Sunday, December 14, 2008

Kibaki Couldn't Have Asked For A Better Christmas Gift

The President won't sign the damn bill.

Suddenly Kenyans are dealing with one of the worst Parliaments in history, to the point where a majority of the nation's suffering people are beginning to see in Kibaki a common sense modorate. That the country has come to this point within eleven months is an indictment of the the Kenyan electorate that perpetually accepts handouts from these scoundrels, just as much as it is a thumbs down on what is shaping up to be the most insensitive, authoritarian Parliaments in the history of this republic. It's indeed regretable that some of us hailed these youthful leaders as the right people to lead Kenya after last year's elections. How wrong we were!

Within a year these men and women, hell bent on enriching themselves, have gone from refusing to pay taxes, to playing games with unga, to passing one of the most draconian bills this side of post-Moi Kenya. What is even more stunning is that the ODM, the party most Kenyans were looking up to for progress, was part of this withering betrayal. Where was James Orengo when this law was passed? Where was William Ruto and Musalia? Why didn't the Prime Minister voice his outrage? Don't you find it disingenuous that these men are suddenly distancing themselves from the bill? They can try all they want, but I know that when Kenya needed them, they turned the other way and voted for oppression. Coming from Orengo and Imanyara and Raila and the other second liberation titans, this is a biting betrayal. Should we now be comforted that they will stop the bill? Jesus Christ, what do these people take us for?

So is Kenya ready for a revolution as I hear some pundits beginning to forecast? Not really. We haven't reached the point where the pressing matters this nation is dealing with are without solutions. Unga can and must be fixed. The MPs taxes will be fixed. As for the media supression bill, the President WON'T sign it. I have that from an authoriative source. And when you come to think of it, the incessant overeach of this bungling Parliemant has handed President Kibaki the best Christmas gift of his career. While the MPs now look like power-drunk dictators, Kibaki...by not signing this bill...emerges from this brouhaha looking like a consumate democrat. Whenever things go wrong in Kenya now, all he has to do is point a finger at Parliament. How these roles have changed within a year is one of the most fascinating political occurences this closing year. If I were Kibaki, I'd milk this trend for all it's worth.

Maybe not a revolution, but the government must sense that Kenyans are in no mood to accept crap from anyone anymore. It's now imperative that out leaders, at all levels, do the right thing or watch as the magnitude of grievances in Kenya grows exponentially to the point where a revolution becomes inevitable. In case they doubt that this can happen, all they need to do is harken back to the disheartening events of last Friday, when furiuos Kenyans, across the board, disapproved of the direction the nation is going. To a man, you could sense the collective No from Kenyans. To make this clearer let me put it this way. Kenyans have laernt that their problems are not caused by the poor Kikuyu, poor Luo, poor Kalenjin, poor Luhya or the poor Kisii next door. No. They now know that these problems, including the unending divisions in this country, are caused by the unscrupulous MPs and successive governments that have never shed colonial tactics.

Kenyans now know who the enemy is.

Our minds have been liberated ahead of 2012.

In just four years we will join hands, after these enemies of Kenya are defeated, and we will sing Free at last, Free at last, thank God Almighty, we're Free at last.

60 comments:

  1. Sam Okelo what changed? Why have become so tough on Odm and your people?

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  2. I will be happy to know for sure that Kibaki will not sign this retrogressive Bill, but I am not going to count the chickens before they hatch.

    The problem with Kibaki, is the way he takes care of his business. He moves so slowly! Why are (we almost a week later) still talking about this Bill that no one wants including the very people who passed it?Yet he has had countless opportunities to come out and say he will not sign it or he should have signed it quickly, we know where to go from there. This dilly-dally manner of running things is just creating unnecessary anxiety among Kenyans.

    Sam Okello, you have alleged here once before that you have an authoritative source that tells you he will NOT sign this Bill, pray tell who is this authoritative source?

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  3. Mama,

    Obviously I can't tell you who my authoritative source is. But if you've been worried about the President sighning this bil, take it easy. No need to fret. This bill will not see the light of day.

    I wonder what historians will say about Kibaki's habit of being so tight-lipped even when the nation seems to be tettering on the brink. Like you say, I think by now the Head of State should have given direction on this, especially given the fact that he will not assent to it.

    May I suggest, though, that for now it's good politics to let the MPs look as rotten as they can, then he'll walk in and announce that he won't sign.

    Brilliant!

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  4. anon 1:12,

    Nothing changed. I stand with common sense. Right now common sense tells me that the ODM let Kenyans down big-time. The leaders in the ODM better wake up quickly or this nation is increasingly viewing them as opportunists, turncoats whose words are not worth a cent.

    Shame!

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  5. Sam,

    Am seeing something different and it looks Good.

    Very nice.

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  6. Sayra, I think its just the truth of the matter.

    Sam, your'e right, some people are now viewed as turncoats. Let them continue doing what they have been doing, they are proving themselves irrelevant day after day.

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  7. Sam,

    Not to rain on your party.... you say

    In just four years we will join hands, after these enemies of Kenya are defeated, and we will sing Free at last, Free at last, thank God Almighty, we're Free at last

    I am afraid it might come to a revolution. You see, Kenyans have been playing the game "whack the politician" over and over since 1992. We go to the polls, get rid of about 60% of the MPs, and go home happy we have taught them a lesson. Unfortunately, they keep screwing us over and over again!

    Something is gotta give....

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  8. Sayra,

    From you a compliment is always welcome. Makes my day. But I have not changed. What has changed is the party I've supported with my money and my writings. I supported the vision and issues they stood for. Can anyone tell me that voting to gag the press was one of them? Can anyone tell me that refusing to pay taxes was?

    Sayra, this is my way of saying that I know when things are going wrong...like they are right now. At a time like this, Kenyans must satnd as one against those who would harm the nation, even if they are in the ODM.

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  9. "Samo"
    Kibaki's "see nothing/hear nothing/do nothing" style of leadership is back in fashion with a vengance is it not?

    "Samo" you can't teach an old dog new tricks-thats like trying to cut a mugumo tree with a razor blade silly. this includes the ODM who have in their ranks a number of seasoned vets of past decay(Ruto,Gumo etc)

    Not even the PM with his perfected art of crowd pleasing antics is innocent of taking kenyans for fools by failing to read and interpret correctly the reflective mood kenyans are in. "Samo" i wish to disagree with you not only is Kenya ready for a revolution but what you are seeing is the beginning of power returning to the people BUT YOU'VE SEEN NOTHING YET

    Knowing who the enemy is is 50% of winning the battle. Safaricom has put the financial means into our hands(M-PESA) We are ready, we are aimed, all that remains is to FIRE....and it only takes a spark

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  10. Joe,

    If this government brings us down the path to a revolution, like I've been saying, I hope the middle class in Kenya can lead the way. Those poor Kenyans have absorbed the brunt of state brutality for years. They're the one languishing in the IDP camps after they fought for these scoundrels.

    With caroline Mutoko and Mwalimu Mati leading the way, if it comes to a revolution, we must all be prepared to take our place in the struggle to finally free Kenya from these colonial relics...once and for all.

    Kenya shall be free!

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  11. Sam Okello,

    You know I don't always agree with you, but today you've given me a reason to smile about. Surely it is Christmas!

    I like your statements;

    "Kenyans now know who the enemy is."
    ============
    "Our minds have been liberated ahead of 2012."

    That's sound outstandingly bloody good coming from you!- like someone who was blind but now can see. We've been telling you ODMers all along Kenya have two tribes, the Haves and have-nots. And I am a very pleased to see so many of are beginning to see who the real enemies are. It makes it worthwhile sticking around Kumekucha, just to see people begin to come to their senses.

    You see, the problems we've have in Kenya we like to worship our politicians--Politicians are like celebrities in Kenya, a status that has allowed them to take liberties on poor Wananchis.
    I believe the root cause of all our political and economic problems is this "celebrity culture" of our politicians, which have bred greed and lack of compassion in our society. (I can elaborate further on that).

    As for the revolution don't count that one out. Remember what caused French revolution of 1789–1799? Starvation.
    I am not telling anyone to break the law but...

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. Ooops that was me at anon 2.50 AM!

    ====
    Sam Okello,

    You know I don't always agree with you, but today you've given me a reason to smile about. Surely it is Christmas!

    I like your statements;

    "Kenyans now know who the enemy is."
    ============
    "Our minds have been liberated ahead of 2012."

    That's sound outstandingly bloody good coming from you!- like someone who was blind but now can see. We've been telling you ODMers all along Kenya have two tribes, the Haves and have-nots. And I am a very pleased to see so many of are beginning to see who the real enemies are. It makes it worthwhile sticking around Kumekucha, just to see people begin to come to their senses.

    You see, the problems we've have in Kenya we like to worship our politicians--Politicians are like celebrities in Kenya, a status that has allowed them to take liberties on poor Wananchis.
    I believe the root cause of all our political and economic problems is this "celebrity culture" of our politicians, which have bred greed and lack of compassion in our society. (I can elaborate further on that).

    As for the revolution don't count that one out. Remember what caused French revolution of 1789–1799? Starvation.
    I am not telling anyone to break the law but...

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  14. Kwale,

    You don't always agree with me, but at least we agree on the important issues. I recall that we were together on the one man-one woman approact to combating AIDS.

    This is another big one. When you see innocent Kenyans being arrested on a day as big as Jamhuri, you know something is very wrong. I deplore the fact that the policemen ahd the audacity to embarass Kenya like that. We must all unite aginst this tyrany and defeat it.

    The third and final liberation of Kenya is underway, and those who stand in the way must now be swept aside.

    Enough is enough!

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  15. Sam Okello, why not lead this revolution. You should my friend...

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  16. Sam,

    What did you have for breakfast? I ask because you have never been this wrong and I am worried someone may have laced your kahawa with something a little more potent!

    Since the introduction of multi-party politics, Kenyans have all along voted on the basis of parties/tribes. Many qualified parliamentary candidates have repeatedly been voted out because they are simply in the 'wrong' party. Its seems you are the only one who has not seen this to the point of accusing voters of voting on the basis of handouts!

    Secondly, please educate us Sam. Exactly how did parliament play games with the price of UNGA? If you understand that the country graduated from price controls ages ago, you wouldnt be making such wild allegations. Even now, with the recent intervention of the PM in bringing the prices of UNGA down, has brought complaints that the government is introducing price controls through the back-door.

    Thirdly, have YOU really read the Kenya Communications Amendment Bill that was passed by parliament? Even before reading it, do you know the number of MPs who were in parliament the day it was passed and who was the temporary speaker or even which MP stood up to oppose it? Also ask yourself why the Speaker was conveniently away, as were the whole cabinet, the VP and Justice Minister (Leader and Deputy leader of government business respectively) and even more importantly where the PM was at that time. Was it it a timed bill?

    If you have read the bill and understood it, I would really appreciate if you could poiint out the exact clauses that amount to being DRACONIAN....? Are you aware that this bill was actually a negotiated document between the minister and media owners (who enjoy the benefit of regulating themselves - like telling Mungiki to regulate matatu industry!!!) I mean, which other group of professionals in this country enjoy self-regulation?

    If you have not read the bill, please take sometime to download and read it. It will help you when penning your next post. Do not make interpretations by reading newspaper articles which are mainly in support of the vested interests of media owners, who we all know are singularly driven by GREED FOR PROFITS, and not information dissemination, entertainment or education of the wider Kenyan society. Here is a link to the bill:http://www.kenyalaw.org/Downloads/Bills/2008/The_Kenya_Communications%20_Amendment_%20Bill_2008.pdf

    Reading your comments Sam, I take it you approve of wananchi boycotting to pay taxes as propagated by Mati and Mutoko, and I take it you approve of hooligans disrupting official celebrations of what is the most important date on the Kenyan calendar, instead of expressing their constitutional freedom and organising their own rally elsewhere.Note that even Mati and Mutoko were not protesting the media bill but were actually promoting civil disobedience. In law that is known as incitement. Where exactly have you seen any journalist protesting on this bill? Even Fred Odhiambo of Bunge La wananchi was protesting high food prices and not the media bill, forget about the media trying to rope him in as one of their own.

    I have read with amusement in this forum as the usual voteless culprits, thats right.... the diaspora 'Kenyans' (holding passports issued by EU and US governments) speak strongly about boycotting to pay tax when they themselves contribute zero cents to the exchequer. What an irony because they are not even Kenyan citizens in the first place!

    If you want to call this parliament useless.... compare its performance with previous parliaments, look at the number and significance of motions/bills passed before drawing uninformed conclusions. Also consider that the parliament is operating virtually without an official opposition and also contending with a monstrous cabinet (if you count ministers and assistant ministers, plus ex-officio AG) who are all bound by this thing called collective responsibility - then come back and tell us if this parliament is trully USELESS.

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  17. Sam,
    You know, when I came across this blog, some 8 months ago I was totally flabbergasted by the comments I found here. I had a choice, either to ignore the comments and not bother with Kumekucha or muck in and let my lone voice be heard. Well, as a person who believes in moral responsibility, I choose the latter albeit it was very lonely and I really did set the cat among the pigeons here(made a lot of people angry).
    What I found here it was all about Kikuyu this, kikuyu that… blah blah… and I think many bloggers when they saw a new name they were expecting me to join the pity-party but of course not, I am a person of high ideals who like to evaluate the situation and look at it with an eagle's eye.

    I've my ideas, but at the same time I am not gonna tell people to break the law. However, I do wonder whether we really have trade unions in Kenya.

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  18. 1) We get the leaders we vote for, and like Joe said, they screw us over each time. Why are you acting surprised?
    2) This here is genius- that it's not the poor Kikuyus, Luos etc that are bad for Kenya. Much as the leaders plan the ugly things, its the poor Luos, Kalenjins.. name them...who implement them; butcher one other, loot shops, and destroy the railway lines that go to their very shags...let's grow up and own up where we screw up! This business of finger pointing and culture of impunity has to stop at the grassroots level.
    3)Always nice to see a post by you, and about almost (at least?) a third of the comments are from you. Welcome home in '12, the least we shall offer you a chance to run.

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  19. @Sam,
    What a marvelous DREAM if only it was true. Unfortunately you will wake up to the RUDE reality that it was a dream and a sweat one. Not a bad wish this festive season of the year though.

    @Phil,
    Why are you stirring HORNET's nest? You know the DIASPORA are more Kenyan than you in Kibera. And when you dismiss them as contributing nil to exchequer ngoja they come furious brandishing REMMITENCE and reminding you that is #1 foreign exchange. Pad you skin bro, ready?

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  20. Kwale,
    Tell them, tell them please. The trumpet is yours, BLOW IT HARDER.

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  21. Taabu, saying Kenyans in Diaspora contribute nil cent to Kenya exchequer is like a fish denying there is no water. No need to argue with that mate.
    Everything from the first internet cafe in Nairobi to a Hospital in Nyanza is run by Kenyans in dispora. And they are coming back to reclaim their country back from the hands of tribal political barons! watch this space.

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  22. Phil,

    Dude, are you on weed?

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  23. Phil,

    I'm not going to tell you what I had for breakfast. What I'm gonna tell you is what I've been having since Friday. It's been fury all the time. I'm furious because of the hypocricy of what I saw when innocent Kenyans were arrested on Jamhuri Day. Phil, you've been a partcipant in some of the earlier demonstartions that brought us this semblance of freedom that is suddenly threatened. I expect you to be vigilant and sense danger the moment you see it.

    As for this habit of always accusing the Diaspora of not being patriotic. Let me tell you somethign you seem not to know. These guys are very patriotic, and I am witness to the fact that millions of shillings come into Kenya because of the hard work of these Kenyans. It's wrong for you to assume that just because you live in Kibera somehow you are more patriotic. That's the kinf of patriotism that tells others that look, I'm more equal than you are so shut up. Let me tell you in no uncertain terms that Knyans in the Diaspora are as much Kenya an anybody within Kenya.

    And finally, you make my point when you say most of our MPs were not there when the bill was passed. Where were they? Did they consider this a spurrious bill? How can they be away when the most important bill this Parliament has had to deal with was brought to the floor for a vote?

    Phil, there comes a time when you must say enough is enough. That time is now. Until we see a change in the way these guys conduct the affairs of our nation, watch as the drumbeat toward a revolution in Kenya grows louder.

    Change is coming!

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  24. PKW,

    Nice to see you back. Your observation that I write a lot on this blog is right. In case you forgot, this is the most authoritative blog in Kenya, and so we have a responsiblity as bloggers here to shape the direction of our country.

    Kumekucha will change Kenya!

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  25. People should be careful, indeed very careful, whenever they venture out to post anything on this website and other Kenyan blogs.

    Consider yourself warned, do not blame whatever befalls you to be borne out of ignorance.

    Be careful, extremely careful, when you seek to post material on Kumekucha or mashada.

    We are watching.

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  26. Sam, you and your diasporans are being evasive.

    Have you or have you not read the bill? Whats draconian in the bill?

    Do you support mati's proposal for the rest of Kenyans to boycott paying taxes?

    Do you agree that we should let hooligans run lose at state functions, no less our own independence day celebrations?

    How exactly does sending your kinsmen $$$ through western union or moneygram amount to contributing to the exchequer? Sam, if you sunk a borehole or bought a solar panel for your granny have you directly contributed to the exchequer?

    What has the 10th parliament done that they were not supposed to do or put another way, what has parliament NOT DONE that they were supposed to do? have they raised the price of unga like you falsely claim or have they put pressure on the Agricultural Minister to act on stemming the prices?

    All I am saying Sam, lets get real and debate facts....not myths propagated by the discredited Kenyan media.Read the media bill then pick out salient points you feel will impact on Kenya negatively. Not those that will reduce profits for nation and royal media and baraza.

    Even Jeff, whose troublesome K24 TV signal has disappeared for some time knows as much. Ama niaje Jeff?

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  27. Phil,

    What has come over you! The fact is ODM MPs have been asleep. We ODMers are tired of them letting funny bills sail through only for them to cry foul the next day. They are busy fighting their own party leader instead of reading the bills. The Federation of Kenya Employers and the NGO Council should join the struggle and refuse to remit tax for a few months...then MPs can learn where their money comes from. The Media should also give them a total blackout for a week! I still remember Orengo (and his ilk) joining University students to protest against intoduction of fees in 1992 a few days after passing the same bill in bunge. Yawa!

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  28. Phil,

    Someone seems to have pulled off that bill from kenyalaw.org.

    Now, kindly pass this over to RAO.
    I know i only have 1 vote, but i sense the mood on the ground is foul. If he has any political ambitions going forward, he better use the majority in parliament to fix things up. Instilling party discipline is not dictatorship. We can not have ODM Mps getting maize for a song and selling it to millers at inflated prices, making obscene profit. Free market or no free market, that is just immoral. moreover, NCPB exists to moderate the prices of basic foodstuff, as a matter of National security.

    Another thing, MPs cannot abscond from parliament only to blame the few that were there for voting. This, again, is immoral. And mark you, it is irrelevant what the bill says. The fact is they were not there to vote for or against it.

    And, if you have the ear of RAO, tell him that if he cannot instill discipline on his MPs, then he has no business being the party leader. There is still time to make things right. But he better start now. We need to see results ASAP.

    Did i hear uhuru park was closed to the public on sunday? Isn't that the same thing we were complaining about here in January Phil? Since RAO is PM, how come this is happening under his watch?

    Phil, don't defend the indefensible. I have known you to be a progressive person. It is not too late to "vuka" to the wananchi side.

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  29. Blogger Ajwang said The fact is ODM MPs have been asleep.

    Ajwang, I will tell you what I have been telling SAM and his uninformed diaspora brethren.

    Fact: ODM MP for Karachuonyo MP James Rege, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Communication and Transport, spoke AGAINST enacting this law.

    Fact: ODM-K MP David Musila spoke in support of enacting this law.

    Fact: ODM-K MP Sam Poghisio (Also minister for Information and Communication) moved this motion and has repeatedly urged the president to sign it into law.

    So Mr. Ajwang, do you still want to repeat your misplaced allegations about ODM MPs being asleep???

    Blogger Sam Okello Said ......It's wrong for you to assume that just because you live in Kibera somehow you are more patriotic.

    Sam if you look through my earlier comments, I never used the word 'partriotic'. Infact I questioned why a foreigner should fan and encourage civil disobedience in Kenya by inciting the masses not to pay tax when infact he is a foreigner with no connection with Kenya apart from his/her name and the fact he/she has relatives locally who he supports by sending an occassional western union / moneygram remittance. This people do not even have a Kenyan voter's card or ID, yet they speak loudest about elections and how much a revolution is comming to Kenya.....so you see this had nothing to do with Kibera whatsoever. BUT YOU CAN SEE HOW THE GUILTY ARE AFRAID, very afraid of facts - these voteless diasporans

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  30. Phil,

    I remember Hon Rege and Hon Mbadi from ODM opposing the bill. But the Chief Whip Hon Jakoyo was one of the prime movers. The MPs now crying out louder than the berieved (Hon Ruto, Hon Orengo, Hon H. Kosgey) were no where to be seen. Nor were the 'young official oppositionists'! Kenyans expect ODM to take the moral Ararat in Parliarment. As Hon Marende recently stated: laws are not made at barazas and funerals.

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  31. NSIS,

    You baffoons will never scare us.

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  32. Phil,

    Nobody is being evasive. You ask if it's okay to disrupt a public holiday. The anwer is yes, especially when the holiday we are supposed to be celebrating is Jamhuri and some misguided cops srrest innocent Kenyans then. Why celebrate anything when we are operating under the increasing oppression of a lunatic Parliament? And why celebrate when the Prime Minister can sit there and watch as harmless protestors are roughed up?

    You wonder whether I've availed myself of the opportunity to read the bill. Yes, I have. What you need to understand is that the privision within that bill that places powers in the hands of the security minister to raid media houses is extreamly dangerous. What happens down the line should this nation fall in the hands of the likes of Mugabe? What will such a person do with this bill in place to give him/her legal cover?

    No, Phil, let's not allow the democratic space to start shutting down one bill at a time. The better place to go is forward, not backward.

    You raised a number of other issues. Let me let those guys you deride as "The Diaspora" take them up.

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  33. One more thing, Phil. The Kenyan media is not discredited. I've never been more proud of the excellent work these guys are doing. Look, I know that some programmes on TV are simply deplorable. But that's exactly why we are there for our children...so that we can guide them. Don't you have a remote at home. Use that gadget whenever the skimpy girls invade your screen.

    Let's drop this puritanical hogwash.

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  34. Sam,
    Man you are such a DETERMINED prelate and leave the trail smelling nothing but the gospel. I agree it is your post but do you have to hog it that much to an extent of OWNING IT? But again it is KK and opinions are free unlike facts which are sacred. Go Sam go.

    @Phil,
    Ever heard of the perils of TOKENISM? Kenyans' bane is to mistake tokenism for progress. Our bar has no fixed length and can be adjusted with any secterian lever.

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  35. NSIS,
    Whoever you are. Can you make worthwhile contrbutions here or shkip out. We are discussing serious topics and do not want any retards who are constantly way out of topic. keep to the topic or get the hell out of this space.

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  36. Taabu,

    Go Sam go sounds good to me. I'm going, my friend.

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  37. Could Okelo be the Obama Kenyans have been waiting for?

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  38. Phil,

    Thanks for the invite to comment on this issue.

    It is obvious that when everybody else has moved on from ODM vs PNU arguments, you are still stuck in a time warp. You should view what happened on Jamhuri Day as a tip of the iceberg. The adversaries are no longer ODM and PNU, but the citizens/governed vs the political class/governors. This is a war between the establishment and the wananchi. It is a war between status-quo and change (we can have). By the way remember it all started in your backyard during HIS homecoming party that was never to be. The wananchi forced THEM to discuss Unga agenda, and not politics.

    Remember that even before the elections, i was categorical that the current political class is incapable of giving us the change we want and both sides had no concrete ideas on how to move the country forward. ODM was banking on euphoria and ethnic sentiments to capture power while PNU was banking on incumbency to remain in power. They are now together and self-interest/preservation as i had predicted, seems to be the game plan. They have forgotten the people who voted for them into the positions they are occupying.

    Also, it did not start with the Media bill. The IDPs issue is yet to be resolved almost a year since the GCG was put together. None of the politicians was privy to escalating food prices until the encounter with wananchi in Kibera. The cost of oil products continued to increase despite tumbling world oil prices and no one in government seemed to want to act. Then there is the issue of MPs arrogantly refusing to pay tax like everyone else without proper justification.

    I agree with you that we should let the market set prices of Unga, Oil, etc. But you and me know that that market is not perfect - oil is controlled by a cartel of multinationals who have political connections, there is evidence that well connected businessmen and politicians are responsible for the artificial maize shortage, i am told even the purported maize importation never took place, just some paperwork moving around. The politicians promised to protect our interests, but instead we are not a priority. So, Phil, who is truthfully our representative in Parliament.

    Even by your own standards, Phil, what should be the legislative priority? Isn't it a new constitution, together with Kriegler and Waki reports implementation? I may agree with you that media needs regulation, but when did the media regulation become a priority? This is the aspect that is infuriating Kenyans as the MPs seem to have lost the script. And in doing do we cannot fail to read something sinister in their motives.

    Phil, you must join us in telling the MPs to return to the people and perform their duties according to what the people want.

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  39. Mr. Okelo, are you running for presdent in 2012? Maybe you should anounce on k-24. i hear you and jef are buddy.

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  40. sam

    what can we take away from this (lessons learnt)?

    it appears true that " ..the only thing we learn from history is that people do not learn from history..."

    true that there are some contentious items in that bill at least from the media standpoint. it appears that either our legislators have not learnt how to draft bills or else are shrewd masters of it. the game appears either to pass a contentious article they mask the article with populist clauses/items/gestures or conversely to torpedo a bill that they do not want to pass, just introduce at least one contentious item to scuttle the process then step back and watch the dog-fights as days move on closer to 2012 and untaxed salaries are earned. it seems we'll be in this quandary with important bills unless someone crafts a sane approach to isolating/identifying and dealing with contentions in bills so that they agreeable substance can move on.

    on the side show of who (MPs or party if need be) takes (more) blame, perhaps you could clarify something. this whole business is rather ingeniusly orchestrated from when the bill was drafted and whatever the original intention/spirit i.e provide path for advances in communications and technology as well as framework for regulatory process etc, through the discussions with relevant "stakeholders" (an increasingly meaningless buzzword) to when the contentious articles were inserted (e.g disclosure or sources, and the potential of "gagging" etc) and finally to that window (of opportunity) in time when sufficient numbers would be away from the house or only handful present (depending on how you view it) and whether this was deliberate scheming or coincidence.

    how is it that those who did nothing i.e absentee (in this case) are the focus of attention and those who did (passed the bill) are only mentioned in passing? there are 220+ MPs, have no idea how many were involved in this (phil suggests about 10% i.e close to 200 did not participate) so its not clear how you arrive at apportioning blame.

    anyhow thats neither here nor there, but Sam what exactly is the bigger (or smaller) picture? what does representation mean, and are we also saying that there are some MPs who should not be considered representative of the people? There are many instances and issues where a handful of legislators are selected to represent parliament and by extension Kenya, so what exactly is it we are saying? are we saying that unless we have a crowd of MPs, we should not trust the few representatives? if yes, then what about that small group of MPs that staged the coup taking over from an even smaller group of MPs to select the IECK and other similar efforts/operations?

    from your opening statement it appears that the best recourse for MPs is to do nothing i.e no hot air in funerals, homecomings, roadsides which is what appears to get most (ODM) MPs in trouble and let public outcry run its full course until the heat, anger etc subside then proceed with whatever it is they intended to do.

    just wondering Sam.

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  41. Sam,

    Just to throw in some caution.

    You say:

    "Kenyans now know who the enemy is.
    Our minds have been liberated ahead of 2012.
    In just four years we will join hands, after these enemies of Kenya are defeated, and we will sing Free at last, Free at last, thank God Almighty, we're Free at last."

    But be very, very afraid when the same turncoats come back and call themselves the liberators. Will we embrace them, once again? Do we learn?

    We need fresh leaders. We have four years to figure out who they are. Let us not waste it, again.

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  42. Sam and Jeff, please lets not mislead the general readership here. First off, this bill is an amendment. It is not a newly introduced piece of legislation like some of you want to purport.

    The bill is effectively outlawing cross ownership where one rich man (eg. Macharia or Royal Media) does not own all radio stations, all daily newspapers and all tv channels. In other words, the bill is outlawing media monopoly....understandably this is why nation, royal media, radio Africa (kiss fm) and standard/ktn, - all owned by people very close to the powers that - are fighting this bill because it will impact negatively on their mega-profits....not because it will help Kenyans.

    It is dishonest for you Jeff to allege that parliament is prioritizing the medial bill at the expense of other significant pieces of legislation like the new constitution and the implementation of the Kriegler and Waki Reports. Parliament cannot drop everthing else merely for purposes of addressing a single issue. In any case, the constitution making process is an event that requires wide consultation with all concerned parties and not just parliament. It is not an overnight affair or a one night stand. Its a long term marriage by the people of Kenya.

    Sam, if you have read the bill, it does not place any barriers to editors choice to broadcast or publication. The bill merely asks media houses to register their programming code with cck so that they do not make irresponsible mistakes of airing over 18 contents at hours when one would expect underage children are home alone. If media houses trusts their content, why should they fear registering it with CCK? You must remember, media houses are licenced to utilize a public resource that is known as airwaves. It is therefore only natural that media houses be made to be responsible in using that public resource.... it is not like they have bought it and it is permanently theirs to keep. This is why CCK are given powers for handling complaints by the public against rogue broadcasters

    Sam, you make another wild allegation that “the provision within that bill that places powers in the hands of the security minister to raid media houses is extreamly dangerous.” What nonsense is this. There are constitutional guidelines that can lead a president to declare a state of emergency and I will urge you to familiarise yourself with these provisions before you hit the publish button in your next response. Presidents dont just wake up on the wrong side and declare state of emergency. Infact, ever since independence, how many state of emergencies have we had and what was the prevailing conditions? The bill only empowers the minister to move into media houses and disable equipment in the event of the President declaring a state of emergency and then media goes ahead a publishes/broadcasts content that is deemed to threaten or compromise state security. Moreover, you guys are talking as if you forgotten that media were to some extent responsible for airing content that flamed the PEV hardly one year ago. You have forgotten how reckless FM stations openly declared war on certain communities in support of the ODM and also in support of the PNU. Who wants these wild cowboys let to operate with such impunity in the name of freedom of the press?

    One senses that Kenya media would rather broadcast recycled imported programming and ignore local talent because they do not want to pay local producers. It has taken sponsorship from Supersport to have Kenyan soccer premier league aired to the whole of the African continent . Why couldn’t KTN, for example, take up this instead of airing to us TNA Wrestling from US which was aired on PPV one year ago? Why must NTV and KBC recycle National Geographic documentaries with a 1987 date stamp and broadcast this to a Kenyan audience in 2008? Advertisers will still come to these scoundrels because they know not every kenyan can afford pay TV which has over 50 live and current channels to choose from. Yet we are fed ancient garbage passed as content which have no historical significance and one wonders whether we really want to promote local acting talent, local tourism or even local sports when we ignore the many ‘live events’ that take place all over the country on every Saturday afternoon. The amended media bill seeks to put an end to all this nonsense of misusing our public resource (airwaves) by greedy profiteers.

    Look at the Kenyan media, they hardly promote local training and advancement of the same. They cannot even work to promoting and expanding the courses offered at KIMC, leaving it to rot and churn out half-baked graduates. Can you compare and contrast this with what the Kenya hotel and tours industry is doing for Utalii College which is now on the threshold of being turned to into a university college and that which has been an enviable college even for students from other African countries???

    SHINDWE KABISA hii Kenya Media.

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  43. Okello,

    I am one of those who have given you a hard time in the past. But today you deserve my e-hugs. Thanks for being on the people's side.

    I wish Phil could see the light and cross-overeven if it is for one day. He is still fighting ODM versus PNU battles of yesterday when even his masters have moved on.

    Tell Phil loudly that we need every hand on the deck of MV Kenya because we under attack by political pirates from all political parties!!!!

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  44. Phil,

    Do you know that the largest two black holders in the country of petroleum products interests are Biwott an Raila (both former energy ministers). Now that the price of oil has gone down internationally why doesn't Raila urge for price reductions in the country? Do you also remember Raila two weeks ago defending the monopoly of bulk-grain importation in Kenya.

    What we are saying is that all politicans in Kenya (including Raila) have gone astry and if they don't reform in short order they will be swept aside by a revolution. Please, Phil talk to Raila; people are very angry with the status-quo

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  45. trip down memory lane

    how many remember these events

    http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/freedom_detail.html?country=/KW0001/KW0006/KW0160/&year=1998


    especially read the fourth para in the article below (assuming it wouldn't be retracted)

    http://www.cck.go.ke/html/speech.asp?speechid=19

    and here is another

    http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,CPJ,,KEN,47c566e0c,0.html

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  46. Have just watched the news from our main stream media houses and oh boy!!Kenyans are really waking up!Raila tried to wave to the crowds but zii.infact Prezzo realised ealier na akalenga kuwave kaa chizi!!I love it guys.Its our unity that will deliver us from the yokes of these preening prima donnas in the name of MPs/political class!!!!

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  47. This one thing that we've all come to agree that our politicians(both sides of the divide)have let us down.The audacity of some trying to hide their faces in saying our party didn't do this is outrageous and that comes to show how this FATCATS molest our intellingence.
    1.I'ts very important that we should take note that the media has done little in enlightening us on the media bill that we are running around protesting about.In essence not many a people know what it's all about thus the bias of the media by spewing what they want us to know not not letting us in on what we should know.
    2.This parliament had the audacity to make sure their paychecks are not fully taxed in the guise of allowances and their immiunity.
    3.The govt has the guts to divide the country again in rationing the UGALI by pricing accoprding to where one lives!!
    First things first please MOA enlightene the public on the contents of the media bill as much as you are inciting the public to protest about it.We Kenyans are not protesting as we should because if you ask any of the many protestors on the content of the bill majrity will bluff.So as we prioritize the protest on our busy hunger filled diary enlighten us.
    It's only fair to say as they sing the old song of urging the president not to sign it so as to escape the wrath of the MEDIA I can only urge the latter to be blunt in exposing the evils of this "leaders" without favour in fairnes to the common mwananchi who has protested for them.
    I also find it unwarranted when they said if they are taxed they will live poor lives like the electorate!!I can't even believe we qeued and fought to bring this muck in parliament.(GOD really has ways of punishing us)
    Can anyone with economics 101 please explain to me how this unga thing will work n for how long?I honestly think it's a political gimmick that will fail on their faces.Yes we're in dire need to see that food prices go down as well as inflation but will this govt tell me how you spend a total cost of ksh 3,100 to import maize instead of buying it from our farmers at 2300 or 2100 whichever suits our farmers.It's unfortunate that even after they ate our flesh and left us only skeletal they're still after our bone marrow.I think it's high time Kenyans came sober citizens and realised that when the people are suffering it doesn't matter where they come from they're all kenyans and thats how we should live.
    I'm urging all Kenyans begining with this esteemed group of bloggers to be the advocates of the recall clause and even actually prioritize the protest for the sake of our lives as it's only us that are suffering that care about us.

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  48. Phil just confirmed to me that everything he knows is wrong. Dude, how many personalities do you have?

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  49. Here, here Sam!

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  50. Sam and Jeff is the change we need in Kenya. I hope these two gentlemen can team up and bring about this revolution we so desperately need.

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  51. Phil,

    I saw on tv direct quotes from the bill. Appears a new term: "public emergency", as opposed to state of emergency, has been created. According to the quotes the min for internal sec will determine a public emergency exists. Is so oor a re media misquoting the bill? Havent had time to read it.

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  52. Blogger Vikii said...

    Phil just confirmed to me that everything he knows is wrong. Dude, how many personalities do you have?


    This is Vikii's clever way of saying he is in total agreement with what I am telling Sam and Jeff.

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  53. Sam Okelo,

    You did not answer my question are you runing for presdent?

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  54. JEFF,

    The challenge we face will be how to identify solid Kenyans to take on these men and women who still operate strictly within the confines of discredited paradigms. The time to start actively strategizing and seeking ways to turn this nation into an issue-oriented democracy is now. The crap that Kenya is irredemably tribal is no longer a reason to stop us. That kind of thinking belongs to the past and the brotherhood of tax-dodgers in Parliament.

    In the coming days and months, what we have to do is work to educate Kenyans on the alternative to this political module the nation has operated under for years.

    Yes we can!

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  55. Has anyone noticed that whilst the price of unga,petrol and diesel have come down,the same for parrafin commonly used by mwananchi is on an upward trend?just thinking aloud.

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  56. Clemo, we have to pay the salaries of the GCG and the tax-evaders, they have 2 get that money from somewhere, thats why!

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  57. Yes we can, Sam!

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  58. Whoever said "a politician is a person who can make waves then make you think he's the only one who can save the ship" was a really bright fellow!

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  59. sam


    this is exactly what i meant by my comment above

    quote from karua in parliament"
    ==
    "When something is passed by the House, irrespective of whether we contributed or were all present, it is a decision of the House. And if we want to rescind from that decision, we must rescind from it again collectively as the House, and not try to score any political mileage for either ourselves or our political parties in a matter as grave as this one."
    ==

    http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/503234/-/item/1/-/2daat3/-/index.html

    and i believe like some have said above and borrow Gaitho's words, the media has been has been "economical with the truth" in order to woo public sympathy and force public to assist them wage a war against independent control rightly so or wrongly.

    according to that debate (kudo's to Nation for the verbatim report) the reasons as presented by Mungatana for the controls are probably valid in the sense of national pride and moral ground, however room exists for govt to misuse and abuse the contentious clause.

    what i would hope for is maturity and instead of parliament and the media pushing the public into the middle of their brawl as shields, pawns and front line sacrifices, to listen to the views of the public as well as conduct sufficient debate and information discussion and come to a compromise that benefits the public at large (role of parliament) but takes into consideration the business needs of the media (MOA or business fraternity role)

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  60. ...it's time to prorogue parliament just as Canada has done.....!!??

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