Wednesday 19th February, 2025 06:21 AM|

Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings:

Visit of the President of the 79^th Session of the United nations General Assembly to Kenya.

Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to continue with his five-day official tour of Kenya, according to a statement from the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

On his second day of the visit this Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the President of the General Assembly is expected to hold high-level bilateral meetings with President William Ruto, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.

 The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Kenya and the United Nations, reinforcing Kenya’s pivotal role in multilateral diplomacy, and advancing key global and regional priorities.

 In addition to his engagements with the Head of State and senior government officials, the President of the General Assembly will deliver a public lecture, meet with members of the United Nations Community, interact with members of the academia, policy think tanks, innovators and stakeholders from the private sector. He will also make a visit to green spaces and wildlife conservation areas in Nairobi.

Yao will also outline his vision and priorities during his tenure, particularly in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development, financing for development, digitalization and strengthening international cooperation.

The aftermath of Raila Odinga’s defeat in his quest to become the continent’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson continues to elicit reactions and opinions from different quarters.

Juja MP George Koimburi became a guest of the state on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, for remarks he made about how the campaigns for the former prime minister were undertaken.

According to Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, who accompanied Koimburi’s lawyer to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices, Koimburi was arrested for stating that public funds were used to campaign for Odinga.

Thang’wa shared a charge sheet showing that Koimburi would be charged with false publication of information contrary to Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Acts No.5 of 2018.

“This is what Hon. Koimburi, MP for Juja, is being charged for—simply for questioning how public funds were used to campaign for Rao. Seems Raila’s defeat really hit some people hard,” Thang’wa captioned the charge sheet.

According to the charge sheet, the MP’s offences stem from comments he made during a church gathering in his Kiambu on Sunday, February, 16, 2025.

“On 16th February, 2025 at PCEA Juja Farm parish, Judea Presbetary “Tuko ha hofu katika Jamuhuri la Kenya sababu ya kuona pesa za Umma zikitumika vibaya kwenda kuhonga watu ndio waweza kumchagua Raila Amollo Odinga awe Chaimran wa AU huko Addis Ababa. ni aibu kubwa sana ambayo tumeiona siku ya jana, kuona William Ruto akijaribu kuhonga ma president wengine ndio waweze kumpigia kura Raila Amollo Odinga na zile pesa ambazo anataka kutumia ni pesa za Umma pesa ambazo wamelipa kodi…” knowingly to be false and calculated to advocate unrest that would constitute incitement to the government of Kenya,” the charge sheet read in part.

This is what Hon. Koimburi, MP for Juja, is being charged for—simply for questioning how public funds were used to campaign for Rao. Seems Raila's defeat really hit some people hard. #ReleaseKoimburi pic.twitter.com/IvqbTajn2L

— Sen. Karungo wa Thang'wa (@KarungoThangwa) February 18, 2025

In a move aimed at stoking a response from the government following the conclusion of the AUC race, Thang’wa vowed to follow up on the matter by bringing a motion before parliament, as part of their demands for accountability over taxpayers’ money.

“They are taking the opportunity to harass MPs. He (Koimburi) has a duty of representing the people, oversight and questioning issues that affect citizens. He merely asked a question. I will be taking the matter to the floor of parliament to ask the same question on how much of taxpayers’ money was used,” Thang’wa said.

The matter was also discussed on the floor of the house on the evening of Tuesday, February 18, 2025, as MPS relayed sentiments on the AUC race.

 MP Fatuma Zainab Mohammed, the Migori MP and her Suba North counterpart, Millie Odhiambo expressed their views on Raila’s performance in the AUC race.

In her address, Fatuma hailed Raila Odinga’s bravery to contest another election despite his defeat in the 2022 loss.

”I also want to congratulate my Baba, the father of Africa and this country. Only a strong man like you would go for this position. Having gone through an election two years ago you go again for another one. Only a God-given man would do such a thing. I congratulate you and we celebrate you from the bottom of our hearts,” she said.

The lawmaker also hit out at the celebratory mood and chants that greeted Raila’s defeat in Nyeri after his defeat on Saturday elections.

“If you think Raila was not a fit, why would you not give yourself in and see how many votes you would have garnered?” Fatuma posed.

“We want to tell the Wamunyoros who were dancing. Shame on you! We are waiting for you. We love Ruto we will pay him back. We are waiting for you and we will embarrass you,” the MP added.

Meanwhile, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League is scheduled to resume action this Wednesday, February 19, 2025, through to Friday.

A total of eight games are lined up for the midweek ties.

AFC Leopards will host Sofapaka FC in Wednesday’s highlight clash at Dandora Stadium starting at 4:00 pm.

Thursday will see Police FC and Gor Mahia looking to extend their respective fine runs with clashes against Mathare United and Bidco United respectively.

Sinisa Mihic’s Gor Mahia charges will be away to Bidco United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos starting at 4:00 pm.

#FKFPL midweek fixtures pic.twitter.com/oV2sDZmC2i

— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) February 18, 2025