archive
Yesterday ODM presidential hopeful William Ruto was deep in Kalenjin country in the heart of the Rift Valley pushing selling himself to the people.
There are few things that I have ever agreed with Ruto about but in one of his speeches I did find myself nodding vigorously. Ruto says that the people making the decisions in Kenya have no idea what it is like sleeping hungry, an experience that is all too common with many Kenyans these days. He added that many of these leaders on seeing grown up Kenyans walking bare foot (and there was a sizeable number of wanainchi at this meeting in Kabarnet that were bare foot) think that they have just decided to leave their shoes at home. They do not realize that they do not own a single pair.
But while many Kenyans can identify with what Ruto is saying, images of anniversary Towers in 1992 will not leave my mind. This was the headquarters of the notorious Youth For Kanu so-called pressure group. But in actual fact it was a conduit for distributing vast amounts of cash to ensure that the electiosn went in favor of President Moi.
There are many dirty tricks and cash distribution incidents that have happened since (including throwing cash from a helicopter recently done by Moneybags Livondo) but all of them pale in comparison to the goings on at Anniversary Towers in 1992. Cash was being distributed in boxes that filled large halls and were piled right up to the roof. Jus try and imagine that.
We now know that a lot of that cash found its' way into William Ruto's pocket. To his credit he had the sense to invest it. Some of his colleagues are now dead and lived the last few months of their lives unable to afford shoes to put on (I kid you not). Still this money was not earned honestly and chances are that Mr Ruto is still greedy for more cash deep I his heart and has no interest in improving the living standards of the Kenyan people. Okay chances are that he will not be president, but the truth is that he is positioning himself as a tribal chief for a cabinet appointment in one of the "big ministries" where he will use his position to enrich himself. It is laughable that ODM should even have sanctioned such a man to run for the presidency, but that's Kenyan politics for you.
Internet Home Based Business: All You Ever Wanted To Know, As told to you by an expert who makes a good living online
Menstruation Odor Causes Marriage To Elude Woman
Well Ruto maybe the ugly face of ODM but is the body any better. A honest evaluation will disappoint even the most optimistic. The skeletons are too scary, but who cares? Back your dead or ugly horse provided he cheats you skillfully.
ReplyDeleteAs highlighted by the Ruto story, the Kenyan voter is either as forgiving as Jesus or as poverty stricken as a Nyayo Pioneer car salesman. Dilapidated schools, dry water pipes and outright Central Bank robbery without violence has not stopped us from forgiving, blessing and returning known pick-pockets to parliament. Our craving for a 20Ksh banknote is enough to sway our most fundamental right to vote. Further, the fact that we cannot vote our conscious within the privacy of a voting booth makes us more foolish than Abunuasi’s student. 90% of our MPs should be international fugitives awaiting extradition back to Kenya to face justice prior to a comfortable retirement at Kamiti.
ReplyDeleteDon’t get me wrong, I’m not against campaign handouts. The way I see it, these are simply tax returns.
Knowing too well that Ruto and the forty thieves will be back in the August house in 2008, maybe we should ask ourselves if these chaps are really redeemable. I would say yes….considering the respect and nostalgia that greets Moi in his tours nowadays. Seeing the love and affection focused on Moi nowadays, an alien visiting from space may confuse him for a balding, trouser wearing Mother Theresa…. which would then make Kenyan voters as forgetful as Raila. I mean how does one hug that same guy who squashed your beans of life with a set of rusted pliers?
Ultimately, it so appears, people like Ruto will make it to heaven only if there’s no vacancy in hell. However, during their time on earth, at least in Kenya, they will find a people who will embrace them with both hands in joy and forgiveness…. as they pick their back pockets.
Other than that, I have no strong opinion on the matter.
Better that Raila though. Young, but equally currupt and a product of the same Kanu and Moi system that Raila used to suppress his 'imagined' foes in Nyanza, Orengo, Nyongo, Ochuodho, Dalmas Otieno and now Tuju.
ReplyDeleteRuto on the other hand stole for the public, as much as Henry Kosgey, who is Raila Odinga's running mate.
What are they all in ODM? Kleptomaniacs, land-grabbers (Raila included Kisumu Mollasses Plant), corrupt and all products of Kanu. That is why Uhuru, a latecomer in Kanu has jumped ship
Let us now face the truth. What we are seeing in ODM are strange bedfellows. I think we need a third force headed by Uhuru and consisting of Kalonzo, Kombo, Ngilu, Balala, Nyaga and Dr. Ojiambo. Let coalitions be formed onthe basis of one's character and past. Raila can decide to have Kosgey (Henry or Sally), Ruto or Mudavadi. they can invite Chris Murungaru and David mwiraria. on the other hand kibaki should become a priest. i think he is too good for these political boys.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that what is coming out here is that corruption only happened during Moi's 24 year rule.
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary and it makes me wonder why no one will mention the economic crimes that took place during Kenyatta's rule (15 years) and those that are happening now in Kibaki's rule (5 years). How about the political assassinations? It is obvious these crimes can conveniently be ommitted here; but the common denominator is there for all to see - TRIBE - only Kales and Luos are criminals.
Rutos and Kosgeys have their cases pending in court. If the current regime could apply the law equally, more than two thirds of that parliament could be in jail. But I am yet to be told which criminal case Raila is facing or about to face. That molasses story is a tired line. What does anon know about Kisumu Mollasses Plant?
Let Nyanza people decide their destiny and let them elect whoever tehy want. In multi-party era, we've seen presidential candidates from Nyanza, eg. Orengo, Nyachae and even Raila, and end results reflected a sad (and selfish) voting pattern from the provinces. It seems there are those people who are happy with the status quo and are running scared of an ODM unity because they want to continue to economically and politically dominate others. They are the same people against constitutional reforms, especially executive power devolution. But this time round, you can be sure Kenyans will get the constitution they want within months after ODM takes over the government!