Does Kibaki Really Get Assaulted By Lucy?

One of the things President Kibaki’s first tem will be remembered for is that for the unprecedented admission of the President into Nairobi Hospital. Even when Presient Jomo Kenyatta’s comas became so frequent, he stil received a treatment including ICU and high dependency care within the precincts of State House. Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru State Houses were very well equipped to take care of the elderly president’s treatment.

Indications are that the reason for the president being admitted was to keep him away from his own wife, Lucy whose “harassment” and “pressure” was not helping the president’s recovery.

So who is Lucy? What sort of a person is she? Does she care that the famous slap she delivered on Jamuhuri day may have cost her husband many of the votes she is trying to help him win so that the first couple remain occupants of State House? Interestingly some people feel that the slap may have cost the president as much as a million votes. However what most people agree on is that the first lady’s actions on Jamuhuri day offended women voters much more than it offended the men.

Reading Sam Okello’s Her Excellency sheds a lot more light into this currently hot political topic amongst Kenyans of all walks of life as the general elections rapidly approach. Get more details by contacting Sahel Books directly using the contact info below.

Another post on Lucy Kibaki and the book that will help you get to know her better.

Sahel Books Inc.
P.o. Box 6451
South Bend IN, 46660-6451
USA
Phone: Toll Free: 1.877.297.2435
samokello@sahelpublishing.net
www.sahelpublishing.net

Kenya Elections: What Value Is The Blogosphere Adding?

A lot has been published in Kenyan blogs about the forthcoming general elections. Some candidates have established their own blogs.

With only a few days remaining to the general elections, and with all major political parties having released their manifestos, the blogosphere has for instance made very little effort in analysing these manifestos and/or the candidates themselves.

Instead, ethnic bigotry, accusations and counter-accusations have flooded blogs some accompanied by extremely sordid images of some the candidates. Short text messages are flying in all directions in the country and beyond.

Presently, there have been unconfirmed reports that one or two media houses in Kenya have been earmarked to serialize the 1982 abortive coup attempt in an effort to smear the name of one of the leading candidates.

Another allegation has been that the proscribed mungiki sect will from this xmas week, unleash untold terror in parts of Langata constituency in order to 'scatter' voters who are known to vote for a particular candidate.

Meanwhile another rumour doing rounds is that one presidential candidate is due to step down in favour of the incumbent on 22nd December, in deal in which a post-election MOU has been reached. A large sum of cash is also said to have changed hands.

But perhaps the most outrageous is that, with several days to the elections, a leading contender for the presidency has already drafted an inauguration speech, set-up a handing-over ceremony programme, prepared a state guest list and also a schedule of cabinet ministers!

Is this a reflection of what the Kenya society is? Why is the country increasingly polarized along ethnic lines instead of embracing nationhood inspite of political differences?

Is the establishment of a truth and reconciliation committee a worthwhile venture for the next administration to seriously consider?

On top of all this, what should be expected of the blogosphere now and in the future?

Kenyan Tribal Politics Ignores True Heroines

Ms Nazlin Umar must be one bitter Kenyan reeling from the negative effects of our ethnicized politics. Madam Umar is one presidential candidate who made her name in the NGO circles long time ago in championing women rights but have no significant tribal voting block to call her own.

And the Kenyan version of resilient Bhutto is determined to go all the way despite all the odds stack against her. Having been booted out of both ODMs (please spare me the petty whys) she found political accommodation in the fringe Workers party whose flag she is flying and seeking to secure Kamkunji constituency seat. But what can we learn from Nazlin's political tribulations?

Depending on your political leaning she is either one who banked on a facade of importance derived from her feminine course or an astute and principled Kenyan out to prove a point no matter the consequences.

Shame on violent men
But one thing is clear. Kenyan politics has not weaned itself off gender biasness. This year's campaigns has witnessed some ugly scenes of violence perpetrated against women aspirants of political posts. We must turn this ugly primitive page in our infant democracy and empower the women power who may be holding the key to our elusive prosperity.

We must not be tempted to resign to the defeatist adage that women are their own worst enemies because almost all violence on them are meted by men, shame of them all. As they say behind every successful man there is a woman in the shape of a mother or wife or sister or all the three. Our acts must be the epitome of political bad manners, aren't they?

Kumekucha Latest Polls

Compare these estimates to the actual election results

Raila - 67%

Kalonzo Musyoka - 17%

Mwai Kibaki - 15%

These are my findings and a reflection of exactly what the situation is like on the ground. Kindly restrain yourself for a few days and then make your comments after the 27th as the results are trickling in.

The big surprise is the big margin Raila is expected to win with and the other is Kalonzo Musyoka defeating Kibaki.

Interestingly if you check the so-called NSIS figures tied to voter turn out they are some similarities assuming high voter turn out.

What the opposition need to be very careful about is the fact that PNU and the Kibaki think tank are now playing a game of pure mathematics in a last gasp attempt to win the elections. Meaning that the higher the voter turn out in President Kibaki’s strongholds, the bigger a chance he has of somehow stealing these elections from Raila.Naturally the lower a turn out in Raila's strongholds the better for PNU.

Internal Security minister John Michuki has directed chiefs to identify sickly, elderly and disabled voters with a view of providing transport for them to go and vote. Michuki even suggested that whistles be used to wake up people on the 27th so that they go out and vote.

Naturally certain tactics will be used in ODM strongholds to limit the number of people who will vote. The whole process can be deliberately slowed down with voting starting late. There can be deliberate shortages of ballot papers etc.

If the NSIS figures are to be believed then this is very serious business and the election can be won or lost by PNU totally based on voter turn out. And if you were PNU you would use every trick in the book would you not?

Book Gives Clues On Lucy Kibaki’s Condition

What causes Lucy Kibaki to slap full grown men without a second thought? Is Lucy’s a medical condition or is it just her character?

Even as the general elections draw nearer, this is the heated debate that has been going on between Kenyans from all walks of life and based in all parts of the world.

But unknown to many there is an amazing fictional account by Sam Okello that may shed a lot of light into the whole matter. Although the fictional account does not use real names, there is no mistaking who is being referred to here. Then it is also pretty clear that a lot of research went into the book, which makes it a very pleasurable as well as informative read.

Sam Okello
President & CEO
Sahel Books Inc.
P.o. Box 6451
South Bend IN, 46660-6451
USA
Phone: Toll Free: 1.877.297.2435
samokello@sahelpublishing.net
www.sahelpublishing.net

Increase Your Vocabulary

THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR

word for today: - corruption - pronounced co' rap' sh' on' - a word describing how nothing that could be done before suddenly can for money -a unique ability

word for tomorrow: -slap

ODM is Calling on Patriotic Volunteers

THE COALITION OF ODM VOLUNTEERS ELECTION MONITORING SUPPORT (26TH TO 28TH DECEMBER 2007)

Dear members and supporters of ODM,

You are requested to kindly provide ODM with the following support:

1. Material, logistical and financial resources to monitor the General Elections; and
2. Volunteer Monitoring at the polling station where you will be voting, and real-time relaying of intelligence and vote tallying results to ODM’s main Call Centre.

ELECTION MONITORING DEMANDS ON ODM

• There are 23,000 polling stations countrywide;
• Each polling station has upto 5 voting streams, thus up to 115,000 ballot boxes;
• ODM requires 2 Agents per ballot box, so upto 230,000 Agents countrywide;
• Each Agent requires the following so as to operate efficiently:
- A cellular phone loaded with sufficient airtime to liaise real-time;
- Food, water and refreshments during their 48-hr stay at on the job; and
- Intelligence on relevant election activity that they should look out for.
• ODM requires back-up Agents to fill in vacancies that may arise between 26-28th Dec.
• The ODM Call Centre requires an alternative channel of both verifying and receiving election intelligence and vote tallying results so as to reduce the risk of sabotage.

HOW YOU CAN ASSIST ODM IN ELECTION MONITORING SUPPORT

You can participate in providing Election Monitoring Support as follows:

1. Volunteer and also recruit others volunteers to be ODM’s Agents and Support Monitors countrywide. The criteria being:
a. You must have both an ID card and a voters card;
b. You must be registered as a voter in the particular polling station that you intend to volunteer as an agent or a monitor; and
c. You should preferably have a cellphone.

To volunteer email or sms of your Names (or names of those you have recruited), Constituency and the Polling Station at which you will be voting, and your cellphone numbers to Logistics@odmprofessionals.co.ke or to Donald (0722-834194), Eric (0722-262738), Chris (0729-761973) or the OPN Secretariat PREFERABLY BY MON 17TH DEC & LATEST BY WED 19TH DEC.

2. Donate financial, material and logistical resources. And the following are required by ODM:
a. Safaricom and Celtel Airtime in millions of shillings. ‘Sambaza’ or ‘Me2You’ airtime to the following mobile numbers 0711 649817 and 0736-978149;
b. M-Pesa or Sokotele donations to 0711-64 98 17 and Contact James Mwanjau (0736-978149) or Paul Mekubo (0722-861214) or email Finance@odmprofessionals.co.ke
c. Professional services to the Call Centre, motor vehicles, cellphones, computers/laptops, printers, stationery and many more;
d. Food (preferably packed), water and refreshments;

As ODM’s Support Monitor, you will play the following roles:
a. Act as alternative liaison persons between ODM’s Agents at the polling station and ODM’s Call Centre;
b. Gather and relay intelligence (to both ODM’s Agents and our Monitoring Centre) on the activities outside and around the polling stations that may negatively impact on ODM’s chances of success in the polls;
c. Distributing/offering food, water, refreshments, cellphone airtime and other relevant assistance to ODM’s Agents at the polling stations;
d. As permissible by the respective ECK Returning Officers relieve any ODM Agent who being overwhelmed by the task must take a break; and
e. Reminding constituents and the supporters of ODM, to GET OUT AND VOTE, and this may depending on circumstances and resources include assisting the infirm, the weak and the old to go and vote.

For More Information Contact:
ODM Professionals Network (OPN)
C/o M&O Advocates
20th Floor, View Park Towers
Utalii Lane/ Monrovia Street
P.O. Box 13724-00800
Nairobi, Kenya
Landline: 24 87 31 / 2
Wireless: (020) 201 64 92
Cellphones: 0722 83 41 94
0721 66 66 70
0736 97 81 49
Fax: + (254) (20) 24 87 33
E-mail: network@odmprofessionals.co.ke

ODM Professionals Network (OPN) is an integrated volunteer network of professionals and industry players who desire real change in the political, economic and social arena of the Republic of Kenya as perpetrated in the ODM Manifesto, and intend to pursue the same both before and well beyond the 27th December 2007 elections. Email network@odmprofessionals.co.ke to join the Network and support real change.

Kenya's Watergate is Back, Who Sets Agenda?

In re-awakening the Anglo Leasing scam, the Kenyan media is either simply (and cheaply) measuring to the buzzword of being a watchdog or sinisterly stroking political fires with hidden agenda. So Githongo is back in the headlines this last week without ballot. But who sets our national agenda?

Give it to our media to clothe sectarian interest in nationalistic gab. The Githongo shadow is one ghost you only ignore at this time in our political calender at you peril. And the Government gatekeepers spared no breath to dismiss Kibaki's former and exiled corruption Czar.

Kimunya has now passed the bashing button to Kenya's only existing iron lady. Martha Karua rarely disappoints. She came with the guns blazing, fast, furious and foaming at both ends of her mouth in rubbishing Githongo's latest jibe that painted Kibaki's regime negativbely with poor grades for fighting graft graft.

Swaying public opinion
According Martha Githongo is falsely stealing the limelight and merely profiteering on recycled reports. There is no need to ask whether these reports are true lest you invite unadulterated venom and wrath of the lady from Gichugu.

In all the murk lurks our media's cleverly crafted agenda to sway public opinion as they rake in profit in daily sales thanks to sensation headlines. Well it is only 10 days to the D-day and all the political heat will only leave ashes it its wake with ego both inflated and wounded. Meanwhile kazi indelee.

Suspect Orbituary of the Living

As we approach December 27, Kenyan media is awash with sensational political articles penned to spell Armageddon that may never come to pass. You only predict Kenyan politics at the peril of suffering incurable constipation from eating your own words thanks to her political fluidity.

Political commentators have been concocting theories and weaving projections some of which borders on the absurd. From the mundane and unrealistic presidential run-offs to imaginatively engraving political epitaph of Kibaki oblivious of the power of incumbency.

True Kibaki is facing a Titanic political battle of his life. But it is not over till it is over. And a week in politics lasts a lifetime. This last week without voting presents challenges that can see a single GOOF from any of the candidates kiss political dust and meet instant waterloo.

The beauty of being politically horseless is that it gives the absolute luxury not to lose any sleep from political heat. Neither do you curse under your breath while swearing and sweating in somebody's name. Granted our scoundrel politicians selfishly diminish the significance of the polling day by reducing it as just a one day affair. In doing so they imagine Kenyans are collectively gullible as they mask the five year consequences of this single action in our lives.

Time waits for nobody and December 27 will come and the sun will not give a whiff off its orbit despite the resulting political cheers and tears. Kenya remains and only individual egos will be punctured. Na bado, kazi indelee..

Increase Your Vocabulary

THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR

word for today: - rigging - pronounced rig' in' - a word that describes how elections are won and lost - examples of use - far too numerous for this limited space

word for tomorrow: -corruption

Men and Women of Integrity are What this Country needs so badly (even more than a change of guard at the helm)...

Are you as good as your word?

Men and women of integrity are people of their word. As their word is, so is their action.

One of the easiest things to do on earth is to say you'll do something, while you have no intention of doing so. You say so just to put off a present pressure not thinking what your word will portend for you in future.

Is your yes a genuine yes? Is your no a genuine no? Do you say yes or no to foster a genuine cause or does the pit of your bowels quake, most of the time you use them, for you mean not what you say?
Pythagoras, the great Mathematician, said ' the oldest, shortest words – yes and no – are those which require the most thought. ' How very true!

When you say, "I'll stand by you come rain come high water", do you mean every bit of it? Do you suffer from bouts of vacillation once you set out to execute that which you say?
These are too many questions to answer at one sitting. Nevertheless, they are enough to drive a point home.

We must be mature enough to become accountable for our word – we must see that we keep it when we give it. Many people pile load after load of guilt upon themselves by not keeping their word, then wonder why they have ulcers, heart problems and motley of other problems.

Our word, when given, is a source of faith to those who receive it, and determines their conduct. When the word is not kept, unbelief develops.

Sometimes people who refuse to compromise truth or principle are viewed with contempt. People who are of questionable behaviour fear to associate themselves with men and women of integrity because they fear their unethical behaviour will be exposed.

Surely, light and darkness cannot be accommodated in the same room. One of them has to bow and leave. Incidentally, something worth noting here is that when light enters a dark room, the darkness has to flee; but darkness cannot dare enter a room that is well lighted. It goes to show that people of integrity are a force to reckon with.

Sadly, people of integrity and unquestionable principle are becoming rarer and rarer by the day. Countless numbers of men and women who were once famed for their integrity are opting for mediocre, second-rate lives (lives that are 'easier' to live as there is less accountability). In the long run respect, honour and moral uprightness are thrown out the window. But don't lie to yourself: you can never lie to your conscience. It will always remind you the wonderful path you forsook for God knows what reasons!

Your conscience is the most important thing you possess, second only to your soul. Guard it! Screen it! Unclog it! For heaven's sake, keep it
alive!
Remember:
• Standing for right when it's unpopular is a true test for moral character.
• Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
• Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself; be lenient to everybody else.
• Excellence is the result of habitual integrity.

Why Kenya Needs Devolution Badly

For a start, I will let the figures do the talking:

KRA Tax collection 2004-5

Central Province Sh. 1.8 billion,
Nyanza Sh. 6.9 billion,
Western Sh. 5.5 billion,
Rift Valley Sh. 5.56 billion,
North Eastern Sh. 43 million,
Coast Sh. 2.7 billion and
Eastern Sh. 920 million

Allocation of Water Development Funds by Ministry of Finance (Treasury) 2004

Othaya Kshs. 595 million
Meru Kshs. 429 million

The rest of Kenya's 72 districts got Kshs. 5 million each!

Another eye opener is when one compares the government resource allocations in Turkana and Nyeri districts in the financial years 2003-4 and 2004-5.

Turkana District: 2003-4 (Kshs. 72.69) and 2004-5 (Kshs. 94.60),
Nyeri District: 2003-4 (Kshs. 320.42) and 2004-5 (Kshs. 685.69),

What makes these figures a bitter pill to swallow is the fact there are open disparities and a fraud on the Kenyan tax-payer when it comes to government 'development' allocations. For instance, it is a sad reality that officially Nyeri district is NOT classified as an Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) yet it has enjoyed a budgetary allocation for what is referred to as an ASAL projects for the last five years that Kibaki has been in power. Incidentally, the water development allocation referred to in the first part of this post formed the biggest percentage of the total annual budget. If this is not fraud, what is it?

On the other hand, Turkana District (which is not just the largest district in Kenya but home of the largest desert lake in world) is an ASAL area, a water scarce region inhabited by a highly marginalised Kenyan community yet it did NOT receive any ASAL allocations in the first two financial years of the so-called NARC government.

These allocations are also good indicator of how political power and economic resources are related. It is also a good reason for any right thinking citizen to support devolution of executive power so as to remove power from the centre and put it in the hands of the people themselves to decide which projects to fund using public money in the order of their own pre-determined priorities.

Devolution will eliminate the gross inequalities and marginalisation of certain communities so that all Kenyan people benefit equitably from existing and future development programmes.

Crying Political Wolf Without Tears

As we enter the last week without elections the principal candidates are acting desperately to win the undecided voters. And their strategy to rehabilitate old political habits only succeeds in insulting the collective intelligence of Kenyans.

Amos Kimunya has become a serial political GOOFER. True the Finance minister wants to earn his new status as the new face of kitchen cabinet but a little bit of political tact would make him concentrate of PNU’s strengths instead of opening the stinking can of political worm that is Anglo Leasing.

By blaming Anglo Leasing on ODM, Kimunya is inadvertently prescribing the dose that multiple wrongs made a right. They had power and the law for five solid years and did nothing. One wonders whether the Githongo tapes contained recordings of ODM.

Make no mistake! ODM chaps are no saints but equally scoundrels of different shade.
But challenging their financiers while you have the entire infrastructure to frustrate them is the height of political naivety.

Smelling political blood
With all leading presidential candidates smelling political victory one is left wondering how many presidents we will have come December 28. Raila is already seeing Canaan and asking for MV voter to deliver him to that coast of honey and tapped milk. Emilio spews confidence like that of a tiger inside a chicken pen. Meanwhile political miracle awaits Kenyans when Mr. Clean makes his penultimate match to power.

Even the king of Omugusi Nyachae is not left behind in this charade of self-rediscovery. Simeon Nyachae has declared that he is in no mood to quit elective politics soon as he himself hinted sometimes back. Mwana wa Nyandusi wants to accomplished what God wanted him to. Well, God’s name is better not used in vein because He may just want your life back. But that is not for me to speculate.

Back to the new face of PNU, Kimunya has warned that campaigning against Kibaki’s Government could trigger animosity that would culminate in a war between poor and the rich. So now it is official from the Finace minister that the two official TRIBES of Kenya are the have and the havenots. I shudder to imagine a revolt by the majority among these two groups. Meanwhile kazi iendelee.

Increase Your Vocabulary

THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR

word for today: - Devolution - pronounced d' vo' luu' sh' on' - a word that means to not have your cake and eat it -exact meaning - transfer of power or authority

word for tomorrow: -Rigging

Official & Unofficial Opinion Polls: Friday 14/Dec/2007

Opinion polls ratings released today by Nation Media Group by Strategic Research, Infotrak Harris and Consumer Insight:

Raila [46%, 45.8%, 42.5%]
Kibaki [36%, 35.9%, 40.8%]
Kalonzo [17%, 16.4%, 15.1%]

Unofficial opinion poll survey done by the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) and leaked to this blogger by an insider shows that;

With 100% average turnout Raila 63% Kibaki 27%;
With a 90% turnout Raila 58% Kibaki 33%;
With a 80% turnout Raila 53% Kibaki 39%;
With a 50% turnout Raila 43% Kibaki 42%.

The leaked NSIS data does not show/mention Kalonzo Musyoka nor any other presidential candidates. These are the figures that senior cabinet ministers and the president’s close friends (read athuri) are scratching their heads over as of this morning.

ODM – who also have their internal opinion poll experts – know they are ahead of the PNU in the presidential and parliamentary race, and are banking their final campaign theme on a higher voter turn-out.

With exactly 13 days to the general elections, it appears Kibaki is poised to be sent packing from state house, a development which will greatly embarrass the head of state especially considering that he was elected in 2002 with an overwhelming majority and national goodwill. What went wrong? Is it the disregarding of the coalition MOU with LDP? Nepotism? Corruption?

Only time will tell.

Kimunya Goofs Again, Uproots Kibaki's Votes

Why do Finance Minister Amos Kimunya's otherwise good intentions of protecting Kibaki always end up embarrassing the Government? First was the INSENSITIVE fish market jibe and now the donor threat to withhold KES 38 billion aid should ODM dethrone Kibaki in the coming polls. The chap is unwittingly and literally measuring to his name Kimunya (uproot) votes from Kibaki.

Listening to the EU country director Eric van der Linden dismissing him and reiterated the union’s commitment to work with any democratically elected government leaves Kimunya’s face plastered with eggs for the second time in as many months. So where is the source of Kimunya's problems and goofs?

Amateurish antics
Trying too hard to please can always turn counterproductive. This is particularly true when you a greenhorn struggling to turn a maestro overnight. Kimunya and Mutahi Kagwe know that they are the present blue eyed-boys of Kibaki's regime after replacing the Kiraitu-Murangaru-Mwiraira troika in the kitchen cabinet. And that marks the genesis of their troubles.

Political experience and astuteness are assets that rare and must be exercised sparingly. Kiraitu knew this and only kissed the blades of the sword of his success when power went to his head. Kimunya must be still smarting from the boardroom pronouncements during his tenure as the chairman of Kenya Chartered Accountants Association.

Obtuse goofs
Whatever excites him in engaging his political lips while giving leave to the implications is hard to tell. And both excitements appear to be at their peak anytime he lands from foreign trips. The fish backlash came immediately he landed from the US and he repeated the gaffe again last Tuesday when he landed at JKIA from Lisbon where he represented Kibaki in the AU-EU summit.

With less than two weeks to go Kimunya's careless utterances are the least Kibaki needs during the homestretch race to December 27 polls. Add that to mama kofi's propensity to dispense 'instant' justice to any Musyimi and Wolf crossing her path and they succeed in lending wings to votes from Emilio. These amateurish actions amounts to nothing short of self sabotage. Washindwe na kazi iendelee.

From Mathere to Manchester and a Masters

Meeting Sammy Gitau donning his graduation regalia today on Oxford Road as he prepares for his dream celebration betrays the tribulations of a man determined to conquer all odds. Sammy is graduating with a Masters in International development from the University of Manchester but that is not the news what is the fact that he had only two years of formal education in Kenya prior to coming to Manchester.

Sammy is one Kenyan proud of his success and he made it known immediately arrived in UK's largest university last September. Within his first week of arrival here his story was in the regional newspapers but nobody paid attention. Now that he has accomplished the unimaginable he hot news in almost all national newspapers.

He is today gracing the front page of the Independent, yes that newspaper which paradoxically had a headline two months ago that Africans are genetically less intelligent compared to other races.

Gitau's amazing race to academic glory doesn't end at his graduation today. He claims to have fished Manchester University's prospectus from garbage pit while scavenging for food. From there he surmounted two failed attempts to secure UK student visa to come to Manchester.

Shaming the devil
So how did he qualify with only two years in formal education one may ask. Well according to charming Sammy Manchester university decided his vast experience in Mathare working with street children was practical knowledge enough to make him eligible for admission. So the university went ahead and paid his tuition while charitable organizations funded his living costs.

What a humbling and remarkable achievement by Sammy? This may just be the latest proof that potential talents are wasting in our streets. But again you have to BELIEVE Sammy's story first. Knowing what one undergoes to secure a UK visa, Mr. Gitau can aptly be described as one of the luckiest Kenyans. His feat can be rarely replicated by anybody soon.

For good measure and as a humble payback, Mr Gitau's parting shot is that he is channeling his education and his energies at improving life for others in Mathare slum. Good luck brother, go past the skies.

Is Kibaki's Anti-Corruption Pledge Bankable?

"On my part, I make this specific commitment to you; I will appoint a CLEAN HANDS Cabinet, made up of men and women of integrity from among the decent men and women that you will elect" Mwai Kibaki 12 December 2007.

Please remember:

• No big-fish has been charged and convicted in court for corruption charges five years into Kibaki's reign.
• The Kroll Report, Goldenberg Commission of Enquiry, Ndungu Land Report, etc are all collecting dust somewhere in Sheria House awaiting 'action' from the executive.
• That cabinet appointments might not necessarily be 'corrupt' but how blotted will it be - 80 members plus?
• There's is nothing worse than seemingly presiding over a mini-genocide (Kuresoi, Mount Elgon) and still lay claim to be the Commander in Chief with an Internal Security Cabinet Minister as well as a police force and a military force. This is the worst form of corruption.

Bankable second term indeed!

The Mt. Kenya Kibaki Succession Plan: Secret Meetings Held to Dupe and Bribe

Uhuru Kenyatta's double-speak about his ambition to become Kenya's President after Kibaki is no surprise. Uhuru Kenyatta is the chosen heir in an elaborate plan by Mt. Kenya politicians to ensure that the Presidency stays with the community beyond 2022. A group of Mt. Kenya politicians have planned how Uhuru Kenyatta will take over the Presidency in 2012 whether Kibaki wins another term or not in December 2007.

Before PNU was formed, Kibaki had held a series of secret meetings with top leaders from Central Province to chart the way forward for the future of the Kikuyu Community after 2007. The meetings started as early as April this year when the Kibaki men realized that he had no credible party that could see him get re-elected. Purely Mt. Kenya outfits Narc-Kenya and DP were at the time pressuring him to adopt their ticket amid dissent from non-Kikuyu ministers.

Notably, while the politicians were of the impression that Kibaki should join either of the two Mt. Kenya parties, Kibaki's golfing baddies now entrenched in government, parastatals and in Mt. Kenya owned TransCentury share-trading and acquisition company were busy working on a formula that would see Kibaki re-elected at the same time ensuring that the presidency remains with the Kikuyu beyond 2012.

Handwritten minutes of meetings show that the planners - the athuri group are so secret that even members of the Ameru and Aembu are not included. The argument is that these communities will obviously support a Kikuyu come 2012 because they have no option. To this end, it was agreed that Kiraitu Murungi and David Mwiraria be returned to the cabinet to ensure "they are for ever grateful" and to win the loyalty of the Ameru. It came as no surprise that it was Lucy Kibaki who made hints of their return which was effected speedily. Minutes show the group nicknamed itself "athuri".

About the same time, the athuri secretive group comprising of Kibaki as chairman, Njenga Karume and John Michuki as alternate chairmen, Mary Wambui, Jimmy Kibaki, Judy Kibaki, Eddy Njoroge, George Muhoho, Stanley Murage, Nat Kangethe, Bishops Arthur Gitonga and George Gathii, and Cyrus Gituai (PS OP) were holding meetings with the retired president Moi's group of Nicholas Biwott, Ezekiel Bargetuny, Gideon Moi, Sila Yego and Uhuru to layout the post-Kibaki succession plan.

Ready to play ball as usual were Luhya leaders in the then GNU. A plot was hatched to have Ford-Kenya take the lead in the formation of PNU thereby hide the true intention of the Mt. Kenya boys. In one meeting it was agreed that Musikari Kombo was more pliable, weak and dumb enough to be used. That Kombo was weak on his Western Province turf after invasion by ODM was cited as reason enough for him to play errand boy without question. "Nyamu eno ahoyaga matigio. Reke tomuhe ihindi" (Roughly translated: this animal worships leftovers. Let's give him a bone to chew), Kibaki is said of Kombo in reference to empty departments given to Kombo's cronies after he threw a tantrum following a post-referendum new cabinet in 2005.

Not surprisingly, in a recent tour of Western Province, Kibaki told Kombo and company including Moody Awori that he will include him in his cabinet. It was strange given that the president found it necessary to make this promise when all parties under PNU should automatically be in Cabinet after elections. Was this an attempt to stem some disquiet regarding the president's mean trick of short-changing partners? Was this reassurance to Kombo and meant to appease Luhya voters who have lost faith and trust that Kibaki, an introverted tribalist, can never honour a promise? Problem is, there is no party Kombo can use to negotiate for positions in the post-elections cabinet. This is because Ford-Kenya has been swallowed by PNU and is fielding no candidates!

Earlier, in the athuri meeting, it was also argued that Kombo's never-ending ambition to be "given" the vice presidency was a great enticement to have him play blind ball. His desperation for money was also used fully. No less a person than his nemesis Soita Shitanda of Malava has accused Kombo of being in PNU for the money. It is instructive that while all parties under PNU have their own candidates, only Ford-Kenya failed to field a single candidate of its own. The ECK register shows that all Former Ford-Kenya MPs in Bungoma, including Kombo are running on PNU. It means that Ford-Kenya is finally dead!

That's how the equally quick-to-please Noah Wekesa was recruited to lead a façade of forming PNU while the backroom Muthaiga boys worked on a parallel plan. It is notable that immediately Wekesa thought he had clinched it with PANU, the Mt. Kenya boys too k it over renamed it PNU and got busy swallowing all the other parties other than Kanu. Wekesa's cries of betrayal were to no avail. His boss Kombo, as usual was more interested in the cash handouts that comes with "horse trading" than protecting his sidekick or the interests of Ford-Kenya.

Back to the issue of the Kibaki succession, Uhuru finally agreed to join the Kibaki team but was given enough concessions as the heir-in-waiting:

First, Kanu would field independent candidates but who will be funded by PNU to ensure Kanu becomes strong since PNU would disintegrate by 2009 and a win or lose by Kibaki would have prepared Uhuru to inherit the Mt. Kenya vote.

Second, the bad blood between Uhuru and Moi over his association with ODM would be cleansed by the appointment as ministers of Gideon Moi, Nick Salat, Paul Sang and Nicholas Biwott in a Kibaki government. As it were only Paul Sang got the appointment earlier than after the elections. These appointment promises remain intact for after 2008 and are the reason Moi and company are campaigning hard for Kibaki in Rift Valley.

Third, through such association with Moi's boys and should Kibaki lose, Kanu would have re-established a foothold in Central Kenya and the Rift Valley, and with Moi's support in the Rift Valley, Uhuru will be president and Gideon Moi the vice in 2012.

When it came to other communities and other competitors, the athuri prevailed upon Kibaki to abandon the ambitions of Awori, Kombo, Kituyi, Saitoti, Martha Karua and Kirwa as inconsequential. This was after Kibaki was presented with secret research evidence from Mutahi Ngunyi, who has since moved to State House. Mutahi reported that other than Karua, the pretenders to the throne would all loose their seats in the 2007 elections. Chipped in Karume in reference to Karua "Mwari wa muthambia kioro afataire kuihura/kuithambia mbere...." (Roughly translated: The daughter of a toilet cleaner should wipe herself first! - a derogatory reference to Kirinyaga people whom mainstream Kikuyu refer to as toilet cleaners. The slur was acquired in colonial times when the Kirinyaga dominated the Nairobi City Council cleansing department).

As for Saitoti, it was felt that he was an outsider who carried too much baggage from the Goldenberg scam. He was seen to be "disloyal" in his earlier announcement that he would vie against Kibaki in this year's elections. The Kiambu Muranga axis of the athuri felt that Saitoti
ambitions for 2012 did not augur well for Uhuru. Michuki reported he had met Moi who has no time for his former VP, and that consideration of Saitoti would antagonize Moi whom Saitoti blamed for the Goldenberg theft.

To placate Moi, the athuri minutes report to Kibaki refers to "Gacamia/Gathakaria ga gukenia Moi" (Roughly translated: or a sweetener to appease Mzee Moi). It has now emerged that the sweet for Moi is a plot to ensure Saitioti looses the Kajiado North parliamentary seat. It is with this hindsight the Saitoti is under siege from DP's Lee Kinyanjui and blames "someone" in PNU. And Saitoti is very uncomfortable at the moment with the Kibaki Group even going as far as claiming that PNU wants him to loose the Kajiado North seat. These fears are well founded as the athuri feel that Saitoti is an outsider in Central Province and therefore not the best bet for the Presidency even after Kibaki.

Part of their minutes show the athuri discussed ways of dealing with the imminent fallout with other communities in 2012. The Luhya as a community are dismissed as peaceful and would be grateful for anything. Kombo despite promises was ruled out as a running mate. Moody's influence in Western Province was found lacking and Kombo, Kituyi and Wekesa were seen
to have succumbed to the ODM wave in the Province. "Manegere Mathagu ma guku na nimakurota kuubuka", (Roughly translated: Give them some chicken wings and they will dream of flying), Michuki is quoted dismissing any worries about Luhya support for Kibaki.

The meeting thus decided that "Gutuma atongoria abaluhya mecirie nimakugia ufata munene kuri thirikari Kibaki ashinda" (Roughly translated: to give the Luhya leaders the impression that they will be a major part of Kibaki's government if he wins). The emphasis was that these leaders should be made to work for Kibaki since their worth as vote-getters had diminished. This seems to be the "decoy" assurance Kibaki was promising on his recent tour.

When PNU was taken over, it was decided that Kibaki give other parties like Ford-Kenya and Ford-People, the illusion that they are part of PNU. Only Kombo took this bait and Ford-K is the only party that is headed to oblivion in the PNU. Secretly, Kikuyu parties like Safina, Narc-Kenya and DP were to be allowed to "revolt" and field candidates in their own names
in the nominations. Kombo is being made to believe that he is a co-owner of PNU and therefore a future VP. However, in a telling game of juggling the liver ala Michuki, the athuri have argued that after elections, Ford-Kenya would be dead. The plot was to ensure Kombo got money to stand on PNU and let Ford-Kenya die. It is interesting that the ECK lists Kombo and his Bungoma cohorts as all standing on PNU!

Hence, the Kibaki athuri hatched a plot to keep all the non-Kikuyu members of PNU hopeful. However, the confidential athuri minutes show that after the elections and in case Kibaki wins, he will form an alliance with Kalonzo Musyoka as VP because Kibaki will only have Kikuyu MPs. The athuri also argue that most other provinces are already lost to ODM and there will be no need to reward "aragoli" (Mt. Kenya name for the Luhya) after they reject Kibaki.

According to Mutahi Ngunyi's brief, to boost turnout, all Kibaki needs to do is ensure large turnouts in Central where the "unattached voter" will be helped to vote. This is reference to double registration occasioned by national IDS numbers being shared by several voters and those also of dead voters given to other people. It is quite alarming that most cases termed
"double registration" by the ECK are actually ID numbers of other voters outside Mt. Kenya and the dead ones now given Kikuyu names and allocated voters cards. The rigging ploy is that while the original holder of the legitimate ID number will be denied voting because of double registration, the imposter in Central Kenya will have voted.

While analyzing the situation in Rift Valley, the athuri considered the consequences of naming Kipruto Kirwa as Kibaki's running mate, an idea they said originated from a meeting former President Daniel Arap Moi had held with Narc-Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju in Nakuru in October. Moi had argued that promising Kirwa a running mate position to Kibaki (without intending to make him VP) would clip the ODM wave in Rift Valley. This, it is explained, would make Kalenjins vote for Kibaki since former Eldoret North MP William Ruto who is a member of the powerful ODM Pentagon is not Raila Odinga's running mate.

But Moi's suggestion was rejected as the athuri argued that it would be very difficult to dump Kirwa after the elections were he to be named the running mate. Mutahi argued that Uhuru's support from the Kalenjin in 2012 would be jeopardized as the Kalenjin would rebel again. "Dukayihie mbogo ithitio. Nitutihitie andu aya maita meri matikugueterera gutihio ka
gatatu", warned Ngunyi, who is married to a Kalenjin, in his presentation. Loosely translated, it means "Never underrate a wounded Buffalo. We have wounded these chaps twice using them in 2002 against Moi and firing them after for Moi's mistakes. They will not wait for a third wound". The athuri finally decided that the VP slot should be left vacant and dangled to all communities especially the Luhya and the Kalenjin to vote for Kibaki.

Apparently, while Kibaki needs Moi's help, the athuri acknowledge that Moi is a danger given the Kroll Report, which revealed that the former President and his family looted public coffers more than Kshs.130 billion. They have decided to restrict Moi to campaigns against ODM in Rift Valley where they believe corruption by Moi is not an issue. Yet some members in the group are cautious with this arrangement arguing that it may backfire and hurt Kibaki on the platform of Corruption. It is with this in mind that an anxious Moi, whose moles had leaked the reservations by the athuri to him, met Kibaki at State House Nakuru for 45 minutes on November 29, 2007.

Sources reveal that Moi wanted assurance that Kibaki would not renege on a secret deal never to prosecute Moi and his family for crimes committed during his era. To secure protection Moi secured a free ride to Parliament for his sons and his private secretary, John Lokorio in three constituencies on a Kanu ticket. Moi who had just arrived back from Ethiopia contributed Kshs3 billion to Kibaki's campaign kitty.

However, a clever Moi said the money will be used by him in Kibaki Tena campaigns in Rift Valley against Raila. Moi is now funding all the pro-Kibaki candidates in the province. It is also believed that it is from this money that leaflets against Raila are being produced and distributed in Rift Valley.

The more dastardly of the cash use is the funding of ethnic clashes in Molo. Kikuyu and Kalenjin youth are being paid to kill and burn houses belonging to Kisii migrant workers in the area in an attempt to cut down ODM votes in the native Kisii-Nyanza. The pro-Kibaki media have deliberately chosen to focus on source interviews and nametag captions showing the Kisii as the victims. Yet this is not new. It is the third phase after the failure when government ignited ethnic flare-ups on the Kisii-Kalenjin border at Sondu mid this year as the ODM wave hit fever pitch in the country. The second phase failed where widows and orphans would be paid to parade themselves as victims of ethnic clashes in Kisii. It looks like Moi has now gone for the real ones by igniting the Kuresoi killings.

What Is Moi Really Up To?

Will Daniel Survive The Lion's Den This Time Round?

Of Political Upheavals and a Stormy Past

I wrote this poem when the Anglo Leasing scandal was a 'hot issue'. Is the next president really set to fight corruption? I wonder... The current goings-on leaves so much to be desired.

In the days of yore kenyans' political ken suffered such dearth,
Political simulation, stimulation incomprehensible,
Legion political 'achilles heels' looming large in stormy seas,
Such was the tune, of such no panacea promised respite.
With the advent of a new regime,
Political turbulence 'seemed' to be 'burnt to a frazzle',
Hodge-podge politicking was thrown out the window,
Magnified promises to the masses graced the billboards.

Time flew fast and with it came a 'new' breeze,
A recrudescence of past ills set in on our soil,
Power wrangling, 'power fisticuffs' so to speak,
Were replete in our mainstream press.

Then it came our way, a giant two-headed bug,
As it set in, a loud bang ensued,
Then silence, a silence reminiscent of a calm in a storm,
The 'eye of the storm' spinning in murderous frenzy.

Everything in disarray, in shambles,
As the bug wend its way into the coffers,
Lining many a ministers insatiable pocket,
With dollars, pounds, Euros, shillings.

Anglo Leasing's the giant bug,
That has sucked the blood of the 'common mwananchi',
It 'engulfed' my hard-earned supper yesterday,
And cast me a look that bespoke penury in my posterity.

Raila Odinga Invites You To "BLOG FOR REAL CHANGE"

Special Invitation to all Kenyans by the Raila Odinga Online Presidential Campaign

Blog Day "Blog For Real Change"

Venue: http://raila2007.wordpress.com

Time: 14th Dec 2007 15h00 to 18h00 (ie 3p.m to 6p.m) Kenya Time

Blogs, short for Weblogs, are a frequently updated Internet journal that has become a growing Internet subculture. This once techie phenomenon has now become an invaluable tool in Kenya's presidential election, adding another innovative Internet component to campaign communications.

Blogs are an interactive dialog. Internet users can read a blog and then submit their own comments. Blogs entries are dated, with the newest ones posted on top of the page. Most blogs are postings of thoughts, opinions, and links to related news articles, other blogs, and websites.

While blogs have received much attention, they were actually one of the earliest publishing practices on the Internet. Blogs were relatively unknown until recently with increased publicity and the availability of easy-to-use, free blog publishing tools. Blogs enable Internet users to publish and connect to a worldwide audience. Today, there are an estimated two million "bloggers" globally, and that figure is growing steadily.

In Kenya, blogging is popular with young people and working population in urban centers who link up with colleagues and relatives over the internet. It has been proved that this group would then pass the information to their friends and family members on the ground and those living abroad hence a new way of disseminating vital information. Some of this information may never be published in the mainstream media. Kenya's leading newspapers (nation and standard) have included blogs on their websites as a means of interacting with their online readers.

One of the most popular presidential campaign blogs is Raila's Weblog http://raila2007.wordpress.com. Launched two months ago, the blog has attracted a record of over 50,000 comments and contributions by Kenyan bloggers so far. The blog is updated daily with topics on current political affairs and moderated continuously as users post their comments. The blog also has a dedicated page for users to post what's happening on the ground.

The blog is planning to have a 3 hour blogging session dubbed "Blog For Real Change" scheduled to take place on Friday 14th December 2007 from 3p.m Kenya Time.

The bloggers will login at the same time and start discussions on three major topics to be listed a day earlier. Users are currently posting their preferred topics on the blog, from which five most interesting ones will be chosen for discussion.

ODM worldwide online supporters are requested to login to the blog page at exactly 3pm Kenyan time on14 th Dec and join in bringing real change for all Kenyans

Topics to be discussed are:

• VOTER TURNOUT MOBILIZATION
• HOW TO AVERT POLL RIGGING
• SUPPORTERS DIALOGUE
  

All are welcome!

The "Lucy Wambui" Biggest Slap Of The Year Awards

Slap of the year awards

Kindly let’s have the votes in for the biggest slap of the year. Choose only one;

a) Lucy’s dramatic end of the year slap in State House. Big slap on the face to the dignity of Kenyans. This morning we are a laughing stock around the world.

b) News blackout by most of the media on the event. Big slap on media freedom and big slap to Kenyan voters because this is very vital information at this time.

c) Raila’s signing a secret MOU with Muslims. Big slap on the face of Christians and members of other religions.

d) 9th Parliament going ahead to award itself a golden handshake even after strong objections from Kenyans. One of the classic big slap on the face of voters by the 9th parliament which was a professional slapper just like Lucy Kibaki.

e) Lucy’s allowance being increased to Kshs 500,000 just in time for the election campaigns. Big slap in the face to most Kenyans who will never see such an amount with their eyes let alone pocket in their entire lifetime.

f) Direct nominations by mostly ODM and PNU in certain constituencies where voters were looking forward to getting their voices heard. Big slap in the face for Kenyan voters.

g) Naïve young Kenyans who believe that telling the truth as it is in this blog is fanning ethnic emotions. Guess what community all the people who think in this manner come from? Big slap in the face of intelligent Kenyans who are saying Ukweli sasa

You can add your own biggest slap of the year nomination. Otherwise vote only for one and let’s see what the tally comes to. As dramatic as Lucy’s slap was in State House yesterday, let’s see if it survives as the number one biggest slap of the year (and believe me it was a big slap—physically that is—according to impeccable sources.

Increase Your Vocabulary

THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR

word for today:-Steadman poll - pronounced sss ted man pol -a word meaning to poll the wool over voter's eyes

word for tomorrow: -devolution

Oops! Lucy Does it Again

Just when everybody thought that First Lady Lucy Kibaki would hold her peace at least till Dec 27, she lost SLAPPED an MC in public in full glare of the President, dignitaries and the media.

The MC who is a senior administrator at OP may have been CARELESS to introduce Lucy as Wambui knowing that VP Moody no less has been a victim of her wrath before. The poor chap was not lucky and his jaws must be still aching from the accurately aimed SLAP.

Political goofs don’t come singly or do they? That simple act may appear mundane but the number of votes it will cost Kibaki besides the moral ground is enormous. You can justify Lucy’s rage as human nature of protecting your turf in the face of marauding Mary Wambui but if she would have chosen to look at the bigger picture and avoid measuring to her poor temperaments the fiasco would have been just a hiccup.

With no tabloids of our own, the outside world (http://allafrica.com/stories/200712121280.html) are feasting sumptuously on the same at our expense highlighting the nasty side of leadership. Negative news sells, don’t they? And State House aware of this made sure that all the footage (still and video) containing that nasty episode were all erased pronto.

National disgrace
Simple irresponsible acts have a canny away of taking wind out of your moral sail. Having slapped a cameraman before when she invaded Nation Centre, Lucy has become a professional ‘SLAPPER’ and woe unto you if you cross her path. Thank God Kalonzo nor Raila will be in her vicinity soon.

Call it provocation or disrespect but a time in life comes when your infuriating persona must be mellowed with age. Lucy's apologist may rally to her defense but it is inexcusable and a shame to be a serial slapping first lady.

Regional stereotypes (wanawake wa Nyeri) have no place in such high flying offices as First Lady. It is simply juvenile akin to adolescent rants from a jilted lover. Poleni apologists but Lucy has earned the tag national disgrace.

Kibaki No Exorcist for Anglo Ghost

The 44th Jamhuri day celebrations offered President Kibaki the last unadulterated forum to sell his re-election candidacy to Kenyans. Well aware of this he seized the opportunity to parade his record for scrutiny. And there is where he took the lid off the can of worms.

If only we were to live in nostalgia retrospectively? But alas Kibaki promised a clean government and even promised to fire any minister mentioned in corrupt deals. Well Kenyans must be living in a different planet from their leaders.

With the yoke of Anglo Leasing choking his administration it couldn't have come at a bad time. Ministers mentioned to have been the masterminds behind the scam were suspended and reinstated without any pretence to remorse or due cause of the law.

To rub salt into the political wound, Kalonzo stole the opportunity to declare his wealth while challenging Emilio and Raila to follow suit by leading by example and from the front. But your guess is as good as mine none of them will pick the gauntlet when it smacks off a trap to reveal the rot within just like refusing live TV debate when you fear being unmasked.

You don’t expect to soil yourself and not invite all types of flies to pay you a visit. Besides image being everything, Kibaki has been in the business long enough for such an amateurish goof. How much that is going to cost him politically will only become clear come December 27. But it is certainly one blot he would tactfully do without. Trust scoundrels to measure to their tag literally.

Breaking News: First Lady Attacks MC at State Function

This afternoon shocking news is emanating from State House Nairobi that first Lady Lucy Kibaki assaulted the Master of Ceremony at presidential award ceremony held at State House Gardens after the State Luncheon following the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.

Helpless dignitaries sitting at the presidential dais were shocked by the actions of the First Lady who slapped the MC several times and calmly walked back to her seat infront of dignitaries, school children and press cameras. She was apparently reacting to a misrepresentation by the MC who referred to her as the Honourable Mrs Lucy 'Wambui', an obviously regrettable slip of the tongue. President Kibaki did not move from his seat and the function was said to have proceeded after the MC was led away by security agents. Infact the President and a smiling First Lady were shown on prime news making the traditional lap of honour within the state house gardens immediately after the function.

Nation Media, which was reportedly the only independent media group at the function, had their camera man summoned to a private room within the state house grounds and the footage of the incident erased from the tapes in their presence. Still photos were also reportedly destroyed.

This is not the first time reports of personalities being slapped at state house. Exactly a month ago, on 12th November 2007, this blogger had posted a story on an alleged assault within state house precincts.

This blogger will attempt to get more information (read footage) of this unfortunate incident and report back as the story develops.

Jam Hurrah Kenya is 44 Today

Fourty four years can be a very long or short time depending on how you look at it and who you are in Kenya. This years Jamhuri celebrations at at Nyayo stadium didn't lack the usual colour and pomp even when 'less patriotic' presidential aspirants Raila and Kalonzo snubbed the occasion.

Jamhuri is a time for sober reflection on our past as we chat the way forward to PROSPERITY. Look around you and what do you see a part from CHANGE and DEVELOPMENT? Only those without eyes cannot see Kibaki's Midas touch that has turned Kenya's ruined past into economic gold. Let the picture speak a thousand words (or more):

Change you can see

Free Primary Education: Numerous children all over the country have joined school for the very first time. No child has been left out, not those on the streets, nor those whose parents who could not previously afford an education. Parents have saved a lot of money and have been able to invest and uplift their living standards.

Improved the Quality of Life for all Kenyans: Through improved health services to ensure a healthy and vibrant workforce. Water and Electricity have been made more available to more Kenyans in urban and rural areas.

Empowered people in Development: Through the Constituency Development Fund, the people can now decide the best ways to develop their areas. In the year 2005/06 alone, more than Kshs 54 billion was allocated to cater for different development projects that directly benefit the people.

Boosted Farmers and Agriculture: By guaranteeing that Farmers are promptly paid for their produce, President Kibaki has ensured that they become wealthier and produce more than before. The revival of stalled industries such as the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) and Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC).

Supported Empowerment of Women: By providing special funds to assist them to run their own businesses. President Kibaki has also directed that a 30% quota be reserved for women in public appointment. Even though a bill to guarantee women 50 seats in Parliament was defeated, Mwai Kibaki’s commitment to empowering women has not wavered.

Supported Kenyan Youth: By providing special funds to assist and encourage youth leadership, and also to ensure they are properly educated, he has secured the future of Kenya through a well-educated youth. Mwai Kibaki has also outlined the “Marshal Plan for Youth Employment” in order to create more opportunities for youth in Kenya.

Better Roads and Transport: Under Kibaki’s leadership, more than Kshs 50 billion has been spent to improve and expand the road network in this country. By increasing the number of all weather roads, Mwai Kibaki has enabled workers, farmers and traders to travel fast and easily with lower costs.

Restored Respect for Kenya and Kenyans: Mwai Kibaki has ensured that our country is no longer considered to be a begging nation. We are self-reliant: up to 95% of Kenya’s budget is now self-financed, without any recourse to donor funds. Kenya is a respected country once again because of the policies that were adopted of efficient political and economic management.

Need I say more? No lest I spoil the broth. If you fancy CHANGE then put your vote where your heart is. Kazi iendelee and vote Emilio so that mama Lucy can save us from ourselves too.

The 3 Opiums Of Kenyan Voters

Tribalism. Corruption. Short-term memory. These are the three opium’s we must exhale out of our body system before you go vote on the 27^th

No time for preaching sermons here. It is better to greet an angry mother bear unjustly robbed of her new cubs than to extend the friendly hand of warm welcome to a Kenyan doped up on tribalism opium-is this the worst type of Kenyan there is?The jury is still out. Definition of a tribalist is also known as home-grown terrorist

Like a bad toothache that just won’t go away, corruption opium has refused to give Justice Ringera reason to show us the back of his post-molars in genuine laughter. Hear the Kenyan doped up on corruption speak “nobody can remove corruption from Kenya.” This monster slayed all three Presidents Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki. Whoever dares this ogre will be Kenya’s hero forever

Short-term memory loss. We remember what we ate for breakfast yesterday but can’t remember why we got independence 44 years ago. Then we let dishonourables walk right back into Parliament so we can complain in Kumekucha for another 5 years

Now you know-beware, smoking opium maybe harmful to health and kill

Increase Your Vocabulary

INTRODUCING THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR

word for today: - Hystrical - pronounced highstreecall - first used by Stanley Livondo- exact meaning unknown - closest match - hysterical

word for tomorrow: -Steadman Poll

ODM: Government Should Arrest Insecurity Immediately

By Raila A. Odinga

We in the Pentagon have watched with growing alarm the spate of violence, killings and ethnic cleansing that is sweeping the nation in advance of the 27 December election. This pattern that Kenyans are frighteningly aware of from the election conducted under the Moi regime, and which we thought was a relic of the past.

But the same vicious tactics are once again being used to intimidate Kenyans into either not voting or voting for those who are threatening them. It is unconscionable that such violence has returned under a government that repeatedly professes a commitment to human rights and the free and peaceful exercise of the right to vote, but whose record continues to show very opposite.

In the last 24 hours alone, seven Kenyans have lost their lives in suspicious incidents, with other deaths that the media is not aware of. Politically –instigated violence has been ravaging Kuresoi, Molo and Mt. Elgon for some time. The Mt. Elgon clashes have in fact been with us for more than a year now and they represent the most glaring evidence of the state’s refusal to provide the security our people so desperately need. This violence has now escalated even further, and now Naivasha, Nairobi and its environs are being targeted as well.

I have in fact just come from the Mater Misereicordia Hospital, where I went to express solidarity, and provide consolation to Charles Werangai Masinde, who was brutally targeted in an attack Saturday that took the life of ODM aspirant Alice Ondutto. The circumstances of the killing, in which the killers trailed he car right to her gate but did not even attempt any kind of robbery, reveals that this was a political assassination. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my profound condolences to Alice’s family and friends about this dastardly attack, whose perpetrators must be apprehended and punished by our courts.

As you know, two months ago, another parliamentary aspirant, Ms. Flora Tera Igoki, was viciously attacked. At that time, the government refused to condemn this atrocity against a vulnerable woman, and it is no wonder that her attackers are still at large. In the meantime, an Assistant Minister of this government whose official car was apprehended filled with a huge cache of unlawful weaponry, is also a free man. An out-going MP found with a similar cache was also set free. These two cases reveal the capacity and determination of the police to carry out its responsibilities as well as the high level interference that permits the continuation of these crimes.

In addition, the most inflammatory leaflets designed to unleash violence in the Rift Valley against the ODM leadership were printed in Nairobi and then transported by policemen to the province. It is no wonder that in this environment of impunity for those who practice violence that Alice was so easily gunned down.

ODM is also aware of certain ethnic groups being ejected forcibly from Kikuyu Township, Kawangware, Eastlands and Githurai by both official intimidation and by landlords determined to ensure a PNU victory. These evictions and the violence that has accompanied some of them is causing tension among people who for years lived in these communities peacefully.

While all these violent crimes designed to influence the outcome of this election must be condemned in the strongest terms possible, the execution of over 500 young men in what are now being called the killing fields of Ngong has raised the level of murderous criminality to an altogether another level. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this particular crime against humanity verges on genocide. That Kenya has descended to the level of banana republics in which death squads operate at will. This terrible development must unite Kenyans in voting out the PNU government, whose disdain for the poor has now been transformed into something much more vicious.

I have appealed to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya to exercise his authority in ensuring that such violence, which will only result in a flawed election, is immediately brought to an end. I also appeal to our international partners to intercede on behalf of Kenyans to bring an end to this violence.

This article was first published in Raila 2007 - the official website of Raila Odinga

Jose Mourinho Too Special for England

Jose Mourinho has elevated his 'SPECIAL ONE' tag to new heights. By rejecting the England Manager's job Jose has intelligently called them bluff and set the bar too high.

His decision almost makes the position of England manager become a jinx of sorts. By Mourinho doing another Big Phil (Brazilian Portugal manager Luis Felipe Scolari), the FA has been left with eggs on their face shredding the English pride like never before.

History is repeating itself right before our eyes in less than 15 months. Just like the the FA turned to second best Steve McClaren in 2006, so will they will have to suffer constipation from misplaced pride.

The FA has no choice but to settle for the diminutive and successful Italian Fabio Capello who despite limited English has an impressive CV with six trophies for every club he has managed from AC Milan to Real Madrid.

Jose must be well aware of his CV and what a better way to showcase personal pride rolled in tangible success. His energy would have been underutilized in being a national coach. The versatility would have hi bottle like a caged lion.

And so the search for England coach continues after unmasking the facade of fidelity to the Union Jack's flag.

Shock As Newspaper Reveals Steadman's Links With Kibaki's Inner Circle

When I read this article in the East African Standard a few minutes ago, a chill went through my spine. The men mentioned are some of the most dangerous tribalists in the president's campaign team. I will be revealing more about what some of these "respected" characters have been saying privately about NOT allowing a "Luo presidency at all costs."

Read the East African Standard article on Steadman's most guarded secret

Kumekucha Poll Survey: Bizarre Results in Kisii

Anytime now, I will be releasing the results of a countrywide survey that I have carried out with the help of our numerous countrywide sources of information.

The different thing about this survey is that it was done amongst the ordinary folks of Kenya as well as the down and out struggling to put food on the table who make up the vast majority of voters.

To be absolutely honest I believe that I have always had my hand very close to the pulse of the nation, but I was still quite surprised by some of the findings that came through.

Today I will share about one of the areas of the country where our findings really surprised me.

I know the Kisii people fairly well and I have assumed all along that considering the strong influence Hon Simeon Nyachae has on the people in this area, ODM was unlikely to get anything better than lukewarm support from the Abagusii community.

My recent survey has proved just how wrong I was.

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The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha today-10th Nov

1. What this election is really all about

2. Who is this woman called Marianne Briner?

3. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

4. What our Luo brothers need to know

5. Sahel CEO says that Raila is God's choice

Kenyans Favour Presidential Debate That Is Unlikely To Happen

ODM Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has challenged PNU’s President Kibaki to a nationally televised debate.

Interestingly a quick SMS survey done by KTN revealed that a staggering 88% would like to see such a debate.

Sadly it is highly unlikely that the debate will ever happen. The reason is probably best illustrated by the comment of one of the respondents in the SMS survey who does not favour such a contest. “It is a trap,” they said and this is how the president’s handlers will most likely see it knowing very well that their man is not half as good in “domo” as the ODM man.

Secondly Raila’s experience with the president during his short stint in government saw him gather numerous unflattering anecdotes that pain the president in poor light. For instance his rejection of a fully sponsored slum upgrading programme that would have seen the face of many Nairobi slums changed forever. Interestingly the American construction organization that had pledged full support for such a programme had already committed the funds and had to hurriedly relocate to Cameroon where the project is set to be a roaring success. Obviously in his own wisdom based on many decades in government, the president knows best why he ended up rejecting such a programme, however he would be hard pressed to explain it on national TV.

And there are many other similar instances meaning that it would be plain political suicide for the president to accept his Raila’s challenge.

The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha today-10th Nov

1. What this election is really all about

2. Who is this woman called Marianne Briner?

3. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

4. What our Luo brothers need to know

5. Sahel CEO says that Raila is God's choice

The Worrying Thing About Raila’s Financial Backers

Guest post by a former insider

One clarification first: I do not hold the key to a solution, but I may be able to explain where and how things went wrong .... the solution lies in the hands of each and everybody of you when you go to vote on December 27th .....

Things went wrong a long time ago but as long as a totally corrupt and surpressing Government (speak Moi) did not allow free expression of mind and controlled the press totally, many things were not known and could not be known. And if anybody dared to talk, he (she) disappeared out of public (political) life and sometimes even got killed (and I do not only talk about Dr. Ouko .....).

But now you have the possibility to know and to talk - and still, the same people who held you for ransom for so long, continue controlling your life - and that is unexcusable .... do not allow this to happen.

Although I do not see that things will change in the next 10 or so years ... Moi, Biwott and also Kibaki are too clever ....

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The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha today-10th Nov

1. What this election is really all about

2. Who is this woman called Marianne Briner?

3. Mystery behind Raila's sudden popularity

4. What our Luo brothers need to know

5. Sahel CEO says that Raila is God's choice

Kenya's Infant Scoundrels

Some ridiculous things can only take place in Kenya. Seeing Bishop Muiru’s pastors expediently denouncing their Boss at smacks off tactlessness without parallel. The men of God chose to join the politicians in peddling cheap lies at the alter of poltical expediency.

It makes you wonder where these pastors have been all these months since Muiru announced his presidential candidature. Maybe they know a thing we don't and they are simply escaping from a sinking sheep. Who knows whether the maximum miracles have dwindled with resources exhausted in campaign? Expect Kenyans to smell opportunities (plastic or others) miles away.

Now that they don't find Muiru qualified to lead why not denounce their faith all together. Religion is really opium of the people and as Luke wont to say Kenyans are its loyal consumers.

Legislating science
Add these developments to Henry Obwocha's directive to KEBS to legislate science and Kenya becomes a fertile ground for breeding infant scoundrels with no element of shame in mouthing ridiculous directives. How I wish they would even pretend to give these litany of goofs some resemblance of tact. But that is just a wish and no horse to ride.

You can only imagine what others in the wide world think of our leaders when they read Obwocha demanding a specific number of samples for opinion polls. Conducting a mini census defeats the premise of sampling. But this Kenya where pigs grow wings.

Happy Holidays From Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)

Dear Kumekuchans and Kenyans at large,

Here's to wishing you guys heri na fanaka kwa msimu huu wa krismasi na mwaka mpya from the man himself - Raila Amolo Odinga - Rais mtarajiwa wa Jamhuri ya Kenya.

What This Election Is Really All About

Can You Live With Your Decision on the 27th?

In a few days time (how time flys!!) Kenyans will go to the polls to make perhaps the most important decision humans on these shores have ever had to make in East African history.

The saddest thing of all as that day rapidly approaches is the fact that the real issues in these elections have deliberately been crowded out by non-issues. Contrary to what many folks think, Elections 2007 is not about tribalism. Actually it is about money and corruption.

Let me explain.

There is plenty of evidence that the Kibaki administration started out very serious about fighting corruption. In recent times it has often been suggested that they never intended to do anything about it. That IS NOT TRUE.

To bring into perspective the decision you and I have to make seated/standing inside some polling booth it is important that we understand where and why that fight against corruption ended.

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WHO IS THIS WOMAN CALLED MARIANNE BRINER?

Many people - even in some roundtable-discussions in the American TV - have asked the question 'who is this woman called Marianne Briner and what is her background?'


So I have decided to give some answers.....


I grew up in Germany in a very social and open environment - although being born in 1941 in the middle of World War II this was sometimes not easy. My father was not serving as a soldier but was belonging to a Medical Team in charge of wounded soldiers and also prisoners of war. He was a very courageous man and I admired him a lot.

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