BOMB BLAST COMMEMORATION                                         

KENYANS have today commemorated the 14^th anniversary of the  August 7^th Bomb Blast  of 1998,one of the most deadly bomb blast witnessed in the country that left 218 people dead and 5000 others injured. The chairman of the bomb blast Victims Association Ali Madam pointed an accusing finger at the government for ignoring the victim’s plea for help and support. Madam however pointed out lack of proper communication between the Kenyan and American.The victims this afternoon  demonstrated in at the Prime Ministers office to deliver a memorandum before they proceeded to parliament buildings to demand for compensation.

CIVIL SOCIETY                                                            

ANY person convicted of any crime or tried in a court of law for any kind of crime should be barred from contesting or holding any public office. This is according to a civil society group on leadership and integrity bill. Speaking during a press conference here in Nairobi today, the group’s governance consultant, Cyprian Nyawamu said that there should be a value system where if you are been investigated by a body, you need to clear yourself of the suspicion before contesting any public seat. Nyamwamu says that the government should by all means possible eliminate the term “stepping aside” and instead introduce a clear language in law for persons found guilty of misusing public office. The body also condemned the government for its appointment of the new county commissioners terming the act as continued impunity.

KARUA                                                                               

NARC Kenya presidential Martha Karua has today launched his presidential campaign team that will be headed by Mohammad Hussein, who was a key figure at the Prime ministers campaign team in 2007. Speaking at the secretariat office, Karua elaborate ways of how her government will be dealing with various matters affecting Kenya including corruption, respect to constitution and health care. She said that if elected her as president she will ensure that impunity will be a thing of the past. On the issue of security Karua said that her governments will investment heavily in security so as to ensure that every Kenyan is protected.Karua becomes the fourth  presidential aspirant to put in place a presidential campaign team after Prime Minister Raila Odinga,deputy Prime minister Musalia mudavadi and his collegue Uhuru Kenyatta.Raila’s secretariat is headed by Barrack Muluka while that of Mudavadi is led by Kibisu Kabatesi.

FORA                                                            

IMENTI Central member of parliament Gitobu Imanyara has today joined the friends of Raila lobby group. Imanyara has also been appointed as the deputy patron of the group and was officially received by Prime Mininster Raila Odinga. Giving his acceptance speech at the lobby group’s office in Nairobi, Imanyara said that he believes odinga is the best candidate to take the presidency in the next general elections. On his part the prime minister said that it is time Kenyans elected leaders that are committed to the implementation of the new constitution.

POST BUDGET ANALYSIS                                

THE 2012-2013 budget read in parliament yesterday by Finance Minister Njeru Githae has been criticized by economist across the country.Speaking during a post budget analysis meeting held in Nairobi’s New Stanley hotel, an earnest and young CEO and economist, Gitahi Gachahi says that Githae has not created jobs to young people in the Agricultural sector dominated by 60 year old thus abetting unemployment. He says emphasis should be on the local manufacturer of fertilizer to stem over reliance in the west. On wavering Mitumba, the CEO says, it will affect employment in the textile and cotton industry. He lauded leaps on infrastructure and asked a fast truck of Lamu project. He also congratulated the 1Billion drug and alcohol act as good attempt to progressing nation to help youth and asked the drug barons to be cracked. He further added that on health issues the money to release detained patients should be channeled to improving health scheme and how to make it work.

IEA                                                                           13/06/2012

The institute of economic affairs (IEA) in their budget has called on the government to spend within its means. Speaking during the launch of the citizens Alternative Budget 2012-2013, the chief executive officer Kwame Owino says that the proposal by the county government devolution bill to construct houses for the 47 county commissioners and governors is unnecessary saying that the government would rather pay the commissioners sufficient salaries to live in decent houses in their work stations. He says that the move may heavily weigh down on the estimated national budget of shillings 1.462trillion to be read in parliament tomorrow.

Owino pleads o the government to come up with austerity measures by focusing   public spending on areas of priority such upgrading health facilities infrastructure and access to clean water for the benefit of the poor. Responding to a question on how the government is going to meet the deficit of 0.5 trillion from last years estimated national budget, he said that in addition to austerity measures, bilateral, multilateral donors available to the government and grants are some of ways of meeting the deficit.