October 5, 2023: Top news events to look out for today
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, October 5, 2023
Here is what you need to know in order to get up to speed with today’s happenings.
1. Reactions to Ruto’s Cabinet Reshuffle/Handover
President William Ruto’s move to reorganise his Cabinet on Wednesday night continues to elicit mixed reactions among Kenyans and the political class at large.
The Cabinet changes saw various ministries merged and renamed in Ruto’s latest attempt to improve service delivery in his administration.
Some of the key changes include the expansion of the portfolio of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary headed by Musalia Mudavadi to include the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs previously headed by Alfred Mutua.
The changes saw Mutua redeployed to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, previously known as the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage.
The changes also affected Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria who was moved to the Ministry of Public Service, Performance & Delivery Management, formally the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action. The controversial CS hit the headlines recently over his comments that Kenyans should brace themselves for even higher fuel prices in the coming months. The comments were deemed insensitive by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Others affected were CSs Alice Wahome, Rebecca Miano, Zacharia Njeru, Peninah Malonza and Aisha Jumwa.
Various stakeholders and the political class, in general, are expected to react to the changes as some of the CSs moved have been accused of underperformance in the recent past.
The affected CSs are also expected to hand over their ministries today.
2. Hearing of case graft against former KPC MD Shem Ochuodho
The hearing of the case against Shem Odongo Ochuodho, the former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director and three others continues at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
The accused persons are charged with conspiracy to defraud. The allegations relate to irregular debt re-financing of Ksh2 billion by Triple A Capital Ltd to KPC that allegedly caused the State corporation losses of over Ksh286 million.
3. Former Embakasi North MP James Gakuya in Court
Former Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya is today expected to appear in Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for the mention of a graft case against him and 10 others.
The suspects are charged with conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public property and willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement.
The allegations relate to the allocation of Ksh40 million by the National Government Embakasi North CDF Committee in 2014/2015 to roads that were constructed by Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
All the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges of mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds in 2018.