It is like the whole country has been holding it’s breath since December 30th 2007 and everybody started breathing again a few hours ago when a breakthrough in the the Anan peace talks was finally announced.
“We have a deal,” Anan said capturing the drama and suspense of the moment.
Wild celebrations were noted in many parts of the country including areas like Migori where or man on the ground reports, Kenyans went crazy with jubilation. As I wrote his, I still don’t have a reaction from the Rift Valley. No reports of celebrations there, at least not yet.
Still the events of a few hours ago have left more questions than answers on the minds of close observers and political analysts.
Interestingly one contentious issue was not addressed in the agreement. It is silent on what happens in the event that the coalition collapses. ODM were keen that the country goes to the polls in the event of the coalition collapsing. PNU were adamant that such a clause would tempt ODM mischief to break the coalition as soon as possible so as to force an election.
Even the Americans on acknowledging the breakthrough were cautious and emphasized in their statement that what would matter most would be the implementation.
While I do not intend to burst anybody’s bubble, there are just too many things that can still go wrong. Starting from basic questions like which ministry will go to which side. For instance the Ministry of Finance is desirable to both sides, so who will get it? There are a few other very desirable cabinet portfolios, so how will they all be divided?
Not to mention the fact that it is difficult to imagine Amos Kimunya seated on the same table as William Ruto and Raila Odinga in a cabinet meeting chaired by President Kibaki and having a sober discussion. After all there has been too much venom flying between the two groups.
But even before we reach there, the agreement ahs to go to parliament and the necessary bills have to be quickly passed. President Kibaki has announced the parliament will reconvene on Thursday March 6th.
Kenyan politics has always been about absolute power, so will the new power sharing arrangement work? Or shall we see both sides going into the marriage with raw wounds and scores to settle? Only time will tell.
P.S. Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM-K will be wiped out by the new power sharing arrangement as PNU legislators should take most of the cabinet posts. And even if Kalonzo Musyoka retains the vice presidency, that office will be more of a shell when the Prime Minister and his deputies take their seats. It looks like the miracle is about to be wiped out, forever.
I'm naming my newborn son, Odinga Chapa Kibaki Kofi
ReplyDeleteI'm really curious as to what the function of the vice president will be, "currently" he's the head of government business, but that will go to the Premier if and when this deal is entrenched in the constitution, so is the V.P's job just waiting for the president to die?...and if Kalonzo retains his now-toothless VP spot, who will PNU choose as one of the deputy PMs? Uhuru?
ReplyDeletePeople of Kenya, you have all reasons to be proud of what has happened today. This is historic.
ReplyDeleteI want you all to take time to be happy for what is going on.
Some people are naysayers, all they do is talk and incite people to violence, while they live abroad in their good houses, selling books and claiming to be authors.
I am happy for Kenyans today,Kenyans of all walks of life. Dont allow people who are selfish and just care for themselves to distract you.
Some are just here for self promotion and promoting their books which they have not written, but ripped off others.
Kenyans, be happy today, and shun those who want to divide you. You all know who they are!
Chris HOW DARE you berate the MIRAKO? FYI this is the miracle brother Kalonzo has been praying for all along. Only that he had the foresight you ordinary mortals don't. Steve has alwyas meant well for Kenya and you can see him having passed sweet words to Kikwete whose coming over did the midas touch. So the miracle is here na pepo mbya ishindwe.
ReplyDeleteNow expect more MIRACLES in sharing of key ministries as Martha Karua deputises RAO as PM and Kimunya Balala assisting Kimunya. See we are a land of miracles galore. Kofi must be tired of Kenyan coffees and what a nice sendoff to excape the killing fields?
If you look closely in the front page of Eaststandard, the way Kibaki shakes Raila’s hand is funny. While Raila is smiling, Kibaki seems puzzled as if Raila is a stranger and might have said something like “you tricky smart son of a bitch. You got me on this one”
ReplyDeleteSome people are just too pessimistic. Please, let us use this blog to promote Kenya, not to promote books that have been copyrighted.
ReplyDeleteYou all know who I am talking about.
Chris, the miracle was the miracle before the destruction before the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. I saw a clip of him shaking RAO's hand with a very weak smile like "Darn it, I thought my miracle had ruined your life. Dear Lord, why have thee foresaken they dear servant in his time of need".
ReplyDeleteLet's not panic. The world powers are still watching to see how the implementation phase goes. Let us just celebrate this first step as the result of citizens resistance to a kleptocracy, ODM unity (remember they were going to defect within days to get seats in Kibaki's govt), the intervention of foreign allies, etc. It has forever changed the way some of these thugs will try to get into or retain power.
Mawai Kabuku has waited for years to become President of the Republic of Kenya. But as he's about to realize this life-long dream, Kenyans are suddenly confronted with the reality that his wife, poised to become the nation's first lady, is a cold-blooded devil. On top of that, it emerges he has a second wife nobody knew about. As the two formidable women jostle for influence in a post-Darapmio era, Kenya is rudely ushered into an era like it's never seen before. But as the war of wives begins in earnest, how long will it take Kenyans to decide which of the two titans is the real HER EXCELLENCY?
ReplyDeleteMawai Kabuku has waited for years to become President of the Republic of Kenya. But as he's about to realize this life-long dream, Kenyans are suddenly confronted with the reality that his wife, poised to become the nation's first lady, is a cold-blooded devil. On top of that, it emerges he has a second wife nobody knew about. As the two formidable women jostle for influence in a post-Darapmio era, Kenya is rudely ushered into an era like it's never seen before. But as the war of wives begins in earnest, how long will it take Kenyans to decide which of the two titans is the real HER EXCELLENCY?
ReplyDeleteThe agreement is clear: If ODM calls for a press conference and withdraws, in 3 months elections must be held. If PUNU does the same, elections must be held.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=117938
ANNON @ 1:09
ReplyDeleteBRAVO..Keep it up, good post, well reasoned.
Adina - I think Kalonzo might start wailing for the Dep. PM post, if he isn't already. There will now be a struggle. Karua will expect to be rewarded for her two month tour as an opera character. Uhuru-I-own-an-entire province-while funding-mungiki-to-protect-me might also want a shot at that.
ReplyDeleteI heard Mungatana just slashed both his wrists and is bleeding himself to death in his bathtub. Kilonzo is by his side and prepping his wrists for the same "bleed out".
darn it.. lets just hav a parrty.. at the very least its good news and Kenyans buzzed as opposed to throwin stones.. at least i lkow i did!
ReplyDeleteKibaki needed Judas Kalonzo Musyoka and to bolster his numbers in Parliament. With the new agreement Judas and his fledglings are surplus to requirements. Kalonzo has never been more dispensable. Karma is a mutha. The only Kao sitting pretty tonight is supuu Charity Ngilu.
ReplyDeleteKalonzo remains Kibaki's vice and it will stay like that. Just in case...there has to be the leader of government and the leader of government business. Raila's role will be to supervise ministries as called on by the president. Raila, on the other hand has no powers to appoint a minister in the cabinet. DOMO SANA. Kibaki still has an upper hand. He is the head of the cabinet and the status quo remains. the only difference will be the additonal PM and the deputies. They have now powers whatsoever
ReplyDeleteAnon@1:49 Is it that you do not know how to read or comprehension of a simple text is a problem? Executive PM (Read -Executive).
ReplyDeleteChris/Phil/Okellos.....with all due respect, a deal is a deal. There is no point denying the facts that:
ReplyDelete• The mediation has been a success
• Under section 4.1(c), the Prime Minister (Hon Odinga) “shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President (Hon. Mwai Kibaki) or under any written law.”
• That the foundations of peace, justice and prosperity have been formulated for the good of the wider Kenya.
• That Kenyans have decided to move on despite primitive mass rallies and stupid, ineffective economic boycotts.
• Finally, and beyond reasonable doubt that members have voted unanimously to allow the good work to on and provide Kenyans with a fair go. That Kenyans have outgrown the days of primitive politics that have been advocated by RUTO, KOSGEY, BALALA AND TEAM.
• That a platform of bringing to justice the supporters, financers, and perpetrators of violence leading to displacement and loss of human life; has been established.
The question is, why did Kenyans loose their own flesh and blood to get to this point? Was is worth it to call for mass rallies that left thousands displaced, 100’s dead, orphaned a few thousand innocent children and left Kisumu in tatters? Was it worth it? The point is, when God will always open another door when the old one closes.
It’s a new chapter for Kenyans. The dawn of a new era for this great country of ours. We have learnt from our mistakes and God will continue to see as through this dark period. I once predicted that Kenya will prevail from its current calamity, in the midst of negative comments posted on this blog. It seems that there is light at the end of this tunnel and there are people who are trying to underscore the meaningfulness of such a forward looking deal. We do not need such comments:-
“P.S. Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM-K will be wiped out by the new power sharing arrangement as PNU legislators should take most of the cabinet posts. And even if Kalonzo Musyoka retains the vice presidency, that office will be more of a shell when the Prime Minister and his deputies take their seats. It looks like the miracle is about to be wiped out, forever.”
It is clear the authors of this blog are trying to under play and come up with their own dubious conclusions. As the saying goes “utameza wembe kumeza”.
There is no place here for the faint hearted.
Of course, Kazi iendele.
ANON AT 1:59 P.M BECAUSE IT MISSED YOU, I HAVE SOLELY DECIDED TO SCHOOL YOU, WHERE ARE YOUR MYOPIC UNDER SECTION 4.1(C) COME IN?
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE REFERRING TO THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION BWANA PUMBAVU!!
RAILA WILL BE PM THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS! WAKE UP...
PLEASE READ THE BELOW CAREFULLY!
Its key points are:
* There will be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya, with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya.
* The Prime Minister will be an elected member of the National Assembly and the parliamentary leader of the largest party in the National Assembly, or of a coalition, if the largest party does not command a majority.
* Each member of the coalition shall nominate one person from the National Assembly to be appointed a Deputy Prime Minister.
* The Cabinet will consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the other Ministers. The removal of any Minister of the coalition will be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the leaders.
* The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers can only be removed if the National Assembly passes a motion of no confidence with a majority vote.
* The composition of the coalition government will at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance and will reflect their relative parliamentary strength.
* The coalition will be dissolved if the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or if the parties agree in writing; or if one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition.
* The National Accord and Reconciliation Act shall be entrenched in the Constitution.Having agreed on the critical issues above, we will now take this process to Parliament. It will be convened at the earliest moment to enact these agreements. This will be in the form of an Act of Parliament and the necessary amendment to the Constitution.
KAZI IANZE SASA, IS WHAT YOU MEANT;)
I think Kalonzo will be toothless but that will give him time to meet the people and start strategizing on a big comeback in 2012. (That is if Raila/Ruto and Ngilu are busy with their ministerial positions). This will be his time to network from the ground up. As for Ruto,Michuki,Karua and some other figures, they will be some serious fireworks in parliament but will they all make it in 2012?
ReplyDeleteFor those dreaming, the role created is that of a powerful prime minister. No amount of wishing it away will happen. It is a real power sharing deal, love it or hate it, it is what it is. Just accept that all your predictions have failed and move forward. Even the nation of all sources is acknowledging this, so chill.
ReplyDeleteKENYANS DID YOU WATCH WETANGULA IN ACTION? I THOUGHT HE WOULD COLLAPSE IN DENIAL, PAIN, SHOCK FEELINGS ANON 1:59 CLEARLY SHARES...HUMOUR AT IT'S BEST!!!
ReplyDeleteannons@ 2.10, no amount of self convicing annons@ 2.10, no amount of self-convincing will re-assure you beyond the facts. You people need to learn how to read and listen before you payuka aimlessly. The key points and the points that are distinctive within the act. The act when passed in parliament my dear student is the act that will be in accordance to law when the bill comes to pay. To reiterate once more, this is not the old constitution but the section of the act to be incorporated in the new bill:
ReplyDelete• Under section 4.1(c), the Prime Minister (Hon Odinga) “shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President (Hon. Mwai Kibaki) or under any written law.”
Of course, kazi iendele.
ODM'ers, tulia tulia......as i said, stay on tune ...tutawafundisha not to be primitive.
ReplyDeleteThis is not about the art of kupayuka of throwing stones....it's wits vs primitive behaviour on dsiplay. Reason prevails above primitive minds.
By the way, I want to see how this cabinet will look like and in fact I want to see who will be the minister of Land & Settlement. After that, I want to see how parliament will handle the issue of land when it finally discussed towards the end of the year? (Wasnt it one of the issues on the reasons why Annan came here?)
ReplyDeleteThis is what I see,
Say 12 months from now,some MP will bring up this issue and you can bet that at that time some other rich MPS with huge chunks of land (Kenyatta, Raila, Kibaki) will be gnashing when the majority of MPS (who represent the common mwananchi that is really affected by the land reform issues)will have a major fallout in parliament. Basically, if you're in parliament to protect your interests and not those of the people then 2012 u're out. Will some of this mps fight for the landless or just serve to protect their own interests?
Anon 2:22PM I met ur Kikuyu brothers looking for the fastest route out of the country,follow them u bigot.(I am not a tribalist I am just sick of the inability of Kyuks to accept other Kenyans)
ReplyDeleteBack to the issues; no hopes up until a constitutional office is created
2:19
ReplyDeleteYAAAAAAAWWN!!!
KAZI IANZE SASA, IS WHAT YOU MEANT, THE FUTURE IS ORANGE:):)
Martha Karua was CONSPICUOUSLY missing, kwani she become a "JUNIOR OFFICER IN ORDER OF PECKING" in the signing of the agreement.....ha ha ha..maybe she had a date Wamugunda.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehey you must excuse Martha Karua's behavior- from reliable PNU source 4 years ago she went to South Africa for a check up and discovered she had Aids!!(HIV Positive)from then on she changed and has continued to behave wierd- and this is when I connected the dots- I don't think she cared how many Kenyans died or even further deaths if an agreement was not reached ?Why?? because she is on the way to her death bed anyway- she has o idea how long she has on this earth- drugs help- but at times AIDS catches up-she better keep her job-since treatment is very expensive and she must be spending loads of many to maintain the diseases!!! This is not trying to be malicious it is facts-
ReplyDeleteHer behavior didn't not make sense- until this close source of hers tried to explain and expected me to feel compassionate for Madam Karua which I could feel neither!!sick people don't behave like monsters- you don't have to bring down a whole country because you are upset with the world for having gotten HIV!!many people survive with the desease and are very loving people!
No, only Luos have HIV. We fear that the beautiful Kikuyu girls and ladies raped in Kisumu were infected with HIV/Aids. How sorry that a man of 40 yerars can rape a uyoung girl of nine years and infect her with Aids. Primitive community. Chafu. Njorogeston, the Ear of Kabeteshire in Kikuyustan.
ReplyDeletei have many concerns please bear with me......but i have to ask...
ReplyDelete1.this deal means the cabinet has to be reshuffled right? coz i sincerely dont see kina raila getting just the ministry of sports and fisheries and those remaining ones!! there would be no real power sharing there right?
2.since kibaki rushed to appoint his people where will all those pnu ministers go? wont it cause serious problems and a lot of resentment?!! how will they work together?
3.i see from the 'deal' ministers cant be sacked without the consent of their respective leaders but i would like to ask, now that raila is head of government how will he run it?
is this deal like kibaki appoints his people to specific dockets and raila appoints his, ama the head of government appoints all those whose names have been submitted to him to any posts he wants? or because of the power sharing he wont have a free hand in appointing the ministers and therefore will not be a proper head of government?
is there anyway in which he can decide to make karua the minister of fisheries or sports in the new government?
4.if raila and kibaki are each incharge of their 'fold' in the government, is it going to function like a parallel government or what? will each fold take instructions from their 'leaders' only? its baffling!!
5. i note from the agreement that parliamentary strength will be considered in the composition of the coalition government, so the 50% everybody is talking about is... wrong? and does that mean odm will have more members in the cabinet based on this clause?
6.another question is, are we reverting back to a one-party state? (since we fought so hard for democracy in this country!) or kina kalonzo and friends will be seating and warming the opposition benches, if pnu finds it has too few positions to share out?
7.if kibaki still gets to be consulted when ministers from his side are sacked doesn't that esentially mean he is also in charge of government just like the prime minister? is kibaki head of state and government in this deal? or is he head of state only? now that we have a head of government?
somebody who understands these things please enlighten me.
i dont even want to ask any more questions....sorry to dampen the jubilation mood...... but considering all these.... does any sane person think this deal will work....for five years? or should i keep my voters card near, just in case?!
At this point Kalonzo had better pray he's dropped as the VP and gets the deputy PM coz otherwise the mirako-wiper is toast....PM will appoint his 50% ministers so akina Kimunya had better pray that they are retained in the new cabinet with the reshuffling thats gonna have to happen coz there's no way that finance, energy, defence, roads, education and internal security all go to PNU.
ReplyDeleteRaila cannot sack ministers. Kibaki is the president and head of cabinet. Wewe ulisoma wapi. Next door in Tanzania, the president is Kikwete and he appoints the PM and he can scak the PM. He appoints all ministers. Mrembowaodm...umesikia.
ReplyDeleteIn our case, parliament will decide (not agreed yet. Karua will deal with you people next week) and thereafter the Prezzi makes the announcement that the PM is raila Odinga and his first job will be to help re-build Kisumu. With immediate effect.
Njorogeston, the Earl of Kabeteshire, Kikuyustan
Hey you can abuse all you want the fact remains !!Martha Karua has aid's(HIV) she went to south Africa for treatment and she discovered in the process that she was HIV positive!!so as much that you want to be abusive of other tribes on here that will not change the facts that Martha KaruA Has HIV-
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer your abusive language which i wasn't going to is this
which tribe is none in kenya for the highest level of prostitution??
1. Kikuyu's
they are in each town -each center each village in Kenya selling their "SEX" goods and are known to be the biggest spreaders of HIV!!
as for Kikuyu ladies being raped !!that is indeed a myth!! why would anyone rape them for what they give freely for a few coins??
you should not abuse other tribes when facts are known!!
even the ones in the diaspora are known for this- not forgetting the one who had a large brothel in London when she was nabbed and recruited other kikuyu's to service her clientel!!did you hear of any Luo there??
Anonymous said...
No, only Luos have HIV. We fear that the beautiful Kikuyu girls and ladies raped in Kisumu were infected with HIV/Aids. How sorry that a man of 40 yerars can rape a uyoung girl of nine years and infect her with Aids. Primitive community. Chafu. Njorogeston, the Ear of Kabeteshire in Kikuyustan.
This Njoroge is the most STUPIDest (excuse my language) person I have ever come across.
ReplyDeleteChris you need to moderate and this and get this guy out of here. Njoroge, if you have nothing positive to say, please keep quiet. I bet you know people that have been afflicted with that disease, no one ever goes out there wishing to contract any ailment. Even if you hate Luos that much, your language is totally inexcusable. You need to watch your words lest that you wish or espouse upon those that have not wronged you will hit you so close to home that you will be left in awe. I will say a prayer for you though, and may the Almighty bless you and cleanse you heart of that hatred that harbors in your heart.
Njoroge, bragging about Alliance being in Central, if you never set foot there, and I highly doubt you even came close to a school of that stature, what the hell does it benefit you. I guess a village somewhere in Kabete is really missing its i***t, what a waste of s***m.
ReplyDeleteMrembowaodm..
ReplyDeleteRaila is Head of Government, Kibaki Head of State.
Neither can fire cabinet from either side without consulting the other, so that none is above the other.
Yes there will be a new cabinet, new appointments from permanent secretaries, ambassadorial posts etc, all will be answerable to the Prime Minister, thats why we call it REAL POWER SHARING.
They will not be working parallel to each other but together to ensure the necessary reforms are undertaken, as much as it's not been made public..fresh elections should naturally follow as grand coalitions of this nature last 2 years, afterwhich elections are always held!
At this point ODM ministers will be selected by Raila & the same is for PANUA, so what Kibaki does with his ministers is up to him..
P.S WE ARE NOT REVERTING TO A ONE PARTY STATE BECAUSE REGARDLESS OF THE TIME FRAME OF THIS COALITION WHICH IS FUNDAMENTALY FOR REFORMS, THERE WILL BE ELECTIONS, WHICH WILL OBVIOUSLY PRODUCE A GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY WILL STILL CARRY ON WITH THE CURRENT STRUCTURE AS IT WILL BE EBTRENCHED IN THE CONSTITUTION. THERE WILL BE AN OPPOSITION NONETHELESS.
Raila is head of government but because it is a coalition that is obviously not everlasting & they are both involved they will consult each other. So no Kibaki looses the hold on anything that deals with governence basically. HIS EXCELLENCY RAILA AMOLO ODINGA is in charge. He has security of tenure, therefore those wishing that he be under the supervision of one Thiefing Kibaki are in dreamland..he can only be voted out by a majority in Parliament..
Mremboaodm hope I have been helpful, but We need Orengo to give us the finer details;)
Yes Njoroge does has a problem and he forgot it was the mungiki thugs who were raping the children in Kibera 6 years onwards who's parent they hacked to death then raped the young ones(facts) not myth- but as we say Kenyans want to heal- at least find the strength some where to pray and heal within and then you find people like Njoroge or wambui- who are still gloating and do not plan to share Kenya with other tribes-
ReplyDeleteI SAY TO THEM IN A CLEAR VOICE THAT IF THEY CAN'T LIVE WITH OTHER KENYANS THEN THEY SHOULD STAY IN CENTRAL PROVINCE AMONG THE LIKE MINDED PERSONALITIES LIKE THEMSELVES- AND IF THEY PLAN TO VENTURE TO OTHER PARTS OF KENYA THEN THEY BETTER CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE OR WE WILL CHANGE IT FO THEM WITH PLEASURE!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs for that man Martha Karua...WHO CARES!!!
ReplyDeleteBUT me thinks she'd be great for Tea lady, no pun, did you see her walking muthaura & kalonzo around? hmmm wonder what she can do with tea.......
thank you anonymous 3.52 but i will still be waiting to see this deal implemented to believe it and understand it better.
ReplyDeletemusic to my ears.... you really mean karua will be answerable to raila ...that in itself will make me sleep soundly tonight!!
It is now clear for all to see that the attitudes of this Mt Kenya lot are the greatest obstacle to unity and progress in Kenya
ReplyDeleteThe may just pull us back into the past and leave violence as our only resort.This is the time for all Kenyans to move forward together and if u cant to do that leave Kenya.
hey!! she was surely acting weird !!accusing Koffi Annan- I understand at one point when she was working out during that big blow out before the talks were suspended!!she threatened to deport Annan- when the other MP's followed her outside like herded sheep!!she didn't give a shit about the people who worked there - but some over heard such comments straight from her mouth- so do you think she was acting normal or there was something beyond anyone's understanding her behavior?? but if indeed she suffers from HIV?? DOESN'T THIS DISEASE affect the brain too??
ReplyDeleteRUTO was at the signing of the deal.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtube.com/watch?v=5ubNTLkQ9Oc
I love Peace but I am not one to be fooled -I think IDPs in Rift Valley deserve more than Pleasing the International community .Kenya is not more Important than Wambui and Kamau -Saving a Nation can never be more important than saving your people .
ReplyDeleteThis whole peace with Odinga sounds like Neville Chamberlain's peace with Hitler.
God Save us
Speech given in Defense of the Munich Agreement, 1938 Neville Chamberlain
"Before I come to describe the Agreement which was signed at Munich in the small hours of Friday morning last, I would like to remind the House of two things which I think it very essential not to forget when those terms are being considered. The first is this: We did not go there to decide whether the predominantly German areas in the Sudetenland should be passed over to the German Reich. That had been decided already. Czechoslovakia had accepted the Anglo-French proposals. What we had to consider was the method, the conditions and the time of the transfer of the territory. The second point to remember is that time was one of the essential factors. All the elements were present on the spot for the outbreak of a conflict which might have precipitated the catastrophe. We had populations inflamed to a high degree; we had extremists on both sides ready to work up and provoke incidents; we had considerable quantities of arms which were by no means confined to regularly organised forces. Therefore, it was essential that we should quickly reach a conclusion, so that this painful and difficult operation of transfer might be carried out at the earliest possible moment and concluded as soon as was consistent, with orderly procedure, in order that we might avoid the possibility of something that might have rendered all our attempts at peaceful solution useless. . . .
. . . To those who dislike an ultimatum, but who were anxious for a reasonable and orderly procedure, every one of [the] modifications [of the Godesberg Memorandum by the Munich Agreement] is a step in the right direction. It is no longer an ultimatum, but is a method which is carried out largely under the supervision of an international body.
Before giving a verdict upon this arrangement, we should do well to avoid describing it as a personal or a national triumph for anyone. The real triumph is that it has shown that representatives of four great Powers can find it possible to agree on a way of carrying out a difficult and delicate operation by discussion instead of by force of arms, and thereby they have averted a catastrophe which would have ended civilisation as we have known it. The relief that our escape from this great peril of war has, I think, everywhere been mingled in this country with a profound feeling of sympathy.
[Hon. Members: Shame.] I have nothing to be ashamed of. Let those who have, hang their heads. We must feel profound sympathy for a small and gallant nation in the hour of their national grief and loss. Mr. Bellenger: It is an insult to say it.
The Prime Minister: I say in the name of this House and of the people of this country that Czechoslovakia has earned our admiration and respect for her restraint, for her dignity, for her magnificent discipline in face of such a trial as few nations have ever been called upon to meet.
The army, whose courage no man has ever questioned, has obeyed the order of their president, as they would equally have obeyed him if he had told them to march into the trenches. It is my hope and my belief, that under the new system of guarantees, the new Czechoslovakia will find a greater security than she has ever enjoyed in the past. . . .
I pass from that subject, and I would like to say a few words in respect of the various other participants, besides ourselves, in the Munich Agreement. After everything that has been said about the German Chancellor today and in the past, I do feel that the House ought to recognise the difficulty for a man in that position to take back such emphatic declarations as he had already made amidst the enthusiastic cheers of his supporters, and to recognise that in consenting, even though it were only at the last moment, to discuss with the representatives of other Powers those things which he had declared he had already decided once for all, was a real and a substantial contribution on his part. With regard to Signor Mussolini, . . . I think that Europe and the world have reason to be grateful to the head of the Italian government for his work in contributing to a peaceful solution.
In my view the strongest force of all, one which grew and took fresh shapes and forms every day war, the force not of any one individual, but was that unmistakable sense of unanimity among the peoples of the world that war must somehow be averted. The peoples of the British Empire were at one with those of Germany, of France and of Italy, and their anxiety, their intense desire for peace, pervaded the whole atmosphere of the conference, and I believe that that, and not threats, made possible the concessions that were made. I know the House will want to hear what I am sure it does not doubt, that throughout these discussions the Dominions, the Governments of the Dominions, have been kept in the closest touch with the march of events by telegraph and by personal contact, and I would like to say how greatly I was encouraged on each of the journeys I made to Germany by the knowledge that I went with the good wishes of the Governments of the Dominions. They shared all our anxieties and all our hopes. They rejoiced with us that peace was preserved, and with us they look forward to further efforts to consolidate what has been done.
Ever since I assumed my present office my main purpose has been to work for the pacification of Europe, for the removal of those suspicions and those animosities which have so long poisoned the air. The path which leads to appeasement is long and bristles with obstacles. The question of Czechoslovakia is the latest and perhaps the most dangerous. Now that we have got past it, I feel that it may be possible to make further progress along the road to sanity.
It is the Executive Prime Minister Stupid
ReplyDeleteOne cannot help but notice Uncle Sam's role in this. Kumekucha said that the baks wouldn't survive a day without their direct support. Bush was in TZ for quite a number of days with Pres. Kikwete.Is it purely coincidental that in Kikwete's presence a deal was struck?I think baks was scared to death that he had to concede to sharing power.2 yrs max I hope.Because this gova will be a huge circus.Karua and Ruto deputy PMs, my goodnes.
ReplyDeleteI Love you all Kenyans and thank you to the fellows behind "You Missed This" for allowing me to vent once in a while the pressure would have been unbearable otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIf ever you are in Bujumbura look me up!
Njoroge, if your ethnocentric attitude is indicative of PNU's mindset, I don't believed Kibaki is to be trusted. He's reneged in the past and will need to be watched. The hard work is only just beginning.
ReplyDeleteSteve ...Relax quoting PLO in y'days Louis Live he said let no politician try and renege on the promises they have made coz that is when they will know people's power......Remember Mobutu he didn't know what hit him and it was hard....You see history is there for all to see and avoid the same mistakes...So Kibs will not know what hit him even if we have to drag him out by the ear from statehouse we will do that...People's power. As they signed the agreement yesterday it was not what they wanted...It was what Kenyans wanted though personally i would have preferred, Raila, president, Musalia Vp and Ruto prime minister (ODM definately has the majority) Coz that is the way it should have been from 30th December. Kibaki is lucky that we have even allowed him to be the president..I dare him to try alete mchezo tutamuonyesha....We will ship him to the history museum and statehouse will be renamed the house that was jinxed, i mean no one will want to stay in that house anyway
ReplyDeleteIvy
Kenyans, as we celebrate our new lease of life, we need to remember to thank the Almight God for the Good he has done to us. Kenya could still have gone the Somali way BUT the almight stood by our side. Let us not be like the six lepers who were healed and never returned to say Thank you. It's not by Power, not by Might but by the Spirit says the Lord. While the government trusted in Police Brutality, threats and heavy handedness, We trusted in the name of the Lord and sure enough, victory is our this day!!!
ReplyDeleteIvy ...you have made my day..LOL
ReplyDelete"We will ship him to the history museum and statehouse will be renamed the house that was jinxed"
yes anon 5.47........praise the Lord!! he has delivered us from the jaws of death!! praise the Lord!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Kenya!!
Amen
Listen up Kumekucharians!
ReplyDeletei. PM: India, Japan, Israel, Britain, Germany, Tanzania, Uganda etc, all have one thing in common; they all have a Premier (PM) in their governing structures. It is said that the one in the PNU/ODM agreement leans more towards the Germany model but even then, it is transitional in nature because of the many grey areas and silence on several issues. All the same until NARA (National Accord & Reconciliation Act)-2008 is enacted, there is very little that anybody can say conclusively at the moment.
ii. Kalonzo: (I’ve read it as Kaloozer elsewhere) If he remains VP, it will be because of the transitional nature of the agreement (otherwise there’s no reason why it shouldn’t go to ODM considering that PNU is getting one of the PM deputies) otherwise this agreement is between the two strongest parties that emerged from the election(Rice was categorical on this). The 2nd reason that might keep him there is PNU’s magnanimity and their appreciation for his keeping them afloat at their moment of desperation. Otherwise all the so called “affiliates” hangers-on should take up their position in the opposition benches and provide the strong opposition they’ve been advocating for, though none has the numbers to take it up officially. He is on record that ODM-K is independent of PNU though yesterday at Serena he hinted to having an M.O.U with PNU so that is between them. However, considering that in the 50/50 sharing of posts, where is he going to get more seats above the 17 that PNU already has? The plea to his troops to be patient “coz more posts are coming soon”, is going to be extremely difficult for him to fulfill as I don’t see him getting the two he already has unless he’s talking about the assistant ministerial ones. Take note that those who campaigned and went to the poll as PNU are not just seating back waiting for Kalonzo to get whatever he asks for.
That said, pay keen attention to this clause in the agreement: “the composition of the coalition govt will at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance and will reflect their relative parliamentary strength”. From this clause it should be obvious that ODM’s 96 and PNU’s 46 MPS, shared out 50/50 does NOT reflect their relative parliamentary strength or does it? Unless of course, the M.O.U that Kalonzo is alluding to is factored into the mix, in which case, ODM-K renounces their “independence” from PNU. Obviously, the SNA ( speaker) will have to provide guidance on this.
What the ever smiling Kikwete told Kibaki and his govt:
Let me start by pointing out that Dr Anan’s humble looks and his soft voice are supremely deceptive. He’s a seasoned diplomat and a tough negotiator. By suspending the talks he simply bypassed the negotiating teams and cut to the chase. Karua blundered her way into a diplomatic sucker punch by engaging in endless grandstanding and playing to the gallery. PNU failed to appreciate the fact that whenever ODM released a statement, it was towards a specific audience much as it seemed to be for the general public’s consumption! Did they pose to wonder why a party that had built its political career out of “beating domo” suddenly went mute and its PR gladiators seemed uncharacteristically meek? There are times when silence becomes a potent weapon in the PR arsenal.
By unleashing Josephine Ojiambo Peter Munya, Mutua, Kiraithe, Mungatana, Wetangula etc in a cacophony of uncoordinated noise making, PNU engaged themselves in an orgy of “scoring own goals” and did themselves PR damage than the ODM brigade could have ever done to them. Seriously guys, who out there believes these guys are made for the PR battles that have been going on since the referendum? Of course there are those that were retired by the electorate e.g. Kombo. Kalembe may not be as educated but at least he knew what he was doing. In my view, ODM owes Karua and these guys a huge gratitude for their PR goofs that exposed their side in a big way. You simply do not accept the mediation of a retired UNSG then wake up one day and question his credibility. That was a mega goof (ref Mak’anyego’s article in sat Standard). Other goofs were the pasting of Ms Fraser’s picture and that of the US envoy in the press in the pretext of demanding for evidence. From her title, the govt must have thought Ms Fraser is the equivalent of an assistant minister in the Kenyan govt (a Kalembe of some sort!)
Back to Kibaki/Kikwete, does any of you recall what happened to the Islamic Court chaps in Somalia a short while back? Some US general visited Ethiopia one fine day and told them how they wanted to take them out but couldn’t go in as the USMC (marines) coz that would have required the little matter of a UN resolution( ask Dr Annan).The rest is history.
When Martha threw a tantrum, Kofi (by the way, when did he become Dr?) called JK (Jakaya Kikwete) who is the current AU chairman and on whose mandate he was here. He told JK as Mkapa had let out “we are just going in circles and this is not taking us nowhere. If you watched CNN yesterday, I’ve other matters elsewhere (Kampala) on mon. So, get Kibaki to come out of his bunker and state his position so that I too can state mine”
Before Rice flew in, she had been in Tz and this scenario had been envisaged and had been discussed. Remember, the US president travels with his govt. So, when akina Wetangula were busy being rude to leaders and proclaiming that Kenya is not a banana republic that anyone can just stroll into, both JK and Rice before him just strolled into Nairobi and nobody raised a finger. JK simply made it clear that he wasn’t leaving without the conclusion of agenda item #3 because doing so meant the following:
1. Dr Annan would announce his departure too
2. A meltdown would follow
3. The AU would send in a Rapid Reaction Force, only that this would just be US marines embedded in the Tanzania forces (now you know where I was going with the Ethiopians in Somalia story). Kenyan forces would be under instructions to stand down coz any one attacking a mandated (AU) force and would have had their butts hauled to some US-backed kangaroo court. Those who follow international events know what happened to hotheads in the Balkans, Liberia, Iraq, Panama, Nicaragua, Afghanistan etc. Is it coincidental that on the morning of signing of the agreement, Kibaki met with all security chiefs? I bet the on-board radar aboard the US navy’s 6th Fleet battle ship in the Indian Ocean picked up the Tanzanian President’s jet’s signal as it flew in and out of Nbi. That’s how far Big Brother watches your ODM/PNU comedy from. Anyone thinking they are gone would better think again.
Finally my dear Kenyan brethrens, I see a lot of vitriol between your two chosen camps of PNU & ODM (or Kibaki & Raila). The truth is that the tribal battle between kyuks and luos still rages. This is what got your country to where it is today.
Acheni ushamba kwasababu the next time JK ventures into your country’s matters, I doubt he will be smiling. He won’t be bringing you some beautiful bongoflava ballads either.
Haya sasa, anzeni kunitukana sasa coz I have come to learn that is how you Kenyans hide your wimpish, cowardly personalities and fake patriotism; by insulting anyone who unmasks your primitive, medieval habit of tribalism na uzungu wenu wa kishamba!