Sound Candid Talk

In a historic moment on Thursday, Donald Trump was convicted for a crime, making him the first former US president to do so. A jury in New York convicted him on all charges in his hush money case, weeks before an election that may result in his presidency again. The jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of submitting false business records for the purpose of covering up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. While he legally might be given up to four years of imprisonment for each count, the most probable outcome will be probation. The 77-year-old Republican, who was released without bail, is now a felon, making it a historical and rather surprising precedent in a country where presidents are often referred to as the most powerful people in the world. However, Trump can still run for president in the November election and potentially challenge President Joe Biden even if he is imprisoned. His lawyer, Todd Blanche, said he would be filing an appeal “as soon as we can. ...

The United Arab Emirates government provided President William Ruto with the chartered jet he used for his recent US trip at a cost of less than Sh10 million, State House has announced. In a statement on Thursday, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed described the arrangement as "the most efficient and economical." “As explained by the President on Thursday, the cost of the jet he traveled in for the historic and successful US State visit was offered by friends of Kenya at a relatively low cost. In this specific case, the United Arab Emirates Government provided the aircraft for less than Sh10 million,” read the statement. He stated that it is common for nations to support and partner with each other for mutual prosperity. Mohamed added that in its international multilateral operations, Kenya acts as a friend, partner, and ally to many countries. President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto disembark from the contentious chartered plane in Washington D.C. last week.  Mohamed...

United Democratic Alliance Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala has been spotted on several occasions displaying the National Flag on his official car.  This, he has had to come out to explain why so even though he does not serve in government.  Speaking on Thursday, Malala explained that he sits in the Cabinet as President William Ruto's adviser on implementing the Kenya Kwanza manifesto. He emphasized the close connection between the ruling party and the government, asserting that the government would not exist without the party. He also clarified that his presence in Cabinet meetings was not self-appointed and suggested that anyone who has an issue with this should address it with the President. "The President in his wisdom said he wanted to have his advisor sit in the Cabinet to ensure the issues highlighted in his manifesto. There is no way I can be in government without a party. The party is what formed the government," Malala explained. "Without the party, ...

Kenyan playwright and literary icon Professor Ngugi Wa Thiong'o had a message for the President on his visit to Washington D.C. An open letter to President William Ruto.  Dear William Ruto, The images of your recent State visit to the USA were very disturbing to me and to every patriotic Kenyan. I saw you seated on a chair, grinning, while President Joe Biden stood behind you, his face beaming with satisfaction. Why not? He had just announced that you had signed off our beloved Kenya to make it a non-member ally of NATO. In other words, you had agreed to become Nato’s errand boy in America’s struggle with Russia and China for access to resources of the continent. Ruto, do you know that Nato, murdered Muammar Gaddafi so that Libyan oilfields which Gaddafi had nationalized, would revert to the West? Gaddafi was once the chairman of the African Union of which Kenya was a founding member. But this other picture was no less disturbing. While you were inside the White House, Haitians wer...

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is heading the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) in South Africa. To fulfill his duties, he has been engaging with various stakeholder groups regarding the elections, which South Africans have called pivotal. On Tuesday, Uhuru convened with the African Diplomatic Corps, concentrating their discussions on guaranteeing a transparent, fair, and peaceful electoral process. He also discussed enhancing the shared commitment to democracy and stability throughout the African continent. Uhuru underscored the collaborative efforts of African nations to support South Africa during this critical period, highlighting the role of diplomatic channels in creating a secure environment for voters and ensuring the integrity of the election results. He stressed the vital importance of regional cooperation and solidarity ahead of Wednesday's National and Provincial Elections. Since arriving in South Africa as the leader of the AUEOM, Uhuru has engaged in...

On Thursday, President William Ruto visited the Pentagon. Accompanied by Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and others, he was welcomed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin. The meeting between President Ruto and Secretary Austin occurred after President Joe Biden announced his intention to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO U.S. ally. The announcement was made during President Ruto's official state visit to the White House during the just concluded state visit to Washington D.C. Secretary Austin welcomed the elevation of the U.S.-Kenya relationship, highlighting the strategic collaboration between the two countries' militaries and defense officials. "This designation underscores our close relationship," Austin said. "And it demonstrates our deep appreciation for your contributions to peace and security in Africa and beyond." The designation signifies the robust six-decade-long relationship between the U....

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to designate Kenya as the country’s first key non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa following President William Ruto's State Visit to Washington D.C. to deepen ties between the two nations.  At a White House press conference on Thursday, Biden expressed his intention to collaborate with Congress to bestow upon Kenya the largely symbolic title. "That's a fulfillment of years of collaboration," he said.  "Our joint counterterrorism operations have degraded ISIS (ISIL) and Al-Shabaab across East Africa, our mutual support for Ukraine has rallied the world to stand behind the UN Charter, and our work together on Haiti is helping pave way to reduce instability and insecurity."  The White House announced as President Joe Biden hosted President William Ruto for a state visit on Thursday. This noteworthy strategic decision indicates a redirection of U.S. security collaboration towards East Africa, particularly as American ...

On Thursday, President William Ruto met former US President Barack Obama at Blair House. The two leaders embraced warmly, with Obama greeting Ruto in Swahili. Obama expressed his pleasure at seeing President Ruto, saying it was good to see him again. "Habari?" Obama greeted Ruto. "Mzuri sana," the President replied, asking Obama how he has been since they last met. "Everything is going on well so far," Obama said, welcoming President Ruto to Washington, DC. The two leaders held a brief meeting at Blair House. Ruto met with Obama prior to his official reception at the White House.  The two leaders discussed democratic advancements, climate issues, and peace and security challenges in Africa.  They also examined the opportunities presented to Africa's young and dynamic population in technology, innovation, higher and technical education. Additionally, they exchanged ideas on how Kenya and Africa can utilize U.S. institutions and technological capabilitie...

Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua has cautioned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against engaging in a conflict with President William Ruto. Makau, who characterized President Ruto as a master political strategist, stated that the Deputy President would suffer the most if a dispute arises. Mutua advised that the best course of action for Gachagua would be to resist any urge to challenge his boss. "DP Rigathi will fight President William Ruto and lose BIG. He should resist the urge to follow in his boss’s footsteps because his boss isn’t Uhuru Kenyatta. Unlike his boss, Mr Gachagua isn’t a master political strategist, or a genius tactician.  As the late President Moi used to say, atajikaanga na mafuta yake! " Mutua posted on X. His remarks come amid reports of increasing tensions between the President and his deputy. The purported silent rift between Ruto and Gachagua has further deepened divisions in the Mount Kenya region. Allies of the Deputy President now allege that influe...

On Monday, 20, May, President Ruto arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America for the much-anticipated state visit granted by US President Joe Biden. President Ruto commenced his visit with a visit to the Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta. Next on his itinerary was the King Center where he paid homage to the Civil Rights struggle by Martin Luther King Jr and reflected on the tireless pursuit for a better world. His third engagement focused on the US Kenya Health Partnership of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters. Several partnerships were penned.  Ruto and the First Lady were then hosted by Kenya's Diaspora in Atlanta at the Cobb Galeria Center. On Tuesday, President Ruto was at Spelman College where he discussed the critical role of higher education, particularly science and technology in enchanting Kenya's human capital development. A pact was signed to enhance student and faculty exchange, joint research and innovation.   He the...

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance has issued new threats to call for demonstrations if the government changes the contents of the National Dialogue Committee or imposes new taxes that burden Kenyans. The coalition cautioned that it is closely monitoring the government's plans to implement a new taxation regime and alter the Nadco report. While giving a press conference, the coalition leadership led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka described the proposed taxes in the Finance Bill as punitive, warning that they risk impoverishing Kenyans. The coalition instructed its members to reject the proposed Finance Bill, 2024 The coalition also issued a two-month ultimatum for the finalization of the eight Bills accompanying the Nadco report. "As a coalition we are ready to go back to the streets if that is what it takes. I hope you are bold enough. Be ready ladies and gentlemen," Kalonzo announced.  "If you feel a little weak that you can't withstand another round of demons...

Despite the heavy rains witnessed in the last couple of weeks now reducing, the aftermath of the floods continues to wreak havoc and despair across the country.  The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has reported 12 additional deaths, raising the total flood-related fatalities to 289. The ministry also noted that 75 Kenyans remain missing, and 188 have been injured. In total, 57,120 households have been displaced, directly affecting about 285,600 individuals. The heavy rains have impacted over 412,336 people. Red Cross-Kenya receiving a donation of blankets and mattresses from Brookside Ltd towards flood victims on May 10th. In response, the government has established at least 187 camps across 25 counties. The counties most impacted in the last 24 hours are Tana River, Garissa, and Lamu, due to flooding in the Tana Delta from heavy rains in the Central region. Around 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods. Additionally, 62 health facilities have been reported...