Hello and welcome to this edition of the Roundup.
We start by reviewing the latest in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) where nominations of the party’s leaders for cabinet slots have proved to have far reaching effects.
ODM has been a dominant force in Kenya’s political landscape for more than a decade now since its formation.
But the potential exit of Raila Odinga and recent exits of its Deputy Party Leaders and Chairman John Mbadi has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the party.
On Wednesday, ODM confirmed the resignations of Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya who were serving as the deputy party leaders.
At the same time, John Mbadi resigned from his position as ODM chairman, leaving the three top positions up for grabs.
Several senior figures have since come out seeking to take over the vacant positions, to give an indication of a looming standoff.
Among the politicians said to be jostling for the ODM DPL position is Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who is keen on replacing his predecessor Joho and maintaining the Party’s grip in the coastal city.
A section of leaders from the region have already affirmed their support for Nassir’s bid to take over from Joho while another section has proposed Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro as the ideal replacement.
In Nyanza, Kisii Governor Simba Arati is among the candidates touted to take up the position of the DPL in the party that has asserted dominance in the region’s politics.
What we know
ODM Leader Raila Odinga, who spent part of his week in the Coast, held talks with ODM leaders including Governors Arati and Nassir in a meeting where the party’s direction was discussed.
Arati also convened a meeting with elected leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties on Thursday as ODM luminaries continue to angle for top positions.
The shakeup is also expected to extend to Parliament where MPs John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi are expected to give up their positions.
On Thursday, ODM nominated Suna East MP and Minority Whip Junet Mohamed to be the new Leader of Minority which Wandayi has held since 2022.
At the same time, ODM resolved to appoint Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo to be the next Minority Whip while Saboti’s Caleb Amisi was picked as the next Public Accounts Committee chairperson.
Final batch of nominations
And after initial delays, President William Ruto nominated Senior Counsel Dorcas Oduor to be the next Attorney General.
State House made the announcement on Tuesday to end speculations on who the Head of State would settle for to replace Justin Muturi.
Dorcas is a prominent practitioner in the law field known for her contributions as a jurist and her recent position as the Secretary of Public Prosecutions in the ODPP office.
Women of firsts in Ruto’s cabinet
If approved, Dorcas will become the first female Attorney General of Kenya since independence.
President Ruto also nominated Beatrice Askul Moe to be the new EAC cabinet secretary.
Before her nomination, Askul had served in various leadership roles including as a County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Turkana County and as a member of the ODM elections board. If approved, Beatrice will become the first female CS from Turkana County.
Kenyan Teachers Jet Out for US
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Monday saw off a batch of 64 teachers headed to the United States where they have secured placement in different schools.
Their departure is part of the government’s commitment to leveraging opportunities abroad for Kenyans.
According to the Diaspora Affairs department, the recruitment was conducted by Consult Centre Limited, a National Employment Authority registered agency, in conjunction with PESUAR International Job Placement Consultancy, a diaspora-owned and registered recruitment agency in the US.
In his remarks, Mudavadi assured the teachers of continued government support while in the US and encouraged them to be their “brother’s keeper” while in the foreign land.
More Govt Jobs Abroad Paying Ksh140 K
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour has announced opportunities for Kenyan female nurses willing to work in Saudi Arabia.
In an announcement, the Ministry invited qualified Kenyans to apply via the National Employment Authority (NEA) job portal and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health recruitment portal.
To qualify, candidates must be aged 45 below, have a nursing degree or diploma in nursing or midwifery, and be registered and licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya- among other requirements.
Successful applicants will be offered a one-year contract and entitled a minimum monthly salary of Ksh 140,000.
Update on Passports
And as the government works to encourage more Kenyans to consider employment opportunities abroad, the State Department of Immigration on Friday announced measures aimed to fast-track processing of passports. The measures came after a directive by President William Ruto asking the relevant agencies to facilitate faster processing of passports.
Measures adopted to facilitate faster processing of passports
- Dedication of special desks to serve Kenyans pursuing jobs abroad.
- Applicants to produce documents proving that they have secured jobs abroad.
- Provision of a fast tracking to help applicants follow progress of application and eliminate extortion.
Also Big This Week
- Standard Group announced plans to lay off over 300 employees across different departments within one month.
- State House announced tenders for the supply of products including flowers, vehicle parts, oil, newspapers, flags, seeds, and cleaning services.
- Kenya’s rugby team Shujaaz overturned what had been a disappointing start in the Paris 2024 Olympics to finish ninth in the competition. Shujaaz beat Samoa 10-0 in the ninth place play off to achieve the feat.
- Jamaican music star Vybz Kartel was freed from jail where he was convicted for murder after serving for 13 years.
- The Court of Appeal declared the Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional after finding that Parliament did not consider the views presented by Kenyans during the public participation stage.
Photo of the Week
Opinion of the week: Read about the reasons teachers are considering jobs abroad, the effects of the exodus to Kenya’s future and what the government should be doing to stop it as compiled by Dr Lucy Wakiaga.
Story link: http://thekenyatimes.com/6n19
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