in separate incidents has sent chills down the spines of their colleagues, who feel targeted by a serial killer.

Two of the slain sex workers were dumped in Shanzu and Changamwe towns. One has been identified as Pauline Atieno. She was picked by a male client from Mtwapa and found dead on a roadside in Shanzu. A police officer handling the case said Mtwapa residents fear to come forward as witnesses.

The latest victim is Martha Simiyu, 23, whose body was found in a guest room at Casablanca club in a pool of blood. She posed for a client on Moi Avenue near Mombasa’s iconic tusks on March 25. Described as a quiet person, she was lured by a man, yet to be identified, who went on to kill her.

STABBED SIX TIMES

An autopsy report indicates that she died from haemorrhage caused by multiple wounds. She was stabbed more than six times before the man slit her throat.

Unused condoms were recovered from the room, implying the man didn’t sleep with her and that the killing was not accidental.

“We suspect she may have been the victim of a premeditated murder,” reads an investigation report. “Investigators have established that the main suspect had bought a sword that he used it to kill her.”

According to the report, Simiyu was picked by a man known to her. He bought her a drink and miraa just a few metres from the guest house. After some hours, they checked in to the guest room.

Records of the man were not captured, as the man was clever enough to have used Simiyu to pay for the room at the reception.

“Upon arriving at the guest house, the man closed the door, stabbed her multiple times before slitting her throat, and then left her lying in the bed in a pool of blood,” a detective told the Star.

Pathologists who conducted an autopsy said the woman’s throat was slit from ear to ear, with the wound extending to the back of her neck. The report seen by the Star indicates the attacker didn’t attempt to steal her car.

The family said all along, they have known their daughter to be working in a hotel, until media reports revealed her other side.

They said they are now finding it difficult to get funds from their relatives to transport the body to Busia for burial.

“Everyone has turned against us. We are the only people working hard to ensure we lay her to rest because everyone ran away after knowing our daughter never worked in a hotel,” a family member said.

“We travelled all the way from Busia knowing she was a waitress in a hotel, only to see in the media that she was sex worker.”

Urban police boss Lucas Ogaro said the motive of the murder is still unclear.

“It was a daring incident that detectives are still investigating. The killing was well planned and the attacker ensured he left no trace. He took away the murder weapon,” he said.

Ogaro said cyber crime detectives are still analysing Simiyu’s mobile phone for leads.

“He ordered reservation of an isolated room and was able to kill her without detection because of the loud music from the club. It was hard to hear her scream or any commotion. He had done enough research,” Ogaro said.

Commercial sex workers demonstrating in Mombasa in April 4th 2017.The sexworkers presented their petition to the county commissioner over increasing intimidations and killings of their colleagues/Elkana Jacob

NO ARRESTS MADE

Last week, the Commercial Sex Workers’ Alliance in Mombasa held a peaceful demonstration, accusing police of inaction over the killing of Simiyu and the other sex workers.

The sex workers, who were joined by gays, social workers and NGOs, marched from Casablanca club to the office of deputy county commissioner Mohammed Mahmoud, where they delivered their petition. Mahmoud was not present.

In the petition, the alliance said it is disgraceful that no one has been arrested so far over the killings.

CSWA director Benta Joseph called for comprehensive investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators.

“We are your sisters, mothers, brothers, fathers and wives. Please stop killing us,” Benta said.

The killings have raised suspicions that there might be a serial killer on the loose, preying on sex workers.

In 2010, the country was in shock after self-confessed serial killer Philip Onyancha admitted in court to having killed up to 19 people in one year, mainly sex workers, and drinking their blood.

Onyancha fearlessly narrated how he used to lure women, rape and kill them before drinking their blood. He claimed he was initiated in the blood-sucking society by his teacher in form two.

The serial killer said he picked up most of the women in bars between 2006 and 2010.

SEXUAL MOTIVATION

Psychologists say a sexual element is often involved in serial killings. They are usually driven by an urge for psychological gratification.

Social worker Esther Nelima said Mombasa has at least 10,500 sex workers. She said some of the sex workers are as young as 16 years, while the oldest is about 68 years.

Nelima said the killings are just a tip of the iceberg of the problems sex workers suffer in the line of duty.

She said the organisation has documented several cases of murder, sexual and physical assaults and general mistreatment of sex workers in Mombasa.

At least 15 cases of physical torture, rape and even killings have been reported to Coswa in the first quarter of 2017.

A victim of the heinous acts against sex workers said it is by luck that she survived her ordeal.

Stella* (not her really name) got her client from Casablanca club at 2am and left with him to a place around town. On reaching the man’s house, he turned against her, started beating her and forced himself on her, contrary to the agreement.

He sodomised and raped her, and later took her national ID and all her clothes before throwing her out naked.

She walked to the Central police naked. She was assisted by officer Nicholas, who dressed her and took her to report the incident.

The police later told her to locate the perpetrator and report back to the police when she finds him.

Nelima said such an attitude from the police has kept most victims from reporting assaults and instead suffer in silence.

“The cases might be more since most of them are not reported for fear of victimisation from the society,” she said.

Nelima called for a change of attitude towards sex workers in Kenya, as times have changed.

“We have seen sex workers educating their children up to university levels. People should know it is circumstances that have forced them into such business,” she said.

She said more organisations need to come out to fight and protect the rights of sex workers and support the ones who want to transform.

“There are younger ones who would like to go back to school but they lack support. If few people come out to sponsor them, we will be saving a generation and turning lives,” Nelima said.

PRECAUTIONS

Sexual workers educators say although it might not be easy to spot or identify who is about to prey on the women and men in the business, there are some things one can do if he falls victim or is targeted.

Melis Warko, a counsellor with an NGO dealing with men and women sexual workers in Mombasa, advises the sex workers to avoid clients who appear troubled.

“Most of the troubled men love secluding themselves and mostly communicate less to avoid revealing their thoughts,” he said.

Warko said sex workers should also avoid going to homes of their clients or guest rooms of hotels that are unfamiliar to them.

He said if it is a must they go, then they should let their colleagues know of their whereabouts.

The counsellor also urged sex workers to avoid provoking their clients.

“We really advise our people against stealing from their clients or doing something that might trigger anger in them,” he said.

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma on Thursday recorded a statement with the police after leaflets distributed in Busia indicated that he had defected to Jubilee.

Last year, Otuoma said he will not leave ODM for any party.

Otuoma, John Waluke (Sirisia) and Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba had resigned from ODM claiming they were "frustrated" by the party's leadership.

More on this: I will not leave ODM, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma declares after skipping Ababu event

But on Thursday, alleged Daily Nation leaflets written "Otuoma defects to Jubilee" circulated in the county as ODM nominations kicked off.

The MP termed the leaflets "desperate sideshows" and accused his rivals of being behind them.

Otuoma is battling out the Busia Governor seat with incumbent Sospeter Ojaamong.

"This is foul play and it's unfortunate that some county vehicles are being used to distribute these materials," Otuoma said.

"If you look at the incidences being reported nobody is taking any action."

Noting that the Busia residents have already made up their minds, Otuoma said nothing will stop him from vying on the ODM ticket.

"I am very confident that the will of the people of Busia will be expressed here. We hope that the voting material have been secured."

Nominations were momentarily delayed due to lack of ballot papers. The process which was to start at 6am had not yet started by 9am over lack of ballot papers.

Residents appeared to be confused, while some seemed exhausted and annoyed by the lack of coordination in the process.

A spot check by the Star found that officials and agents had not arrived at the centres by 7am.

But ODM issued a statement saying there was a mix up in the delivery of nomination materials in Teso North and Teso South causing the delay in the two constituencies.

More on this: Busia ODM primaries delayed over lack of ballot papers

Read: ODM nominations will be done through secret ballot, says elections board

Chase Bank Limited has filed an application to freeze the accounts of former chair Zafruallah Khan and 19 other defendants after shocking revelations of fraud.

The alleged fraud emerged in a plaint against the defendants submitted to the Commercial Court in Milimani yesterday by Chase Bank (in Receivership).

Khan bought his wife Shehla a vintage Ferrari Dino for $455,000 (Sh45,500,000) and a limited edition Chevrolet Corvette for $127,551 (Sh12,755,133) using Chase Bank funds without passing through a personal account.

The bank also bought him an apartment in the Opera Grand residential tower in Dubai, next to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, at a cost of Sh600 million.

More on this: Chase Bank bought Ferrari and $6m Dubai flat for chairman

According to court documents seen by the Star on Thursday, Chase Bank said freezing the assets should be regarded and certified as urgent.

Team Nairobi politicians Johnson Sakaja and Mike Sonko have promised unity and endorsed each other for Nairobi senator and governor respectively.

Other members of the team are former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru but there have been reports that their union is weakening.

Read: 'Team Nairobi' down to Sonko, Wanjiru after Waweru goes for Dagoretti South MP

They had all declared interest in the city governor post held by Evans Kidero but Sakaja bowed out of the race and presented nomination papers for Nairobi Senator nomination. Waweru will vie for re-election.

Sakaja (Nominated MP) and Sonko (Senator) promised on Wednesday that they will help each other clinch the seats they will vie for in the August 8 vote.

The two toured Nairobi with other aspirants and told supporters they know Nairobi's problems and will address them if elected.

Among those who took part in the tour were Nixon Korir (Langata constituency), and Millicent Omanga and Karen Nyamu who are in the race for city woman representative.

Jubilee Party which will take place on April 21; a fierce showdown is expected as Sonko faces former presidential candidate and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth

Sonko has torn into Kenneth citing his race against Uhuru in 2013 and the idea that he is an "outsider".

The rivalry between the two saw the rise of two factions in Jubilee.

Kenneth's team includes Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi and MPs Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi woman rep) and James Gakuya (Embakasi North).

His other supporters are MPs George Theuri (Embakasi West), Waihenya Ndirangu (Roysambu), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), John Njoroge (Kasarani), John Omondi (Embakasi East)

Sources say the choice of the Jubilee candidate to take on Kidero will be done by consensus to prevent the need for secret ballot.

Jubilee fears that subjecting some candidates to competitive primaries will create friction, open the party to infiltration, and hurt the presidential campaigns.

More on this: It’s Kenneth or Sonko, Jubilee in secret talks

Sonko and his team said they will ensure President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto's Jubilee Party wins most of the seats in Nairobi.

"Elect leaders who have your interests at heart, who will put those interests first and ensure the city is better for us all," he said.

The leaders also urged Nairobi residents to turn up in large numbers on election day.

The NASA flagbearer plot thickens.

Details have emerged of how ODM boss Raila Odinga late last year reportedly promised Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi the NASA presidential ticket.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka would be the running mate and Raila himself would be Prime Minister, if the opposition alliance wins in August, according to the informal, unsigned agreement.

It was because of that ticket agreement that Mudavadi, who inspired NASA, agreed to form the new coalition with ODM and other opposition parties, Mudavadi campaign official Godfrey Kanoti yesterday told the Star. He is head of Mudavadi's presidential campaign secretariat.

“This was a gentleman’s agreement that was struck late last year and we expect that it will be honoured,” Kanoti said.

But ODM director of elections Junet Mohamed yesterday trashed the revelations as “bar talk”.

“I do not think there is anything like that. Raila cannot make such a decision alone and if there is anything of that nature, it must be bar talk,” Mohamed told the Star.

In December last year Raila and Mudavadi announced that they would join forces to remove President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party from power.

Speaking at Resort Hotel in Laikipia North on December 6 last year, Raila said, without elaborating, that they had agreed to work together to eject Jubilee.

For his part, Mudavadi said he had worked with Raila before and would work with him again, adding they were not enemies.

Yesterday Wiper chairman David Musila told the Star said his party was not aware of such an agreement. If it had been reached, then the two leaders are the only ones who can speak about it, he said.

“Our leader Kalonzo Musyoka is not aware of any such agreement and neither is Wiper as a party. All we are waiting for now is for our principals to meet and agree on the line-up. And we will back whoever they choose,” Musila said.

Ford Kenya’s Eseli Simiyu denied reports Raila and Mudavadi had a secret pact to make the ANC chief opposition standard bearer

“Where this matter has reached now, only the four principals will decide the line-up,” Simiyu said.

Yesterday Kanoti said the agreement between the ANC leader and ODM chief was reached in August and September last year after a series of informal meetings between Raila and Mudavadi

“I’m aware of this agreement by virtue of my position,” Kanoti said.

Kanoti said the two leaders agreed Kalonzo would be running mate and Raila would be Prime Minister if NASA wins.

NASA has been split and its affiliates at odds over naming the flagbearer. It has been a struggle to hold the alliance together after a series of statements, ultimatums and leaks by coalition members that have threatened its future.

The four principals — Raila, Mudavadi, Kalonzo and Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang'ula — are to go on a retreat next week to agree on the ticket.

Several scenarios have been presented and the four are to decide the winning combination.

NASA's National Coordinating Committee completed its work two weeks ago and handed its report and recommendations to the principals.

It was understood that most committee members voted for the Raila-Kalonzo ticket, with Mudavadi as Chief Minister and Wetang’ula as National Assembly Speaker.

This has been disputed, reaffirmed and still questioned.

On Wednesday Raila himself said there was no agreement.

Yesterday Kanoti insisted Mudavadi was the best bet, the strongest candidate to defeat Uhuru and Jubilee. This position was presented by ANC to the coordinating committee.

The ANC strategy document argued that Raila is unlikely to defeat Uhuru.

It argued the best ticket is Mudavadi for President, with Kalonzo as his running mate — and Raila strongly backing both of them.

The strategy says the NASA combination to remove Uhuru must be able to:

1 ) Increase voter turnout in NASA strongholds by 95 per cent;

2 ) Raid as much as 40 per cent of the votes from Jubilee bastions;

3 ) Win over 60 per cent of the vote in swing counties;

4 ) Create the least voter resentment and apathy in NASA-controlled regions.

“Our computation reveals the ticket likely to achieve [these goals] is Mudavadi’s — backed by Raila to reduce depression of turnout in NASA strongholds — and has Kalonzo for running mate to prevent loss of 2013 advantage,” the paper concluded.

ANC and ODM officials have had a bitter public exchange on the issue, with each group accusing the other of undermining the delicate talks.

On Tuesday ODM secretary General Agnes Zani appeared to confirm the leaked NCC documents indicated the committee had settled on a Raila-Kalonzo ticket.

But ANC reacted furiously, accusing Zani and her team of dishonesty. There were even demonstrations in Kakamega by ANC supporters who threatened to ditch the coalition unless Mudavadi was handed the ticket.

Raila has dismissed the demonstrations as the work of National intelligence Service that is working to break up NASA.

Kalonzo, who met Mudavadi on Wednesday, has also dismissed the demonstrations and accused people both within and outside NASA of fanning tensions and promoting instability.

Analysts have been saying if the opposition remains united and speaks with one voice, then it poses a serious threat to Uhuru and Jubilee.

For the first time, Uhuru's diehard supporters have admitted the NASA wave should no longer be ignored, if it stays together.

end

Jubilee diehard supporter Naomi Shaban has ditched President Uhuru Kenyatta for a party she is yet to name.

The Taveta MP opted out on Sunday, just days to the much awaited Jubilee Party primaries that will take place on April 21.

"I am fully in politics but out of Jubilee," she told the Star in a phone interview.

She added that she will announce the party she will join after talks with her supporters.

In a letter to Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju, Shaban said she quit the party due to "unavoidable circumstances".

"I wish to resign from Jubilee Party. I will no longer be vying for the Taita constituency seat under the JP umbrella," she said in the letter dated April 8.

She thanked all those who supported and worked with her and wished the party well ahead of the August 8 general election.

Shaban shelved her plans to retire from active politics in January when she announced that she will instead defend her parliamentary seat.

She seems to have bowed to pressure from the constituents who have been urging her to extend her term due to her good development track record.

More on this: Naomi Shaban ‘still in active politics’

Shaban once told NASA principal Raila Odinga that Jubilee will will govern until 2032.

“If you don’t put your house in order, Uhuru will win his second term before passing the baton to Deputy President William Ruto, who will lead for another two terms,” she said.

A police officer has died from injuries inflicted during a shootout with Pokot bandits at Ol Maisor Ranch in Laikipia on Thursday.

This is the second confirmed murder of an officer this week by Pokot militias fighting government security forces in Laikipia.

Police sources said the officer was a recruit who was posted to Rumuruti police station after graduating in March. He died at Forces Memorial Hospital.

The first death was of an AP who was shot by Pokot raiders at Matweku police post near Laikipia Nature Conservancy on Thursday.

In that raid, two GSU officers were taken hostage by the bandits and are feared murdered.

Another AP officer was injured during an attempt by police forces racing to rescue their comrades at Matweku.

Ol Maisor Ranch worker Athaju Eloto, who was shot and wounded during the Thursday attack, has also died.

Eloto was born on December 12, 1990 in Samburu.

He had been taken to Nyahururu District Hospital where the bullet was extracted from his back.

More on this: Worker shot by Pokot bandits at Ol Maisor Ranch in Laikipia

A bullet at Ol Maisor Ranch in Laikipia following a raid by Pokot bandits on April 13, 2017. /COURTESY

A top government security official told The Star that the militias are "causing major disruption to security with the aim of disrupting elections which they want delayed".

The raids intensified with the drought as herders searched for pasture and water for their animals. But sources say the violence is also politically motivated.

In November last year, residents and conservancy owners, who spoke to the Star on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said police had not acted to stop the flare-up, despite threats and complaints.

One source said: "The rhetoric of drought is used by politicians to justify a takeover of territory ahead of the elections. It is a dry season, not a drought.”

He added politicians were “using cattle belonging to big men" since livestock were a great way to hide ill-gotten gains.

Following outcry by members of the public and several leaders, the government has now deployed KDF officers, GSU and Kenya Police Reservists for disarmament and to restore peace.

More on this: Laikipia locals raise concerns over violence

Also read: The poor are the real victims of Laikipia violence

NASA’s Coastal retreat to name the presidential flagbearer collapsed in disarray, creating new alignments within the unsettled opposition, the Star has established.

Another retreat has not yet been scheduled, but the four principals agreed to stick together. It is understood neither ODM chief Raila Odinga nor Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka would deputise the other.

Principals Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Kalonzo and Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) said selection was biased in favour of Raila. Wetang’ula walked out.

The April 9 retreat at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi, was to select a candidate.

“Nothing is agreed. I demand the ODM secretary general (Agnes Zani) withdraw her statement,” Kalonzo said last week after meeting Mudavadi. He referred to Zani’s statement affirming truth of the leaked portion of the NCC report saying best ticket would be Raila- Kalonzo.

At Kilifi, A Ghanaian team briefed the principles on how to defeat a hostile government. Drama began when Wetang’ula protested against the presence of Raila’s Capitol Hill campaign team and others.

Only the four principals and one close aide were supposed to attend. Raila brought at least six more advisers than allowed.

Wetang’ula also protested against the method NASA’s National Coordinating Committee proposed to pick the flagbearer.

Former VP Kalonzo was accompanied by his campaign manager Rodney Okoth, a UoN law lecturer.

Mudavadi brought aide Kabatesi Kibisu. Wetang’ula was alone.

Kalonzo and Mudavadi also opposed Raila’s large team and the selection process. They did not leave. The three principals protested Raila’s strategists had been staying at the hotel since April 7 and joined the talks.

They included Adams Oloo and former ODM coordinator Caesar Asiyo.

“The opposition chief arrived with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and his NASA technical representative Abubakar Zein. It violated rules, requiring only eight people attend,

and it annoyed other principals,” a Capitol Hill source told the Star.

On the flagbearer issue, the technical committee report was shelved after complaints some members were pushing a personal agenda. The report listed possible 12 potential tickets of presidents and running mates.

It said the strongest against Jubilee was a Mudavadi-Kalonzo ticket — the reason the report was scrapped.

NASA sources said a good number of the technical team favoured Raila and wanted to kill the report.

Instead, lacking technical report, the principals settled on findings by the NCC. That team drafted five questions for a straw poll of principals.

The questions, tabled by Ford Kenya Deputy leader Boni Khalwale, were: 1) Who should be flagbearer? (weight: 10 per cent); 2) Who has the best chance of winning? (40 per cent); 3) If your party leader is running mate, who should head the ticket? (15 per cent); 4) If your party leader is the presidential candidate, who should be the deputy? (20 per cent);

5) Who can win more votes in Jubilee strongholds? (15 per cent). However, Wetang’ula questioned why questions were weighted differently.

He was supported by Mudavadi and Kalonzo who dismissed the proposed question strategy by NCC since numbers three and four are similar.

In its recommendations, now scrapped, the technical committee agreed the presidential candidate must: 1) Have high numbers in opposition strongholds; 2) Change battle zones into NASA strongholds; and 3) Get 30 per cent of total votes in Jubilee strongholds. It had 12 ticket scenarios.

The top three pairings in descending order of vote-getting are Mudavadi for President with Kalonzo as running mate; Raila-Kalonzo (leaked) and Kalonzo-Raila. However, it said any of top three could be the presidential candidate.

The first, Mudavadi-Kalonzo would be likely to grab Jubilee strongholds.

The second, Raila-Kalonzo, failed after Wetang’ula, Kalonzo and Musalia objected.

At this point, Wetang’ula left and called for another meeting in Nairobi.

He said he was heading to Nairobi, however, sources close to him said he stayed in Mombasa and snubbed dinner with the three principals.

The talks collapsed after one principal left. The next day, April 10, Kalonzo Kalonzo and Mudavadi met at the Wiper leader’s Kilifi house for breakfast. Kabatesi and Okoth attended.

Raila learnt what transpired.

On Tuesday, the ODM wing selectively leaked the Raila-Kalonzo part of the technical team’s report, showing Raila as flag bearer and Kalonzo as running mate. The other three principals were off ended.

“If they (NCC) cannot guard this process, they are also part of this confusion,” Kalonzo said at Wiper headquarters.

Raila called Musalia for another meeting at the Karen Club, with Siaya Senator James Orengo, Professor Makau Mutua and nominated Senator Oburu Odinga.

Musalia was joined by Vihiga Senator George Khaniri and ANC deputy party leader Kipruto Kirwa.

Mutua said a Raila-Mudavadi ticket would not work since both come from Western.

The group expressed concern Jubilee would capitalise on its propaganda that Raila cannot win and whip “kimundu’ emotions in Mt Kenya.

The idea of ODM working with other Kamba leaders was floated but trashed by the team, which on NASA unity.

The following day, Mudavadi met Kalonzo at his office to discuss options.

From the Karen and other meetings, it was clear Raila cannot be Kalonzo’s running mate and Kalonzo refuses to be Raila’s, the ODM chief’s aides said.

The two refuse to deputise each other. Kalonzo says he won’t leave NASA. Privately he said he would accept

another position if Raila is flagbearer. Possible posts include Nairobi governor, assembly speaker and Premier, among others.

An aide said Raila was considering other options since close allies insist he must fly the flag.

Can they pull it off? Peaceful, clean, credible primaries.

Jubilee’s organisational skills and promises of a level playing field will be tested on Friday in a mega day of countrywide primaries.

Some 7,893 hopefuls are seeking tickets for governor, MP, senator, MCA and woman representative. Of the total, 107 are running for governor, 156 for senate, 984 for MP, 170 for woman representative and 6,476 for MCA.

More than 20,000 polling stations have been set up, with 66,000 staff. A logistical challenge.

ODM has been staggering primaries but that hasn’t prevented violence, confusion, mismanagement and claims of rigging — a nightmare after assurances of free and fair voting.

With three days to go, Jubilee’s credibility is on the line. It says voting will be free, fair, transparent. No favourites, no direct tickets. It scoffs at the opposition’s direct tickets and general nominations disarray.

It will be do-or-die for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s and Deputy President William Ruto’s lieutenants as nominations will shape their careers. They could soar, or crash and burn. Sore losers could decamp and run as independents, complicating JP’s strategy.

UhuRuto’s heavyweight allies in Rift Valley and Mt Kenya will face each other as combatants, especially for governor.

Big, make-or-break contests are shaping up in Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nyeri, Bomet, Kericho, Nandi, Murang’a ,Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Tharaka Nithi.

In these counties, more than one close UhuRuto ally are running. Sending chills down aspirants’ spines are doubts about neutrality of

some county elections boards. Formation of some sparked violence as aspirants said they may serve particular interests.

Yesterday JP executive director Raphael Tuju said yet again nominations will be free and fair. Any aspirant involved in violence or disruption will be off the ballot, he said.

“You will be disqualified … don’t test our resolve because we will do it and you will find it difficult because the appeal process can take very long and you could be time barred,” he warned.

Returning officers recruited in one area will be assigned elsewhere to reduce favouritism, Tuju said.

Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a said free and fair elections are essential “to ensure losers support winners”.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said logistics are in place to ensure winners and lowers are satisfied the process has been transparent.

In Nairobi, the wisdom of Solomon will be required to ensure fair and smooth nominations as Senator Mike Sonko, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Margaret Wanjiru compete for the governor’s ticket.

Uhuru has asked Sonko and Kenneth to agree which one will get the ticket. No deal.

In Nairobi’s Starehe constituency, MP Maina Kamanda, a long-time Uhuru ally will face a challenge from popular musician Charles Njagua, aka Jaguar.

On Nairobi’s doorstep in Kiambu county, Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu aims to topple Governor William Kabogo. The campaign has been fierce and bitter.

Both Waititu, who ran second in the 2013 Nairobi governor’s race, and Kabogo are on good terms with the President and DP.

Another Kiambu showdown looms between Senator Kimani Wamatangi and Ngewa MCA Karungo wa Thang’wa who wants the Senate job.

Murang’a county, site of violence during formation of the county election board, will be closely watched as Governor Mwangi Wairia faces Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau for the ticket. The two are bitter rivals.

The county dumped 110 tonnes of manure on venues to stop Kamau’s manifesto launch — it failed. Violence has broken out.

In Nakuru, key UhuRuto allies aim to dethrone Governor Kinuthia Mbugua. They include Transport Licensing Appeals Board chairman John Mututho and NTSA chairman Lee Kinyanjui.

The Nyeri governor’s race has attracted flamboyant Kirinyaga contractor Ephraim Maina, a close Uhuru ally, Senator Mutahi Kagwe and economist Wahome Gakuru, who lost to the incumbent in 2013. Bomet in South Rift could also spell trouble for Jubilee as two Ruto allies seek the governor’s ticket.

They are former Konoin MP Julius Kones and National Assembly deputy speaker Joyce Laboso. Combative Bomet Governor Isaac

Rutto has formed his own party, Chama Cha Mashinani and is to join NASA.

In Kirinyaga, former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru, once close to Uhuru, will face Governor Joseph Ndathi and others.

Other counties to watch are Kericho, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet. In Kericho, governor contenders include incumbent Paul Chepkwony, former NSSF managing trustee Richard Langat and one Fred Kirui. Running for Nandi governor are incumbent Cleopha Lagat, former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgei and former Agriculture CS Felix Kosgey.

In Elgeyo Marakwet, there’s a tight race between Governor Alex Tolgos and auditor Bernard Chepkulei. Both are Ruto allies.

In Uasin Gishu, infl uential billionaire businessman Bundotich Kiprop or “Buzeki” is challenging Governor Jackson Mandago — two DP friends.

Buzeki’s entry has shaken up the landscape and upset his rivals. Watch Jubilee defenders Senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo

Marakwet) and Kindiki Kithure(Tharaka Nithi) seeking reelection.

Also watch MP Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) facing the DP’s deputy director of communications Emmanuel Tallam, MP Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and MP Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu).

In Trans Nzoia’s Cherang’any constituency, former MP Joshua Kuttuny faces MP Wesley Korir. Both Ruto and Uhuru say they have

no preferred candidates.

“Don’t worry about the nomination process because once you have convinced voters in your areas to vote for you, then that is all. Make it impossible for someone else to win by selling your policies. You’ll have nothing to worry about,” Ruto said last month.

The NASA co-principals’ three-day retreat in Kilifi to pick a flagbearer will not happen from today as planned. Instead, they will officially receive Chama Cha Mashinani leader Isaac Rutto.

The Star was told the principals could not travel to Kilifi yesterday as scheduled because ODM leader Raila Odinga and his ANC counterpart Musalia Mudavadi were not in the country.

Raila was in South Africa, while Mudavadi’s schedule could not be confirmed. The two were to return last evening. Only Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka were in the country.

“The principals are receiving a fifth principal tomorrow (today) and definitely the meeting cannot be somewhere in the Coast. Obviously it must be in Nairobi,” one of Mudavadi’s aides said.

Although the co-principals are to pick a joint NASA flagbearer based on a report from an 11-member National Coordinating Committee led by Siaya Senator James Orengo, the Star was told the crucial report “is not there”. The Orengo NCC team and a five-member Technical Committee headed by Dan Ameyo (ANC) and economist David Ndii were tasked with looking into various options of picking the NASA presidential candidate.

The report from the technical committee was to be forwarded to the NCC for further deliberations before being submitted to the co-principals to make a final decision on the flagbearer and running mate.

“The report is not there. We have not seen it. How can they go for a retreat without a report? What are they going to discuss? The retreat is conditioned on the availability and production of the report. Logistically we are far from a retreat,” the aide said.

Taveta MP Naomi Shaban resigned from the Jubilee Party over what she called plans to rig her out of the primaries.

Her rival, Mike Banton, said to be backed by DP William Ruto, cheered her departure.

Shaban's resignation has dealt a major blow to the Jubilee Party at the Coast, as she had been a staunch supporter.

The National Assembly deputy majority leader is the only MP in Taita Taveta elected on the Jubilee ticket.

She has served as Taveta MP for three terms.

Early this month, Shaban wrote her resignation letter to the Jubilee Party secretary general, saying she has left the party over "unavoidable circumstances".

A source close to Shaban told the Star she ditched Jubilee due to pressure from the party bosses to drop out of the race.

“The party bosses are pushing her out of the party, something that has forced her to leave Jubilee. Shaban will be in the ballot on August 8 on another party's ticket,” the source said.

On Sunday, Shaban told a meeting in Taveta that there were plans to rig her out in the party nominations on Friday.

Efforts to get comment from Shaban were unsuccessful as her phone went unanswered.

On Sunday, Banton wrote on his Facebook page, “I wish to thank team Mike for the spirited efforts you exerted in this campaign and today our opponent has succumbed to pressure and decided to run away from the primaries by resigning from Jubilee Party. Congratulations and kindly let's focus ahead.”

Shaban played a central role in ensuring Taita Taveta Senator Dan Mwazo and Woman representative Joyce Lay ditched ODM for Jubilee.

Shaban said she will vigorously campaign for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Police in Laikipia have recovered the burned and mutilated bodies of two officers taken hostage by Pokot militias in raids last Thursday.

Police and residents said the bodies of the two, including a GSU officer, were found at Kamwenje in Baringo on Monday. They were found at the home of a Pokot man named Mari Kayen. The officers' guns were stolen and their uniforms stripped off.

It is believed the policemen were killed by Pokots after they repulsed an attack on a trader at Matweku village, Kamwenje.

"The trader refused to sell to the militias. Police arrested some of the attackers after the raid at the shop," a resident said.

It was after these arrests that militias attacked Matweku police post, injuring two policemen and taking two others hostage. One injured man died.

Previous reports indicated those captured were both fromt he GSU but police clarified that one was a reservist and the other from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.

This brings to four the number of police officers murdered by Pokot militias since last Wednesday. A farm worker was also killed.

Another police officer died from injuries suffered during a shootout with bandits at Ol Maisor ranch on Thursday.

More on this: Pokot militia kill two cops and worker, capture two from GSU in Laikipia attacks

Also read: Worker shot by Pokot bandits at Ol Maisor Ranch in Laikipia

The militias have been killing Njemps families in Laikipia and Baringo counties.

The invaders, both criminals and herders, have also raided ranches in the county in search of pasture and water for the last three months.

Herders from Baringo, Isiolo, Samburu, and Pokot have driven at least 135,000 cattle onto private property, including Mugie conservancy.

About 10,000 armed pastoralists have looted and destroyed property and killed or driven off wildlife, including elephants and lions.

An invasion by Pokots forced the closure of two lodges in Mugie conservancy in January.

Read: Pokot gunmen invade Laikipia conservancy, kill wild animals

Also read: Laikipia ranch raids may hurt pastoralists

A former Riadha Mosque official was abducted in Nairobi on Monday by people believed to be police officers.

Mohamed Abbas, a Nyeri resident aged 69, was kidnapped at about 11am while waiting to board a vehicle at Coast stage in Kawangware, Nairobi.

The father of six becomes the third Riadha official to go missing under unclear circumstances.

Abbas' family members said he had visited his daughter on Sunday and was on his way to another relative's home. He was to return to Nyeri after this.

Witnesses said two men waylaid, kicked, handcuffed and bundled him into a waiting grey Subaru, registration number KBR 983 K.

They said the attackers brandished guns to scare off members of the public who tried to prevent the abduction.

The vehicle then sped off.

“We have gone to all police stations and the ATPU but are told our dad is not there. They also don't know the owner of the car. We are anxious and in pain," Fatma Yusuf, Abbas' second born daughter, told the Star on Tuesday. “If they are kidnappers why should they go for a frail and poor old man?”

Yusuf pleaded for her father to be set free and his whereabouts revealed saying he needs medical attention.

Relative Fatma Athman said: “My uncle suffers from several chronic ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure and hernia. We appeal for any information on his whereabouts so we can take care of him."

Abbas was a trustee of the mosque in Majengo before he retired to his Nyeri home. Two other officials were also taken by unknown people under mysterious circumstances.

In April 4, 2016, Dr Abdalla Waititu, a pharmacist at Kagundo hospital, was abducted at work by people believed to be security officers.

Waititu was the chairman of the committee and had been leading efforts to recover grabbed mosque properties. He is yet to be found.

On July 1 that year, another official of the mosque was picked by four men believed to be police from his California estate home in Nairobi.

Abdul Karuri, a 35-year-old father of two, is also yet to be found.

Read: Pumwani Riyadha Mosque official quits after death threat, two still missing

Also read: State given 1 day to verify information on missing mosque official

Kenyan security agencies have been on the spot for an increasing number of summary executions and forced disappearances of suspects of terrorism and other crimes.

Local and international human rights organisations have called for President Uhuru Kenyatta to form a commission of inquiry to investigate the cases.

Some have released reports saying the systematic manner the abductions, killings and disappearances are carried out point to the government's involvement.

More on this: Extrajudicial killings an epidemic, Haki Africa says, details 81 cases

Also read: Extrajudicial killings are sanctioned by top government organs - Human Rights Watch

Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed said last October that reports of extrajudicial killings, torture and harassment allegedly committed by Kenya's security forces have been investigated and dealt with.

But she declined to comment on a report alleging rights abuses raised by Human Rights Watch, saying she has not seen or read it.

Last week, the President signed a law that guarantees freedom from torture, cruelty and punishment.

The legislation outlines principles of the Convention Against Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It provides for reparations to victims.

The law also empowers the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to investigate alleged violations under the Act.

Read: Uhuru signs laws for freedom from torture and cruelty, judges to retire at 70

Senator Mike Sonko has dug in his heels and refused a Cabinet post dangled in exchange for quitting the Nairobi governor’s race in favour of Peter Kenneth.

The popular lawmaker says he’s going for the top job, aiming for the Jubilee Party ticket in primaries on Friday.

Sonko and Kenneth will face off.

Multiple sources close to the presidency yesterday told the Star that a Cabinet position has been offered and rejected several times.

If Jubilee wins on August 8, Sonko could have been CS for the Nairobi Metropolitan Region, a new post created for him. He would oversee Kiambu, Kajiado, Murang’a and Machakos counties.

“We have given up on Sonko. We wanted him to back Kenneth and we even offered him many other options, but he has rejected all of them,” a source familiar with the offers and discussions said.

“The senator has insisted he wants to be governor. Let Jubilee people decide who between the two should be the governor candidate,” an aide to DP Ruto said.

To deal with the perception the flamboyant lawmaker is not a good manager, it is understood he has approached tycoon Jimnah Mbaru to be his running mate.

Yesterday neither Sonko nor Mbaru returned calls and texts from the Star seeking comment.

People close to both men confirmed, however, that Sonko had sent emissaries to Mbaru who ran unsuccessfully for Nairobi governor in 2013, losing to ODM’s Evans Kidero.

If Mbaru accepts the offer, he will effectively be Sonko’s and the capital city’s Chief Operating Officer, as Sonko plays politics, sources said.

The Senator also hopes to appeal to and appease Kikuyu voters in Nairobi by reaching out to Mbaru, who is well-respected in the community.

Kenneth, a former Gatanga MP, is also backed by Kikuyu voters and big money in Murang’a county. Sonko and his team have consistently sought to portray Kenneth, former presidential candidate, as an outsider from Murang’a.

In February President Uhuru Kenyatta signed an Executive Order establishing the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata), a mechanism to establish an integrated, efficient, sustainable transport system within the metropolitan area.

According several sources, the President was willing to elevate Namata to a ministry and hand it to Sonko. It would be similar to the portfolio holed by Mutula Kilonzo held in the Grand Coalition government.

Uhuru has pledged to ensure Jubilee wins the Nairobi governor’s seat, saying the ODM-controlled administration has failed.

Some observers have suggested that the mega transport region authority had been created with Kenneth in mind. At the time he was facing opposition fro several Nairobi politicians and their supporters.

It is believed by some political circles that since last year Uhuru has had a hand in ensuring Kenneth becomes the JP candidate in Nairobi.

Talk of Kenneth moving to Jubilee started at a meeting at former Gatanga MP David Murathe’s home in Murang’a.

In March last year, Uhuru, after attending the burial of former Kandara MP George Ndung’u Mwicigi, met several Murang’a leaders, including Kenneth, at Murathe’s home.

Despite information from the meeting shared with the Star at the time that Kenneth was warming up to Jubilee, the former assistant minister of Finance and Cooperative Development denied it. But joined Jubilee later. ODM has already given incumbent Kidero ticket and Wiper has also agreed to have Jonathan Mweke as his running mate.

There is fear in jubilee that if both aspirants decide to run on different party tickets,they would split the Jubilee vote in Nairobi and hand Kidero a second term.

In2013, Kidero received about 50 per cent of votes cast, mainly Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kisii voters from Cord.

With a Kamba running mate in Mweke, Kidero benefited from that community vote, 11 per cent of all votes cast.

However, Sonko running for senator at the time benefitted from the same vote, explaining how he ended up as the candidate with the most votes in Nairobi county.

Sonko has rejected the use of JP mart cards because, according to sources, he was going to lose the nomination.

“Peter Kenneth’s team had more cards than Sonko and so when Sonko realised he had been outwitted, he rejected the cards,” a Sonko aide said.

A number of secret meetings have been held since Sonko presented his papers, attempting to persuade him to drop out or take another position.

Some in the JP hierarchy say forcing Sonko out could lead to a backlash from his many supporters, making it hard for Jubilee to win the governor’s office.

In one meeting, Sonko reportedly asked for Sh2 billion but this was rejected because it was feared it wound fund his campaign.

Yesterday the Star learnt Sonko sought Mbaru after Margaret Wanjiru refused to be his running mate.

Wanjiru wants to be the JP governor backed by Sonko.

Both Sonko and Wanjiru were members of Team Nairobi, which included nominated MP Johnson Sakaja and Dagoretti North MP Dennis Waweru. Sakaja dropped his bid for governor and will not go for the senate.

Waweru will defend his seat.

Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has joined NASA after several months of anticipation, becoming the Opposition coalition's fifth principal.

The others are Raila Odinga (ODM), Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper).

Rutto announced the move at a meeting with teachers' union representatives and more than 1,500 elders from Bomet and Kericho.

The Chama Cha Mashinani leader said he took the decision after a series of consultations with supporters.

"We have held discussions and are all in agreement to join the National Super Alliance," he said on Tuesday after the meeting at Centre for Devolved Governance grounds in Bomet town.

"We will sign a binding agreement with the coalition's co-principals," he continued, adding the elders agreed to rally behind him.

The Governor's entry is likely to change the Opposition's plans amid a process for the selection of the flag bearer to face President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 8.

He was elected under URP which was dissolved when more than 11 parties merged to form Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto's Jubilee Party.

On April 12, Rutto promised CCM would back NASA and that the general election will be a fierce battle.

He hit out at Uhuru and Ruto, emphatically stating they don’t deserve a second term. He further accused them of undermining South Rift leaders.

More on this: Rutto party in deal with NASA, Raila to attend rally at Bomet

Rutto said he has struck a pre-election deal with NASA principals that will guide their political marriage into and after the general election.

The NASA flag bearer issue is yet to be resolved and there has been speculation that the coalition is headed for a nose-dive.

This followed ultimatums by a section of Wiper members that they will opt out of the process if Kalonzo is not handed the ticket.

But Raila, Kalonzo, Mudavadi and other NASA luminaries have maintained that they will be united to the end.

During a rally in Western at the weekend, Wetang'ula said their bid is not about positions but to "save Kenyans from the Jubilee excesses".

NASA's rallying call is to reduce the high cost of living, fight corruption, entrench devolution and address historical injustices.

The principals were expected to hold a retreat in Mombasa on Tuesday to decide who the flag bearer will be but the meeting did not take place.

NASA’S five principals — including Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto — have agreed to allocate themselves four Cabinet positions each, if they win in August. They say no tribe will dominate, the face of Kenya will be represented.

Fresh details emerged yesterday on how the opposition alliance plans to share power.

Only broad sharing of Cabinet posts has been decided, but not which party will get which portfolios, according to multiple sources, including trusted lieutenants.

“They are sure of the 22 Cabinet positions provided for in the Constitution. Anything else that cannot be guaranteed will be agreed after elections,” a source award of the discussions told the Star.

The Bomet governor will be introduced today as the fifth NASA principal at the Bomas of Kenya. He too gets a slice of the pie.

The principals — Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and Rutto will each get four Cabinet posts but they must be filled by people from different tribes.

The idea is to represent the face of Kenya in government.

“They have agreed each them will not fill the posts exclusively from their own communities,” an aide said.

The Principal Secretaries will also come from different communities and the alliance hopes it will be able to accommodate most of the 42 tribes in government.

They aim to cast themselves as an all-inclusive government and Jubilee as a government dominated by two major tribes.

Each principal has also been guaranteed at least four parastatal slots of their choice, should NASA win.

The opposition chiefs have reserved the two other Cabinet slots and other positions until after the polls. They include speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate and majority leaders in both houses.

TICKET DECIDED?

It is understood the five have agreed on the presidential candidate and running mate. an announcement is expected next week.

“We have a candidate and our principals will name him shortly,” Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama told a press conference yesterday..

While announcing his decision to join NASA, Rutto, who is the Chama Cha Mashinani leader, said he encountered resistance when he attempted to enter into a pre-election deal with Jubilee. He said Jubilee was not receptive to his ideas.

“Jubilee proved hostile to us and we cannot force ourselves on them. NASA shares similar ideals with CCM and has agreed to ensure counties gets 45 percent of revenue,” Rutto said after a closed-door meeting with Bomet elders and professionals.

Rutto’s move to join NASA is considered to demonstration his determination for a supremacy battle with Deputy President William Ruto for control of the vote-rich South Rift Valley.

The region is largely inhabited by the populous Kipsigis, a Kalenjin subtribe. They live in Kericho, Nakuru, Bomet and Narok counties. Several Maasai in Narok have also warmed to CCM and the party is fielding Patrick ole Ntutu for Narok governor.

Several Political analysts say it will be an uphill task for Rutto to galvanise and convince the Kipsigis community to abandon the DP, who is still considered king of the Rift Valley.

Maasai Mara University lecturer and political analyst Kimutai Soi told the Star yesterday that Rutto could be walking a tight rope by joining NASA. He said Rutto could be planning to force President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto to call him to the negotiating table.

“Unless a miracle happens this time, Rift Valley is still solidly behind the DP. They see him as their anointed son who is so close to ascending to power after Uhuru,” he said.

He added: “Governor Rutto is taking a political gamble that will either see him become the new political kingpin in the region — or be completely trashed into political oblivion. There is plenty of history to learn from.”

The latest Infotrak poll indicated that Rutto’s CCM was less popular at 12 per cent, compared to Jubilee, which had 73.8 per cent popularity in the would-be CCM stronghold.

NASA was rated third at 6.6 per cent. A notable high-profile Rift politician who defied the community’s political decision was Kipkalya Kones. In the run-up to the 2002 general election, he fell out with President Daniel Moi who had picked Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor. Kones who was killed in a plane crash in June 2008

Kones, a Kipsigis leader whose star was rising, switched affiliation to Ford People led by Simon Nyachae who was running for President. That year, Kones lost the Bomet MP seat to Nick Salat. Kones failed to convince his community, which voted to the man for Uhuru, who was the Kanu flagbearer.

In 2007, Kones would team up with William Ruto to marshal the Kalenjin community to vote for ODM, whose flagbearer was Raila, with Mudavadi as de facto Vice President.

Kones was appointed minister of Roads in the Grand Coalition government formed after the disputed election.

William Ruto started falling out with Raila after the 2008 election. By 2010 he had acquired United Democratic Movement before abandoning it to found his own United Republican Party.

In the 2013 election, Ruto entered into a coalition with Uhuru but some of his allies in Rift Valley decided to stick with Raila, a move that would cost them their seats.

Other prominent persons who stood by Raila and Cord in the run-up to the 2013 poll despite the URP-Jubilee wave that swept Rift Valley include former ministers Henry Kosgey, Franklin Bett, Moses Sirma, Sally Kosgei and Margaret Kamar and former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat.

They have all since made up with the DP and, apart from Sally and Kamar, are all seeking election on the JP ticket.

NASA is deluding itself that it has any voters in Governor Isaac Rutto’s Bomet county. The region and most parts of Rift Valley believe in Jubilee leadership.

There is little or no chance the opposition will make inroads.

DP Ruto has the respect and legitimacy to continue leading the region to harness the development spirit of our people. We will continue to support him and President Kenyatta in the August election and beyond.

I reiterate Bomet remains firmly in the Jubilee Party, despite Rutto’s move to join NASA.

Recent scientific polls and development projects initiated by Jubilee demonstrate that we will not be swayed into gambling with our future.

And while it is everyone’s democratic right to join any party or alliance they choose, it is reckless and unwise to attempt to persuade our people to join the opposition.

There is neither hope nor future in opposition — rather gloom and despair. Rutto’s decision is grossly out of touch with Bomet residents’ aspirations. They understand you don’t leave government if you want to better your welfare.

Across the country, political parties are competing to win power and control state resources for the sake of development. What kind of a person would wish to go the other way?

The people of Bomet understand the stark choices they face. To remain a key stakeholder in the government — or play a distant fifth fiddle in the opposition that is in turmoil and possibly heading into meltdown.

The move to join the opposition will only complicate NASA’s poll equation. The main presidential aspirants have been deadlocked over choice of their joint opposition candidate.

Having travelled across Bomet in recent weeks of campaigning, I have heard and seen residents’ aspirations to continue benefitting from both the county and national governments.

Since his election in 2013, Rutto has led a devious campaign to sling mud at the national government, saying it was molesting him. This campaign is self-serving and not intended to help our people.

While the county governments are now responsible for huge amounts of resources, it is crucial governors maintain good relations with the national government, which still handles key portfolios.

My candidature in the Jubilee governor’s race is an opportunity to put an end to all the political tantrums, self-pity and firmly focus on the interests of our people.