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Riggy G's goofs akin to those made by former heirs apparent
His first big mistake was to publicly brag that his boss owes his position to him. That could be true. But in power politics some things are never said, truthful and factual as they may be.
By Kamau Ngotho 11 months ago
Riggy G's goofs akin to those made by former heirs apparent
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Dr Chrispin Odhiambo Mbai: Unsolved murder of university don who pushed for devolved power
Shortly after midday on Sunday, September 14, 2003, Dr Chrispin Odhiambo Mbai sat in the living room of his house to read the day's newspapers. Suddenly, two strangers burst in.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Dr Chrispin Odhiambo Mbai: Unsolved murder of university don who pushed for devolved power
Climate summit a feather in our cap, but let Ruto walk the talk on forests
How does Ruto reconcile his remarks at the summit with decision to allow resumption of logging? He can say we will plant 15 million more trees in their place, but that is easier said than done.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Climate summit a feather in our cap, but let Ruto walk the talk on forests
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Jomo Kenyatta's last 'harambee', and the drama on the day he died
Mzee Kenyatta's death took everyone by surprise because he was active in the public space, and his activities were broadcast on national radio and television to the very last day.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Jomo Kenyatta's last 'harambee', and the drama on the day he died
How I escaped bomb blast by few minutes but lost two friends
As I miss those two pretty girls I had come to befriend few months to the bomb blast, I am very proud of two gentlemen I came to know as a result of the tragedy.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
How I escaped bomb blast by few minutes but lost two friends
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Tips Treasury CS may learn from Mudavadi's stint 30 years ago
Mudavadi is frank and candid, unlike many government officials who sugar-coat bitter facts on the ground, he tells it as it is, spelling out the consequences but suggesting way forward
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Tips Treasury CS may learn from Mudavadi's stint 30 years ago
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The day I had a premonition Hos Maina would die in Mogadishu
In that period, the devil literally had left hell and set up camp in Mogadishu. It was in the pogrom that followed the ouster of Somali President Siad Barre in January 1991.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
The day I had a premonition Hos Maina would die in Mogadishu
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First African Chief Justice who got into bad company and fell from grace
Kitili was from a dynasty of sorts: Pedigree from a good stock that made several Kenyan Firsts. He was born to a colonial Paramount Chief Mwendwa wa Kitavi.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
First African Chief Justice who got into bad company and fell from grace
As Tinubu takes oath, lessons for Nigerians in the Kenyan elections
Tinubu will take over amidst a cloud of dust arising from his hotly contested victory in the February Nigeria presidential poll where he only managed a third of the popular vote
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
As Tinubu takes oath, lessons for Nigerians in the Kenyan elections
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When Kenyatta ignored advice from top surgeon and other stories
It is Njonjo who personally picked up Dr Bernard from the airport, posed for the cameras then sneaked him to Mombasa's State House where the President was.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
When Kenyatta ignored advice from top surgeon and other stories
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When the Church stood firm against plan to steer voters from secret ballots
In the recent times, concern has been raised that the Kenyan Church and the State are so embedded to an extent it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
When the Church stood firm against plan to steer voters from secret ballots
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Mutula Snr, lawyer to whom every task was taken as work in legal engineering
For Mutula Snr, it was always a one-way lane in pursuit of what he wanted, and a narrow gauge one for that. No space for turning back.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Mutula Snr, lawyer to whom every task was taken as work in legal engineering
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Baba's 40 years in the wilderness and spirit driving him to march to Canaan
Until the abortive August 1, 1982 military coup by junior members of the Kenya Air Force, the name Raila Odinga was hardly known outside his family and business circles.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Baba's 40 years in the wilderness and spirit driving him to march to Canaan
Rigathi's uncanny resemblance to Kanu enforcer of old, Okiki Amayo
Like Amayo, Gachagua believes not in one State called Kenya where every citizen irrespective of political affiliation is a stakeholder. He is on record stating that Kenya is a shareholders' 'company'
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Rigathi's uncanny resemblance to Kanu enforcer of old, Okiki Amayo
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When a furious Jomo Kenyatta gave armed robbers a dose of their medicine
Wondering whether a gun-wielding gangster who kills an innocent citizen was allowed to live in Kenya, Mzee Jomo ordered that robbers be shot dead when caught or sentenced to death if taken to court
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
When a furious Jomo Kenyatta gave armed robbers a dose of their medicine
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How fortunes change for the wielders of power in docket of Internal Security
Interior CS Kindiki Kithure has taken to wearing military fatigues with his name and 'rank' inscribed on the chest, just like Murungaru? Go slow, bwana CS. We have seen it before!
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
How fortunes change for the wielders of power in docket of Internal Security
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Encounter with Cardinal Otunga, the prelate who was buried twice
Ecumenical as he was, Cardinal Otunga was very much alive to and concerned about what took place in the worldly scene. He never hesitated and neither feared to speak his mind.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Encounter with Cardinal Otunga, the prelate who was buried twice
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Laikipia lessons on why voters should not fix it if it ain't broken
Since the onset of multi-party politics, Laikipia electorate has played see-saw in picking their leaders. In 1992 election, Laikipia West constituency voted a 'stranger' in Kihika Kimani as their MP.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Laikipia lessons on why voters should not fix it if it ain't broken
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Why 'Deep State' is simply the case of different forest but same monkeys
A key messaging in the Kenya Kwanza election campaign was that while their hope was in the divine and the Mama Mbogas, their competitors rode on the back of the "Deep State".
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Why 'Deep State' is simply the case of different forest but same monkeys
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Thirty years later, multi-billion shilling Goldenberg scandal still a riddle wrapped in a mystery
In Kenya, the Goldenberg scandal is one of the riddles wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. It is now 30 years since it first exploded in the media in February 1993.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Thirty years later, multi-billion shilling Goldenberg scandal still a riddle wrapped in a mystery
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How Dr Dawood inspired me to pen my reflections on life as a journalist
On the line, the surgeon was so soft and courteous contrary to what I thought of a celebrity of his calibre. He asked me to go see him at his hospital office but quickly changed his mind.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
How Dr Dawood inspired me to pen my reflections on life as a journalist
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Ngala's death on Christmas Day: The six unanswered questions
At the time of his death, he was Cabinet minister for Power and Communications in the government of President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Ngala's death on Christmas Day: The six unanswered questions
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Kenya's ten-year cycles of despair, abundance and political chicanery
Kenya has been through six 10-year phases since its Independence in 1963 oscillating between the cycles of high expectations, apprehension to disappointment.
By Kamau Ngotho 1 year ago
Kenya's ten-year cycles of despair, abundance and political chicanery
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The donkeys in the horse race for presidential seat finish far behind
The 2002 election had three horses - Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Simeon Nyachae. Kenyans agreed with Raila Odinga when he said Kibaki Tosha! They overwhelmingly voted for Kibaki.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
The donkeys in the horse race for presidential seat finish far behind
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Inside Ruto's two faces in his battle to occupy State House
Same Rutowas opposed to the BBI which wanted more money to reach the common man through increased allocation to the counties, creation of ward fund and a seven-year tax holiday.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Inside Ruto's two faces in his battle to occupy State House
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Martha Karua different from DP William Ruto by acknowledging who is the boss
The principal assistant thought he was equal with the Emperor and had same rights. He forgot that his position depended on the Emperor and believed he had earned it on his own.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Martha Karua different from DP William Ruto by acknowledging who is the boss
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Lang'ata Road should have been Ras Makonnen to fete Jomo's friend
Ras Makonnen is the name of the father of Tafari Makonnen, the Ethiopian leader who was popularly known as Emperor Haile Selassie.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Lang'ata Road should have been Ras Makonnen to fete Jomo's friend
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It's a big day for Akurinu, whose philosophy has many admirers
Because of the history and circumstances informing its origins, the Akurinu Church has never shied away from openly taking a political position or endorsing their preferred candidate(s).
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
It's a big day for Akurinu, whose philosophy has many admirers
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How old is too old for Kivutha Kibwana not to be elected the next senator?
After two terms of stellar performance as Governor of Makueni, Prof Kivutha Kibwana will vie for the county's Senate seat.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
How old is too old for Kivutha Kibwana not to be elected the next senator?
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Past encounters that show Karua as a stickler for law and the truth
Some say she has shifted focus from William Ruto and Raila Odinga, to herself and the running-mate on the other side, Rigathi Gachagua.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Past encounters that show Karua as a stickler for law and the truth
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Like father like daughter, Susan Kihika rattles friends and foes
Susan is as aggressive and abrasive as was her father Kihika Kimani who was MP in the 1970s and 1990s, and set a record getting elected in three different constituencies.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Like father like daughter, Susan Kihika rattles friends and foes
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Meet Rigathi Gachagua, shrewd enforcer with the talent for cutting deals
UDA-affiliated MPs from Mount Kenya region overwhelmingly picked Senator Kithure Kindiki over Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Meet Rigathi Gachagua, shrewd enforcer with the talent for cutting deals
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When comrades Wetang'ula and Speaker Muturi risked lynching
It isn't the first time fate has them in the same alliance for better or for worse. On May 16, 1981, the two narrowly escaped lynching by fellow students who accused them of being "traitors".
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
When comrades Wetang'ula and Speaker Muturi risked lynching
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Focus shifts to three hopefuls as Azimio panel engages experts
The short-listed are invited for interviews, but attention is on Karua, Kenneth and Kalonzo. May 16 is the IEBC deadline for all presidential aspirants to name their running-mates.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Focus shifts to three hopefuls as Azimio panel engages experts
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Young Kibaki wanted to marry, live in Uganda
He joined politics after writing a manifesto for Milton Obote that impressed Jaramogi. He had initially planned to marry and settle in Uganda until politics beckoned.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Young Kibaki wanted to marry,  live in Uganda
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The day Kibaki's son hinted that ex-president was in his last days
Jimmy Kibaki was born in 1964 when his father was assistant minister, later full Cabinet minister, vice president and president.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
The day Kibaki's son hinted that ex-president was  in his last days
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Moment when Martha Karua was the only ‘man’ standing
Martha Karua is the latest sensation regarding choice of Raila Odinga’s running-mate in the August election.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Moment when Martha Karua was the only ‘man’ standing
Reformist Paul Muite now flocks with birds of different coloured feathers
Lawyer and politician Paul Muite has new friends. They are businessman-turned-politician Jimi Wanjigi, Deputy President William Ruto, and MPs Rigathi Gachagua and Oscar Sudi.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Reformist Paul Muite now flocks with birds of different coloured feathers
Matiang’i should do more than talk ‘kizungu mingi’ on Laikipia chaos
“His kizungu mingi (too much English) isn’t helpful at all,” says television thespian Eduardo Waigwa.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Matiang’i should do more than talk ‘kizungu mingi’ on Laikipia chaos
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Jubilee, Azimio lay strategy to retain Uhuru's Rift Valley vote
Uhuru's strategy now is to retain seats his TNA party won in Rift Valley in 2013 and only cede ground to his deputy on the seats URP won in that poll.
By Kamau Ngotho 2 years ago
Jubilee, Azimio lay strategy to retain Uhuru's Rift Valley vote
How Kenya's foreign policy shapes our daily lives
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