Whispers Wire

POLITICS

Besigye Sues Kenya and Uganda Governments Over Alleged Abductions

Uganda’s opposition leader Besigye together with his political ally Hajj Obeid have taken legal action against Kenya and Uganda governments. The legal action was initiated at the East Africa Court of Justice (EACJ). He filed the suit on 4th December as per the Uganda’s Daily Monitor. Besigye said in his statement that he was forcefully abducted to be tried in a military court. He challenged that trying civilians is unlawful and criticized the government of Kenya for failing to fulfil its constitutional duty to protect individuals within its boarder. According to the reports, Besigye and his ally were taken by the Uganda military personnel and transferred to Uganda submitting that Kenyan security agencies counterparts to effect the abduction. Besigye stated through his lawyer that his abduction breached several rights enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya and the East African Treaty. The EACJ court has directed both the Attorney General of Uganda and the Attorney General of Kenya to respond to the application within 45 days, failure to, the case will proceed without their input. Among the charges labeled against Besigye included the possession of an illegal firearm and testimonial with the prosecution alleging the offences occurred in multiple international locations.

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Gachagua Criticises government’s delay in reconstituting IEBC

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has questioned the government’s delay in reconstituting an electoral body as he sent a request to President William Ruto. “And on matters of IEBC, an election is as credible as the process. The electoral commission must be in place three years before the election, now we have two and a half years remaining. There is no IEBC and people can read mischief,” Gachagua alleged. According to the former DP, the country is behind schedule since a commission should have been constituted three years before the next general election. He therefore asked the President to work on constituting the IEBC with urgency, with barely three years until the next general election. “We are thus calling on the reconstitution of IEBC urgently so that the process can be as credible as the expected outcome.” Gachagua also took the chance to thank his allies for speaking up against the Kenya Kwanza government as he urged the church to keep calling out malpractice in the government. His comments came barely 24 hours after Kenyans went online in an interesting campaign to apply pressure on the government to set up a functioning electoral body.  

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Peter Salasya Reacts Angrily After Being Kicked Out Where Other MPS Were

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has reacted after being removed from SGR First Class. This was seen in a video that was trending on social media. In the video, the MP was dressed in a blue shirt with a beige T-shirt and on his back, he was carrying his laptop bag. Waliniamusha nikilala kwa kiti yangu. Why are the other MPs in First Class? What are they doing? I was just sitting there comfortably, and you are disturbing me. Stop the disrespect. Manager, why are you doing this to me? Peter Salsya said according to Tuko. If you see someone sleeping and there is no danger coming at him, just let the person finish all their problems. That man, the slap that he would have received, I will return with a flight and leave the class for you guys. Peter Salasya said in a video he posted on his Instagram account. Peter Salasya and other MPs were heading to Mombasa for the EALA games that were supposed to start today.

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Justice Lenaola Criticizes IEBC Delays, Warn Risks Ahead of 2027 Elections

Supreme Courts judge, Justice Isaac Lenaola has slammed the executive and the legislature for leniency in reconstituting the Parliament Electrol and Boundaries Commission. Instead, the executive and Parliament have prioritized political legislation at the expense of laws that affect the citizens directly. This he spoke after attending the regional conference on the use Artificial Intelligence, digital and social media in elections in Kenya which he felt was a concern. I do not understand why, for example, we are busy passing legislation very quickly on other subjects that are politically important, but we do not look at what is extremely important for this country- the electrol commission. How can a country like ours stand on its feet if it does not have an electrol commission? He spoke. Those of you who followed the Riggy G Saga will remember that at some point the (Judiciary) online filing system went down. I want you to carry this question into 2027. Why did that online platform collapse? Why did the firewalls that we created before 2022 suddenly become vulnerable? Imagine what will happen in 2027. I will say no more. He added. He further noted that he was a judge who is not limited and speaks his mind as he urged that social media should be used to impact legislation and fears that the commission will not have adequate time to prepare for the 2027 elections.

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South Korea’s President Yoon Faces Impeachment Vote Amid Allegations for Treason

President Yoon Suk of South Korea might face impeachment. South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Thursday 5th December that they would vote to impeach the Head of State this weekend. They planned to seek a vote in Parliament to impeach President Yoon on Saturday as said by their spokesperson to the reporters. According to the reports, the Head of the Republic attempted to impose marital law. He was also being investigated for the claims of treason against him and top Ministers. The President’s declaration for Marital law on Tuesday sought to consolidate power, ban political activity and censor the media. The defense minister who recommended the move resigned. Fighting for his political future, the Head of State accepted the resignation of defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun on Thursday and nominated his Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as a replacement. The move sparked indignation in the streets and a lot of concern among South Korea’s international allies. President Yonn’s ruling power has been divided over the crisis but said it would oppose impeachment. Yoon on the other hand is left with two years in his five-year term. While there might be an ongoing impeachment, the Democratic Party needs at least eight of the 108 ruling-party lawmakers to back the bill for it to pass with a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat Parliament.

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Millie Odhiambo Calls for Urgency in Passing Reproductive Health Bill Amid Delay: ‘I need to have a child’

Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo justified for the speedy passage of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2022. This she said while speaking in Parliament on December 5th. The MP protested the delay and the passage of the Bill she sponsored. When it comes to my bill, the chair and deputy are suddenly absent. I have been in this parliament for a long time, I know when we are filibustering.  The Suba North MP said. Let my bill pass, we are the women, I am the one who does not give birth and would want to give birth. The honorable members who are delaying are going to make me have a child at 60, and I should have a child at 40. And harass me, I need to have a child, and I need a child now, and I need a law to enable me to have a child.  Millie Odhiambo added. The Member of Parliament has been pushing for the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill and the Family Reproductive Health Care Bill 2022 after many failed attempts. The Assisted Medical Reproduction, as proposed in the Bill involves using technology to achieve pregnancy. The examples include intrauterine insemination, where sperm are placed in a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization.

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Namibia Elects Nandi-Ndaitwah as First Female President

Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia’s ruling party SWAPO has been elected as the President of the Republic of Namibia. She makes history as the first female President to be elected in Namibia. The results were released by the country’s electoral commission on Tuesday 4th December 2024. On November 27th, the elections were faced by technical difficulties and ballot paper shortages which led to the delay in results as voting was extended in some places. The current Vice President of Namibia received roughly 57% of valid votes in the Presidential. Although political analysts had said SWAPO victory was uncertain due to growing frustration with high levels of unemployment and inequality , the part retained strong roots in rural areas and loyalty among older voters due to the national liberational struggle. Nandi-Ndaitwah had only needed 50% of the votes to secure a win. Nandi-Ndaitwah joined the political party SWAPO in the 1990’s when it was for independence and since then served in senior roles such as foreign minister. Her other opponent Panduleni Itula from the independent Patriots Change (IPC) came second with an alleged estimate of 26% votes. Namibians on the other hand voted separately for the National assembly whereby SWAPO won majority of votes securing 51 out of 96 of the elected seats.

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Parliament Endorses Abdi Mohamud as New EACC Boss

The members of the National Assembly have approved the nomination of Abdi Ahmed Mohamud as the new Chief Executive officer of the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC). The approval took place on 4th December 2024. He will take over from the current CEO Twalib Mbarak whose tenure comes to an end in January. That taking into consideration the findings of the committee on the vetting of the nominee, this House approves appointment of Mr. Mohamud as the secretary and CEO of the EACC. The report read. While speaking at the National assembly, Mohamud assured MPs that he will bank on 30 years’ experience in fighting corruption. If approved, I will be the first CEO of the commission who is an insider and who understands the inside of the commission. The level of corruption in the country is extremely high. If people are investigated and charged quickly, it will be justice served for the people. Mohamud said. He added by telling the MPs that the commission has recovered over Ksh 4.5 billion a year for the last five years and revealed plans to have talks with the Director of Public prosecution (DPP) over the possibility of having EACC lawyers be part of the DPP’s prosecution team in the cases investigated by the commission. As a career detective and an advocate of the High Court, Mohamud has over 19 years’ experience in the anti-graft body, overseeing investigations of high-profile cases in the country.

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Senators to Summon Joho Over Alleged Threats to Kenyans Online, Sifuna Says

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has revealed that senators might summon Mining CS Hassan Joho on Parliament to explain why he would threaten Kenyans over freedom of speech. This he said while speaking on Radio Citizen. The Nairobi senator confirmed that Joho might be summoned to Parliament to explain why he would threaten Kenyans’ not to use their freedom of speech as stated in the constitution of Kenya. This government does not know how to communicate with Kenyans. There is no need for threats. In the case of Joho, we parliamentarians will summon him to ask him why he is threatening Kenyans.  Edwin Sifuna said. He added by saying that Joho should remember he’s not a politician, not a Governor but a Cabinet Secretary. He is lucky that we will go for recess till February, but we won’t forget. We will summon him and ask him what he means when he says that he will come for people online.  The Senator further said. The Nairobi Senator said that Kenyans are not against the upgrading of the airport as all they want is transparency. The law dictates that the state should announce all the projects that it considers priority projects under the PPP model. To date, the President doesn’t understand why Kenyans were against Adani.  Sifuna also said. The senator felt that he would seek to amend the PPP laws whereby even if a company initiates a Privately Initiated Proposal (Pip), in seven days, the government must make it public. We don’t want a situation where a whistleblower such as Nelson Amenya telling us that the airport is being sold so that we take things seriously. The senator noted. Joho had recently issued a warning against Kenyans taking to social media their frustrations against President William Ruto’s Administration adding that there was no way the country would move forward by being unpatriotic and praying for Raila Odinga’s downfall in his bid for African Union Commission (AUC).

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Sakaja Approves Leasing of Spaces in Uhuru, Central Parks to Private Businesses

Governor Johnson Sakaja’s cabinet has approved the leasing and renting of spaces within Uhuru and Central parks. The leasing was formed as part of the grand plan to revitalize the spaces to modern standards. According t0 the Governor, the initiative will attract private investors who will improve the facilities for park users. While speaking to the City County Cabinet on Tuesday, Sakaja said that the new resolutions include leasing and renting designated spaces within the parks to attract private investment and improve facilities for park users. This will help establish sustainable income streams to fund park maintenance and development. It will also enhance public amenities by introducing recreational facilities, eateries and event spaces for public enjoyment.  The Nairobi Governor stated. This initiative allows others to invest in the facility, earn a living and at the same time, generate revenue for the country ensuring visitors enjoy better services.  Johson Sakaja added. The move being part of Kenya Kwanza’s administration, the overall plan is to invite the private sector to invest in the country’s infrastructure through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

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