Too Little Too Late

Watching mouldy creaking KACC spring to life at the formation of a special unit to investigate voter bribery on Friday conjures up to mind images of the mythical Transylvania vampire Dracula's casket loudly squeaking open to reveal the legendary spook awakening and preparing to stalk the world of mere mortals for yet another nocturnal session of blood-sucking human flesh en masse
KACC is already on the spot for having run a huge budget and only managing to catch small fish during the past 3 years of its existence. Breathing no new life into his work, the director Aaron Ringera once again read from the same tarnished script when he faulted politicians for lacking the will to enact laws that help step up the fight against corruption
What was of interest to note was that true to form, this months general elections to held in just under 16 days have expectedly brought out the absurd in us in the theatre of political drama. Candidates have already used Ksh 900 million to bribe opium-smoking voters during recent sham of a party nominations and it is estimated that a further Ksh 890 million will not be spared in ensuring the same voters provide candidates safe passageway to the title "honourable". Baffling to hear was the fact that the source of such funds could not be explained (did someone say Anglo-leasing? i assure you such a thing has never existed please)
To hear the incumbent promise to give priority to the anti-corruption war should he be re-elected is to hear the sound of many babies crying and mistake it for waterfall because you're dying of thirst
It remains to be seen who out of the big 2 (ODM and ODM K), whichever wins the elections, will be brave enough to kill corruption monster and given Ringera reasons to show us his post-molars in genuine laughter.
Alternatively, Steadman has become the most popular presidential candidate and i wish to give him and his OPP (opinion poll party) my vote for the presidency. Their party slogan-SEE IT YOUR WAY
It's integrity not opinion stupid

Kenyan Pigs Grow Wings on Dec 27

As the day of political reckoning beckons on December 27, the Kenyan political landscape is souring with heat as never seen before. Swearing and sweating have taken new dimensions. Add the WAVERING opinion polls to the mix and you get a hotbed steaming with both passion and hatred.

With less than three weeks to go it is ALL SYSTEMS GO and nothing from the profane and ridiculous is spared. The ‘three’ presidential contestants have all their sight singularly fixed on the ultimate prize. The incumbent has rediscovered an aspect of his energetic self that must have hibernated only to come at the opportune time in his sunset days as he brawls in a political duel of his life.

Across the political road, the stakes has never been HIGHER for his ODM challenger. According to Raila he may be having a chance of a lifetime to prove a point and banish stereotypes. In addition he has what is kin to a political guillotine’ around his neck and he has three weeks to free himself and his pentagon or perish collectively.

Enacting miracles in hell
Meanwhile Brother Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka angles his candidacy as the middle ground paved with miracles. And there lies both his strength and Armageddon. You only resign to heavenly intervention for earthly pursuit at the risk of being called an ego rider at best or a joker at worst.

Reading the former LSK boss Ahmednasir declaring Kalonzo’s candidature as fundamentally undermined by two huge blanks in his resume: lack of a proud history identifiable with Kenya and fascination with pedestrian ideas in everything 24-hour.

But give it to Steve he has shown rear political guts espoused by few albeit betrayed by his past. The ODM-K presidential candidate is only doing what every Kenyan politician is good at and that is prey into electorate’s insecurity with a religious dose.

Granted, Ahmednasir’s is a brilliant Cornell graduate who dared take on the mighty like Justice Kwach during his LSK tenure. But his jibe that Kalonzo’s candidature is bereft of belief nor principle that only amounts to a naked attempt to catapult an average candidature to the political elite of presidential candidacy based on nothing other than the token numbers of his ethnic group definitely salts many raw wounds even here at Kumekucha.

Whipping his ethnic community’s for his presidential bid yes and why not when everybody does it? Moreover that may be our Kenyan version in the wisdom of charity beginning at home. Retreating to the shell of ethno-nationalism remains the forte of all our politicians that aptly earns them the SCOUNDRELS tag.

So will pigs fly in Kenya after December 26? Well I dare not comment lest I fall prey to cheap swearing on behalf of scoundrels who will not contribute anything to my persona. May the best candidate win, na bado

Spare a Thought for the Hurting and Down Trodden

I came across the poem below as I was sifting through my paraphernalia this morning. It got me thinking.

The poem was writtenby the prominent German anti-Nazi activist, Pastor Martin Niem?ller.

First they came...

In Germany they came first for the Communists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
And I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
And by that time no one was left to speak up for me.

Most of our dear brothers and sisters are suffering and have suffered immensely in Kuresoi, Mount Elgon, in the hands of the ruthless mungiki and in election related violence in the recent past.

Speaking up for them is our divine responsibility. Taking the government to task and fervently asking why these heinous acts are being perpetrated under the very 'bulbous' nose of the state is the first step to much-needed healing.

Something has to give; something's gotta be done!

Well, if we don't speak up for the hurting and down-trodden in our country, who will speak up for us when it happens to us and our very own.
Food for thought, this.
Tell Ritch what you think.

Latest Steadmann Polls As Kumekucha Enters The Fray

The latest Steadmann polls released moments ago show that Raila Odinga of ODM has stretched his lead to 46% against incumbent Mwai Kibaki’s 42%. Kalonzo Musyoka still trails and now has 10%

The NMG sponsored polls from Strategic Research, Infotrak Harris and Consumer Insight has the big 3 rated as follows;

Strategic Research: Raila-43%, Kibaki-39%, Kalonzo-17%

Infotrak Harris: Raila-43.7%, Kibaki-39.2, Kalonzo-15.2%

Consumer Insight: Raila-43%, Kibaki-39%, Kalonzo-15%

Interestingly Kumekucha has done its’ own poll, but I have rejected the results for now and it is currently being re-done. Our survey had a much higher concentration amongst the down and out and ordinary Kenyans than all the others. The reason I rejected our first attempt at a poll is that it shows Kalonzo Musyoka edging slightly ahead of President Kibaki to occupy the number 2 slot. That surely can’t be accurate, especially when you take the demographic figures of the Kikuyu community into account.

The more believable aspect of our poll (but still doubtful to many Kenyans) is that Raila has a lead of over 30% on President Kibaki.

Kindly don’t ask me to publish that poll because I want to do this right and publish something here that I can confidently defend from the hawk eyed and extremely intelligent PKW and other Kumekucha friends.

P.S. Maybe I should NOT have published that last bit of info knowing the way some people will react here.

The Expedient Loving Political Face

Kenyan politicians must be the undisputed masters of plastic smiles. Seeing them plant those fake smiles on their faces while soliciting for votes pretending to show concern with the real evil intentions running deal in their hearts leaves one's intestines turning.

Looking at Minister Gabriel Muskari Kombo smiling gleefully in this picture while leaving a shack for a house aptly captures this hypocrisy. These scoundrels must be the most heartless of homo sapiens alive. Otherwise how do you stay sane and blameless leading people is such a state of poverty?

But make no mistake. Our politicians are just playing smart alecs taking advantage of our state of mind as Kenyans. They rope us in their evil schemes only to damp the same ladders as toilet tissue once used. Swearing and sweating on their behalf comes in all shades, the elite here on Kumekucha and the 'crude' version out there.

Until we stop our politicians dead on their tracks by holding them accountable, they will continue ridding on our backs as they serve their selfish interests in our name. We must reclaim our lives and country now and not tomorrow. Anybody out there to join me for the long haul?

Revealed: PNU Rigging in Progress

To those who have been following the story regarding the printing of fake ballot papers for the 2007 general elections, here is the latest information.

Aggrey Muiruri is in Brussels he was seen at Wetstraat near Lex building. He is booked in the Parc d'Evere hotel opposite Brussels main cemetery. Muiruri is an employee of FastPrint which printed Rift Valley leaflets depicting Raila hanging Mr Moi. Kihara Mutu ECK commissioner met Nigerian forger in Portmouth in UK. The Nigerian is a well known fake dollar and euro printer.INK removal substance a compound of methy has been procured by Mr Lennie (read 1m dinner plate guests).

The cargo is destined for Eldoret international airport from Dubai aboard DAS cargo flight.The substance is part of the rigging material.

It is a pity that ECK Chairman(Samuel Kivuitu) is relying on Kenya Police to investigate what is obviously serious crime even after being provided with evidence of samples of pre-marked ballot papers. Which makes us ask, is he repaying the appointing authority for renweing his term in office or is he going to be serious this time round, because he certainly was a toothless bulldog in the by-elections that took place in the recent past!

Will Kenyans allow the rip-off to continue?

Dear Kenyans; Something to Remember

FELLOW KENYANS,

Obviously, we can all enjoy the freedom to associate Raila with all the present and former dictators of the world. The problem however, is that right now; you will have almost zero audience outside of Central Province . The only concern is that PNU supporters seem hard pressed to understand why many Kenyans are considering voting out Kibaki. Well, fellow Kenyan lets sample these:

Remember 2002; Raila and team tirelessly campaigning for Kibaki while he was bedridden? Remember afterwards Raila taking the road to Nyeri for Kabaki's first home
coming as president? Remember him mobbed by crowds in Central Province along the way and referred to as 'Njamba' (hero)? And only now he is a dictator, a fascist and so on. Was Raila only a hero because he was supporting Kibaki? How selfish can we get?

Remember these words, 'The era of roadside policy declarations is gone'. Those were Kibaki's own words in the inaugural speech soon after he was handed the instruments of power. He was telling Moi to the face that the culture of goodies (read- districts, colleges etc) is dead. FACT: Kibaki has dished more districts and colleges literally by the roadside in less than five years than Moi ever did in twenty fours years.

Remember Kenyans voted in Kibaki (among other issues) on a corruption platform? Remember Kenyans distaste of Goldenberg? Well, it took Moi and team almost twenty-four years to produce Goldenberg. Now contrast this, it only took Kibaki and team one year to produce Anglo Leasing! Now talk of corruption! No one has ever been charged and convicted in any court of law for these two mega scandals.

Remember MOU? Was that not trashed as soon as Kibaki's henchmen took over? In their short memory five years is equal to infinity! Now they are running around like headless chicken asking us one more term. Imagine the arrogance of the second term knowing that the 'Dear leader' will not need our votes again. Remember Matere Kereri, this late in the day, taunting Kenyans that he advised the president soon after election to trash-out the MOU. What was that for? Where I come from, you don't continue beating up a man stretching out an arm for mercy.

Remember we thought after Moi we were done with commissions of inquiry. Under Kibaki, haven't we witnessed one commission after another? Didn't commissions start inquiring into the work of others that came before them? At least Moi used to tell us the finding of a commission however compromised. Kibaki does not even bother to reveal the find after spending fortunes of tax payers' money.

Remember , Lucy Kibaki taking control of Nation News Rooms in the wee hours of the night? Abusing and beating up professional journalists? FACT: Like many Kenyans those poor journalists are mothers, fathers, daughter and sons to different Kenyan families. They go to work every day/night so that their families can have decent lives. Needless to say, they were embarrassed by the indignity meted upon them in front of cameras while their children, husbands, wives and parents watched from their living rooms. Now talk of dictatorship! Fellow Kenyans, did we troop to the polls to elect Kibaki so that Lucy can demean our brothers/sisters with impunity in full view of their own children and loved ones? We say NO! Kibaki's tells
us Kazi iendelee? Kazi ya kuchapa wazazi mpele ya watoto wao? Toa hiyo!

Remember 'The Armenian Brothers' taking control of East African Standard News Rooms and a few days latter beating up workers in our biggest airport? Remember those criminals calling our country men strong>NIGGERS.....on our own soil? Remember brother/sister? Isn't that painful? Remember they had government (GK) number plates on several of their cars. Remember, they were openly in possession of government issued firearm and police uniforms? Now talk of dictatorship! And Kibaki team wants us to sing Kazi iendelee? Kazi ya Mamluki?

Remember 'Rattle The Snake? Did we elect a snake or a government? My friends, to whom was the bite from the rattled snake directed to? The very people who voted Michuki's boss to office? What a short memory? They quickly forgot that they tried two times unsuccessfully? Third time lucky, Kenyans voted the Kibaki team - they quickly turned into snakes? What a metamorphosis?

Remember Moi being accused of tribalism in public appointments? Now compare Moi and Kibaki head-to-head on the extent of this vice. My friend, was there anytime in Moi's twenty-four year rule when all heads of all key ministries (Finance, Internal Security, Defense, and Education) were from Rift valley let alone being Kalenjin? Today, not only are all ministers from the same community, so are all the PS's, all the Under Secretaries and all heads of departments. Add KRA and Central Bank to the list. Amazingly, all this tribalization was achieved within three years of Kibaki's presidency! FACT - It took Moi twenty-four years to achieve some sort of semblance of Kibaki's tribalism.

Remember the government of the day has been trying to counter tribal accusation by circulating a list of 'Other Kenyans' - outside Central Province , in public appointments. Isn't it laughable that our national government is bold enough to compare public appointment of one Province against public appoints offered to all other Kenyan communities? And to be fair, the list actually compares very well. Meaning the rest of the country together has a somewhat equal appointment tally to a single province. Isn't a pity that Muslims are asked to hand in their resumes for consideration 90 - days to the end of the president's term? Where was he all these years? Did he just remember that part of Kenya is Muslim?

Remember Livondo he who cannot read a written speech? Remember that he has four AP bodyguards provided for by the government? FACT: While women and children in Mt. Elgon are being butchered, the government affords Livondo four government soldiers ready to shoot at the public as they did in western.

Now I know you must remember this. Remember Nyachae with his war cries? Inspecting a guard of honor mounted by a rag-tag private army in full view of press cameras? Didn't the thugs make good their threat by attacking three respectable politicians just moments latter? Again, in full view of the cameras?

Remember....... Remember.......Remember.........!!!

Related videos:

Exclusive: The ODM Advertisement that Kenyan TV Stations Wont Air

Have You Ever Seen A Big Campaign Cheque?

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Gor Sunguh On ODM Nominations And Ouko

Dear Chris,

attached is a mail I got today from Sungu ..... it was also addressed to John Troon with copy to Sam Okello and a few others .....

I like especially the careful way he spells 'Biwott' = 'Bewhat'.

Maybe you should publish it under my name since it also talks about the chaotic Primaries and the cheating .....

Gor was a good man - maybe too honest and decent and not 'tricky' enough for being in politics !!!!!!!!!

Marianne

--------------------------------

Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:42:50 +0000

HI

It has been a long time during which a lot of water has passed below the bridge.

How are you and family doing? Hope well even with winter getting worse? I do hope you follow the Kenya Press. If you do, you will have noticed that i have now left Politics and will not be standing for elections next year having been "shoved" aside during Chaotic Party Primaries in which money and outright cheating was the order of the day!

It appears that old Moi and his side kicks ' bewhat ' had a hand in it having infiltrated our party by their own admissions. They used lots of money and ensured that people who could raise the issue of Ouko in Parliament are blocked. Never the less these things have a way of resolving themselves in the fullness of time.

Anyway now that i am out of politics I may revert to my old profession of insurance loss adjustments and investigations.

I wish now to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for the Co-operation and assistant you extended to me as chair of the parliamentary select committee of the late Hon. Dr Robert j Ouko. The report lies in Parliament though it was never debated due to the interference of you know who!

I also wish you the best in life as we all proceed to our sunset years

God bless you,
Gor Sungu


5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-5th Nov

1. Danger ahead: Next move could leave Kenyans numb with shock

2. Senseless SMS propaganda?

3. PNU MOU that nobody is talking about.

4. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband

Can this senseless propaganda (in our civilised Kenya!) please stop

The other day I read a ridiculous vernacular 'propaganda' sms sent to an aquaintance of mine. It was in Kikuyu and it read:

Mwathani arokogitira maonduini mothe ma ngoma ta mirimu, aichi, mungiki, arogi, thuya, nguya, rwagi, ndaa, ngunguni, na muno Raila na kiama kia ODM.

It roughly translates to: May the Lord keep you safe from the wiles of the devil such as diseases, robbers, Mungiki, witches, stubborn insects (mosquitoes and the rest), and most of all from Raila and ODM.

Just sickening!

Danger Ahead: The Next Move Could Leave Kenyans Numb With Shock

For one magical moment in the recent post where I reproduced the hate literature being distributed in the Rift Valley, all major Kumekucha contributors for once seemed to find a common ground. Everybody agreed that this was something that Kenya does NOT need.

It is my sincere hope that what I am about to say will be received in the same spirit because it is bigger than petty partisan politics. It is more important than PNU and more important than ODM, ODM-Kenya and any other political party for that matter.

Let me also emphasize that it has nothing to do with tribalism. The truth is that greedy politicians have always managed to rally their tribesmen around themselves in their grand mission to enrich themselves and to destroy any obstacle standing in their way. This appeal to the tribe has always worked like magic. For instance nobody talks about Anglo Leasing any more because the widely held view by those supporting PNU is that there is a bigger enemy that has to be dealt with first. Little do they know that this election is all about retaining power so as to continue with the plan of personal enrichment and more Anglo Leasing by certain individuals in the current government. It has nothing to do with our poor Kikuyu brothers, some of whom have suffered more than other communities in Kenya, losing scores of relatives who basically died for nothing.

In the same way, Tom Mboya was NOT assassinated by the Kikuyus and neither was Robert Ouko bumped off by the Kalenjins. NO!!! This dirty work was carried out by individuals who fell back on their tribes for support after their evil mission was accomplished.

For some time now, there have been rumours (mainly brushed aside by most wise know-all analysts) about an impending political assassination. Interestingly this rumour has been strongest amongst security personnel (which should tell you a lot.)

Read more

The PNU MOU That Nobody Is Talking About

Guest column by Kijana M. Kibisu

One question that has refused to go away is why the leader of the official opposition party would abandon his constitutional role to support the re-election of a sitting head of state. Historians tell us that this unprecedented action has already Uhuru a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

What historians forget to add is that Uhuru's move took months of negotiations with the current regime. In a series of meetings brokered by Central Province old guard, John Michuki, Njenga Karume and Kibaki's Muthaiga golf club friends, Uhuru was prevailed upon not only to abandon his plans of running for the top post in 2007 but also to reunite KANU by making peace with Nicholas Biwott's New KANU. Further, he was asked to keep a decent distance from Raila's Odinga's ODM. These discussions culminated in the signing of a secret MoU between Kibaki and Uhuru. So what was Uhuru promised in return?

By agreeing to support Kibaki's PNU, KANU was allowed the privilege of preserving its identity within the umbrella party. While other parties were being pressurized to accept joint nomination under PNU, KANU was exempted. The second part of the MoU dealt with campaign funds.

Read more

Africa's Top Five Kings of Leather

The five shortlisted top 5 African footballers for the year 2007 could as well be described predictable. Who can fault the Drog with his appetite and thirst for goals or 'new' Thiery Henry in Emmanuel Adebayor?

Essien's physical presence is almost become synonymous with Chelsea and we already had Samuel Eto as the face of World cup 2010 to be staged in South Africa. While Kanoute may not be a 'very popular' (in the traditinal sense), the versatile Malian is the heart of his national side. He recently measured to that bill and reputation by scoring the decisive goal that ensured Mali joined Africa's elite footballing nations in Accra next month.

With all the five nominees virtually being West Africans, where does that leave the rest of the continent? Or put different is playing in the Premier League the alpha and omega in football? Where are East, South, Central or North Africans?

Well the jury is still out and very soon we would be victims of the same media blitz where any mundane dribbling is speedily judged world class. Poor Benni McCarthy could not feature anywhere despite his form for Blackburn. Woe unto other African footballers plying their trade outside Europe in general and England in particular.

The Controversial Hate Leaflet

There is a good chance that the 2007 general elections will be remebered as the "propaganda elections."

What may not be legible in the image;

Raila says; Kyo jilil Kenyit ab tomonwok sisit ak aeng (1982), raini kokanamak.

List of people waiting to be hanged; Ruto, Philip, Cheserem, Kosgei, Gideon, Kulei, Sumbeiywo, Biwott, (the last two not legible).

Election Violence And The Peace Envoy To The Sudan Who Should Be Sent To The Rift Valley First

There are many posts in Kumekucha that have come back to haunt me. They have not come back to haunt me because I have been wrong, rather it is because I sincerely wish that I had been wrong.

One excellent example is this one written in 2006 about violence in Kibera.

But for today I would really like to share something very funny that is not really funny at all because innocent Kenyans are losing their lives for no good reason. Retired president Daniel Arap Moi was recently appointed Kenya’s special envoy to the Sudan where there is plenty of politically instigated violence (heard of a place called Darfur?).

Recently when Moi was in Ethiopia as part of his Sudan peace mission, two APs (since released without charge) were caught distributing hate literature in the Rift Valley. Just days before some ugly new politically instigated “land clashes” broke out in Kuresoi in the Rift Valley.

Fascinatingly part of the reason why the Rift Valley is so vulnerable to these so-called clashes is because of the settlement (mainly by members of the Kikuyu community) organized by Kenya’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in the region in the 60s and 70s. Now here is the really bizarre part. According to Hilary Ngweno’s popular documentary series; The Making Of A Nation Kenyatta used Moi (then the VP) to organize these settlements.

That would make the retired president the most qualified person on earth to end the land clashes in the Rift Valley once and for all. He would also be the most qualified to instigate the same land clashes in the region.

If the Kibaki administration is serious about ending the election violence, why not send Moi to his own backyard to end the violence first before sending him all the way to the Sudan?

Why make Kenya a laughing stock? Can you imagine what the Sudanese are whispering amongst themselves as they see Moi hovering around their country brokering peace evena as politically instigated violence rages in Kenya’s and Moi’s own Rift Valley?

But alas, I am not naïve. The politically sponsored land clashes in the Rift Valley are in the best interests of the current administration. The evidence for those who still doubted was the recent move to free those 2 APs caught red-handed distributing hate literature in the Rift Valley. The 2 cops clearly said that they received their instructions from this SSP based in the office of the president in Harambee House.

And lest you forget, the reason why the 2007 general elections are shaping up to be the most violent ever is simply because the stakes are way too high as the Mois, Kenyattas and Kibakis battle for the survival of their families. Incidentally this is a selfish, self-centred mission which many unsuspecting Kenyans have been pulled into to support. And yet this selfish initiative has no interests of the greater Kenyans anywhere near its’ agenda.

P.S. I have now established that what many readers have been trying to tell me here about Raila’s alleged initial denial of the existence of an MOU with the Muslims is true.

The facts are that Hon Raila did NOT at any time deny the existence of such an MOU in fact he is the one who brought the whole saga into the limelight for the first time during the ODM presidential nominations in his acceptance speech. I have since established that somebody playing some serious political mischief led the Daily Nation to publish a report to the effect that Raila had initially denied the existence of such an MOU. The Nation later apologized for this, but as many readers here have pointed out, it was a little too late and most of the damage had already been done.

I therefore take this opportunity to set the record straight. At no time has Raila Odinga denied the existence of the said MOU. I apologize for that error of fact in a recent post I made here.


The 5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-Nov 3rd;

1. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

2. Leaked PNU post nominations campaign strategy.

3. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband

4. Sahel CEO says that Raila is God's Choice

5. Is Nairobi an extension of Central province?

Leaked! PNU Post Nomination Campaign Proposal

Just a few days ago Chris had a post here at Kumekucha wherein allegations published that ODM was distributing leaflets in Rift Valley Against Its own Candidate. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Today, I am taking the liberty to publish PNU insider information that shows that PNU were not only the culprits in printing leaflets depicting Raila 'hanging' former President Moi with a sheepishly smiling Ruto watching, but PNU are blatantly committing many election malpractices.

It is shocking to see how far a government that purports to be democratic can go in order to win elections are are rigged in advance. Voter bribery, misusing provincial administration and frightening propaganda! The entire unedited dossier is re-published herebelow.

To add insult to injury, two APs who were caught red-handed distributing the foul literaure and were positively identified by the press in the presence of senior police officers have since been released without charge. The two officers were instead 're-deployed' to AP training school in Embakasi even after having confessed to have been acting on orders from Office of the President.

Where is Brigadier Ali to tell us no sacred cows will be spared? Or Derek to lament kazi iendelee?

Rift Valley Zone

Introduction
Field visits and information available indicate in all the 49 constituencies in Rift Valley, the backlash/fall-out is in our favour. We should therefore seize the Opportunity to campaign at grassroots level for our candidate and to sell and Market the PNU. After the nomination, there are so many guest speakers including those who have crossed-over as the ODM euphoria wanes.

Proposal
We are proposing a 3 (Three)-Pronged Strategy:-
(a) Two to three Meetings in a week at Divisional level.
(b) A Mini-Rally every week or two weeks.
(c) Constituency Rallies.

Weekly Meetings
These should target the Youth, Women and Organized Groups in all the divisions in a constituency with clear message and commitment to campaign for our candidate.

Programs
1. Prayers
2. Traditional / choir songs
These to be loaded with our candidates’ Achievements and Can-do Messages.
3. Speakers
Drilled in various Achievement Messages and local propaganda emphasize Raila is a devil worshiper out to punish Moi and other Kalenjin leaders
4. Resolution

• To support PNU and our candidate
• Commitment of each person to go and recruit 5-10 others to re-elect our candidate.
• Use the leaflets more specifically to diminish Railas image within the Kalenjin land.

Other propaganda materials to be finalized by second week of December

1. Details of Raila’s participation in the 1982 coup emphasize on how he killed kalenjins and kikuyus

2. Design another MOU between him and Ruto and emphasize on how he will not honour it by his previous record

3. Booklet of how Kikuyu will help Kalenjin owned companies and how Raila tried to snatch kalenjin wealth while he was minister of energy

Mini- Weekly Rallies
These should include two to three Divisions in the constituency held at Local strategic centres. The pattern of the program should be as above. Local Key nominated speakers should be encouraged to market our candidate and themselves in these Rallies. The Raila leaflets should be spread well in advance with supervision of provincial administration

Constituency Rallies
These should include mobilization from all the divisions within the constituency and held at strategic central places within the constituency or any historical centre within the constituency.
The program pattern should be as above but the thrust of the rallies are to support our candidate while demonizing our greatest challenger. The propaganda must be intensified and Moi has promised to finance more materials to be distributed within a span of two weeks. Local Key speakers and invited outside speakers should grace these rallies.

The 3 (Three)-Pronged Strategy can be initiated by our constituency coordinators together with their local Strategy Committees and assistance from the Secretariat.

Requirements
1. Hire of halls and site venues if these were not free as well as decorating /banners.
2. Hire of Tents and a few chairs.
3. Hospitality such as water.
4. Publicity /Announcements.
5. Police Notice of the function.
6. Subsidized transport in some instances particularly if the Guest Speakers are from far.
7. Branding of traditional singers and choirs

8. Any other necessities to make the Meetings /Mini-Rallies a success.

Assistance From The Secretariat
1. Materials
T-shirts
Caps
Posters
Mini-flags
Sunvisors
Propaganda leaflets (to be financed separately)

Other
2. Facilitation
Modest facilitation on weekly basis against well planned programs of the week.
3. National Rallies
Advanced notice of any national Rallies within 3- 4 days away in any major Regions.

Recommendations
ODM euphoria is waning in Rift Valley zone. We should seize the opportunity to adopt the above proposals and any other consistent with our overall objective to win re-election for our candidate. Reactivate the propaganda about Raila and ensure it penetrates to the local level. The second bunch of leaflets depicting Raila hanging Moi and Ruto must be dropped at night and not daytime as previously done.

The availability of Materials and modest facilitation, management and coordination are Key to these proposals’ success.

I attach herewith the estimates Materials and facilitations for the Rift Valley Zone.

Other Local Issues

KANU/PNU Meetings
KANU has persistently branded themselves KANU whenever they have Meetings to the exclusion of other PNU parties.

In Some parts of Rift Valley Province, where ODM euphoria had gained ground the bulk of ODM followers were infact KANU supporters. The danger in this is that these followers may continue to support ODM at the expense of PNU presidential votes.

One solution to this problem is to brand PNU all the traditional singers and choirs whenever KANU hold its Meetings. This implies that we must hold limited materials stock such as T-shirts and Caps plus posters with out constituency coordinators to enable them take the initiative to brand all Meetings and Mini-Rallies in their respective constituencies

Constituency coordinators / Provincial Administrations mobilization
There have been instances where mobilization has been done by Provincial Administration to the exclusion of our constituency coordinators or indeed involvement of non-locals particularly in Greater Kericho Districts, Greater Baringo Districts and Usain Gishu.

This is beginning to cause murmurs and resistance amongst the Chiefs’ extended families who mobilize themselves expecting hand-outs and the rest of the community. This is unnecessary and uncalled for. We are proposing that all mobilizations be harmonized between the C.C.S. and Provincial Administration and the local be involved so as to make them own the decision making process regarding theses Meetings / Rallies.

Prepared By:
Elijah Chepkwony
Rift valley Zonal Coordinator
November 26, 2007

The Failure Syndrome: Don't Let it Infect You

When you mention failure, some people cringe, some cower and others twist their noses in a manner likely to suggest that failure is not their lot in life (and can never even dare come their way!). What sanctimonious pride!

There have been hyped messages suggesting (even dragging it to the "fact" list) that failure is part of life. Some have even gone to the extent of quoting what famous men (Sir Winston Churchill and his ilk) said about failure and take it that without failure one is as good as dead.

Being puffed up with the pride of knowing as many quotes as possible on failure and saying that you "fail forwards on the road to success" while, in essence, you are doing nothing to salvage matters, will not, and does not, help save face.

To come to terms with failure, we have to deal with the core causes first. We do court failure some of the time, giving it the time and space to bare its fangs. When we vacillate, its venom is injected into our systems paralyzing them.

Is failure staring you in the face?
Check these faucets:
 Time:
How do you use your time? Time is one of the most precious things all people are equally endowed with. Use it wisely and prudently. Plan well to make maximum profits from time invested.
• Don't ruminate over 'tomorrow' today at the expense of what has to be accomplished 'today'. Otherwise, you'll spend your 'tomorrow' regretting why you didn't do what you ought to have done 'today'. That's a wasted resource that can never, ever, be recovered.
 Opportunities:
The proverb 'Fortune knocks once at every man's door' has a subtle warning attached to it. Look at it twice and you'll see it: If you don't take up opportunity when it knocks, chances are that it won't come knocking again. Take opportunities for what they are: Gems on the scoreboard of success, and run with them to their utter limits.
 Bulldog Tenacity:
• You have to relentlessly pursue opportunities and relationships that have positive impacts on you performance. Without such a quality, some obstacles would mean the end of your journey to success. Hold on, fight through (snarl, if you can) and victory is yours for the taking.
 Relationships:
• No man is an island. You need people in order to advance your career. You need people to help you through. You need to lie on someone's shoulder for comfort and support. You desperately need people around you for approval (and criticism!)
• You can never wish to get the best from people around you if your relationship with them is shaky and feigned.
• Treat people well, show them that you care and you'll be surprised how they respond when you need them to help you out.
• Treating people well involves listening to them and valuing their input and effort.
 Trust and Integrity:
Being a man or a woman of integrity will open many doors for you. This is simply because most people like associating with people whom they can trust (of course there are others who have an acrid view towards faithfulness and integrity).
• Let people trust you with their money, secrets and well being. You need this in your quest for success.
 People's Mistakes:
• Try to know the reasons that made some people fail (in a certain venture, for instance) and purpose, with your heart of hearts, not to make the same mistakes. In essence, learn from other people's mistakes.

Failure is like a roaring lion that roams about seeking for prey to devour. At all costs, let the prey not be you.

Face Challenges Head-on: The Battle is not for the Self-effacing

In his book Ake, Wole Soyinka writes what his grandfather told him about dealing with bullies:
"Wherever you find yourself, don't run away from a fight. Your adversary will probably be bigger, he will trounce you the first time. Next time you meet him, challenge him again. He will beat you all over again. The third, time I promise you this, you will either defeat him or he will run away."

As we end this year and look forward for the new year, let us brace ourselves for change, new challenges and new ways of dealing with these challenges and difficulties. Life is not for the faint-hearted but for those who have the heart of a lion.

Dr Maya Angelou once said: "You may encounter many defeats, but you must never be defeated. It may even be necessary to encounter some defeats to know who you are. Forgive yourself – no one else will."

The good thing is that challenges never leave you where they find you. When you bare your muscle and brawn and fight through the mist of near-defeat, you emerge better than you started out. Furthermore, nothing good comes easy. In fact, faint heart never won fair lady!

Challenges come to mould us and make us strong. They come to help us focus even more intently on matters at hand.
My call to us today is to face challenges that come our way with sober minds and to realise that the battle is for the strong (not necessarily physical strength) and not for the fearful and self-effacing.

I believe people with such kind of outlook on life are what our dear country needs. Our country is me and you.

Is Nairobi an Extension of Central Province?

Cosmopolitan Nairobi, Kenya’s administrative and commercial capital, remains one of the most multi-racial and multi-cultural cities in Africa. Facts on the ground, particularly in the political arena, reveal a scary prospect.

For instance, going by the published nominations line-up of parliamentary and civic aspirants in Nairobi, it seems the city remains the exclusive domain of a select group of leaders. It is a pity because the NARC wave of 2002 was wrongly presumed to have slayed Kenya’s infamous ethnicity dragon.

A casual look at the line-ups of the leading political parties in this year’s general election who have already completed their nominations leaves a sour taste in the mouths of those who have been fighting for equality and balance in the Kenyan society beginning with Nairobi.

PNU Nairobi Parliamentary Aspirants
Dick Wathika - Makadara - (Kikuyu)
Simon Mbugua – Kamukunji - (Kikuyu)
Beth Mugo – Dagoretti - (Kikuyu)
Maina Kamanda – Starehe - (Kikuyu)
Lee Kamau – Kasarani - (Kikuyu)
Betty Njeri Tett – Westlands - (Kikuyu)
John Ndirangu - Embakassi - (Kikuyu)
Stanley Livondo – Langata - (Luhya?)

It does not end there. In addition to the above, other PNU ‘affiliate’ parties, especially the Democratic Party (DP) whose Chairman is Mwai Kibaki, is fielding candidates in all Nairobi constituencies. A classic fall-back plan if you ask me, but what is the common thread?

DP Nairobi Parliamentary Aspirants
Paul Mugeke - Makadara - (Kikuyu)
Duncan Mwangi – Kamukunji - (Kikuyu)
Francis Ngokonyo – Dagoretti - (Kikuyu)
Jimna Mbaru – Starehe - (Kikuyu)
Adolf Muchiri – Kasarani - (Kikuyu)
Rebecca Mwicigi – Westlands - (Kikuyu)
Ferdinand Waititu - Embakasi - (Kikuyu)
Langata – No DP candidate but two candidates Ndura Waruinge (Kikuyu) on UDP and Nduta Mageri (Kikuyu) on KENDA are both supporting PNU and President Kibaki’s second term.

All angles, it seems, are well covered by President Kibaki’s tribal cronies.

In contrast, the ODM line-up is a refreshing mix of age, experience, gender, culture and religion.

ODM Nairobi Parliamentary Aspirants
Reuben Ndolo - Makadara - (Luo)
Fred Gumo - Westlands - (Luhya)
John Kiarie - Dagoretti - (Kikuyu)
Raila Odinga - Langata - (Luo)
Margaret Wanjiru - Starehe - (Kikuyu)
Mugabe Were - Embakasi -(Luhya)
Elizabeth Ogolla - Kasarani - (Luo)
Yusuf Ibrahim - Kamukunji - (Somali)

My opinion is that the ruling party and its affiliate parties- in this case the PNU, DP and others - are not helping matters here. Political parties must put in place systems that will ensure one group does not dominate minorities in terms of gender and other social backgrounds.

• Is it a mere democratic coincidence that PNU boast of only one out of eight non-GEMA candidate in Nairobi? Or to ask in a different way, is Stanley Livondo keeping the right political company or is he just a pawn in a well rehearsed game?
• Is it another act-of-god that all of DP’s candidates in the city share a common heritage?
• Why is there a large pool of semi illiterate ex-civic leaders running on PNU ticket bearing in mind that City Hall is a well known den of corruption and nepotism?
  

Hard questions indeed.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is only but a sober assessment of the parliamentary race in the capital city. The list of civic seat aspirants makes worse reading due to the false sense of dominance by some political parties and I shall not dare publish it here.

Those Who Do Not Want To Vote For Kibaki Can Go To Another Country, First Lady Tells Kenyans

First lady Lucy Kibaki is known by most Kenyans for her usually controversial pronouncements.

For example her statement captured on national TV some time back where she said: Mimi kama rais is still fresh on the minds of many.

Still the PNU campaign team seems convinced that she can add value to the president’s campaign.

So much so that recently she had her allowance increased from KShs 350,000 a month to Kshs 500,000 a month. Reasons given were “increased social responsibilities.” Top ODM officials wasted no time in urging Lucy to reject her pay rise in the same spirit that her husband had rejected his given by parliament earlier this year.

There is nothing wrong in the fact that the first lady now has a budget, staff and an office in NHIF house in Nairobi. The only problem is that it was never announced to Kenyans and we have come to find out at the eleventh hour.

Even more worrying is the fact that it is rather obvious that the first lady’s itinerary in recent months has been filled with functions whose only objective is to campaign for her husband the president. Could this be the “increased social responsibilities,” cited for increasing her monthly allowances so heftily?

The first lady’s office has then promptly gone ahead to use tax payer’s funds to provoke wananchi with inflammatory statements like the one she recently made urging all those who do not want to vote for President Kibaki “to go to another country.”

All this is happening behind a back drop where her dramatic “raid” on the Nation offices where she damaged a KTN cameraman’s camera are still vivid on the minds of most Kenyans.

One would think that in view of this, she is a liability to president Kibaki’s re-election campaigns rather than an asset.

5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today-2nd Dec

1. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

2. Sahel CEO says Raila is God's choice.

3. What our Luo brothers need to know

4. The Uhuru question and Kibaki succession

5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband

ODM Distributed Hate Literature Against Its’ Own Presidential Candidate, Says PNU

The Two APs arrested for being caught red handed distributing the hate posters and flyers in the Rift Valley have been freed. But not before Kenyans were treated to high drama.

The government started off by dismissing the early reports made public by ODM on the existence of the controversial posters. Using the police department the government sternly warned Prof Nyang Nyong’o for his cheap publicity stunts and even as the press conference was going on, the APs and some civilians were being arrested.

This was followed by a statement form the Administration police spokesman saying that after accounting for all their men, they could confirm that the two men arrested were NOT APs. KTN later obtained the two men’s full names and force number which they released to the public.

Now the latest in this highly amusing drama is that PNU says that the hate literature was in fact distributed by ODM people.

The truth is that all politicians tell lies when it suits them. ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga initially told Kenyans that there was no MOU signed between him and the Muslims only to later retract that statement under immense public pressure.

However this latest chain of lies by the government and PNU breaks all records and leaves the question; if these guys are willing to lie in broad daylight and abuse the intelligence of Kenyan voters, what else have they done that we do not yet know about?

5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today-2nd Dec

1. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

2. Sahel CEO says Raila is God's choice.

3. What our Luo brothers need to know

4. The Uhuru question and Kibaki succession

5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband

Kumekucha Honeymoon That Will End On 28th December

Reading through Kumekucha and indeed most of the Kenyan press, you would quickly be convinced that the December 27th polls will be a very closely contested affair. If you have been following recent Steadmann polls then you should be convinced by now that by the tiom the polls come, incumbent President Kibaki will have surged forward in popularity and will easily get re-elected.

You really can’t blame the media or Kumekucha because the whole idea s to appear as balanced as possible, but in the process we are carrying the views of Kenyans who make up less than 5% of the voters and who are busy analyzing what the presidential candidates are doing and saying. This elite group hardly reflects what is rally going on on the ground.

In a way this saddens me because I spend a lot of time talking to ordinary Kenyans, and especially those who have no idea where their next meal is coming from. Hard working Kenyans struggling to keep “at least their noses, above the waters.” These guys who represent a vast majority of voters are telling a very different story. Mostly they are angry and are really looking forward to casting their angry “protest vote” against the current government and against the 9th parliament.

And as I have said here many times before, it is not that these ordinary folks think that Raila is such a great guy. It is really just raw emotion and human nature at work here because they are determined to teach some people a lesson. The whole situation reminds me of the jilted woman in a restaurant who on seeing her ex-husband from a distance walking in with a young attractive woman, grabs the nearest attractive stranger and starts kissing him passionately. The whole thing is “just to show him” and that’s human nature. This is exactly what the vast majority of Kenyan voters will do on December 27th.

Meanwhile we here at Kumekucha are on a “honeymoon” of “balanced” reporting (to some Kumekucha is an ODM blog whatever we try and say) and some of us are even convinced that the incumbent stands a fair chance of winning the December 27th polls in a free and fair contest. I am writing this post so that we can all refer back to it in early January and make judgment whether it is pure fiction that I move around a lot talking to Kenyans or what I am always saying is indeed true.

Meanwhile my concern is that an ODM government will not be much different from the current one and may be worse in some cases, judging from the characters that pollute this political party and who will be extremely powerful if Raila comes to power. I will be delighted to be proved wrong but I doubt whether that will happen.

But for the time being let’s enjoy the “honeymoon” shall we.

P.S. I predict that PNU supporters will all go underground after 28th Dec (especially Kioko). Please prove me wrong and be here to face the music. Just like I will be here to face the music if PNU wins.

5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today-2nd Dec

1. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

2. Sahel CEO says Raila is God's choice.

3. What our Luo brothers need to know

4. The Uhuru question and Kibaki succession

5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband

Jimmy Kibaki Tosha

All political guns are out blazing. And who said Jimmy Kibaki was politically timid? The next Othaya MP is out and about selling his father's re-election bid. Seeing him addressing the crowd in Narok leaves no doubt that his sight is not limited to his dad's shadows.

The Kibaki family is out campaigning full blast for the first time. With Lucy pitching camp in Western, Judy running the logistics at the secretariat and Emilio himself showing a reserve of energy combing Rift Valley like never before.

Add to that the network of steely ambassador and activist at large Mary Wambui and the ODMs must be sleeping with both eyes wide open. It is all systems go and the political heat in the next three weeks will rival the inner sanctums of the sun. To spice this will be heightened dirty and hate campaigns. Na bado.

The Uhuru Question and Kibaki Succession

By Kijana Kibisu
One question that has refused to go away is why the leader of the official opposition party would abandon his constitutional role to support the re-election of a sitting head of state. Historians tell us that this unprecedented action has already Uhuru a place in the Guinness Book of Records.What historians forget to add that is that Uhuru's move took months of negotiations with the current regime.

In a series of meetings brokered by Central Province old guard, John Michuki, Njenga Karume and Kibaki's Muthaiga golf club friends, Uhuru was prevailed upon not only to abandon his plans of running for the top post in 2007 but also to reunite KANU by making peace with Nicholas Biwott's New KANU. Further, he was asked to keep a decent distance from Raila's Odinga's ODM. These discussions culminated in the signing of a secret MoU between Kibaki and Uhuru. So what was Uhuru promised in return?

By agreeing to support Kibaki's PNU, KANU was allowed the privilege of preserving its identity within the umbrella party. While other parties were being pressurized to accept joint nomination under PNU, KANU was exempted. The second part of the MoU dealt with campaign funds. The president agreed to underwrite KANU's campaign costs in this year's elections (the party received 50m shillings just to participate in PNU's launch). The third and most important aspect of the MoU dealt with Kibaki succession plan. In this regard, Kibaki promised to use all state resources at his disposal to ensure Uhuru's victory in 2012 elections.

For a while, Central Province leaders and strategists have focused their attention on a succession plan that would ensure retention of power in the region. Although names like George Saitoti, Martha Karua, Kiraitu Murungi have been bandied on and off, Uhuru is increasingly seen as the region's crème de la crème. Not only is he young, savvy and untainted by pervasive corruption, Uhuru comes from the well known Kenyatta family that has immense wealth.

Kibaki's current and rather spirited campaign is therefore more than a just fight for a second five-year term. It is a battle to ensure that power is retained in Central Province until 2022, at least! This was, in essence, the MoU between Uhuru and Kibaki. Indeed, Uhuru has publicly admitted this strategy (without divulging its essential details) when he met with angry KANU supporters to try and assuage their anger over his unilateral decision to offer KANU's support to Kibaki.

Bare-boned Kenya
In the meantime and even as Kenyans sing and dance their hearts out in support of their favourite political parties, Kibaki and his Central Province friends are busy selling off public assets to themselves at throw away prices. Hiding behind persistent calls for privatization by Bretton Woods institutions, they are wasting no time at all in disposing of ALL public assets. By the time power passes into the hands of others in 2022 (but preferably later), nothing but 'bare bones' will be left.

This is why the thought of this well thought plan being disrupted by Raila and his ODM party evokes so much anger and panic in Central Kenya. The 'good work' that Kibaki started in 2002 is not done yet, you know. Another 5 (but preferably 15) years are needed to complete the work! What you may not know is that this good work is consolidation of both political and economic power in one region.

The concept of devolution of political and economic power away from the Centre (another name for Central Province ), is clearly inimical to the grand plan referred to above. The idea is that once the plan is implemented, everybody else (mainly from Western, Coast, Rift Valley and NE provinces) could only be employees (not owners) of former public (but now private) companies owned by the new super rich elite. Millions of others would be tenants in Nairobi offices and houses owned by the same group.

Killing devoluion
However, this plan would come a cropper if new economic centers (in Kakamega, Kwale, Busia, Garissa or Narok) were to spring up through the devolution or ugatuzi arrangement. Suddenly, property value in Nairobi might come tumbling down. Cheap labour, mainly from Western Kenya and parts of Eastern, that keeps Nairobi 's economy running would vanish overnight.

Why would someone from Sabatia take up an askari job and live in a mabati shack in Nairobi for just 200 shillings a day? It is also easy to imagine what might happen if devolved regional administrations decided to build or upgrade airports in Kisumu, Busia or build cold storage centers in North Eastern. Suddenly, horticultural and livestock produce from these regions would find their way into the same external markets that are currently dominated by Central Kenya farmers. To these folks, ugatuzi is clearly an idea whose time has not come.

This year's election is perhaps the most important election in Kenya 's history. The outcome will determine whether or not the Grand Power Plan outlined above succeeds. By re-electing Kibaki, Kenyans can forget about any meaningful change for another 15-20 years.

Stop Press, Avoid HIV/AIDS

The heightening political heat may have obscured an important day in our calender. Tomorrow is world's AIDS day dedicated by the UN to reflect on the impacts of this scourge on both the affected and infected.

HIV and AIDS probably remain the most misunderstood human conditions despite being with us for more than three decades. The stigma and trivialization of this crave danger to mankind cannot be gainsaid.

But in the din of all this dark cloud lies a silver lining. Knowledge can help emancipate ourselves from social and emotional bondage occasioned by AIDS. The hard facts must be faced squared in effort to curb this menace. Almost every Kenyan knows about the dangers and facts about AIDS. We all sing about behavioural change except our efforts often end at the parroting.

We must seize our own destiny in our hands and measure up to the challenge of fighting AIDS lest we be condemned as the lost generation that yapped and yapped some more with no tangible effort to stop an epidemic taking residence amidst us.

Cultural slavery
Kenyans must not remain slaves to cultures laced with death. This is not to uncritically demonise any culture instead we must be alive to the fact that culture is dynamic and you only hide behind a retrogressive culture at the peril of going extinct. This is no excuse to shout demeaning and stereotypical thinking about any traditional practices.

There is more to cultural dynamism than simply being the opposite of static. We must embrace any practice that can help minimize our demise without subtracting any substantive facets of our existence and tradition. For example circumcision among heterosexual men for example is now known to significantly reduce AIDS prevalence.

None other than the respected Lancet medical journal reported in February 2007 findings of three major trials conducted in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda which indicated that circumcision can significantly reduce men's chances of contracting the virus that causes AIDS.

It is medically proven that the fragile tissue on the inside of the foreskin is vulnerable to minor tears or abrasions during sex. It is through these tears that HIV can get into the blood. If not for anything the practice promotes human hygiene.

Athletic around the waist
Make no mistake. This is no fodder for ethnic purists who will predictable and uncritically steal the sails and cloth this scientific fact in their bigotry gab and run with it. AIDS is real and it has nothing to do with tribes but EVERYTHING to do with our individual behaviors.

For the infected and affected they all need us. HIV/AIDS is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Know your status, count your blessings, stay and live positively.

We must collectively fight this monster. Because even circumcision does not provide immunity to the AIDS virus. the era of emotional machoism is long gone and the present world has no room for plural marriages nor partners.

Be athletic with your waist if you must. But also be aware that in so doing you are unwittingly and terminally signing your death warrant in golden letters. No amount of preaching can save us from this hell. Abstinence is easier preached than practiced.

Circumcision may offers only partial protection but the small reduction in risk of infection may be the demarcation between life and death. If you must indulge then use condoms and avoid multiple sexual partners. There are no two ways about it, no ifs no buts.

Shocker: What The Hell Is Going In Kenya?

Special Urgent Report

Are the following chain of events a mere coincidence?

Two APs were arrested yesterday distributing anti-Raila Odinga hate flyers/posters. They said they were following orders from some SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) based in the office of the president and even named him. This happened even as police headquarters were busy rubbishing ODM assertions about the said posters. Police headquarters has now gone “loudly” quiet and are unlikely to issue any statement explaining why they were denying something that has now been proved to be true.

Today the hate flyers have re-emerged in Eldoret. “Re-emerged” means that people were seen with them, meaning that somebody distributed them, possibly last night. My question; who has the resources and network on the ground (not to mention audacity) to dare continue the distribution of the hate literature even after people have been arrested.

At the moment President Kibaki’s campaign is concentrated in the Rift Valley (he has been there over the last few days). It is very rough going for him and he has been booed by wananchi in many areas. In a brief, heavily edited clip that KTN keep repeating the president looks visibly exhausted as he faces a hostile crowd, but most of the sound is drowned out apart from a sudden “strange” mighty roar when he asks the crowd to indicate who amongst them will vote for him. The obvious question; is there a link between the distribution of the hate literature and the current PNU campaign concentrated in the Rift Valley? Could this have been an attempted co-coordinated move that has gone badly wrong?

Retired President Moi has sworn that he will deliver the Kalenjin vote to President Mwai Kibaki come what may. By the way we are all aware of President Moi’s rather “effective” campaign tactics, are we not? If not, just do a little research on all multi-party elections involving Moi especially in 1992 and 1997.

Clashes have flared up in certain areas of the Rift Valley like Kuresoi. Crude weapons are in use. Crude weapons that look very familiar, please see the paragraph below.

A government vehicle belonging to assistant Minister and immediate former Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala was impounded by police carrying a large volume of crude weapons. At the time the vehicle was impounded, it was in the Rift valley.

P.S. Cardinal John Njue has returned into the country this morning. But why was the crowd waiting for him singing PNU campaign songs like Ndio mana tunasema aendelee.. Wonders will never cease, will they? By the way at the airport to meet Njue was Vice President Moody Awori.

5 Most Popular stories on Kumekucha today-29th Nov

1. Two APs caught red handed distributing hate literature

2. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

3. Sahel CEO says that Raila is God's choice for president

4. What our Luo brothers need to know

5. Creative arithmetic of Steadmann Polls

Two APs Caught Red-Handed Distributing Anti-Raila Hate Posters

Plus: Why are Kenyan voters so angry? What impact will this deadly emotion have on post Dec 27th activities?

With just 28 days to go to the mother of all Kenyan general elections, a dramatic and mind-numbing new twist made its’ grand entry into the unfolding drama.

A number of people including two Administration Policemen were caught red handed in Rift Valley distributing anti-Raila hate propaganda posters. And even as this bizarre incident unfolded police headquarters was busy denying that any such posters existed and said that they were unaware of any such distribution, hitting out at Prof Anyang Nyong’o for “spreading self-seeking damage control propaganda”. The folks at police headquarters have now become experts on party propaganda and publicity-seeking tactics and every single statement of denial now includes that pet subject of the police commissioner and his lieutenants at Vigilance House. It will be interesting to hear what they say in reaction to the latest arrests.

Oddly enough the APs confessed to interrogators that they had received their orders to distribute the posters from a superior, actually some SSP (senior Superintend of police) whom they even named.

Even more interesting is the fact that an anonymous reader tipped off Kenyans right here in Kumekucha about the said posters even as they were leaving Nairobi for distribution in Rift Valley...

Read more

The 5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-28th Nov

1. What our Luo brothers need to know

2. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

3. Little know facts from the history of the Luos

4. Creative arithmetic of Steadmann polls

5. Was that really Raila on NTV?

Sahel CEO Says That Raila Is God's Choice

As I publish the views of this Kenyan CEO of Sahel books, let me emphasize that I will also publish any similar sentiments from PNU, ODM-K etc. This blog is not an ODM blog as some of our detractors would gleefully like to proclaim at the slightest excuse. -Kumekucha-

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hon. Odinga is God's choice to lead Kenya.

A race that started in the eighties is set to end on the 27th. The Hon. Odinga has given it all he had...and then more. If you took time to look at the way this race has been run, you'll recall the moments when it looked tough. When it was downright dishertening. When giving up seemed like the easier, sensible thing to do. But the Hon. Odinga shouldered on. His love for the nation supereceded the pull of comfort and bliss. And so as we get ready for the elections, you need to have a rationale for doing so. Here is why you'll vote for the Hon. Odinga.

1. First and foremost, the Hon. Odinga loves Kenya. Ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about a man who is an accomplished businessman, a wealthy individual who could afford to sit quietly in his Karen home and watch Kenya dwindle into total chaos. But he won't. Instead, he's been out there, through the Moi dictatorship and the Kibaki treachery, keeping Kenyans hoping for a better day. He led us to Kamukunji, to defeat the Uhuru Project, to defeat te referendum and brought us the concept of primaries. At last, that day is about to dawn on the land we all love.

2. The Hon. Odinga is a man of the people. I've personally watched how Kenyans in the diaspora...

Read more

The 5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-28th Nov

1. What our Luo brothers need to know

2. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

3. Little know facts from the history of the Luos

4. Creative arithmetic of Steadmann polls

5. Was that really Raila on NTV?

What's in a Name?

What does your name mean? Or asked differently does your name matter? Well, you better keep the answers to yourself because depending on where you live that your answer can be VERY COSTLY.

A British teacher has been charged in court in Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad - a name with 14 permutations in spelling. According to the prosecution her act is an insult to religion.

Matters religion can be very personal and explosive. Many are ready to lose their lives for their beliefs. Well, that enriches the diversity in humankind. Fanaticism and passion are two words that can be conveniently used interchangeable to further one's course. Whether mwalimu Gillian Gibbons is guilty as charged is not for me to charge.

Drawing a parallel on what is in a name you can't fail to notice a muddled version of this case closer home. Most Kenyans form opinions about others on 'controversial' (read political) arguments based on cluster of letters cobbled together to spell a name. If your name is not regionally identifiable and you don't suffer any tonal betrayals (shrubbing) then trust some Kenyan to cleverly enquire about your parents' ancestral home.

Granted religion is something very personal. But it is not that clear cut either becasue in there too lies its predatory traits. Take away personal insecurities (WANTs) the heart is neither vulrenable nor provide a soft landing sermons delivered with furry that often leaves the preacher's mouth foaming. Make no mistake. This is not meant to deny the role prayers/beliefs play in out lives. But at the same time we must appreciate the fact that whoever endowed with grey matter never meant to let us abuse it by being hysterical and hide under dogma.

The Sudanese government have just been handed a gem to hit at the west by escalating a teacup storm. But looked at differently they may be unfairly punishing a teacher involving her students in appreciating a teaching aid.

Mark you these were Sudanese primary school kids aged about 10. Now jjust imagine if this act were to be reciprocated the world over then manyy South American and Spanish men called Jesus would all end up on the dungeon. Well religion is the sum total of faith and TALES clothed in dogma and is personal.

Opinion Polls and Voter Programming

Guest post by Tom M.

Hi Chris,

I read your interesting take on the Steadman polls (creative arithmetic) and decided to offer a another perspective. I hope you publish it.

Have a nice day
Tom
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Opinion Polls and Voter Programming

The latest SM opinion poll showing convergence in the popularity of the two leading presidential hopefuls represents voter programming at its hilarious worst. It is voter programming equivalent of scraping the barrel.

It's a long story, walk with me to Tena Hq and learn. PNU's original strategy was to use SM to malleate Kenyans into a Kibaki-win mindset by having them buy into the "credibility" of SM polls. The strategy was simple, set Raila up with good initial ratings then whittle them away by gradually cranking up Kibaki's "popularity". It was a no brainer; I mean everyone knew Raila's electability was inversely proportional to the square of the distance from his Nyanza homeland? I mean seriously, this was grown up stuff, not the referendum!

Unfortunately for the PNU brainiacs, Raila turned out to be electable after all. So much so the tide poured across six provincial borders and threatened a seventh! And just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, rogue pollsters firmly buried any notion that Raila was unelectable. Caught between questionable statistics and damaging press, SM opted for "science." They blamed their drastically different poll ratings on a new data collection method "it made the opinion poll "more ‘reflective."

Finally out of ideas, and with panic dancing a frenzied jig at Tena Hq, PNU strategists called in the butchers. It was brutal. Screams could be heard all the way to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics as the butchers got down to work. When it was over, the numbers and computations lay in a gruesome mangled mess, spluttered across tens of pages. Early the next morning cleaners from Normalization Ltd. came and hosed-down and fumigated the pages.

They did their job well, but not well enough, for when the "latest" opinion poll was presented to Kenyans an amazing thing happened; from deep within the muddled recesses of the poll, plaintive cries for help could be heard. For in the midst of the violence and the number-spluttered mayhem that was the SM poll, some original statistics had survived! Their brave story of survival reflects our tenacious spirit and absolute determination to make a break with the past.

Why The Sharp Appreciation Of Kenyan Shilling Is Not Good News For Christmas

Kenyans in the Diasporas will have to dig deeper into their pockets for Christmas presents, but there is a possible solution.

There are conflicting reasons as to why the Kenyan shilling has appreciated so dramatically over the last few days. There are those who believe that this latest development cannot be de-linked from the forthcoming mother of all general elections scheduled for 27th December, and that some of our politicians are bringing in huge sums of money from secret accounts abroad to finance the last push of the political campaigns.

Whatever the reasons, a strong shilling has so far not benefited the vast majority of Kenyans because rather than prices going down, they have been going up. Not to mention the fact that thousands of jobs have been lost in the horticultural industry and other sectors that heavily relies on exports for their earnings.

Now there is further concern amongst Kenyans in the Diaspora as they contemplate sending gifts home to their loved ones this Christmas. The painful thing is that they will have to dig deeper into their pockets. Estimates show that for every $100 in gifts sent home, the recipients will be losing up to Kshs 400 when compared to the rate just last week.

Fortunately there are certain options currently in the market that will help a great deal to cushion Kenyans on both sides of this Christmas equation—namely those receiving gifts and those sending them.

This is the rather innovative service offered by Mama Mikes that allows for secure and timely delivery of gifts to any remote corner of Kenya. The fee charged for the service is reasonable o that it beats other much more expensive and less reliable options that Kenyans have been using to send Christmas cheer home (like sending friends who are returning home to vote.)

The truth is that times are hard for most Kenyans at home and those who have not been to Kenya for the last couple of years will not be in a position to appreciate just how bad things really are for so many of their previously prosperous Kenyans.

Mercifully during this season of goodwill and gift-giving, there is a chance to bring a smile of remembrance and good cheer to somebody back home.

The Mama Mikes site makes it possible to accomplish this very securely.

Opposition Parties Blocked From Holding Any Political Rallies In The City

Between now and the election, only PNU will be able to hold political rallies in Nairobi city and all opposition parties have been effectively locked out. This has simply been accomplished by PNU booking all major venues back to back between now and the December 27th 2007 polls.

This includes Uhuru Park, Nyayo Stadium, Kasarani Stadium etc.

There is of course nothing illegal about this since any Kenyan is free to book any facilities they so wish as long as they can meet the financial obligations involved. So is it a case of PNU outsmarting all the other political parties, or have they shot themselves in the foot. Only time and the results of the December 27th general elections will be able to answer that question conclusively.

What Our Luo Brothers Need To Know Urgently

I have just completed weeks of a most fascinating research I have been undertaking. It has involved consultations with many of my contacts in the Luo community as well as research on the web.

My personal belief is that what I have unearthed is extremely fascinating and could hold the key to Kenyans understanding what is one of the most misunderstood communities in the country today.

However in making the series of posts that you are about to read I am not naïve and am well aware of the fact that many of our readers are not interested in spiritual matters and have very little knowledge of it and yet whether we are ignorant of it or not, it usually affects our lives in such a devastating and permanent way.

My strong advice is that those of our readers who will not dare delve as deep as we are about to do here should just ignore these posts and move on. There is plenty of other political news and information in the rest of this blog to keep you occupied, entertained and intrigued.

So that you may all understand my reason for undertaking this strange piece if research in the first place, let me start by pointing out that there are those who are convinced (including this blogger) that there has been divine...

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The Creative Arithmetic of The Steadmann Polls

I badly need some further education in mathematics to understand something that really puzzles me.

I wasn’t really all the bad in maths and I scored a decent credit in my O-levels, however my limited knowledge is obviously not enough to enable me fully grasp the latest Steadmann poll.

Here’s my simple question.

How is it possible for a presidential candidate to lead convincingly in 6 provinces but end up tying with his opponent who has a strong showing in only two provinces?

Don’t get me wrong. I am genuinely looking for answers here because I believe there is a logical explanation to this. One of the possibilities of course could be the fact that the single community, from which the latter presidential candidate is receiving most of his support from, outnumbers several other top communities in Kenya put together.

Having said that, let me add that the Steadmann folks are way too sensitive to effectively handle the very public and very political tool that they are dealing with here...

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The 5 most popular sories in Kumekucha today-Nov 26th

1. Was that really Raila Odinga on NTV?

2. Missed opportunity by PNU to bury ODM

3. Kenyan couple trying to shut down Kumekucha

4. ODM ad that no Kenyan media house will touch

5. What impact Kenneth Matiba's entry into presidential race?

Youth Easily Deceived

Yesterday the president was busy spelling out his elaborate youth plan to an already highly disfranchised yet unmistakeably key crucial voting bloc-the segmented youth of Kenya
No promise was good enough not to be made-300,000 new jobs by the end of 2008, enabling the youth to be fully represented in every aspect of society's decision making leadership,..truly not even the sky was the limit
Leaving glib smooth-talk aside for just a second, one thing the president did get right though is when he said that the youth can reform Kenya. What he failed to mention is..."if given a chance" Standing under an open hot sun listening to dinosaurs of yesterday rehash tall stories from a piece of paper stating party beliefs of the way to the promised land is one way of campaigning but it is certainly not the chance the youth want nor is it the way President should have chosen to go in order to attract that crucial key youth vote
Long have Kenya's youth been duped into holding in high esteem those who shout the loudest claiming to do so on their behalf but with no subsequent delivery. Not anymore. This year's December elections has already attracted a record high number of both parliamentary and civic young candidates and the message is clear-no more talk. the leaders of tomorrow are starting work today
The president should have had by his side the FEW (emphasis) young candidates who did manage to win the PNU party primary nominations to vie for seats in next months elections. Other than his and Mohammed Kuti, their faces should have been the ones he chose to parade yesterday in-front of 1,000 plus segment of his youth supporters. At least for that one event only, banish far from sight the appearance of anyone remotely resembling dinosaur architects of past decay if you are serious about convincing the younger population that you intend for them to form the core of your administration should you win
Moving on
Strategy is what failed some of these young contenders to the mweshimiwa title; for example, quite a number did not win in the just concluded sham of a parties nominations yet apart from saving their own posteriors by decamping to "grass is greener" parties, the majority have shown that other than having little years in life to their advantage, they were ill-prepared to wrest the parliamentary seats from their older, more subtle occupiers who though having little life remaining in their few years are snakes waiting to be rattled. More groundwork and grass-roots support is needed my young friends if we are to not forget the name of your face in the next 3+weeks
Congratulations to the successful aspirants including Jesse Masai, John Kiarie and Mongolo-to the rest of you losers, its not over until the Anglo-leasing bird sings. Keep your eyes fixed firmly on D-day and give us a hat-trick-hata kama ni kwa TIPTIP
Amani Kenya