THE LATEST KENYAN NEWS

Murkomen calls Raila a 'dictator' for sacking Mungaro

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen Photo/FILE

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Kinango MP Gozi Rai have accused CORD Principal Raila Odinga of 'playing with the minds of Kenyans' saying he was not interested in development but empty rhetoric.

Murkomen particularly took issue with how Raila Odinga is running Cord and ODM saying he was a dictator worst than what was witnessed during the former Kanu regime.

He described Raila as a leader who cannot entertain dissenting opinion among leaders allied to his party.

Murkomen singled out the ouster of Kilifi North MP Gideon Mungaro as Minority Whip and the recent disruption of ODM election by ‘men in black’ as the work of Raila Odinga whom he said was taking the country back to the dark days.

“Our brothers at the CORD should sort out their leadership problems first before pointing accusing fingers at the Government which is doing its best to solve the challenges facing Kenyans,” he said.

“CORD should stop pointing out the ills of the Government and yet it has failed to solve the problem of leadership facing his ODM party,” said Murkomen.

The senator was speaking in Mt Elgon on Saturday during a tour with Deputy President William Ruto.

Other leaders included MPs John Serut (Mt. Elgon), Robert Pukose (Endebes), John Waluke (Sirisia), Konzi Rai (Kinangop), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Reginalda Wanyonyi (Women MP Bungoma) and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka among others.

The leaders said Kenyans were not ready to engage in petty politicking and the country was not ready for a referendum.

Waluke said he will work closely with the Government in solving the problems facing his constituents, saying it was wrong for some leaders to put the country in a permanent campaign mood.

“Those who lost in the last general election should concentrate on the work of ensuring the Government serves the people well instead of engaging in mere politicking all the years round,” said Waluke.

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-180098/murkomen-calls-raila-dictator-sacking-mungaro#sthash.viQNe1n8.dpuf

Boko Haram kidnaps wife of Cameroon's vice PM, kills at least three

A screengrab taken from a video released on You Tube on April 12, 2012 apparently shows Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau (C) sitting flanked by militants.Photo/FILE

The wife of Cameroon's vice prime minister was kidnapped and at least three people were killed in an attack by Boko Haram militants in the northern town of Kolofata on Sunday, Cameroon officials said.

A local religious leader, or lamido, named Seini Boukar Lamine, who is also the town's mayor, was kidnapped as well, in a separate attack on his home.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamist militant group, has stepped up cross-border attacks into Cameroon in recent weeks as Cameroon has deployed troops to the region, joining international efforts to combat the militants.

"I can confirm that the home of Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants," Issa Tchiroma told Reuters by telephone.

"They unfortunately took away his wife. They also attacked the lamido's residence and he was also kidnapped," he said, and at least three people were killed in the attack.

A Cameroon military commander in the region told Reuters that the vice prime minister, who was at home to celebrate the Muslim feast of Ramadan with his family, was taken to a neighbouring town by security officials.

"The situation is very critical here now, and as I am talking to you the Boko Haram elements are still in Kolofata town in a clash with our soldiers," said Colonel Felix Nji Formekong, the second commander of Cameroon's third inter-army military region, based in the regional headquarters Maroua.

The Sunday attack is the third Boko Haram attack into Cameroon since Friday. At least four soldiers were killed in the previous attacks. Meanwhile, some 22 suspected Boko Haram militants, who have been held in Maroua since March, were on Friday sentenced to prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. It was unclear whether the events are related.

Boko Haram have killed hundreds of people this year, mostly in northeastern Nigeria, although they have bombed places across the country.

A bomb attack on a Catholic church in northern Nigeria's main city of Kano killed five people and wounded eight on Sunday, a senior police officer said. Churches have been a favourite target for the militants.

The attacker threw the bomb at worshippers on their way out of the church, police commissioner Adenrele Shinaba told Reuters. Police cordoned off the scene.

In a separate incident, a female suicide bomber tried to attack police officers on the streets. She killed herself but only wounded two of them, Shinaba said.

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-180106/boko-haram-kidnaps-wife-cameroons-vice-pm-kills-least-three#sthash.fZG3TsX4.dpuf

Ruto Drives a bus

Deputy President William Ruto drives a new School bus for Kimobo Friends Secondary School in Mt. Elgon Constituency, Bungoma County yesterday. Also in the picture are some of the lucky Students who got the opportunity to be driven by the Deputy President.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000129647/ruto-we-have-no-time-for-petty-politics