Matatu industry stakeholders often speak of measures taken to curb accidents but just how effective are they?

In December 2017 alone, at least 330 people died in road accidents in Kenya while 3,500 deaths were reported that whole year.

World Bank Kenya adds that in Africa, "over 20 in 100,000 people die in road-traffic related deaths every year".

Despite stern warnings by the government and media coverage, passenger service vehicles are found overloaded, without safety belts and other such provisions and with crew who do not adhere to traffic rules.

The many grisly road accidents that occurred over the holidays forced president Uhuru Kenyatta to order the National Transport and Safety Authority off roads where they had been carrying out surveillance. He handed power to traffic police officers but they are known for corruption.

More on this: [VIDEO] Uhuru orders NTSA off roads, says traffic cops in charge

Also read: 2017: The year of high number of road crashes

As the blame game carries on, members of the public remain worried. Who is to blame for the accidents? Is it the operators or the passengers and just what can be done so sanity is restored?

The wreckage of the bus that was involved in accident at Migaa area, Salgaa on Nakuru-Eldoret Highway, December 31, 2017. /Amos Kerich

On Thursday, Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai told the BBC that major accidents occur due to vehicle defectiveness.

Kimutai said: "Most crashes on our roads involve either overloaded or defective vehicles. Drivers could be competent but very careless."

He noted that 80 per cent of drivers who cause accidents are careless a phenomenon he says must be looked into.

"There must be an institution that deals with this. We expect law enforcement officers to help us at certain points and make sure these people do what they are expected to do."

Most accidents that were recorded from November to December 2017 had to do with with speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the NTSA, most accidents are due to speeding, reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and drink-driving.

NTSA director general Francis Mejja and road safety director Njeri Waithaka at the authority's offices on December 9, 2017. /Joseph Ndunda

In December, the government announced a raft of measures targeting traffic police, driving schools and drivers. Drivers will undergo thorough vetting during which their ages and health will be checked ahed of their acquisition of digital licences.

Details: Sh3,000 smart licences out in March as NTSA tightens surveillance

More on this: CS Matiang’i: This matatu madness must be stopped

Too much bribery

Noting enforcement of the law as a major issue, the chairman said officers shun extortion and instead ensure people do not lose their lives on the roads.

"Enforcement is the biggest issue on road crashes today. You don't have to necessarily have committed a crime or an offence but you will be flagged down and you have to pay some amount," he said.

Kimutai said in a distance of 160 km, a driver can part with more than Sh2,000.

Residents of Mbooni, Makueni County barricade Kikima –kalawani road demonstrating against increased number of accidents along the road. Eleven people died in an accident that occurred at Kwa Solo area. MUTUA KAMETI

"It is a culture put in place involving drivers of law enforcement. You part with roughly Sh100 or Sh200 and you will find 10 of them on the road."

Last year, Kimutai demanded an audit of the bank accounts of traffic police officers. The association claimed they were demanding bribes to enrich themselves while neglecting their mandate to ensure law and order on roads.

More on this: Matatu owners allege bribes, want audit of traffic police officers’ bank accounts

The chairman further said drivers are forced to pay even if they are law abiding citizens.

"You will pay and if you don't do this they will give you a charge that you will deny in court and it will discourage you from obeying the law. I blame those who are supposed to enforce the law."

Way forward

Kimutai also recommended that matatu owners refuse to take bribes and shame the officers.

"Owners should be able to protect their businesses. They should say they will not give money if it is demanded and ensure they shame those involved in these acts."

Noting accidents also lead to loss in the matatu industry investment, Kimutai said the blame doesn't lie squarely on PVE operators.

"When we talk of crashes the owner looses an investment. Ours is to transport passengers from one place to the other," he said.

"Our intentions are very clear - we enter into contracts with passengers. Do you know what happens when there is a crash? I am sued. Let us not blame each other."

Kenya loses an average of 3,000 lives through road accidents annually, placing it among countries with the highest road carnage globally.

St.John Ambulance officials carry a survivor from an accident scene along Mombasa road ./Monicah Mwangi

As a result, the government, through various players, has tried to put mechanisms in place to reduce these incidents.

This started in 2014 with the introduction and publication of the Legal Notice No. 23 in the Kenya Gazette which outlines guidelines on management of public service vehicles.

Read: Officer caught on camera soliciting for a bribe to be dismissed

"Reducing mortality will boost economies"

In its January 2018 report titled 'The High Toll of Traffic Injuries: Unacceptable and Preventable', World Bank notes that reducing road traffic mortality would boost national income.

Reducing road crash injuries along with deaths further strengthens countries’ economic growth gains.

"Our models show that reducing deaths from RTIs would have a notable positive effect on economic growth in the five countries analysed," the report states. The countries are China, India, Tanzania, Thailand and the Philippines.

"The size of the effect differs across countries but all would experience significant income gains. Larger road traffic injuries reductions lead to higher income benefits."

 The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011-2020, and the Sustainable Development Goals aim to stabilise and cut by half the predicted level of traffic fatalities in low and middle-income countries by 2020.

This means about five million lives will be saved and 50 million serious injuries avoided, resulting in the gain of more than US$3 trillion.

"Impacts on this scale will enhance country and regional development opportunities," World Bank notes, and advises the integration of road safety in all phases of planning, design, and operation of road infrastructure.

"At the planning stage, before project approval, strategic comparative analysis of substantial changes and new construction need to be conducted to examine the network’s safety performance," the report says.

"In addition, risk mapping of road sections needs to be undertaken to help target investments to road sections with the highest crash concentrations and/or the highest crash reduction potential."

Black spots in Kenya include Salgaa in Nakuru, Salama along Mombasa Road, Sachangwan and North Airport Road in Nairobi.

But the global financier notes the need to spend money in order for safety to be achieved, therefore the need for countries to find budgetary balances. Kenya has poor roads, the top complaints being that they are narrow, lack sidewalks and other special lanes and that they are poor constructed, such that they wear off after short time periods and end up filled with potholes.

Counties undertake many road construction projects but the issue of corruption often rears its ugly head and leaves residents suffering.

"The call to allocate additional funds or to reallocate existing funds to expanded road safety programmes will depend on a clear policy decision by governments to assign greater priority to these efforts."

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Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu yesterday got relief when the High Court dismissed a petition challenging her election. Justice Thripsisa Cherere struck out the petition by Grace Akumu on grounds it lacked merit. She was ordered to pay 

Sh3 million. 

Akumu vied on the Citizens’ Convention Party ticket. Cherere said the claims of irregularities raised by the petitioner could not be ascertained. She said Akumu could not prove her agents were barred from accessing the polling station. 

“The petitioner has not proved beyond reasonable doubt which agents and the polling stations they were blocked from accessing,” Cherere said. She said only presidential results were to be transmitted electronically from the polling stations. 

On the vote stuffing claims, Cherere said the petitioner did not give sufficient evidence to back the allegations. “Some of the irregularities cited before the court were also committed by the petitioner,” she said.  

Cherere said the alleged collusion between the second (Buyu) and third (the IEBC) respondents were not proved. Akumu, the CCP party leader, wanted the court to declare her the winner of the August 8 election.

Through her lawyer Ken Omollo, Akumu said there were errors in the Forms 39A used to declare the winner. She said in one case an agent signed forms from more than 70 polling stations. Akumu also cited irregularities in the lists of party agents filed by 

the IEBC.

She said some agents’ names in the Forms 39A were not in the list provided by the electoral agency. Akumu told the court some forms were not signed by presiding officers or deputy presiding officers as required. She said some of her agents were denied access to polling stations for several hours after voting had started.

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong wants a petition against his victory dismissed.

In  final written submissions by lawyer Stephen Ligunya, he said he won the August 8 General Election in a free and fair manner. Ojaamong told justice Kiarie Waweru the petition lacks merit. 

“In view of the foregoing, and taking into account the time spent and the volume of work involved, it is my humble submission that an order for a cap on instruction fees of Sh20 million payable by the petitioner Peter Odima should be made,” he said.

“ The court is aware I was represented by Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo assisted by three lawyers. The court should issue a certificate of costs for my defence team,” Ojaamong said.

Didn’t dispute results

The IEBC through lawyer Chrysostom Akhaabi wants Sh10 million and the petitioner Sh7 million as costs.  

Ojaamong said the petitioner confirmed he had no dispute with results declared in each polling station. Therefore, there was no dispute with the results declared  by the second respondent, the county returning officer, at Busia ATC tallying centre, he said.

“Whereas there may have been some irregularities or illegalities, they never affected  the outcome of the election,” Ojaamong said.

The outcome represented the will of the people and the petitioner has conceded the outcome as having been truthful, accurate and authentic, thereby rendering  the petition futile, he said.

The IEBC’s and the county returning officer’s lawyer Akhaabi said the third respondent was validly elected as governor in a free and fair election conducted in accordance with the Constitution. 

“We urge this honorable court to find that the people of Busia county exercised their sovereign will through their vote and the decision should be respected,” they said. 

In his submission, Odima claimed there were malpractices and falsehoods during the campaigns. 

Jubilee mole

He said Dr Paul Otuoma, who lost in the ODM primaries, was falsely and maliciously linked to Jubilee Party. He was branded a mole.

Ojaamong said there was no evidence people were barred from electing candidates of their choice. The judge deferred the judgment from February 5 to February 12. 

“I lost my niece and I have two petitions whose judgments I will deliver on  January 30 and January 31,” Waweru said.  

 Junior staff in the Registrar of Persons office in Western have accused their seniors of coercing them to contribute to welfare and 

to funerals.

“Our bosses force us to charge ID applicants. We are asked to contribute Sh200 for funerals of colleagues . If we don’t, we are threatened with transfers,” a worker, who sought anonymity for fear of reprisals, told the Star yesterday.    

“Though application for an ID card should be free,  applicants are asked to pay between Sh200 and Sh 500 for photographs. This is promoting graft,” they said.

But Western Regional Registrar of Persons Samuel Sagala denied the claims. 

“The welfare they are talking about is their own arrangements. I ‘m not unaware of anyone being forced to make contributions,”  he told the Star on the phone.

Champions Kenya Pipeline will do without the services of Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Most Valuable Player Violet Makuto at the 2018 women’s Africa Club Championships set for March 5-18 in Cairo, Egypt.
The want-away middle blocker-cum-opposite hitter is not part of coach Japheth Munala’s plan for the continentals. Makuto left the champions earlier this month for Dubai, United Arab Emirates for trials but she is yet to pen a deal with any club.
As confirmed by the head coach, Pipeline will dearly miss Makuto’s services given she was unanimously voted the MVP in the Kenyan league last year. “Makuto has been an integral part of the team and I must admit that we cannot replace her fully. But I am happy that other players have stepped up and we are doing well in our preparations,” noted Munala, whose side started their preparations on January 3.
Makuto is the second player from the Pipeline camp to seek professional stints abroad after Gaudencia Makokha left for Poland in October 2017.
As the team vowed to reclaim the African title come March, the Embakasi-based oiler boosted players’ morale by issuing each of them with medical cover cards.
“With this, every player is entitled to in and out-patient medical services anywhere and anytime together with their attached family members,” intimated KPC managing director, Joe Sang when he feted the reigning champions for winning the league title four times in a row (2014-2017).
The company will also upgrade the seven-time Africa holders’ training grounds to a state of the art pitch after the board approved its budget on Wednesday. Sang once again urged players to further their education. He said: “Let’s go back to school and improve ourselves so that in your lives after volleyball, you can get into the top management levels in the company,”
Team captain Trizah Atuka vowed to recapture the trophy in Cairo. “We are so used to collecting the local trophies so we want to challenge ourselves to grab the continental crown and go for the worlds,” she said.
KVF president Waithaka Kioni was proud of the team he once served as the team manager. He wished Munala’s charges the best in their preparations and applauded KPC for giving the players medical cover. Kioni was flanked by NOC-Kenya president Paul Tergat who encouraged the team to believe in themselves as they venture out to conquer the continent in March.

Nakumatt goalkeeping coach, former Kenya international, Mathew Ottamax Owino has left the supermarket chain side for AFC Leopards in the same capacity.
Nakumatt are suffering uncertainty at the moment with an unconfirmed reports indicating that the club may be up for sale as their main sponsor, Nakumatt, struggles to stay afloat.
Ottamax, who has also held the same position at Gor Mahia, said on the KPL official portal he was looking forward to working at the popular club.
“I have signed a contract with AFC Leopards for two years and I feel very happy. To me it feels like coming back home. It is also the beginning of a new journey and I feel very motivated and ready to go,” he said.
The former Harambee Stars goalkeeper joined Nakumatt in January last year after a fallout with the then Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira.
At Nakumatt, he helped tune former KCB and Gor Mahia custodian Sammy Okinda and Charles Ouma as first choice and reserve goalkeepers respectively.
Okinda has left Nakumatt for his former club, KCB who will be featuring in the National Super League for a third successive year after missing out on promotion last season.
Others who have left Nakumatt are defender Kennedy Onyango (Posta Rangers) and Kepha Aswani (Sofapaka). Ottamax’s decision to quit Nakumatt is believed to be influenced by the financial difficulties currently facing the club’s parent company. He, however, cited Ingwe’s ambition as key to his decision to join the den.
“This year, the club has set very high targets because of the good players they have been recruited. I hope to offer some good contribution towards achieving those goals. We will be defending the GOtv Shield and also fighting for the league title,” he said. Ottamax replaces Erick Wasike an experienced bench headed by coach Robert Matano and Gilbert Selebwa, the team manager.

Yvonne Wamalwa, widow of one-time Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, has been eulogised as a passionate, committed and outstanding woman.

Yvonne died yesterday in Nanyuki after a long illness. She was living with her sister in Ichuga village.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said Yvonne served the country with dedication and commitment.

“The passing of Yvonne has robbed us of a selfless leader who was a role model in her community and in the nation. Hers was servant leadership,” he said. “As an ambassador, it was always about the interests of Kenya. She served with the distinction the country needed.”

The sister, Stephanie Muite, said. “I’ve been living with her since October last year. She has been receiving medication at Outspan Hospital in Nyeri town.”

Read: Kijana Wamalwa's widow Yvonne dies in Nanyuki

She spoke at the Nanyuki police station, where she had gone to seek escort to transfer the body to the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.

DP William Ruto said Yvonne served her country with passion, commitment and dedication during her stint at the Foreign Affairs ministry, United Nations and later as Kenya’s diplomat to Australia.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka said Kenya has lost a patriot, a mother and a role model.

“Yvonne did not allow her widowhood to define her. Instead, it gave her the drive and passion to serve, affording her immense growth in her newfound career,” he said.

“She will be greatly missed by her family, colleagues, friends and the international community. May God rest her soul in eternal peace and grant comfort to her family during this trying moment.”

Foreign affairs CS Amina Mohamed said Yvonne was a consummate diplomat, an expert negotiator, and a well-spoken and passionate patriot.

Until her death, Yvonne was the deputy director in the Foreign Affairs ministry’s Asia and Australasia Directorate. She wedded Wamalwa in 2003. She was the second born in a family of four — three girls and a boy. 

Yvonne attended City Primary School, Nairobi, and Cardinal Otunga Girls’ High School, Bungoma. She proceeded to Kenya Polytechnic and then to West London College, where she studied Hotel Management and Tourism and graduated in 1994.

Related: Sh36.4m haunts Wamalwa widow

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National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi yesterday dismissed claims that MPs’ salaries and allowances would be backdated to August 30, when they were sworn in.

Instead, he said the new remuneration will only take effect from December 14, when the orders were issued by the court.

“A court order cannot be implemented retrogressively. Those MPs coming to my office claiming they should get their new pay from August 30 should just forget it. It will be implemented from December 15 going forward — until it is otherwise revised. That’s the day we received the court order,” Muturi said.

Read:I will not approve MPs' greed, Uhuru says on SRC salary cuts

He, however, defended the legislators from criticism that they had selfishly hiked their salaries and perks. Muturi said MPs are justified to receive salaries of Sh710,000, car grants and other additional allowances just like officers in other arms of government.

“Members of the Executive and Judiciary are given car grants of Sh5 million. Article 260 of the Constitution does not stipulate that one category of state officers should be discriminated. I don’t understand what exactly is exciting Kenyans because no increase has been done,” he said. “The function of setting and regularly reviewing salaries of state officers rests with the SRC, as stated in Article 230. I don’t remember any time when Parliament awarded themselves salaries.”

Related: MPs get Sh5 million car grants, critics cry ‘greed

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When maize flour prices surged to a record Sh150 per one kilogramme packet last year, the government through the Agriculture ministry sprang into action by promising to subsidise the grain to millers.

The effect was a drop in prices to Sh90 per kg.

What was not disclosed — and still remains a closely guarded secret among high ranking officials —was the exact source of the maize.

Agriculture CS Willy Bett announced in January last year that Kenya would import maize from Mexico to relieve the devastating grain shortage. But his announcement raised several questions and pressure mounted on the government over the months leading up to May.

Read: Maize subsidy extended to cushion consumers from high cost of food

On May 4, the Kenya Revenue Authority published a gazette notice sanctioning the importation of maize and the 29,900 tonne consignment arrived six days later aboard the bulk carrier IVS Pinehurst.

This swift delivery raised questions whether the maize really came from distant Mexico.

Parliament was the first to pile on the pressure. The Committee on Agriculture questioned the speed at which the maize arrived at the Port of Mombasa.

Transport Permanent Secretary Paul Mwangi was quick to respond to queries, insisting the maize had been purchased from South Africa, which in 2016 had bought it from Mexico and stored.

It later emerged that the maize had been imported by UK-based Holbud (UK) Limited, which is owned by billionaires Hasnain Roshanali Merali, David George Rowe, Mahmood Gulamhusein Khaku and Shaukat Akberali Merali.

Unknown to Kenyans, as the maize from South Africa was being distributed to millers, the government was just wrapping up another deal with Ethiopian billionaire businessman Belayneh Kindie to import another 70,000 tonnes of maize for $15 million (Sh1.5 billion).

Kindie would partner with UK-based Cypriot national Philippos Philippas for the deal, which has now emerged to be 25 per cent or a quarter of the total Sh6 billion grain imported during the maize subsidy programme.

Buried even deeper in the chamber of secrets was the fact that some of the grain was to arrive from Addis Ababa where Kindie had ready stock.

Related: Clues and solutions to Kenya’s puzzling food price crisis

Details of when and how the consignment arrived in Kenya remain unknown. They may be revealed, however, in the suit involving Philippas’ three firms and Kindie, depending on the course of the dispute.

The government has since signed another deal with the Mexican government for more maize imports this year, in case of another shortage due to delayed rains, which caused last year’s shortage.

The showdown between Kindie and Philippas has also revealed how fortune smiled on the Ethiopian businessman in May last year.

Just days before landing the Kenya maize import deal, signed on May 16, the businessman's firm had been confirmed as the only Ethiopian company authorised to export maize to East and Southern Africa.

What remains a mystery is how much more of the subsidised maize worth Sh6 billion was sourced from other countries, who imported it and on what terms.

Kindie’s claims of over-invoicing by Philippas’ Huyton Inc, if proven to be true, could raise questions about how much taxpayers' may have paid in inflated debt to other suppliers that brought in grain during the shortage.

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Witnesses in the alleged rape of patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital will be given protection, the Witness Protection Agency has said. There have been concerns that the witnessed would not come out to record statements for fear of victimisation.

The agency’s CEO Alice Ondieki yesterday encouraged the witnesses and victims of the alleged rape to report to the organisation.

Read: Standoff at KNH as activists, staff clash over rape allegation

She said the National Police Service through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched investigations into the allegations, but no victims have come forward.

“We wish to appeal to the victims and eye witnesses to record statements. They should not feel intimidated because we will give them appropriate support and protection,” Ondieki said.

She said the witnesses will be supported throughout the judicial process once sufficient evidence is established to convict the culprits.There are allegations that breastfeeding mothers were raped at the KNH by staff.

Read: KNH staff vow to strike over claims of rape

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A bitter row has erupted between two foreign businessmen contracted by the Kenya government to supply subsidised maize to the country last year.

The Sh1.5 billion subsidised maize  — which caused a political storm — has spilled into the Kenyan courts, amid signs the suppliers breached the subsidy conditions set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Belayneh Kindie, one of Ethiopia’s wealthiest businessmen, and London-based Cypriot Philippos Philippas were contracted to supply 70,000 tonnes of grain worth $15 million.

The duo was among the biggest beneficiaries of the Kenyan government’s Sh6 billion subsidised maize imported and sold to millers at low prices to arrest the shortage. This saw maize flour hit a record Sh150 per one kilogramme packet.

Read: Intrigues behind the Sh6billion maize subsidy programme

Since the government terminated the subsidy programme on December 31 last year, maize prices have shot to more than Sh110 per 1kg packet, up from Sh90 during the election campaign.

The consignment was part of the controversial “Mexican” maize that created a huge political ruckus last year, when it arrived at the port in record time. Documents filed in court have also revealed that 30,000 tonnes of the consignment imported by the two businessmen are still stuck in a Mombasa warehouse owned by Grain Bulk Handlers Limited, due to the dispute. It is not clear what will become of the subsidised maize since the programme has ended.

The government had previously indicated that the maize was to be imported from Mexico but new details now show that some of the grain may have been sourced from Ethiopia, with Kindie as the supplier.

The two businessmen joined forces after the ministry of Agriculture awarded  Kindie’s firm a tender to supply 70,000 tonnes of maize, for which the Kenyan government paid the full Sh1.5 billion asking price last year.

The Ethiopian businessman secured the deal through his Addis Ababa-registered Belayneh Kindie Import and Export Company.

The Kenya government released the money in two installments — Sh1.2 billion and Sh300 million.

The second installment of Sh300 million is now the subject of a vicious court battle between Philippas and Kindie who has filed documents revealing details of the subsidy programme that the government kept a closely guarded secret last year when the controversy blew up.

The court battle before Justice Joseph Onguto also raises questions about the legality of the partnership between Kindie and Philippas. Suppliers were required to seek the Agriculture ministry’s permission before subcontracting or sharing the tender.

Philippas has sued his business associate through three companies registered in different countries — Liberia’s Huyton Inc, Switzerland’s Agricom International SA and the United Kingdom’s Agrimpex Company Limited.

The three firms have obtained a court order barring Belayneh Kindie Import and Export from interfering with the final installment of Sh312 million that the government deposited in its Guarantee Trust Bank account — unless it surrenders its cut of Sh265 million.

Related: Maize subsidy extended to cushion consumers from high cost of food

Also read: Sh9bn maize subsidy plan has not ended, say millers

Philippas claims that Kindie reneged on the agreement and cancelled transfer of funds due to his companies.But Kindie claims that he only had a contract with Huyton Inc, which breached some terms of the joint venture. He accuses Philippas’ firms of inflating its invoices to the Agriculture ministry.

The Ethiopian firm says Philippas’ firms did not pay for the 50kg bags used to pack the maize and other costs that it wants deducted from the final installment.

“I verily believe that there has been over-invoicing by Huyton by means of inflating the costs of freight, discharge costs, packing, surveyors’ charges and other relevant costs for the delivery of maize to the government of Kenya contrary to the joint venture agreement,” Kindie says in his replying affidavit.

Last year Kindie was listed by Forbes magazine as one of the five dollar multimillionaires to watch in Ethiopia.

His firm is the only one in Ethiopia allowed to export maize to East and Southern African countries following a directive from the Addis Ababa government last year. This was just days before the businessman signed a contract with Kenya’s Agriculture ministry.

Philippas on the other hand is a Cypriot national based in London. His three firms have subsidiaries around the world.

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Results of last year's August election are irrelevant where NASA chief Raila Odinga's swearing-in is concerned, the president has said.

The Opposition intends to use results of that election to defiantly inaugurate Raila and his running mate as leaders of what they call the People's Republic of Kenya.

The IEBC declared president Uhuru Kenyatta winner with 8,203,290 votes against Raila's 6,762,224 but the ODM leader said he won by 1.4 million votes.

After Raila filed a petition at the Supreme Court, Uhuru's victory was invalidated and a repeat later set for October 26. But he withdrew claiming malpractices would take place.

NASA's plan is now to swear-in the two on January 30 despite attorney general Githu Muigai's that this would be an act of high treason, punishable by death.

Kalonzo has been calling for dialogue by the top leaders but he said on Thursday that it seemed he was being ignored.

More on this: Only God can save Kenya, Kalonzo says after 'many dialogue pleas'

Related: You need my support to win the presidency, Raila tells DP Ruto

Via Twitter on Friday, Uhuru's Jubilee Party said: "They went to court to have the election nullified, they celebrated with song and dance when the election was nullified.

"Now, in a strange turn, they want to swear themselves in based on the results of that same election #NullifiedAndIrrelevant."

Kenyans weighed in on these remarks, one Nyakwar Dani saying "You guys are dumb...The court nullified fraudulent results, not the right results....all computer-generated leaders are in chaos now."

A person identified as W Namaswa said 70 per cent of the public boycotted the re-run that Jubilee won and asked who Uhuru and deputy president William Ruto represent.

Voting did not take place in NASA strongholds such as Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties and Uhuru got 98 per cent of votes cast by 38.84 per cent of the population.

'@Mchills2008' wrote: "Jubilee Party must fall together with its despotic duo [Uhuru and Ruto."

Twitter user 'Amo_254k' noted: "You can't force yourselves on people who didn't vote for you. The illegitimate government must fall."

More on dispute: [VIDEO] NASA, Jubilee talk tough ahead of Raila swearing

But other Kenyans urged the president and DP to hold talks with Opposition leaders as the elections season ended.

"I hope, for once, that you can be candid. It's not time for politics. Address real issues. I do not support the swearing-in but don't play politics here," Charles Kimuyu said.

"We are tired of your political brainwashing and are more clever. NASA and Jubilee, you are all opportunists [who are playing politics] at the expense of Kenyans. A burden."

Charlo Bazenga said the ruling coalition should engage the National Super Alliance to avert a political crisis and restore stability.

"Kenyans want a peaceful environment in which they can fend for themselves. Kenyans are tired of ruling class games."

In his address in Kitui West yesterday, Kalonzo warned that Kenya could end up like Sudan and Somalia.

Leaders must prioritise dialogue, he said, amid calls for Uhuru and Ruto to hold talks with NASA co-principals Raila, Kalonzo (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Bungoma senator Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya).

"I feel really pained about my country but I do not want to make any other plea. I think I have spoken enough. I am only but a Kenyan leader who feels concerned," he said.

It was reported on January 20 that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo might have left the country without meeting Uhuru when he shuttled into Nairobi to broker a deal with Raila.

But State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu told The Star yesterday there was no meeting request from Obasanjo.

Details: Uhuru snubs Obasanjo call for dialogue

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Election losers and women have won big after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed them to the Cabinet in changes announced on Friday.

The president also created a new position known as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS).

"Chief Administrative Secretary will broadly be responsible for helping CS to coordinate running of affairs in respective ministries," Uhuru said.

Amina Mohamed was appointed Education CS replacing Fred Matiang'i who has been appointed as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Matiangi will be assisted by Chief Administrative Secretary Patrick Ntutu (ex-Narok Senator) while Karanja Kbicho was named principal secretary.

Rachel Omamo has been retained at the Defence ministry; Cecil Kariuki has been moved to the Health portfolio.

Amb Monica Juma was nominated to the Foreign Affairs docket replacing Amina.

Ababu Namwamba will be Juma's Chief Administrative Secretary and Macharia Kamau the Principal Secretary.

Rachel Shebesh will join Cabinet, if the name is approved by Parliament, as Youth CAS. PSC chair Magaret Kobia was nominated to the Youth and Gender docket.

The Youth and Gender PS will be Lilian Omolo.

John Munyes has been nominated the Petroleum and Mining CS, the PS will be Andrew Kamau while Chief Administrative Secretary will be announced later.

The Ministry of Devolution will be headed by Eugene Wamalwa, CAS will be Hussein Dado, while Nelson Marwa will be the principal secretary.

Mwangi Kiunjuri has been nominated to the Agriculture docket.

Former DPP Keriako Tobiko was nominated to the Environment docket with Charles Sunkuli as PS. Chief Administrative Secretary to be announced later.

Adan Mohammed has been retained as Industrialisation CS where Betty Maina of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers was nominated as PS.

The Ministry of Transport CS will be manned by James Macharia, CAS Chris Obure, and the PS Paul Maringa.

The names of the appointees will be forwarded to parliament for vetting and approval.

Jubilee Secretary general Raphael Tuju was named Cabinet Secretary without portfolio.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta dramatically expanded his government, fired seven Cabinet Secretaries and rewarded a host of poll losers and loyalists in what appears to have been a tortured balancing act.

After 58 days of waiting and lobbying, President Kenyatta emerged to announced that he had fired seven CS who will now serve as Ambassadors and High Commissioners. But he still left many positions vacant, testimony to the protracted process that went on behind the scenes.

Moreover, the President’s nominations still fell short of the Constitutional one-third gender requirement, with only six out of the 22 Cabinet Secretaries being women.

Read: Women protest 'men only' Cabinet named by Uhuru, they want 9 of the 22 positions

Related: List of Uhuru's Cabinet nominees

Apart from a few surprise nominees, what stood out most is his announcement that he was creating a new position of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in all ministries “responsible for helping CSs to better coordinate the affairs of their respective ministries”.

Pundits quickly read an attempt to accommodate the many competing political and ethnic interests and election promises, and the return of the Assistant Minister.

Indeed a few of the nominees to the CAS are election losers.

Their role in relation to the Principal Secretaries in the ministry was not explained.

Yet again, Deputy President William Ruto was missing from Uhuru’s side as he unveiled the cabinet line-up, although he was present in State House.

Among the newcomers in Uhuru’s second Cabinet are former Meru Governor Peter Munya, Royal Media Services Chief Operating Officer Farida Karoney and Public Service Commission Chair Margaret Kobia.

Others are former ODM Youth leader Rashid Mohamed Achesa, Jubilee Senate Aspirant for Baringo Simon Chelugui, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma and Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju.

Munya will be the new CS for East African Community and Northern Corridor Development, while Karoney takes over at Lands from Prof Jacob Kaimenyi.

Kobia heads to the Public Service Gender and Youth Affairs, previously headed by Sicily Kariuki, who was retained.

Chelugui takes over the Water and Sanitation Ministry while Juma becomes the new boss at Foreign Affairs and International Trade where she was PS.

But it is the nomination of Mohammed, a close Raila-turned-Ruto ally, as the Sports and Heritage minister, that was the talk of the town. 

Questions immediately emerged regarding his academic qualifications with several people, including some from his hometown of Mumias saying they only remember him going to Shibale Primary and later a nearby secondary school.

“I do not know about his academic qualification and I suggest you ask the National Intelligence Service. All I can do is wish Rashid well and hope he will be able to serve Kenyans should Parliament approve his name,” said his next-door neighbour Bishop Salala Okumu, the former ACK Bishop.

Although Jubilee’s chief Whip Benjamin Washiali who also comes from Mumias claimed that Rashid had a degree, he could neither name the university he went nor the field in which the Cabinet nominee trained.

“I do not know where he went to school. I remember him telling me long ago is that he attending evening classes but I did not bother to ask many questions,” said Washiali.

When asked, yesterday Achesa quickly disconnected the phone and promised to call back but did not return calls and text messages from the Star by the time of going to press.

In the new line-up politicians who lost mostly in NASA bastions for supporting Uhuru reaped big.

Among them are former Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, former Kilifi North MP Gideon Mungaro and former Kisii Senator Chris Obure.

Ababu was nominated CAS in the ministry of Foreign Affairs while Mungaro and Obure will serve in the lands and transport ministries respectively.

Former Narok Senator Patrick Ntutu will serve in a similar position in the ministry of Interior,  the immediate former Nairobi Women Representative Rachel Shebesh in the ministry of Youth and Gender and former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado in Devolution.

Also handed the CAS in the Ministry of Water is Jubilee CEO Winnie Guchu.

A key Uhuru ally of Uhuru, she resigned as a Commissioner in the Judicial Service Commission to join the Jubilee secretariat months to the August 8 polls where she was the deputy chief agent for the President in the August Presidential election

In the new appointments, Uhuru also rewarded loyal civil servants who have faithfully served his administration.

Among them is Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa who has been nominated as Devolution PS and Kenyan envoy to the United Nations, Macharia Kamau, who was nominated as the Foreign Affairs PS.

Marwa has waged a vicious battle at the Coast against Raila allies, key among them Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

Macharia was instrumental in the handling of the twin Kenyan ICC cases which have since been terminated. 

But in what appeared as a shocker to many, former Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko who resigned three weeks ago to take up a cabinet job was given the Environment and Forestry docket.

There have been speculations that Uhuru wanted to get rid of Tobiko from the powerful and independent position of DPP to give him a free hand to nominate an individual that could do the executive biding.

But others argued that his nomination was to secure him from the fights he had been embroiled in with the investigative agencies over prosecutions.

The ministry of environment is seen as less prominent.

Former Senator John Munyes who hails from the oil-rich Turkana county was however handed the  Petroleum and Mining ministry.

Four CS — Cecily Kariuki, Amina Mohamed, Eugene Wamalwa and Mwangi Kiunjuri — were however shuffled and given new ministries.

Kariuki who was in charge of Public Service was moved to Health while Amina who was in charge of Foreign Affairs was moved to Education.

Eugene who was the Water CS replaces Kiunjuri as Devolution and Arid and Semi Arid Lands minister while Kiunjuri heads to the Agriculture ministry.

Overall, four CS retained their previous dockets. They are Adan Mohammed of Industrialisation, Najib Balala of Tourism, James Macharia of Transport and Joseph Mucheru of ICT.

Fred Matiangi had earlier been confirmed as the substantive Interior CS.

But in a grand house cleaning, Uhuru kicked out seven CS. 

These are Environment CS Judy Wakhungu, her health counterpart Cleopha Mailu, Dan Kazungu of Mining,  Phylis Kandia of Labour and Willy Bett of Agriculture.

Wakhungu will now be the new Kenyan ambassador to France, Kandie heads to Belgium while Kazungu will be the new Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania.

 Bett has been posted to India while Mailu will be the new Kenyan envoy to the United Nations in Geneva.

Read: Uhuru sacks Mailu, Kaimenyi, Wario from Cabinet

The Principal Secretary for Public Service and Youth will be Lilian Omolo while Safina Kwekwe takes charge at Gender will be.

Other PS’s are Andrew Kamau Ng’ang’a (ministry of Petroleum),  Michael Powon (ASAL), Torome Saitoti (Defence), Chris Kiptoo (International Trade),  Charles Sunkuli (Environment).

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday created the position of Chief Administrative Secretary across all the 22 Cabinet posts.

He said holders of the new positions will be responsible for helping the cabinet secretaries coordinate the running of ministry affairs.

Read: [STATEMENT] Chief Administrative Secretaries will coordinate ministry affairs - Uhuru

The move has elicited mixed reactions with many arguing the post is not defined in the constitution, hence 'a reward for loyalty'.

Observers said CAS, owing to the definition of their roles, will function as the assistant ministers of the old dispensation.

Uhuru nominated Ababu Namwamba as CAS Foreign Affairs, Rachael Shebesh (Public Service), Hussein Dado (Devolution), and Ken Obura (EAC).

Others are Winnie Guchu (Water), Chris Obure (Transport), Nelson Gaichuhie (National Treasury), Simon Kachapin (Education), and Patrick Ntutu (Interior).

Andrew Tuimon was nominated to the Agriculture docket, Rashid Aman (Health), Gideon Mungaro (Lands), while Abdul Bahari was nominated to the Labour ministry.

The positions are yet to be filled in the Defence, ICT, and Tourism ministry.

Read: Uhuru unveils new Cabinet, nominates Munya, Shebesh, Ababu, and Marwa

The President, when he introduced the changes, said the posts were created in consultation with the public service commission in line with Article 132 (4) (a) of the Constitution.

It says the President may may establish an office in the public service in accordance with the recommendation of the Public Service Commission.

Prior to the promulgation of the Constitution on August 27, 2010, the position of assistant minister was scrapped.

Article 152 of the Constitution says the Cabinet consists of not fewer than fourteen and not more than 22 Cabinet Secretaries.

Critics argued that the posts will result into more strain on the already stretched state wage bill, saying this will still be passed on to the taxpayer.

Lawyer Donald Korir termed the new roles as "a stranger in the Constitution".

"Chief Administrative Secretary is an office messenger between the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary .. CS is the minister with executive power & PS is the accounting officer ... CAS, a stranger in the Constitution is a sexy name for public servant with no portfolio [sic]," he said via twitter.

Former presidential contender James Ole Kiyiapi said the newly created position is not recognised by the Constitution.

"...and is not clear at this point what value it adds to current hierarchy of administration in ministries. CS-CAS-PS...more bureaucracy?" he said.

Stephen Mutoro of Cofek said: "The CAS cannot give instructions to the PS as the latter is a State Officer like CS. But CAS will be a public officer. In that case its legal."

Lawyer Daisy Amdany said: "No such position exists within the structure of cabinet such as Chief Administrative Secretary. As in the constitution is a suggestion to this administration. There's a reason the numbers were locked, to avoid this madness."

The sentiments were backed by Edwin Sifuna, a former Nairobi Senator contestant, who said: "In the structure of Cabinet the position of Chief Administrative Secretary does not exist. Its created just to absorb political rejects."

Kahara Kubai, a twitter user, said: "President Uhuru Kenyatta we cannot spend years discussing the need for a lean and efficient government, only for us to end up with unwieldy and expensive one, with ambiguous positions."

Also read: Governors applaud pioneer county bosses on Cabinet nominations

With 22 ministries and a nearly equal number of Permanent Secretaries, and now CASs, key officials in Uhuru’s administration stand at about 66 members.

Those who reacted to the development further raised the question of whether the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s work of slashing the public wage bill has gone to waste.

Other observers noted that the pattern could merely be a gimmick by Uhuru to reward political loyalists who campaigned for his reelection in August and later in October.

This was also said over appointments of former Meru governor Peter Munya who was named CS in charge of East Africa Community affairs.

Ababu, on the other hand, ditched Raila Odinga's ODM party and supported Uhuru’s re-election even as he maintained he was solidly in the Labour Party of Kenya.

Shebesh was part of Jubilee’s formidable campaign team that worked under the leadership of Mike Sonko, now Nairobi governor, to deliver the Nairobi votes to Uhuru.

Dado, who won his seat on a Wiper ticket in 2013, ditched the NASA coalition in March 2017 for Jubilee.

Guchu served as Jubilee Party’s executive director and the party’s Deputy Chief Agent during last year’s elections.

Former Kisii Senator Chris Obure, who was nominated as Transport CAS, played a key role in marshaling votes for Uhuru in the Gusii region.

Apart from the CAS nominations, the nominated of Jubilee Party secretary general Raphael Tuju to the Cabinet as a secretary without a portfolio is also largely seen as reward to party loyalist.

Some names, although unlikely owing to the numbers in Parliament, may be rejected by MPs.

"I will continue to update you fellow Kenyans as we proceed with the normal process of forming government," Uhuru said.

More on this: Uhuru sacks Mailu, Kaimenyi, Wario from Cabinet

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Can former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed fit in Fred Matiangi' shoes at the education ministry?

This is the question in the lips of many Kenyans after President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated her to man the portfolio.

Uhuru, in changes announced on Friday, proposed Amina to the docket after moving Matiang'i to the Interior ministry.

The question raised by many is whether she will continue with the reforms initiated during the outgoing CS' tenure.

Since appointment, Matiang'i took bold and timely steps to reform the education sector, the core of this was on changes in the management of exams.

He disbanded the Kenya National Examinations Council's board over irregularities in the 2015 KCPE and KCSE.

Matiangi's presence at the ministry has been praised by many. Kenyans pleaded that Uhuru not to remove him from that docket.

Kenyans on Twitter said they preferred the CS in the Education docket more that at the Interior ministry.

Read: Retain Matiang'i in education docket, KOT asks Uhuru as CS changes twitter profile

Amina, by virtue of her role as Foreign Affairs CS, had her job cut out in implementing Kenya's foreign relations strategy.

This saw her engage or represent Kenyan delegation at the United Nations, European Union, Africa Union, Arab League among others.

Amina, a career diplomat, is expected to oversee the ongoing curriculum changes in the education ministry and continue to push for necessary reforms. 

Related: ‘Valiant lady’ Amina will serve Africa in AU job, Uhuru tells envoys

If approved by the parliament, she will now be forced to deal with bodies such as KNUT, KUPPET, University Lecturer's Union.

Many twitter users wondered whether she has the mettle to deal with the 'perennial strikes' normally staged by the unions.

"Will she handle the pressure? Is she soft spoken as others put it?" many users asked doubting her capacity to handle the docket.

However, the CS, speaking from Addis Ababa after the changes, said she is up to the task adding that she is ready to continue with what Matiang'i had started.

"I would like to thank the president for reappointing me to his Cabinet. A unique and rare opportunity and one that I am grateful for," she said.

"I look forward to working with the many young people of our country in ensuring that our country develops the skills required for our growth and development."

A number of twitter user said they expected KNEC chair George Magoha to be assigned the role.

@fliincha said: "I expected Prof. George Magoha for Education. Amb. Amina Mohamed is too diplomatic for this position."

"But CS for Education to Amina Mohamed is a pure joke," @godrick_ke, a twitter user, said.

@fabkariss said: "I don’t understand the logic behind the president choosing to move Amb. Amina Mohamed from the foreign affairs ministry to education this is one big mismatch Amina did a really good job at the Foreign Affairs ministry."

When Uhuru named his first partial Cabinet, Amina’s name was conspicuously missing with many speculating that she might have been dropped.

Read: Uhuru drops 13 Cabinet Secretaries, fires cops

Also read: List of Uhuru's Cabinet nominees

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Four Nyanza counties have endorsed NASA leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka’s swearing-in as the People’s President and DP.

Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and Kisumu on Saturday joined other counties which have adopted the People’s Assembly motion, to back the NASA event, which is slated for tomorrow in Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

They said the people from the region have advocated freedom, democracy and nationhood, and will not allow the spirit to stumble.

In a statement read by Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, they said they do not recognise President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

“We declare our unwavering support for the swearing-in of Raila and Kalonzo as President and Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya and appeal to our people to grace the occasion,” the resolution read.

The counties pledged to stand with NASA leaders in pursuit of electoral justice. Without fear or favour, Kenyans and victims of post-poll police brutality must get justice, they said.

Rasanga said they will not relent until Raila and Kalonzo take the oath of office to lead Kenya into the future. 

“It’s a matter of public record that there was no election in Luo-Nyanza on October 26. Instead, our people suffered brutalities. But we state here that it will not go in vain,” he said.

The leaders also promised to continue supporting the People’s Assembly, as “it gives us the platform to chart our development agenda.”

“We declare that the Luo Nation supports freedom of togetherness and will fully participate in and support the People’s Assembly process for democracy to prevail,” Rasanga read at a convention presided over by Raila, Kalonzo and Musalia Mudavadi.

Speakers of the four county assemblies, led by Kisumu’s Onyango Oloo and Siaya’s George Okode, said they approved the establishment of the People’s Assembly because they want to be part of history.

Oloo said they want to restore sanity in Kenya’s electoral system.

“Raila should have been President today after the August 8 presidential poll. The IEBC is embedded in dirt and needs to be sanitised,” he said.

The speakers said Kenya is suffering from state capture and being controlled by a clique, hence Raila and Kalonzo’s oaths are part of the solution to the stalemate.

“I fear Kenya is headed for the wrong direction. This is the right time to correct the situation,” Oloo said.

David Ndii, who leads the establishment of the People’s Assembly, commended the counties for adopting the idea.

He said Luos are the torchbearers of justice in Kenya and have suffered much in the process. Ndii urged them to remain steadfast so they can enjoy the fruits of their struggle.

“We want to make electoral justice the heart of Kenya. If we fail, we’ll have communities of rulers and the ruled,” he said.

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Two more people have been killed in Mt Elgon by a gang armed with guns. This has raised the number of those killed to about 20 in two months.

Tailor John Wanjusi was shot dead at his home in  Kapkateny on Saturdaymidnight.

His brother too was shot on the stomach, but was rushed to Kimilili Hospital in critical condition.

Resident Stephen Chemobo told the Star they heard gunshots followed by screams at 3am.

"We heard gunshots and saw a group of heavily armed men disappear towards the mountain," he said.

Cheptais deputy county commissioner Stephen Momanyi yesterday confirmed the incident and said Sh5,000 was stolen from Wanjusi.

"We have started investigations to bring this gang to book," he said.

The second person was also killed almost at the same time and venue.

Isaac Tungwet was killed on Saturday in Kapkateny.

Momanyi urged residents to cooperate with police and give information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The criminal gang has been terrorising residents in the last two months, causing panic they could be a resurgence of the dreaded Sabaot Land Defence Forcemilitia.

The SLDF caused the death of more than 1,200 people and displaced 10,000 others between 2002 and 2007.

The group was later dismantled by a joint military and police operation called Operation Okoa Maisha.

Leaders from the region, led by Bungoma Governor Wyclife Wangamati, has called for total overhaul of police officers in the region.

"I think it's time we engaged the highest office in the land," Wangamati said.

Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi urged Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to ensure the criminal gangs are eliminated. 

One more person was shot dead in Kerio Valley in Kaben, Marakwet East on Saturday evening as bandits armed with AK-47 rifles continue launching attacks in the volatile region.

The attack believed to have been carried out by assailants from West Pokot brings the death toll to eight since January 5.

Kimoi Betaki, 63, was shot dead barely two days after Peter Komen, 50, a fisherman was killed in Arror, Marakwet West on Thursday.

Kerio Valley belt is a drought-prone region, dominated by pastoralist communities including the Pokot, Tugen, Marakwet and Turkana.

“Women and children are spending the nights in caves along the Kerio escarpments. There are fears that bandits will raid the area,” resident Wilson Kiptoo told the Star.

Marakwet East police boss Lemmy Njiru said the attackers crossed the border and opened fire on travelers on a boda boda, seriously injuring the woman, before fleeing back to Pokot Central.

The attackers did not steal any livestock.

Marakwet KNUT treasurer Jeremiah Biwott said teachers, pupils and their parents are fleeing the area for fear of attacks.

Tension remains high amid claims that bandits are planning to carry out more attacks in the area.

Efforts by governors John Lonyangapuo of West Pokot and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos to restore peace have not borne fruits.

The state deployed more than 300 police officers in 2016 and 400 police police reservists in 2017 but peace is yet to be restored.

Baringo deputy speaker Makali Selamoi urged youth to stop social media intolerance, saying they are propagating hate on social media platforms, thus fueling tension.

Biwott, a teacher in the Kerio Valley said local teachers are now calling for closure of schools in the area, noting the attacks happening near schools have disrupted learning.

“I have met several teachers and they are telling me that schools should be closed because they are no longer safe for the children and teachers,” Biwott said.

He continued: “There is tension in this area. We are getting reports that bandits are planning to raid the area. We call on the government to act swiftly to restore calm.”

The attack happened as deputy speakers from Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot concluded a meeting to find a lasting solution to the runaway insecurity.

Elgeyo Marakwet deputy speaker Christopher Kibor told elected leaders from the affected areas to unite in search for a lasting solution to the cross-border attacks.

Baringo deputy speaker Makali Selamoi urged local youths to tone down social media intolerance, saying the youths are propagating hate on social media platforms, fueling tension in the Vallley.

Efforts by governors John Lonyangapuo [West Pokot] and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos to restore peace have not borne fruits.

The state deployed at least 300 police officers in 2016 and 400 police police reservists in 2017 but peace is yet to be restored.

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Kenya amassed 10 points from Sydney Sevens to rise two slots higher in the World Rugby Series standings with 23 points.

Kenya reached the cup quarter finals, where their bid to advance to the semis was brutally cut off by South Africa.

Shujaa failed to live up to their name tag in the Main Cup quarters, falling 17-0 to Dubai Sevens champions South Africa Blitzboks at Allianz Stadium.

Following the heavy loss consequently saw Kenya drop to the fifth place semi final which pitted them against Fiji with the final score of 24-5 going in favour of the South Pacific state.

A brace of tries from flyer Seabelo Senatla put South Africa ahead 10-0 at half-time before Timothy Agaba sealed Blitzeboke’s victory with a try and a conversion in the final half to eliminate Kenya from the main cup.

Jerry Tuwai opened the tries for Fiji picking up the ball to score from Brian Tanga’s missed pass to Samuel Oliech. The ensuing conversion set Fiji 7-0 up against Kenya.

Eroi Sau bullied the Kenyan defence, setting up Amenoni Nasilasila for the second touch down which steered Fiji to a 14-0 lead at the break. Alasio Naduva made it 19-0 midway through the second half.

Fiji then punished Kenya at the breakdown, turning over possession and setting up Josua Vakurunabili for Fiji’s fourth try with Shujaa lacking a reply at hand. Jeff Oluoch scored Shujaa’s consolation try at the death from a well worked out move.

Despite falling to South Africa in the main cup quarters and to Fiji in the fifth place semi finals, Kenya managed to get their targeted ten points which catapulted them from 11th to ninth position in the world rankings.

The ten points gathered in Australia took Shujaa’s tally to 23 points.

Initially, Innocent Simiyu’s boys had amassed ten and three points from Dubai and Cape Town series respectively. Shujaa are set to begin preparations for an improved show in the Hamilton Sevens in New Zealand set for February 3-4.

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