http://www.marsgroupkenya.org Watching Out for You en-US http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/rss/Logo.png http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/ 100 72 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:03:34 -0300 MANN-4-MGK http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231568 The sale of Grand Regency hotel to Libyan African Investment Company (LAICO) was sanctioned by President Kibaki during his visit to Libya last year, the Cockar Commission heard yesterday. Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Director of Legal Affairs Kennedy Abuga said it was during Kibaki's visit to Libya on June 4, 2007 that the deal to sell the hotel to the Libyans was sealed. This was after Kibaki and President Muammar Gaddaffi agreed that the Libyans be given priority when the hotel is put on sale... Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:05:26 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231283 By Alex Ndegwa A Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) official was hard pressed to explain how the Grand Regency Hotel's $45 million price tag was converted to Sh2.9 billion. CBK Director of Legal Services Kennedy Abuga was at pains to explain to the Cockar Commission alleged discrepancies in sale figures running into millions of shillings. Lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui referred Abuga to a statement by CBK Governor Njuguna Ndung'u stating the hotel was sold at $45 million that translated into Sh2... Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:59:29 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231332 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA More confusion emerged on Wednesday over the exact amount the Grand Regency Hotel fetched since Central Bank could not ascertain the actual exchange rate against the dollar at the time. Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) legal director Kennedy Abuga said the hotel was sold for $450 million in June. According to him, the amount translated to Sh2.9 billion since the dollar was exchanging at Sh65 at the time... Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:51:50 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231336 By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU Impunity and inequality are to blame for the violence that hit the country following last year's General Election, former Ethics and Governance permanent secretary John Githongo has said. He accused politicians of uttering statements that built a "deep sense" of resentment among the electorate. "The resource imbalance has far-reaching political consequences than poverty... Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:36:23 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231395 Story by: Obadiah Ayoti Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) yesterday dismissed claims that it attempted to sell Grand Regency Hotel to Westmont Holdings in 1997 at Sh2.1 billion. CBK Director of Legal Affairs Kennedy Abuga told the Cockar Commission no sale agreement was entered between the bank and Westmont. Abuga refuted claims that the bank received Sh195 million from Westmont Holdings as 10 per cent down payment for the purchase of the hotel... Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:58:11 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231248 By ROBERT SHAW The Government of Kenya should collectively hang its head in shame over the shabby and disgraceful treatment of Mrs Jacinta Mwatela. Further to that, it makes a mockery of any attempts or statements to the effect that public jobs should be awarded on merit. Whether she enjoys security of tenure or not is only one of several issues. For me, the central issue is the following: Mrs Mwatela is a public servant of many years... Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:30:41 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231257 BY ANDREW TEYIE and FRANCIS OPENDA THE Cabinet engineered an artificial shortage of currency notes to allow printing of 390 million old notes at a cost of Sh1.6 billion just two months before the December elections. The government would have saved Sh780 million if these had been new generation banknotes. The new generation notes each cost Sh1.80 so they are much cheaper than the old notes which cost Sh3... Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:25:20 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231062 By Alex Ndegwa The Central Bank board resolved to consult relevant Government agencies during the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, a witness has said. But CBK Director of Legal Services Kennedy Abuga said the management did not consult the Attorney General because his office was not party to consent orders recorded by the bank. The transaction, he told the commission investigating the controversial sale of the hotel, involved civil cases and it would only have been necessary to consult the AG Amos Wako if the deal touched on criminal matters... Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:30:46 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=231119 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA Central Bank of Kenya sold the Grand Regency Hotel with speed to avoid being plunged into litigation as soon as an opportunity arose, the Cockar Commission heard on Monday. The opportunity to dispose of the five-star hotel arose in March this year, CBK legal director and secretary to the board Kennedy Abuga said. This was after CBK identified a Libyan buyer to buy the hotel... Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:11:21 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230931 By Oscar Obonyo Political activity is intensifying right under the nose of Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and in his Western Province backyard. But in his characteristic gentleman-mien, the Sabatia MP is impassive and unmoved. Curiously, the vocal players inflicting the most lethal damage are "home-boys" from his very own political base. They include Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale and Lugari MP, who is also Kaddu Chairman, Cyrus Jirongo... Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:50:53 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230808 By Alex Ndegwa Lands Minister James Orengo was pressed to concede former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya had not legally misled Parliament in April by stating Grand Regency Hotel had not been sold. Orengo agreed with lawyer Githu Muigai the statement by Kimunya on April 29 that the hotel had not been sold was the "correct position in law". The sale agreement, Muigai said, was dated May 5 and the actual transfer of the property was done in June 25... Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:12:20 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230833 By Muchemi Wachira Former Finance minister Amos Kimunya was legally correct when he said in Parliament in April that the Grand Regency Hotel had not been sold, Lands minister James Orengo admitted on Friday. Mr Orengo, who was being cross-examined by Mr Kimunya's lawyer, Prof Githu Muigai at the Cockar Commission, said he raised the alarm because his colleague had kept the matter secret. Mr Kimunya made his statement in Parliament on April 29 and the agreement to sell the hotel to the Libyans, the commission heard, was concluded on May 5... Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:59:56 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230834 By LUCAS BARASA Central Bank of Kenya deputy governor Jacinta Mwatela on Friday officially declined her new job as permanent secretary and charged that her transfer could be linked to a proposed multi-billion shilling new currency project. Mrs Mwatela, who has refused to leave her CBK office for the fourth day since she was moved to the Ministry of Northern Kenya Development and Arid Areas, received a letter informing her of the appointment but she returned it to Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura with a "Thank-You-But-No" note... Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:11:39 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230792 By ODHIAMBO ORLALE Powerful watchdog MPs Thursday vowed to move a vote-of-no confidence in the Government unless the deputy governor of the Central Bank is reinstated. They described as "unconstitutional and irregular" President Kibaki's decision to remove her from the Central Bank and transfer her to the Ministry of Northern Kenya Development. Mrs Jacinta Mwatela, who Thursday was still defiantly in her office at the Central Bank, will be remembered as one of the key bank officials who opposed the export compensation scheme that eventually blew up into the multi-billion shilling Goldenberg scandal... Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:21:54 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230693 By Muchemi Wachira The sale of Grand Regency Hotel was not done according to the law, Lands minister James Orengo reiterated on Wednesday. The matter, Mr Orengo said, was not brought before the Cabinet since it was not a government-to-government transaction as indicated by other witnesses. On Monday a witness, Mr Kennedy Abuga, said that the Kenyan Government had entered into a memorandum of understanding with its Libyan counterpart last year to sell the hotel... Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:14:31 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230544 I admire Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba for his youthful exuberance. We liked his spirit when he teamed up with Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale and forced former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya to resign. However, his brand of politics is also divisive. It is sad to see him fighting to split ODM, which sponsored him to Parliament. He is like a man who uses a ladder to go up then pushes it away forgetting that he will have to descend... Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:13:51 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230577 By Muchemi Wachira Lands minister James Orengo on Tuesday presented himself to the Cockar Commission and denied being served with summons to appear before the inquiry. Mr Orengo made his appearance in the morning when the commission's 18th witness, Mr Kennedy Abuga, who is the Central Bank of Kenya legal director and board secretary, was testifying. Mr Abuga was explaining how a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Kenya and Libya provided the opportunity for the bank to sell Grand Regency Hotel, when the minister suddenly walked in with his aides and expressed his readiness to give evidence to the commission... Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:05:21 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230355 By Alex Ndegwa A majority of Kenyans approve of the leadership demonstrated by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in steering the coalition government, according to a new poll. But the survey by US pollster, Gallup, shows the Prime Minister enjoys a 22-percentage point lead over the President in approval ratings. An overwhelming 85 per cent of those polled approve of Raila's leadership compared to 63 per cent - or six in every 10 Kenyans - for President Kibaki, according to the poll on The Grand Coalition Government... Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:12:57 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230393 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA A Cabinet minister who blew the whistle on the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel cannot be reached to give evidence. The Cockar Commission was on Monday told that three attempts to serve Lands minister James Orengo with summons had failed. "We have tried to serve him three times but we can't get him," retired judge Abdul Majid Cockar, who is chairing the commission investigating the controversial sale of the five-star hotel, said... Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:00:34 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230259 By Koigi Wa Wamwere As I write this article, Retired Justice Majid Cockar's commission is investigating the Grand Regency Hotel sale saga involving former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya. I believe Kimunya was forced to step aside for two reasons: So as not to interfere with investigations and preserve the credibility of Government. Before Kimunya, other ministers like Chris Murungaru, Kiraitu Murungi, George Saitoti and David Mwiraria were also forced to resign while under corruption probe... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:25:03 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230322 Let us admit it. The top media outlets have been caught with their pants down in the NSSF managing trustee saga. After misleading Kenyans for most of the week, trumpeting one side of the story, they recoiled: That Rachel Lumbasyo had indeed been sacked, despite spirited efforts by her cronies to retain her at the helm. If you doubt the complicity of the mainstream media, ask why the story was hidden inside the Nation and Standard... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:44:54 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230348 Story by: Koigi wa Wamwere AS I write this article, Retired Justice Majid Cockar's commission is investigating Grand Regency Hotel sale saga involving former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya. I believe Kimunya was forced to step aside for two reasons: So as not to interfere with investigations and preserve the credibility of Government. Before Kimunya, other ministers like Chris Murungaru, Kiraitua Murungi, George Saitoti and David Mwiraria were also forced to resign while under corruption probe... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:50:41 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230154 By Peter Kimani Ours is a truly remarkable land. We measure normalcy, according to former Finance minister Amos Kimunya, anyway, by the length of traffic snarl-ups. And true to Kimunya's word (remember those quips: the economy is growing, right? right!) the economy has grown in leaps and bounds, judging from the soaring oil prices and food prices soaring even higher. Even Safaricom confessed to having handled billions in just a month in that modest innovation called M-Pesa, without stating how much they made in commissions... Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:41:14 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230057 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA An independent valuer will be appointed to determine the value of the Grand Regency Hotel, the Cockar Commission ruled on Thursday. The valuer will be paid by the Central Bank of Kenya through the commission, ruled Mr Justice Majid Cockar, who is chairing the commission investigating the controversial sale of the five-star hotel. The retired judge was responding to an application by assisting counsel Wilfred Mati, who made the application after noting that various witnesses had given different valuations of the hotel... Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:41:48 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230096 By TOM MSHINDI Kenya may not be the most corrupt society, but it certainly ranks very high as one of the self-declared democracies in which leaders exhibit an extraordinary disregard for the values of right and wrong. Even more profound is that they know they are being hypocritical and leading a double life, but so what? Kenyans are gullible, accepting and corruptible. This week's amazing histrionics from some leaders is a powerful example... Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:26:24 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=230105 Story by: Kipngeno Cheruiyot Justice (Rtd) Majid Cockar led Commission investigating the controversial sale of Grand Regency Hotel will undertake an independent valuation to establish its actual value. In his application, counsel assisting the Commission Wilfred Mati said the valuation was imperative to establish the actual cost of the hotel. CBK also undertook to pay the fee of the new valuation with Cockar ruling that the Commission would go ahead with the plan after objections over the matter were overruled... Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:37:05 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229934 By Okech Kendo Eight months after leaving Cabinet, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale has proved abundantly politicians like him thrive outside power. As a 'half minister' in the second leg of the Ninth Parliament, Khalwale was as sycophantic as they come. Ironically, for all his indifference to official blunders, the bullfighter remained in the periphery of power. Now, outside the ranks of pampered high-spenders, the MP is a substantial debater, with a duty to interrogate the Government... Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:10:26 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229838 Story by: Times Reporter A PARLIAMENTARY watchdog committee says it will shift focus to two Government transactions it believes taxpayers may have sunk billions of shillings into. Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Bonny Khalwale said yesterday the body had shifted its focus on the Safaricom Initial Public Offer (IPO) and De La Rue currency tender. Khalwale said PAC had requested the Controller and Auditor General to provide an audit report on the Safaricom IPO... Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:14:11 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229540 By Alex Ndegwa Lands Minister James Orengo is among witnesses lined up this week before the Cockar Commission on the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel. Orengo will testify on Thursday, according to a schedule by commission secretary Anthony Ombwayo. The minister blew the whistle on alleged irregularities on the sale of the hotel in June, by the Central Bank to the Libyan Arab African Investment Company (Laico) at Sh2... Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:04:08 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229458 By Alex Ndegwa Former Finance minister Amos Kimunya wants two Cabinet ministers and the Attorney General summoned by the Cockar commission over the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel. Kimunya wants Lands minister James Orengo, Nairobi Metropolitan Development's Mutula Kilonzo and AG Amos Wako to furnish the commission with evidence on his role in the controversial sale. Through his lawyer Githu Muigai, Kimunya told the commission chaired by Justice Majid Cockar on Friday the three should be summoned alongside two MPs; Ababu Namwaba (Budalang'i) and Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani)... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:10:29 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229465 By James Anyanzwa The Government has exempted Co-op Holdings Co-operative Society from disclosing the details of its owners for a period of ten years. In a Kenya Gazette legal notice No 108 acting Finance minister John Michuki also gave the society a leeway to hold either directly or indirectly, or otherwise have a beneficial interest in more than 25 per cent of the share capital of any institution... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:13:26 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229479 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA Former Finance minister, Amos Kimunya wants two ministers and the attorney-general to appear before Cockar Commission to say what the role he played in the sale of Grand Regency Hotel. The ministers, James Orengo and Mutula Kilonzo, had together with the AG, Mr Amos Wako, recommended that the Kipipiri MP step aside as Finance minister to allow for investigations into the controversial sale of the hotel, his lawyer Prof Githu Muigai said... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:54:32 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229522 By TOM MSHINDI Both the subject and thrust of colleague Macharia Gaitho's commentary in the Nation on Tuesday made it second most popular according to the Internet edition reader's aggregator. This is hardly surprising as Mr Raila Odinga, Kenya's prime minister for four months now, remains the most compelling politician in the country. Taking up a role without a clear purpose and deliverables, he has written his own job description and is using it to very good effect, both for himself and for country... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:10:08 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229536 Westmont holdings lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui said Kibaki led a high profile visit to Libya in June last year and held talks with Gaddafi to boost Libyan investment in Kenya PRESIDENT Kibaki should be summoned to the Cocker Commission to provide details of the agreement between him and Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi over the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, a lawyer said yesterday. Westmont Holdings lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui said Kibaki led a high profile visit to Libya in June last year and held talks with Gaddafi to boost Libyan investment in Kenya... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:52:02 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229201 An intriguing question is raised by a proposal to 'impeach' Chief Justice Evan Gicheru: Are we approaching the constitutional danger such a move presents with sufficient evidence of misconduct? From the grounds cited in public so far, we believe this question bears reflecting on. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Tuesday notified Justice Minister Martha Karua they are preparing a petition to be forwarded to President Kibaki requesting a tribunal to investigate Gicheru's conduct... Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:17:30 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=229162 Written by Benson Wambugu Prime Minister Raila Odinga asked the Kenya-Anti Corruption Commission for confidential information pertaining to the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, the Commission of Inquiry into the sale of the hotel heard yesterday. The PM sought among other things copies of the transfer documents that changed hands between the anti-graft body, former hotel owner Kamlesh Pattni and Central Bank of Kenya... Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:43:43 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228933 Changes to Parliament's Standing Orders were long overdue. With recommendations that will lead to greater openness in the House being adopted, the public's 'access' to lawmaking and governance will be greatly improved. Two changes, in particular, promise greater transparency at the outset: The provision for live broadcast of proceedings from the House and its committees (with the exception of the House Business Committee) and the introduction of time for the Prime Minister to answer questions... Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:02:19 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228941 Isn't it strange that businesses are unusually fast in effecting price hikes but become sluggish and excuse-laden when required to reduce them. Last month PointBlank noted that after former Finance Minister, Amos Kimunya, read the budget on July 12, price increases took effect "from midnight tonight" while most reductions are yet to be effected. ('Michuki must ensure prices are lowered', Thursday, July 17)... Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:55:57 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228834 Many Kenyans blame the country's problems on political dictatorship, but parliamentary democracy can equally and very easily turn into an uncontrollable dictatorship. Apart from the possibility of MPs ganging up on a vote, depending on which side their interest lies, as has happened before, the Speaker may make rulings in favour of or against a bill, a debate or a document tabled in Parliament, sometimes for questionable reasons... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:18:58 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228715 If Mr Mwaruwa's sacking will unclog the port and make it run efficiently, then it is most welcome and should have been done much earlier. However, for Mr Mwaruwa's successor to succeed, the rail system, customs documentation procedures and the roads serving the port must be improved significantly, since any port's performance largely depends on these three factors. As a transit point, the volumes of cargo discharged by vessels at the port must leave in equal volumes by rail and road... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:43:16 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228534 By ALEX NDEGWA Attorney General Amos Wako was never consulted during negotiations for the surrender of the Grand Regency Hotel to Central Bank. This was because the matter involved a civil suit, a witness has said. The Deputy Director of the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (Kacc) Mrs Fatuma Sichale said the discussions involved statutory bodies that had their own competent lawyers. Sichale told the commission of inquiry into the sale of the hotel it was not necessary to consult the AG during talks that culminated in the April 9 handover of the luxury hotel to CBK by businessman Kamlesh Pattni... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:06:10 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228593 By MUCHEMI WACHIRA The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission did not involve attorney-general Amos Wako in negotiations to dispose of the Grand Regency Hotel because the matter was purely civil, an inquiry was told on Monday. "There was absolutely no reason to involve the AG since he does not act for the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission in civil matters," KACC deputy director Fatuma Sichale said... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:33:02 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228491 By KUTETE MATUMBAYI IN THE RECENT PAST, THERE HAS been an uproar in Parliament after Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim stopped the tabling of a report by the Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade, which was investigating the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel. Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, who is not only the joint Government Chief Whip but also a member of the committee, was thrown out of the House for misconduct over the issue... Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:19:10 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228361 By TOM MSHINDI Both the subject and thrust of colleague Macharia Gaitho's commentary in the Nation on Tuesday made it second most popular according to the Internet edition reader's aggregator. This is hardly surprising as Mr Raila Odinga, Kenya's prime minister for four months now, remains the most compelling politician in the country. Taking up a role without a clear purpose and deliverables, he has written his own job description and is using it to very good effect, both for himself and for country... Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:39:23 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228235 BY FRANCIS OPENDA Political differences are coming into play in the various parliamentary departmental committees, the Nairobi Star has learnt. The differences have surfaced in the Finance, Planning and Trade committee chaired by Nambale MP Chris Okemo, which has been discussing the controversial sale of the Grand Regency hotel, also the subject of a commission of inquiry. Allegations that decisions are being made on the basis of partisan politics have also surfaced in the Administration, National Security and Local Authorities committee chaired by Mount Elgon MP Fred Kapondi, which has been looking into accusations that Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang' irregularly authorised the issuance of entry and work permits... Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:12:08 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228037 By Alex Ndegwa President Kibaki has extended the term of the Cockar Commission on the Grand Regency Hotel sale by a month. The commission will now report its findings and recommendations on or before September 10, according to a statement released by the Presidential Press Service, last evening. The President has also appointed Mr Francis Etole as additional counsel to the team. News of the term's extension and the new appointee's name is contained in a Gazette Notice dated August 11, which amends earlier notices 6216 and 6217 of July 10... Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:53:22 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=228040 By David Ohito Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi can now smile his way into the five-star Grand Regency Hotel as the new owner. Sources say Parliament's Finance Committee approved Libyan Government's takeover of the hotel after paying Sh2.9 billion ($ 45 million) in a bilateral agreement between Libya and Kenya. The position taken by the Finance, Planning and Trade committee negates an earlier recommendation of a Cabinet committee, which called for repossession of the hotel and cancellation of the transfer to Libya... Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:57:10 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=227914 By Gakuu Mathenge President Kibaki finally rolled up his sleeves this week and agreed to become the interim chairman of his party. About 60 Party of National Unity (PNU) MPs endorsed the President as their interim chairman, pending party elections later in the year. It is the first time Kibaki will directly get involved in party politics since he was elected in the 2002 General Election. But unless the President convinces PNU affiliates to merge, it has since emerged he is not home and dry yet... Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:45:20 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=227840 By BERNARD NAMUNANE Furious MPs protested as the Speaker Thursday blocked a damning report into the conduct of former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya. They claimed the Speaker's refusal to allow the report, into the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, to be tabled amounted to sabotage. It is understood the report demands that Mr Kimunya should be sacked over the controversial sale of the hotel... Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:23:04 +03:00 http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=227874 Committee says he shouldn't rejoin Cabinet BY FRANCIS OPENDA FORMER finance Minister Amos Kimunya should not hold a Cabinet office as his conduct does not befit that of a minister, the Parliamentary committee on finance has recommended. Multiple sources in the committees probing the Grand Regency hotel said the report also recommends that Kimunya be severely reprimanded and his conduct be referred to the Powers and Privileges Committee for further action... Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:39:16 +03:00