In a profound state of highly spiritual consciousness; actually a few degrees below transfiguration, St. Augustine yelled, "Give me chastity but not yet!!". In the Kenyan quest for peace, the relevance of such hesitation is outstandingly evident. In unison, we scream, "Give us peace but not yet!!". First we want to see either Raila or Kibaki as president. No peace until our dead and displaced are appeased. Peace is only possible after ancestral land in the Rift Valley is returned to its rightful owners. We want peace but only under a new constitution. Peace is PNU. Peace is ODM.
In the meantime, anarchy ensues. Whereas some IDPs are living in conditions much better than their previous polythene Mungiki-taxed slum dwellings, most are trying not to get used to the daily Red Cross food rations; they realize resettlement in the slum means three or four meals of squalor per week. At this juncture, one cannot fathom the number of dead denied a proper and decent burial. Reality suggests that nondescript mass graves will continue dotting the Kenyan landscape until we find justice and peace…in that order. Only in Kenya can justice be the stumbling block to peace.
Like most, I want to believe that Kenya will rise up from the smoldering chaos with unbridled thirst to regain its composure. I hope that the weeks of mayhem be viewed as a serious case of democratic hiccup and nothing more. Mwangi and Atieno will grow up together in Eldoret, go to school in Kakamega, marry in Kiambu, settle in Mwingi and buy land in Kisumu. All the while, Kipruto will be living it up in Muranga as Kalonzo sells honey in Kitale without fear or intimidation. The continuity of that Kenyan lifestyle must be a priority. That we have lost everything is not an understatement. That we refuse to remain in the same status need not be an overstatement.
Folks, we must demand our lives back. I think we all agree that it is indeed unpatriotic to want a government based on the current constitution and institutions; the dismantling and reconstruction of both must be expeditious. We must appreciate that on our plate is an opportunity to change this country forever i.e. begin on a clean slate. Citizens from both sides of the political divide have been martyred, let their blood not have spilt in vain. Let us choose peace but first satisfy all its preconditions. Let us resolve all these issues to finality. There's no other way out of this quagmire. The question on why the Finance ministry is represented by one tribe can never be answered by the quip that they are all qualified. The question on why a particular tribe was targeted during the height of the skirmishes can never be answered by the quip that it was only political. Someone must pay for all the businesses and homes burnt and looted. The police must be explain why they killed demonstrators. Rift Valley militias must tell us who owns them. Mungiki must face justice. Kenya has changed folks. Let us embrace this change.
Kibaki and Raila must not raise up their jointed hands in a show of political peace while Kipchumba and Kimani are still squabbling about the validity of title deeds.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Three Important Guest Posts: National Anthem, Lucy Kibaki And The Missing Church
JUSTICE BE OUR SHIELD AND DEFENDER
Guest Post By Daktari
The first verse of our national anthem should serve as our moral compass as we navigate our way from these dark days of pillage and carnage. Before you ask, the answer is, yes, I do believe that this great nation shall overcome and rise out of the abyss. When the five members of the commission headed by Mr. Graham Hyslop were given the task of writing the national anthem by the Kenya government just before independence, they purposefully chose its lyrics to unite all Kenyans irrespective of their backgrounds and to reflect the aspirations and dreams of the infant nation.
When we sing the first two lines of anthem, we acknowledge the presence of God, the creator of all and ask for his blessing upon our land and nation. What is interesting is the order in which we ask for these blessings. First and foremost, we ask for justice to be our shield and defender. Not peace, not love, not unity, but justice. Before independence, in the beginning, when our founding fathers coalesced different ethnic communities and soldered a young nation, our utmost aspiration was justice. In the third and fourth lines, we pray for unity, peace and liberty, respectively. Only then do we ask for plenty to be found within our borders. We are currently bogged down in this orgy of death and destruction because our leaders have not lived by the very principles upon which this nation was founded. They have failed to uphold justice.
There was a lot of pain that underlay the hitherto superficial tranquility of Kenya. Political assassinations, land grabbing, a corrupt judiciary, greedy legislators, a police force that thinks children are for target practice, disenfranchisement of the great people of Kenya, inequity in resource distribution, amongst other injustices stain the fabric of our nation. Was there justice when Thomas Mboya, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Alexander Muge, and Robert Ouko were assassinated? Where was justice when the great people of Kenya were denied their right to assembly and the media denied their right to free speech after the 2007 election? Justice must be our core principle and we must demand it. It is not a privilege, but a right. I say it is time for Kamiti�s rightful residents to move in.
As Mr. Odinga and Mr. Kibaki seek a way forward, we must not compromise in our quest for justice. Without justice, we are a nation without a foundation. Without justice, there will be no liberty, we will not be free. If we do not demand justice, we are condemning our children and our children�s children to the inevitable: more bloodshed. It is time for those who believe in the founding values of our nation to stand up and be counted. Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation. Justice be our shield and defender.
-----------------000000
Kenya's So Called First Lady
Once again the Kenya's first lady is making headlines for conduct unbecoming a lady: She's not only unattractive, but violent, arrogant and a national embarrassment. In a civil society, a person who assaults another is charged in a court of law and serves time in prison. Like all the other criminals running our country, she of course gets away with any crime. Could Kumekucha investigate these concerns and enlighten us.
*There's also persistent rumour that the first lady is mentally ill. If this is the case why is she not in an institution receiving medical attention?
*Is it true that the real power behind Kabuki's Government is Lucy Kibaki and the Iron lady, Karua and that Kibaki is actually senile/mentally incapacitated by the 2002 accident?
*If indeed that's not the case, why is Kibaki unable to control his spouse? If he can't govern in his own household, why should he expect to govern a whole country?
Disgusted Kenyan.
-------------000000
Church in our crisis
In our crisis like no other, conspicuously missing has been the impact of the Church leaders. They have neither helped us in averting the gridlock we found ourselves in nor in negotiating us through this strait. It was obvious that prior to the elections the church was not been spared the division that is now strangling the country. Two weeks ago the former Anglican Archbishop David Gitari lamented at the current crop of church leaders losing their sting and rightly states that the church should have been neutral to reconcile the society.
"The Church is a reconciler and a reconciler does not takes sides unless he is completely sure the side he is taking is the right one," Gitari says.
The absence of any church leader in the current mediation talks is a huge indictment to what has become of the once powerful voice, a voice that change the direction of our land, a voice in behalf of the oppressed and poor. Prophetic voice that shielded this country from chaos since people heard it as the voice of God. Should the church have been forthright on issues of injustice and tribalism that plagued the country and sought for solutions? Should she have been truthful nay forthright, about the just concluded elections?
I labor to find the answer to why the call for reconciliation, forgiveness or peace goes un-headed? More churches have been burnt after the infamous Eldoret one. The death toll has sharply risen with more homes burnt and the IDPs swelling daily despite passionate pleas from pulpits. Attempts to hold our flock from engaging in violence and taking the laws in their own hands have been un-heeded. We have seen Christians kill their own brothers and sisters obviously the flock are not following or wanting the peace that we offer.
I doubt that God would not have said these very words to the church today as he said in the days of Jeremiah
They have healed the wounds of my people, saying Peace, Peace when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination no, they were not at all ashamed, they did not know how to blush…. Jer. 6: 14 cf
In this chapter God is engaging Jeremiah in a dialogue, asking him to resume his search for a godly man ; “ .. ensure that good person is not missed .” to which the prophet states that there is no use, for the people are totally corrupt, and like their hearts their ears are closed . God responds in pouring out his wrath to all since all are guilty, none are more guilty than the religious leaders – the priest and the prophets and the people they lead.
There are three elements in the indictment of the priests the prophets and the people that appears congruent to our situation today that has robbed us of our knave to cut when we should:
1. There is greed for unjust gain [v13a] they are money mad.
Even politicians knew that to get church leaders to be on their side money had to flow and it did. The hope also to get favors kept some from standing.
2. There is a spirit of superficial optimism [v.14]- this is especially encouraged by traffickers in peace-oracles .
The nation is suffering from a deadly disease, yet no skilled surgery is being used, - only baseless assurances. The popular religious leaders are applying a soothing salve to the surface of the skin whereas underneath the surface a fatal cancer is at work. They shout in effect “it’s all right!” when it isn’t all right. Tribalism not only ravaged the nation it did the church as much. The politicians knew where to get the church leaders, not on their doctrinal positions but the tribe!
3. There is a lack of shame in the presence of sins committed.
They have lost their ability to blush. Nothing shocks them or shakes them up in their self-righteousness, they claim ‘there is nothing wrong with us’. For this reason the weight to get the country has been put heavily on political and civil leaders while we pray.
And so they then faced God’s wrath as we must suffer punishment because we have missed our reason for existence:
The church exists as a community, servant and a messenger of the reign of God in the midst of other kingdoms, communities and powers that attempt to shape our understanding of reality according to Darrell L. Guder. The world of these kingdoms communities and powers often opposes, ignores or has other priorities than the missional church, which is apostle – sent out on behalf of the reign of God.
Which is why Darrell hints that, we exist as an eclectic community, one made up of multiple ethnic communities[ ones that are warring now], with huge inequalities and of multiple diversities but a community gathered by Christ who alone determines who belongs .We are gathered to be servants of his reign and his kingdom in the mix of other kingdoms in this world. His kingdom represents good news for the poor, liberty to the oppressed and freedom to the bond. This surely will stand against kingdoms driven by greed leaving in its wake oppression, bondage and poverty.
Detrich Bonhoeffer eloquently says, the Church is the church only when it exists for others: and not for its leadership or ideals and traditions. In particular our church will have to take the field against the vise of tribalism, power-worship, greed for money as the root of all evil.
Do we then elevate the church to be the prefect of the state? No at all! The church has no right to appropriate to itself power over the state, though it may not keep out of politics, as others have stated, if the state abrogates basic human rights. In this instance three possibilities are clear:
1. it can ask the state whether it’s actions are legitimate and in accordance with it’s character as state. By this, it can throw the state back on its responsibility.
And this has been eloquently followed method in this country that led to huge gains of democratic space and liberties that graced our land with peace. This is the persuasion that made The Reverend Njoya wax bold lighting the fire in a 1990 New Year sermon, drawing from events emerging in Eastern Europe linked the transformation in Eastern Europe to the increased demands by Kenyans for more accountability in Government. Speaking at St Andrew's Church, Nairobi , he reviewed
the events that began with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and resulted in the collapse of socialism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union. He argued that such yearning for freedom was not any different from what was going on in Kenya .
2. it can aid the victims of the state actions. The church has an unconditional obligation to take care of any victim of any ordering of society even if they do not belong to the Christian faith.
Here many have understood the role of the church and have been on the fore-front in aiding the victims of this disaster as the church stood strong on occasions when famine or floods hit the country last year.
3. it can put a spoke in the wheel itself. It must be prepared for political resistance. The Burmese monks led the country against the dreaded military junta to the point that the junta agreed to hold talks with the opposition leader to bring democracy to their country. The monks paid heavily in the hands of the brutal military and led their flock from the front.
Are the many poor people streaming to the streets in protest without shepherds in the church leadership? Could it be that their aspirations and clamour for justice not shared with the church or it’s leaders? Where is the authority of the church that will make the kings bow? In their crisis Martin L. King led his people in protest march and earned himself a place in jail and history. This is the church leadership we need in our crisis.
Rev Francis Omondi,
Anglican Church of Kenya.
----------0000000
Hooded Men At Orengo’s House
In the early hours of yesterday, I received reports that there had been an attempt on Hon James Orengo’s life. Details were scanty and when the media finally carried the story, they said that “burglars” were repulsed from Orengo’s house, which does not make sense. It would have been more accurate to say armed thugs were repulsed, because that is exactly what happened.
Guest Post By Daktari
The first verse of our national anthem should serve as our moral compass as we navigate our way from these dark days of pillage and carnage. Before you ask, the answer is, yes, I do believe that this great nation shall overcome and rise out of the abyss. When the five members of the commission headed by Mr. Graham Hyslop were given the task of writing the national anthem by the Kenya government just before independence, they purposefully chose its lyrics to unite all Kenyans irrespective of their backgrounds and to reflect the aspirations and dreams of the infant nation.
When we sing the first two lines of anthem, we acknowledge the presence of God, the creator of all and ask for his blessing upon our land and nation. What is interesting is the order in which we ask for these blessings. First and foremost, we ask for justice to be our shield and defender. Not peace, not love, not unity, but justice. Before independence, in the beginning, when our founding fathers coalesced different ethnic communities and soldered a young nation, our utmost aspiration was justice. In the third and fourth lines, we pray for unity, peace and liberty, respectively. Only then do we ask for plenty to be found within our borders. We are currently bogged down in this orgy of death and destruction because our leaders have not lived by the very principles upon which this nation was founded. They have failed to uphold justice.
There was a lot of pain that underlay the hitherto superficial tranquility of Kenya. Political assassinations, land grabbing, a corrupt judiciary, greedy legislators, a police force that thinks children are for target practice, disenfranchisement of the great people of Kenya, inequity in resource distribution, amongst other injustices stain the fabric of our nation. Was there justice when Thomas Mboya, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Alexander Muge, and Robert Ouko were assassinated? Where was justice when the great people of Kenya were denied their right to assembly and the media denied their right to free speech after the 2007 election? Justice must be our core principle and we must demand it. It is not a privilege, but a right. I say it is time for Kamiti�s rightful residents to move in.
As Mr. Odinga and Mr. Kibaki seek a way forward, we must not compromise in our quest for justice. Without justice, we are a nation without a foundation. Without justice, there will be no liberty, we will not be free. If we do not demand justice, we are condemning our children and our children�s children to the inevitable: more bloodshed. It is time for those who believe in the founding values of our nation to stand up and be counted. Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation. Justice be our shield and defender.
-----------------000000
Kenya's So Called First Lady
Once again the Kenya's first lady is making headlines for conduct unbecoming a lady: She's not only unattractive, but violent, arrogant and a national embarrassment. In a civil society, a person who assaults another is charged in a court of law and serves time in prison. Like all the other criminals running our country, she of course gets away with any crime. Could Kumekucha investigate these concerns and enlighten us.
*There's also persistent rumour that the first lady is mentally ill. If this is the case why is she not in an institution receiving medical attention?
*Is it true that the real power behind Kabuki's Government is Lucy Kibaki and the Iron lady, Karua and that Kibaki is actually senile/mentally incapacitated by the 2002 accident?
*If indeed that's not the case, why is Kibaki unable to control his spouse? If he can't govern in his own household, why should he expect to govern a whole country?
Disgusted Kenyan.
-------------000000
Church in our crisis
In our crisis like no other, conspicuously missing has been the impact of the Church leaders. They have neither helped us in averting the gridlock we found ourselves in nor in negotiating us through this strait. It was obvious that prior to the elections the church was not been spared the division that is now strangling the country. Two weeks ago the former Anglican Archbishop David Gitari lamented at the current crop of church leaders losing their sting and rightly states that the church should have been neutral to reconcile the society.
"The Church is a reconciler and a reconciler does not takes sides unless he is completely sure the side he is taking is the right one," Gitari says.
The absence of any church leader in the current mediation talks is a huge indictment to what has become of the once powerful voice, a voice that change the direction of our land, a voice in behalf of the oppressed and poor. Prophetic voice that shielded this country from chaos since people heard it as the voice of God. Should the church have been forthright on issues of injustice and tribalism that plagued the country and sought for solutions? Should she have been truthful nay forthright, about the just concluded elections?
I labor to find the answer to why the call for reconciliation, forgiveness or peace goes un-headed? More churches have been burnt after the infamous Eldoret one. The death toll has sharply risen with more homes burnt and the IDPs swelling daily despite passionate pleas from pulpits. Attempts to hold our flock from engaging in violence and taking the laws in their own hands have been un-heeded. We have seen Christians kill their own brothers and sisters obviously the flock are not following or wanting the peace that we offer.
I doubt that God would not have said these very words to the church today as he said in the days of Jeremiah
They have healed the wounds of my people, saying Peace, Peace when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination no, they were not at all ashamed, they did not know how to blush…. Jer. 6: 14 cf
In this chapter God is engaging Jeremiah in a dialogue, asking him to resume his search for a godly man ; “ .. ensure that good person is not missed .” to which the prophet states that there is no use, for the people are totally corrupt, and like their hearts their ears are closed . God responds in pouring out his wrath to all since all are guilty, none are more guilty than the religious leaders – the priest and the prophets and the people they lead.
There are three elements in the indictment of the priests the prophets and the people that appears congruent to our situation today that has robbed us of our knave to cut when we should:
1. There is greed for unjust gain [v13a] they are money mad.
Even politicians knew that to get church leaders to be on their side money had to flow and it did. The hope also to get favors kept some from standing.
2. There is a spirit of superficial optimism [v.14]- this is especially encouraged by traffickers in peace-oracles .
The nation is suffering from a deadly disease, yet no skilled surgery is being used, - only baseless assurances. The popular religious leaders are applying a soothing salve to the surface of the skin whereas underneath the surface a fatal cancer is at work. They shout in effect “it’s all right!” when it isn’t all right. Tribalism not only ravaged the nation it did the church as much. The politicians knew where to get the church leaders, not on their doctrinal positions but the tribe!
3. There is a lack of shame in the presence of sins committed.
They have lost their ability to blush. Nothing shocks them or shakes them up in their self-righteousness, they claim ‘there is nothing wrong with us’. For this reason the weight to get the country has been put heavily on political and civil leaders while we pray.
And so they then faced God’s wrath as we must suffer punishment because we have missed our reason for existence:
The church exists as a community, servant and a messenger of the reign of God in the midst of other kingdoms, communities and powers that attempt to shape our understanding of reality according to Darrell L. Guder. The world of these kingdoms communities and powers often opposes, ignores or has other priorities than the missional church, which is apostle – sent out on behalf of the reign of God.
Which is why Darrell hints that, we exist as an eclectic community, one made up of multiple ethnic communities[ ones that are warring now], with huge inequalities and of multiple diversities but a community gathered by Christ who alone determines who belongs .We are gathered to be servants of his reign and his kingdom in the mix of other kingdoms in this world. His kingdom represents good news for the poor, liberty to the oppressed and freedom to the bond. This surely will stand against kingdoms driven by greed leaving in its wake oppression, bondage and poverty.
Detrich Bonhoeffer eloquently says, the Church is the church only when it exists for others: and not for its leadership or ideals and traditions. In particular our church will have to take the field against the vise of tribalism, power-worship, greed for money as the root of all evil.
Do we then elevate the church to be the prefect of the state? No at all! The church has no right to appropriate to itself power over the state, though it may not keep out of politics, as others have stated, if the state abrogates basic human rights. In this instance three possibilities are clear:
1. it can ask the state whether it’s actions are legitimate and in accordance with it’s character as state. By this, it can throw the state back on its responsibility.
And this has been eloquently followed method in this country that led to huge gains of democratic space and liberties that graced our land with peace. This is the persuasion that made The Reverend Njoya wax bold lighting the fire in a 1990 New Year sermon, drawing from events emerging in Eastern Europe linked the transformation in Eastern Europe to the increased demands by Kenyans for more accountability in Government. Speaking at St Andrew's Church, Nairobi , he reviewed
the events that began with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and resulted in the collapse of socialism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union. He argued that such yearning for freedom was not any different from what was going on in Kenya .
2. it can aid the victims of the state actions. The church has an unconditional obligation to take care of any victim of any ordering of society even if they do not belong to the Christian faith.
Here many have understood the role of the church and have been on the fore-front in aiding the victims of this disaster as the church stood strong on occasions when famine or floods hit the country last year.
3. it can put a spoke in the wheel itself. It must be prepared for political resistance. The Burmese monks led the country against the dreaded military junta to the point that the junta agreed to hold talks with the opposition leader to bring democracy to their country. The monks paid heavily in the hands of the brutal military and led their flock from the front.
Are the many poor people streaming to the streets in protest without shepherds in the church leadership? Could it be that their aspirations and clamour for justice not shared with the church or it’s leaders? Where is the authority of the church that will make the kings bow? In their crisis Martin L. King led his people in protest march and earned himself a place in jail and history. This is the church leadership we need in our crisis.
Rev Francis Omondi,
Anglican Church of Kenya.
----------0000000
Hooded Men At Orengo’s House
In the early hours of yesterday, I received reports that there had been an attempt on Hon James Orengo’s life. Details were scanty and when the media finally carried the story, they said that “burglars” were repulsed from Orengo’s house, which does not make sense. It would have been more accurate to say armed thugs were repulsed, because that is exactly what happened.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Eyes on Kibaki as Kenya Hangs on a Cliff
A nation waits with their hearts in their hands. The threads holding the national fabric are threatening to snap. The principals on whose hands the solution lies are masters of deceit and scheming. Ours is a country crying for salvation from the bondage of lack of true leadership.
It is make or break starting tomorrow. We enter the defining week when the results of Kofi Annan’s negotiation will leave Kenya on either side of the cliff. Results will either mark the end of the clashes or the beginning of Armageddon. The previous week witnessed unrestrained window shopping. And now the real shopping commensurate with both human budget and need starts.
No glossing over tough issues because it all boils down to political solution. Pretenders used to clichés better arm themselves with feasible proposal that may convince us to temporarily look ahead as a nation before be take a hard look at the bloody past they dragged us through.
Annan has ruled out any resolution premised on either our judiciary or much-maligned ECK. That in itself is a loaded message depicting loss of faith in any our institutions. Only those suffering serious bouts of selective amnesia would vouch for respect to any existing Kenyan institution. But the element of shame is on vice that is found in abundance within our shores.
Only oonstitution, no substitute
Kenya’s future is singularly anchored on a new constitution and nothing more. Any political agreement that skirts this primary foundation will amount to appreciating a storm before a tsunami. If that comes to pass (God forbid) we would rather start taking lesson from our neighbours to the north east on how to effectively run tribal/clan fiefdoms.
The ball is squarely in Kibaki’s court. Having brought all these upon Kenya, only he can extinguish the fire so that we collectively dust ourselves from the ashes. The alternative is too grim to contemplate but not far-fetched given his past and company.
Only a structured TRANSITION government can midwife Kenya through this hell. All others are short term gimmicks that will only succeed in exterminating us sooner rather than later. And this must not be rushed lest we end up scratching the surface as the national would festers underneath.
An exhaustive national healing must begin with exorcising all our devils and skeletons. Only then will the resulting peace be sustainable on equity served with justice through an acceptable constitution.
Castles from ruins
The coming week is important like no other. Stopping the haemorrhage demands true leadership and statesmanship which has been a mirage within our borders. Brinkmanship and bravado will send all of us to hell. It is within our powers to stop press and rebuilt Kenya. But is Kibaki ready for the monumental challenge lying just hours ahead?
All eyes are singularly focussed on Kibaki. He has his hands on the switch. Whether he will go for the extinguisher or trigger only time will tell. We are watching. The whole world is watching, fingers crossed. It is within our power to tranfor this crisis into a foundation for eternal prosperity. No more games, we want our country back NOW.
Kisumu Riots Executions:Constable Kirui Just a Sacrificial Lamb
The gang-land style execution of two demonstrators by a police constable captured by a KTN cameraman was just a tip of senseless mass killings carried out by state agents but go unreported and unpunished in Kenya.
Had the cameraman not been keen to his profession or taken the bold move of capturing execution on camera and had KTN not stood their ground, the cold-blooded actions by constable Kirui would have been swept under the carpet just like many other executions carried out by the trigger-happy police in the past.
Any right-thinking human being could not find any justification in the macabre shooting of Mr George William Onyango and Mr Ishmael Chacha in a Kisumu neighbourhood on January 16. The two unarmed demonstrators were kicked as they lay on the ground pleading with Contable Kirui to spare their lives.
Kenyans watched the KTN news clip in horror. The KTN clip was also screened by international news outlets and hundreds of websites around the world. The crime committed by the constable was totally unjustifiable.
But what came out of the mouths of Kenya’s police chiefs’ was even more horrifying. In his characteristic norm, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe hurriedly called a Press Conference under the instructions of his boss, Commissioner Major general Mohamed Hussein Ali, and dismissed the KTN footage as computer generated images manipulated and equated it to a Rambo Movie. The two police chiefs shamelessly justified the shootings to the utter shock of Kenyans.
In living up to its credibility, KTN stood its ground with the backing of local and international human rights groups and international media outlets. But Kibaki friendly media houses – Nation Media Group, the Royal Media (which owns Citizen TV and Radio), KBC, Regional Outreach Ltd (owners of Kameme FM and jua kali-type K24 TV station) – gave the Kisumu shooting and those of many other innocent Kenyans a total blackout.
The media houses listed above are either owned or under the leadership of Kikuyu managers and editors. There is no doubt these media houses were co-opted by the illegitimate Kibaki regime into a cover up conspiracy when the Presidential vote was being stolen and in the post-election violence when over 5,000 have been killed and they continue reporting only 800 deaths!
Maj Gen Ali and Mr Kiraithe finally gave in due to the expose by KTN and sustained international pressure and instituted an inquiry into the Kisumu shooting. A team of detectives has returned the verdict – Constable Kirui executed the two men in cold blood and he should face murder charges.
They arrived at the conclusion after reviewing the KTN footage (Kiraithe’s Rambo Movie!), a ballistic examination of the officer’s rifle and getting witnesses’ accounts.
It was an insult for those who respect human rights and human life to see Mr Kiraithe convening another Press conference yesterday to declare Constable Kirui had committed a crime and he would be tried for murder. There was no mention of the Rambo Movie and no apology was offered by this cunning officer.
This is the pretence we can do without. Maj Gen Ali and his side-kick Kiraithe are masters of public deception. The two make fools of themselves when they hurriedly shoot their mouths based on false information and before any investigations are carried out only to be proved wrong later.
Based on the earlier comments made by Mr Kiraithe, Kenyans should closely follow the murder trial in court. I’m willing to bet a fortune with anyone who is convinced Kirui will be found guilty of the senseless crime he and his fellow officers committed under the guise of protecting the stolen presidency.
Remember the October 2005 fatal shootings of three primary school kids and an innocent milk vendor? Maj Gen Ali hurriedly called a Press conference claiming police had shot dead four men who were part of a group that tried to raid Kondele police station to steal guns during a protest sparked off by the referendum on the proposed new constitution. In fact, the commissioner said he had no apologies to make termed those killed as “hooligans”.
Two days later, Maj Gen Ali’s lies were exposed when it turned out that those killed were young primary school kids and a milk vendor who were nowhere near the police station. Just like in the Kirui shooting, Maj Gen Ali “ordered” the arrest of the two officers involved in the shooting in an attempt to ease public pressure on him to resign and to cover international shame of his reckless statement. The two officers were quietly released later on when the heat cooled down.
When the Mungiki went on an murderous spree in parts of the Rift Valley, Central and Nairobi last year, Maj Gen Ali formed a special unit to hunt down the rag tag gangs. Between July and October, the special police unit rounded up thousands of jobless youth and anyone they suspected to be involved in the illegal sect. It did not matter if you were linked to the gang or not. If your face did not please the officers, you ended up on their death chamber vehicles and what happened afterwards is a horrific story that none of the media houses dared expose.
Most of those who were arrested disappeared without trace. They were not taken to any police station or court of law to be tried. They few who were lucky ended up in mortuaries (and at least their relatives had something to bury) but thousands of others were killed and their bodies turned into food for wild beasts and crocodiles in Tana River. It is estimated that well over 4,000 youths were executed by the police during that period under the guise of fighting Mungiki.
And when police cover was blown off after some of the bodies that were left in forests were found (in fact, the wild beasts had so much flesh on their hands and they could not finish), furious Maj Gen Ali called a Press conference challenging anyone to prove that police were the killers. But blood was all over his hands, clothes and on his face.
Although he denied police involvement in the mass killings, he was unable to explain why police failed to open up any investigations into the killings. Police only collected the “discovered” bodies from the forests and ferried them to the mortuaries. That was all. Maj Gen Ali would have ordered an investigations against himself had he opened investigations into the mass killings!
Kenyan police – especially commissioner Maj Gen Ali – should not be allowed to get away with Crimes Against Humanity. Those who have blood on their fingers must face justice no matter how long it takes.
If Maj Gen Ali wants to convince Kenyans and the world that the Kenya Police has seen the light, he should do should the honourable thing by resigning for ordering his officers to engage in mass killings under the guise of fighting crime. Mr Kiraithe should also throw in the towel.
And the Kibaki regime, if it wants to be seen to have any slight respect for human life, should order an in-depth audit of the Kenya Police by forming an independent commission to probe incidents of gross human rights abuse since Maj Gen Ali became commissioner. All officers found to have engaged in Crimes Against Humanity should be punished and put behind bars. Anything short of that is mere public relations exercise.
Constable Kirui is just a sacrificial lamb, most likely because of his ethnic background. There are thousands of other Kiruis in the Kenya Police and they should all join Kirui in Kamiti or in the gallows. Maj Gen Ali should answer for the mass killings that have been committed under his watch in the five years he has been at the helm of the Kenya Police.
The KTN cameraman who risked his life to capture the macabre killing deserves an international human rights award. It’s encouraging that while the likes of Nation Media Group takes over the role KBC in doing public relations for the illegitimate Kibaki regime, there are few journalists who are ready to risk their lives to live up to their professionalism.
Compare the KTN bold with a shocking one at Nation Centre. In the height of political unrest in the country in January, Nation journalists in Kibera counted 14 bodies of demonstrators who had been killed by the police in a single day in Kibera slums.
But when the reporters returned to the office to file the story, they were told by their Editorial Director, Mr Wangethi Mwangi, to call Mr Kiraithe for the police version. Mr Kiraithe claimed only one person had been killed in Kibera that day! Mr Mwangi then told the journalists to ignore what they had personally witnessed and report what the police were saying. That has been the reporting style since Mr Linus Gitahi became the CEO over an year ago. The media house that was once respected for standing for the truth has reduced itself to Kibaki’s PPS, a worse situation than when Kenya Times was Kanu’s mouth-piece.
Just to show you how Nation Media Group is slowly killing itself by evolving into Kibaki’s mouth-piece, Mr Gitahi has completely snuffed out the independence of the Editorial Department by ensuring that mostly news friendly to Kibaki, his fellow Nyerian, sees the light of the day.
Mr Gitahi manipulated what was published and aired by NMG’s news outlets during the general elections. He also contributed to the famous Sh1 million-plate lunch for President Kibaki at Safari Park Hotel. Mr Gitahi spent the night of Dec 27 at Nation Centre monitoring the Presidential tally of votes. NMG had set up its own Command Centre to receive election results from their own reporters and correspondents in all the constituencies.
The figures received were fed into a computer and tallied. However, the figures disappeared mysteriously on Dec 29 when it was clear that Mr Raila Odinga was leading Mr Kibaki by a margin of one million votes. Gitahi is in a better position to explain the mystery which was to prepare the ground for the ECK to announce doctored figures.
Bravo KTN cameraman, Bravo KTN, Bravo Justice.
-----00000000000-----
Join Kumekucha's brand new chat room NOW. It's FREE
Yesterday we introduced a chat room christened Kumekucha Domo which got off to a roaring start and is already wildly popular.
My sincere hope is that many of you will be able to take advantage of it to have lots of fun chatting with other Kumekucha readers from all over the world. Private conversations are also possible, all you need to do is follow the simple instructions right at the top of the page.
It is very simple to use just sign up at the bottom of this page or on your right at the end of the ads and headlines on the side of this page. The whole process will take about 10 seconds and you'll quickly find yourself in the chat room having fun.
We will soon start arranging special meetings and kamukunjis at this chat room so please make sure that you do not get left behind. I even have plans to invite special guests.
Have fun and let me know if you run into any difficulties.
P.S. There is already a special alert for Wanjiku of Mombasa and Taabu at the chat room
The fastest way to get to the Kumekucha chat room is to use the link on your right or at the bottom of this page. However you can also get there using this link.
Had the cameraman not been keen to his profession or taken the bold move of capturing execution on camera and had KTN not stood their ground, the cold-blooded actions by constable Kirui would have been swept under the carpet just like many other executions carried out by the trigger-happy police in the past.
Any right-thinking human being could not find any justification in the macabre shooting of Mr George William Onyango and Mr Ishmael Chacha in a Kisumu neighbourhood on January 16. The two unarmed demonstrators were kicked as they lay on the ground pleading with Contable Kirui to spare their lives.
Kenyans watched the KTN news clip in horror. The KTN clip was also screened by international news outlets and hundreds of websites around the world. The crime committed by the constable was totally unjustifiable.
But what came out of the mouths of Kenya’s police chiefs’ was even more horrifying. In his characteristic norm, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe hurriedly called a Press Conference under the instructions of his boss, Commissioner Major general Mohamed Hussein Ali, and dismissed the KTN footage as computer generated images manipulated and equated it to a Rambo Movie. The two police chiefs shamelessly justified the shootings to the utter shock of Kenyans.
In living up to its credibility, KTN stood its ground with the backing of local and international human rights groups and international media outlets. But Kibaki friendly media houses – Nation Media Group, the Royal Media (which owns Citizen TV and Radio), KBC, Regional Outreach Ltd (owners of Kameme FM and jua kali-type K24 TV station) – gave the Kisumu shooting and those of many other innocent Kenyans a total blackout.
The media houses listed above are either owned or under the leadership of Kikuyu managers and editors. There is no doubt these media houses were co-opted by the illegitimate Kibaki regime into a cover up conspiracy when the Presidential vote was being stolen and in the post-election violence when over 5,000 have been killed and they continue reporting only 800 deaths!
Maj Gen Ali and Mr Kiraithe finally gave in due to the expose by KTN and sustained international pressure and instituted an inquiry into the Kisumu shooting. A team of detectives has returned the verdict – Constable Kirui executed the two men in cold blood and he should face murder charges.
They arrived at the conclusion after reviewing the KTN footage (Kiraithe’s Rambo Movie!), a ballistic examination of the officer’s rifle and getting witnesses’ accounts.
It was an insult for those who respect human rights and human life to see Mr Kiraithe convening another Press conference yesterday to declare Constable Kirui had committed a crime and he would be tried for murder. There was no mention of the Rambo Movie and no apology was offered by this cunning officer.
This is the pretence we can do without. Maj Gen Ali and his side-kick Kiraithe are masters of public deception. The two make fools of themselves when they hurriedly shoot their mouths based on false information and before any investigations are carried out only to be proved wrong later.
Based on the earlier comments made by Mr Kiraithe, Kenyans should closely follow the murder trial in court. I’m willing to bet a fortune with anyone who is convinced Kirui will be found guilty of the senseless crime he and his fellow officers committed under the guise of protecting the stolen presidency.
Remember the October 2005 fatal shootings of three primary school kids and an innocent milk vendor? Maj Gen Ali hurriedly called a Press conference claiming police had shot dead four men who were part of a group that tried to raid Kondele police station to steal guns during a protest sparked off by the referendum on the proposed new constitution. In fact, the commissioner said he had no apologies to make termed those killed as “hooligans”.
Two days later, Maj Gen Ali’s lies were exposed when it turned out that those killed were young primary school kids and a milk vendor who were nowhere near the police station. Just like in the Kirui shooting, Maj Gen Ali “ordered” the arrest of the two officers involved in the shooting in an attempt to ease public pressure on him to resign and to cover international shame of his reckless statement. The two officers were quietly released later on when the heat cooled down.
When the Mungiki went on an murderous spree in parts of the Rift Valley, Central and Nairobi last year, Maj Gen Ali formed a special unit to hunt down the rag tag gangs. Between July and October, the special police unit rounded up thousands of jobless youth and anyone they suspected to be involved in the illegal sect. It did not matter if you were linked to the gang or not. If your face did not please the officers, you ended up on their death chamber vehicles and what happened afterwards is a horrific story that none of the media houses dared expose.
Most of those who were arrested disappeared without trace. They were not taken to any police station or court of law to be tried. They few who were lucky ended up in mortuaries (and at least their relatives had something to bury) but thousands of others were killed and their bodies turned into food for wild beasts and crocodiles in Tana River. It is estimated that well over 4,000 youths were executed by the police during that period under the guise of fighting Mungiki.
And when police cover was blown off after some of the bodies that were left in forests were found (in fact, the wild beasts had so much flesh on their hands and they could not finish), furious Maj Gen Ali called a Press conference challenging anyone to prove that police were the killers. But blood was all over his hands, clothes and on his face.
Although he denied police involvement in the mass killings, he was unable to explain why police failed to open up any investigations into the killings. Police only collected the “discovered” bodies from the forests and ferried them to the mortuaries. That was all. Maj Gen Ali would have ordered an investigations against himself had he opened investigations into the mass killings!
Kenyan police – especially commissioner Maj Gen Ali – should not be allowed to get away with Crimes Against Humanity. Those who have blood on their fingers must face justice no matter how long it takes.
If Maj Gen Ali wants to convince Kenyans and the world that the Kenya Police has seen the light, he should do should the honourable thing by resigning for ordering his officers to engage in mass killings under the guise of fighting crime. Mr Kiraithe should also throw in the towel.
And the Kibaki regime, if it wants to be seen to have any slight respect for human life, should order an in-depth audit of the Kenya Police by forming an independent commission to probe incidents of gross human rights abuse since Maj Gen Ali became commissioner. All officers found to have engaged in Crimes Against Humanity should be punished and put behind bars. Anything short of that is mere public relations exercise.
Constable Kirui is just a sacrificial lamb, most likely because of his ethnic background. There are thousands of other Kiruis in the Kenya Police and they should all join Kirui in Kamiti or in the gallows. Maj Gen Ali should answer for the mass killings that have been committed under his watch in the five years he has been at the helm of the Kenya Police.
The KTN cameraman who risked his life to capture the macabre killing deserves an international human rights award. It’s encouraging that while the likes of Nation Media Group takes over the role KBC in doing public relations for the illegitimate Kibaki regime, there are few journalists who are ready to risk their lives to live up to their professionalism.
Compare the KTN bold with a shocking one at Nation Centre. In the height of political unrest in the country in January, Nation journalists in Kibera counted 14 bodies of demonstrators who had been killed by the police in a single day in Kibera slums.
But when the reporters returned to the office to file the story, they were told by their Editorial Director, Mr Wangethi Mwangi, to call Mr Kiraithe for the police version. Mr Kiraithe claimed only one person had been killed in Kibera that day! Mr Mwangi then told the journalists to ignore what they had personally witnessed and report what the police were saying. That has been the reporting style since Mr Linus Gitahi became the CEO over an year ago. The media house that was once respected for standing for the truth has reduced itself to Kibaki’s PPS, a worse situation than when Kenya Times was Kanu’s mouth-piece.
Just to show you how Nation Media Group is slowly killing itself by evolving into Kibaki’s mouth-piece, Mr Gitahi has completely snuffed out the independence of the Editorial Department by ensuring that mostly news friendly to Kibaki, his fellow Nyerian, sees the light of the day.
Mr Gitahi manipulated what was published and aired by NMG’s news outlets during the general elections. He also contributed to the famous Sh1 million-plate lunch for President Kibaki at Safari Park Hotel. Mr Gitahi spent the night of Dec 27 at Nation Centre monitoring the Presidential tally of votes. NMG had set up its own Command Centre to receive election results from their own reporters and correspondents in all the constituencies.
The figures received were fed into a computer and tallied. However, the figures disappeared mysteriously on Dec 29 when it was clear that Mr Raila Odinga was leading Mr Kibaki by a margin of one million votes. Gitahi is in a better position to explain the mystery which was to prepare the ground for the ECK to announce doctored figures.
Bravo KTN cameraman, Bravo KTN, Bravo Justice.
-----00000000000-----
Join Kumekucha's brand new chat room NOW. It's FREE
Yesterday we introduced a chat room christened Kumekucha Domo which got off to a roaring start and is already wildly popular.
My sincere hope is that many of you will be able to take advantage of it to have lots of fun chatting with other Kumekucha readers from all over the world. Private conversations are also possible, all you need to do is follow the simple instructions right at the top of the page.
It is very simple to use just sign up at the bottom of this page or on your right at the end of the ads and headlines on the side of this page. The whole process will take about 10 seconds and you'll quickly find yourself in the chat room having fun.
We will soon start arranging special meetings and kamukunjis at this chat room so please make sure that you do not get left behind. I even have plans to invite special guests.
Have fun and let me know if you run into any difficulties.
P.S. There is already a special alert for Wanjiku of Mombasa and Taabu at the chat room
The fastest way to get to the Kumekucha chat room is to use the link on your right or at the bottom of this page. However you can also get there using this link.
Friday, February 08, 2008
No Power-Sharing, So Says Dr. Mutua
Reports appearing in Uganda's press attributed to PNU Spokesman on-a-public-payroll Afred Mutua indicate that PRESIDENT Mwai Kibaki has ruled out the possibility of sharing political power with Opposition leader Raila Odinga, with his spokesman saying that would be “unconstitutional”. Dr Mutua is further quoted as accusing ODM politicians of “greed, ignorance about democratic practice and plotting ethnic cleansing” against Mr Kibaki’s Kikuyu kinsmen and women.Ironically, at his own website Mutua says that the government is committed to dialogue. In other words, Kibaki can only absorb ODM MPs as ministers in his cabinet and they must remain his subjects whom he can hire and fire as he so wishes. Surely, is this man Mutua serious and does he understand the gravity of the Kenyan crisis? Power-sharing (explained at this link) does NOT and cannot mean 'having two presidents'.
In what should be the mother of all cock-ups since his namesake Mutua Kivuitu declared Kibaki the winner of the presidential polls, Afred Mutua says in an interview with Kampala's 93.3 KFM’s Hot Seat programme, that for Kibaki’s PNU to share power with the ODM leaders would be tantamount to allowing the Opposition party to “eat the piece of the cake that does not belong to one”. What nonsense Mutua I say.
President Kibaki's history teaches us he is poor at keeping promises or honouring agreements. It goes without saying international pressure is what has forced PNU into the Annan mediation talks but it is safe to assume that ODM, the international community and Kenyans at large being taken for a ride.
Going by Mutua's rants and that he was speaking on behalf of his boss, it is possible the on-going mediation efforts are but a waste of time and are meant to allow Kibaki consolidate his illegitimate regime. Mutua seems not to be aware that Koffi Annan has called for a special session of parliament and that he has also held several meetings with Speaker Kenneth Marende because the legislature will be a facilitator to the peace deal in creating necessary constitutional amendments to accommodate whatever will have been agreed upon. The IPPGs and MOUs of yesteryears will not do this time and no one will trash anyone.
Meanwhile in USA, another court-jester V-P Kalonzo Musyoka told US officials that a power-sharing arrangement “is not a panacea” for Kenya’s crisis. Mr Musyoka told the Daily Nation on Thursday that he conveyed that message in meetings with John Negroponte, the State Department’s second-highest ranking official, and with Ms Frazer. Kalonzo had earlier bragged to Kenyans in London that the Annan talks are aimed at asking Raila and Kibaki to hand over power to him as a moderate!
Although millions of Kenyans are praying for a deal to be reached soon, it appears 'the duly elected government' is not perturbed by these concerns nor does it care that thousands have died all because of stolen presidential elections.
Trusting that a power sharing deal is not the only option available to ODM, Kenyans must ignore doomsayers like Mutua and his ilk. They know which side of the bread is buttered and are much aware they would not last in their jobs a day longer were ODM to take over government.
New Kumekucha Chat Room
Today we introduce a chat room christened Kumekucha Domo.
My sincere hope is that many of you will be able to take advantage of it to have lots of fun chatting with other Kumekucha readers from all over the world. Private conversations are also possible, all you need to do is follow the simple instructions right at the top of the page.
It is very simple to use just sign up at the bottom of this page or on your right at the end of the ads on the side of this page. The whole process will take about 10 seconds and you'll be in the chat room having fun.
We will soon start arranging special meetings and kamukunjis at this chat room so please make sure that you do not get left behind. I even have plans to invite special guests.
Have fun and let me know if you run into any difficulties.
P.S. There is already a special alert for Wanjiku of Mombasa and Taabu at the chat room
The fastest way to get to the Kumekucha chat rom is to use the link on your right or at the bottom of this page. However you can also get there using this link.
Breakthrough Before Deadlock?
Smart politics is not played with guns nor bravado but a coup of ideas and perceptions. If Kibaki ever thought that he was such a seasoned THIEF and scoundrel, then he won’t know what hit him. Kibaki has been rightly painted into a corner that not only leaves him wounded but also no options to permute his political sins.
Kibaki never saw it coming. With the world attention singularly focussed on Kenya, the opposition played the aces by making the first impression on concession. The move may have been merely symbolic but the perception and delivery was unrivalled in allowing them rise to the higher moral pedestal of readiness to give-and-take.
But even before Kibaki could say Lucy, he was presented with demands on what portfolios to concede in the cabinet. And to rub it on Emilio was told he WON'T have any say on the composition of other half of the Cabinet. Speak of a scholled move to take away principal tools of pork and barrel politics.
Power to the people
You don’t have to fraudulently occupy State House to execute realpolitik. Kibaki has been left with no maze to unpuzzle. Both the yam and the knife have been cleverly snatched from his bllodied hands.
The objective has been superlatively delivered by painting Kibaki as another dark horse in the old African political landscape. Whatever the schemes of Kibaki’s cronies and supremacists, their territory is clearly marked. They will rue the consequences of their serial goofs at the fatal expense of Kenyans.
Kenyans shouldn’t celebrate just yet. They must be alive to Kibaki’s sahmelessness to mutate into all dangerous shades. Our memory must not fail because the scars are still fresh. It only took a night to STEAL ELECTIONS. Now he has a whole weekend to turn tables and trash everything else into a spin come Monday.
Deception is an unsustainable vice. Make no mistake. The opposition MUST not be naïve to Kibaki’s capacity to throw all caution to the wind in service of supremacists. The prematurely sired interim government must be squarely put into the context it fits. No more games of semantics.
This must be a TRANSITION government principally tasked with putting infrastructure in place for election re-run. Kenyans want their country back and only through fresh election will they give UNADULTEREATED mandate to their president. No more no less.
Road to equity
There is no template to misgovern a people and country. Kibaki’s 1950s Makerere model of ruling with the gun hoping benefit from violence fatigue fell flat on its ugly face. Africans are not fools and we are trail blazing and writing history. The lesson is brutal to treacherous traitors who scheme to benefit from the blood spilt by Kenyans spilt since Kibaki stole the election. What a shame on these vultures and hyenas. Power to the people.
Kenyans are far ahead of their leaders and we must seize this opportunity to shape our country into what we want. That is no premature celebration for the far sighted by any means. It is time to lay the foundation for corporate leadership and banish deceptive and selfish rulership – the NARC dream reincarnated.
Breaking News: 'Breakthrough' in Kenya Peace Talks
Former South Africa first lady Graca Machel, President Kibaki, former UN chief Kofi Annan, ODM leader Raila Odinga and former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa when they met at Harambee House, Nairobi. (Source NMG)BBC website is reporting 'Breaking News' with opposition spokesman William Ruto 'saying the rival parties had reached a deal on an interim joint government.'
ODM captain Raila Odinga and his PNU counterpart President Mwai Kibaki are said to be about to emerge from a meeting with Kofi Annan to announce the deal to an anxious nation.
If what Ruto is quoted to be saying is true, then it will be a major coup for Raila and ODM who have all along been insisting on a transitional government as one of the ways of coming out of the crisis.
Related Kumekucha Stories: Kenya Headed to a Grand Political Coalition
More as the story develops.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Dr Mutua’s Inclusion In Visa Ban Being Discussed?
Dr Alfred Mutua has given the PR profession a bad name
As Hardliners In Kibaki Government Reign Supreme
It was here in Kumekucha, early last month that we informed you that the International community was discussing possible Visa bans against prominent Kenyans who have contributed to the crisis in the country.
****&&&&
Other top stories
Is The Kenyan Economy On The Brink Of Shutting Down?
Plus: What will happen when you meet a Kibaki descendant at some cocktail party 30 years from now.
Naivasha Mungiki want all women "cut"
****&&&&
As you read this 10 Kenyans from both sides of the political divide are already on a list that should be made public soon. This initial list has no surprises and includes mainly individuals who should have had this Visa ban slapped on them years ago. Many of them featured prominently in the infamous Kroll report. As it is some analysts feel that it is too little, too late. However there is no denying the fact that it will hurt the individuals and their immediate families a great deal. Students will be deported from universities and wives who enjoyed frequent London or Dubai shopping will have less to talk and brag about at their next social.
But what should be even more interesting is the next list of 30 that the Americans have revealed that they are working on. Unconfirmed reports reaching Kumekucha indicate that the name of one Dr Alfred Mutua the government spokesman may be on that list for issuing inflammatory statements before and after the crisis. Naturally this means that the name of his wife is also on the said list.
Read more
Is The Kenyan Economy On The Brink Of Shutting Down?
Plus: What will happen when you meet a Kibaki descendant at some cocktail party 30 years from now.
Business and economics is boring to most people, but I will keep this very simple, so please bear with me. This is very important and is bound to affect every Kenyan.
Over 300 CEOS based in Kenya recently came out in a strong lobby to political leaders to come back to their senses. Led by the brilliant Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph, the most important part of their message was a warning. Some politicians seem to think that if the violence were to stop today, life would immediately go back to normal. It is not quite as simple as that and after you read through this post, you will begin to understand why.
Let’s say you were a chief executive of a company handling consumer products, sitting somewhere in Industrial Area Nairobi. Where would your big markets be? Here I am sure I will surprise you.
Read more
Business and economics is boring to most people, but I will keep this very simple, so please bear with me. This is very important and is bound to affect every Kenyan.
Over 300 CEOS based in Kenya recently came out in a strong lobby to political leaders to come back to their senses. Led by the brilliant Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph, the most important part of their message was a warning. Some politicians seem to think that if the violence were to stop today, life would immediately go back to normal. It is not quite as simple as that and after you read through this post, you will begin to understand why.
Let’s say you were a chief executive of a company handling consumer products, sitting somewhere in Industrial Area Nairobi. Where would your big markets be? Here I am sure I will surprise you.
Read more
Mungiki Wants All Kikuyu Women (Cut) Circumcised: The Damage This Old Practice Does To Women
Even as the political crisis in Kenya continues, many are unaware of the activities of the Mungiki terror gang in places like Naivasha. Even as Mwai Kibaki tells the world that the violence is under control and that “there is no problem in Kenya.”.
Apart from forcing all women to wear skirts, the Mungiki terror gangs are also insisting that all women intending to live in Naivasha should be circumcised. Many communities in Kenya, including the Kikuyu have circumcised their women for years. It is still unclear how the Mungiki aim to enforce this.
This barbaric and savage practice has numerous disadvantages some of which you may not have known about.
To start with, later in life women who have been circumcised have little control of urine, meaning that many times they will end up passing urine on themselves long before they can reach a place where they are able to relive themselves. In some cases this may cause a woman to constantly smell of urine. You can imagine what that can do to a marriage.
The whole idea of circumcision in many communities was to considerably dull and possibly destroy sexual pleasure so that chances of a wife straying are drastically reduced. What this does is to make certain sexual positions impossible with a woman who has been “cut.” Many times those positions will cause pain. This has nudged some “cut” women into drugs in a desperate bid to experience their God-given right.
Then there are some serious problems that could occur during child-birth for circumcised women.
Even more interesting is what spiritual experts have to say about the effects of circumcising women on a marriage. Some of them have assured Kumekucha that the practice makes women overly aggressive and determined to dominate their men. Many divorces have been linked to the circumcision of women by these spiritual experts.
Apart from forcing all women to wear skirts, the Mungiki terror gangs are also insisting that all women intending to live in Naivasha should be circumcised. Many communities in Kenya, including the Kikuyu have circumcised their women for years. It is still unclear how the Mungiki aim to enforce this.
This barbaric and savage practice has numerous disadvantages some of which you may not have known about.
To start with, later in life women who have been circumcised have little control of urine, meaning that many times they will end up passing urine on themselves long before they can reach a place where they are able to relive themselves. In some cases this may cause a woman to constantly smell of urine. You can imagine what that can do to a marriage.
The whole idea of circumcision in many communities was to considerably dull and possibly destroy sexual pleasure so that chances of a wife straying are drastically reduced. What this does is to make certain sexual positions impossible with a woman who has been “cut.” Many times those positions will cause pain. This has nudged some “cut” women into drugs in a desperate bid to experience their God-given right.
Then there are some serious problems that could occur during child-birth for circumcised women.
Even more interesting is what spiritual experts have to say about the effects of circumcising women on a marriage. Some of them have assured Kumekucha that the practice makes women overly aggressive and determined to dominate their men. Many divorces have been linked to the circumcision of women by these spiritual experts.
Kibaki Under Intense Global Heat
A time comes when you muat take responsibility for soiling your pants (nay name). Kibaki's time is now and here. Kibaki’s insensitivity to weighty issues is under ultimate test as the international community's spotlight is singularly directed at him. The world has grown more assertive in demanding an end to Kenya’s crisis as induced by Kibaki's belligerence.
The enormous price of STEALING ELECTIONS is being calibrated. But not just yet. The global community may not be aware of the bunch of scoundrels they are dealing with. No amount of fiddling will wash. Kibaki's time of reckoning is nigh. He must carry his heavy and ugly cross.
Bad intentions always walk ahead of us. Packing a negotiating teem with 75% lawyers is to engage in semantics and generate all heat with no light. These are people who thrive as legal scoundrels, erecting side shows with no main act. Smarter lawyers are often those who spin better gimmicks. Their domain is to mouth red herrings which is a sure recipe to failure in resolving any dispute.
PNU negotiators (I wonder what Mutula represents) have their hands tightly tied behind their backs. These cahps negotiate while heavily beholden to a prescribed roadmap. It was no surprise to see them shamelessly (partially) walk out of Annan-led negotiations in the name of consulting higher earthly beings. The unpleasant truth is they cannot fathom sharing leave alone sharing the fraudulent trophy.
Even wild cats only have nine lives. Kibaki will (and must) face the true cost of DECEPTION. You don’t negotiate with folded arms. You must be ready to give as much as you take. Granted, the global community are not bereft of serving sectarian interests. However, WHOLE world cannot be wrong and only you claim to be right. Kibaki must be made to understand (in OLD AGE) that THEFT is a crime anywhere and doesn't pay.
The heat is intense and Kibaki MUST be forced to give in and hand back our country. We owe it to ourselves and future generations. His apologists can rant and rave all the much they care. Unfortunately they will have to migrate to another planet if they intent to succeed. Kenya for all Kenyans. Not an exclusive supplier of backs to be ridden by supremacists.
The enormous price of STEALING ELECTIONS is being calibrated. But not just yet. The global community may not be aware of the bunch of scoundrels they are dealing with. No amount of fiddling will wash. Kibaki's time of reckoning is nigh. He must carry his heavy and ugly cross.
Bad intentions always walk ahead of us. Packing a negotiating teem with 75% lawyers is to engage in semantics and generate all heat with no light. These are people who thrive as legal scoundrels, erecting side shows with no main act. Smarter lawyers are often those who spin better gimmicks. Their domain is to mouth red herrings which is a sure recipe to failure in resolving any dispute.
PNU negotiators (I wonder what Mutula represents) have their hands tightly tied behind their backs. These cahps negotiate while heavily beholden to a prescribed roadmap. It was no surprise to see them shamelessly (partially) walk out of Annan-led negotiations in the name of consulting higher earthly beings. The unpleasant truth is they cannot fathom sharing leave alone sharing the fraudulent trophy.
Even wild cats only have nine lives. Kibaki will (and must) face the true cost of DECEPTION. You don’t negotiate with folded arms. You must be ready to give as much as you take. Granted, the global community are not bereft of serving sectarian interests. However, WHOLE world cannot be wrong and only you claim to be right. Kibaki must be made to understand (in OLD AGE) that THEFT is a crime anywhere and doesn't pay.
The heat is intense and Kibaki MUST be forced to give in and hand back our country. We owe it to ourselves and future generations. His apologists can rant and rave all the much they care. Unfortunately they will have to migrate to another planet if they intent to succeed. Kenya for all Kenyans. Not an exclusive supplier of backs to be ridden by supremacists.
Selective Justice: Stolen Elections and Visa Bans
When the US government announced that it had slapped a visa ban on a group of 50 Kenyans suspected to have instigated post-election violence, it also effectively turned 10% of Kenya’s national assembly into ‘genocide suspects’. It will be a big shame and embarrassing to these foreign governments if no arrests are made soon.
Government spin-doctor Alfred Mutua could not hide his glee and has already posted a statement at his official website ‘welcoming’ this visa ban. Mutua went as far as urging the US and Canadian governments to name these suspects so as end speculation. In his excitement, Mutua went further to encourage other global powers to emulate the USA and Canada.
It seems Mutua is making an assumption that the action by US and Canadian embassies hurts the ODM more than the government. Mutua conveniently forgets that nearly all vernacular FM stations are pro-government and as well as the PNU pre-election rallies were the main channels of hate speech that, other than the stolen presidential vote, have been the single most contributor of the sad state of affaris in Kenya right now!
However, speaking at Hon. David Too’s memorial church service earlier today, ODM supremo Raila Odinga said: “The only crime ODM has committed was to win a general election”.
Not to be left behind, the Kenya Police Commissioner has also enticed the public with monetary rewards if they could come forward with information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the instigators of post election violence. One wonders if TV footage that captured young men armed with crude weapons attacking their neighbours right in front of the eyes of Ali’s police officers were Tom & Jerry cartoon shows.
Why should our ‘duly elected’ government and police who retain the power to investigate, arrest and prosecute the so-called suspects sit on their laurels and wait for foreign governments to mete out punishment to these criminals?
Observers find it strange that those who are suspected of having instigated 1992 and 1997 tribal clashes that killed an estimated 3000 people and displaced nearly a million are roaming freely while also dining and wining with Kenya's spoilt cabinet ministers. These are the same characters who have milked the public coffers dry through Goldenberg and Anglo leasing scams!
Is it not government-sponsored Mungiki adherents who beheaded tens civilians including children just a few months ago? No one has ever been charged with these heinous crimes to this day. The fact of the matter is that the (former?) Mungiki National Chairman is an avowed political supporter of the PNU side! Mungiki itself has claimed responsibility of killing an MP and they stand accused of murdering tens of civilians in Nakuru and Naivasha areas. Individuals who should otherwise be locked inside a maximum security prison are now privileged to grace PNU high tables at presidential functions and lead demonstrations in down-town Nairobi in support of an illegitimate government!
It is certainly not lost on observers that the culprits of ethnic clashes are strongly against ODM lawfully assuming power and are firmly on the side of PNU government! This is not to say that those responsible for instigating the current clashes (if at all they did) should be let scot-free!
Infact, it seems justice is going to be selectively applied because it has already been forgotten there exists a group known as Sabaot Land Defense Force and those who they have been killing in Mt. Elgon are not human beings and their case does not deserve to be discussed at the UN Security Council. Even as the mediation efforts go on, people are dying in Mt. Elgon without anyone raising a finger!
The so-called ethnic cleansing is an agenda that PNU are pushing forward so as to sabotage the Annan peace process and divert the attention of the international community from their own serious crime of stealing an election and killing innocent MPs.
This is a serious issue that requires to be analysed and resolved from a historical, social, political and economic point of view. Perhaps if PNU would pay attention to what Njoki Ndungu had to submit to the US congress then we could begin to move forward as a united and peaceful nation.
Government spin-doctor Alfred Mutua could not hide his glee and has already posted a statement at his official website ‘welcoming’ this visa ban. Mutua went as far as urging the US and Canadian governments to name these suspects so as end speculation. In his excitement, Mutua went further to encourage other global powers to emulate the USA and Canada.
It seems Mutua is making an assumption that the action by US and Canadian embassies hurts the ODM more than the government. Mutua conveniently forgets that nearly all vernacular FM stations are pro-government and as well as the PNU pre-election rallies were the main channels of hate speech that, other than the stolen presidential vote, have been the single most contributor of the sad state of affaris in Kenya right now!
However, speaking at Hon. David Too’s memorial church service earlier today, ODM supremo Raila Odinga said: “The only crime ODM has committed was to win a general election”.
Not to be left behind, the Kenya Police Commissioner has also enticed the public with monetary rewards if they could come forward with information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the instigators of post election violence. One wonders if TV footage that captured young men armed with crude weapons attacking their neighbours right in front of the eyes of Ali’s police officers were Tom & Jerry cartoon shows.
Why should our ‘duly elected’ government and police who retain the power to investigate, arrest and prosecute the so-called suspects sit on their laurels and wait for foreign governments to mete out punishment to these criminals?
Observers find it strange that those who are suspected of having instigated 1992 and 1997 tribal clashes that killed an estimated 3000 people and displaced nearly a million are roaming freely while also dining and wining with Kenya's spoilt cabinet ministers. These are the same characters who have milked the public coffers dry through Goldenberg and Anglo leasing scams!
Is it not government-sponsored Mungiki adherents who beheaded tens civilians including children just a few months ago? No one has ever been charged with these heinous crimes to this day. The fact of the matter is that the (former?) Mungiki National Chairman is an avowed political supporter of the PNU side! Mungiki itself has claimed responsibility of killing an MP and they stand accused of murdering tens of civilians in Nakuru and Naivasha areas. Individuals who should otherwise be locked inside a maximum security prison are now privileged to grace PNU high tables at presidential functions and lead demonstrations in down-town Nairobi in support of an illegitimate government!
It is certainly not lost on observers that the culprits of ethnic clashes are strongly against ODM lawfully assuming power and are firmly on the side of PNU government! This is not to say that those responsible for instigating the current clashes (if at all they did) should be let scot-free!
Infact, it seems justice is going to be selectively applied because it has already been forgotten there exists a group known as Sabaot Land Defense Force and those who they have been killing in Mt. Elgon are not human beings and their case does not deserve to be discussed at the UN Security Council. Even as the mediation efforts go on, people are dying in Mt. Elgon without anyone raising a finger!
The so-called ethnic cleansing is an agenda that PNU are pushing forward so as to sabotage the Annan peace process and divert the attention of the international community from their own serious crime of stealing an election and killing innocent MPs.
This is a serious issue that requires to be analysed and resolved from a historical, social, political and economic point of view. Perhaps if PNU would pay attention to what Njoki Ndungu had to submit to the US congress then we could begin to move forward as a united and peaceful nation.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
'Cut' And Skirts For All Kikuyu Women!!
A short open letter to Martha Karua.
Seriously Martha, where's the outrage. I seriously admire your courage in everything political. Yours is a beacon of hope to millions of women. While I understand you are currently embroiled in very serious talks, I would like to request that you use a bit of your clout to silence the uncouth male youths in Naivasha, Limuru and elsewhere. As you may have read in the newspapers, women are under siege from a notorious band of Mungiki folk. With all due respect to you, I will not divulge the 'adults only' details of the torment unleashed on women by these idiots, however, I will tell you that it is not a beautiful sight to witness; no matter how you look at it.
FIDA chairperson, Violet Awori has termed the unlawful acts as barbaric and of no place in modern society. The Limuru area Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairperson, Ms Annsusah Wanjiku has also urged women to discard the habit of dressing indecently in public places. She has asked that they dress decently. As you know, none of these women leaders have the true wit and zeal to address this evil practice with the seriousness it deserves. In Kenya today, you are the only 'iron lady' who can change the thinking of these Mungiki folk in short order. You see, we have seen newspaper photos of you in tight pant suits. Many women would like to continue wearing such attire without fear or ridicule. As you well know, when it's cold and windy, the skirt just doesn’t cut it. Further, women feel more protected in trousers (if you know what I mean) especially when strolling in a town infested with idle snuff snorting citizens of the Satan's Abyss; who do not want Kikuyu women to enjoy the worlds favorite pastime.
You see, due to the great growth of the economy that did not really trickle down to the poor, the women in Limuru like elsewhere in Kenya, do not have the means to entertain lavish oversees trips, movies, bubble baths, chaffered limousines and the like; for entertainment they dwell on the acrobatics of the waist. Sasa wakiwa'cut', watajienjoy aje? In this age of bad diseases, you must also not ignore the serious health issues associated with the practices of jobless street surgeons. Think for one minute about the traumatizing experience this act must be to the affected women of Limuru. The anguish cannot be wished onto the devil himself.
I have also heard that this is happening in the full glare of the police. Please Martha, make some phone urgent calls. While I wholeheartedly encourage the women who demonstrated in Limuru town today, I wonder where their fellow non-Mungiki men were? Were they hiding in fear? I believe these are some of the evils that when perpetrated against the woman, the man cannot remain complacent….or impotent for that matter.
We fear that if these acts are not stopped in Limuru, they may spread like wildfire throughout the nation. Please dear madam Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, E.G.H., MP - Minister, come to the rescue of women.
In all sincerity,
Andy Capp
Seriously Martha, where's the outrage. I seriously admire your courage in everything political. Yours is a beacon of hope to millions of women. While I understand you are currently embroiled in very serious talks, I would like to request that you use a bit of your clout to silence the uncouth male youths in Naivasha, Limuru and elsewhere. As you may have read in the newspapers, women are under siege from a notorious band of Mungiki folk. With all due respect to you, I will not divulge the 'adults only' details of the torment unleashed on women by these idiots, however, I will tell you that it is not a beautiful sight to witness; no matter how you look at it.
FIDA chairperson, Violet Awori has termed the unlawful acts as barbaric and of no place in modern society. The Limuru area Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairperson, Ms Annsusah Wanjiku has also urged women to discard the habit of dressing indecently in public places. She has asked that they dress decently. As you know, none of these women leaders have the true wit and zeal to address this evil practice with the seriousness it deserves. In Kenya today, you are the only 'iron lady' who can change the thinking of these Mungiki folk in short order. You see, we have seen newspaper photos of you in tight pant suits. Many women would like to continue wearing such attire without fear or ridicule. As you well know, when it's cold and windy, the skirt just doesn’t cut it. Further, women feel more protected in trousers (if you know what I mean) especially when strolling in a town infested with idle snuff snorting citizens of the Satan's Abyss; who do not want Kikuyu women to enjoy the worlds favorite pastime.
You see, due to the great growth of the economy that did not really trickle down to the poor, the women in Limuru like elsewhere in Kenya, do not have the means to entertain lavish oversees trips, movies, bubble baths, chaffered limousines and the like; for entertainment they dwell on the acrobatics of the waist. Sasa wakiwa'cut', watajienjoy aje? In this age of bad diseases, you must also not ignore the serious health issues associated with the practices of jobless street surgeons. Think for one minute about the traumatizing experience this act must be to the affected women of Limuru. The anguish cannot be wished onto the devil himself.
I have also heard that this is happening in the full glare of the police. Please Martha, make some phone urgent calls. While I wholeheartedly encourage the women who demonstrated in Limuru town today, I wonder where their fellow non-Mungiki men were? Were they hiding in fear? I believe these are some of the evils that when perpetrated against the woman, the man cannot remain complacent….or impotent for that matter.
We fear that if these acts are not stopped in Limuru, they may spread like wildfire throughout the nation. Please dear madam Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, E.G.H., MP - Minister, come to the rescue of women.
In all sincerity,
Andy Capp
Kofi Annan Bugged Kenya Style
Bugging Kofi Annan’s hotel room is the height of both political naivety. Vices come in doubles and are infectious too. After STEALING ELECTIONS Kibaki’s itchy fingers have acquired a higher affinity to shamelessness. Welcome to leadership in Kenya by DECEPTION EXTRAORDINAIRE.
You can fool a nation sometimes but not the world all the time. Now the bubble filled with DECEPTION is finally busted in the world stage. Extrapolating the amateurish and incompetent rigging antics to Annan was to engage in destructive ego trips. Kofi
Anan is no Raila. Come on your serial thieves, you have to know the calibre of the person you are dealing with before you employ your misguided sense of deceptive industry. Siku za mwizi kweli ni arobaini. Annan is not naïve to the magnitude of pettiness practiced by the like of dinosaurs like Kibaki. His staff and security are not polished Mungiki paid in dollars.
What a national shame to replicate Lucy-like denials. Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe’s denial sounded so familiar and rehearshed just like the clone called Alfred Mutua. It cannot get any worse with these imbeciles embarrassing themselves and Kenya on the global map.
Guity and afraid
The guilty are eternally afraid of the truth otherwise why the uneasiness with Annan? Maybe the good Ghanaian refused to be bought and threatened to be disrobed of the the Kenyan medal Kibaki gave him last year before retiring from UN. You cannot rule out anything in Kenya however ridiculous – everybody here has a price, you know.
This obtuse goof may be a blessing in disguise. At least Kenyans will vindicated in their cry for justice and fairness after the thieves overstepped their target territories. Expect Kibaki’s apologists to shamelessly and promptly deflect the flack hoping that the nasty smelly fart will vanish. Intoxicating power blinds you from warning signs. They continue digging the deep pit to hell.
With this type and amount of bad faith polluting the mediation, the outcome of the process is so predictable that it is not worth name it was given. Kibaki and his cronies are one bunch of fraudsters that will stop at nothing to keep power. But not for long and not forever. NEVER, not in this time and age.
You can fool a nation sometimes but not the world all the time. Now the bubble filled with DECEPTION is finally busted in the world stage. Extrapolating the amateurish and incompetent rigging antics to Annan was to engage in destructive ego trips. Kofi
Anan is no Raila. Come on your serial thieves, you have to know the calibre of the person you are dealing with before you employ your misguided sense of deceptive industry. Siku za mwizi kweli ni arobaini. Annan is not naïve to the magnitude of pettiness practiced by the like of dinosaurs like Kibaki. His staff and security are not polished Mungiki paid in dollars.
What a national shame to replicate Lucy-like denials. Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe’s denial sounded so familiar and rehearshed just like the clone called Alfred Mutua. It cannot get any worse with these imbeciles embarrassing themselves and Kenya on the global map.
Guity and afraid
The guilty are eternally afraid of the truth otherwise why the uneasiness with Annan? Maybe the good Ghanaian refused to be bought and threatened to be disrobed of the the Kenyan medal Kibaki gave him last year before retiring from UN. You cannot rule out anything in Kenya however ridiculous – everybody here has a price, you know.
This obtuse goof may be a blessing in disguise. At least Kenyans will vindicated in their cry for justice and fairness after the thieves overstepped their target territories. Expect Kibaki’s apologists to shamelessly and promptly deflect the flack hoping that the nasty smelly fart will vanish. Intoxicating power blinds you from warning signs. They continue digging the deep pit to hell.
With this type and amount of bad faith polluting the mediation, the outcome of the process is so predictable that it is not worth name it was given. Kibaki and his cronies are one bunch of fraudsters that will stop at nothing to keep power. But not for long and not forever. NEVER, not in this time and age.
Emuhaya By-elections: Young Aspirant Rolling Up His Sleeves
Soon after his re-election as MP for Emuhaya, Kenneth Otiatso Marende was nominated by ODM and thereafter elected as Speaker of the National Assembly. Ironically, one of his first tasks as speaker will be to declare his own Emuhaya Parliamentary seat vacant.Prior to his re-election as Emuhaya MP, Mr. Marende made history by being the first individual to be re-elected to serve two terms. Previous MPs have only served one term each. Emuhaya constituency is in Vihiga District of Western Province and has approximately 81,000 registered voters.
Among those who have declared their interest in the Emuhaya parliamentary seat is Eric Henry Marende on an ODM ticket. Incidentally, the ODM party secretariat is reporting an overwhelming interest in the Emuhaya parliamentary seat with up to 50 persons having expressed their interest so far.
In continuing with the Kumekucha policy of supporting young aspirants into positions of leadership in Kenya, Phil (Kumekucha) had a chance to talk to the young and ambitious politician and reproduces excerpts from the discussion.
All readers, particularly Emuhaya residents/voters, are encouraged to ask the aspirant relevant questions in the comments area as he will be visiting the site and responding to all queries in person.
Kumekucha: Please introduce yourself
Eric Henry Marende: My names are ERIC HENRY MARENDE an aspiring member of parliament for EMUHAYA constituency!!
Kumekucha: Tell us a little about your background (including professional experience).
EHM: I am a university graduate from the United States International University(U.S.I.U) Nairobi.
Politically, I have been involved in the party affairs since the LDP days. i was actively involved in the 2002 elections. when the NARC dream was not achieved and LDP moved out of NARC I remained with LDP. When ODM was formed after the referendum I joined and have been actively involved ever since.
Actually as of last year (2007) I was actively involved with a lobby group known as THE ODM PROFFESIONALS NETWORK. This lobby group was actively involved in reaching out to the professionals who do not normally go out to join the masses in the field because they are confined to their desks and they only communicate via email and phone calls. We were involved in activities such as gathering intelligence such as the hate leaflets that were intercepted and we promptly informed the party hierarchy who blew the whistle. We were also involved in organising for trade fairs and such like things and a good example is the visit by Hon. Raila to the Nairobi stock exchange where his visit quelled some jitters at the bourse. We were also involved in sponsoring advertisements in the media to counter negative propaganda towards ODM!!!
This we did in isolation as the ODM Professionals. Later on, we got word through our intricate network that the party was trying to bring all the lobby groups together like Divas for Raila, Young Kenyans for Raila, Young Professionals for Raila, Western Professionals for Raila, e-orange, etc. We took on this project and successfully brought these lobby groups or initiatives under the umbrella called THE COALITION OF ODM VOLUNTEERS.
We presented this to and were recognised by the ODM Presidential Think Tank chaired by Professor Edward Oyugi.
We also went ahead and set up a parallel call centre to back up the one that had been set up by the party. We presented this again to the think tank and they were impressed such that the party channel resources to assist us at the call centre. This was so effective such that our data was being used at the ECK Tallying Centre at KICC to challenge some disparities!! We had a network that ran all the way to the grassroots.
Even after the elections we still get intelligence reports which we promptly relay to the party, for example in the first week of January we got reports that the form 16 and 16A were being doctored at the KICC. We provided samples to the party since some of our members had been recruited by the ECK.
I may also add that I was seconded to one of the think tank committees that was headed by Mr.George Ongaya to handle matters that related to the call center.
Since all this is political i would like to keep my family affairs out of this. Probably what many voters would want to know is that I am single and profesionaly work for a travel management firm called CARLSON WAGONLIT that is wholly owned by BUNSON TRAVEL an industry leader in travel related services.
Kumekucha: What is your vision for Emuhaya?
EHM: My Vision is titled 'Emuhaya, aiming higher'. In a nutshell, I intend to cover the following.
Economic prosperity:
Given the potential that already exists in Emuhaya, I envision the constituency as an economic powerhouse through tourism in the East Africa region.
Beginning at the micro-enterprise level, I shall partner with self help groups to develop micro finance programmes that will ensure that they get the opportunities and credit facilities required to turn their hard work and good ideas into a steady income.
Modernization of major markets will be explored in an effort to make them permanent, safer, cleaner and more established. Real economic prosperity can only be realized when wealth is distributed equitably and those living below the poverty line are uplifted. Providing economic opportunities will achieve just that.
In an effort to take Emuhaya to the next level, I shall play a leading role in positioning the constituency as a destination of choice for local tourism in an effort to bridge the current divisions being witneseed in the country. The result not only being the creation of an innovation center, but also a source of job and wealth creation.
The building of adequate infrastructure, setting up constituency wide centers of excellence, enhancing private / public partnerships, equipping schools with ICT, massive improvements in security as well as offering businesses incentives will be some of my priorities that will turn this vision into reality.
The time has come to reduce the cost of doing business in Kenya and giving the less fortunate an opportunity to succeed. We shall start in Emuhaya.
Youth Agenda:
I strongly believe in developing and strengthening programmes targeted at the youth in order to enhance their economic, educational, social and cultural opportunities, to promote constructive social relations among them and to provide them with connections outside their communities to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
Because of this, I shall give special priority in the design and implementation of policies that will help alleviate the challenges of long term unemployment and underemployment of my peers.
For every young person, a job offering decent work is an important step in completing the transition to adulthood, a milestone towards independence and self-reliance, a pillar in social development. My vision for the youth in Emuhaya therefore focuses on creating income-generating job and/or entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.
I shall work tirelessly with like minded leaders, to ensure that structures are put in place to assist the youth in developing skills needed to enable them to find or create gainful employment.
The message is clear! Our youth should no longer be used by self centered politicians to throw stones and participate in political hooliganism. Their energy, talent and numerical strength should instead be used as the pillars for nation building.
Community Development:
My vision for community development is the creation of opportunities that will empower the community both socially and economically. I shall pay special attention to the 9 wards within the constituency in an effort to ensure that homes and markets are humanitarian and include basic facilities such as toilets, water and adequate pathways.
I shall work with the people of Emuhaya in an effort to engage them in building the constituency in which they live and do business in. As stakeholders, the people will be included in decision making on matters that affect the constituency. Doing so will help create a more diverse constituency in which the ultimate winner will be the constituent.
As development of the constituency is pegged on development of the constituents, I envision community centers in each ward and various training programmes provided so as to equip constituents with the life skills needed to earn a better living. This initiative will cater to the widespread unemployment problem which in turn will reduce poverty, crime, drugs and disease.
I shall actively develop sports, music and entrepreneurship programs that will be geared towards developing talent as well as lend full support to micro enterprises such as income generating women, youth and welfare group projects.
As the next MP for Emuhaya, being accessible and having regular meetings with the community will give me a good idea on the priorities of the community's development.
Service Delivery:
Emuhaya constituency currently faces several challenges with regards to service delivery. Quality of education in the free primary school initiative has dropped tremendously, public schools (up to the University level) do not have adequate learning facilities, majority of the constituents either do not have access to basic healthcare or cannot afford it, roads are dilapidated, clean water is still a dream, insecurity a nightmare and the list goes on and on and on. It is unfortunate that with all the CDF money available, basic services are still inaccessible to the bulk of the population.
I envision Emuhaya Constituency as one of the leading constituencies when it comes to service delivery. I shall work to ensure that the people of Emuhaya get the services they pay for, from better education to better healthcare to better infrastructure.
To realize this vision, public education institutions will be equipped with reading materials and computers to the best extent possible, healthcare systems brought closer to the people and infrastructure (roads, market places, telecommunications, water etc) shall be improved.
As service delivery is the primary role of the political leadership, I shall break the culture of the people working for elected leaders and begin one in which elected leaders work for the best interests of the people.
Kumekucha: Thank you. Why did you choose to stand in Emuhaya?
EHM: I have my roots in Emuhaya. I also have a keen ineterst in the affairs of the people of Emuhaya and would like to see an improvement in the life of the locals.
Kumekucha: If you would finish these sentences, what would you add to them,
i) I wish more people would take notice of...........
ii) A common misperception I would like to correct is.......
EHM: I wish more people would take notice of…. young people especially the youth of this nation. they have been the main force in the struggle for justice in the many injustices commited aginst them. many lives have been lost and indeed continue to be lost in persuit of a better kenya. as young people we should keep the dreams and hopes of a better nation alive by getting actively involved in the affairs of our great nation. we should let the memories be our guide to remembering the values of our Kenyan people.
EHM: A common misperception I would like to correct is…. that young people cannot lead or are not ready for leadership positions. History has examples of leaders who emerged at quite an early stage. Tom Mboya is one such example. In the bible you have people like King David and Samuel who were anointed for leadership in their youthful years. I believe we (the youth) have been appointed by God, history and future generations to take on leadership.
Kumekucha: What bills, if any, would you propose in your first term in parliament?
EHM:
- Hate speech legislation,
- Youth fund to be managed by professionals,
- Legislation that mandates private companies and public enterprises to employ the best candidates for the job but at the same time ensure equal representation in terms of gender and tribe!
Kumekucha: Which party ticket are you running on and why?
EHM: ODM (Orange Democratic Movement). This is because the party is committed to tackling tribalism and discrimination, expansion for employment, pursuit of policies of policies of equitable distribution of wealth and resources, dealing with insecurity, crime and lawlessness, improvement of social and physical infrastructure among many others.
Kumekucha: What do you like most about your country?
EHM: The economic and social potential.
Kumekucha: What do you like the least about your country?
EHM: Tribalism, corruption, bad governance especially because of the individuals and personalities who occupy these offices, the list is endless.
Kumekucha: Who in the history of Kenyan politics inspires you - a leader, whether in politics or outside of it?
EHM: Thomas Joseph Mboya. He was a leader who was brilliant and charismatic, infact he was nothing short of remarkable! He got involved in trade union activities at 22 years of age and by 28 he was elected chairman of the All-African Peoples Conference convened by Kwame Nkurumah of Ghana. Tom Mboya displayed leadership from quite an early age.
Outside of politics 2 people inspired me. One was my father and the other my grandfather, both are deceased!
Kumekucha: How are you funding your campaign?
EHM: My campaigns are being funded by family, friends and well wishers
Kumekucha: What word of encouragement would you give to other young candidates?
EHM: I would encourage young people to be engaged in public life and service because this is the only way we can change the status quo! as young people we need to position ourselves for change and we should speak in one voice to demand our rightful position in the countrys leadership. its our responsibility to take the country to the next level.
Kumekucha: What are you especially good at, why do people like you?
EHM: Well that is a hard question! I may say I am good at listening to other people. Other people have said they like me because am dependable, strong, and loyal.
Kumekucha: What is your proudest moment/ greatest achievement?
2002 elections when Kenyans elected a government unanimously as a people with disregard to tribe and affiliation. Back then, we as Kenyas achieved a lot as a democracy.
Kumekucha: What was the last book you read?
EHM: ‘INTO AFRICA’ which is a dramatic retelling of the Stanley-Livingstone story. It has been written by Martin Dougard.
Kumemucha: What do you think are your weaknesses?
My ambitions
Kumekucha: Have you ever run a business? Do you have any executive experience?
EHM: No I have not!
Kumekucha: What core ideas inform your politics?
EHM: Leadership that is accountable and transformative that fulfills expectations. I intend to provide a leadership with vision and to carry on what was intended for the people of Emuhaya by the former Member of Parliament and will be faithful and true to the interest f the constituents.
Kumekucha: What is your big idea for Kenya?
EHM: Good constitution that translates into good governance, a fair judicial system, equitable distribution of resources, efficient infrastructure, dependable healthcare, a relevant educational system and proper security for all.
Kumekucha: What in your views hurts Kenyans the most? What stands between them and progress?
EHM: Corruption, selfishness, greed, bad governance, the constitution. biased institutions that are supposed to facilitate progress are the major issues that stand between kenyans and progress.
Kumekucha: Do you think an MP, say an opposition MP, can make a difference in his constituency without the intervention of the Central Government?
EHM: Yes. By properly utilising the CDF a ripple effect will be transmitted to the locals in the constituency.
Kumekucha: For what would you utilize Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated to your constituency? What would be proper CDF priorities?
EHM: Housing, infrastructure, rural electrification, initiating proper healthcare initiatives, agriculture, education
Kumekucha: What special campaign stratagem do you employ in stead of loud noises and throwing money around?
EHM: Are you sure you want me to expose myself!!
Kumekucha: Not at all. Any other comments/message you have.
EHM: A common misperception I would like to correct is that young people cannot lead or are not ready for leadership positions.history has examples of leaders who emerged at quite an early stage. Tom Mboya is one such example. in the bible you have people like king david and samuel who were annointed to lead in their youthful years. i believe we have been appointed by God, history and future generations to take on leadership. (END)
Kalembe Ndile Now Eyes Emuhaya Parliamentary Seat
Unsuccessful in the Kibwezi parliamentary race where he lost to Prof. Philip Kaloki (ODM-K) in the just concluded general elections, former Assistant Minister for Tourism and Wildlife and the Chairman of the Independent Party (TIP TIP - Amani Kenya), Kalembe Ndile is reportedly eyeing the Emuhaya parliamentary seat following the election of the MP-elect Keneth Marende as Speaker of the National Assembly.The outspoken former MP and a defender of the rights of squatters, Kalembe has mostly been based in Mombasa and Makindu, occasionally commenting on public interest matters. But now that he has trained his eyes on going back to the National Assembly through the Emuhaya parliamentary seat in Western province particularly with PNU's support, ODM will be casting a nervous eye to their Deputy Captain Musalia Mudavadi who is expected to lead the ODM onslaught when by-elections are called. Kalembe has been sending 'political feelers' through grassroot leaders in the constituency.
If indeed he runs for the seat and is re-elected, Kalembe will make history as the first non-indigenous Luhya to be elected to parliament from the area. The area is known to be fiercely pro-ODM and it is not known if Kalembe is planning to defect to ODM or run on his own TIP party.
There are currently six unrepresented constituencies in the country. They are; Embakasi, Kamkunji, Mandera, Kilgoris, Emuhaya and Ainamoi. Trusting that no other MP will kick the bucket soon, it means Kenya is headed for a 'mini general election' which going by early signs shows they will be fiercely contested owing to the slim majority the opposition enjoys in parliament. For instance, the speakers election alone, which took place before two of ODM's MPs were killed, showed just how close this majority is with the ODM fronted Marende winning by 105 votes against PNU's Ole Kaparo 101. ODM views its parliamentary majority as one of the key areas it can use to bring the Kibaki government to its knees through a well planned legislative agenda, perhaps even a vote of no confidence.
Meanwhile, this blogger has interviewed some aspirants for the Emuhaya parliamentary seat and will be publishing excerpts from the interview soon right here on Kumekucha.
Links to Kalembe Ndile relevant pages:
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Shock As Police Reveal : ‘Mungiki Hitmen Killed ODM’s Mugabe Were!’
Embakasi MP Mugabe Were, who was shot dead by mungiki hitmen.Gang infiltrates Kenya Police
Juma Kwayera | Nairobi
03 February 2008 11:59
A quiet rebellion and near-total collapse of the chain of command has exposed Kenya’s police force as incapable of dealing with the growing national crisis in the country, amid growing fears that it has also been infiltrated by the outlawed pro- government Mungiki sect.
Speaking to the Mail & Guardian on condition of anonymity following the chilling murder on last Tuesday of an opposition MP, a senior police inspector and an officer in the criminal investigations department admitted that all was not right in the police force.
“The police are angry that they are being used to solve a political problem. Our remit is maintenance of law and order, but we are being dragged into politics. It is known that the election outcome was manipulated; who does not know that?” asked the officer.
Despondency in the force is the latest twist in Kenya’s political imbroglio, which former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan said was an international priority on Tuesday when he formally launched the mediation process between the government and the opposition.
Annan, who is heading an African Union panel of eminent persons, said that the escalating violence put the country on the precipice of large-scale upheaval, which the “state must use all the means at its disposal to forestall”. Annan added that the electoral dispute was now mutating into ethnic hostility and inflaming long-suppressed passions. The AU-mandated team also includes former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa and Graça Machel.
Gangs of youths believed to be members of the Mungiki sect claimed responsibility for the killing of Mellitus Mugabe Were, the opposition MP. Youths suspected of being members of Mungiki also took control of the highway linking Nairobi with the nearby town of Nakuru, a scene of much of the recent violence.
Most members of the much-feared Mungiki sect hail from the Kikuyu tribe, the same ethnic group as President Mwai Kibaki. They rose to prominence last year after a string of grisly killings, particularly in Nairobi’s slums. Police efforts to break up the gangs late last year led to days of violent clashes in which several people were killed.
Were’s death on Tuesday co-incided with the formal launch of international mediation and reinforced the perception that Mungiki, which allegedly enjoys the patronage of influential politicians and businessmen in the government, is on the rampage again after a six-month lull.
Police have confirmed that 20 out of the 115 people killed in Nakuru and Naivasha towns in the Rift Valley province were beheaded in grisly circumstances reminiscent of Mungiki’s decapitation of 200 people in Nairobi early last year.
Human rights groups, including United States-based Human Rights Watch, estimated last week that nearly a quarter of the 900 people shot dead post-election were executed by Mungiki gang members disguised as police. The senior police officer complained that the infiltration of the police by the criminal gang had exacerbated tensions in the force, leading to fears of an imminent falling out.
“We are being misused. We are resisting the public perception [that] we mop up politicians’ dirty work,” the inspector said. Two other police officers said last week’s reshuffle in the police force was precipitated by growing tension among high-ranking police officers who felt they were being misused to crack down on opposition supporters.
The opposition says that it has also received reports of Mungiki’s infiltration of the police force.
“We have been receiving reports about despondency in the police force and the military that has been forcing the government to resort to criminal gangs to control escalating violence,” Orange Democratic Movement MP Omingo Magara said.
He added: “The same sources told us about how two weeks ago the government acquired 4 000 guns and armed Mungiki to kill protesters in Rift Valley. I leave it to you to judge who is running the show in the police force,” he said.
Tensions in the security forces began to appear after Internal Security Minister George Saitoti told the police to refrain from using live ammunition, only for police to open fire on unarmed mourners in Nairobi last week, injuring several.
“The chain of command has collapsed,” Magara said. The government began deploying the military at violence flashpoints last week, fuelling the public perception that the police force is no longer obeying the command structure.
Responding to charges that the police force was no longer capable of maintaining law and order prompting the intervention of the military Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali said the presence of the army is “temporary.” According to the Kenyan constitution, the army can only be called out of the barracks after a state of emergency is declared.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=331297&area=/insight/insight__africa/
Kibaki and Lucy are Masters of Serial Vices
Watch out what comes out of your mouth or acts lest you meet the full wrath of one Lucy Muthoni. With Imanyara cheeks still smarting from Lucy’s blow, it is in every State House guest’s interest to pad his or her cheeks.
You are defined by the character of the company you keep. Lucy’s serial slapping antics loops us into the quality of leadership emanating from that big house. She started small time with the photo journalist Derrick and in no time her palms have graduated to MPs. One wonders what harm she inflicts on those she stays with.
Intoxicating power
Troubles come surely comes in doubles. While Kibaki is scrambling in search of a more lethal force to silence Kenyans or make them speedily forget that he STOLE ELECTIONS, Lucy’s bad manners even muddies the the evil scene further. And she dutifully completes the picture with characteristic white lies escaping through her her teeth and dolled as shameless denials. Shaggy’s song it wasn’t me couldn’t have been more aptly in capturing theatre of the absurd.
Serial vices must be truly infectious. Serial vices must be truly infectious. Listening to Gitobu Imanyara recounting his ordeal at the hands of merciless mama Jimmy leaves you torn between sympathizing or laughing at the lanky lawyer. Between Imanyara and Lucy Kenyans can only trust one person who unfortunately cannot be the later. Power surely intoxicates till you are ready to sniff life out of your own blood.
The gem in Lucy’s rants lies in her insensitive and belligerent remarks. She reckons Imanyara is a friend to the Luos (must be animals!) and even goes further to deride the legislator’s ‘STUPID’ Merus voters. Poor Lucy! She is so consumed by contempt to an extent that she unwittingly insults and harms the very hands feeding her political ‘might’
God before man
Deception and contempt are two vices that Kibaki’s regime has perfected to new levels. And the engine driving them is singularly fuelled and oiled by TRIBALISM. And X-ray into Lucy’s mind produces a photocopy of stereotypes and bigotry that populate this blog in plenty.
But as Kanye West sings NOTHING LASTS FOREVER and the time of reckoning is nigh. Only unbriddled arrogance makes fools believe that they came before God. No single soul can be a parasitic gift to his country, none. Kenya is too bing for all of us but too small for some of us. No more cheap tribal bad-mouthing. No more Kenyan backs to ride and break.
Another Political Showdown Looming in the Horizon
New ODM Civic Leaders Expected to overhaul local government service delivery in major towns
Past Nairobi Mayor's elections; Kama mbaya, ikue mbaya!
Former Mayor Joe Aketch gets one on his head!
In the not so distant future, the Orange Democratic Movement will flex its political muscles yet again when the local government elections are held for mayors, their deputies and chairmen of county councils. Local Government minister Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to announce election dates anytime before the end of next week and then political parties will be expected to nominate additional councilors and thereafter hold elections of mayors and chairmen of councils.
For many years (actually since multi-party politics returned to Kenya in 1992), Kenyans have watched with bitterness as their local authorities are rundown by inefficient councillors who are better at grabbing plots than working for the public. Most of our civic 'leaders' have been semi illiterate, corrupt and uncivilized. They are known to openly resolve differences through fistcuffs and bickering , chair fighting, name calling and all sorts of drama during official council meetings.
Councillors preside over huge budgets and make decisions that impact directly on local city/town residents when it comes to provision of water and sewerage, roads and infrastructure, primary education, health clinics and many other social institutions like markets, social halls and play grounds. For instance, during the eighties, any city resident could use their water bill to obtain a new aluminum dust-bin from Nairobi City Council. NCC run clinics were the best in the city. Sadly, these are no more. Corruption is openly conducted at city hall when contractors 'send' councillors for all-expenses paid weekend 'retreats' in coastal hotels before important council decisions or mayoral elections.
Thank God, due to their strong showing in the December 2007 elections ODM managed to get a majority in the country’s top civic bodies. Not just that. The majority means the party gets greater nomination slots which it can then use to nominate additional individuals who possess the necessary skills and experience for management of public affairs, that is just in case none of the party's own elected councillors meet the qualification criteria. It is refreshing to learn that not any other Tom, Dick, John or Harry will be sitting at the mayor’s parlour.
ODM intends to change the negative perception of Kenya’s civic bodies and has made no secret of the fact that it is targeting control of the major cities the country (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru) through election of professional, experienced and dynamic mayors. ODM wants to replicate the high standards of service delivery that Kisumu residents enjoyed during the reign of former Mayor Shakeel Shabir (now MP). Not only was Kisumu roads repaired, but the town was cleaned and basic services like water and garbage collection restored. During that time, Kisumu was elected the cleanest Kenyan town and it went further and achieved ‘city status’. Shabbir had been nominated and then elected Mayor through the National Development Party (NDP).
The current civic elections also give the ODM an opportunity to implement its pre-elections affirmative action proposals in that women, youth and other disadvantaged groups can be elected into positions of leadership not because of they belong to any dominant party or tribe.
Thank God Kivuitu will not be announcing these results and lets hope this time PNU will not manipulate votes in favour of its candidates.
Past Nairobi Mayor's elections; Kama mbaya, ikue mbaya!
Former Mayor Joe Aketch gets one on his head!In the not so distant future, the Orange Democratic Movement will flex its political muscles yet again when the local government elections are held for mayors, their deputies and chairmen of county councils. Local Government minister Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to announce election dates anytime before the end of next week and then political parties will be expected to nominate additional councilors and thereafter hold elections of mayors and chairmen of councils.
For many years (actually since multi-party politics returned to Kenya in 1992), Kenyans have watched with bitterness as their local authorities are rundown by inefficient councillors who are better at grabbing plots than working for the public. Most of our civic 'leaders' have been semi illiterate, corrupt and uncivilized. They are known to openly resolve differences through fistcuffs and bickering , chair fighting, name calling and all sorts of drama during official council meetings.
Councillors preside over huge budgets and make decisions that impact directly on local city/town residents when it comes to provision of water and sewerage, roads and infrastructure, primary education, health clinics and many other social institutions like markets, social halls and play grounds. For instance, during the eighties, any city resident could use their water bill to obtain a new aluminum dust-bin from Nairobi City Council. NCC run clinics were the best in the city. Sadly, these are no more. Corruption is openly conducted at city hall when contractors 'send' councillors for all-expenses paid weekend 'retreats' in coastal hotels before important council decisions or mayoral elections.
Thank God, due to their strong showing in the December 2007 elections ODM managed to get a majority in the country’s top civic bodies. Not just that. The majority means the party gets greater nomination slots which it can then use to nominate additional individuals who possess the necessary skills and experience for management of public affairs, that is just in case none of the party's own elected councillors meet the qualification criteria. It is refreshing to learn that not any other Tom, Dick, John or Harry will be sitting at the mayor’s parlour.
ODM intends to change the negative perception of Kenya’s civic bodies and has made no secret of the fact that it is targeting control of the major cities the country (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru) through election of professional, experienced and dynamic mayors. ODM wants to replicate the high standards of service delivery that Kisumu residents enjoyed during the reign of former Mayor Shakeel Shabir (now MP). Not only was Kisumu roads repaired, but the town was cleaned and basic services like water and garbage collection restored. During that time, Kisumu was elected the cleanest Kenyan town and it went further and achieved ‘city status’. Shabbir had been nominated and then elected Mayor through the National Development Party (NDP).
The current civic elections also give the ODM an opportunity to implement its pre-elections affirmative action proposals in that women, youth and other disadvantaged groups can be elected into positions of leadership not because of they belong to any dominant party or tribe.
Thank God Kivuitu will not be announcing these results and lets hope this time PNU will not manipulate votes in favour of its candidates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)