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<h1>There was drama at the Nairobi Hospital grounds on Friday afternoon as the hospitals board attempted to forcefully remove CEO Gordon Odundo.</h1>

The struggle ensued as hospital lawyers attempted to issue the CEO with the dismissal letter.

Odundo took over as CEO less than a year ago, years after former Health CS Cleopa Mailu left the hospital.

There has been disquiet at the hospital over deterioriating standards that was blamed on the new CEO.

Controversial Appointments

The CEO was accused of making controversial hires to key hospital departments. One such appointment was that of Timothy Otieno Odundo, allegedly the CEO's nephew, as the ICT Director.

The Hospital's new Finance Director Anthony Mburu is also said to be Odundo's brother-in-law.

Insiders at the hospital also alleged that the scrapping off of overtime dues for nurses and support stuff had demotivated the hospital's personnel leading to the compromised quality of services.

Lawyers were part of the struggle

Drama at Nairobi Hospital in attempt to evict CEO

<h1>KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion and his COTU counterpart Francis Atwoli have announced a new association that will oppose President Uhuru Kenyattas housing plan.</h1>

Speaking on Friday, the two trade unionists announced an upcoming strike to oppose the 1.5% deduction on workers' salaries.

"We want to know who will be involved in this deduction exercise. Nobody should just wake up and say 'I want your shilling'.

"Come January no single cent from our 2.5 million workers will be deducted to fund the housing project," Atwoli announced.

On his part, Sossion has claimed that the deduction will nullify gains made from previous negotiation on teachers' salaries.

"In the last collective bargaining agreement, the basic income aspect was not increased and where it was increased that was by a margin of less than three percent.

"By taxing the same at 1.5%, it would imply that the workers gains are being snatched back by the government," Sossion stated.

Atwoli has further accused Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga of failing to include stakeholders in a special board to deliberate on the plan.

"This board is supposed to discuss how the deductions will be used but Hinga has never held wider consultations with the workers," Atwoli accused.

PS Hinga has, however, remained adamant that the deductions will begin in 2019 despite the uproar.

New opposition

Sossion and Atwoli form new alliance against Uhuru

<h1>Members of Parliament have been recalled from their Christmas recess for a special sitting on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.</h1>

Speaker Justin Muturi on Friday published the Gazette Notice inviting them to attend the session for debates on the vetting of <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/eacc-picks-former-kdf-officer-twalib-mbarak-as-new-ceo-id9152585.html" id="83f0f279-595a-5ebd-8301-e3f1fce5493c">EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak</a>.

The National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee prepared a report after vetting the former intelligence officer on Friday.

The report will be tabled during the Tuesday afternoon session and if adopted, Twalib will replace outgoing CEO Halakhe Waqo.

Parliament is scheduled to resume officially in February 2019.

Right Man for the Job

Twalib's nomination has been received well at the EACC with some officials who spoke to the media expressing confidence that he will be able to flush out cartels within the public sector.

"An organisation is as good as its leaders. If he is approved and joins us, he’ll bring in forthrightness, and put us back on track as far as our mandate is concerned. We’ll no longer be viewed as moribund or as those holding brief for suspects of corruption.

"Though those who have been shadowy in their work are a bit jittery, I believe he is the right man to dismantle the existing cartels that those facing probe have been running to, to slow down their cases," a source with EACC reportedly told The Star.

Twalib served as a soldier in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) between 1984 and 1999 after which he joined the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

He has been serving as the Security and Intelligence Manager at KenGen since 2012.

The National Assembly during a past session

The MPs had already taken their Christmas break

MPs asked to urgently return to parliament for important meeting

The year 2018 was marked with a number of puzzling deaths of young Kenyan women who were involved with high profile individuals.

Some of the murders made headlines for weeks and some high profile individuals were arrested after they were linked to the young women.

1. Monica Nyawira Kimani

One of the most controversial murders was that of 29-year-old Monica Kimani.

She was found in her house at Luciane Apartments, Kilimani, dumped in a bathtub with her throat and arms slit. Reports indicated that she was tortured before her death.

The prime suspect in the violent murder was identified as Joseph Irungu “Jowie” who was engaged to Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe. The latter was also a suspect in the case.

In September 2018, Kenyans were shocked by the unfolding details of 26-year-old Sharon Otieno’s murder.

Some of the intrigues of the shuddering murder included the fact that she was 7 months pregnant and Migori Governor Okoth Obado admitted that he was involved in an affair with her.

By the time of her death, Sharon was a second-year student at Rongo University and recently estranged from her husband and father of their 3 children.

3. Maureen Wambui Gachagua

A third-year student, Maureen Wambui, was on July 14, 2018, killed along Mombasa Road and her body dumped in South C.

The student who was one month pregnant at the time of her death and was the victim of a hit-and-run involving a police officer.

A number plate found beside her lifeless body led to the arrest and prosecution of Sergeant Dismus Gitenge Motongwa who pleaded guilty.

4. Mary Waithera Kamathi

27-year-old nurse Mary Waithera who was working and living in Essen Germany was in January 2018 found murdered in her shop after an unidentified man stubbed her.

German police did not reveal any further details of the controversial murder, the family was told that it was suspected to be a homicide incident.

Mary had adopted the name Carrie Jones during her stay in Germany.

5. Janet Wangui Waiyaki

41-year-old Janet Wangui died after a group of officers opened fire on a vehicle she was in at City Park, Nairobi.

Two officers who were arrested in connection with the murder said that they were alerted of the Toyota Fielder that had been parked in the thicket for a long time raising suspicions.

The two officers who are attached Eastlands stated that they were on a routine patrol and had found Janet and a male companion in a compromising position.

The officers were later released pending the hearing of their case.

5 Kenyan ladies who were murdered in 2018 including Monica Kimani and Sharon Otieno

Prominent public figures were linked to some of the murders

5 Young Kenyan ladies killed under controversial circumstances in 2018

<h1>The Ministry of Health has issued an alert to members of the public over a Hepatitis B breakout that has already claimed several lives.</h1>

The outbreak has affected three counties in the Rift Valley region which have also been hit by a shortage of medication to treat the condition.

Officials from the counties - West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo - have conveyed that emergency measures are in place to help manage the outbreak.

"The disease is dangerous. The rate at which it is spreading is alarming. We have partnered with the national government and there is a need to screen more people and vaccinate them," West Pokot Health Executive Geoffrey Lipale explained.

Hepatitis B Vaccination

In Elgeyo Marakwet, Governor Alex Tolgos clarified that the disease had not reached epidemic levels but residents will be vaccinated to prevent further spread.

"We received 4,000 doses, which we have administered free of charge to people in the affected areas. So far, we have vaccinated 5,000 residents across the four sub-counties which have had casualties.

"We have also vaccinated 1,900 of our health staff because some of them become casualties of this disease in the course of duty," the governor explained.

Hepatitis B affects the liver and can be fatal if left untreated for six months. It has also been known to cause liver failure and even cancer.

The disease spreads through contact with infected blood or bloody fluids, according to the World Health organization.

Baringo county has 49,000 cases of the disease with 49 casualties since 2013.

Baringo Chief Public Health Officer Winnie Bore stated: "We have procured more than 19,000 doses from the national government, which will be enough for more than 10,000 people. We have also put enough drugs in the hotspots so that patients don't have to travel to the county referral hospitals.”

Medics attending to patients in a Kenyan hospital

Precautions necessary as citizens travel for the holidays

Gov't warns of fatal disease outbreak in these 3 counties

<h1>Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has shared a congratulatory message with a relative who was on Wednesday elected as a Member of Parliament in India.</h1>

On his official Twitter handle, CS Balala lauded Ahmed bin Abdullahi Balala for recapturing his Malakpet parliamentary seat in a recently concluded election.

"A victory well deserved; you continue to make the Balala clan from all over the world proud," the post read in part.

CS Balala clarified to <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/" id="138bce1b-e63c-5649-b951-d1f8e79bc616">Pulselive.co.ke</a> that the Indian MP is a cousin linked to him through the same clan in Yemen.

A commentator who seemed to the son of the Indian MP, one Ahmed Blae, replied to CS Balala saying: "From success to great success Proud to be Balala."

Family of Politicians

CS Balala's brother Taufiq Balala has served as a County Executive Committee member for Transport since Governor Hassan Joho was elected in Mombasa County.

The re-elected Indian MP first made it to the Indian parliament in 2009 and was later reelected in 2014.

Malakpet constituents have hailed him as a development-centred leader, which could explain his three-time victory at the polls.

Impeached Mombasa Transport CEC Taufiq Balala (Twitter)

Tourism CS Najib Balala (in bowtie) during a meeting on Thursday

A family of politicians

Najib Balala's relative elected MP in India

<h1>The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has turned its focus to the Postal Corporation of Kenya, a leaked letter from George Kinoti has indicated.</h1>

Details in the letter indicate that the corporation's managers could be next to be arrested after they were implicated in alleged misappropriation of funds.

Kinoti informed Postmaster-general Dan Kagwe that his team will be required to outline how Posta tenders were awarded in the last three years.

Kagwe's travel expenses since 2016 will also be under scrutiny after the company announced Sh 1.5 billion losses in the past year.

DCI boss Kinoti asked Kagwe to provide details of the tenders including names of contractors who won them in addition to providing the full employees' payroll since 2016.

"The documents should be clearly marked and labelled. Your co-operation will highly be appreciated," Kinoti noted in the letter.

Uhuru's War on Corruption

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his Jamhuri Day speech, warned propagators of corruption that they would not be spared in the ongoing crackdown.

"Through efforts of our investigative agencies &amp; the ODPP, those who may have thought they were untouchable are now facing the full force of the law.

"They deserve fair trials but nothing more. I am calling on the Judiciary to ensure its procedures are not used to protect impunity," the president stated.

DPP Noordin Haji with DCI boss George Kinoti. The two are part of a multi-agency team investigating high level corruption cases

The letter was signed by DCI boss George Kinoti

Leaked letter from DCI exposes new target in corruption crackdown

<h1>Anna Nyokabi Kenyatta Muthama became one of the receipients of the Chief of the Burning Spear national medal awarded during the</h1>

Nyokabi is President Uhuru Kenyatta's younger sister and a prominent public figure in business and charitable organizations circles.

She is one of the directors and co-founder of the Kenyatta Trust which awards schorlarships to students from all around the country.

Nyokabi is often spotted beside First Daughter Ngina Kenyatta at philanthropic efforts and also with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta especially during Beyond Zero Campaign events.

Nyokabi Kenyatta's Personal Life

Nyokabi is married to one Muthama from Makueni County who has managed to lead an especially private life away from the glare that follows <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/bi/politics/6-kenyatta-family-members-who-have-been-linked-to-corruption-id8559283.html" id="2b857588-e5c3-5f0a-9732-0b8b2aef5c42">members of the First family</a>.

She also owns an award-winning company within Kenya's horticulture business.

Nyokabi owns Manda Orchirds which is celebrated for its ingenuous display of cut flowers.

Her stakes at Sundale International Limited landed her in the middle of the famous Afya House scandal of 2016.

Sundale is owned by her cousin Kathleen Kihanya and Nyokabi was named as one of the company's directors.

President Kenyatta has come under criticism for awarding the prestigious national awards to politicians and leaving out deserving citizens such as <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/names-of-kenyans-honored-during-55th-jamhuri-day-celebrations-id9191537.html" id="84841993-6b30-5203-a4a0-b5a44f386fee">athletics champion Eliud Kipchoge</a>.

Nyokabi Kenyatta (extreme left) with fellow directors at the Kenyatta Trust

President Uhuru Kenyatta presented the medal to his sister

Details of Uhuru's sister who got a national medal on Jamhuri Day

<h1>Detectives from Nairobi county have been sent to investigate the</h1>

Coast regional police commander Noah Mwivanda conveyed that the team from Nairobi will be taking over the investigations of what is now being treated as a homicide.

Commander Mwivanda revealed that the three key leads to identifying Kamto's murderers will be DNA samples, phone records and CCTV footage from two clubs the former DG visited before his masked assailants shot him in his home.

"Homicide cases sometimes take time because we are involving scientific approaches like DNA tests among a raft of other technical investigations.

"We have asked for a homicide squad from Nairobi to take over, so that they can scientifically establish those who took part in the killing and how the murder was planned and executed," Mwivanda stated.

Kamto Murdered in his Nyali Home

Fauzia Kamto narrated the moments that led to her husband's murder when he arrived home at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

"I had dozed off in the sitting room when I was awakened by the opening of the door. My husband entered the house in a rush and immediately told me to call security.

"But even before I could stand, three masked men entered the house and ordered us to lie down. Two followed my husband into the kitchen, where they shot him and as he rushed back to the sitting room, they shot him again and he fell on the floor," she recounted.

Investigators confirmed that they suspect Kamto was followed by the murderers from two nightclubs he had visit earlier in the night.

"We believe all the joints he frequented on the fateful night have CCTV cameras, which we shall take for investigations.

"His phone is also going to be taken for more investigations. We will also look for those who had picked issues with him," Mwivanda conveyed.

The incident has sparked fears in the neighbourhood as residents decry runaway insecurity in Mombasa County.

Slain former Kilifi governor Kenneth Kamto

Former Kilifi deputy governor Kenneth Kamto was murdered in his house

3 ways detectives will track Kenneth Kamto's masked killers

<h1>Migori County Governor Okoth Obado on Wednesday attended an interdenominational prayer meeting that was held at the Migori Stadium.</h1>

The embattled governor and his wife Hellen were among the few invited politicians from the region who honoured the invitation to gather for prayers in the county.

All legislators from the county's 10 constituencies snubbed the prayer rally with Uriri MP Mark Nyamita reportedly being the only one who sent an apology and a representative.

Woman Representative <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/migori-woman-rep-pamela-odhiambo-involved-in-road-accident-id9036018.html" id="3e7365c2-8e2e-5af6-8787-20bbe4971845">Pamela Odhiambo</a> as well as Obado's nemisis Senator Ochillo Ayacko also sent apologies to the organizers of the event.

Cleansing Migori County

Clergymen who organized the prayers explained that their aim was to cleanse the county of the 'bad omen' that has befallen the region.

Pentecostal Fellowship Assembly Bishop John Okinda told reporters that an evil spirit was hovering on the county causing the unfortunate incidences that begun with Denita Ghati's accident which left her confined to a wheelchair.

The religious leaders led prayers remembering the late Senator Ben Oluoch, Woman Rep Odhiambo who is still in hospital and Governor Obado who was named as the prime suspect in the murder of Sharon Otieno.

Politicians were not allowed to speak at the event.

Desparate times call for desparate measures

Obado spends Jamhuri Day seeking divine intervention

<h1>Former President Mzee Daniel arap Moi was on Wednesday afternoon admitted at the Nairobi Hospital as Kenya marked 55 years of independence.</h1>

A statement from his handlers conveyed that he was taken to the hospital for a routine medical check-up.

Without mentioning his condition, the statement relayed that the retired president would stay at the hospital for sometime as doctors conduct tests.

"His physician Dr David Silverstein said the former president will spend a couple of nights in the hospital to accord the doctors enough time to carry out their investigations," the statement from the retired president's offices read.

Mzee Moi's Medical History

On March 11, 2018, Mzee Moi was flown out of the country to Tel Aviv, Israel where <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/former-president-moi-discharged-from-ichalov-hospital-israel-id8118309.html" id="d0c2609e-6d77-5fce-af20-2febbc8dafe3">he underwent a medical check up</a> for a knee that had been giving him discomfort.

He was accompanied by <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/you-have-matured-politically-mzee-moi-tells-gideon-id9165326.html" id="b469ce3e-f885-571f-9f3c-1a6060d33419">his son Senator Gideon Moi</a> and Dr Silverstein as well and returned to Kenya a week later with a statement saying that he was "in high spirits and recovering well".

In January 2017, Mzee Moi underwent surgery on his knee at the Aga Khan Hospital.

He suffered a knee injury in July 2006 after his range Rover collided with a pick-up at the Rukuma view point in Limuru.

Mzee Moi has been living out his retirement from active politics at his Kabarak home where he continues to entertain ocassional visits from politicians.

He most recently shared some time with former Vice President <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/kalonzo-musyoka-visits-mzee-moi-photos-id9111273.html" id="795b9205-588a-5cec-b89e-196242238588">Kalonzo Musyoka and a section of Ukambani leaders</a>.

Former President Daniel Arap Moi during a past meeting with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho

He is admitted

Mzee Moi rushed to hospital

<h1>AU High Representative for Infrastructure Raila Odinga on Wednesday issued a brief statement after attending the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.</h1>

The former Prime Minister, who skipped the 54th commemorations of Kenya's independence, was particularly hopeful after he reunited with his NASA counterparts.

"As a people we should pull together as we proceed with the task of building a truly united country," he urged.

Earlier, he had urged citizens to reflect on the gains of independence 55 years on.

The NASA principals remained cordial during the ceremony at Nyayo Stadium despite the growing rift among them.

Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula recently threatened to sue Mr Odinga and the Orange party over distribution of funds within the coalition.

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi shunned Odinga and Kalonzo as sell-outs after they both shook hands with their rivals President Kenyatta and DP William Ruto in a truce.

On Thursday, Mr Odinga and President Kenyatta will make their maiden visit to Kisumu county where they will launch a pilot of the Universal Health Care (UHC) programme.

In his address to the nation on Jamhuri Day, President Kenyatta expressed his excitement over the visit and encourage key sector players to facilitate the success of the programme.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with former PM Raila Odinga during the Jamhuri Day celebrations

He boycotted the 2017 celebrations

Raila's message after attending Jamhuri Day celebrations

<h1>President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday surprised members of the public when he wore his</h1>

The president donned the apparel as part of a major military function that was to take place at the Nyayo Stadium.

President Kenyatta officially unveiled the 17 Battalion of the Kenya Army when he presented the new unit with its royal purple regimental flag and presidential colours.

According to military protocol, the colours (flags) are the highest honour of any Regiment/Unit and are a well-guarded &amp; treasured possession.

Colourful Coronation Ceremony

The 17 battalion - also called the Kenya Rifles - will now be able to parade their commissioned flag when they mount a guard of honour.

"The consecration and presentation of the Unit’s Colours to the Battalion marks the unit’s final milestone in its formation.

"When a Unit/Base is designated to troop its Colour, it becomes an honour to the Regiment/Base as it is able to showcase its Colours in a ceremony known as Trooping of the Colour. The Presidential Colour is trooped on special days such as Jamhuri Day," a statement from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) explained.

Religious leaders prayed and annointed the new colours as troops celebrated the recognition of the new unit which is based in Nyali, Mombasa.

The Jamhuri Day celebrations also saw the National Super Alliance <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/nasa-principals-mudavadi-wetangula-attend-jamhuri-day-event-id9191462.html" id="a407a711-0206-5666-89bb-a465e15946fa">(NASA) principals meet at Nyayo Stadium</a> for the official celebrations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with General Samson Mwathethe

The last time a new unit was formed was in 1998

New army unit formed after Uhuru wore military uniform

<h1>National Super Alliance (NASA) principals were on Wednesday reunited at the Nyayo Stadium where the Jamhuri Day celebrations were set to take place.</h1>

Special AU envoy Raila Odinga was the first to arrive at the venue and thereafter Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka trooped in with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula closely in tow.

The three Opposition leaders took their seats beside the former Prime Minister with National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale in their midst.

Wetangula and Mudavadi are the only NASA leaders who have not shaken hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto as a show of unity.

The NASA leaders have had frosty relations since the ODM party leader shook hands with President Kenyatta on March 9.

The Bungoma Senator and his ANC counterpart have been especially vocal on their severed ties with the other two accusing them of abandoning the opposition.

Senator Wetangula went further to threaten legal action against the former PM and his party over a dispute in the distribution of funds within the coalition.

Their united front during the 2018 Jamhuri Day celebrations was a stark difference with the 2017 commemoration where they boycotted the event.

At the time, the NASA wing was still opposed to the reelection of President Uhuru after they boycotted the October 26 repeat poll.

President Uhuru, who was fully clad in military apparel for the December 12 event, later saluted the NASA leaders as he greeted them.

NASA principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi

The principals boycotted Jamhuri Day in 2017

NASA principals reunite at Jamhuri Day celebrations

<h1>Mining CS John Munyes has come out to defend Kenya Pipeline CEO Joe Sang who was</h1>

The CS who appeared before the Senate Energy Committee insisted that not a shilling was lost in the Kisumu Oil Jetty scam that is said to have cost Sh 1.8 billion.

"No coin was lost in the Kisumu Oil Jetty project. I, however, leave the court and investigating team to do their job," he told the Senators.

The CS went on to explain that the project was conducted in strict adherence to the laid out protocols for tendering and execution.

The Numbers Add Up