Twists in Besigye’s Abudction, Pressure Before Cancellation of Adani Deals & Cars Following Gachagua

President?William Ruto delivered a State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, November 21, where he highlighted key achievements of his administration.

During the address, President Ruto cancelled the takeover of the ongoing Public Private Partnership (PPP) deals between the government and the Adani Group over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and KETRACO.

Hello and welcome to today’s edition of?The Roundup.

Subscribe to access top news stories in?The Kenya Times Roundup. The Roundup presents a compilation of stories that hit headlines throughout the week to keep you informed.

Ruto Cancels Adani Deals

Speaking during the State of the Nation Adress, Ruto said the decision was made after the information that the government obtained from partner nations.

He directed officials at the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy to cancel the ongoing process for the JKIA expansion and KETRACO transmission line PPP.

Ruto directed procuring agencies in the two ministries to start the process of onboarding alternative partners for the two projects.

US Federal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Gautam Adani

An arrest warrant was issued in the United States (US) for billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani.

A US federal court issued an arrest warrant for the billionaire after he was charged by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with allegedly defrauding investors and bribing officials.

The 62-year-old?Adani Group?boss faces the allegations alongside his nephew and six others in connection to one of the world’s largest solar projects.

Cars following Gachagua

Former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua revealed that security agents using unmarked vehicles have been following him around.

In a late-night statement, Gachagua said the vehicles are parked in front of the gate of his Nairobi home.

He stated that the occupants are marking his visitors and following him when he leaves the home including when he travels to his rural home in Nyeri.

“Security agents in unmarked cars have been following me wherever I go. They are parking at the entrance of my Nairobi residence, taking notes of all my visitors, and they trail me whenever I leave the house, even all the way to my rural home in Nyeri,” Gachagua said.

Kenya Roped in Besigye Arrest

Uganda’s Minister of Information, Communications Technology, and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, on Friday November 22 revealed intricate details about Kenya’s involvement in the arrest of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

Baryomunsi revealed that the government of Uganda was in touch with the government of Kenya during the arrest of Besigye on Saturday, November 16.

These new revelations came after the government denied any involvement in the alleged abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kenya

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei in an interview on Thursday, November 20, said Kenya was unaware of Besigye’s presence in the country and had no role in the incident.

?“The government of Uganda was in touch with the government of Kenya

“Otherwise, how would you arrest somebody in the middle of Nairobi and bring him back to Uganda through the airport of by land without the full knowledge and the support of State there in Kenya,” he added.

Speaking in Uganda, Besigye said that he was abducted by men who pretended to speak in Swahili and that they passed the Kenya border without any checks.?

Catholic Church Rejects Ruto’s Millions

The Archdiocese of Nairobi on Monday rejected millions donated by President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja to the Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday November 17, 2024.

Reverend Philip Anyolo announced that the Church will return the Ksh2.6 million donated by Ruto and declined the Ksh3 million he pledged.

Soweto catholic will also return Ksh200,000 donated by Governor Sakaja to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC).

The Head of the Catholic church in Kenya explained that such fundraising appeals require a permit in accordance with the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill.

ALSO BIG THIS WEEK

• At least six people were reported dead after a fire ravaged Kitui Village in Kamukunji, Nairobi county.?
• President?William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government fired the 300 employees attached to former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.
• Laikipia Senator and close ally to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachugua,? John Kinyua, resigned as a commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
• Former President Uhuru Kenyatta secured another win in court after the Nairobi Court of Appeal rejected a request for interim stay orders sought by a rebel faction of the Jubilee Party.
• High court on Tuesday November 19 froze Moi University’s bank accounts for not paying five doctors.
• A Kenyan university student was arrested and arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts for predicting the death of President William Ruto.?
• Former President?Uhuru Kenyatta?delivered a much-anticipated speech during an event attended by President?William Ruto, DP?Kithure Kindiki?and former DP?Rigathi Gachagua.
• President?William Ruto appointed former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to a government job.?

PHOTO OF THE WEEK