archive
Today I had an email conversation with two friends concerning The Nairobi Star that I am sure will make interesting reading and that is why I have reproduced the private emails here. My comment is the last one.
Mr Fred Said;
Have you guys had a look at the inaugural edition of Nbi star? When Kiss /Classic fm started the promo for this paper,i was thought it was going to be a mainstream newspaper with important news.Shock on me! Its a mere tabloid that should cost 10sh.Look @ the headline! My word-sorry, Kiss,stick to radio.
Mr Richard replied;
50,000 print-run on a launch can be misleading for a publisher.
I expect the Catholic Church to sue and raise hell with the splash: “I helped nuns procure abortions”-Hon.Dr.Kibunguchy
Am of the same opinion-though they claim to have done some research beforehand. But hold on, who is their target market? Remember it is circulating in Nairobi city and outskirts! As Quarcoo puts it:”...this is a magazine in a newspaper form”. Then why daily yet you don’t have your own press? Quarcoo believes that all he ‘touches’ must turn into gold –let’s wait and see. Kiss was a hit within weeks but remember overheads for print are quite high and unpredictable.
This is a different ball game and only time will tell. Am told some South Africans have pumped in good money!
But what do Nairobians prefer reading? Internet pornography, politics, business – what do you read?
Don’t write them off yet, though they should have talked to Matiba & Co. before plunging into the murky waters of publishing.
Mr Fred Replied;
Ma broda this nairobi star thing is a tabloid not a newspaper,they have missed the point-forgetting that this is Africa.What these guys wanted to is to copy the SUN in UK,which am told is also the most selling newspaper.Tabloids which basically involve kiss n' tell scandals can't work here. They appeal to under 25's most of whom are broke anyway and would rather heng' than buy silly papers.And anyway,there are juicier stories on the internet and e-mail 4wds at no cost!!
Mark u the 2nd or 3rd page of the SUN newspaper is always featuring some nude celebrities, and this is why people buy (i happen to know that courtesy of the lib in the office-everyone here glances at the first few pages of the SUN and not to read as such).
Blunder no.1 is that they exploited young ladies to the max. All the way from Lang'ata Rd to City centre,I saw these young chicks waving placards advertising this tabloid. They wore skimpy thumb size minis,bimbo boots and tumbo cuts,K-street style..(imagine if you're with your parent!) They don't seem to know that Kenya is a conservative and deeply religious nation.
Mr Richard Replied;
Am mesmerized at your knowledge on media, marketing and related. I forget you are alumni of Daystar.
Nairobi Star is targeting a niche of the market that buys sex, lives sex and thrives on sex.
Do you watch Channel O? Do you read Pulse on Fridays? (Incidentally the first Pulse editor now works at Nairobi Star).
One thing for sure-I don’t expect our Dad to start reading it anytime soon.
Fred, sex sells-have you gone to any motor vehicle launch? In fact most products use the sex angle including mobile phone providers – chakaza, sambaza, bamba, etc.
Ask Kumekucha if he remembers a magazine called Men Only in the eighties. Circulation was crazy but advertisers pulled out-“...that magazine has too much pornography”.
Kumekucha says;
I think what these guys have done is pure marketing genius. The only big question is will it work?
I think too many Nairobians were expecting another Nation and that is the biggest marketing mistake The People Daily made. There can only be one Nation and the way to beat them is to position yourself differently in the minds of the people (which is what The Nairobi Star has done). I hope I am not getting too technical marketing-wise.
There are a few facts here. Firstly sex sells..a lot. Secondly people will always pretend to be disgusted but will buy the newspaper anyway and thirdly, I expect very high readership from women-a segment of the market that Nation have been unsuccessfully trying to get for years.
Something else you guys don't know. Rupert Murdoch (the most successful media mogul in the world) owns several prestigious dailies which lose money or just break even but he makes over 70% of his profits (I can get you the figures for the 90s) from his tabloids. I am sure the situation has not changed today except that he is also now making more and more of his revenue from the web (this guy always sees far). Murdoch's highest grossing newspapers have always been The Sun, News Of The World (Sunday version of the Sun) and a weekly tabloid he used to own in the US called The National Star (later renamed "The Star" All tabloids.
The last tabloid-style publication Nairobians saw was the 10 bob "Update" and the challenge for The guys at KissFM is to create a new image for tabloids in the minds of Kenyans.
My verdict?
I think this newspaper is going to be such a roaring success that the powers that be will feel threatened and try to ban it on the pretext of the sex thing. Business is very dirty sometimes. In one swoop Quarcoo and company have neutralized Nations' biggest strength--a countrywide newspaper distribution system built over many years that is unmatched.
If I was at The Nairobi Star I would watch my back and the guys at the dailies very carefully.
That my friends is my expert opinion.
warmly,
Kumekucha
P.S. Richard mentions a very important point about advertisers. It will be interesting to see what kind of advertisers this new newspaper targets. In other parts of the world mainstream advertisers usually shy away from tabloids because of image problems. But Rupert Murdoch has proved that there is much more money to be made from circulation if somebody can get it right.
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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
A Journey Of A Million Miles Starts With A Single Letter
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------------------------------
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela------------------------------
It is done. Today we have started an initiative that will end up having a far-reaching effect on the future of our nation. An initiative, which I am convinced, will impact on the destiny of our beloved motherland.
As I write this, I have already sent off letters to the press and have also emailed a number of people I know urging them to join us in this noble cause. Here are my statistics (this is the same way I will be reporting all your stats here).
Kumekucha............3............4............0
(The figures above represent the following; name of patriot, number of letters sent out and finally number of people refererd who have sent out letters of protest).
The last column is only filled after you confirm that the people you have talked to have sent out letters to the media. Please note that you will need to send me copies of the letters to email address umissedthis@yahoo.com. The easiest way of doing this is to use the bcc facility for every letter you send out. You should then send a note after you have finished your emails for the day, informing me of your tally like I have done in the example above.
Kindly send in your statistics and I will publish them here daily as I receive them. Go to this page now and make your contribution before you even read the hot Kumekucha stories today. You will find all the details including the two simple things you have to do. (Click Here) NOW.
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
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------------------------------
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela------------------------------
It is done. Today we have started an initiative that will end up having a far-reaching effect on the future of our nation. An initiative, which I am convinced, will impact on the destiny of our beloved motherland.
As I write this, I have already sent off letters to the press and have also emailed a number of people I know urging them to join us in this noble cause. Here are my statistics (this is the same way I will be reporting all your stats here).
Kumekucha............3............4............0
(The figures above represent the following; name of patriot, number of letters sent out and finally number of people refererd who have sent out letters of protest).
The last column is only filled after you confirm that the people you have talked to have sent out letters to the media. Please note that you will need to send me copies of the letters to email address umissedthis@yahoo.com. The easiest way of doing this is to use the bcc facility for every letter you send out. You should then send a note after you have finished your emails for the day, informing me of your tally like I have done in the example above.
Kindly send in your statistics and I will publish them here daily as I receive them. Go to this page now and make your contribution before you even read the hot Kumekucha stories today. You will find all the details including the two simple things you have to do. (Click Here) NOW.
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Tribal Clashes/Politically Instigated Violence: Is It A Coincidence?
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Just a few questions I would like to ask about the political violence that has broken out in parts of the country and appears to be spreading. I am not accusing anybody. I am just asking a few questions that I believe are relevant.
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence started for the first time when multiparty politics was reintroduced into the country with the repealing of the infamous section 2 a?
- Is it a mere coincidence that we were warned by a very senior government official then that we would see "fire" now that multipartyism had been restored?
- Is it a mere coincidence that the tribal/political clashes are always concentrated mainly in the same province where the highest authority in the land usually hails from? Most Rift Valley in 1991/2, 1996/7 and 2001/2? Central province in 2006/7?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence usually break out on the eve of general elections, like clockwork and without fail? 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006?
- If tribal clashes/politically instigated violence are as a result of competitive politics causing politicians to incite the people, does it mean that before 1991 we did not have competitive politics in the country?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence has reached new unprecedented levels with what is now clearly seen as the re-emergence of Kanu as a political party?
- Is it a mere coincidence that most senior government officials and even opposition politicians shoot from hip when it comes to commenting on other national issues but when it comes to Mungiki violence and even most political violence, the silence is deafening?
- If it is true that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence is the handiwork of various individual politicians with loose mouths (and not the work of high powered politically organized crime), why were there no tribal clashes/politically instigated violence in the run up to the referendum on a new constitution in 2005? And yet tensions were so high?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
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Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Just a few questions I would like to ask about the political violence that has broken out in parts of the country and appears to be spreading. I am not accusing anybody. I am just asking a few questions that I believe are relevant.
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence started for the first time when multiparty politics was reintroduced into the country with the repealing of the infamous section 2 a?
- Is it a mere coincidence that we were warned by a very senior government official then that we would see "fire" now that multipartyism had been restored?
- Is it a mere coincidence that the tribal/political clashes are always concentrated mainly in the same province where the highest authority in the land usually hails from? Most Rift Valley in 1991/2, 1996/7 and 2001/2? Central province in 2006/7?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence usually break out on the eve of general elections, like clockwork and without fail? 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006?
- If tribal clashes/politically instigated violence are as a result of competitive politics causing politicians to incite the people, does it mean that before 1991 we did not have competitive politics in the country?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence has reached new unprecedented levels with what is now clearly seen as the re-emergence of Kanu as a political party?
- Is it a mere coincidence that most senior government officials and even opposition politicians shoot from hip when it comes to commenting on other national issues but when it comes to Mungiki violence and even most political violence, the silence is deafening?
- If it is true that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence is the handiwork of various individual politicians with loose mouths (and not the work of high powered politically organized crime), why were there no tribal clashes/politically instigated violence in the run up to the referendum on a new constitution in 2005? And yet tensions were so high?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
How Does A Court Enforce Conjugal Rights?
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There is a case still in court where the man who claims to be a former husband of Jesus Is Alive Ministries Televangelist Margaret Wanjiru is among other things asking the court to restore his conjugal rights with the woman he says is his legally married wife.
I am totally ignorant in these things and I am not a lawyer (except that I am well versed in areas of the law that may affect a journalist/publisher-naturally). So I would like somebody to educate me on this matter.
Let's say a court grants a Mr X his conjugal rights and orders Mrs Y to do the needful, what mechanisms does a court have to enforce such an order? Will a court clerk be sent to the said marital bed to obtain video footage evidence at night confirming that the express wishes of the court have been met? Does the said court go into details in the order? The reason I ask this is if I was a woman and I don't love the man and the court has ordered me I may want to stay out of jail for contempt of court by reporting to the said marital bed "dressed in my favorite anti-marital-rape-clothing", turning the other side and then daring the man to return to court to claim that he did not receive the "goods." All manner of other similar mischief can be played.
On a more serious note what I would do if I were Mrs Y would be to demand that we both undergo an Aids test ahead of the court order being enforced. This will take a minimum of 3 months to ascertain for sure that somebody is free of the virus, during which a lot can happen, like Mrs Y filing for a divorce.
On an even more serious note Mr Kamangu has put on considerable weight and looks very prosperous now, despite the hefty legal fees he is footing. In fact I am told they are being paid by some sympathizer. Would that sympathizer be the same person who is also paying for his expensive clothes and the briefcase (I wonder what he carried inside? His Aids-free test certificate handy incase the court suddenly grants him his conjugal rights?). On a serious note who is the sympathizer who pays the bills? Could that sympathizer have any interest in the Starehe political seat?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
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Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
There is a case still in court where the man who claims to be a former husband of Jesus Is Alive Ministries Televangelist Margaret Wanjiru is among other things asking the court to restore his conjugal rights with the woman he says is his legally married wife.
I am totally ignorant in these things and I am not a lawyer (except that I am well versed in areas of the law that may affect a journalist/publisher-naturally). So I would like somebody to educate me on this matter.
Let's say a court grants a Mr X his conjugal rights and orders Mrs Y to do the needful, what mechanisms does a court have to enforce such an order? Will a court clerk be sent to the said marital bed to obtain video footage evidence at night confirming that the express wishes of the court have been met? Does the said court go into details in the order? The reason I ask this is if I was a woman and I don't love the man and the court has ordered me I may want to stay out of jail for contempt of court by reporting to the said marital bed "dressed in my favorite anti-marital-rape-clothing", turning the other side and then daring the man to return to court to claim that he did not receive the "goods." All manner of other similar mischief can be played.
On a more serious note what I would do if I were Mrs Y would be to demand that we both undergo an Aids test ahead of the court order being enforced. This will take a minimum of 3 months to ascertain for sure that somebody is free of the virus, during which a lot can happen, like Mrs Y filing for a divorce.
On an even more serious note Mr Kamangu has put on considerable weight and looks very prosperous now, despite the hefty legal fees he is footing. In fact I am told they are being paid by some sympathizer. Would that sympathizer be the same person who is also paying for his expensive clothes and the briefcase (I wonder what he carried inside? His Aids-free test certificate handy incase the court suddenly grants him his conjugal rights?). On a serious note who is the sympathizer who pays the bills? Could that sympathizer have any interest in the Starehe political seat?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Is Norman Nyagah Looking To Shift From Kamukunji To Starehe?
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There is a very strange but extremely ugly war of words that has recently broken out between Kamukunji MP Norman Nyagah and the Starehe legislator who is also the Minister for Sport Hon Kamanda.
Nyagah recently dared Kamanda to face him "kwa kiwanja" (in the field) if he is a real man. It is not clear what Nyagah meant by this. Was he challenging the burly well-built legislator to a fistfight? Or did he mean a popularity contest?
Nyagah even hit his parliamentary colleague under the belt by telling a public meeting that his education is not of the level of Kamanda. He added that he was did not go through "Ngumbaru" meaning adult education. "Ouch!!!"
That is what was said and now we have to figure what is really going on. We know for a fact that the Kamukunji seat is already badly crowded by various prominent aspirants. Including Pastor Pius Muiru a popular evangelist who is also standing for president and former secretary general of the Constitututional Review Commission of Kenya and prominent Nairobi lawyer Patrice Lumumba.
We also know that when things get hot Norman has a reputation for swiftly shifting base. The last time, you will remember that facing fierce competition from his own blood brother Joseph Nyagah, he shifted base from Gacoka constituency in his native Embu to Kamukunji in Nairobi-and won. Are we being prepared for a Norman Nyagah candidacy in Starehe? Or what is this silly war of words really all about?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
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There is a very strange but extremely ugly war of words that has recently broken out between Kamukunji MP Norman Nyagah and the Starehe legislator who is also the Minister for Sport Hon Kamanda.
Nyagah recently dared Kamanda to face him "kwa kiwanja" (in the field) if he is a real man. It is not clear what Nyagah meant by this. Was he challenging the burly well-built legislator to a fistfight? Or did he mean a popularity contest?
Nyagah even hit his parliamentary colleague under the belt by telling a public meeting that his education is not of the level of Kamanda. He added that he was did not go through "Ngumbaru" meaning adult education. "Ouch!!!"
That is what was said and now we have to figure what is really going on. We know for a fact that the Kamukunji seat is already badly crowded by various prominent aspirants. Including Pastor Pius Muiru a popular evangelist who is also standing for president and former secretary general of the Constitututional Review Commission of Kenya and prominent Nairobi lawyer Patrice Lumumba.
We also know that when things get hot Norman has a reputation for swiftly shifting base. The last time, you will remember that facing fierce competition from his own blood brother Joseph Nyagah, he shifted base from Gacoka constituency in his native Embu to Kamukunji in Nairobi-and won. Are we being prepared for a Norman Nyagah candidacy in Starehe? Or what is this silly war of words really all about?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Raila Confirms That Kalonzo, Ruto And Company Want Him To Settle For Prime Minister
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It is official and spoken by Raila Odinga himself that his colleagues within ODM Kenya want him to settle for the non-existent Prime Minister’s post and step down from being a presidential candidate to break the current stalement within the party.
In other words imagine a situation where you cheat a small child that you will bring them some candy when you get back home from work. You renege on your promise and the next morning you promise exactly the same thing. Surely, even if that child is mentally challenged…
The bigger issue here which Kenyans should see (instead of just concentrating on their preferred presidential candidates) is the fact that everything is being decided for us. WHY? In other words we are not intelligent enough to decide who our next president should be. The masses as they say, always have to be led like sheep.
When will we wake up and say “NO”? When will we rise up and take our country back? And yet we have the power, especially those of us with voter’s cards.
As it is, we have now been very effectively neutralized because we are busy fighting amongst ourselves (even in this blog) over who is a better presidential candidate and why. Meanwhile it really does not matter who gets elected, they will all be more of the same for us Kenyans. Kalonzo, Raila, Mudavadi Uhuru, Kibaki etc. will NOT bring the change we badly need. Sorry my friends, but let me just say the truth and stop being hypocritical.
There is no way that Kalonzo will restore the looted fortunes of Kenya back to the people. Even Raila can not. How can he when he is planning to form an all-inclusive government that includes the very thieves who have looted this country. Kalonzo is planning the same. Kanu is there to protect the wealth of those it made fabulously rich. Period. Delegates and its’ so called die hard members are just being used as pawns. M,e and you are also on course to being used as pawns in the forthcoming polls.
I hear you saying that we have no option. Really? Are you sure?
What is stopping me and you discussing here and coming up with an appropriate name of some principled Kenyan, a political nobody? And then presenting that candidate for election? My friends we do not know the power we have, let us wake up. It is only when we decide to do something that realistic solutions will present themselves. But as long as our minds are “locked” we will go nowhere.
Let me not say much, but instead give a small illustration. You know how they train elephants for the circus? They start when the elephant is a baby. They tie it on a leash and it spends a lot of time playfully trying to get out but is totally unable to. Meanwhile the elephant is growing all the time and is one day big and powerful easily able to free itself from the leash. But guess what, the elephant does not even try, (it gave up a long time ago) because it is already convinced that IT CANNOT. Imagine that! A big powerful animal tied to a small tiny rope that it can break with one small jerk of its head or body.
That is exactly how me and you and every Kenyan is today.
Kenya has changed. A LOT!! Talk to any Kenyan irrespective of their tribe and they will tell you that they are fed up. Everybody wants change. But we just don't have the balls to go for it (excuse my language).
Sadly we have already accepted defeat before the contest has even started. Some people even wants us to start discussing 2012 because 2007 has already been decided.
We are all sure of the following;
It is impossible for somebody to win the presidency without forming a coalition ahead of the elections.
It is impossible to get Kenyans to NOT vote along tribal lines. (quick question; how many tribes voted for Kibaki in 2007?)
It is impossible for a germ of an idea in this blog to decide the next elections.
This blogger is daydreaming.
I don’t want to ask you guys to read history, because I know you will not. But all I can say is that there are many examples of people who have done what was at first believed to be impossible. Besides it is best to fail while trying something different other than to do the same old thing which has always given you the same results and to then expect different results. HOW?
We (me and you) have the power to decide. It is our God-given right. So why don’t we dare to dream and then try and make that dream come true?
Nationalist Tom Mboya’s father once jeered at his son. The illiterate sisal picker asked his son;
“This mzungu who is so clever that he manufactures machines to fly in the air and has made so many wonderful thing… you really think you can outsmart him?”
The old man, although he was illiterate, made a lot of sense. Mboya was a Form 4 graduate. A voracious reader, but still he had never seen the inside of an A-level classroom, let alone a university campus. How could he possibly outsmart the all powerful colonial government?
But you know the story. You know that Mboya did achieve the impossible. For your information when he took up the rallying cry of "Uhuru sasa" in 1961, virtually every Kenyan thought he was crazy in the head. It did not look like Kenya could get independence in the next 10 years.
My dear brothers and sisters, the time has come for us to take courage and think the impossible. Getting a non-tribal leader and the government that will bring the change we deserve. Let us debate this issue here in the coming days even as we launch our stop the violence campaign. Let me sign off today by quoting the quote from Ritchie’s comment here recently;
I know some of us have ever read “The Nation’s Prayer” but I reproduce it here for the benefit of all of us:
“God give us men!
A time like this demands: strong minds, great heights, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who posses opinions and a will;
Men who have honour; Men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue;
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;
Tell men, sun-crowned who live above the fog;
In public duty and in private thinking;
For while they rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds;
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps;
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps.”
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
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It is official and spoken by Raila Odinga himself that his colleagues within ODM Kenya want him to settle for the non-existent Prime Minister’s post and step down from being a presidential candidate to break the current stalement within the party.
In other words imagine a situation where you cheat a small child that you will bring them some candy when you get back home from work. You renege on your promise and the next morning you promise exactly the same thing. Surely, even if that child is mentally challenged…
The bigger issue here which Kenyans should see (instead of just concentrating on their preferred presidential candidates) is the fact that everything is being decided for us. WHY? In other words we are not intelligent enough to decide who our next president should be. The masses as they say, always have to be led like sheep.
When will we wake up and say “NO”? When will we rise up and take our country back? And yet we have the power, especially those of us with voter’s cards.
As it is, we have now been very effectively neutralized because we are busy fighting amongst ourselves (even in this blog) over who is a better presidential candidate and why. Meanwhile it really does not matter who gets elected, they will all be more of the same for us Kenyans. Kalonzo, Raila, Mudavadi Uhuru, Kibaki etc. will NOT bring the change we badly need. Sorry my friends, but let me just say the truth and stop being hypocritical.
There is no way that Kalonzo will restore the looted fortunes of Kenya back to the people. Even Raila can not. How can he when he is planning to form an all-inclusive government that includes the very thieves who have looted this country. Kalonzo is planning the same. Kanu is there to protect the wealth of those it made fabulously rich. Period. Delegates and its’ so called die hard members are just being used as pawns. M,e and you are also on course to being used as pawns in the forthcoming polls.
I hear you saying that we have no option. Really? Are you sure?
What is stopping me and you discussing here and coming up with an appropriate name of some principled Kenyan, a political nobody? And then presenting that candidate for election? My friends we do not know the power we have, let us wake up. It is only when we decide to do something that realistic solutions will present themselves. But as long as our minds are “locked” we will go nowhere.
Let me not say much, but instead give a small illustration. You know how they train elephants for the circus? They start when the elephant is a baby. They tie it on a leash and it spends a lot of time playfully trying to get out but is totally unable to. Meanwhile the elephant is growing all the time and is one day big and powerful easily able to free itself from the leash. But guess what, the elephant does not even try, (it gave up a long time ago) because it is already convinced that IT CANNOT. Imagine that! A big powerful animal tied to a small tiny rope that it can break with one small jerk of its head or body.
That is exactly how me and you and every Kenyan is today.
Kenya has changed. A LOT!! Talk to any Kenyan irrespective of their tribe and they will tell you that they are fed up. Everybody wants change. But we just don't have the balls to go for it (excuse my language).
Sadly we have already accepted defeat before the contest has even started. Some people even wants us to start discussing 2012 because 2007 has already been decided.
We are all sure of the following;
It is impossible for somebody to win the presidency without forming a coalition ahead of the elections.
It is impossible to get Kenyans to NOT vote along tribal lines. (quick question; how many tribes voted for Kibaki in 2007?)
It is impossible for a germ of an idea in this blog to decide the next elections.
This blogger is daydreaming.
I don’t want to ask you guys to read history, because I know you will not. But all I can say is that there are many examples of people who have done what was at first believed to be impossible. Besides it is best to fail while trying something different other than to do the same old thing which has always given you the same results and to then expect different results. HOW?
We (me and you) have the power to decide. It is our God-given right. So why don’t we dare to dream and then try and make that dream come true?
Nationalist Tom Mboya’s father once jeered at his son. The illiterate sisal picker asked his son;
“This mzungu who is so clever that he manufactures machines to fly in the air and has made so many wonderful thing… you really think you can outsmart him?”
The old man, although he was illiterate, made a lot of sense. Mboya was a Form 4 graduate. A voracious reader, but still he had never seen the inside of an A-level classroom, let alone a university campus. How could he possibly outsmart the all powerful colonial government?
But you know the story. You know that Mboya did achieve the impossible. For your information when he took up the rallying cry of "Uhuru sasa" in 1961, virtually every Kenyan thought he was crazy in the head. It did not look like Kenya could get independence in the next 10 years.
My dear brothers and sisters, the time has come for us to take courage and think the impossible. Getting a non-tribal leader and the government that will bring the change we deserve. Let us debate this issue here in the coming days even as we launch our stop the violence campaign. Let me sign off today by quoting the quote from Ritchie’s comment here recently;
I know some of us have ever read “The Nation’s Prayer” but I reproduce it here for the benefit of all of us:
“God give us men!
A time like this demands: strong minds, great heights, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who posses opinions and a will;
Men who have honour; Men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue;
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;
Tell men, sun-crowned who live above the fog;
In public duty and in private thinking;
For while they rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds;
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps;
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps.”
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Intimate Details Of The Battle Deep Within ODM Becomes Public Knowledge
archive
Daily Nation newspaper says Raila almost shed tears…
The goings on deep within the ODM high command are now in the public domain.
The most graphic description of it all is in today's Nation newspaper;
"That was why the Langata MP was almost shedding tears before the council of elders on Wednesday as he questioned the determination by his colleagues to confine him to the Prime Minister's post
"Sources said his colleagues are of the view that Mr Odinga cannot defeat President Kibaki at the ballot box."
The Nation newspaper analysis earlier clearly explains how Kalonzo Musyoka, Mudavadi and Ruto have clearly stated their position which is that Raila should step down and pave way for either Mr Musyoka or Mudavadi to be the Odm fag bearer for president, because they claim that those are the candidates with a better chance of defeating president Kibaki.
I remain neutral in this battle within ODM because anyway I have now gone back to my radical old self which says that none of the above are fit for the office and we need to look for a principled political nobody to elect into office.
Still the naked truth is that all these ODM presidential candidates have changed their minds and positions shamelessly. Remember the time when Raila was at pains to convince his colleagues to go for the consensus method of finding a candidate? It is not even 3 months ago when this was happening. Now it is the same Raila rooting for elections via delegates and all the rest rooting for consensus. Which means that the situation must have changed and therefore the candidates have changed to favor the system that favors their individual agenda most.
Remember how Kalonzo refused to submit his presidential nomination papers until a properly constituted neutral national election board was in place at ODM? Surely you don’t need an electoral board for the consensus method, do you?
But the most attention-grabbing news in the whole saga for me is the fact that to date, none of the presidential candidates have made any statement about the politically instigated violence that has now crept into the vast Kibera slums shortly after leaflets warning residents had been circulated. The priorities of these gentlemen are very clear. It is just to get to State House, period. A few people dying in Kibera and elsewhere is of no consequence to them. Let us wake up, my brothers.
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Daily Nation newspaper says Raila almost shed tears…
The goings on deep within the ODM high command are now in the public domain.
The most graphic description of it all is in today's Nation newspaper;
"That was why the Langata MP was almost shedding tears before the council of elders on Wednesday as he questioned the determination by his colleagues to confine him to the Prime Minister's post
"Sources said his colleagues are of the view that Mr Odinga cannot defeat President Kibaki at the ballot box."
The Nation newspaper analysis earlier clearly explains how Kalonzo Musyoka, Mudavadi and Ruto have clearly stated their position which is that Raila should step down and pave way for either Mr Musyoka or Mudavadi to be the Odm fag bearer for president, because they claim that those are the candidates with a better chance of defeating president Kibaki.
I remain neutral in this battle within ODM because anyway I have now gone back to my radical old self which says that none of the above are fit for the office and we need to look for a principled political nobody to elect into office.
Still the naked truth is that all these ODM presidential candidates have changed their minds and positions shamelessly. Remember the time when Raila was at pains to convince his colleagues to go for the consensus method of finding a candidate? It is not even 3 months ago when this was happening. Now it is the same Raila rooting for elections via delegates and all the rest rooting for consensus. Which means that the situation must have changed and therefore the candidates have changed to favor the system that favors their individual agenda most.
Remember how Kalonzo refused to submit his presidential nomination papers until a properly constituted neutral national election board was in place at ODM? Surely you don’t need an electoral board for the consensus method, do you?
But the most attention-grabbing news in the whole saga for me is the fact that to date, none of the presidential candidates have made any statement about the politically instigated violence that has now crept into the vast Kibera slums shortly after leaflets warning residents had been circulated. The priorities of these gentlemen are very clear. It is just to get to State House, period. A few people dying in Kibera and elsewhere is of no consequence to them. Let us wake up, my brothers.
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
What Running Kumekucha Has Taught Me: Opinion Is NOT Cheap Talk
archive
How some Kumekucha commentators have influenced my political thinking… negatively over time
Even as we launch our campaign on Monday to fight for an end to the current wave of political violence in Kenya, I have started realizing just how powerful the written word and mere comment can be. They say that talk is cheap and that idlers and people who are close to crackpots are the ones who write comments and opinion pieces, because they achieve very little if anything. How wrong can somebody be? Propaganda experts will just laugh at such a suggestion because this is always at the heart of their campaigns.
There is a simple experiment I invite you to do. Start with this post and click on the last heading on the right and in that way go backwards in time to the year 2006 and 2005
and you will clearly note that I started out as a political radical intent on campaigning for change in Kenya by dismissing all current political leaders. But gradually through the influence of our regular readers and commentators, I have greatly softened my stand to the point where I started seriously considering the current political pretenders for office. The lesser evil, as they say. This is something I would NEVER have done when I started out.
Thank you, my brother Taabu, you correctly noted this shift in my position a few weeks ago and said it here. The good news I have for you is that today I have returned to my previous position (because it is the only way we can save our country) but this time I will work hard to convince as many other Kenyans as possible to join me on my side rather than trying to force it down the throats of people as I previously tried to do.
What all this confirms is that the campaign we are launching in this blog, is extremely powerful and has the potential of making a huge difference. So kindly join in and encourage as many of your friends and colleagues to do the same. You do not need to wait for Monday, you can start straight away (Go to this page and find out all you need to know to get started). http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2007/06/stop-political-violence-in-kenya.html
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2007/06/stop-political-violence-in-kenya.html
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
How some Kumekucha commentators have influenced my political thinking… negatively over time
Even as we launch our campaign on Monday to fight for an end to the current wave of political violence in Kenya, I have started realizing just how powerful the written word and mere comment can be. They say that talk is cheap and that idlers and people who are close to crackpots are the ones who write comments and opinion pieces, because they achieve very little if anything. How wrong can somebody be? Propaganda experts will just laugh at such a suggestion because this is always at the heart of their campaigns.
There is a simple experiment I invite you to do. Start with this post and click on the last heading on the right and in that way go backwards in time to the year 2006 and 2005
and you will clearly note that I started out as a political radical intent on campaigning for change in Kenya by dismissing all current political leaders. But gradually through the influence of our regular readers and commentators, I have greatly softened my stand to the point where I started seriously considering the current political pretenders for office. The lesser evil, as they say. This is something I would NEVER have done when I started out.
Thank you, my brother Taabu, you correctly noted this shift in my position a few weeks ago and said it here. The good news I have for you is that today I have returned to my previous position (because it is the only way we can save our country) but this time I will work hard to convince as many other Kenyans as possible to join me on my side rather than trying to force it down the throats of people as I previously tried to do.
What all this confirms is that the campaign we are launching in this blog, is extremely powerful and has the potential of making a huge difference. So kindly join in and encourage as many of your friends and colleagues to do the same. You do not need to wait for Monday, you can start straight away (Go to this page and find out all you need to know to get started). http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2007/06/stop-political-violence-in-kenya.html
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2007/06/stop-political-violence-in-kenya.html
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Horror As Kenyan Hermaphrodite (Has Both Female And Male Sex Organs) Shares Cells With Male Inmates At Kamiti, Now Sues
archive
Intersex or hermaphrodite suffers untold horror in cell with rough criminal men
Just imagine for a minute what would happen if you were to put one woman in the same cell with male inmates?
So you can imagine the sheer horror and torture a hermaphrodite would go through.
Richard Muasya, a Kenyan hermaphrodite has sued the government of Kenya and requested immediate release, unconditionally from Kamiti Maximum Prison where he is on death row after being found guilty of a robbery with violence offence.
He wants to be released for undergoing untold mockery, ridicule and dehumanization fellow inmates, prison warders and even the police. Muasya's lawyer John Chigiti would not have put it more bluntly by stating that his client .."is under constant danger of being sexually abused and molested by the anxious male inmates at Kamiti."
Muasya was born with both the male and female sex organs and at least 3 medical examinations by authorities have confirmed this sad fact. The Kenyan constitution does not make allowances for special facilities for inmates who are both male and female.
Muasya was initially arrested for the offence he was convicted of in February 2005 in Kitui. Fascinatingly he also faced charges of rape initially which were later quickly dropped apparently after his biological condition was discovered. This is strange because hermaphrodites are also capable of rape.
UPDATE: What a Kenyan constitutional court ruled about this case
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Kenya Beauty Queens Who Lost Launch Facebook Page To Expose Their Colleagues For Spreading Their Legs To Win
Woman has epileptic fit every time she tries to be with a man
Campus girl makes Kshs 20,000 a month selling pregnancy testing kits to fellow students
Did MP Gideon Mwiti Rape After Testing Victim For Aids? Hilarious Look At Evidence So Far
I regret revealing mini skirt I wore the day I was carjacked and raped at Imara Daima Estate
Woman violently rapes man until he lands in hospital Video
Amazing property deal at half the price of valuation in Golf course
Nairobi woman pays horrifyingly high price for stealing scratch cards
Be encouraged, Jomo Kenyatta was a failure in life until his sunset years
Best content writers for hire in the world $1.25
US drone attack kills top al Shabaab operations man for Westgate
How to attract men like crazy by being angry in a certain way
Intersex or hermaphrodite suffers untold horror in cell with rough criminal men
Just imagine for a minute what would happen if you were to put one woman in the same cell with male inmates?
So you can imagine the sheer horror and torture a hermaphrodite would go through.
Richard Muasya, a Kenyan hermaphrodite has sued the government of Kenya and requested immediate release, unconditionally from Kamiti Maximum Prison where he is on death row after being found guilty of a robbery with violence offence.
He wants to be released for undergoing untold mockery, ridicule and dehumanization fellow inmates, prison warders and even the police. Muasya's lawyer John Chigiti would not have put it more bluntly by stating that his client .."is under constant danger of being sexually abused and molested by the anxious male inmates at Kamiti."
Muasya was born with both the male and female sex organs and at least 3 medical examinations by authorities have confirmed this sad fact. The Kenyan constitution does not make allowances for special facilities for inmates who are both male and female.
Muasya was initially arrested for the offence he was convicted of in February 2005 in Kitui. Fascinatingly he also faced charges of rape initially which were later quickly dropped apparently after his biological condition was discovered. This is strange because hermaphrodites are also capable of rape.
UPDATE: What a Kenyan constitutional court ruled about this case
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Kenya Beauty Queens Who Lost Launch Facebook Page To Expose Their Colleagues For Spreading Their Legs To Win
Woman has epileptic fit every time she tries to be with a man
Campus girl makes Kshs 20,000 a month selling pregnancy testing kits to fellow students
Did MP Gideon Mwiti Rape After Testing Victim For Aids? Hilarious Look At Evidence So Far
I regret revealing mini skirt I wore the day I was carjacked and raped at Imara Daima Estate
Woman violently rapes man until he lands in hospital Video
Amazing property deal at half the price of valuation in Golf course
Nairobi woman pays horrifyingly high price for stealing scratch cards
Be encouraged, Jomo Kenyatta was a failure in life until his sunset years
Best content writers for hire in the world $1.25
US drone attack kills top al Shabaab operations man for Westgate
How to attract men like crazy by being angry in a certain way
Friday, June 29, 2007
Kenyans, Your Country Needs You... BADLY
archive
The time has come for those of us in this blog who claim to love our country to start doing something other than just "talking here."
After considering your comments it is clear that opinion is divided over whether we should call for the resignation of the police commissioner and the Internal security minister or not. So for the sake of unity I have left out that issue and concentrated on what we all agree on. Which is the fact that something has got to be done about insecurity in the country.
Our campaign is not opportunistic as somebody has suggested or designed to draw attention to us. NO. All we want is action to be taken so that our brothers and sisters who do not live in Muthaiga can be safe from Mungiki and company, during this election year.
I suggest that starting Monday, we each take the time to draft letters to all the media houses whose addresses we can get. Via email, P.O. Boxes etc. Our campaign will be simply appealing for the violence against poor Kenyans who do not have the resources to defend themselves, to stop. The plan is to bombard every media outlet we can find with this issue so that Kenyans and the authorities can wake up to the danger that looms large before us.
I urge you not to underestimate this simple sounding strategy. If we can all participate and call on as many other Kenyans to participate, we can influence public opinion enough to make a difference. Especially now when our beloved preferred presidential candidates have ALL gone to sleep and are dreaming ONLY of the motorcycle motorcades and being called “MUTUKUFU.”
If you can send a copy of each letter that you send out to the media to our email address here umissedthis@yahoo.com, I will keep count of how many letters each of us has sent out. By the way it is also useful to indicate as you send me copies of the letters, how many letters you have sent out. The second phase of the plan will involve getting as many mobile telephone numbers of like-minded Kenyans as possible to push our message and agenda forward to the people. But let us start with the simple before moving to the more complex and involving.
Ladies and gentlemen, together we can do a lot and I remind you once again that unity is of utmost importance in this noble project.
Just one more very important thing I would like to say. I have noticed that many younger Kenyans have fear of one thing above everything else. They fear this thing more than they fear a carjacker with a loaded gun. That thing is failure. Well, I have news for you. If you fear failure, you are already a failure. How many times did man fail before mechanized flight was made possible? Today man flies better and further than the birds themselves with his flying machines. If I feared failure I would have given up on the first week I launched this blog because everybody ignored it.
I will tell you what you should really fear. It is inaction because that is exactly what has gotten us into the mess we are in at the moment.
So please, don’t start analyzing how successful or how unsuccessful our campaign here will be. Let’s just roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Can you folks share here the email addresses of the daily newspapers TV stations and other media outlets outside Kenya that report on Kenya and accept comment and letters from their audiences? Let’s collect all these between today and Monday (Kenyan time) when we will launch our campaign.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
The time has come for those of us in this blog who claim to love our country to start doing something other than just "talking here."
After considering your comments it is clear that opinion is divided over whether we should call for the resignation of the police commissioner and the Internal security minister or not. So for the sake of unity I have left out that issue and concentrated on what we all agree on. Which is the fact that something has got to be done about insecurity in the country.
Our campaign is not opportunistic as somebody has suggested or designed to draw attention to us. NO. All we want is action to be taken so that our brothers and sisters who do not live in Muthaiga can be safe from Mungiki and company, during this election year.
I suggest that starting Monday, we each take the time to draft letters to all the media houses whose addresses we can get. Via email, P.O. Boxes etc. Our campaign will be simply appealing for the violence against poor Kenyans who do not have the resources to defend themselves, to stop. The plan is to bombard every media outlet we can find with this issue so that Kenyans and the authorities can wake up to the danger that looms large before us.
I urge you not to underestimate this simple sounding strategy. If we can all participate and call on as many other Kenyans to participate, we can influence public opinion enough to make a difference. Especially now when our beloved preferred presidential candidates have ALL gone to sleep and are dreaming ONLY of the motorcycle motorcades and being called “MUTUKUFU.”
If you can send a copy of each letter that you send out to the media to our email address here umissedthis@yahoo.com, I will keep count of how many letters each of us has sent out. By the way it is also useful to indicate as you send me copies of the letters, how many letters you have sent out. The second phase of the plan will involve getting as many mobile telephone numbers of like-minded Kenyans as possible to push our message and agenda forward to the people. But let us start with the simple before moving to the more complex and involving.
Ladies and gentlemen, together we can do a lot and I remind you once again that unity is of utmost importance in this noble project.
Just one more very important thing I would like to say. I have noticed that many younger Kenyans have fear of one thing above everything else. They fear this thing more than they fear a carjacker with a loaded gun. That thing is failure. Well, I have news for you. If you fear failure, you are already a failure. How many times did man fail before mechanized flight was made possible? Today man flies better and further than the birds themselves with his flying machines. If I feared failure I would have given up on the first week I launched this blog because everybody ignored it.
I will tell you what you should really fear. It is inaction because that is exactly what has gotten us into the mess we are in at the moment.
So please, don’t start analyzing how successful or how unsuccessful our campaign here will be. Let’s just roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Can you folks share here the email addresses of the daily newspapers TV stations and other media outlets outside Kenya that report on Kenya and accept comment and letters from their audiences? Let’s collect all these between today and Monday (Kenyan time) when we will launch our campaign.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Leaked Info About KissFM’s "The Nairobi Star"
archive
I got this bit of information about the proposed KissFM daily newspaper and I decided to share it with you guys. Apparently the newspaper will concentrate on Nairobi news and Nairobians. Personally I think that that is very smart and is something Nation guys should worry about.
When you think about it, there is so much that is happening in Nairobi which even Kumekucha cannot fully cover and a newspaper that concentrates on Nairobi only has a decent chance of being a huge success.
I understand that the newspaper is due to hit the streets around July 2nd. Expect more reviews and analysis here when it is published.
Other Stories In This Blog About The Nairobi Star
Why Nation Should Be Worried
The Nairobi Star: What Most People Don't Know About Circulation And Advertising
----------------------
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
I got this bit of information about the proposed KissFM daily newspaper and I decided to share it with you guys. Apparently the newspaper will concentrate on Nairobi news and Nairobians. Personally I think that that is very smart and is something Nation guys should worry about.
When you think about it, there is so much that is happening in Nairobi which even Kumekucha cannot fully cover and a newspaper that concentrates on Nairobi only has a decent chance of being a huge success.
I understand that the newspaper is due to hit the streets around July 2nd. Expect more reviews and analysis here when it is published.
Other Stories In This Blog About The Nairobi Star
Why Nation Should Be Worried
The Nairobi Star: What Most People Don't Know About Circulation And Advertising
----------------------
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Kenyans Are Not Suffering Because There Is No Money
archive
There is this reader who has painstakingly gone through almost all the posts in Kumekucha. I have tracked him using his name and the sometimes critical but always useful comments he has been leaving.
I know that many of you must have missed the following comment from his which he left in an old post about Bunge la mwananchi. I wouldn’t have said it better about the crux of our problem in Kenya which is certainly not lack of money.
Edwin Gachinga Warima has left a new comment on your post "BUNGE LA MWANANCHI - FREEDOM FROM HUNGER":
Wiser words have never been spoken. Our government has the money, it just misuses it. How can an MP earn Ksh.887,500 (includes benefits & allowances), while Form 4 leavers, stay home because we don't have enough state/public universities? How do we pay our president Kshs. 2,000,000 when the ordinary mwananchi can't even feed his family? Why?
I'll give you the answer. Because our government is full of hypocrites and thieves, whose only concern is to enrich their pockets. These fools couldn't care less about helping Kenyans or what's in the best interest of our country.
They eat, get re-elected, and eat some more. Corruption is still rampant in Kenyan government...look at the Anglo Leasing Scandal. Despite Githongo's evidenciary tape, the Mwirarias, Murungis and Murungarus are still walking around free. By the way, wasn't Kiraitu Murungi re-appointed by Kibaki to a ministerial post? That shows us where Kibaki's heart was all along.
How about The Goldenberg scandal that bilked our country out of 70 billion shillings? Where is Kamlesh Pattni today? You guessed it, free as a bird. How about the Kanyotus,Saitotis and Gideon Mois associated with that particular scandal...where are they today? Again free, free, free...to enjoy their stolen wealth. Mean while Aaron Ringera is still pocketing 2.5 million per month as the head of --- commision of inquiry that has been inquiring forever with absolutely no results.
You say, what about the free primary & Secondary education brought about by Kibaki's government? Sure,Kibaki has made some improvements to the economy...and Bravo to him for that. But if he is trully serious on improving the economy, he should first & foremost refuse to accept that 2,000,000/= monthly salary, (and have it cut down to no more than 400,000/=)...then establish an independent arm of the government to cut MP's and Minister's salaries to no more than 200,000/= per month. (Currently, MP's...through parliament vote to give themselves pay raises.) How can you vote to yourself a pay raise? Is this ridiculous or what!!!!!!!
According to my calculations based on the above presidential, Ministerial and MP salary reductions, our country would save 176,000,000 per month. That's 176 million each & every month!!
That would build alot of classrooms!! How about using this money to improve our roads? The list of projects to do is endless. Would this get Kenya started on the road to financial recovery? You bet.
But like I said earlier, this would only be initiated by a trully serious president. I don't think we have that yet.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
There is this reader who has painstakingly gone through almost all the posts in Kumekucha. I have tracked him using his name and the sometimes critical but always useful comments he has been leaving.
I know that many of you must have missed the following comment from his which he left in an old post about Bunge la mwananchi. I wouldn’t have said it better about the crux of our problem in Kenya which is certainly not lack of money.
Edwin Gachinga Warima has left a new comment on your post "BUNGE LA MWANANCHI - FREEDOM FROM HUNGER":
Wiser words have never been spoken. Our government has the money, it just misuses it. How can an MP earn Ksh.887,500 (includes benefits & allowances), while Form 4 leavers, stay home because we don't have enough state/public universities? How do we pay our president Kshs. 2,000,000 when the ordinary mwananchi can't even feed his family? Why?
I'll give you the answer. Because our government is full of hypocrites and thieves, whose only concern is to enrich their pockets. These fools couldn't care less about helping Kenyans or what's in the best interest of our country.
They eat, get re-elected, and eat some more. Corruption is still rampant in Kenyan government...look at the Anglo Leasing Scandal. Despite Githongo's evidenciary tape, the Mwirarias, Murungis and Murungarus are still walking around free. By the way, wasn't Kiraitu Murungi re-appointed by Kibaki to a ministerial post? That shows us where Kibaki's heart was all along.
How about The Goldenberg scandal that bilked our country out of 70 billion shillings? Where is Kamlesh Pattni today? You guessed it, free as a bird. How about the Kanyotus,Saitotis and Gideon Mois associated with that particular scandal...where are they today? Again free, free, free...to enjoy their stolen wealth. Mean while Aaron Ringera is still pocketing 2.5 million per month as the head of --- commision of inquiry that has been inquiring forever with absolutely no results.
You say, what about the free primary & Secondary education brought about by Kibaki's government? Sure,Kibaki has made some improvements to the economy...and Bravo to him for that. But if he is trully serious on improving the economy, he should first & foremost refuse to accept that 2,000,000/= monthly salary, (and have it cut down to no more than 400,000/=)...then establish an independent arm of the government to cut MP's and Minister's salaries to no more than 200,000/= per month. (Currently, MP's...through parliament vote to give themselves pay raises.) How can you vote to yourself a pay raise? Is this ridiculous or what!!!!!!!
According to my calculations based on the above presidential, Ministerial and MP salary reductions, our country would save 176,000,000 per month. That's 176 million each & every month!!
That would build alot of classrooms!! How about using this money to improve our roads? The list of projects to do is endless. Would this get Kenya started on the road to financial recovery? You bet.
But like I said earlier, this would only be initiated by a trully serious president. I don't think we have that yet.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Mungiki Violence Arrives In Kibera
archive
Friends, fellow Kenyans it is with tears in my eyes that I write this post today and I take no pride in having been proved 100% correct in my repeated warnings about a very violent general elections. I would rather that this post were an apology to you all for being a war monger.
What pride do I have in being proved right when scores of innocent Kenyans lie dead in the city mortuary having died for absolutely nothing. Or what was the reason they died? General elections? The presidency of Kenya? Are these things that are more precious than one human life? Tell me today that the killings will stop and I will do anything, including support the thieves and murderers who call themselves politicians and are no doubt responsible for all this chaos in our beloved country. That is how precious human life is. More so, innocent poor people who have suffered all their lives only because they were not born by a Kenyan in a position to make wealth overnight through corrupt means.
Last night four innocent, poverty-stricken Kenyans lost their lives in the sprawling Kibera slums in the hands of persons believed to be Mungiki adherents.
Even more interesting is the fact that the incident took place shortly after warnings had been issued through some leaflets circulated in the area. Eyewitnesses add that the gunmen were being directed to shoot by a smartly-dresses man carrying a briefcase.
When you read Phil's comment left here earlier today, a pattern begins to appear. It is clear that that Mr Police commissioner Ali and company are anxious to keep as much news from us as possible. But thank God for the Internet and citizen journalism. We now know that more people died in Kibera than has been reported in the news. Please read Phil's post below;
Phil has left a new comment on your post "Why Hon Michuki And Police Commissioner Ali Must R...":
Just a day before you published a story calling on Michuki and Brg. Ali to resign, I have a story that will reinforce your concerns about insecurity Chris. Unless you fall victim yourself, you will never empathise with victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya.
I received a call at about 9pm on Wednesday from Kibera (Langata Constituency) informing me that a friend of mine had been shot dead outside his house in Fort Jesus estate. Being fired at several times (actually five bullets hit him) at point blank range, the fellow died instantly. As he lies dead at City mortuary, he leaves behind six school-going children and a young jobless wife. While going to bed with a heavy heart, I was again woken up past midnight by yet another call informing me that three more individuals had been shot dead in different places in Langata constituency . Bloggers may ask why the calls; it is because I have been a long time resident of Langata, and I retain friends there, as well as being a community/social worker in the slums.
Eye witnesses said that the killers were four individuals, they all wore ski-masks (what we call monkey-hats)/heavy jackets, they carried 3 pistols and their ringleader, described as a tall slender man with a rough voice and heavy Kikuyu acccent, carried the dreaded AK-47 assault rifle. They operated on foot and worked on victims slowly and methodically, taking away wallets, cellphones and other valluables as they empty cash boxes of small businesses like butchers, bars, paraffin vendors, etc. Whoever refused to lie down when the armed robbers were operating was shot several times without second thought. A kibera shopkeeper, frozen with fright, raised his hands as if to surrender, but was hit hard on the face by the rifle butt to force him to lie face down. He lost a lot of blood and is today recovering at home nursing twelve stitches on his forehead. He was relieved of his days' sale of Kshs. 2500/-!! Infact, the said ringleader was heard boasting that this was just the beginning and more was to come in the coming days. Six hours after the raid, the deceased cell phones which were still ON, and after persistent calling the thugs actually answered and arrogantly told 'wacha kusumbua wazee'. Chilling, isnt it?
While petty crime like mugging or pick-pocketing (kupigwa tero) is common place in Kibera, like in every other slum, something is seriously wrong when four gun-totting thugs can roam casually in a densely populated estate killing and terrorising citizens as early as 8pm - when most households are have hardly retired for the night and candle lit shops are still open.
Coming at a time when Raila's rating is climbing steadily in opinion polls, while he is himself poised to launch one of the strongest presidential campaigns in multi-party Kenya and the controversy sorrounding the ODM nominations, these killings, Chris, are clearly an act of a strong warning to the area residents that not even the Kenya Police can protect them or their property unless they toe the line. (By the way Chris, why do the likes of Kalonzo and Uhuru demand for establishment of elections board in ODM if they know they will eventually settle for concensus?) Innocent citizens have been executed in Kibera in isolated cases in the last few months, but yesterday's operation means this country is headed for big trouble and it reminds me of your numerous posts of fears of a violent 2007 election.
In the rural areas, for example Mt Elgon, victims must have been terrified in their night raid experiences considering the environment they live in and the fact that people retire early in rural Kenya due to lack of electricity. If these killings in Kibera are anything to go by, then we must ask hard questions about the state of affairs in government. Police have been combing the area from early this morning but residents are afraid that this is too little, too late.
Most Kenyans fail to fully grasp the fact that Mwai Kibaki is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and that he personally took an oath of office to defend the constitution and protect the lives of all Kenyans. Do we really know what this means? I think the buck stops at his door step!
Chris, you recently talked of launching a campaign to get MPs to accept a paycut in the 10th parliament. It is my considered opinion that the campaign should instead be to increase awareness and highlight the plight of victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya!!
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Friends, fellow Kenyans it is with tears in my eyes that I write this post today and I take no pride in having been proved 100% correct in my repeated warnings about a very violent general elections. I would rather that this post were an apology to you all for being a war monger.
What pride do I have in being proved right when scores of innocent Kenyans lie dead in the city mortuary having died for absolutely nothing. Or what was the reason they died? General elections? The presidency of Kenya? Are these things that are more precious than one human life? Tell me today that the killings will stop and I will do anything, including support the thieves and murderers who call themselves politicians and are no doubt responsible for all this chaos in our beloved country. That is how precious human life is. More so, innocent poor people who have suffered all their lives only because they were not born by a Kenyan in a position to make wealth overnight through corrupt means.
Last night four innocent, poverty-stricken Kenyans lost their lives in the sprawling Kibera slums in the hands of persons believed to be Mungiki adherents.
Even more interesting is the fact that the incident took place shortly after warnings had been issued through some leaflets circulated in the area. Eyewitnesses add that the gunmen were being directed to shoot by a smartly-dresses man carrying a briefcase.
When you read Phil's comment left here earlier today, a pattern begins to appear. It is clear that that Mr Police commissioner Ali and company are anxious to keep as much news from us as possible. But thank God for the Internet and citizen journalism. We now know that more people died in Kibera than has been reported in the news. Please read Phil's post below;
Phil has left a new comment on your post "Why Hon Michuki And Police Commissioner Ali Must R...":
Just a day before you published a story calling on Michuki and Brg. Ali to resign, I have a story that will reinforce your concerns about insecurity Chris. Unless you fall victim yourself, you will never empathise with victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya.
I received a call at about 9pm on Wednesday from Kibera (Langata Constituency) informing me that a friend of mine had been shot dead outside his house in Fort Jesus estate. Being fired at several times (actually five bullets hit him) at point blank range, the fellow died instantly. As he lies dead at City mortuary, he leaves behind six school-going children and a young jobless wife. While going to bed with a heavy heart, I was again woken up past midnight by yet another call informing me that three more individuals had been shot dead in different places in Langata constituency . Bloggers may ask why the calls; it is because I have been a long time resident of Langata, and I retain friends there, as well as being a community/social worker in the slums.
Eye witnesses said that the killers were four individuals, they all wore ski-masks (what we call monkey-hats)/heavy jackets, they carried 3 pistols and their ringleader, described as a tall slender man with a rough voice and heavy Kikuyu acccent, carried the dreaded AK-47 assault rifle. They operated on foot and worked on victims slowly and methodically, taking away wallets, cellphones and other valluables as they empty cash boxes of small businesses like butchers, bars, paraffin vendors, etc. Whoever refused to lie down when the armed robbers were operating was shot several times without second thought. A kibera shopkeeper, frozen with fright, raised his hands as if to surrender, but was hit hard on the face by the rifle butt to force him to lie face down. He lost a lot of blood and is today recovering at home nursing twelve stitches on his forehead. He was relieved of his days' sale of Kshs. 2500/-!! Infact, the said ringleader was heard boasting that this was just the beginning and more was to come in the coming days. Six hours after the raid, the deceased cell phones which were still ON, and after persistent calling the thugs actually answered and arrogantly told 'wacha kusumbua wazee'. Chilling, isnt it?
While petty crime like mugging or pick-pocketing (kupigwa tero) is common place in Kibera, like in every other slum, something is seriously wrong when four gun-totting thugs can roam casually in a densely populated estate killing and terrorising citizens as early as 8pm - when most households are have hardly retired for the night and candle lit shops are still open.
Coming at a time when Raila's rating is climbing steadily in opinion polls, while he is himself poised to launch one of the strongest presidential campaigns in multi-party Kenya and the controversy sorrounding the ODM nominations, these killings, Chris, are clearly an act of a strong warning to the area residents that not even the Kenya Police can protect them or their property unless they toe the line. (By the way Chris, why do the likes of Kalonzo and Uhuru demand for establishment of elections board in ODM if they know they will eventually settle for concensus?) Innocent citizens have been executed in Kibera in isolated cases in the last few months, but yesterday's operation means this country is headed for big trouble and it reminds me of your numerous posts of fears of a violent 2007 election.
In the rural areas, for example Mt Elgon, victims must have been terrified in their night raid experiences considering the environment they live in and the fact that people retire early in rural Kenya due to lack of electricity. If these killings in Kibera are anything to go by, then we must ask hard questions about the state of affairs in government. Police have been combing the area from early this morning but residents are afraid that this is too little, too late.
Most Kenyans fail to fully grasp the fact that Mwai Kibaki is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and that he personally took an oath of office to defend the constitution and protect the lives of all Kenyans. Do we really know what this means? I think the buck stops at his door step!
Chris, you recently talked of launching a campaign to get MPs to accept a paycut in the 10th parliament. It is my considered opinion that the campaign should instead be to increase awareness and highlight the plight of victims of violence and insecurity in Kenya!!
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Do We Do Something Or Just Sit Back And "Enjoy" The Show?
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There is a long time reader of this blog whose name is Luke. I have always known him as the sort of person who hits the nail on the head and he did just that with this comment which was again left today;
Luke has left a new comment on your post "Why Hon Michuki And Police Commissioner Ali Must R...":
reminds me of a funny thing that happened to me back in early 2002 a friend and i were discussing the state of politics back home, and we were both emphatically nodding and agreeing as we waxed lyrical "corruption in Kenya is a BAD thing!"
that same week,my friend got the chance to travel back home and see his family&friends. when he came back, i was eager to hear his assement about the state of affairs to my surprise, he started off by saying "yes, corruption is a bad thing but what can we do?we're helpless against it"
i thought..."what happened? a few days ago it was "corruption is bad fullstop" now its "what can we do we're helpless"
that ability to normalise the abnormal is the time tested silver bullet that our politicians use and they try and make everyone get used to our problems,problems which anyone else looking at them would say "how can you possibly live even 1 sec longer with this?" case in point...24 years of Moi…
oh wait...the president's just appeared on tv...he's clearing his throat to speak...finally, an end to this maddness...sadly no, he just wanted to make sure i urgently remember who the members of his family are…
kweli mimi ni pumbavu sana...(sigh)it must be normal (i guess) for hired mercenaries to brandish weapons openly in an international airport and board the plane first class...
wait...the president's appeared on tv again...
It is quite clear from some of the comments that we have been receiving here that the pungent bad smell of violence and the continued deaths of innocent Kenyans has become "normal" in our country. To most of us seated comfortably in front of our computers and burping "nyama choma" and stale beer, it is a good life and there is no reason to "upset the apple cart" by calling for the resignation of Major Ali and John Michuki. After all, the death of a dozen or so slum dwellers is nothing. Right?
WRONG!!!!!!
Even worse are the guys in the opposition whom we expect to keep the government on its' toes, our so-called future presidents, Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga. If any of them were really genuine, they would have started a hunger strike by now until the violence stops. If I were a public figure that is exactly what I would have done. In other words the truth is that these guys don't really care.
With all due respect to you my friends, the supporters of these presidential candidates, I believe it is time we united against the lot. We who say here we have no regard for tribe or clan. It is better we all boycott the general elections of no credible candidate comes up rather than speak the language that has gotten us into this mess of choosing the lesser evil.
I will not even discuss the President, who (as somebody has put it here so eloquently) took an oath to defend the people of Kenya without fear or favor. As it is now Mathare and Kibera are on fire while other Kenyans are comfortably watching the chaos, TV remote control in hand, somewhere in Muthaiga. They and their children feel safe because they have policemen and security guards guarding their gates.
So my fellow countrymen do we just sit back and write angry comments here and do nothing while defending our preferred presidential candidates?
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
There is a long time reader of this blog whose name is Luke. I have always known him as the sort of person who hits the nail on the head and he did just that with this comment which was again left today;
Luke has left a new comment on your post "Why Hon Michuki And Police Commissioner Ali Must R...":
reminds me of a funny thing that happened to me back in early 2002 a friend and i were discussing the state of politics back home, and we were both emphatically nodding and agreeing as we waxed lyrical "corruption in Kenya is a BAD thing!"
that same week,my friend got the chance to travel back home and see his family&friends. when he came back, i was eager to hear his assement about the state of affairs to my surprise, he started off by saying "yes, corruption is a bad thing but what can we do?we're helpless against it"
i thought..."what happened? a few days ago it was "corruption is bad fullstop" now its "what can we do we're helpless"
that ability to normalise the abnormal is the time tested silver bullet that our politicians use and they try and make everyone get used to our problems,problems which anyone else looking at them would say "how can you possibly live even 1 sec longer with this?" case in point...24 years of Moi…
oh wait...the president's just appeared on tv...he's clearing his throat to speak...finally, an end to this maddness...sadly no, he just wanted to make sure i urgently remember who the members of his family are…
kweli mimi ni pumbavu sana...(sigh)it must be normal (i guess) for hired mercenaries to brandish weapons openly in an international airport and board the plane first class...
wait...the president's appeared on tv again...
It is quite clear from some of the comments that we have been receiving here that the pungent bad smell of violence and the continued deaths of innocent Kenyans has become "normal" in our country. To most of us seated comfortably in front of our computers and burping "nyama choma" and stale beer, it is a good life and there is no reason to "upset the apple cart" by calling for the resignation of Major Ali and John Michuki. After all, the death of a dozen or so slum dwellers is nothing. Right?
WRONG!!!!!!
Even worse are the guys in the opposition whom we expect to keep the government on its' toes, our so-called future presidents, Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga. If any of them were really genuine, they would have started a hunger strike by now until the violence stops. If I were a public figure that is exactly what I would have done. In other words the truth is that these guys don't really care.
With all due respect to you my friends, the supporters of these presidential candidates, I believe it is time we united against the lot. We who say here we have no regard for tribe or clan. It is better we all boycott the general elections of no credible candidate comes up rather than speak the language that has gotten us into this mess of choosing the lesser evil.
I will not even discuss the President, who (as somebody has put it here so eloquently) took an oath to defend the people of Kenya without fear or favor. As it is now Mathare and Kibera are on fire while other Kenyans are comfortably watching the chaos, TV remote control in hand, somewhere in Muthaiga. They and their children feel safe because they have policemen and security guards guarding their gates.
So my fellow countrymen do we just sit back and write angry comments here and do nothing while defending our preferred presidential candidates?
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
What We Must Do
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The campaign for the sacking or resignation of Michuki and Ali must start in earnest (we will deal with the corrupt 850K politicians later). I agree with Phil that this is an emergency. Today I will delete any idiotic comment here to the effect that I am saying all this because I allegedly support Raila. GROW UP!!
I have my own ideas about how this campaign should be launched and waged but I would like to hear from you guys first.
Resignations (or sacking) are the only thing that will cause Kenyans to wake up to what is happening. The killings MUST STOP!!
Anybody who honestly thinks that we have a police commissioner in office and a minister whose portfolio is internal security must be a day dreamer. I don't see them. Period. Obviously whatever they may have done does not work and the honorable thing to do is to make way for others who will come in with fresh ideas.
The Police commissioner and the Minister in charge of internal security MUST RESIGN or be shown the door. Anybody who thinks that the violence will be forever contained in Mathare and Kibera should think again.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
The campaign for the sacking or resignation of Michuki and Ali must start in earnest (we will deal with the corrupt 850K politicians later). I agree with Phil that this is an emergency. Today I will delete any idiotic comment here to the effect that I am saying all this because I allegedly support Raila. GROW UP!!
I have my own ideas about how this campaign should be launched and waged but I would like to hear from you guys first.
Resignations (or sacking) are the only thing that will cause Kenyans to wake up to what is happening. The killings MUST STOP!!
Anybody who honestly thinks that we have a police commissioner in office and a minister whose portfolio is internal security must be a day dreamer. I don't see them. Period. Obviously whatever they may have done does not work and the honorable thing to do is to make way for others who will come in with fresh ideas.
The Police commissioner and the Minister in charge of internal security MUST RESIGN or be shown the door. Anybody who thinks that the violence will be forever contained in Mathare and Kibera should think again.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Why Hon Michuki And Police Commissioner Ali Must Resign Immediately
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Once when I was living in Tanzania I managed to get a very big beautiful house that was ideal for me. It was also the first house I had ever lived in where I had my own private loo in the master bedroom. They call it ensuite, I believe.
There was only one problem, there was a terrible smell that filled most of the house and especially the kitchen area and back porch. We soon discovered that a kind of polluted river/sewer passed somewhere at the back of the house. Sadly we discovered the smell and the whole story behind it after we had already moved in. You see the smell could only come wafting in at a certain time of the day when the wind blew in our direction. The house was in a kind of valley so wind was a little rare during the day.
When we got to see the sewer our first thought was that this had to be a major health risk. But we consulted a friend who is an expert in these things and they said it was OK because the water moved. And anyway Malaria was a problem wherever you went in Dar-es-salaam so we would have achieved little by moving.
After a while the smell disappeared. At first I was puzzled until I received a visitor from Nairobi. There was a power failure and the house got unbearable hot because the fun couldn't work. So I took them to the back porch where it was cool. They could hardly bear the pungent smell.
That day I realized that we must have all gotten used to the smell.
It is fascinating how we humans can adjust and adapt to the most terrible things.
For instance it seems that many Kenyans, especially those who are yet to be directly affected by the Mungiki antics of relieving innocent Kenyans of the weight of their heads on their shoulders, find the situation in Kenya quite normal. In fact the whole insecurity problem has become very kawaida and normal. Something that Kenyans have learnt to live with.
I agree with the remarks of a Kenyan Human Rights Official recently to the effect that they know of no other country in the world where the security situation would have deteriorated the way it has in Kenya today and still have the police commissioner and the Minister in charge of internal security still comfortably in office like nothing is happening.
Fellow Kenyans, please let us sober up for a minute and take stock of the kind of blood-letting that is already going on within our borders. Then consider the fact that the general elections are just around the corner. Let nobody fool themselves that they can carry out any kind of political campaign in the current prevailing circumstances in most parts of the country. We must start by demanding the resignation of the police commissioner and the minister incharge of internal security. Only when that happens will we be convinced that the government is taking the current situation seriously.
If you are going to leave a comment here, I urge you to remember my story about the terrible smell that disappeared. I know many will say that Kenya is no different than New York or Johannesburg for that matter. But my reply is that those guys are not in the kind of political quagmire we Kenyans have gotten ourselves into and the violence there is drug-related as opposed to ours which is almost certainly political.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Once when I was living in Tanzania I managed to get a very big beautiful house that was ideal for me. It was also the first house I had ever lived in where I had my own private loo in the master bedroom. They call it ensuite, I believe.
There was only one problem, there was a terrible smell that filled most of the house and especially the kitchen area and back porch. We soon discovered that a kind of polluted river/sewer passed somewhere at the back of the house. Sadly we discovered the smell and the whole story behind it after we had already moved in. You see the smell could only come wafting in at a certain time of the day when the wind blew in our direction. The house was in a kind of valley so wind was a little rare during the day.
When we got to see the sewer our first thought was that this had to be a major health risk. But we consulted a friend who is an expert in these things and they said it was OK because the water moved. And anyway Malaria was a problem wherever you went in Dar-es-salaam so we would have achieved little by moving.
After a while the smell disappeared. At first I was puzzled until I received a visitor from Nairobi. There was a power failure and the house got unbearable hot because the fun couldn't work. So I took them to the back porch where it was cool. They could hardly bear the pungent smell.
That day I realized that we must have all gotten used to the smell.
It is fascinating how we humans can adjust and adapt to the most terrible things.
For instance it seems that many Kenyans, especially those who are yet to be directly affected by the Mungiki antics of relieving innocent Kenyans of the weight of their heads on their shoulders, find the situation in Kenya quite normal. In fact the whole insecurity problem has become very kawaida and normal. Something that Kenyans have learnt to live with.
I agree with the remarks of a Kenyan Human Rights Official recently to the effect that they know of no other country in the world where the security situation would have deteriorated the way it has in Kenya today and still have the police commissioner and the Minister in charge of internal security still comfortably in office like nothing is happening.
Fellow Kenyans, please let us sober up for a minute and take stock of the kind of blood-letting that is already going on within our borders. Then consider the fact that the general elections are just around the corner. Let nobody fool themselves that they can carry out any kind of political campaign in the current prevailing circumstances in most parts of the country. We must start by demanding the resignation of the police commissioner and the minister incharge of internal security. Only when that happens will we be convinced that the government is taking the current situation seriously.
If you are going to leave a comment here, I urge you to remember my story about the terrible smell that disappeared. I know many will say that Kenya is no different than New York or Johannesburg for that matter. But my reply is that those guys are not in the kind of political quagmire we Kenyans have gotten ourselves into and the violence there is drug-related as opposed to ours which is almost certainly political.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Some Want Private Info, Others Are Asking If I've Run Out Of News
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Some Kumekucha readers would like to know more about me while others are of the view that when I start getting personal it is because I have lacked something to talk about.
My training tells me that when the personal is included in the writing of serious analysis (like I have done today with my main post where I mention the personal example from the time I lived in Dar-es-salaam) it makes for even more interesting reading. And the reason why most readers are flocking to this site in increasing numbers is because this site is an interesting read. Still Mr anonymous-have no fear, I do not own a cat so I will not start talking about the feeding habits of my pets here. That's surely not Africa, is it?
Still my view on this matter will not carry the day. I will say what Kenneth Matiba loved to say. Let the people decide.
Whatever the view of most of my readers, please bear in mind my security concerns, which are quite real. And by the way being out of Kenya does not mean that one is safe. But make ni mistake about it, I am not scared and this inconvenince is a price I am happily paying so that one day my children and grand children (and yours as well) will be glad that I lived and that I did what I am doing.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Some Kumekucha readers would like to know more about me while others are of the view that when I start getting personal it is because I have lacked something to talk about.
My training tells me that when the personal is included in the writing of serious analysis (like I have done today with my main post where I mention the personal example from the time I lived in Dar-es-salaam) it makes for even more interesting reading. And the reason why most readers are flocking to this site in increasing numbers is because this site is an interesting read. Still Mr anonymous-have no fear, I do not own a cat so I will not start talking about the feeding habits of my pets here. That's surely not Africa, is it?
Still my view on this matter will not carry the day. I will say what Kenneth Matiba loved to say. Let the people decide.
Whatever the view of most of my readers, please bear in mind my security concerns, which are quite real. And by the way being out of Kenya does not mean that one is safe. But make ni mistake about it, I am not scared and this inconvenince is a price I am happily paying so that one day my children and grand children (and yours as well) will be glad that I lived and that I did what I am doing.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Where Does Kumekucha Live?
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This blog is read by some very smart people. The sort of guys who make me proud to be Kenyan and give me hope when I am at my lowest. I would never dream of telling them lies. So to clear the air here are a few facts about my current and past location or abode.
- For security reasons it is not in my best interests to reveal my current location or when I moved there.
- Until last month, I lived in a certain Kenya town for over 8 months. Nairobi is not the only place to live in Kenya and besides it is also not the best place to gauge the true state of affairs in our beloved nation. Now when most Kenyans still live in rural areas.
- It is true that I have not been to Nairobi for about 3 years until last weekend. Didn’t miss anything did I?
- I have been away even longer from the Rift Valley.
- However I have my trusted people countrywide whom I am in constant touch with to guarantee my readers a very true picture of what is going on. I also visit many areas in Kenya on a regular basis, irrespective of where I may be based currently. So the comments I make about encounters are 1000% TRUE.
- Technological wonders like the mobile phone and the World Wide Web make it viable for me to write very authoritatively from almost any remote area of Kenya.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
This blog is read by some very smart people. The sort of guys who make me proud to be Kenyan and give me hope when I am at my lowest. I would never dream of telling them lies. So to clear the air here are a few facts about my current and past location or abode.
- For security reasons it is not in my best interests to reveal my current location or when I moved there.
- Until last month, I lived in a certain Kenya town for over 8 months. Nairobi is not the only place to live in Kenya and besides it is also not the best place to gauge the true state of affairs in our beloved nation. Now when most Kenyans still live in rural areas.
- It is true that I have not been to Nairobi for about 3 years until last weekend. Didn’t miss anything did I?
- I have been away even longer from the Rift Valley.
- However I have my trusted people countrywide whom I am in constant touch with to guarantee my readers a very true picture of what is going on. I also visit many areas in Kenya on a regular basis, irrespective of where I may be based currently. So the comments I make about encounters are 1000% TRUE.
- Technological wonders like the mobile phone and the World Wide Web make it viable for me to write very authoritatively from almost any remote area of Kenya.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Is The Weakest Link In The ODM Council Of Elders Fred Gumo?
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I have said this before and I say it again—Kenyans have very short memories.
When I first received news that the chairman of the so-called ODM council of Elders was one Fred Fidelis Gumo, I was shocked. Shocked because I know the guy. Hope do I know him? The way you get to know a public figure. Which is by their actions and antics, especially away from the political platform.
What would you say about a guy who walks into some back street bar and drinks with aides and then on being presented the bill, slaps the waiter and leaves without paying. His side of the story; the bill was incorrect. My assumption is that the reason that he did not even pay what he considered to be the correct bill was because he wanted to punish the waiter. Incidentally the bar where this happen was not very far from another bar that was made famous in the late sixties when a full cabinet minister got so drunk that they left some confidential government documents in some dingy bar where they were drinking. That man was James Gichuru. But at least the late Gichuru remembered to pay his bill before he left.
Now my question is, would you trust a person who can’t pay his bills at some dingy bar to help decide the next president of Kenya?
Hon Gumo’s stories don’t end there. There was a time (in 1997) I believe when a lady returning officer announced the results for the Westlands parliamentary seat in which she said Gumo had lost. In full view of witnesses, including journalists, Hon Gumo slapped the woman. Shortly after that different results were announced in which Hon Gumo had won. His famous slap has achieved much for this guy.
So what can you tell about such a person’s character?
There is a view that is gaining increasing currency that the recent so called leaking of confidential presidential documents happened with the full knowledge of Hon. Fred Fidelis Gumo.
And even if it did not, the buck stops at his chair.
I believe we all need to keep our young friend Jonathan Mueke, standing in Westlands against this guy in our prayers. (Read the interview he gave Kumekucha HERE). Mueke has said that he has a strategy to deal with his well-known violent tactics but anything can happen when this burly politician is around.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
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I have said this before and I say it again—Kenyans have very short memories.
When I first received news that the chairman of the so-called ODM council of Elders was one Fred Fidelis Gumo, I was shocked. Shocked because I know the guy. Hope do I know him? The way you get to know a public figure. Which is by their actions and antics, especially away from the political platform.
What would you say about a guy who walks into some back street bar and drinks with aides and then on being presented the bill, slaps the waiter and leaves without paying. His side of the story; the bill was incorrect. My assumption is that the reason that he did not even pay what he considered to be the correct bill was because he wanted to punish the waiter. Incidentally the bar where this happen was not very far from another bar that was made famous in the late sixties when a full cabinet minister got so drunk that they left some confidential government documents in some dingy bar where they were drinking. That man was James Gichuru. But at least the late Gichuru remembered to pay his bill before he left.
Now my question is, would you trust a person who can’t pay his bills at some dingy bar to help decide the next president of Kenya?
Hon Gumo’s stories don’t end there. There was a time (in 1997) I believe when a lady returning officer announced the results for the Westlands parliamentary seat in which she said Gumo had lost. In full view of witnesses, including journalists, Hon Gumo slapped the woman. Shortly after that different results were announced in which Hon Gumo had won. His famous slap has achieved much for this guy.
So what can you tell about such a person’s character?
There is a view that is gaining increasing currency that the recent so called leaking of confidential presidential documents happened with the full knowledge of Hon. Fred Fidelis Gumo.
And even if it did not, the buck stops at his chair.
I believe we all need to keep our young friend Jonathan Mueke, standing in Westlands against this guy in our prayers. (Read the interview he gave Kumekucha HERE). Mueke has said that he has a strategy to deal with his well-known violent tactics but anything can happen when this burly politician is around.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Jeff Koinange Speaks Out For The First Time About Date Rape Allegation
archive
Former CNN Africa Bureau chief Jeff Koinange has broken his long silence and given an exclusive interview to a UK website where he denies the date rape allegations leveled against him. He also denies bribing anybody to get his infamous Niger Delta dramatic story.
However in what appears to be a contradiction, Jeff is quoted by the web site as saying; "I've let my wife down... I've let the people who care about what I do down." It is not clear exactly what the former CNN reporter, known to always choose his words carefully meant by this, but it seems to be an admission of the date rape that he denies in the same statement.
An interesting possible coincidence is the fact that the site is owned by a company whose non-executive chairman goes by the name of Mike Turner. The major shareholder of Jeff’s previous employer has a similar name in Ted Turner.
Read the full story HERE.
Read more evidence contradicting Jeff Koinange’s latest statement HERE
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Former CNN Africa Bureau chief Jeff Koinange has broken his long silence and given an exclusive interview to a UK website where he denies the date rape allegations leveled against him. He also denies bribing anybody to get his infamous Niger Delta dramatic story.
However in what appears to be a contradiction, Jeff is quoted by the web site as saying; "I've let my wife down... I've let the people who care about what I do down." It is not clear exactly what the former CNN reporter, known to always choose his words carefully meant by this, but it seems to be an admission of the date rape that he denies in the same statement.
An interesting possible coincidence is the fact that the site is owned by a company whose non-executive chairman goes by the name of Mike Turner. The major shareholder of Jeff’s previous employer has a similar name in Ted Turner.
Read the full story HERE.
Read more evidence contradicting Jeff Koinange’s latest statement HERE
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Late Extra
archive
I have just received word that there was a young jobless man at the Hilton Bus Stop, Nairobi, this afternoon urging Kenyans to reject ALL current MPs in the forthcoming elections for pocketing Kshs 850,000 every month for the last 5 years while 85 per cent of Kenyans starved.
I am thinking of launching just such a campaign in this blog. What do you guys think?
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
I have just received word that there was a young jobless man at the Hilton Bus Stop, Nairobi, this afternoon urging Kenyans to reject ALL current MPs in the forthcoming elections for pocketing Kshs 850,000 every month for the last 5 years while 85 per cent of Kenyans starved.
I am thinking of launching just such a campaign in this blog. What do you guys think?
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Where Is Kumekucha?
archive
My sincere and humble apologies to all my regular readers who have missed me since Friday. Sorry for any anxieties caused and let me assure you that I am fine and now truly back and at your service as always.
When I flew into Nairobi shortly before lunchtime (Kenyan time) last Friday, it was the first time I had been to the so-called city in the sun for over 3 years. I then ventured deep into the beautiful Rift Valley where I have been missing from, for even a longer stretch of time. Alas, I was not able to pause at the place called "View Point" to take in the magnificent floor of the Rift Valley because there was fog that was so thick that even Matatu drivers were not overtaking (can you believe that!! A matatu failing to overtake a slow moving vehicle ahead of it!!)
Part of my mission in the Rift Valley was to witness a young man from the Akamba community all the way from Machakos negotiating vigorously for a Kikuyu beauty to be his life partner. Truly there is hope for Kenya. One day love amongst all Kenyans will be completely blind of tribe. The man succeeded but not before some anxious moments including one dramatic point in the negotiations when the Kikuyu elders demanded a hefty five-figure fine because the man who had eloped with their daughter had taken too long to come and inform them of what was happening.
I cannot of course fail to mention the high point of the whole ceremony which was when the master of ceremonies asked both parties (at first a little nervous of each other) to sing the same song but in each other's language. That is the Kamba sang in Kikuyu and the Kikuyu sang in Kamba. Of course the Kikuyu find the Kamba language melodically amusing while the Kamba's sometimes have a problem with the heavy Kikuyu R's instead of the L's that they are more used to. Still it worked and it broke the ice. My only regret is that I did not have a video camera to capture the whole thing.
Sadly that is about the only good news I have to report from my trip. The rest is all bad news. Kenya is indeed on fire and all my worst fears regularly expressed here proved to be uncannily accurate. It became very clear to me that as we hurtle towards the rapidly approaching general elections, there is need for those who believe in prayer to double their efforts in asking for divine intervention to take our great but badly limping nation through a very difficult time.
I was fortunate enough to be chauffeured around very comfortably most of the time by people who had to make some sacrifices to make the whole thing possible (and for that I am very grateful to them). Still I did manage to enter a matatu or two (the best place to feel the pulse of Kenya, first-hand). I could not help noticing the desperate faces. The lack of smiles that I at least occasionally saw the last time I was here.
Hopefully the tree we planted deep in the heart of the great rift and for which you my dear readers had to sacrifice by persevering my absence for the whole weekend, will one day make its' small, tiny, contribution to the healing of Kenya.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
My sincere and humble apologies to all my regular readers who have missed me since Friday. Sorry for any anxieties caused and let me assure you that I am fine and now truly back and at your service as always.
When I flew into Nairobi shortly before lunchtime (Kenyan time) last Friday, it was the first time I had been to the so-called city in the sun for over 3 years. I then ventured deep into the beautiful Rift Valley where I have been missing from, for even a longer stretch of time. Alas, I was not able to pause at the place called "View Point" to take in the magnificent floor of the Rift Valley because there was fog that was so thick that even Matatu drivers were not overtaking (can you believe that!! A matatu failing to overtake a slow moving vehicle ahead of it!!)
Part of my mission in the Rift Valley was to witness a young man from the Akamba community all the way from Machakos negotiating vigorously for a Kikuyu beauty to be his life partner. Truly there is hope for Kenya. One day love amongst all Kenyans will be completely blind of tribe. The man succeeded but not before some anxious moments including one dramatic point in the negotiations when the Kikuyu elders demanded a hefty five-figure fine because the man who had eloped with their daughter had taken too long to come and inform them of what was happening.
I cannot of course fail to mention the high point of the whole ceremony which was when the master of ceremonies asked both parties (at first a little nervous of each other) to sing the same song but in each other's language. That is the Kamba sang in Kikuyu and the Kikuyu sang in Kamba. Of course the Kikuyu find the Kamba language melodically amusing while the Kamba's sometimes have a problem with the heavy Kikuyu R's instead of the L's that they are more used to. Still it worked and it broke the ice. My only regret is that I did not have a video camera to capture the whole thing.
Sadly that is about the only good news I have to report from my trip. The rest is all bad news. Kenya is indeed on fire and all my worst fears regularly expressed here proved to be uncannily accurate. It became very clear to me that as we hurtle towards the rapidly approaching general elections, there is need for those who believe in prayer to double their efforts in asking for divine intervention to take our great but badly limping nation through a very difficult time.
I was fortunate enough to be chauffeured around very comfortably most of the time by people who had to make some sacrifices to make the whole thing possible (and for that I am very grateful to them). Still I did manage to enter a matatu or two (the best place to feel the pulse of Kenya, first-hand). I could not help noticing the desperate faces. The lack of smiles that I at least occasionally saw the last time I was here.
Hopefully the tree we planted deep in the heart of the great rift and for which you my dear readers had to sacrifice by persevering my absence for the whole weekend, will one day make its' small, tiny, contribution to the healing of Kenya.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
The Terrible Things Kenyans Will Do To Get To Parliament
archive
Financing Some Thugs To Cut Off Some Innocent Guy's Head For You To Get To Parliament Is No big deal
As I talked lots of politics with all those I met on my trip over the weekend (some of them very seasoned observers of Kenya for many years) it became clear to me that this time round there could be some major problems with the election ballot papers. The truth is that they will need some very clever designing to accommodate all the candidates. It is possible that in many constituencies we will have more than 50 parliamentary seat candidates.
The important question to ask here is; why has Kenyan politics, as dirty and murderous as it is, attracted so many? The answer should be obvious.
Being an MP gives you a monthly income of close to a cool million and numerous perks, including a free house and a duty-free car. Maybe Samuel Kivuitu should start a campaign with the following theme;
Jishindie Nyumba Ya Bure
na loan ya kununua Hummer.
Rarua mshahara ya karibu shillingi millioni moja, pesa taslimu.
Guaranteed for 5 long luxurious years.
Tafuta kiti ya Ubunge
Translation: Win a free house and a loan to purchase a Hummer. Get a salary of close to a million shillings guaranteed for 5 long luxurious years. Grab a parliamentary seat.
In other words numerous Kenyans countrywide are plotting on how to get to the August house come what may. Some will take huge loans and even bigger risks to get to parliament knowing full well that if they make it, life will never be the same again. Not for the folks they will be representing but for themselves.
You can see how the current proposed constitutional amendments have been designed to prolong "the honeymoon" of the current MPs into February next year. They don't even mind delaying the elections so that they continue reaping the fruits of being an MP in Kenya for as long as possible.
So where does that leave the ordinary Kenyan desperate for change, desperate for something to cling on as hope for the future?
But even more worrying is the fact that this desperation to get to parliament will help contribute to what I have long predicted will be the most violent general election in the history of Kenya. The first time I made that prediction over 6 months ago, I really upset a lot of you who labeled me a warmonger. I wonder what you will say this time when all I said then is unfolding right before our very eyes—not that I am happy about it.
Let us be brutally honest here. With the kind of perks waiting for MPs in parliament, many parliamentary aspirants will not hesitate to commit murder to get rid of any perceived obstacle to their objectives.
Indeed this is already happening. Some months ago a curious murder was reported but ignored by most, which took place close to the heart of Machakos town. Well-dressed men entered the house of a man who was widely tipped to be the next MP of the area and engaged the wife in a friendly conversation. Some of their colleagues waited at the gate of the home. When the owner of the house arrived from work, he was shot dead and the men left without taking any cash, although they had earlier asked the man's wife for the six cell phones they knew were in the house, probably to distract her from their real mission. Nobody has been charged in connection to this particular murder to this day.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Financing Some Thugs To Cut Off Some Innocent Guy's Head For You To Get To Parliament Is No big deal
As I talked lots of politics with all those I met on my trip over the weekend (some of them very seasoned observers of Kenya for many years) it became clear to me that this time round there could be some major problems with the election ballot papers. The truth is that they will need some very clever designing to accommodate all the candidates. It is possible that in many constituencies we will have more than 50 parliamentary seat candidates.
The important question to ask here is; why has Kenyan politics, as dirty and murderous as it is, attracted so many? The answer should be obvious.
Being an MP gives you a monthly income of close to a cool million and numerous perks, including a free house and a duty-free car. Maybe Samuel Kivuitu should start a campaign with the following theme;
Jishindie Nyumba Ya Bure
na loan ya kununua Hummer.
Rarua mshahara ya karibu shillingi millioni moja, pesa taslimu.
Guaranteed for 5 long luxurious years.
Tafuta kiti ya Ubunge
Translation: Win a free house and a loan to purchase a Hummer. Get a salary of close to a million shillings guaranteed for 5 long luxurious years. Grab a parliamentary seat.
In other words numerous Kenyans countrywide are plotting on how to get to the August house come what may. Some will take huge loans and even bigger risks to get to parliament knowing full well that if they make it, life will never be the same again. Not for the folks they will be representing but for themselves.
You can see how the current proposed constitutional amendments have been designed to prolong "the honeymoon" of the current MPs into February next year. They don't even mind delaying the elections so that they continue reaping the fruits of being an MP in Kenya for as long as possible.
So where does that leave the ordinary Kenyan desperate for change, desperate for something to cling on as hope for the future?
But even more worrying is the fact that this desperation to get to parliament will help contribute to what I have long predicted will be the most violent general election in the history of Kenya. The first time I made that prediction over 6 months ago, I really upset a lot of you who labeled me a warmonger. I wonder what you will say this time when all I said then is unfolding right before our very eyes—not that I am happy about it.
Let us be brutally honest here. With the kind of perks waiting for MPs in parliament, many parliamentary aspirants will not hesitate to commit murder to get rid of any perceived obstacle to their objectives.
Indeed this is already happening. Some months ago a curious murder was reported but ignored by most, which took place close to the heart of Machakos town. Well-dressed men entered the house of a man who was widely tipped to be the next MP of the area and engaged the wife in a friendly conversation. Some of their colleagues waited at the gate of the home. When the owner of the house arrived from work, he was shot dead and the men left without taking any cash, although they had earlier asked the man's wife for the six cell phones they knew were in the house, probably to distract her from their real mission. Nobody has been charged in connection to this particular murder to this day.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Friday, June 22, 2007
Countdown Elections 2007: It Is The Season Of The Political Entrepreneurs
archive
Did you know that Kenya boasts of professional campaigners. Yes, people who lie low and quite and then emerge every 5 years to earn some fabulous incomes helping barely electable people get elected.
I am reliably informed that we even have International players who completely took advantage of a certain prominent presidential candidate. The guy who was telling me this story exaggerated it a little and added much spices (what would life be without a little spice) that made me laugh.
He says that this presidential candidate almost swooned when he saw “mzungus” sweating on his behalf in a room full of TV sets tuned to different TV stations and people trying hard to “look busy” making print outs of so-called political and voter analysis. He was overheard telling an impressed parliamentary colleague; “this is my think tank,” (pointing to the mzungus
Sadly after 4 years of this think tank where this candidate must have spent a fortune of hi later father's money, what does the candidate have to show for it? Zilch in my opinion.
The problem of course is that mzungus don’t understand Kenyan politics that is why one wrote in the Financial Times of London that Kibaki will easily be re-elected. These are the times I feel like borrowing words from some of the most abusive commentators in this blog.
I would prefer a local think tank any time.
Incidentally I know a guy who was member of the legendary Moi think tank. He was as local as they get and that team (paid peanuts) did some amazing work getting Moi elected in 1992 and 1997. Of course they also played dirty and did many crazy things inluding the famous Kanu briefs where they dug up dirt about certain key challengers and published it in that newspaper. Dirt sells and the Kenya Times, I am told had sales surging. And I believe the candidate in question lost credibility because they ended up third, after Kenneth Matiba in 1992.
But they also got it wrong in a way. Because that time they concentrated on attacking Mwai Kibaki only for the upstart maverick Kenneth Matiba to energe from nowhere to be the major challenger. There are those who believe (including this blogger) that Kennneth Matiba won the presidential elections in 1992.
Well, let all those professional campaigners and think tank consultants emerge out of the woodwork and make their money. Although it will be much harder this time round with an electorate that has wisened up considerably.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Did you know that Kenya boasts of professional campaigners. Yes, people who lie low and quite and then emerge every 5 years to earn some fabulous incomes helping barely electable people get elected.
I am reliably informed that we even have International players who completely took advantage of a certain prominent presidential candidate. The guy who was telling me this story exaggerated it a little and added much spices (what would life be without a little spice) that made me laugh.
He says that this presidential candidate almost swooned when he saw “mzungus” sweating on his behalf in a room full of TV sets tuned to different TV stations and people trying hard to “look busy” making print outs of so-called political and voter analysis. He was overheard telling an impressed parliamentary colleague; “this is my think tank,” (pointing to the mzungus
Sadly after 4 years of this think tank where this candidate must have spent a fortune of hi later father's money, what does the candidate have to show for it? Zilch in my opinion.
The problem of course is that mzungus don’t understand Kenyan politics that is why one wrote in the Financial Times of London that Kibaki will easily be re-elected. These are the times I feel like borrowing words from some of the most abusive commentators in this blog.
I would prefer a local think tank any time.
Incidentally I know a guy who was member of the legendary Moi think tank. He was as local as they get and that team (paid peanuts) did some amazing work getting Moi elected in 1992 and 1997. Of course they also played dirty and did many crazy things inluding the famous Kanu briefs where they dug up dirt about certain key challengers and published it in that newspaper. Dirt sells and the Kenya Times, I am told had sales surging. And I believe the candidate in question lost credibility because they ended up third, after Kenneth Matiba in 1992.
But they also got it wrong in a way. Because that time they concentrated on attacking Mwai Kibaki only for the upstart maverick Kenneth Matiba to energe from nowhere to be the major challenger. There are those who believe (including this blogger) that Kennneth Matiba won the presidential elections in 1992.
Well, let all those professional campaigners and think tank consultants emerge out of the woodwork and make their money. Although it will be much harder this time round with an electorate that has wisened up considerably.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Intruder Hacks Into Marianne Brinner’s Site And Changes Content
archive
Marianne Brinner is my friend and I have no apologies to make for that. I do not find it funny that some hacker could take advantage and find a way to hack into her site. These are the “animals” we live with in cyberspace who must be strongly condemned.
Here I reproduce a statement from her explaining the whole situation…
Statement From Marianne Brinner
I know that there are many rumours circulating since the access-address of my blog Distantlovers.blog.com/ had been mentioned in media-reports and statements around the world and when people wanted to enter had to find out that this name is now referring to a somewhat funny blog which even looks quite pornographic.
The reason is quite simple: I first thought that somebody had taken advantage of the publicity of my blog and when I deleted it for just 2 days, registered his own blog under the same address.
But I have been told in the meantime that this matter is quite different: somebody has 'hacked' into my blog, published some funny things and is now occupying my space and name.
Blog.com has offered to find a solution and has registered my blog under a slightly different name. So take note: it is now http://distant-lovers.blog.com/ (difference: this 'dash' in between).
I have already sent a new post informing people that I am at the moment putting together all the details for a book on the whole Jeff-Koinange-Saga which will come out in the States either at the end of July or at the very latest at the beginning of August.
I will also continue publishing some details in my blog. So please look out for it.
I hope that this will serve to erase any question and doubts - I wish to apologize for any inconvenience and hope that this will not happen again .......
Marianne Briner
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Marianne Brinner is my friend and I have no apologies to make for that. I do not find it funny that some hacker could take advantage and find a way to hack into her site. These are the “animals” we live with in cyberspace who must be strongly condemned.
Here I reproduce a statement from her explaining the whole situation…
Statement From Marianne Brinner
I know that there are many rumours circulating since the access-address of my blog Distantlovers.blog.com/ had been mentioned in media-reports and statements around the world and when people wanted to enter had to find out that this name is now referring to a somewhat funny blog which even looks quite pornographic.
The reason is quite simple: I first thought that somebody had taken advantage of the publicity of my blog and when I deleted it for just 2 days, registered his own blog under the same address.
But I have been told in the meantime that this matter is quite different: somebody has 'hacked' into my blog, published some funny things and is now occupying my space and name.
Blog.com has offered to find a solution and has registered my blog under a slightly different name. So take note: it is now http://distant-lovers.blog.com/ (difference: this 'dash' in between).
I have already sent a new post informing people that I am at the moment putting together all the details for a book on the whole Jeff-Koinange-Saga which will come out in the States either at the end of July or at the very latest at the beginning of August.
I will also continue publishing some details in my blog. So please look out for it.
I hope that this will serve to erase any question and doubts - I wish to apologize for any inconvenience and hope that this will not happen again .......
Marianne Briner
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Much Talked About Third Force Takes Shape As Kalonzo Tours Mukuru Slums Hand In Hand With Uhuru
archive
It could not have happened at a better time. Now those of you who were laughed off and jeered when you shared the Kumekucha analysis on the forthcoming elections have your chance for revenge because chances are that you will meet those guys who laughed at you this weekend.
The news is that Kumekucha has been vindicated and the third force is taking shape right before our very eyes.
Uhuru has now said it all in a thinly veiled threat that was loaded like crazy. He said that even he can form a new alliance if ODM does not play ball. And then we see him tour the Mukuru slums hand in hand with one Kalonzo Musyoka. An interesting aside here is that these slums in the heart of Industrial area, Nairobi have Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, Mukuru Kwa Ng’anga etc. Interesting names don’t you think?
Anyway, during the tour Kalonzo (always the fence seater, to the last minute makes some good noises in favor of ODM-Kenya) so what was he doing with a Kanu guy at this eleventh hour in the game?
Mark my words, if you want to be a good political analyst, listen to politicians but always digest their utterances with a good pinch of salt and try and read between the lines and always remember that their actions speak much louder than any words they may utter.
But in all my analysis I overlooked one possibility that became very clear yesterday. That Kalonzo’s party (still in the briefcase but soon to emerge) would form an alliance with Kanu rather than Kalonzo having to troop back to “mama na baba.” Let me also remind you all before I forget that the person who first predicted a Kalonzo-Kanu alliance right here in this blog was Kalamari and he deserves to be credited for it. He saw it coming even before I did.
Just to remind you of my earlier analysis, this Kanu coalition/pre-election alliance actually will be the one to watch, because it has positioned itself perfectly to benefit both from the inevitable fall out in ODM and the one in Narc-Kenya. Of course it is strictly not Kanu because it is clear that remnants of Kanu will remain in ODM led by one William Ruto. Now this gets really interesting because word on the street is that Musalia is in this Uhuru alliance while Ngilu will join forces with ODM-Kenya. The reason why I say it is interesting is because Mudavadi’s action means that the Luhya vote will be split three ways with each of the three parties getting something. Ngilu’s action means that the Kamba vote will mostly be split two ways—one half each to both ODM and Narc-Kenya. This is a wonderful thing because it will greatly dilute tribal tensions, emotions, sentiments and voting patterns and force most of the electorate in the affected areas to analyze the candidates individually rather than based on their tribes. This is great news for Kenya.
The mover and shaker and chief strategist behind all this is of course “Baba Gidi”. Ignore this mzeeat your own peril.
Of course the big and very exciting question is can this “contraption” wrest away victory from ODM-Kenya?
Now I hear you ask; Why didn’t I mention Narc Kenya? The reason is that this Uhuru “contraption” is Narc Kenya’s worst nightmare. Whatever armchair analysts say, the Mungiki thing has greatly dented the president’s support in certain areas of Central province especially the expansive Kiambu and parts of Nairobi. The re-entry of Uhuru as a major player in the forthcoming elections can only make things worse. The truth is that most of the votes that Narc Kenya loses will go to the Uhuru alliance. Let me also remind you all that I believe the presidential candidate in the Uhuru alliance will be one Kalonzo Musyoka.
If we can keep violence out of it, there is no doubt that is going to be one of the most exciting political contests in the history of Kenya. It is just sad that we will be mostly recycling the same two-timing greedy two-faced politicians back into office though.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
It could not have happened at a better time. Now those of you who were laughed off and jeered when you shared the Kumekucha analysis on the forthcoming elections have your chance for revenge because chances are that you will meet those guys who laughed at you this weekend.
The news is that Kumekucha has been vindicated and the third force is taking shape right before our very eyes.
Uhuru has now said it all in a thinly veiled threat that was loaded like crazy. He said that even he can form a new alliance if ODM does not play ball. And then we see him tour the Mukuru slums hand in hand with one Kalonzo Musyoka. An interesting aside here is that these slums in the heart of Industrial area, Nairobi have Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, Mukuru Kwa Ng’anga etc. Interesting names don’t you think?
Anyway, during the tour Kalonzo (always the fence seater, to the last minute makes some good noises in favor of ODM-Kenya) so what was he doing with a Kanu guy at this eleventh hour in the game?
Mark my words, if you want to be a good political analyst, listen to politicians but always digest their utterances with a good pinch of salt and try and read between the lines and always remember that their actions speak much louder than any words they may utter.
But in all my analysis I overlooked one possibility that became very clear yesterday. That Kalonzo’s party (still in the briefcase but soon to emerge) would form an alliance with Kanu rather than Kalonzo having to troop back to “mama na baba.” Let me also remind you all before I forget that the person who first predicted a Kalonzo-Kanu alliance right here in this blog was Kalamari and he deserves to be credited for it. He saw it coming even before I did.
Just to remind you of my earlier analysis, this Kanu coalition/pre-election alliance actually will be the one to watch, because it has positioned itself perfectly to benefit both from the inevitable fall out in ODM and the one in Narc-Kenya. Of course it is strictly not Kanu because it is clear that remnants of Kanu will remain in ODM led by one William Ruto. Now this gets really interesting because word on the street is that Musalia is in this Uhuru alliance while Ngilu will join forces with ODM-Kenya. The reason why I say it is interesting is because Mudavadi’s action means that the Luhya vote will be split three ways with each of the three parties getting something. Ngilu’s action means that the Kamba vote will mostly be split two ways—one half each to both ODM and Narc-Kenya. This is a wonderful thing because it will greatly dilute tribal tensions, emotions, sentiments and voting patterns and force most of the electorate in the affected areas to analyze the candidates individually rather than based on their tribes. This is great news for Kenya.
The mover and shaker and chief strategist behind all this is of course “Baba Gidi”. Ignore this mzeeat your own peril.
Of course the big and very exciting question is can this “contraption” wrest away victory from ODM-Kenya?
Now I hear you ask; Why didn’t I mention Narc Kenya? The reason is that this Uhuru “contraption” is Narc Kenya’s worst nightmare. Whatever armchair analysts say, the Mungiki thing has greatly dented the president’s support in certain areas of Central province especially the expansive Kiambu and parts of Nairobi. The re-entry of Uhuru as a major player in the forthcoming elections can only make things worse. The truth is that most of the votes that Narc Kenya loses will go to the Uhuru alliance. Let me also remind you all that I believe the presidential candidate in the Uhuru alliance will be one Kalonzo Musyoka.
If we can keep violence out of it, there is no doubt that is going to be one of the most exciting political contests in the history of Kenya. It is just sad that we will be mostly recycling the same two-timing greedy two-faced politicians back into office though.
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
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Site Tells Mungiki Story Better Than Anybody Else
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The Kenyanlist site has done something that no other site has been able to do. That is to bring to us the reality of the crack down on Mungiki in pictures. Pictures speak a thousand words and the amazing quality photographs on this site have done just that.
I have said it here before that the people who have suffered most from the Mungiki crackdown are innocent Kenyans whose only crime was to be poor and have to live in areas like Mathare. I reproduce some of the photographs here but please follow the link below and visit the site for yourself for more pictures that tell the story I have been trying so hard to tell here in so many words. Just ask yourself what if it were you and your loved ones, your mum etc.?
These photographs need no captions;
The Kenyanlist site has done something that no other site has been able to do. That is to bring to us the reality of the crack down on Mungiki in pictures. Pictures speak a thousand words and the amazing quality photographs on this site have done just that.
I have said it here before that the people who have suffered most from the Mungiki crackdown are innocent Kenyans whose only crime was to be poor and have to live in areas like Mathare. I reproduce some of the photographs here but please follow the link below and visit the site for yourself for more pictures that tell the story I have been trying so hard to tell here in so many words. Just ask yourself what if it were you and your loved ones, your mum etc.?
These photographs need no captions;
See more pictures at original site
Father and son seduced by the same woman called "death."
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
What Were The Intended Objectives Of The Leaked Dossier?
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Was The Leaked Dossier Itself “Cooked” To Achieve Certain Objectives?
Yesterday I gave you the views of my better half but today I will move on to mine. This is concerning the so-called leaked ODM dossier.
Let us start by agreeing that voting patterns have changed significantly since 2002 and to base any research on how Kenyans have voted in the past is a little dangerous. I believe that voters have grown much wiser in leaps and bounds since the times of "Kibaki tosha."
Secondly I agree with the readers who say here that the figures were "cooked". As they say, figures can be used and "tweaked" to prove anything. More so where it is claimed that William "YK’92" Ruto is at number 2 in the projected presidential votes.
What makes me even more suspicious is the fact that the latest Steadmann polls already in the hands of newspaper editors have not been released. Is there anybody putting pressure on them not to release them? According to my sources, the latest poll puts Raila Odinga at No 2 after the incumbent. KM is of course at Number 3. Still as I have often said here before, something about the Steadmann polls made me lose faith in them early on and I am yet to change my position on this (if ever).
I wonder what it did to Ruto to see his name at number 2 on the much publizised dossier published on the front page of the Sunday Nation? I mean the figures would suggest that he was just a breath away from the presidency. I am sure he dreamt of long motorcades with motorcycles riding next to his limousine. What would he not do now to win the ODM-Kenya nomination?
Interestingly in view of the 40:40:20 rule in ODM-Kenya (which gurantees Kanu a 40% share of the party), there is just an outside chance that if the delegates system were to be used, Ruto on paper would look like he has a decent chance of winning, especially in the absense of his party chairman Uhuru Kenyatta. But in the game of politics what is on paper is almost always very different from the reality of things.
I also agree that the buck stops with Hon Fred Gumo as far as the alleged leaking of the report is concerned.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
Was The Leaked Dossier Itself “Cooked” To Achieve Certain Objectives?
Yesterday I gave you the views of my better half but today I will move on to mine. This is concerning the so-called leaked ODM dossier.
Let us start by agreeing that voting patterns have changed significantly since 2002 and to base any research on how Kenyans have voted in the past is a little dangerous. I believe that voters have grown much wiser in leaps and bounds since the times of "Kibaki tosha."
Secondly I agree with the readers who say here that the figures were "cooked". As they say, figures can be used and "tweaked" to prove anything. More so where it is claimed that William "YK’92" Ruto is at number 2 in the projected presidential votes.
What makes me even more suspicious is the fact that the latest Steadmann polls already in the hands of newspaper editors have not been released. Is there anybody putting pressure on them not to release them? According to my sources, the latest poll puts Raila Odinga at No 2 after the incumbent. KM is of course at Number 3. Still as I have often said here before, something about the Steadmann polls made me lose faith in them early on and I am yet to change my position on this (if ever).
I wonder what it did to Ruto to see his name at number 2 on the much publizised dossier published on the front page of the Sunday Nation? I mean the figures would suggest that he was just a breath away from the presidency. I am sure he dreamt of long motorcades with motorcycles riding next to his limousine. What would he not do now to win the ODM-Kenya nomination?
Interestingly in view of the 40:40:20 rule in ODM-Kenya (which gurantees Kanu a 40% share of the party), there is just an outside chance that if the delegates system were to be used, Ruto on paper would look like he has a decent chance of winning, especially in the absense of his party chairman Uhuru Kenyatta. But in the game of politics what is on paper is almost always very different from the reality of things.
I also agree that the buck stops with Hon Fred Gumo as far as the alleged leaking of the report is concerned.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
Vote for a fellow Kenyan today because when he wins, Kenya wins
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