THE STANDARD By
Josphat Thiongó |
March 14th 2021 at 09:41:38 GMT +0300
Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama addressing Msambweni MP-elect Feisal Abdalla Bader s supporters outside Diani Police Station in Kwale County on Wednesday 16th December 2020. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reintroduction of Covid-19 containment measures has dealt a blow to the political class who are not allowed to hold any political gatherings for the next 30 days.
During his televised address to the nation from State House on Friday, President Kenyatta spelled out new containment measures, chief among them the ban on political gatherings for one month.
Burials will now also be held strictly within 72 hours, while weddings will be allowed to have no more than 100 guests.
THE STANDARD By
Betty Njeru |
December 22nd 2020 at 15:09:59 GMT +0300
Msambweni MP Feisal Bader (centre) takes oath in the National Assembly. [Courtesy]
Feisal Abdalla Bader has been sworn in as the new Msambweni Member of Parliament.
Bader took oath in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, administered by the Speaker Justin Muturi, amid chants from fellow parliamentarians.
The MP vowed to perform his duties as required by the law and not fail his constituents.
“
Nitakuwa mwaminifu na mtifiu kwa katiba ya Kenya. Nitatekeleza majukumu yangu kwa uaminifu. (I will obey, respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya and that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of a Member of Parliament), he said.
By
Macharia Munene |
December 21st 2020 at 09:10:00 GMT +0300
Feisal Abdalla Bader is joined by his supporters in celebration at Ukunda, Kwale County. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]
Ideally, the recent by-election in Msambweni, Kwale County, was for residents to choose a new Member of Parliament; but it did not turn out that way. External interests turned the by-election into a two level contest for influence.
First, Coast power rivalry between Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho was at play. Second, there was national contest between Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both who want the presidency in 2022. The by-election came at a time when Kenya is grappling with the challenge of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), Covid-19 epidemic and a slowing economy. Although Finance Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has repeatedly declared there is no money to meet standing obligations, he is expected to finance the BBI referen
THE STANDARD By
Barrack Muluka |
December 19th 2020 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
Msambweni MP-elect Feisal Abdalla Bader [in yellow t-shirt] is joined by his supporters in celebration at Ukunda, Kwale County. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]
The by-election in Msambweni reminds us that in the end history is about the common people. Traditionally, history has been understood to be the preserve of royalty, in its majesty and misery. It has talked of regal frolics and conspiracies, as well as conquests and misfortunes of great military generals.
When they talk of rise and fall of empires only the monarchs matter. The people are objects on the landscape, part of the theatres in which the mighty perform. In a sense, this grand tradition of history refuses to go away. Journalism, for example, remains much focused on presidents, prime ministers and the rich and famous. Ordinary people don’t make news. Accordingly, they don’t make history either. Journalism students are taught that p
ODM won Msambweni by-election, team Ruto are joyriders – Raila declares
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga consoled himself that the winning candidate, Feisal Abdalla Bader, is a former member of Orange party.
In a candid interview yesterday with KTN’S Ken Mijungu, Raila described his loss as “the nature of elections” where “you win some and lose some.”
He nevertheless complained of blatant voter bribery by some MPs, describing it as unethical and discouraging.
“The winner was actually an ODM member. There are a number of people who voted for him, who are ODM members because of the work he did when he was the assistant to the late Dori,” he said.