Weekend violence in Kibera

I do agree with Phil’s comments on Kibera and being well conversant with Kibera residents, I was very disappointed with the violence that erupted again in Kibera when Mr. Money bags Livondo decided to move with his entourage of vijana na Kibaki to Kibera after holding a rally at Uhuru Park.

I do not support political violence in any form or from supporters of anyone even my favorite Presidential candidate. I also agree that it is every ones constitutional right to vie for a civic or parliamentary seat anywhere in this Country. Freedom of movement is also every Citizen’s right.

On the other hand, I believe that all political rallies or demonstration should be licensed. ODM was not allowed to hold their rally at Uhuru Park because the authorities claimed it was not licensed (even with all the papers from City Council allowing them to hold the function) and two other groups in favor of the government were approved.

Approved or not the Livondo group got the go ahead to hold their rally, but were they allowed to hold a demonstration to Kibera and another rally? Obviously this was a move to create tension in the area and cause ethnic animosity.

I had a meeting in Kibera the next day and was debating whether I should go or not, I thought there was ethnic tension amongst groups supporting Livondo and ODM Presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

I went to my meeting anyway and the area was as peaceful as ever. The only commotion was at the Dos office (people call the place DC), people waiting to be ferried to Nyayo Stadium to attend the Presidential launch. In fact some touts told his friends endeni DC watu wanapewa pesa.

I later enquired from my friends what happened the previous day. They told me most of those throwing stones where Livondo’s supporters and not Kibera residents. Earlier in the morning Kibera residents were told to go to Ngong Hills hotel to be given money by Livondo’s people, they got the money but men snatched all the money from women.

Livondo addressed a crowd in Kibera and decided to introduce his wife, he told the crowd that his wife is called Ida. Immediately he said that, he was jeered and booed by the crowd saying ana tumia jina la shemeji wetu (he is using our in-laws name), referring to Raila’s wife Ida, I was amused by this and wondered if his wife is really Ida or he thinks he can get more sympathy from Kibera by baptizing his wife Ida. Some of Livondo’s supporters removed T-shirts when they reached Kibera for fear of being seen in that group.

As much as it is Livondo’s constitutional right to vie for a seat anywhere he likes, he should not interfere with peaceful loving Kibera residents by using abusive language in the name of acquiring votes. Then claim it is his opponent inciting his supporters to stop his bid.

President Kibaki Hits The Campaign Trail Without A Clear Simple Message

President Kibaki: Can he recover the lead when Moi implements his latest game plan?

Plus Moi’s Latest Game Plan That Could Turn The Tables On Raila And ODM

The president’s vocabulary has changed dramatically. No longer are we hearing words like Pumbavu, mavi ya kuku etc.

Yesterday I could hardly believe my ears when I heard it on tape as the president made a passionate plea for votes during the Kanu delegates conference that he had gate crashed to address and then he said “please give me your vote.” And he used the word “please” twice in the same sentence.

This is something so rare with this president that I could not help but gape in wonder.

Many analysts are of the view that it is too little too late and it will be difficult for him to recover the lead. More so as secret dossiers exposing corruption in his inner cabinet are leaked. Sources say that the "leaks" will start immediately parliament is adjourned sine die to pave way for the mother of all general elections.

In one day President Kibaki attended and addressed Kanu, Narc DP and Ford Kenya delegates conferences.

Folks the presidential campaign has now shifted gears to full throttle.

Sadly Kibaki handlers are blundering again. The president looks way to desperate, which is a bad thing and hardly does anything to promote confidence amongst the electorate, something which is very important.

But even more worrying, the president does not have a message. He just keeps on repeating that line he loves which is a thinly veiled reference to Raila about how some people should tell Kenyans what they have done since 2002 other than travel the whole country inciting Kenyans. This has gotten extremely boring and it will hardly win votes.

The president should tell us what he plans to improve on during his second and last term. More so the lessons he has learnt which will enable him to correct certain things this time round.

Meanwhile information reaching this blogger indicates that retired president Moi is already pushing Kalonzo Musyoka very hard to join the Kibaki team. All indications are that Moi will succeed. He knows too much about Kalonzo and Kalonzo respects the old man too much to fail to obey him.

Indeed Kalonzo’s behaviour in the last few days seems to suggest that he is merely consolidating his position in Ukambani so that Hoo Ndii Emm and himself look even more attractive to a suitor.

It is said that the Kibaki team will secretly offer Kalonzo much more than just the Vice presidency. They will also be guaranteed several seats in the new cabinet in the event that Kibaki wins a second term. This will include a senior cabinet slot for Julia Ojiambo and two other Kalonzo cronies as well as Mutula Kilonzo being appointed the new AG.

The question analysts should now busy themselves with is; can Raila defeat a Kibaki/Kalonzo alliance? This is a very diffiult question to answer. More so when you consider that there are many in Hoo Ndii Emm who will NOT follow Kalonzo to PNU. This group is also highly unlikely to vote for Raila.

Story that will help you understand Mwai Kibaki politics better.