KENYA & WORLD: PRESS DAY MARKED AS TWO JOURNALISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS
From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013
Today is World Press Freedom Day. Although the day gives people the chance to pay tribute to media professionals who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty, in Kenya as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports-Kenya: 2013 - Committee to Protect Journalists, the day is marked at the time two investigative journalists have received death threats.
Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu, investigative journalists from the private KTN television network received threats from anonymous callers and via social networking sites on Wednesday, according to Namu and Willis Angira, associate producer for KTN.
David Ohito, news editor of The Standard, which is also affiliated with KTN, told CPJ that the threats were linked to an investigative story aired on KTN two weeks ago, called "Inside Story: Death in Ten Minutes" that suggested foul play in a helicopter crash that killed former Interior Minister George Saitoti.
It is also being celebrated at the time police were also implicated in the January 2009 murder of Weekly Citizen journalist Francis Nyaruri, shortly after he investigated corruption within the police department.
Nyaruri was brutally murdered in western Kenya in January 2009 while investigating suspected corruption in a police construction project. The investigation has not yielded arrests to date.
Just recently a correspondent for The Star daily newspaper was found dead Sunday morning in his house in the coastal city of Mombasa. A housemate found reporter Bernard Wesonga with blood on his nose and mouth at around 11:30 a.m. according to Star Deputy Editor Charles Kerich.
Local journalists said Wesonga, 27, was with friends at a local pub in Mombasa Saturday night, leaving around 10 p.m. Wesonga had told friends he recently received anonymous threats via text message in connection with a story that described allegations of unlawful shipment and sale of fertilizer that had exceeded its expiration date. Authorities have not established a cause of death.
Against the background that on Saturday, March 9, 2013, US President Barack Obama made a statement in a gala for journalists in Washington that appeared to suggest that Kenya is not a safe destination for foreign correspondents.
"They've risked everything to bring us stories from places like Syria and Kenya, stories that need to be told," he said. Syria is currently in the midst of a bloody civil war that was started on the pretext of removing its dictatorial ruler Assad from power. The conflict in Syria has killed more than 70,000 people.
The period following the Kenya's last presidential elections in 2007 was marred by widespread ethnic violence. Over a thousand people were killed. Kenya's journalists, especially those working independently, found themselves the targets of public anger, police intolerance and political fury. Many were threatened, injured, attacked and had equipment damaged or taken.
In Nairobi the day will be marked with two key celebrations:
1)The regional journalists convention - Second Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) Gala, an event that seeks to acknowledge, identify and promote excellence in media in Kenya
2) The Executive Council meeting of World Association of Press Councils (WAPC, which will draw participants of press councils from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia Burundi, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Nepal, the United States of America, Pakistan, India, Malawi, and North Cyprus among others.
These events will focus on safety and protection of journalists and encourage Development Journalism in Kenya in respect to Vision 2030.
Each year since 1997, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded to honor the work of an individual or an organization defending or promoting freedom of expression, especially if it puts the individual’s life at risk.
The award is named after a journalist murdered in 1986 after denouncing drug barons. Last year it was awarded posthumously to a Russian investigative reporter who was murdered in a contract-style killing in 2006.
Established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 as an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, World Press Freedom Day has only been celebrated since 1993. This seminar took place in Namibia in 1991 and led to the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media.
It has much deeper roots in the United Nations, Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights which states that everyone “has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".
The Windhoek Declaration called to establish, maintain and foster an independent, pluralistic and free press. It emphasized the importance of a free press for developing and maintaining democracy in a nation, and for economic development. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3, the date on which the Windhoek Declaration was adopted.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole
Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002
USA: Shut down Guantanamo
From: Manuel de Lizarriturri
Below is an email from Manuel de Lizarriturri, a MoveOn member who started a petition on the MoveOn website, where anyone can start their own online petition.
President Obama: Deliver on your campaign promise and shut down Guantanamo.
Sign the Petition!
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289657&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx&t=4
Dear MoveOn member,
President Obama promised during his campaign that one of his top priorities would be closing the prison at Guantanamo. The New York Times reported on April 25 that the treatment of detainees is inhumane. It's time for the president to deliver on his promise, and for Congress to allow him do so.
That's why I started a petition to the United States Congress and President Barack Obama, which says:
Mr. President, when detainees with no hope of release go on a permanent hunger strike and are force-fed through nasal tubes, America can no longer claim to be the worldwide champion of human rights. How can you sleep at night knowing you have reneged on your campaign promise? Please close the Guantanamo Bay prison now!
visit the address here below to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289657&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx&t=5
Thanks!
–Manuel de Lizarriturri
This petition was created on MoveOn's online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Manuel de Lizarriturri didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.
Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in at web address below.
https://civic.moveon.org/donatec4/creditcard.html?cpn_id=457&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx
Kenya: These are some excellent leads
From: Judy Miriga
This is a straightforward case and by now, it would have been concluded.
This is one of such cases that are "A See-Through" and we are convinced that it shall be resolved soon both by the Local and the International community. It will also expose the inside rot stored in Kenya's Political landscape.........
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, Clara Shegu wrote:
From: Clara Shegu
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 10:05 AM
Paul, i have no background in medical field but yours is also an opinion on possible cause of death,he could have actually committed suicide so don't just dismiss it especially his behaviour prior to his death.
But what is coming out as the more likely cause of death is poisoning whether self or third parties.
Who could be the third parties and what could be their motivation?
a) Kilonzo defeated Harun Mwaua in Makueni senator race..drugs and politics
b) Muthama wanted Kalonzo in parliament by all means..political
c) Kilonzo is believed to have secrets about perpetrators of PEV. According to a video of him recorded in Jan 2008, he says he believes PEV was actually planned..ICC
From: Paul Nyandoto
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 8:50 AM
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
People:
Polonium 210 in kenyan soil. How did they bring it into kenya?. Our airport detect radioactive substances or not?. May be through sea, or through land.
I hear they are not leaving stones unturned. But what do they want people in the funeral homes or Kilonzo`s family to wear during burial time?. They definately need radiacative protectors.
Why should our media throw such a lethal news, but still want Kilonzo to have a normal burial. Polonium 210 is radioactive, but it hardly kills instantly like Kilonzo´s case. I think that the pathologist should not have released all the details to the public unless they were sure of what they are saying.
It means macroscopic evidences are not enough to give any clue yet. Kilonzo also did not leave any signatures, containers of poison, or needles or writings like it always happens during suicide deaths. Kilonzo was also not of a type who can commit suicide. The man was born a fighter and a winner too. No winning warrior commits suicide. Just go back to Prof Wangari; look that ladies history, how she was treated politically, had even a deadly disease cancer, but never commited suicide. She died from a natural cause. Kenyan politicians hardly kill themselves, life is good for them. So the theory that he may have taken poison and hide the container in the soil outside is zero. Nobody hangs himself and take the rope after death to hide in the bush. Or shoot himself and hide the gun.
Paul
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, Jectone Ndunya wrote:
From: Jectone Ndunya
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 8:43 AM
Do you people believe that the Late Mutula, would have his dinner at 8pm, go to bed with remains of the food still on his bedroom table? I doubt that! and then be seen at 2 am in the garden? doing what? and by whom? was he on phone, seated, standing running or what? where were his security at the vilas at that wee time?
Then he went back to bed with food remains still on the table and slept? i doubt that, Mutula would have cleared the table if the house help had gone to sleep before he went to bed! I told you that, that food mix, ( Githeri, Nyama Choma, fruit drink, etc) were not adding up and i think they may have been placed to confuse investigations!
From the closest of his family member's, whom did he talk with last according to his phone call history? Do you want to tell me that, from 8 pm, till 1 pm the following day, no one from his Children or wife, contacted his phone? If they did and at what time, and failed to get a response, did they try to contact the workers for information? If so, at what time!
You expect Mutula to keep vital documents in his bed room and which should be out of bounds, do you think the Late would go to bed without locking his bed room door? Not likely!
If the door was that open, why did it take his workers so long to get to his bed room?
Lots of simple questions would solve this instantly!
Jexx in the hood
"Success never resides in the world of weak wishes, but in the palace of purposeful plans and prayerful persistence"
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, mohamed warsama wrote:
From: mohamed warsama
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 1:36 AM
The implication of testing for Polonium poison is obvious: it brings into the investigation radar the lunch Mutula Kilonzo had last Thursday at Norfolk Hotel with Raila, Wako and Muthama, because polonium can take long to react.
Mohamed Warsama
From: Maurice Oduor
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:12 AM
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Laktar,
I agree with you. A pathologist or Crime Scene Investigator should never reveal what cause of death is suspected. If a murder, the killer will have an opportunity kujipanga or to hide evidence. I'm surprised that a pathologist from the UK would agree to this. Unless they are doing this as a diversion to lull the killer into peace of mind.
Courage
MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
By Staff27/04/2013 08:12:00 // Kenya News | MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics05:12
Saturday April 27, 2013 - Word has it that Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko is now using all means available to access President Uhuru Kenyatta after his earlier efforts of meeting the President hit a dead end.
According to some sources, Sonko has resorted to bribing some security officials attached to the Presidential Escort as a way of getting access to State House.
The flamboyant MP, who was a key pillar in the Jubilee Alliance campaigns, has found himself on the rough side since the day President Uhuru was sworn in as President.
He has been thrown out of Uhuru’s entourage and it has been made clear that he is not wanted near State House after he failed to account for the huge sums of money he was given during the campaigns.
Rumor has it that Sonko was given more than Sh 500 million by Uhuru, but he is unable to account on how he spent the money during the Jubilee campaigns.
Big Kenya names hire and plot for power
Alternative text.
By BERNARD NAMUNANE bnamunane@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)
Posted Tuesday, December 27 2011 at 22:30
Many of the presidential hopefuls spent the Christmas holiday putting final touches on their preparations for next year’s campaigns.
The 2012 presidential race is crowded, attracting more candidates than any other election since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who starts the race in pole position by virtue of being the contender leading the biggest party, has also made some radical changes.
Out goes the old Orange Democratic Movement party slogan “Chungwa Moja Maisha Bora” and in comes a new slogan, “Change We Need”.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, another candidate who is buoyed by the trappings of incumbency, has gone a step further and renamed his party, Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya. It is now called Wiper Democratic Movement.
Other strong contenders are Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and MPs William Ruto (Eldoret North) and Martha Karua (Gichugu).
Also in the race are Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, assistant minister Peter Kenneth, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula, former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju, MPs Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka), Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), and Education permanent secretary James ole Kiyiapi.
The aspirants are spending heavily, buying helicopters, setting up campaign secretariats, hiring staff at county levels and retaining campaign experts and PR gurus to clean up their image.
Mr Odinga, vying for the presidency for a third time, has set up four separate offices in Nairobi with former Kenya Ports Authority chief Brown Ondego leading the fundraising team.
He is yet to appoint a person to lead his main secretariat and double up as the campaign manager.
The appointment of lawyer Paul Mwangi as his legal adviser has been interpreted to mean that the PM wants his core campaign team to reflect the face of Kenya. (READ: Lawyer Mwangi appointed to replace Miguna)
Sources said the secretariats will be led by professionals and business people.
Several lobbies such as Friends of Raila, ODM Network Team, ODM Youth for 2012 and ODM Women Congress have joined his campaign.
A group of professionals from the Rift Valley has been formed to counter the anti-Raila wave in the region, and a coordinator is expected to head his campaigns in the diaspora.
Campaign website
When you log onto his campaign website, www.railaforpresident2012.com, you will be hit by the ‘Change is Coming’ message and hip-hop songs by local artistes, including Kigeugeu by Jaquar.
Mr Odinga has also set up several Twitter and Facebook accounts to woo voters on the social media.
Mr Musyoka has, on more than one occasion, declared that the 2012 presidential race is between him and Mr Odinga.
The party has two secretariats, one at the headquarters in Wiper House, Kileleshwa and another in Lavington.
Prof Marete Marangu leads the main secretariat, while Brig (rtd) Henry Rop is at Wiper House.
He has also brought on board lawyer Donald Kipkorir and Nominated MPs Ahmed Affey and Shakila Abdalla to win Muslim votes. Mr Musyoka also enjoys the backing of prominent parastatal heads.
“The secretariats are only on provisional basis since the Vice-President is an active member of the PNU Alliance,” said his spokesman, Mr Kaplich Barsito.
Mr Musyoka, who will be making the second attempt at the presidency, has opened offices in the United Kingdom to lead the hunt for the diaspora vote.
He argues that he is not a tribalist and wants Kenyans to elect a ‘servant leader’. He has a website, www.mykalonzomusyoka.com and several Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Mr Kenyatta, who recently regained control of Kanu, wants to take a second stab at the presidency after losing to President Kibaki in 2002.
Also a member of the G7 Alliance, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance minister has picked some of the people who led President Kibaki’s re-election in 2007.
Top business people
His main secretariat is based at Chancery House, but he is yet to appoint the head. Mr Kenyatta has two other campaign offices, one in Lavington and the other at the UK Centre in the city.
Those working closely on his campaign include State House political advisor Nancy Gitau, former MPs Justin Muturi and David Murathe, Mr Alfred Gitonga and Mr Kenyatta’s long time personal assistant, Njee Muturi. Top business people and parastatal heads are also coalescing around Mr Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta has a chopper at his disposal, has extensive links with Kenyans in the diaspora and runs a website, www.uhuru.co.ke.
His aides are also active on the social media, often releasing statements on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Ruto, who will be vying for the presidency for the first time, has opened a secretariat in Kileleshwa headed by Mr Sande Oyolo and another office for his party, the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
He has a think-tank comprising university lecturers and business people managing all aspects of his campaigns, from raising funds to preparing a manifesto.
“I am contesting the presidency not because I want power, but because I feel that as a person who has at one time walked to school barefoot, I understand problems facing Kenyans from all walks. Kenyans require leaders who can deliver them from poverty,” he said.
He has ordered a helicopter, runs www.williamsamoeiruto.co.ke, is active on Twitter and Facebook and has a dedicated short text message number, 7777, for interacting with supporters.
But like Mr Kenyatta, his push for the house on the hill seems to be held back by the pending case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Ms Karua (Narc Kenya) and Prof Saitoti (PNU) have established their secretariats in Kilimani and Lavington, respectively.
Ms Karua runs www.marthakarua.wetpaint.com and launched her presidential bid this year. She is the most active aspirant on Twitter and Facebook.
Even though seen as outsiders, Mr Tuju and Mr Kenneth have covered a lot of ground in their bids for the presidency. Mr Tuju has two secretariats, runs www.raphaeltuju.com and is active on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Kenneth is said to have acquired a second helicopter and recently launched his manifesto for the presidency.
He runs www.peterkenneth.com and has revived Kenya National Congress (KNC) as his vehicle to State House.
“We are actually shopping for a running mate. I cannot be somebody else’s running mate.
“There has never been any discussion with any presidential aspirant. Kenya needs ability, vision and energy, not a name or fame,” he says.
He is also setting up party offices in Lavington, and is recruiting members.
“We will focus on fewer things that have more impact on the economy. Most of my campaigns will be based on town hall meetings,” he says.
Prof Kiyiapi has been criss-crossing the country seeking support, but is the only aspirant without a party.
Perhaps he will disclose his political network when he steps down as Education PS and hits the ground running.
The Headliner: Garissa residents say police should change tact
Published on Apr 30, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
An uneasy calm continues to prevail in Garissa after a week of police operations to flush out those behind the series of grenade and gun attacks. But questions still abound as to why the town has since December 2011 remained vulnerable to attacks. And whether security officials in an effort to curb crime in the county have been going about it the right way. NTV's Sheila Sendeyo reports on this week's headliner
Kalonzo Courts Kalembe
Published on Apr 29, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
Daniel Owira stood in front of the President, giving a memorable performance, an experience he says he could never have dreamed of. This experience is in total contrast to his reality, one of a single-roomed shack in one of the city's slums with a torturous time every start of term to get school fees. And as the re-opening date for second term neared, Daniel was a worried boy, but today, he needs not worry. His plea for an education fell on the right ears and his dreams to be a lawyer are no longer just that... they might actually come to fruition.
CORD Steps Up Musyoka Comeback Plan
Published on Apr 24, 2013
Efforts to get former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka into Parliament have gone a notch higher with deliberations and consultations now geared towards getting Kibwezi West MP Dr. Patrick Musimba to step down for him. And just to be sure, those keen to have Musyoka as the next Kibwezi MP have since approached former area MP Kalembe Ndile who lost narrowly to Musimba seeking to persuade him not to contest should there be a by election.
Mutula Opposed To MPs Stepping Aside For Kalonzo
Published on Apr 18, 2013
Nominated Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo is opposed to the option of having nominated MPs in the national assembly step aside to give way to the former VP Kalonzo Musyoka return to the house. Speaking exclusively to K24, Mutula said the move would be against article 97 of the constitution.
Kalonzo's return to Parliament hits a snag
Published on Apr 16, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
The Cord coalition's plan to have former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka return to parliament appears to have hit a snag. While it has been reported that several MPs are ready to give up their seats for the former VP, those being mentioned are denying such reports. NTV's Enock Sikolia reports.
Kalonzo to go back to parliament
Published on Apr 15, 2013
Watch KTN Streaming LIVE from Kenya 24/7 on http://www.ktnkenya.tv
--- On Wed, 5/1/13, Tebiti Oisaboke wrote:
From: Tebiti Oisaboke
Subject: MIKE SONKO IN DEEP TROUBLE
Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 5:14 PM
I pity him too. Now he is in much more hot waters than he was during the Kibaki administration. No wonder he bowed twice to Junior and his assistant to and from the ballot box during the Senate speaker's elections. The duo had graced the occasion to witness how the folks they "poured" millions of Kenya shillings voted. During the parliamentary speaker's elections following the 2007 general elections, the Mt Kenya goons greased the freshman MP for Embakasi to purchase his vote so that he could vote for their preferred candidate. The Mt. Kenyans didn't have majority in the house so they wanted to purchase some votes from the majority ODM's party to win the seat. However, Hon Were pocketed the cash and voted for the ODM candidate (Hon Marende). When the Mt. Kenya realized that, Hon Were never delivered his "cherished" goods they had already signed the invoice for, they were so upset and ordered for his elimination. And that is what eat Hon Were and not what Mutahi Ngunyi is trying to lie to us. The Ainamoi MP who lost his life by the road side, was involved in a love triangle with a police officer who was dating her colleague. ODM had nothing to do with this as Ngunyi is trying to defend those crooks who are out to exterminate our brilliant brains. ODM never deployed the officer who shot and killed the MP along with his darling baby come baby. That was their own business on the side.
Coming back to Sonko Bin Mbuvi, I am surprised to learn that the one million cash he distributed to Harambee Stars at JKI Airport upon their arrival from Lagos, Nigeria was stolen money. I wondered how in the world could a crook arm himself with 1M cash Patin-Moi's "Jirongoes" and distribute it freely in the open to members of the public in this modern 21st Century world. I couldn't phantom why he chose to do it that way instead of drawing a check to the team so that they can cash it. Doesn't he know how the check system works?
God bless Kenya as we move and forge backwards
TOI
From: ROSE KAGWIRIA
Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 3:59 PM
Subject: MIKE SONKO IN DEEP TROUBLE
Poor mike. Yes he campaigned for jublee but who told him he will sit in state house after that. I really pity him. If he was cleaver, he would have campaigned for his brother Kalonzo. Now I understand why people were running towards one direction for campaign. Kumbe there was so much money?
http://www.kenyan-post.com/2013/04/mike-sonko-in-deep-trouble-he-cannot.html
MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
By Staff27/04/2013 08:12:00 // Kenya News | MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics05:12
Saturday April 27, 2013 - Word has it that Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko is now using all means available to access President Uhuru Kenyatta after his earlier efforts of meeting the President hit a dead end.
According to some sources, Sonko has resorted to bribing some security officials attached to the Presidential Escort as a way of getting access to State House.
The flamboyant MP, who was a key pillar in the Jubilee Alliance campaigns, has found himself on the rough side since the day President Uhuru was sworn in as President.
He has been thrown out of Uhuru’s entourage and it has been made clear that he is not wanted near State House after he failed to account for the huge sums of money he was given during the campaigns.
Rumor has it that Sonko was given more than Sh 500 million by Uhuru, but he is unable to account on how he spent the money during the Jubilee campaigns.
Kenya: Scapegoating: Mutula feared for his life: Muthama
from: Judy Miriga
Good People,
Because of these outbursts here under, Muthama must be given police protection and if the Government fail to do that and incase Mutham is killed, then the Leadership has himself to face legal justice as this will be seen as pre-plan terrorist tactics to intimidate and cover-up for the true killer or Mutham will be now used as a scape-goat for cover-up.
Let justice take its rightful course, if it is Muthama, then justice shall reveal; but jumping the gun is in a way taking law on your hands........
and it shall be unacceptable......
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - -
--- On Wed, 5/1/13, Judy Miriga wrote:
Good People !!!
God's spirits do not lie......The truth shall come out very soon.
More pressure and the whole truth will come out......
Speak up people before all of you perish...............
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
Muthama: Mutula feared for his life
Published on Apr 30, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
In the senate on Tuesday, Johnstone Muthama sensationally claimed that the late Makueni Senator Mutula Kalonzo had expressed fears about his safety. Muthama said the late Mutula had warned that his life and that of the former Prime Minister alongside his very own were in danger. He spoke as MPs asked the government to ensure it unravels the mystery surrounding Mutula's sudden death. Brenda Wanga has the update from the two houses.
Mutula feared for his life: Muthama
By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com AND JOHN NJAGI jnjagi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 30 2013 at 23:30
In Summary
Senators pay tribute to departed colleague as Muthama claims Mutula had raised fears over his life
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo had raised fears over his life 48 hours before he was mysteriously found dead at his Maanzoni home, it has now emerged.
Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama on Tuesday told the Senate that Mr Kilonzo had casually raised issues about his life when they met over lunch together with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Norfolk Hotel on Thursday afternoon.
“He told the former PM that you and all of us here are not safe. Our lives are in danger,” Mr Muthama said.
He said he received news of the senator’s death on Saturday at 11.05am before rushing to his home immediately to find out what had gone wrong.
The Machakos Senator was contributing to an adjournment motion moved by the Leader of Majority Kithure Kindiki to give senators time to pay tribute to their departed colleague.
Planned meeting
“We had lunch at the Norfolk hotel with him (Mr Kilonzo), (David) Musila and the PM on Thursday and we had planned to meet again this Thursday,” Mr Muthama said.
He, however, did not divulge the details of the discussion on their security and what the agenda of the meeting they planned to hold on Thursday would have been.
His remarks were, however, dismissed by Nominated Senator Beth Mugo who termed them “largely unfounded”.
“It is not fair for leaders to make inflammatory remarks while mourning a great leader like Mutula. Let us not incite one region against the other. If any life is in danger let us report to the police,” Mrs Mugo said.
While paying tribute to Mr Kilonzo, Siaya Senator James Orengo said he met the Makueni leader at the Senate chambers on Thursday where he looked disturbed and distraught.
Said Mr Orengo: “I met him on Thursday and told him Mr Mutula you have not spoken in the Senate, what is wrong? He looked tired and distraught. He then told me there is nothing to talk about.”
The Siaya Senator further told the House it was strange that in every election, Kenya has to lose great leaders through strange deaths, citing the cases of former MPs George Kapten and Masinde Muliro who also died suddenly and mysteriously.
While paying tribute to the fallen colleague, Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula urged investigators, police and doctors leading the inquiry into Mr Kilonzo’s death to do a thorough job to allay fears of foul play.
Mr Wetang’ula, who is also the Bungoma Senator, said he learnt a lot from the Makueni leader during his pupillage at his law firm in 1981.
Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura urged his colleagues not to join the fray of people peddling conspiracy theories surrounding Mr Kolonzo’s death and instead leave investigators to conduct their work to unearth the truth.
Mr Kilonzo’s colleagues eulogised him as a brilliant lawyer, who spoke his mind without fear, and one who transcended ethnic divisions in his work as a politician and Cabinet minister.
Elgeyo Marakwet’s Kipchumba Murkomen said the Makueni Senator’s brilliance inspired them to pursue the law career.
Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi described Mr Kilonzo as a man of all seasons, saying even though he was in the end removed from the Justice ministry, he managed to steer it with a light head and heart.
Speaker Ekwee Ethuro formed a six-member committee to work with other teams in arranging the burial of the Makueni Senator.
Kenya: GOD FINALLY HEARS THE CRY FOR JUSTICE BY BUTERE GIRLS
From: Ouko joachim omolo
*The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images*
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013
At last the High Court has lifted a ban on the controversial play ‘Shackles of Doom’ by Butere Girls High School saying the move by the government was unlawful. Justice David Majanja ordered that the play must be shown because the Constitution does not allow a ban and it is not enough for the ministry of Education to ban it without reason.
Banned without reason because what the play depicts is real in Kenya. The play captures national ills of nepotism and tribalism which has tempered with development in Kenya since 1963 when Kenya got independence. The play was allegedly banned by the Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival Executive Secretary Patrick Sirengo Khaemba.
The suit was filed by human rights activist and a long time friend of mine Okiya Omtatah.
The Permanent Secretary for Education George Godia and Attorney General Githu Muigai were listed as respondents.
Shackles of doom is play that depicts a film shoot set in the land of the Kanas, who refer to themselves as the TRUE KANAS, their land is oil rich but they are ignorant of the treasure that lies beneath their soil….a delegation arrives to their land and offer a beautiful lady – Wamaitha, to be married off to Lopush who is “Kana” in exchange of land where they settle.
Wamaitha is 3 weeks pregnant when they come and Kimani who is purported to be her guardian is responsible, she is married off against her will and her community with great determination and strong will construct “Mafuta Oil Refinery Company”.
During appointing of human resource, job opportunities are given with biasness and nepotism! The people of Kana demand for equal opportunities but are dismissed; only one person is considered from the marginalised community but as a watchman.
On the eve of Lopush and Wamaitha’s wedding, Kimani who is the CEO of the refinery company has an order to deliver 600 barrels of oil and dictates that everybody works on the night shift including those who were on duty during daytime. Lopush is not spared either because of his wedding that is coming up at the break of dawn; he is forced to be on duty as a security officer.
Kimani invades Lopush’s house demanding for intimacy from Wamaitha, of which she declines and they are caught up in the argument by Lopush who has absconded his duty in rebellion. Kimani hides in the children’s bedroom but unfortunately Lopush finds him, Wamaitha insists that the daughter can bare her witness that she did not fornicate.
As a matter of bad fortune she finds the daughter dead, still and lifeless when she goes to wake her up. Kimani is accused of her demise. A technical hitch occurs in the Mafuta Oil Refinery Company and there is a fire breakout at about the same time, angry villagers are summoned and just when they want to deal with the accused murderer (Kimani), his wife calls and says they are trapped in an inferno and Lopush has the keys to all the exits.
The whole village rush to help but they find a tragic scene, everyone has been consumed by the inferno, Wamaitha breaks news that her dead daughter was Kimani’s child.
The film director calls for cut and signifies end of their shooting, one member of the cast however retorts that the film has no credible resolution and cannot compete favourably, she suggests that all the communities be equally represented in employment opportunities for good relations, harmony and peaceful coexistence. Cameras were rolling in the meantime and the director terms the resolution to be credible.
The play is* written by award winning play-wright Cleophas Malalah, the Kakamega MCA for Mariakalo Ward. The play won Zonal, Divisional, District, Regional levels but banned from being staged at the National Drama Festivals set for Mombasa this month on claims that play is hate speech.*
* *
*The play calls for a thorough clean up of the mess in government key position jobs awarded to one particular ethnic and regional community. It calls for clean up in the *Ministry of Internal Security and Provincial Administrative beginning with Permanent secretary post, CID Director, GSU post, NSC – Peace and Conflict Management, Government Printer and Senior Director Administration/Internal Security.
Other messes that the play calls upon for a clean up include the Finance Ministry beginning with Permanent Secretary, Pensions secretary, ERD director, D/Finance secretary, and Controller and Auditor General.
Another key position the play calls upon for a clean up include Central Bank beginning with its Govern, Deputy Governor, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Board Secretary, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Investigation and Enforcement, Deputy Commissioner, Administration and Deputy Commissioner Procurement.
Other key positions that need clean up include Commissioner for customs services, Senior Deputy Commissioner (Customs), Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Commissioner Domestic Taxes (LTO).
Senior Assistant Commissioner, Security, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Southern Region and Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement post- Kenya Airports Authority MD, and General Manager Finance.
General Manager Marketing and Business Development, General Manager Information and Communication, Technology, General Manager Security Services, Head of Corporate Communications / PA to the MD, and Head of Procurement and Logistics.
Ministry of Industrialization, Chairman of the National Standards Council, Permanent Secretary, and Chairman of the Board-Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Company Secretary, Chief Manager, Energy Transmission, Commercial Services, Distribution Chief Manager, Planning, Research and Performance Monitoring; Eng. Kenya Petroleum Refineries General Manager, Finance Manager, Human Resource Manager and Engineering Manager.
It is Kenyan people’s hope that after Sunday performance by Butere Girls High School Drama Club, current government headed by Hon Ohuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto would have heard the cry of these tender girls, crying for their beloved country Kenya-to act and made balance in these key posts among other posts.
*Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ*
*Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578*
*E-mail **omolo.ouko@gmail.com***
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*Twitter-@8000accomole*
* *
*Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.*
*-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ*
*UN Disarmament*
*Conference, 2002*
* *
KENYA: THE SAITOTI REPORT MUST BE RELEASED TO THE WORLD NOW
From: Nyambok, Thomas
THE SAITOTI REPORT MUST BE RELEASED BEFORE THE WORLD.SAITOTI WAS KILLED SO THAT UHURU KENYATTA COULD HAVE A WAY TO BE THE FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AFTER MWAI KIBAKI
There is a brighter prospect of Barack Obama visiting his father’s home Land during his presidency and touting the gains of democracy in Africa.
No doubt the post election politics in Kenya are of interest to the International community for a number of reasons. It will determine the countries relationship with the United States where Barack Obama, a Kenya-American, is the president.
It is clear that elections, corruption, transparency and political participation are perennial challenges facing nearly 1.2billion African Citizens.
The United Nations has one of its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital and therefore they have a stake in the future stability of the East African Country.
The forces of nationalism and patriotism among Kenyans have also been responsible for the elections’ outcome, surely an unintended consequence of prosecuting a nationalist of Kenyatta’s stature at International Criminal Court.
The rigged electoral votes for Kenyatta was made to look like votes were cast for Kenyatta by Kenyans in protest of his Indictment by the International Criminal Court, and other western collaborators for crimes against humanity that Kenyatta allegedly committed after the 2007/08 election.
The retired presidents are culprits for killing Kenyans, the genocide that have been executed by this thugs, mafia and mungiki should bee addressed by Kenyans and by the International Community before this retired presidents dies, they have to be taken to court some where not in Kenya because they are corrupt as they buy Kenyan’s Judiciary from Chief Justice, Attorney General and parliament, 80%Congress are in their hands, once red briefcase is lifted up they gung to gather to oppose the International Criminal Courts.
There is nothing like ICC, ICC is in their hands so Kenyans’ you will be forced to enter into the cord of 6666 other wise you will bee left behind time this is true and watch.
Since 1963 have you ever seen or having knowledge of knowing any prominent Kenyan that have been prosecuted for any wrong doing? No, Why’ because they are protected by the 6666 cord system from the masters using the powers from the devil to make sure that Judiciary is only for the middle class and for the poor see the Kenyan’s jails and prisons statistic.
KENYANS’ WAKE UP CALL FOR TOMORROW WILL BE FAMILLIES THAT WILL BE KILLED AS HAS BEEN DONE TO OTHERS IN THE PAST.
Dear Kenyans and the world at large, it is pathetic to have Kenyans being killed just like dogs by a few individuals around the presidency. I have been mentioning about the system and the methods that the State House does it’s poaching among tribal lines - the house of the people, the state house, is being misused for every execution exercise. They plan how some innocent or notorious Kenyans can be executed and the government goes free. The system of killings is really working from State House Nairobi successfully.
The killings are done in order to elect those who are the members of the evil clubs. Kenyans are competent with my reports as I have been reporting about the reach Kenyans and the money. I have been giving reports including the time when Jomo Kenyatta took over the leadership. It becomes a usual system as Arap Moi took over the presidency from J. Kenyatta in 1978.
Watch, the leadership of Mwai Kibaki is all about killing innocent Kenyans especially during the 2007/08 Genocide. He is getting away with the two reports from the two commissions. Why can’t former presidents reveal the secrets in the numerous commission’s findings – are the reports kept secret to protect those who were mentioned in these reports.
And now the three presidents have shown Uhuru all the methods to use for killing innocent people. Killing will still continue in Kenya till Jesus comes back, or till some wise Kenyan will have away to set Kenyans free from the bondage of evil.
Kasarani stadium was used to commemorate the day wrangles and fighting professor Saitoti started so that Uhuru Kenyatta would take over from Arap Moi for Kanu to be in power for one hundred years as Moi promised.
Raila Odinga and Professor Saitoti left Kanu party to start new collisions to succeed the Moi Uhuru project. Kasarani stadium was used for Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration day to burry Professor Saitoti’s ghost. Kenyans must demand the recorded video’s on the day Moi and Saitoti fell apart for Uhuru Kenyatta to succeed Moi. That’s why Raila Odinga and Saitoti decided to leave Kanu party.
Kenyan’s, it is time to wake up and to work together before this former presidents die. Kenyans must stand straight and demand to know why Saitoti was killed by the presidency’s mafia machinery from State house Nairobi. Killing plans got executed by Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Professor Saitoti was killed because he was more powerful than Uhuru.
Kenyans must demand the tapes that were recorded on the first day Moi, Saitoti and Raila Odinga’s relationship fell apart at Kasarani stadium when Moi declared Uhuru Kenyatta as his project.
Kenyans, remember that after they had executed the late professor Saitoti, Moi took his Crocodile tears to Saitoti’s family house as he did to Dr. Robert Ouko?
Remember, Uhuru Kenyatta and Kibaki contested the presidency one time - both of them are from Kikuyu Land and what happened between Raila and Kibaki was that Raila got in between Kibaki and Uhuru and used the words of only Kibaki is enough (Kibaki tosha). This happened because Raila knew that Uhuru was Moi’s project and by all means, Uhuru was to be rigged in just the same way they succeeded this time round.
Kenyans should know that they are at risk of living with Moi’s Kanu party under Uhuru’s ambrella. Kanu is ruling now, not Jubilee. That’s why Biwott is at a higher smiling point. They used mafia machinery for the successful execution to make rigging as the norm.
The rituals are done by executing prominent Kenyans and Intellectuals while rich people receive red briefcases from Kabarak. Those who got the red briefcase will have to pay back by sacrificing themselves or their family members soon.
Remember, you could be smiling with these mafia people today, and tomorrow, you’ll never know, you may find that you’re in the execution list for the next kill as a sacrifice for riches – blood money.
Kenyans, let’s use the wisdom and the commonsense we were given by God. God wants us to be very careful about things that are not done in his way, hold your Bible with your right hands higher up if you are a true Christian don’t copy the former presidents who never held Bible for the truth but for the evil motives don’t love money too much brothers and sisters you will find your self at sine.
Kenya is still at stake of 6666.
Yours faithfully Tom Nyambok and all be blessed. 4/12/2013.
Kenya: Supreme Court Struggles With Written Opinion In Dismissed Raila Petition
from: Samuel Omwenga
http://omwenga.com/2013/04/12/supreme-court-struggles-with-written-opinion-in-dismissed-raila-petition/
Supreme Court Struggles With Written Opinion In Dismissed Raila Petition
I have learned from a reliable source the Supreme Court has been struggling to put together a written opinion not so much so to convince us Kenyans that their decision was right but to avoid being viewed with disdain among the international jurisprudential community.
The Court's primary concern is having been recently heralded in both Kenya and in international circles as an emerging model of African jurisprudence operating in an independent environment without interference from outside, that notion is on balance and how the court explains its decision will determine whether that notion still holds or not.
In other words, whether the Court is deemed to be finally independent and judicious all depends on its written opinion, an opinion I have also learned from a different source will be issued on Tuesday.
There are a number of factual contradictions flying in the face of the Court's decision that the Court must convincingly explain but one that stands out the most, is the Court's own re-tallying which clearly shows inflation of votes in Jubilee strongholds and deflation of votes in Cord strongholds.
Although the numbers evincing this was small in the pre-decision partial results for the Court to get away with dismissing as "insignificant," which is laughable, anyway, as each vote counts, it is believed the final results of the Court's own ordered re-tallying shows an inflation and deflation of numbers the Court cannot possibly dismiss as insignificant and thus the reason many are dying to see what the explanation is.
I can confidently state based on what I know there is no explanation the Court will provide that can make sense even to those propagating it.
But something must be offered as an explanation and what that is is what we await knowing it'll have a direct bearing on the Court's credibility as the final arbiter of justice in our beloved country.
Peace, Unity and Truth
Omwenga
World: Reflections on The Fog of (Cyber)War
From: Yona Maro
This paper aims at assessing some widespread assertions related to the highly controversial issue of cyberwar. It does so by using the following approach: First, it reviews the original concept of cyberwar according to its original employ. Second, it presents three general controversial assertions synthesized from the qualitative content analysis of selected academic publications, landmark documents, and news accounts.
Link:
http://www.umass.edu/digitalcenter/research/working_papers/13_001_Canabarro-Borne_FogofCyberWar.pdf
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KENYA: UNCOVERING NEPOTISM ISN’T HATE SPEECH
From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013
Butere Girls High School drama club and the entire school are so disappointed. Their drama, ‘Shackles of Doom’, which depicts unequal distribution of resources and dominance of top positions by main ethnic groups, will not be staged at the national drama festivals, despite topping the western region contest.
The play was stopped by the Drama Committee even after Butere District Education quality assurance officer Isaac Ngaya said he watched the play and found no offending sections that warranted censorship. The claim was that the play contained hate speech and for that matter it was offensive.
The play acted by two girls wondered whether nepotism will really end in Kenya. Even before Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have not been sworn in their government has been accused of nepotism.
The girls were wondering why in Kenya any leader who comes to power immediately exercises nepotism. Among the most powerful posts have been awarded to Uhuru Kenyatta’s Central and GEMA as well as Ruto’s Rift- Senate Speaker ... Ethuro ... Rift, Nat. Assembly Speaker ... Muturi ... Eastern-the girls were crying and wondering who will represent Western, Northern and Coastal who feel cheated by Rift Valley and Central!
Prime Minister Raila Odinga is not spared either. He made sure his ODM party awarded his elder brother Oburu Odinga by nominating him to parliament after people rejected him during the ODM nominations.
Similar case applies to his sister Ruth Odinga who has been awarded 'deputy governor' even after Kisumu people rejecting her. Ruth had known before general election that she was going to be awarded the post of deputy governor.
Celebrating Valentine's Day a day late with pupils at Shiners Centre in Kisumu town on February 14, 2013, Ruth introduced herself to the pupils and staff as "the Kisumu County Deputy Governor and Raila's sister". She signed the visitors’ book 'Deputy Governor Kisumu County'.
This could imply that even if Raila became the president nepotism was not going to end. Earlier on Raila had been accused for having allegedly favoured his relatives and friends as well as the financial heavyweight Luos in the former cabinet appointment to the grand coalition government.
Dr. Oburu Oginga was appointed an Assistant Minister of Finance. The other centre of controversy was the appointment of Mr. Phillip Onyango Sika as the PS in the Ministry of Metropolitan development. The new PS hails from gem constituency also in Siaya and is the relative of the Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo whose mother is the younger sister of Raila Odinga’s mother.
Critics blamed Raila for having ignored Migori, Rachuonyo, Kisumu and Nandio districts only concentrating with appointment of people from Siaya and Bondo districts.
Even Kenyatta was not spared either. He used nomination slots to nominate his relatives. He paid back his first cousin Beth Mugo with a TNA nomination to the senate after Mugo stepped down in favour of Mike Sonko who was elected Nairobi senator.
One of the adjudicators at the regional level, Prof Christopher Odhiambo of Moi University, said their role is not to censure but to suggest improvements in case a play contains offending information.
The author of the play, Cleophas Malala is a politician and a scriptwriter, but his play has been adjudged to be politically incorrect. Despite the ban, Mr Malala says his plays are motivated by his desire to fight for the rights of the oppressed, especially the marginalized ethnic communities in Kenya.
In the zonal, district and regional competitions the play by Butere Girls emerged the winner despite the fact that someone loyal to the government thinks it has a political twist.
The play was motivated by unequal distribution of resources in the country. The play depicts a film shot in the land of the ‘Kanas’, who refer to themselves as the ‘True Kanas’. Their land is rich in oil, but they are ignorant of the treasure that lies beneath their soil.
Malala cited an audit by the Commission for Integration and National Cohesion (NCIC) on distribution of public appointments which showed glaring inequalities in public jobs.
“I am just replaying what happens in our society and even NCIC knows that, so what is my sin?” Malala wonders.
The fact however, remains that the unequal distribution of wealth has always been a huge problem in Kenya since independence that has plagued society throughout the ages. Even as forms of governments of Kenya have changed, the unequal distribution of wealth has remained a constant.
That is why the Butere girls’ actress were crying wondering who will save Kenya from these evil ills. They were crying because the unequal distribution of wealth makes the living conditions of the less fortunate undesirable, because the upper class is usually concerned about gaining and maintaining their own wealth first and concerned about others second.
The girls were crying because it is difficult for the poor to rise above the poverty level, because they are dependent upon what the upper class deems is a fair wage for producing the goods that they make.
Against the background that Karl Marx saw conflict as necessary and desirable to bring about social change. This social change would then result in the equal distribution of wealth and resources.
After viewing the suffering of the masses, Karl Marx hoped that they would rise up against oppression and bring about a social change where there would be an equal distribution of resources.
The conflict that Marx spoke about was not necessarily violence. Conflict referred to tension, differences in beliefs and values, conflict of interest and competition. These all exist in every society and according to Marx, they are the basis for social change.
The play reminds me of my own play I wrote in early 1990s when I was the Rector of Keserian Juniro Seminary. The play “But Why” was banned by the Kajiado Drama Committee because it was asking why The Central Bank of Kenya had been used to provide liquidity to politically well connected financial institutions such as Trade Bank, Pan African Bank and Exchange Bank.
Such banks were being used to launder the residential campaign money into convertible currencies abroad. In 1992 alone, the Central Bank printed and released for circulation more than 12 billion Kenya shillings.
This was the time 7 billion shillings was used by Kanu as slush fund to manipulate the electoral process according to Finance Magazine, March 31, 1993. It was also the time 500 and 200 notes were printed, YK' 92, used most of 500 notes to campaign for bribery and corruption machinery to make Kanu win the elections.
The printing of 500 notes, 200 and 100 was an addition to 2.35 billion. As of the end of September 1992, the amount of currency in circulation in Kenya was 15.85 billion. It was also during this time that Lake Basin Development Authority had been pushed to near collapse due to general elections.
During that time Kenya had been ranked by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund as the 24th poorest country in the world a gross national product per capita of $370 per year-down from the$400 plus attained by the end of the eighties.
The average annual growth rate per capita had therefore been either zero or negative for the eighties. By the year 2000 Kenyan economy was rated negative 0.3 percent according to East African Standard, June 8, 20001.
This was the lowest ever recorded since the collapse of the shilling in 1993 in the wake of the Goldenberg scandal and paper money and the crisis of the 1990's-instead of answering the question but why the play was banned.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole
Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002
Kenya: Better the Devil you know than an Angel you don’t know. Better Uhuru Kenyatta Kamwana than military rule!
By Gordon Teti
Of course I still believe that there were serious discrepancies in the conduct of the presidential elections and that Uhuru Kenyatta was not validly elected president of Kenya on March 4, 2013. I still stand by my position that the elections were not free, fair and credible.
We, CORD coalition, took our petition to the Supreme Court challenging the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta by the IEBC as the president-elect, as required by the Constitution, and the Judges in their wisdom or lack thereof, on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 5 pm made a unanimous decision confirming Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect. What do we do from here going forward to ensure that Kenya remains a Constitutional Republic? What do we do as a country to maintain Constitutionalism?
Kenyans, it is better the devil you know than an angel you don't know so they say. It is better Uhuru Kenyatta Kamwana than military rule. Seeing the military top brass salute Uhuru Kenyatta in his private house weeks before Uhuru Kenyatta is sworn in office as the Commnader-In-Chief was a warning of sorts to Kenyans. It is either Uhuru Kenyatta or the military will take over.
I still believe that this was the message to Kenyans by the military. In 2000 Presidential elections in the United States of America, the Democratic candidate Al Gore won the elections but was not declared the winner. He took his case to the Supreme Court to Petition the declaration of George W Bush as president-elect. Al Gore, although was extremely disappointed by the Court's decision that confirmed George W Bush as president-elect, he accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court.
The same is true with Raila Odinga who filed a petition challenging the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect. To so many of us, Raila Odinga was elected as president on March 4, 2013 but the IEBC declared Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect. Raila Odinga moved to the Supreme Court as required by the Constitution of Kenya and filed a petition challenging the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta by the IEBC as president-elect.
The Supreme Court Judges delivered their verdict on Saturday, March 30, 2013 confirming Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect. Although Raila Odinga did not agree with the decision made by the Supreme Court Judges, as a strong believer in the rule of law and Constitutionalism, he accepted the Court's decision as a matter of principle, and asked his supporters, Gordon Teti being one of the supporters, to move on. Please, nothing lasts forever! Although many of us, CORD coalition supporters, are still hurting, let's accept the reality that Uhuru Kenyatta Kamwana is the in-coming president of the Republic of Kenya.
For the sake of Constitutionalism and the rule of law let's not give the military an excuse to take over power for this has been the game plan. Better the devil you know than an angel you don't know. Better Uhuru Kenyatta Kamwana than military rule! God Bless Kenya and Kenyan people!
EAST AFRICA LAWYERS CONDEMN KISUMU KILINGS
By Agwanda Saye
Lawyers from East Africa have accused police officers of shooting to kill demonstrators in Kisumu over the weekend.
They called for prosecution of the trigger happy police officers towards bringing to an end perpetual shooting of demonstrators using live bullets.
The East Africa Law Society President James Mwamu said firing of live bullets when quelling down demonstrations at the lakeside city must stop.
“We demand an explanation from the police force as the officers seemed to have been given orders not only to shoot but shoot and kill,” Mwamu said.
Mwamu said that several of the civilans who are nursing gunshot wounds at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Provincial Hospital were shot while running away.
“It seems that it is has become a rule in the police force that every time there is demonstration in Kisumu live bullets must be used,” Mwamu said.
The EALS President said that the security officers have in the past five years shot to kill protestors at the lakeside city.
Mwamu was reacting to media reports following demonstrations that rocked parts of Kisumu after the Supreme Court upheld the Presidential election of Uhuru Kenyatta.
Gun shots were heard up to almost midnight as armed police officers dispersed youth from Kondele and chased them to areas such as Nyawita, Obunga and Nyalenda.
“The Constitutional right to life must not be taken for granted and can only be taken away legally,” Mwamu said.
Article 26 of the Constitution provides that every person has the right to life and shall not be deprived of life intentionally except when authorized by the Supreme Law.
“We strongly condemn the shootings in Kisumu that led to the death of two civilians and injuring several others on Saturday evening,” Mwamu said.
The EALS President said that the police must up hold the rule of law arguing that use of excessive force must stop under the new Constitutional dispensation.
Ends…..
For the love of Kenya Raila Amolo Odinga has done it again
By Gordon Teti
It is not a secret that Kibaki handed over power to the military immediately Uhuru Kenyatta was rigged as the president-elect. It is not a secret that the military went to Uhuru Kenyatta's home and saluted him. That salute by the head of the military was symbolic. By saluting Uhuru Kenyatta at his private home in front of camera, the military told Kenyans and the world that it would be either Uhuru Kenyatta or the military that will the wield the reigns of power after Kibaki.
After Kibaki handed-over power to the military, the Judges of the Supreme court had to decide between military rule and that of Uhuru Kenyatta. The Judges had to decide between the lesser of the two evils and they opted for Uhuru Kenyatta instead of military rule as a lesser evil.
Kenyans will one day remember how Raila Amolo Odinga has sacrificed alot for a better and more democratic Kenya. By Raila Odinga accepting the decision of the court, he once again as he did in 2007, sacrificed his electoral victory for the sake of Kenyans and Kenya. God will bless Raila Amolo Odinga for his love for the country rather than for self.
Confronting China: US Boosts Military Presence in Africa
From: Yona Maro
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By Andrei Akulov
President Obama has instructed the Defense Establishment to pivot its forces and reorient its efforts toward Asia. Instead, the U.S. armed forces step by step get drawn into the quagmire of messy conflicts in Africa. Recently, the United States has become embroiled in conflicts in Somalia, Libya, Mali and central Africa. The presence is about 5,000 U.S. troops strong. The forces are scattered across the continent in the places like Djibouti, the Central African Republic and now – Niger.
The official reason is fighting al – Qaeda affiliates and other extremists. In a written statement provided to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Army General David M. Rodriguez, who is expected to become the next commander of the Africa Command (AFRICOM), estimated that the military needs to increase its intelligence-gathering missions in Africa by nearly 15-fold. «I believe additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities are necessary to protect American interests and assist our close allies and partners», the General wrote in the statement, which during his confirmation hearing in Congress. «The recent crises in North Africa demonstrate the volatility of the African security environment», Rodriguez is cited by the Washington Post (1).According to the newspaper, «Rodriguez said the Africa Command needs additional drones, other surveillance aircraft and more satellite imagery adding that it currently receives only half of its «stated need» for North Africa and only 7 percent of its total «requirements» for the entire continent».
When AFRICOM was created there were no plans to establish bases or have boots on the ground. In reality a network of small staging bases gradually comes into existence along with a forward base for special operations forces in Kenya. The US Congress has criticized the administration for not being able to rapidly respond to the September 2012 attacks on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, when the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans lost their lives. Since then, the Defense Department has intensified the steps to boost military capabilities to react on short notice in case there is a contingency in Africa. «That is a fight we have a dog in», Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said during a Jan. 24 2013 taping of «This Week in Defense News».
AFRICOM – military tool of US expansion in Africa
The Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Initiative (TSCTI) was begun by the Pentagon in 2005 to strengthen US presence in Africa. Mali, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger were now joined by Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, and Tunisia in a ring of military cooperation with the Pentagon. The Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Initiative was transferred to the command of AFRICOM.
On 1 October 2008, AFRICOM was separated from USEUCOM and began operating on its own as a full-fledged Unified Combatant Command headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U.S. military operations and military relations with 53 African nations – an area of responsibility (AOR) covering all of Africa except Egypt (the responsibility of Central Command). The command has defense attaché offices in 38 African nations, as well as numerous subordinate commands located in Germany, Italy and the Horn of Africa. The Sixth fleet is responsible for providing naval forces in case of contingency. The Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa is ready for emergency actions. AFRICOM numbers around 2,000 assigned personnel, which includes military, civilian, contractor, and host nation employees. About 1,500 work at the command’s main headquarters. Others are assigned to the command’s units in England and Florida along with security cooperation officers posted at U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions in Africa to coordinate Defense Department programs within the host nation. AFRICOM has limited assigned forces and relies on the Department of Defense for resources necessary to support its missions.
The command defines its mission as follows:
“Africa Command has administrative responsibility for US military support to US government policy in Africa, to include military-to-military relationships with 53 African nations». Speaking to the International Peace Operations Association in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 27, 2008 General Kip Ward, then Commander of AFRICOM defined the command’s mission as, «in concert with other US government agencies and international partners, to conduct sustained security engagements through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities, and other military operations as directed to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of US foreign policy.”
Dr. J. Peter Pham, a leading Washington insider and an advisor of the US State and Defense Departments, states that one AFRICOM prime objectives is «protecting access to hydrocarbons and other strategic resources which Africa has in abundance … a task which includes ensuring against the vulnerability of those natural riches and ensuring that no other interested third parties, such as China, India, Japan, or Russia, obtain monopolies or preferential treatment».
Military activities
While joint military exercises between the US and South Korea hit the radar screen of global media this March, there have been two major military operations conducted by the US armed forces with the participation of the UK, France, Canada and several African states. The drills are an element of annual maneuvers targeted against terrorism in Africa.
In February Exercise Obangame Express 2013, an at-sea naval exercise focused on counter-piracy and maritime security operations, was conducted in the Gulf of Guinea. The event brought together African, European and Atlantic partner maritime services to work together, share information and hone skills to better monitor and enforce their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The exercise included a wide variety of training for all participating forces including at-sea ship boarding and queries, air operations, communication drills and regional information sharing. Participating countries were Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Netherlands, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Spain, Togo and the United States.
In March AFRICOM conducted Operation Flintlock, an annual exercise that has been conducted since 2005. This time it involved over 1,100 troops from twenty African, European and North American countries honing their skills in Mauritania (the village of Weizen).
Another military exercise led by the command in March was the Saharan Express 2013. The mission was to enhance maritime interaction between the US, European and African states. It involved naval forces from the U.S., France, Britain, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mauritania and Morocco. The project featured numerous training drills including ship boarding, air operations, medical familiarization, communications and regional information sharing. The training event has been organized annually since 2011. It is one of four African regional maritime exercises taking place within the framework of the «African Partnership Station (APS)», a global maritime initiative developed by the US to boost cooperation with of the armed forces of African states.
Last December the US Stars and Stripes newspaper reported on plans to create an AFRICOM rapid reaction force (2).
Speaking at George Washington University, AFRICOM commander General Carter Ham said his command is now outfitted with a new capability. «With regard to a response force, when the command was initially formed there was a sharing arrangement with what’s called the Commander’s in-Extremis Force with European Command. That was a good relationship that up until the 1st of October of this year was a shared arrangement», Ham said. «And now we have our own». The force will be permanently stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado, home to the 10th Special Forces Group. According to the Stars and Stripes, AFRICOM declined to comment further about the placement of its elite Special Forces team, whose movements are generally shrouded in secrecy. Jim Gavrilis, a security consultant, said, given the U.S. military’s small footprint in Africa, it is likely that the rapid response force will deploy on rotational missions.
On March 6 Gen. Carter Ham told a Senate Committee «A new Africa-focused Marine crisis response unit could soon be in place as part of a broader effort to beef up Africa Command’s ability to confront emerging terrorism threats on the continent». AFRICOM is also looking to place other special operation forces in three strategic locations in southern Europe and West Africa to bolster the command’s response capabilities, according to Ham. The General pointed out that AFRICOM’s response capacity is gradually improving. In October, AFRICOM received its own Commander’s in-Extremis Force, which is comprised of Green Berets from the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group that maintains a forward presence in Europe along with the unit, headquartered in Fort Carson, Colorado (3).
In January The United States dispatched about 100 military trainers to six nations that will contribute troops to a pan-African force being prepared for deployment to Mali. The training mission in Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo and Ghana is the largest U.S. involvement to date in preparations for the African force, which is being assembled by the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. The United States also has promised to help fly equipment and troops for the force into Mali. That effort may involve U.S. aircraft but could also be done with Nigerian, South African or outside commercial aircraft paid for by the United States.
On Jan 28, 2013 the US signed a Status-of-Forces (SOFA) Agreement with Niger. The U.S. already has twenty-four such agreements with other African states. The U.S. Army, for instance, is launching a pilot program to deploy small Army elements to about 30 places in Africa to conduct partner-building missions and support American embassy outreach activities(4). On January 28, 2013 the government of Niger made public its consent to allow the deployment of US drone base on its territory. The facility is located in Agadez province bordering Mali, Algiers and Libya. President Obama announced the base was operational on February 21. The force is added to the US drones unit deployed in Djibouti. Mr. Obama said the 100 strong contingent armed for self-protection would support the French-led operation in neighboring Mali. Interestingly, this move comes just one month after the U.S. agreed to fly French troops and supplies into the country. According to the New York Times, «The new drone base will join a constellation of small airstrips in recent years on the continent, including one in Ethiopia, for surveillance missions flown by drones or turboprop planes designed to look like civilian aircraft». (5) The Pentagon has also expanded operations and construction at the only permanent U.S. base on the continent, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, which serves as a hub for counterterrorism missions in Somalia and Yemen.
China in Africa
It’s an open secret AFRICOM was created to counter the growing presence of China in Africa. The Chinese African performance is a story of success. China’s dynamic economy has great need for oil and other natural resources to sustain it. The country currently imports approximately 2.6 million barrels of crude per day, or about half of its total consumption. Approximately a third of its imports come from African states.
China secures long-term economic agreements for raw materials from Africa in exchange for Chinese aid and production sharing agreements and royalties. In comparison with IMF-dictated austerity measures, China offers large credits, soft loans to build roads and schools, something greatly appreciated by African countries.
In terms of development lending, as opposed to conditional lending by the World Bank, Chinese aid is rendered with no strings attached and usually spent on infrastructure projects that raise grass roots living standards. The most frequently cited example is Sinopec, a China’s state oil company. It has acquired oil concessions in Angola and is rebuilding the country’s transport infrastructure, hospitals and state buildings. China is viewed by African countries as a more attractive economic partner, compared to what the West has to offer.
Just a few months before the US decision to establish AFRICOM, China hosted an historic Beijing summit, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which brought nearly fifty African heads of state and ministers to Beijing in October 2006. In 2008 then Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a three-year, $3 billion program in preferential loans and expanded aid for the African continent. The funds came on top of the $3 billion in loans and $2 billion in export credits announced by the Chinese government earlier. In the ensuing four years China’s trade with Africa reached $166 billion in 2011, according to Chinese statistics. African exports to China rose to $93 billion from $5.6 billion over the past decade. In July 2012 China offered African countries $20 billion in loans over the next three years, double the amount pledged in the previous three-year period…
The trend is clear – Africa is becoming a theater for strategic competition between the United States and China, as both countries seek to expand their clout and secure access to resources.
Stiff competition for strategic resources like oil, gas, uranium, gold or iron is the specific feature of the situation in Africa. It’s not only about fighting extremists. The mission of AFRICOM is to push China and other rivals, like Russia, for instance, out of the continent or at least to cripple their access to the resources. The war on terror is a good disguise.
Talking about the Mali and other flashpoints. These are the follow-ups of the recent mistakes. In a television interview last month, Mr. Lavrov said, «France is fighting against those in Mali whom it had once armed in Libya against Qaddafi».
Russia has pointed repeatedly that the ongoing unrest in North Africa testifies to the fact that the Western-supported Arab Spring has created turmoil and instability, the breeding grounds for terrorists. The US and NATO went beyond the UN resolution 1973 in Libya against Russia’s and China’s warnings not to do so. The NATO’s intervention spurred a domino-like effect across Africa’s Sahel region. Now we all face the implications. While supporting the efforts to combat terrorism in Africa, Russia has simultaneously criticized Western nations, including the USA and France, for arming the opposition in Libya. Now military skills and weapons spread across the region. The US presence in Niger may provoke further entanglement in case the facility is attacked, for instance. Like the very presence of Iraqi troops provoked attacks against the servicemen.
Military force, even when used for peacekeeping missions solely, is not the only thing the region needs. On March 1 Russia also announced the beginning of its involvement in the conflict by delivering 36 tons of aid to the country, including canned food, 45 tents, 2,000 blankets, cereals, and rice. Russia’s action comes just one day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the U.N. Special Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi about the ongoing conflict in Mali. It is expected the situation in Africa will be addressed during the BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa 26 – 27 March 2013. There is a hope the members will discuss the situation in wide perspective, perhaps coming up with proposals to positively tackle the issue of Africa’s instability.
Notes
(1) http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-14/world/37100512_1_africa-command-djibouti-west-africa
(2) http://www.stripes.com/news/africom-announces-it-will-have-rapid-reaction-force-1.201162
(3) http://www.stripes.com/news/more-crisis-response-headed-to-africom-amid-terrorism-concerns-1.210891
(4) http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130130/DEFREG04/301300017/Pentagon-Increases-Focus-AFRICOM
(5)http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/world/africa/in-niger-us-troops-set-up-drone-base.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0