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Once when I was living in Tanzania I managed to get a very big beautiful house that was ideal for me. It was also the first house I had ever lived in where I had my own private loo in the master bedroom. They call it ensuite, I believe.
There was only one problem, there was a terrible smell that filled most of the house and especially the kitchen area and back porch. We soon discovered that a kind of polluted river/sewer passed somewhere at the back of the house. Sadly we discovered the smell and the whole story behind it after we had already moved in. You see the smell could only come wafting in at a certain time of the day when the wind blew in our direction. The house was in a kind of valley so wind was a little rare during the day.
When we got to see the sewer our first thought was that this had to be a major health risk. But we consulted a friend who is an expert in these things and they said it was OK because the water moved. And anyway Malaria was a problem wherever you went in Dar-es-salaam so we would have achieved little by moving.
After a while the smell disappeared. At first I was puzzled until I received a visitor from Nairobi. There was a power failure and the house got unbearable hot because the fun couldn't work. So I took them to the back porch where it was cool. They could hardly bear the pungent smell.
That day I realized that we must have all gotten used to the smell.
It is fascinating how we humans can adjust and adapt to the most terrible things.
For instance it seems that many Kenyans, especially those who are yet to be directly affected by the Mungiki antics of relieving innocent Kenyans of the weight of their heads on their shoulders, find the situation in Kenya quite normal. In fact the whole insecurity problem has become very kawaida and normal. Something that Kenyans have learnt to live with.
I agree with the remarks of a Kenyan Human Rights Official recently to the effect that they know of no other country in the world where the security situation would have deteriorated the way it has in Kenya today and still have the police commissioner and the Minister in charge of internal security still comfortably in office like nothing is happening.
Fellow Kenyans, please let us sober up for a minute and take stock of the kind of blood-letting that is already going on within our borders. Then consider the fact that the general elections are just around the corner. Let nobody fool themselves that they can carry out any kind of political campaign in the current prevailing circumstances in most parts of the country. We must start by demanding the resignation of the police commissioner and the minister incharge of internal security. Only when that happens will we be convinced that the government is taking the current situation seriously.
If you are going to leave a comment here, I urge you to remember my story about the terrible smell that disappeared. I know many will say that Kenya is no different than New York or Johannesburg for that matter. But my reply is that those guys are not in the kind of political quagmire we Kenyans have gotten ourselves into and the violence there is drug-related as opposed to ours which is almost certainly political.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
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Resignation is not the solution here. What we need is to tackle the root cause of the problem.
ReplyDeleteThis problem mutates like a colossus into a different shape every time. When we were young kids, there was the dreaded 42 Brothers who made my mum make sure that by 6.30pm I was in the house.
Then, living in California Estate, we saw group shouting Thai, Thai, from, (we heard) Bahati Estate in Nairobi walking by. The next day, it was all over the news after police clashed with them at the Kamukunji Grounds, in Nairobi. Thye had a leader Ngonya Wa Gakonya who even dialogued with Moi.
And the movement grew strong. Going to college, and later to work, we could see the same people with the same 'true colour' congregate at the River Road Roundabout. Now, I dont mean to say they are the same people, but what happened, because from what we read, they share the same colours as part of the 'nationalistic' identities.
Some time ago, we read about Mombasa's Congo by Force, Chinkororo, Baghdad, Angola Msumbiji, Kamjesh etc who have wreaked havoc in the neighbouring constituency in Butere and many others.
But a sequence that has been observed is that every time, a group more dreaded than the previous one comes into the stage. I dont want to openly say that this is the Ngonya Group, but where did that one go to and did it turn around to be Mungiki?
Another thing, Chris, you asked what the NSIS do. Honestly, is tracking Mungiki not part of the Security Intelligence system? We should first tackle the root cause of the problem.
It is more than running matatu stops. Surely, it takes more than getting 20/- per matatu trip to slaughter a fellow human being. It takes more than that to slap an entire country's police force on the face with the dissapearance of uniformed policemen and later behead them.
Does it mean that a bunch of miscreants, masquarading as nationalists (of an imagined nation) can bring a government tyo its knees.
And what about the community? Does it mean that no one in the whole of Kenya does not know a single Mungiki member and report the same to the police or the security aparatus. And why kill the Mungiki numbskulls if you are meant to squeeze evidence and intelligence from them.
Like the police, minister and their bosses in the government, the Kenyan community stands guilty. Like the rest of the dreaded groups, my late nan could always tell me that she knows who they are but she fears reporting. One time when she was directly affected, people rose up and a few of the hoodlums were arrested and the whole thing subsided.
Well documented Chris and Derek but the problem starts at your fullstop. Spreading the Mungiki manace too thin and comparing it to the Angola Musumbijis of this world olny leaves our fingers aching from pointing while the nation's heart contiue bleeding.
ReplyDeleteMungiki is a political creation and only singular political will will wipe it. No amount of justification will wash in objectifying their gruesome deed.
We are witnessing products of insecurity at his best. While others are preoccupied with the 'WIDER' picture of economic growth, the small things that matter to the ordinary majority takes bnackstage. The privialged few will shout themselves hoarse telling us how we don't take opportunities as they knock while sealing all the entrances to these goodies.
Can somebody tell me honestly why Mungiki think Kenya owes them above others. You don't need to be a NASA scientist to see the parallel between the 'nationalis' Mungiki and 'polished' tirade here albeit of the schooled ilk.
As Lord Acton said absolute power corrupts absolutely and nothing, even the chopped heads, will make the rulling elite stop gazing at the price irrespective of those tramped under foot.
The fact that Moi tolerated Mungiki is no sane justification of the gang's present rein. Kenya belongs to all of us and nobody should abrogate himself the responsibility of 'reaping' our heads for trophies. The present rot we are swimming in was created by Jomo and watered by Moi. We can only join Chris in playing guitar to the goat because the loud silence is legendary.
There’s no question that Michuki, and by extension Ali, must go. The problem is that ‘resignation in disgrace’ is not quilted in our Kenyan social fabric. Mwiraria only left office after a few sharp pins were secretly strategically placed on the seat of his executive chair. That explains his frequent night visits to the proctologist thereafter. I hear Muruingi reluctantly left without returning the keys. They had to change the locks.
ReplyDeleteWhereas in most societies, resignation in the face of scandal is the honorable thing to do (in Japan incompetent CEOs sometimes commit suicide), in Kenya, it seemingly is a sign of great weakness and inability to weather the storm. Further, the arrogance that follows the words, “I will not resign” is by far greatest form of disrespect. In addition, the tribal cocoon that envelops these culprits in times of crisis is evidence of our willingness to follow our tribesmen down the sewer line.
The Kenyan media plays a huge role in our inability to sustain accountability in public office. Politically compromised and nowhere close to objectiveness, any pressure exerted by the media houses is easily concluded as vendetta. Depending on which side of the aisle is rebuked, what follows might be hooded Armenians or women in pajamas….. all in the wee hours of the morning. To be of any consequence, these newsmen must first reinstate credibility.
As for the smell, our poverty index does not allow us to think of anything other than half a loaf of bread. I think the fear of loosing those few slices is what makes some of us willing to retain Kibaki in office. The bare truth is that the security apparatus has let us down and so has everything linked to State House. As far as the economy, abject poverty thrives. As for education, please visit the primary school you attended as a kid…. you are not getting an ‘A’ in math.
It seems the only thing going for Kenya is Anyang Nyongo’s Vision 2030.
reminds me of a funny thing that happened to me;back in early 2002 a friend and i were discussing the state of politics back home, and we were both emphatically nodding and agreeing as we waxed lyrical "corruption in Kenya is a BAD thing!"
ReplyDeletethat same week,my friend got the chance to travel back home and see his family&friends. when he came back, i was eager to hear his assement about the state of affairs to my surprise, he started off by saying "yes, corruption is a bad thing but what can we do?we're helpless against it"
i thought..."what happened? a few days ago it was "corruption is bad fullstop" now its "what can we do we're helpless"
that ability to normalise the abnormal is the time tested silver bullet that our politicians use and they try and make everyone get used to our problems,problems which anyone else looking at them would say "how can you possibly live even 1 sec longer with this?" case in point...24 years of Moi
oh wait...the president's just appeared on tv...he's clearing his throat to speak...finally, an end to this maddness...sadly no, he just wanted to make sure i urgently remember who the members of his family are
kweli mimi ni pumbavu sana...(sigh)it must be normal (i guess) for hired mercenaries to brandish weapons openly in an international airport and board the plane first class...
wait...the president's appeared on tv again...
Sacking or resignation of Ali or Michuki will not eliminate Mungiki. These two are not the ones keeping the thugs alive, and I sure if they had an idea of where to look, they would do so quickly enough.
ReplyDeleteThe security situation in Kenya is not necessarily out of hand and it requires one to travel to several places to realise just how crime is bad if not worse than Nairobi. Unfortunately, high media coverage of the crime creates the perception of high crimes in the country. I am aware of certain countries where the media will not report on organised crime for fear of retribution - that will not mean that those countries do not have organised crime!
Mungiki ceased being a political problem in 2002 and progressively metamorphosed into a criminal problem when these thugs became murderers and extortionists. Do not also forget that it is possible that certain crimes are being committed so that they are blamed on mungiki.
Finally mungiki sowed the seed of fear and people will not point fingers at known members for fear of retribution. Is that not how the Mafia silenced people before they fell in when they started their orgies of murder?
Kenyans seem to want always to look for easy solutions. None of those screaming resign have an idea of resolving the problem of Mungiki for they have not given those possible solutions to the police! Just what will a new commissioner or minister do to end the menace - those are the answers I would like to see not this nonesense of resign resign!!
Let the state stop playing games. With all the intelligence machinery at his disposal, Kibaki must surely know the leaders of Mungiki. He can crash the movement with one fell swoop if he really wanted. Mungiki, clashes and corruption - the Kibaki state has seamlessly merged with the Moi state. Is ODM the cure..ofcourse not. Just look at all the KANU apologists and looters in their midst.
ReplyDeleteJust a day before you published a story calling on Michuki and Brg. Ali to resign, I have a story that will reinforce your concerns about insecurity Chris. Unless you fall victim yourself, you will never empathise with victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya.
ReplyDeleteI received a call at about 9pm on Wednesday from Kibera (Langata Constituency) informing me that a friend of mine had been shot dead outside his house in Fort Jesus estate. Being fired at several times (actually five bullets hit him) at point blank range, the fellow died instantly. As he lies dead at City mortuary, he leaves behind six school-going children and a young jobless wife. While going to bed with a heavy heart, I was again woken up past midnight by yet another call informing me that three more individuals had been shot dead in different places in Langata constituency . Bloggers may ask why the calls; it is because I have been a long time resident of Langata, and I retain friends there, as well as being a community/social worker in the slums.
Eye witnesses said that the killers were four individuals, they all wore ski-masks (what we call monkey-hats)/heavy jackets, they carried 3 pistols and their ringleader, described as a tall slender man with a rough voice and heavy Kikuyu acccent, carried the dreaded AK-47 assault rifle. They operated on foot and worked on victims slowly and methodically, taking away wallets, cellphones and other valluables as they empty cash boxes of small businesses like butchers, bars, paraffin vendors, etc. Whoever refused to lie down when the armed robbers were operating was shot several times without second thought. A kibera shopkeeper, frozen with fright, raised his hands as if to surrender, but was hit hard on the face by the rifle butt to force him to lie face down. He lost a lot of blood and is today recovering at home nursing twelve stitches on his forehead. He was relieved of his days' sale of Kshs. 2500/-!! Infact, the said ringleader was heard boasting that this was just the beginning and more was to come in the coming days. Six hours after the raid, the deceased cell phones which were still ON, and after persistent calling the thugs actually answered and arrogantly told 'wacha kusumbwa wazee'. Chilling, isnt it?
While petty crime like mugging or pick-pocketing (kupigwa tero) is common place in Kibera, like in every other slum, something is seriously wrong when four gun-totting thugs can roam casually in a densely populated estate killing and terrorising citizens as early as 8pm - when most households are have hardly retired for the night and candle lit shops are still open.
Coming at a time when Raila's rating is climbing steadily in opinion polls, while he is himself poised to launch one of the strongest presidential campaigns in multi-party Kenya and the controversy sorrounding the ODM nominations, these killings, Chris, are clearly an act of a strong warning to the area residents that not even the Kenya Police can protect them or their property unless they toe the line. (By the way Chris, why do the likes of Kalonzo and Uhuru demand for establishment of elections board in ODM if they know they will eventually settle for concensus?) Innocent citizens have been executed in Kibera in isolated cases in the last few months, but yesterday's operation means this country is headed for big trouble and it reminds me of your numerous posts of fears of a violent 2007 election.
In the rural areas, for example Mt Elgon, victims must have been terrified in their night raid experiences considering the environment they live in and the fact that people retire early in rural Kenya due to lack of electricity. If these killings in Kibera are anything to go by, then we must ask hard questions about the state of affairs in government. Police have been combing the area from early this morning but residents are afraid that this is too little, too late.
Most Kenyans fail to fully grasp the fact that Mwai Kibaki is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and that he personally took an oath of office to defend the constitution and protect the lives of all Kenyans. Do we really know what this means? I think the buck stops at his door step!
Chris, you recently talked of launching a campaign to get MPs to accept a paycut in the 10th parliament. It is my considered opinion that the campaign should instead be to increase awareness and highlight the plight of victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya!!
Taabu, Kalamari, Mumbi and David, I think you have struck the right chord.
ReplyDeleteIf we can brag of a thriving economy, and we cannot tackle Mungiki, then we have no business going for elecetions, as a united country. I believe General Elections are one sign of a country's maturity and political democracy.
Come to think of what has been said above, I painfully recall the famous Kanu rally in Nakuru in 2002 when Ndura Waruinge was given insurmountable coverage by the press. Then as we have all agreed, it is POLITICAL. Then, there was Moi and his powerful political machinery, Uhuru Kenyatta was vying for the presidency and tens of others alongside them.
That time, the Michuki matatu rules, what many say and part of the cause of the current upsurge were not there.
That time, Mungiki in our own eyes, was part of a group that was bent on female genital mutilation in some parts of the country - that is circumsising women, if you are not with me.
But I wonder, where did Ndura get the kind of logistics he had in place on that day. Was he not given a hero's welcome. After the Uhuru loss, they went away, and as I have said earlier, they regrouped and came back a different group, now killing!
As Margaret Thatcher once reckoned that BBC was giving the IRA 'Oxygen' through publicity in the press, I tend to believe and that's my argument to this moment. Why give them the publicity. All terrorist groups, serial killers, murders thrive on such kind of publicity and this Mungiki one is spot on.
They are getting there publicity and for one reason, resignation by Ali or Michuki should not be the cure. We should not, as some leaders have said dialogue with Mungiki at one time or another. They are a terrorist group, murderers and unfit to live in our community.
I am not tribal at all, and this should not mean that I am supposed to be one. Do they speak the language I have read in the newspapers. Or do they belong to the tribe that they are referred to? Yes, and why are they only operating within a certain region of the country. Dillusioned, not at all. The president, sorry for anyone who will misinterprate this, comes from the tribe, speaks the same language and represents a constituency in the province. So, Why?
If they can organise calculated and co-ordinated attacks in Kiambu, Muranga and Nyeri in one night, it means that they have the logistical back-up and this causes fear throughout Central Kenya and selected parts of the massive province. Again, why only Central Kenya?
Phil, I empathise with you. Incidentally, I have an acquintance called Paul who was killed. I didnt know him much, but I met him a couple of times. I mourn with his family. Sorry, I dont know the family, but I am with them in spirit.
ReplyDeletePhil, dont connect this to the political environment at the moment. You and me will end up being rumour mongers and if you read the comment above, I have talked about the whole thing circulating around Cenral Province, making a stop in Nairobi, hitting where it hurts most for maximum publicity, and fear, then going back to 'its' roots, in Kiambu, Nyeri and Muranga.
Take a close look at the tandem of the the operations and you will get a clear picture of what is going on. I sympathise!
On the political front, Phil my buddy, I disagree big time. Raila's rating are not going up, he is actually being isolated. The ODM are currently stuck like a rabbit in the middle of a road.
He stands alone and the others have ganged up to go against him. He is the solitary voice promoting the delegates voting system and if the rest have their word then the dice is cast. Their constitution says that with one abjecting, they cannot move at all.
Phil, like the rest, Raila is an opportunist and this is the time that all of them thrive to strike it rich. At least, he is a 'mobocrat' who thrives on bigs mobs to back him, he is sure that he has a chance to make it to the top, but not in the disorganised state that they are in at the moment. Still with that in mind, remember the late Wamalwa Kijana 'leaked' him in Thika in 1996, leading to the birth of NDP.
Who will benefit from this? Emilio Mwai Kibaki. Just got a txt msg that Uhuru is the bonafide Kanu leader, meaning that there will be another battle starting tomorrow with the Biwott camp appealing in court, stopping any relationship of kind with ODM and already Uhuru might not vie as an ODM candidate, denying it the flavour they have all wished for.
Mumbi..... I’m not quite sure why you choose to play the role of apologist for Mungiki and Michuki…and Ali. If it’s true that the entire heavily funded security machine has no clue where to begin looking for Mungiki, is that not evidence of gross incompetence on the part of your buddy Michuki? Downplaying insecurity in Nairobi is very dangerous i.e. in light of chopped/skinned heads. You provide a classic example of what Chris was saying…. you’ve become accustomed to the smell. The fact that crime may be worse in other cities and countries does not mean that Kenyans must remain unalarmed and aloof until we reach the levels of daily kidnappings…read Mexico City. On what basis do you imagine that some of chopped heads are unrelated to Mungiki? Are you bitter at the “demonization” of this murderous cult? Part of the fight against these devils must be psychological…… geeeez, must everything be spelt out to you?
ReplyDeleteThose in HR will tell you that resignation or firing is not necessarily a disciplinary action, in fact, it’s a method used to set the bar higher for those intent on filling the vacated positions. Firing Michuki/Ali specifically for his inability to reign in Mungiki (we’ve smelled enough of the Armenians), will send a clear message to his successor.
Derek, after reading your some of your recent posts in this forum,and with all due respect I now have serious questions lingering in my mind about your knowledge of current affairs.
ReplyDeleteWho doesnt know Raila's rating is up in opinion polls, at the expense of Kalonzo and Uhuru? Actually second to Kibaki as per latest survey.
Who doesnt know that Kibera residents have been openly and publicly threatened, by one Ndura Waruinge, that they will see fire unless......?
Who doesnt know that Kalonzo and Uhuru demanded to have ODM establish an elections board before they could submit their nomination forms, and that Kalonzo is now sitting at the other side of the table proposing consensus?? Infact, Uhuru changed the goal post yet again when the Kwach-led board was commissioned, while Kalonzo opted to display a one million shilling cheque.
Who doesnt know that all ODM presidential candidates but Raila were initially in support direct election of ODM candidate as opposed to consensus? Now that reality has hit home, everyone is fearing facing off with Raila in the ballot. Is democracy defined by concensus?
Who doesnt know that ODM delegates will be elected by party members at constituency level, before the actual vote by delegates themselves for presidential candidates? And that those saying the exercise will cost 2 billion shillings are being economical with the truth.... Even the KANU NDC, which transported and accomodated delegates in Nairobi costed only 30 million shillings. ODM delegates will vote in the constituencies, ie. in their locality and since they are not known yet, none candidate can presently manipulate them.
Derek, I respect your support for Kibaki, and I also respect Kibaki as president, having voted for him in 2002. But, please, I kindly request you to be liberal with the truth about current affairs and the status of Raila in Kenya.
Contrary to your assertion that Raila is an opportunist, I want to remind you (and I hope Vickii is reading this), that for his political beliefs, Raila was once a victim of detention without trial, he is an acclaimed freedom fighter, a king-maker, a panafricanist, a social democrat, team player, multiple international democracy award winner and like you say a 'mobcrat'. How then can you again call such a person an opportunist? Those people you call mobs or jobless youth were once mobilised to vote for Kibaki with considerable success.
Meanwhile - in view of the threats, and subsequent raid in Kibera, how will we tackle insecurity in Kenya if it is being used for purposes of political expediency???
Phil, with respect, that is the rumour part of it that I talked about. We are not sure that it is Ndura's gang that fired shots through the brains of the helpless Kibera residents.
ReplyDeleteHe might have had a violent past. Yes, and the Kibera me and you know has had its fair share of crime for so many years. True, residents of Ngong Road can tell you this in a better manner. So now that he will be vying for a parliamentary past there makes no difference.
It might even be some desparados taking advantage of the situation.
Opportunist for a Kenyan politician? Yes, Mwai Kibaki in 2002. Ask yourself why Simeon Nyachae ended up way behind when he decided to take a different turn. Then think of 2001 when Raila was appointed by Moi as a cabinet minister, and Njenga Karume in 2004. Opportunist.
Mobcracy. No need to dwell on that. there are politicians who are known for that and Phil, just tell me what democracy we have in LDP, Kanu during Moi's time or Kibaki's DP and the election dates and who ever goes against raila's word in LDP.
The number one duty of the president and that of his government is to protect the citizenry. It was once said that you get the government you deserve. Well, if Kenyans demand more, they will get more, if they do not demand more,they will not get anything. So, my question is, are we getting the government we deserve? --jabali--.
ReplyDeleteIf insecurity is to be tackled, let it be done with the shocking simplicity of effectiveness; to repeat taabu,let no one (either the improving politicians or the beheaded pumbavus) be considered above the law,as is now. as taabu said (again), such is the political will required. Attack the problem from the root not the symptoms
ReplyDeleteoh wait...i almost forgot...there isn't even a problem is there?..lets get on with other things...afterall, i should be busy acknowledging the economic growth...sorry, i must be unpatriotic indeed, why always the bad things instead of acknowledging good these 5 years?
What was that on news?another accused anglo-leasing suspect is to be brought back to Cabinet?shhh, don't interrupt me, i am busy admiring economic growth please
kalamari,
ReplyDeleteI can assure you I hold no fort for Michuki or Ali, but one thing that is certain is that calling for their sacking or resignation will only be a symbolic acceptance of defeat.
What I have been looking for in this blog is ways and means of ending this menace, but all I see is meaningless calls for resignation!
Supposing you brought in Dr. Wekesa as minister and promoted Mwadime to commish, just how sure are we that they will sort out the mess? What information or method that is unknown today will they use to end the menace? My point is that we are addressing this problem the wrong way. We join the bandwagon of those that want to score political points by calling for resignation of Michuki.
A crime is a crime is a crime!!! Let us all help in eradicating it. That is why my stand is that removing Michuki or Ali will not be the end of Mungiki!