Countdown to the Mother of All General Elections In Kenya: 2007
One of the parliamentary seats in the country that is bound to be the most hotly contested is the Kamukunji seat in Nairobi. Already the field is overcrowded with prominent personalities like lawyer Patrice Lumumba and popular evangelist and presidential hopeful, Pius Muiru announcing their candidature.
Word on the ground is that it will be easier for Mount Kenya to throw itself into Lake Victoria than it would be for the incumbent Norman Nyagah to win re-election. It is even said that currently he is not able to access his office in the constituency where his CDF cheque book is locked up and is therefore unable to put the idle funds to use, a major bone of contention most of his constituents seem to have with him.
Ironically this was Tom Mboya's old parliamentary seat. The seat he defended in his entire lifetime and resisted all pressure to join the mass exodus to rural seats. Still plenty has changed here since 1969. Probably the biggest change which is bound to influence the election outcome is the influx of foreigners in the expansive Eastleigh estate, which is part of the constituency. Most of these foreigners are of Somali origin and the Kenyan immigration has always had a very difficult time differentiating the local Somali from the foreign Somali. This serious problem was highlighted in the 80s when foreign Somalis pausing as Kenyans forced the British government to reverse an old standing visa...
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Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Open Letter From Marianne Briner To Dr Njoroge Mungai
August 13, 2007
Dear Njoroge,
I have decided to write this Open Letter to you after I had read in Kumekucha the very moving letter Tom Mboya’s son, Lucas, has published asking to assist in solving the murder of his father.
Here also your name came up together with Njonjo, Koinange and Moi, a.o..
And that’s when I started wondering what to do and came up with the idea of writing to you directly asking you to tell the world what you know about this and other cases like J.M. Kariuki and Dr. Robert Ouko etc.
Please understand me, I do not want to join those implicating you – but I would like to offer you to come out to say what you know.
Do this for yourself and for the benefit of Kenya – the country you have been proud to have been able to assist to lead into a better future after Independence, first as Minister for Health and then Foreign Affairs.
I have seen the interview you gave to the Stanford University remembering your accomplishments. There is a lot to be proud of - but there is also a lot to regret……..
You have reached the twilight of your years – we both have – but I want to remember you as the caring man I once loved. A man who listened to the problems of the people in his constituency to whom you had reserved each Friday when the Parliament was closed. I have seen them waiting in front of your office with the deep assurance of your help.
And I have watched with admiration how patiently you were then listening to their problems and how happy you have been if and when you were able to help……
I have seen the way you have treated your employees and farm workers – with patience and respect.
And exactly mainly all this had been the main reason why I felt in love with you.
I also remember what you told me about Dr. Ouko: that it was you who convinced President Kenyatta to appoint him Minister for Economy because you had realized his qualities during his time in Arusha.
A feeling which was mutual, as Dr. Ouko once told me when we were driving back from Kisumu to Nairobi. He wanted to follow your example when he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1979 because he always admired your style and your achievements.
I then also remember what you wrote to me once after Dr. Ouko was killed: ‘You and Dr. Ouko should have never gotten involved in the Molasses Plant – a project tainted and doomed by too many politicians ……’ – I have read all your sadness about his death in these few lines because Kenya had lost another of its great sons……..
But I do not only want to talk about the past – and a very dark period in Kenya’s history.
The real reason for this Letter is to look into the future and to try to find a better life for all its people.
So somebody has come up with the idea of arranging a so-called Roundtable Discussion …….. and here is my challenge to you:
Would you be willing to chair and also host it (and maybe even helping in covering its expenses) ? Place and date could be discussed, but it should be outside Kenya since some of its participants are living abroad.
My proposal was Switzerland and I would be willing to organize it. What do you think ?
Somebody has called me ‘A master of foreign politics and propaganda’ – although I was laughing when reading it, I admit I also have been honored by it. But I would more than willingly be pleased to pass this title to you.
So – please – agree to my proposal. Do it in the memory of the love we once shared, do it for the admiration and love my daughter still holds for you – but most of all, do it for the Children of Kenya so they can have a better and brighter future ……… and then, last but not least, do it for yourself……….
You know my email-address and phone number ……….
Awaiting your reply,
With all my love,
Marianne
Read the statement from Lucas Mboya that started it all.
Dear Njoroge,
I have decided to write this Open Letter to you after I had read in Kumekucha the very moving letter Tom Mboya’s son, Lucas, has published asking to assist in solving the murder of his father.
Here also your name came up together with Njonjo, Koinange and Moi, a.o..
And that’s when I started wondering what to do and came up with the idea of writing to you directly asking you to tell the world what you know about this and other cases like J.M. Kariuki and Dr. Robert Ouko etc.
Please understand me, I do not want to join those implicating you – but I would like to offer you to come out to say what you know.
Do this for yourself and for the benefit of Kenya – the country you have been proud to have been able to assist to lead into a better future after Independence, first as Minister for Health and then Foreign Affairs.
I have seen the interview you gave to the Stanford University remembering your accomplishments. There is a lot to be proud of - but there is also a lot to regret……..
You have reached the twilight of your years – we both have – but I want to remember you as the caring man I once loved. A man who listened to the problems of the people in his constituency to whom you had reserved each Friday when the Parliament was closed. I have seen them waiting in front of your office with the deep assurance of your help.
And I have watched with admiration how patiently you were then listening to their problems and how happy you have been if and when you were able to help……
I have seen the way you have treated your employees and farm workers – with patience and respect.
And exactly mainly all this had been the main reason why I felt in love with you.
I also remember what you told me about Dr. Ouko: that it was you who convinced President Kenyatta to appoint him Minister for Economy because you had realized his qualities during his time in Arusha.
A feeling which was mutual, as Dr. Ouko once told me when we were driving back from Kisumu to Nairobi. He wanted to follow your example when he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1979 because he always admired your style and your achievements.
I then also remember what you wrote to me once after Dr. Ouko was killed: ‘You and Dr. Ouko should have never gotten involved in the Molasses Plant – a project tainted and doomed by too many politicians ……’ – I have read all your sadness about his death in these few lines because Kenya had lost another of its great sons……..
But I do not only want to talk about the past – and a very dark period in Kenya’s history.
The real reason for this Letter is to look into the future and to try to find a better life for all its people.
So somebody has come up with the idea of arranging a so-called Roundtable Discussion …….. and here is my challenge to you:
Would you be willing to chair and also host it (and maybe even helping in covering its expenses) ? Place and date could be discussed, but it should be outside Kenya since some of its participants are living abroad.
My proposal was Switzerland and I would be willing to organize it. What do you think ?
Somebody has called me ‘A master of foreign politics and propaganda’ – although I was laughing when reading it, I admit I also have been honored by it. But I would more than willingly be pleased to pass this title to you.
So – please – agree to my proposal. Do it in the memory of the love we once shared, do it for the admiration and love my daughter still holds for you – but most of all, do it for the Children of Kenya so they can have a better and brighter future ……… and then, last but not least, do it for yourself……….
You know my email-address and phone number ……….
Awaiting your reply,
With all my love,
Marianne
Read the statement from Lucas Mboya that started it all.
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