Category Archives: Political Assassination

KENYA: ODM GOON TURNS TO SERIAL KILLER

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By Our Reporter

RESIDENTS of Kisumu East district have called on the area district security committee to crack down on an ODM goon who has now transformed himself into a serial killer in the area.

The residents who mostly reside in various parts of Kolwa say that the goon wears a Legio Maria sect catena at night while in the course of his reign of terror.

The terrified residents says that the goon whose name has been released wears the catena at night while caring an iron bar which he uses to silence members of the public. Many residents of Nyalenda where the hit man operates have called on the government to arrest the man who is a standard three drop out before he causes further harm to innocent members of the public.

He recently went underground after leading a vicious attack against supporters of Kisumu central aspirant Abdul Omar where CORD effect official John Kiarie was also manhandled. Supporters of Omar such as Martin Shikuku sustained deep cuts on the head following the ugly incident.

Kisumu police Chief Musa Kongoli promised to take stern action against the man.

Fearful members of the public say that the man who is a standard three drop out is out to harm everyone in sight once he is gripped by a strange spell of fits. Four people have been injured as a result of the attacks using an iron bar.

He normally hangs around Alfa house in the morning before teeming up with politicians and aspirants whom he extorts money from with menaces. Many leaders who have known his activities take cover once they spot him at various Hotels in Kisumu town.

ENDS.

MUTUNGA’S DEATH THREATS BY MUNGIKI IS NOTHING NEW IN KENYAN POLITICS

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga’s death threat by outlawed sect Mungiki is not something new in Kenyan politics. In April 2012 Parliamentarian Gitobu Imanyara shocked parliament when he claimed his life was in danger after a midnight encounter with presidential aspirant Uhuru Kenyatta goons who forced him to kneel on tarmac road and pray facing Mt Kenya.

To spare his life the goons ordered him to recite “Uhuru tuko Pamoja” (Uhuru we are together), which is the aspirant’s presidential campaign slogan, three times as he knelt on the road with his hands raised. The incident took place along State House Crescent and Members of Parliament said such attack in the neighbourhood of State House raised serious security issues.

Imanyara told Parliament that he was driving home at about 11.30 pm when he spotted a white saloon car that appeared to have stalled along State House Crescent and he slowed down to check if he could be of any help to its occupants. Immediately he stopped, four men brandishing knives pounced on his vehicle.

Imanyara was asked not to attend a political rally called by politicians to counter an earlier Gema meeting, which endorsed Uhuru as their presidential candidate, planned for that day. Beheading people and placing heads in strategic places has been the outlawed Mungiki trade mark.

The Imenti Central MP was warned not to take Prime Minister Raila Odinga to Meru and keep off anti- Uhuru campaigns along with other central Kenya politicians he said were the subject of discussion by Gema leaders in a recent meeting at the late Njenga Karume’s Landmark Hotel in Nairobi.

It is the same venue assistant minister Nguiyai told the International Criminal Court (ICC), during the confirmation hearing of the case against Uhuru that he used to meet with Mungiki members during 2008 post election crisis. Click here for more information-DAILY POST: REVEALED: Uhuru, Njenga and Thuo: The Mungiki

In March 2009, two activists from the Oscar Foundation Free Legal Aid Clinic Kenya, a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO), Executive Director Mr Kamau King’ara and the Foundation’s Programmes Co-coordinator Mr Paul Oulu were shot dead along State House.

The Oscar Foundation had been active in highlighting the issue of extrajudicial killings of suspected sect members according to Washington Post 7 Mar. 2009; BBC 6 Mar. 2009; and US 25 Feb. 2009, Sec. 1a.

The killings occurred within hours of a government spokesperson Dr Alfred Mutua calling the Foundation a “front” for the Mungiki sect (Washington Post 7 Mar. 2009; Welt Online 6 Mar. 2009; Times Online 7 Mar. 2009). Dr Alfred Mutua accused the Oscar Foundation of fundraising abroad to support Mungiki activities locally.

Mutunga received death threats two days before a ruling on petitions seeking to block Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto from the March 4 election. He received a poison-pen letter from a group claiming to be the outlawed Mungiki sect.

It warned against a ruling locking the two leaders from the presidential race over the charges they face at the International Criminal Court. The CJ said the letter, dated February 13, was signed from the ‘Mungiki Veteran Group/ Kenya Sovereignty Defence Squad’.

The Mungiki wanted the ruling to be in favour of Uhuru and Ruto which a High Court ruling, delivered on February 15, throwing out four petitions challenging the suitability of Uhuru and Ruto for public office.

Mutunga also said he had been subjected to an embarrassing situation at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when an immigration officer temporarily blocked him from travelling to Tanzania. Immigration officer claimed he had received orders from Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia to block Mutunga from travelling.

In his statement, Mutunga said a poison-pen letter was delivered at his office February 18, by a group calling itself Mungiki Veterans Group/Kenya Sovereignty Defence Squad, making threats against Judges, ambassadors and himself.

Mungiki has shifted political alliances a number of times, they have been accused of random and brutal attacks on political and business opponents, playing the role as clients in previous elections.

According to ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the slain Mungiki officials were instrumental in the sects’ participation in the violence that rocked the country after the bungled 2007 presidential polls.

She revealed when she visited Kenya recently that the witnesses believe the killings and forced disappearances was part of a post-election violence “clean-up” conducted by State agents to conceal the involvement of the accused and other senior officials.

“Several senior Mungiki members disappeared or were murdered by suspected members of the Kenyan security apparatus in the immediate aftermath of the PEV. These individuals had direct knowledge of the accused contributions to the crimes charged,” Bensouda said.

Bensouda, who made an extensive tour of the country, had complained that some key witnesses have been intimidated, compromised, or threatened with death and execution.

Historically Kenya has been in threats and violence whenever certain communities felt that their powers were under threats. When Kenya became the Republic of Kenya in December 12, 1964, and Jomo Kenyatta became President.

Many Kikuyu elites believed that they had suffered the most during the colonial period and therefore they should benefit the most from independence. Tom Mboya, the Luo-Suba secretary-general of KANU was assassinated in 1969 when Kenyatta inner circle gurus expected he could succeed Kenyatta as the president.

In order to stick to power President Kenyatta banned the Kenya Party Union (KPU) of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and detained its leaders. The idea was to make Kenya a de facto one-party state. Many Kenyans considered Kenyatta’s repressive response as a means of consolidating the power of the KANU and the Kikuyu.

Several Kikuyu political leaders were associated with a tribal organization called the Gikuyu/Kikuyu, Embu, Meru Association (GEMA) which was aiming to keep Kikuyu political hegemony.

Despite the country’s independence, land claims of communal pastoral groups such as the Maasai and Kalenjin who were evicted from the Rift Valley area during the colonial period were not accommodated in his government.

GEMA went as far as trying to introduce a constitutional amendment to prevent non-Kikuyu Vice President Moi from succeeding Kenyatta but failed because they did not get the majority support from other ethnic communities.

When Daniel arap Moi eventually became the president he chose Mwai Kibaki (a Kikuyu) as Vice President to get attraction support from some Kikuyus, with the aim to stick to power just as Kenyatta did for 15 years.

Moi’s problem began shortly he disproportionately appointing Kalenjin to positions of power in his regime and by granting economic advantages to the Kalenjin. This led to formation of vigilante groups known as Mwakenya to work for his downfall.

Like Kenyatta, Moi’s government assassinated Dr Robert Ouko, a former foreign minister who had criticized his regime. Kalenjin elites feared Ouko would succeed Moi, so the assassination.

The Kalenjin Assistant Minister Kipkalia Kones declared Kericho District a KANU zone and stated that the Kalenjin youth in the area had declared war on the Luo community in retaliation for several Kalenjins killed in earlier violence.

In the Chemichimi (the Bungoma District), the Kalenjin attacked the Luhya community. The brutal attack against non-Kalenjin ethnic groups caused retaliatory attacks against Kalenjins in many areas.

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: “Who Killed Dr.John Robert Ouko” John Troon report connects Kisumu Molasses Project.

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From: Baraza La Taifa

The Honorable Minister Dr. John Robert Ouko (31 March 1931. 13 February 1990), commonly known as Robert Ouko, was a Kenyan politician who served as Minister of Kenya from 1979 to 1983 and from 1988 to 1990. Robert Ouko served in the government of Kenya from the colonial period through the presidencies of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi. He was a member of the National Assembly for Kisumu and a cabinet minister, rising to the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation by 1990. He was murdered in Kenya on February 13, 1990. The murder case, perhaps the most intriguing in Kenyan history, remains unsolved.A report presented in parliament in 2010 states that the murder was carried out in one of then President Daniel arap Moi’s official residences.

Follow detailed investigations.
http://barazalataifa.blogspot.com/2013/02/who-killed-drjrobert-ouko-why-kisumu.html

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Join Patrick Kamotho Githinji Contesting for Nairobi Central Ward Representative on NARC party.

Patrick Kamotho.
Pan Africa Fellow.National Coordinator Baraza La Taifa

Kindly (Asap) have a concious, fruitful environmental freindly day.

Patrick Kamotho.
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Interim Co-ordinator East Africa Alliance of Inhabitants.
“When injustice becomes law, resistance become duty”.Ernesto Che Guavara.

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KENYA: KISUMU ROCKED BY VIOLENT PROTESTS OVER KILLING OF ODM POLITICIAN.

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By Dickens Wasonga,

Relative calm has returned to Kisumu City after two days of violent riots by angry protesters who trooped to the streets demonstrating against the killing of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party chairman Shem Onyango Kwega by armed assailants on Monday.

But even as uneasy calm was restored, Raila Odinga’s ODM party which still enjoys huge following in the country was calling on the government to conclusively investigate the motive of the killings and immediately bring to book those who are suspected to have gunned down Kwega, who was a prominent businessman and an influential Nyanza politician.

The party’s Secretary General Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyongo’ while addressing a press conference in Nairobi after the Monday incident described the slain politician as a hard working official whose invaluable contributions as the ODM chairman for Kisumu Town West constituency will be greatly missed.

The Monday morning shooting sparked off violent protests throughout the town paralyzing business and transport activities as his supporters and angry residents stormed Kisumu Central police division demanding immediate transfer of police chiefs in the City accusing them of laxity.

However the two day protests ended tragically with three people amongst them two women being burnt to death. The deceased persons reportedly sheltered at the shop to escape the wrath of anti riot policemen who descended on the demonstrators with batons and lobbying teargas canisters to quell the violent riots.

The fire at the shop which left the three dead was said to have been started by the police teargas but the authorities were quick to dismiss this assertion claiming it could have been as a result of an electrical fault.

Several people believed to have been shot by the police during the riots were said to be receiving treatment in various hospitals within the town where they were admitted.

The slain politician and his wife Rose Onyango were accosted by two gun men in their youths who blocked their car just moments after a breakfast meeting at a Kisumu hotel along Nyerere road at around 10 am.

The daring gangsters used a motorbike to lay the ambush but later took off in an escape car which they hijacked from a nearby car wash after the attack.

According to the police, Kwega was fatally shot twice on the head from close range and another bullet fired by his attackers pierced through his chest. His wife was also shot in the chest while trying to shield her husband and is currently fighting for her life at Aga khan hospital in Kisumu.

While those protesting the killing termed it an assassination, the police has dismissed the theory claiming it was purely a criminal attack.

Nyanza police boss Joseph Oletito yesterday dispelled the rumors of a possible assassination attack saying the two gangsters made away with sh 1.2 million from the victims.

He said the police were pursuing the assailants and promised that soon they would be arrested . But new wave of attacks and violent crime has left every Kisumu resident worried stiff.

In a span of less than a month, over five people have reportedly been killed by armed criminals who appears to have taken over control of the city literally with most people wondering whether the police are overwhelmed.

A security guard was found dead at the Kisumu’s SDA Victory church last week. The police said an estimated sh 200,000 offertory and other church valuables was stolen.

The same day , a pupil was found murdered and a headless body dumped at one of the estates in the City a few meters away from the church where the guard was killed in cold blood.

Reports of yet another chilling attack was made in the City when a top HIV and AIDS researcher at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) was hacked to death as he tried to gain access to his Tom Mboya residence.

And Kisumu continued to record deaths occasioned by criminals when a director of a security firm was reportedly waylaid and killed last night near Uzima University College.

It is shocking that despite the increased attacks by armed criminals, the police who appears to have been caught napping are yet to nab any of the suspects reigning terror on the lives of innocent tax payers of the beautiful lake side City.

END.

Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch, left and former area MP Rev Ken Nyagudi address the protesters outside ODM party office in Kisumu yesterday.

KENYA: HARD TALK ON A TWO HORSE RACE TO STATE HOUSE

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From: People For Peace
Voices of Justice for Peace
Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

The fact that elections in Kenya are held along ethnic and regional lines, it will be too early to jump into conclusions that by National Alliance (TNA) winning two of the three parliamentary seats in Monday’s by-elections as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) retained Ndhiwa in a landslide win Uhuru may win 2013 presidential election.

[image]Uhuru and Raila in previous function/ File photo

There was no doubt that Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA would win the Kangema and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party would win Ndhiwa. It was also obvious that Kenyatta’s TNA would win Kajiado North because TNA is just PNU reloaded.

In Kangema, TNA’s Tiras Ngahu had 13,762 votes ahead of United Democratic Forum’s Simon Mwangi with 2,981 and Saba Saba Asili’s Muturi Kigano with 2,801, after results from all the 47 polling stations were announced.

In Kajiado North Mr Moses ole Sakuda of TNA led with 25,569 votes followed by Mr Peter ole Mositet of ODM with 13,519 votes. PNU’s Antony Keen was third with 2,048 votes.

In Ndhiwa, ODM’s Agustino Neto led with 21,565 votes followed by Kanu’s Tom Onyango with 2,291 votes. TNA’s Rosemary Rumo won with 216 votes. Deputy Prime Minsiter Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF party did not win any of the seats, including civic.

Kajiado North remained vacant following the death of Professor George Saitoti after a horrific police helicopter crash on Sunday 10th June in Kibiku forest in Ngong. He perished together with his internal security minister Orwa Ojode and four others who include two pilots and two bodyguards.

The media’s favourite political analyst, Mutahi Ngunyi, sensationally claimed that Prof. George Saitoti might have been assassinated. Mutahi was speaking on Jeff Koinange’s Capital Talk in June. The famous political analyst said that assassination was number one on the list of what might have killed the internal security minister, his deputy, their bodyguards and two pilots.

Mutahi said that succession politics in Kenya have always attracted political assassinations, pointing out the assassinations of Tom Mboya and JM Kariuki and claimed that Saitoti’s death might have been similar to the two only that it was well executed. He added that Orwa Ojode was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ruling out political mileage as a reason for assassinating the professor, Mutahi took on drug barons. He said that the drug barons may have been unhappy with Saitoti and the way he refused to bend to their knees- Source: Nairobi Wire.

[image]Mutahi Ngunyi during Capital Talk with K24 host Jeff Koinange-June 16, 2012. He claimed Saitoti was assassinated/ File

Even though opinion polls have all the times put Raila as the frontrunner to be the 4th president of Kenya, this is not going to be an easy task for him either. Uhuru is a very rich man and can easily use his resources to win his way to State House.

On the other hand, Raila is preferred by the vast majority of Kenyan people because they see him as a reformer who has continuously propagated for democracy and good governance. He did not only dare Moi when no one could open his mouth but was also once accused of contemplating to overthrow his government which resulted in him being sent to jail for years.

He is also liked because he was very instrumental in bringing to an end the KANU government which Kenyans have suffered under for decades and his force behind the election of kibaki and NARC government into power in 2002 when he declared the famous kibaki tosha slogan.

He is also seen as the man behind the passing of the new constitution which promises many good things for the ordinary Kenyans, especially now that some of its effect can be seen on a mere security guard getting her right and prominent government officials can be put into jail over corruption.

According to poll opinion, it is only Raila’s ODM party which has more national outlook as compared to other political parties. Opinion polls have many times indicated the orange party to be the most popular political party in Kenya and this is a massive boast for Raila’s presidential bid.

Other Kenyans will sympathize with him for his “stolen” victory in 2007. Many Kenyans and particularly Mr. Odinga’s supporters widely believe that he was robbed of victory in 2007, having won the most votes in 6 out of the 8 provinces in Kenya.

Asked why she defended Mwai Kibaki even when it became very clear that he stole the votes from Raila, presidential aspirant, Martha Karua said that just like Raila was defended by those of James Orengo and the ODM pentagon, as an agent of Kibaki she had all the rights to defend him.

[image]Presidential aspirant Martha Karua second right during Cheche Live-June 19, 2012/ caption by Fr Omolo Joachim, AJ-courtesy Citizen TV

Karua who was answering questions during Citizen TV Cheche Live some few minutes a go said if Raila’s votes were stolen then he would have gone to court to refute the claim. Raila refused to go to court because at that time the court was in favour of Kibaki.

Mr Odinga and his supporters were of the view that he had won squarely and fairly and that the government had colluded with the Samuel Kivuitu led defunct electoral commission of Kenya (ECK) to manipulate and rig the elections in favour of the incumbent; Mwai Kibaki.

On the other hand, those who sympathize with Uhuru cannot vote for Raila because they believe he is the one who conspired that he goes to The Hague. Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are facing crimes against humanity charges at The Hague based international criminal court (ICC) in the Netherlands.

They are accused of committing the crimes during the violence that followed the disputed presidential election of 2007. Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto claim that Raila has engineered their prosecution and tribulations facing them.

Against the background that Ruto and Uhuru have since formed an alliance dubbed G7 bringing together many politicians to ensure Raila does not make it to State House. Some of the political alliances which have come together in support of Uhuru include the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) party, led by Minister Kiraitu Murungi, the Party of National Unity (PNU), Grand National Union (GNU) and Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), as well as his own party, The National Alliance (TNA).

The coalition agreement at the Nairobi’s Norfolk Hotel on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 was signed by Kenyatta for TNA, Minister Amos Kimunya (PNU), Kiraitu (APK) and Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri of GNU.

The ceremony was also attended by Finance Minister Robinson Njeru Githae, APK chairman Titus Imbui and GEMA’s Dr. Stephen Karau. They resolved and agreed to support the presidential candidature of Uhuru Kenyatta. They also mandated and empowered Uhuru Kenyatta to enter into negotiations with like-minded parties to ensure that the coalition wins the forthcoming General Election.

Apart from GEMA circle, other parties that have shown the interest in Uhuru’s support include Party of Action (POA’s) Raphael Tuju, Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM’s) Kalonzo Musyoka, United Republican Party (URP’s) William Ruto and New Ford Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa.

Apart from political parties, there are some individuals who political analysts claime to have been hired to work for the downfall of Raila. They include Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, former Raila’s advisor, Miguna Miguna and Tony Gachoka.

In his memorandum regarding information of the ICC trials, Gachoka who claims to be a Kenyan Investigative Media Personality of over 20 years standing said that between the years 2008-2009 he was the Chief of Protocol in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, the Rt. Honourable Eng. Raila Amollo Odinga, having been a political aide of his since 2005.

His duties included running the diary of the Prime Minister for all local and international meetings as well as sitting in on those meetings. During his time working for the Prime Minister, he claims that certain information relevant to the ongoing International Criminal Court trials regarding the Kenya Situation (2007-2008) came into his knowledge.

This information, which he said he can support with documentary evidence in his possession, touches on some of the evidence adduced before the Court and which has been relied on by the office of the Chief Prosecutor.

There are also some political analysts who believe that Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent historic visit to Nyanza could open a new window for power sharing deals between the Luo and the Kikuyu, the claim which Raila’s supporters may not buy.

Uhuru was quoted to have said: “With what I saw in Nyanza, it is evident that things have changed greatly and anything, including possible power sharing deals between Uhuru and Raila is now possible”.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
People for Peace in Africa
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com

Peaceful world is the greatest heritage
That this generation can give to the generations
To come- All of us have a role.

SOMALIA: KILLING OF JOURNALIST CONDEMNED

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Sent by Agwanda Saye

Young journalist murdered in Mogadishu
Posted by: africanpressorganization | 17 September 2012

MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ – The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemned sustained deadly violence against journalists following the killing of young journalist in Mogadishu.
[ . . . ]

http://appablog.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/young-journalist-murdered-in-mogadishu/

USA & Libya: Remarks on the Deaths of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya

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From: Yona Maro
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Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room

Washington, DC

September 12, 2012

Yesterday, our U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya was attacked. Heavily armed militants assaulted the compound and set fire to our buildings. American and Libyan security personnel battled the attackers together. Four Americans were killed. They included Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information management officer, and our Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. We are still making next of kin notifications for the other two individuals.
This is an attack that should shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world. We condemn in the strongest terms this senseless act of violence, and we send our prayers to the families, friends, and colleagues of those we’ve lost.

All over the world, every day, America’s diplomats and development experts risk their lives in the service of our country and our values, because they believe that the United States must be a force for peace and progress in the world, that these aspirations are worth striving and sacrificing for. Alongside our men and women in uniform, they represent the best traditions of a bold and generous nation.

In the lobby of this building, the State Department, the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty are inscribed in marble. Our hearts break over each one. And now, because of this tragedy, we have new heroes to honor and more friends to mourn.

Chris Stevens fell in love with the Middle East as a young Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Morocco. He joined the Foreign Service, learned languages, won friends for America in distant places, and made other people’s hopes his own.

In the early days of the Libyan revolution, I asked Chris to be our envoy to the rebel opposition. He arrived on a cargo ship in the port of Benghazi and began building our relationships with Libya’s revolutionaries. He risked his life to stop a tyrant, then gave his life trying to help build a better Libya. The world needs more Chris Stevenses. I spoke with his sister, Ann, this morning, and told her that he will be remembered as a hero by many nations.

Sean Smith was an Air Force veteran. He spent 10 years as an information management officer in the State Department, he was posted at The Hague, and was in Libya on a brief temporary assignment. He was a husband to his wife Heather, with whom I spoke this morning. He was a father to two young children, Samantha and Nathan. They will grow up being proud of the service their father gave to our country, service that took him from Pretoria to Baghdad, and finally to Benghazi.

The mission that drew Chris and Sean and their colleagues to Libya is both noble and necessary, and we and the people of Libya honor their memory by carrying it forward. This is not easy. Today, many Americans are asking – indeed, I asked myself – how could this happen? How could this happen in a country we helped liberate, in a city we helped save from destruction? This question reflects just how complicated and, at times, how confounding the world can be.

But we must be clear-eyed, even in our grief. This was an attack by a small and savage group – not the people or Government of Libya. Everywhere Chris and his team went in Libya, in a country scarred by war and tyranny, they were hailed as friends and partners. And when the attack came yesterday, Libyans stood and fought to defend our post. Some were wounded. Libyans carried Chris’ body to the hospital, and they helped rescue and lead other Americans to safety. And last night, when I spoke with the President of Libya, he strongly condemned the violence and pledged every effort to protect our people and pursue those responsible.

The friendship between our countries, borne out of shared struggle, will not be another casualty of this attack. A free and stable Libya is still in America’s interest and security, and we will not turn our back on that, nor will we rest until those responsible for these attacks are found and brought to justice. We are working closely with the Libyan authorities to move swiftly and surely. We are also working with partners around the world to safeguard other American embassies, consulates, and citizens.

There will be more time later to reflect, but today, we have work to do. There is no higher priority than protecting our men and women wherever they serve. We are working to determine the precise motivations and methods of those who carried out this assault. Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior, along with the protest that took place at our Embassy in Cairo yesterday, as a response to inflammatory material posted on the internet. America’s commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear – there is no justification for this, none. Violence like this is no way to honor religion or faith. And as long as there are those who would take innocent life in the name of God, the world will never know a true and lasting peace.

It is especially difficult that this happened on September 11th. It’s an anniversary that means a great deal to all Americans. Every year on that day, we are reminded that our work is not yet finished, that the job of putting an end to violent extremism and building a safe and stable world continues. But September 11th means even more than that. It is a day on which we remember thousands of American heroes, the bonds that connect all Americans, wherever we are on this Earth, and the values that see us through every storm. And now it is a day on which we will remember Sean, Chris, and their colleagues.

May God bless them, and may God bless the thousands of Americans working in every corner of the world who make this country the greatest force for peace, prosperity, and progress, and a force that has always stood for human dignity – the greatest force the world has ever known. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you.

The killing of a prominent journalist last week has dented Tanzania’s good immage and reputation before the international community an human rights groups

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The mysterious death of a prominent Television journalist under mysterious circumstances while he was filming a chaotic confrontation between the police and members of the Chadema opposition has seriously damaged and dented that country’s long held record of peace and cool handling of political crisis ever since it attained its political independence in 1961.

Tanzania, the most populous Eastern African nation got its political independence from its former colonial masters Great Britain in 1961,and has had no record of brutal killing of its journalists.

The country’ immediate neighbors, Uganda, Kenya and the Republic of Somalia in the Horn of Africa is reputed as the record holder in cases related to the killing of journalists both local and those representing media houses abroad, in both print and electronics.

The slain journalist David Mwangozi died two weeks ago while covering a demonstration by members of the opposition Chadema party in the country’s Southern Region of Iringa.

The late Mwanngozi was at his death, the regional representative of the Dar Es Salaam based poplar Television Station known a Channel TEN.A team appointed by the government of Tanzania to probe the killing of the scribe a week ago got off to a shaky start after the country’s media fraternity and the opposition parties rejected it out rightly for its composition which included police office who are among the suspects for the most grisly murder incident.

Instead, the Media Owners Association is no counting on a parallel investigations initiate by fellow journalists to unravel the truth on the horrific killing of David Mwangozi that has left Tanzanian petrified.

Mwangozi was blown up in an explosion during an altercation between police and Chadema opposition party members, in the Southern highland Region of Iringa. And according to Henry Muhanika , the executive secretary of the Media Owners Association before arresting the suspects- as they were caught in cameras as they assaulted the journalist was raising suspicion among Tanzanians of a possible cover-up.

The opposition Chadema party on its part, through its legal constitution an human right director Tindu Lisasu has asked President Jakaya Kikwete to form Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the killing, arguing it rejected the probe team formed by the Home Affairs Minister Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi because it included the police officers”who are also suspects in the murder case.

Mwangozi killing has sparked outrage in the country, with the media practitioners, executive secretary Kajubi Miganja saying that media fraternity was in the state of great shock

According to the varied and conflicting accounts of some eye witnesses, the slain journalist had attended the press conference on the morning of his death,and asked a question that was no appreciate by the police commander ,fielding questions.Later the journalist was seen filming a chaotic scene of police waving clubs and teargas canisters into the crowd of rowdy opposition supporters..

Though not much detail has come out this far, there is general agreement among he eye witnesses that Mwangozi was briefly apprehended by the police who proceeded to rough him up before something tore his body into pieces exposing his internal organs and leaving what had been Mwangozi a few minutes earlier to a heap of carrion flesh.

Pictures of the mingled remains posted on social media were hard to look at, especially the one with that crimson lump in the back of a pick up track. This singularly violent revolting killing has, understandably, fired up emotions.

There have been demands for the head to roll. A number of incidents have been cited, including killings in Arusha, Morogoro, and Singida regions.

The media fraternity in Tanzania is up in arms. A teargas canister firing device and letting it exploder in Mwangozi’s body at a close range.They reject any suggestion that this could have been an accident occasioned by an overzealous police officer mishandling

Ends

Kenya: Two Kenyan policemen killed as Muslim youth intensified rioting protesting the killing of the radical Islamic cleric

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Two Kenyan policemen are feared dead and scores of other people injured in Kisauni suburb of the coastal port City of Mombasa after hand grenade is hurled at a contingent of policemen battling rioting youth protesting the yesterday morning shooting to death of the controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo by unknown gun-men

The hand grenade was hurled onto a police lorry carrying a contingent of policemen on patrol of the violence infested Kisauni suburb of Mombaa injuring 16 others

It has since been established that before his death in hails of bullets, the controversial Islamic preacher who is suspect of having close link with the Somalia based terrorist group of al-shabaab, which is bankrolled by the Alqaeda an international terrorist group had lived on fear of his life and safety.

On July 25, this year, the US administration of President barrack Obama in Washington had sactio six people, including Sheikh Rogo, Eritrean external security intelligence chief Twokle Habte Negash and senior military officer Taeme Abraham Coftom for their alleged roles in supporting Somalia’s militia group Al-Shabaab.

Sheikh Rogo was accused of raising funds for Al-Shabaab and helping recruits travel to Somalia to join the main groups fighting the Transitional Somali government inside Somalia.

The other two Kenyans were Omar Awadh who is currently awaiting trial in Uganda for his alleged role in a July 2010 attack on restaurants showing World Cup football matches in Kampala that killed 74 people.

Ahmed was arrested in Kenya in 2010 on suspicion of involvement I the bombing at a Nairobi bus terminal.

The US has since he frozen all assets of the six suspects in world-wide terrorism activities after they were accused of providing financial and logistical support to Al-Shabaab, which is blamed of numerous attacks against civilians in Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.

Eritrea has been accused of fomenting violence in Somalia, in part to keep its archival neighbor Ethiopia In constant check..

The slain Islamic cleric Sheikh Rogo had been a Muslim preacher in the Kena coastal port city of Mombsa ever since 1997 and was said to have introduced one Mohamed Kubwa Mohamed to Fazul Abdullah Mohamed and two others.

They wee late indicted by a US-based court as the masterminds of the August 1998 attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi and Dar –Es-Salaam simultaneously.

The late Sheikjh Rogo was once arrested in 2002 for allegedly playing a role in the Paradise Hotel bombing in Kikambala near Mombasa simply because the hotel is owned by Israeli investors. The attack on the hotel killed 13 people and left scored seriously injured and maimed.

Fazul Abdullah was killed when an American pilotless drone plane hit his hideout in Somalia last year.

During the hearing of the case almost two weeks ago, the court heard that assorted weapons of destruction allegedly found at his house were to be used to attack a Catholic church, Likoni Ferry and the Nyali Bridge in Mombasa. A police officer who has testified in the case told the court that police did not “plant” the weapons at the preacher’s house.

Mr Kamati said the raid by the police on Sheikh Rogo’s homestead on January 29, 2012 was conducted after a tip off given to Kilifi CID offices. The Islamic preacher who was out of a Kshs 5 million bond wit three sureties on similar amount also faced four other charges of being in possession, of an AK47 rifles, 113 rounds ammunition, two hand grenades ands of ammunition and that of being I possession of firearms without certificates and that of being n possession of explosives.

The hearing of the case was adjourned to October 15 this year. However the controversial Muslim cleric died in hails of bullets yesterday morning in the attack which also left his wife injured in her right knee.

The mainly youth supporters of the slain preacher rent their angers on Christian churches an public institutions run by the churches which they vandalized an destroyed property worth millions of dollars.

ends

THE KENYAN COASTAL PORT CITY OF MOMBASA IS UNDER SIEGE FOLLOWING THE KILLING OF A RADICAL ISLAMIC PREACHER LINKED TO THE Al-SHABAAB TERRORISTS IN SOMALIA BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

The Kenyan coastal port city of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean is under siege following the shooting to death of the radical Islamic preacher Aboud Rogo this morning by unknown gun-men.

The preacher who is suspected of having link with the Alqaeda backed Al-Shabaab Islamist terrorists in the neighboring Somali was sot sixteen times at close range by unknown assailants.

The incident took place at a place called Majengo King’orani suburb of Mombasa. The attackers shot Aboud Rogo at close range while he was sitting inside his car with his wife who he was taking to the hospital, Hs wife sustain gunshot wound on her leg, but survived and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The controversial Islamic preacher was driving his car with hi wife in the passenger seat along the Mombasa-Malindi highway this morning when he attacks occurred.

A vehicle suspected to have ferried he unknown attackers over took his vehicle and the gun-men hiding inside the second car opened fire on him. He was shot sixteen times according to the police who launched investigations immediately.

Immediately the news of the slaying went round through this busy port city, Muslim enraged youth rioted and engaged the antiriot police for the better part of the day.

One man was killed in the process, Salvation Army church was torched, a police vehicle was set ablaze and reduced into ashes, and Evangelist Center was attacked vandalized and looted.

The youth mainly from the Muslims seemed to have targeted establishment with Christianity connections. The police and other security apparatus were beefed into the city center where the massive looting and destruction o property of unknown quantity took place.

Businesses in the Central Business District {CBD} quickly closed down and remain inaccessible for the better part of the day as police engaged the youth in a running street battle for the whole day.

Mombasa which situated along the shore of Indian Ocean is Kenya’s second largest city. It is housing he busiest port, which is also serving most of the landlocked African nations of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo, Northern Tanzania, Central African Republic and to a lesser extent Zambia.

The slain radical Islamic preacher died while had a court pending case in which he was facing serious criminal charges of conducting terrorism related activities n Kenya. He died when he was under twenty four hours security surveillance on suspicion of allegedly having close link with Somalia based Al-Shabaab militia groups suspected of being funded by Alqaeda international terrorist group from the Arab nations.

Meanwhile, Kenya the Eastern African nations which has enjoyed relatively calm, political stability ever since it gained its political independence from its former colonial power, the Great Britain in 1963 is currently bleeding to death.

Close to 70 people died last week in various parts of the country as the result of politically motivated ethno-politics.

In the coastal remote district of Tana River I an area commonly known as Tana Delta, 31 women and 11 children were massacred last Wednesday following the tribal skirmishes between the nomadic Orma tribesmen and their agriculturally rich Pokomo tribesmen.

Close to 100 dwelling houses were set ablaze. Properties of unknown value were destroyed. The midnight attack saw the attackers slashing and spearing livestock to death. More than 100 houses were razed down and turned into ashes.

In Nairobi last Thursday the Acting Internal Security Minister Yusuf Haji told the hushed house that an Assistant Minister in the same government was the principal suspect as the one who had incited his community into violence against their neighbors.

The Minister disclosed that he had ordered the police security and a team of the Criminal Investigation Department [CID} of the Kenya police to investigate the incident and tae the most appropriate legal action against the inciters.

Haji who is also Kenya’s Defense Minister pointed an accusing finger at the Assistant Minister for Livestock Dhadho Godhana who was present in the House at the time. The Assistant Minister is the Mp for the affected area in Tana River. As the Minister was addressing the most attentive MPs they shouted “Sack him! Sack him!”

The Minister accused the Assistant Minister for having adamantly refused to take part in a reconciliation meeting called by the government to reconcile the warring communities.

The next day the Assistant Minister defiantly told newsmen that he would not such a meeting if it is chaired by Minister Haji whom he accused of having vested interests in the Tana Delta.

Meanwhile 20 other Kenyans have died in the past wee in towns located along the volatile Kenya-Somalia border, and also along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Most of the killing occurred in areas whose inhabitants are people of Somali origin suspected of being sympathetic to the cause of Al-Shabaab militias in Somalia.

The most affected border towns included Garrissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and Lagdera all located in the semi-arid North Eastern Province of Kenya. The province is also housing thousands of refugees from Somalia, Uganda ad Ethiopia.

These Kenyans have died either of gun-shot wounds, hand grenade and explosive devices hurled at them by suspected Somali terrorists.

Kenya is rapidly losing its status as the haven of peace tranquility. During the same week that ended last Sunday, reports from the Southern part of the country says, there was an outbreak of fighting between the Kenya Maasais and the Tanzanian Sonjo tribesmen

The usually calm an quiet Kenya-Tanzania border burst into fighting and bloodbath when Tanzanians crossed the border while armed with guns, arrows, spears ad other crude weapons and made incursion into Narok South district along he border of the two countries.

Naro South District Commissioner Chimwaga Mongo confirmed the incident. He said Sonjo peasants from Tanzania crossed into Kenta and burned down houses in a small trading center seriously injuring scores of people in the villages.

The D.C said Sonjo peasants from neighboring Tanzania invaded Olorte area, in Loita Division, Narok South district. The invaders burnt down a Manyatta leaving close to 500 people homeless The Manyatta cuts across Kenya-Tanzania border’

The armed tribesmen invaded the area fired several shots in the air to scare way the residents. The left two people with serious gun-and arrow wounds

The D.C said after the attack the invaders invaded the farms and harvest maize I the field. However they invader were confronted by the armed Administration Police stationed t the nearby chief’s camp who repulsed them.

The motive of the dawn attack is not y known, but it could be linked to perennial rivalry between the Sonjos ad the Maasais over the grazing field. To Keya government officials are reported to be in the process of dispatching delegation to Dar E Salaam for a dialogue with Tanzanian authorities. At the local level the community leaders from both sides would soon meet next week to try and iron out the differences.

Ends

KENYA: POLL CHAOS – I SPEAK FOR THE DEAD.

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From: otieno sungu

Yesterday, one daily screamed its headlines, Poll Chaos Murderers and rapists to walk free. It was a declaration too hard for victims to swallow. Now, the task force formed by Mr. Keriako Tobiko, the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the matter of prosecuting poll suspects, returned the verdict that there is no evidence to try 8869 cases of suspects who killed, maimed, raped and destroyed property.

This is in the backdrop of government’s concerted efforts to bring back the ICC cases to be tried locally. We all know that over 1600 Kenyans were killed in 2007/08. We buried them, The President attended a memorial service sometime later in their memory, if I am not wrong, a mausoleum was erected or proposed in their honor.

We all know that over 500,000 people were displaced and some are still living in IDP camps. The government has spent millions of tax payer’s money resettling them. We have heard hundreds of individual accounts of victims of post poll rape in various forums.

Today, I do not want to write on behalf of the IDPs, victims of rape, maiming and those who lost property. The government seems to believe they have a weak case and thus they should try harder and build stronger cases.

I want to confine myself to the case of the dead, those who were killed by the marauding mobs that the government claims it cannot ascertain. I want to speak for the dead because they cannot come back from their graves to build their cases. I want to speak for them because the constitution guaranteed them the right to life and the government has an obligation to protect that right.

It is not the burden of dead victims of crimes that infringe on fundamental human rights such as the right to life to prove their cases. This responsibility lies with the government, especially where murder has occurred. It is very callous of this government to throw up its hands and declare it cannot do anything to apprehend the killers. The government machinery from the NSIS, CID and police are capable of investigating and finding these killers. These killers did not come from Mars, they are fellows within our society, people who were captured on camera hacking fellow Kenyans, burning their houses, pulling them out of vehicles and slaughtering them. These are gangs that were caught on camera, without hoods or balaclavas; brandishing machetes, bows and arrows, spears, some even transporting guns in vehicles. These people did not commit these crimes in the dead of the night; they were operating in broad daylight, in many cases right next to contingents of armed police officers.

Various institutions such as the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights documented some evidence. The NSIS must have reports of what transpired before, during and after the elections with regard to the violence. Meanwhile, the government wishes for victims, among them the dead to come out and build credible evidence.

If this government cannot find the killers, it has no moral authority to continue in office. The oath of the President is that of protecting lives and property, protecting the constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms, among them the rights to life, free speech, association, owning property, exercising ones choices during elections.

This latest developments is further proof of the governments preoccupation with protecting the perpetrators of post poll chaos at the expense of victims. It all boils down to political will. Neither side of this coalition government wishes to bring to justice the architects of the heinous crimes. It can only mean one thing; major players in this government are themselves the perpetrators. A government worth its salt cannot claim that out of over 1600 murders, 500,000 displacements, hundreds of rape and maiming cases, in all this, it is only capable of convicting a single perpetrator whose case a victim successfully provided evidence.

This is an affront of the people of Kenya, it is an affront on the rule of law and definitely, an affront on the oaths our leaders took. If anyone still has any doubts that we expect suspected perpetrators to prosecute themselves, we are a deluded lot of a people.

This is what all Kenyans must stand up against.

Otieno Sungu.
The writer is an online civic educator and an environmental activist.

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Somalia / Radio Journalist escapes ‘assassination bid’

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forwarded By Agwanda Saye

– – – – – – – – – – –

A Radio journalist for one of the broadcast media houses in Garowe, capital of Puntland Regional State of Somalia escaped assassination Thursday evening when armed men attacked him.

Abdifatah Gedi, editor-in-chief of Radio Daljir and the director of the branch of this station in Galkayo survived tonight from assassination attempt after group of men armed with pistols shot him several times at the entrance of Radio Daljir headquarters in Garowe. Some of the bullets reportedly went through Gedi’s shirt but fortunately he escaped uninjured.
. . .

read more of aticle;

http://appablog.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/somalia-radio-journalist-escapes-assassination-bid/

KENYA: THE WEEK THAT SAW CHOPPER CRASH

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2012

It is exactly one week today since the helicopter that killed Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode, two body guards and two pilots crashed. Many speculations leading to the crash have been said since then.

On Tuesday, June 12, 2012, Uganda newspaper, Daily Monitor in its headline reported that Al Shabaab warns of more Kenyan deaths. Uganda’s State Minister for internal affairs, Mr James Baba, described al-Shabaab’s threats and the terror group’s reported jubilation at the fatal crash as “sad and evil”.

Although the al-Qaeda-associated group did not claim direct responsibility for killing the Kenyan ministers, they threatened to “eliminate” all Kenyan leaders. “Kenyan leaders will perish through the actions of our courageous militants,” the group said in a statement released to the public.

Through a message circulated via social medium, Twitter, al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group fervently opposed to that country’s fragile Transitional Federal Government, announced its intentions following the death of the Kenyan officials on Sunday. “Their deeds affected Muslim people in this country,” the Twitter piece stated in respect to the ministers.

On Monday June 11, 2012, The Kenyan DAILY POST reports that Saitoti spoke passionately of peace in the country and war against Al Shabaab. The terror group who have the twitter handle @hsmpress have since spoken out on this issue.

The paper connected all the tweets they wrote. Here is their celebratory message. “Kenyans should know that neither would their country ever prosper nor their security improve under the heels of such men. Better off dead! The remaining invaders should be expectant that Allah will inflict His punishment by Himself upon the Kuffar or by the hands of Mujahideen He has been aggressive in his war against Islam but died the wretched death of a Kafir and now lies rotting in his coffin on his way to hell.

For the hundreds of Muslims killed & displaced by Kenya’s brutal invasion, Saitoti’s death is but a droplet of justice in a sea of oppression Saitoti played a prominent role in overseeing the abduction, torture & imprisonment of hundreds of innocent Muslims in his war against Islam.

From strafing of refugee camps in Somalia to the abdominal treatment of Muslims in Kenya, Saitoti and his likes perpetrated heinous crimes HSM welcomes the death of the evil minister upon whose authorization thousands of Muslims suffered both in Somalia and Kenya”.

Mr Saitoti the Daily Monitor rep[orts, has been among the foremost voices against terror attacks which have rocked Nairobi, and an apologetic supporter of his country’s deployment of troops to help rid southern Somalia of al-Shabaab elements. Uganda which also had deployed peacekeepers in Somalia under Amisom suffered twin terror attacks that killed at least 80 people in Kampala in July 2010.

Kenya deployed thousands of troops into Somalia in October last year, in hot pursuit of al-Shabaab militants it accused of undermining the security and economy of Kenya.

On Tuesday June 12, 2012, The DAILY POST reports that Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga dismissed claims that the helicopter crash that killed Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode, two body guards and two pilots was an accident.

Magwanga who is Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator said the deaths of Saitoti and Ojode is all about succession politics and was planned and executed by some people he declined to name.

Magwanga further questioned the circumstances that led to the accident, saying the helicopter was ranked among the best in the police service.

“If you look at the circumstances surrounding their death, it all points to foul play by certain individuals keen on 2012 succession politics and those who are supporting Mombasa Republic Council and those opposing the outlawed group ideologies,” Magwanga said, saying Prof Saitoti and Ojode were against the secessionist demands of MRC.

While Juja MP William Kabogo, Naivasha MP John Mututho, Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari and Peter Mwathi of Limuru warned the government against giving contradicting theories on the death of Saitoti, Ojode and four others, DN2, Friday, June 15, 2012 quotes Kabogo as saying’ “Kabogo who is said to own a helicopter, told parliament that as a qualified pilot, he couldn’t see how Ngong crahs could have resulted from pilot disorientation”.

Saitoti, 67 was a presidential hopeful in the forth coming general election and was president Kibaki’s confidante and a dedicated member of Party of National Unity (PNU) while Ojode was ODM MP for Ndhiwa constituency in Luo Nyanza Region.

According to Amos Kimunya, the plane was brand new, bought in 2011-the two pilots were very experienced, human error unlikely. There were no visibility problems on that day. It is unknown what happened between 8.38am and 8.42am, all communication with pilot cut off.

Kimunya made this observation on Monday, June 11, 2012 at a special cabinet meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) where he dismissed the first four causes of any plane crash (incompetency and inexperience of the pilots, human error, bad weather and the state of the air craft.)

Reports according to the government say that the weather was clear and visibility was good (actually over 8 kms), they also say that the Euro copter aircraft number 5YCDT A5350 which had only 100 hours flying time since its registration in January was in good working condition.

On the question of experience of the two pilots, Kimunya said that Nancy Gituanja had over 1166 hours and 29 minutes of flying time which according to pilots is good.

Nancy Gituanja is said to have experience with the Euro craft as she is the one who checked the chopper after it was serviced on Friday. Reports say that she flew the chopper to Voi on a test drive and confirmed it was ok.

She later parked it at the Wilson Airport Kenya Police Air wing hanger. It is said that she later went to Dumbsters restaurant with Oyugi when one of the engineers came to the restaurant and informed her that the chopper was having a problem with the lighting though it was just a minor problem.

Reports say that Gituanja was not designated to fly the chopper on Sunday as she was to attend a family gathering at Kandara. The chopper was to be flown by Capt. Kuto and Oyugi.

The chopper left Wilson Airport at exactly 8. 32 a.m. and at 8.37 the pilot communicated to control with a request to take a new frequency 118.5. Immediately a critical tracking device stopped working due to internet failure. It is also said that the pilot did not report any distress call evidence enough that there was communication breakdown.

Apart from Saitoti being the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on ICC, there have been political assassinations before. What leaves a lot to be desired is that it took some presidential candidates’ time to send condolences and when they did it looked like crocodile tears.

One wonders also why Gituanja was forced to travel even when she was not designated to fly the chopper on Sunday as she was to attend a family gathering at Kandara. The chopper was to be flown by Capt. Kuto and Oyugi. Also why a bodyguard was replaced last minute.

It is also to be recalled that George Saitoti had warned politicians against dragging President Kibaki’s name in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) debate.

In a statement, Saitoti also warned civil society and the media against making speculative comments linking the President to ICC trials.

“Such comments are unwarranted, alarming and unfounded. Kenyans should ignore them,” Saitoti was quoted to have said. Sources said Saitoti met Kibaki at Harambee House before he issued the statement at his office.

President Kibaki offered himself as a character witness in one of the cases. “President Kibaki’s name must not be misused or manipulated to make speculative inferences that there is a scheme to drag him into the ICC cases,” said Saitoti.

Saitoti seemed to have been hitting out at a section of G7 Alliance politicians who have been going around the country claiming the cases at The Hague are aimed at the President.

Saitoti’s statement on Kibaki’s alleged involvement in the violence was the second one to come from top Government officials since the international court confirmed four of the six Kenyans’ cases.

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P O Box 14877
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KENYA: QUICK FLASH BACK ON SAITOTI

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2012

On February 18, 2012 George Saitoti takes his presidential campaign to Elgeyo Marakwet where he declares that he had forgiven retired President Daniel arap Moi for the tribulations he suffered under his rule.

Moi had ridiculed him intermittently in public forums and during the March 2002 Kanu Delegates Conference in Kasarani. He had urged Moi to practice democracy by allowing delegates of the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) to freely choose its presidential candidate for the forthcoming general elections.

He claimed that he was poised to defeat President Moi’s preferred successor Uhuru Kenyatta for KANU’s presidential ticket in 2002 before unnamed people clandestinely removed his name from the delegates list.

Moi sacked him after serving as vice president for 13 years. He told Moi on his face that he should respect the will of the people, saying “they have a right to choose their next leader.

Moi had publicly said the VP was not fit to succeed him. Instead he endorsed then local government minister Uhuru Kenyatta, son to Kenya’s first president, for the post. Moi also sacked three ministers opposed to his choice of Uhuru as KANU presidential candidate.

Moi’s campaign for Uhuru had created dissatisfaction among some key party members, including energy minister and secretary- general of the party, Raila Odinga, who argue that Uhuru lacks political experience to qualify him for the job.

In recent political gimmick, three presidential aspirants had been put on notice to either join the PNU Alliance or risk losing crucial support. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti were urged to unite if they have to win the backing of 1.5 million-vote Mt Kenya East bloc.

He survived poisoning around the same time Ouko was murdered. Saitoti broke his silence in Parliament where he tore into a report by a select committee, which investigated the mysterious death in 1990 of the then foreign affairs minister Robert Ouko.

Parliament trashed the report- arising from a 2004 probe into the discovery in February because the report fingered top officials in the Kanu regime.

Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgey, who served as a diplomat at the time said the report was riddled with falsehoods. She added the committee did not corroborate their evidence.

March 28, 2012 George Saitoti dismisses calls by a section of politicians that he should resign over the increasing insecurity in Kenya.

Prof Saitoti accused the politicians of being sycophants and urged them to appreciate the good work being done by security agents.

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P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

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THE ICC DECISION THAT GEMA AND KAMATUSA WON’T OVERRIDE

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

The decision on January 23, 2012 of an International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial chamber to send cases to trial against William Samoei Ruto, Joshua arap Sang, Francis Kirimi Muthaura, and Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta in two separate cases is about justice for those who lost their lives and their homes in Kenya’s 2007-2008 election violence and not against individuals or ethnic communities.

The fact that the judges found that some of Kenya’s most senior leaders should answer for deaths of over 1,100 lives and 650,000 people forced to flee their homes should not be the reason why the whole process is politicized. The aim is actually to break with decades of impunity for political violence in Kenya.

That is why concerned Kenyans have consistently pleaded with Kenya’s authorities to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the tribal associations such as Gema, Kamatusa, G7 and Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) are disbanded because they are likely to lead to violence in forthcoming general elections.

If there is no action taken immediately then it will be too late for the Kenyan government to prevent supporters of the suspects from retaliating against other ethnic and political groups come 2013 general elections.

Recent revelations that there are plots to kill some politicians are just early warning mechanisms to such associations. Yesterday Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara told Parliament that he fears for his life after he was allegedly accosted by four men as he drove to his home near State House, Nairobi on Tuesday night.

He told the House that the gunmen whom he believed to be police officers forced him to pledge support to a presidential aspirant from Central Kenya during the incident that happened between 11.30pm and midnight on State House Crescent.

The men he said asked him to kneel down facing Mt Kenya and chant ‘Uhuru Tuko Pamoja’ three times, with a machete placed at the back of his head. The thugs also warned him against attending the outlawed Limuru 2B meeting on Wednesday that had been organised by former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, to counter recent gatherings by the Gema and Kamatusa groups.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who denounced Imanyara’s claim, is seeking the seat his father held between 1964 and 1978, and is banking on Gema (Gikuyu, Embu and Meru communities) to give him a head start in the race to succeed President Kibaki.

Facing Mount Kenya, first published in 1938, is an anthropological study of the people of the Kikuyu ethnicity of central Kenya. According to the book in the time of creation, God could only descend to earth in a place of absolute and divine purity.

The Kikuyu people believe that this place was the highest peak of the Mountain they called Kirinyaga – meaning a place of light and darkness. The light they saw at the top of the mountain, which they called ira. This was the resting place of their god Ngai.

From this high vantage point, he created the first man Gikuyu and his wife Mumbi, who lived below the mountain in a grove of fig trees. A sacrifice at the foot of the mountain brought forth nine young men from a fire to marry the nine daughters of Gikuyu, bringing the nine clans of the Kikuyu into being.

The shocking allegations of Raila’s assassination attempt are just but some of such mounting warnings. Prof Nick Wanjohi was questioned at his office on Tuesday over claims that he attended the meeting in Serena Hotel and Gigiri regarding the murder plot of eliminating Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

According to police sources, Kibaki’s Secretary was questioned about two meetings on March 6 at Serena hotel and on March 12 at Gigiri residence where it is alleged the plot to assassinate Raila was discussed.

Wanjohi denied attending the meetings which were also allegedly attended by a top military commander and a senior National Security Intelligence Services official. By Tuesday evening, six senior government officials among them Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto , Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Sam Ongeri, Finance Minister Njeru Githae and Uhuru’s Personal Secretary Munyori Buku had been questioned.

Although the Kenyan Daily Post has no way of verifying whether these names: “William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, Munyori Buku (Uhuru’s principal communications officer), Nick Wanjohi (former Vice Chancellor of JKUAT and Kibaki confidant), Nderitu Mureithi (MP Laikipia West) and chief of Kenya’s defense forces Gen Julius Waweru Karangi” were being questioned because their names appear in Jakoyo’s dossier, the fact that there is already political tension in Kenya is worrying.

Jakoyo Midiwo allegedly revealed the names to the CID police officers when he visited their offices last week. The six individuals named above join Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Ongeri who was the first to be linked to the plot.

The Gem MP made headlines during the Easter weekend when he suggested during a funeral attended by Raila that some powerful individuals were in government were plotting to assassinate the PM so as to remove him from the equation of those running for president.

Eldoret North Mp William Ruto has confirmed recording a statement with the police as part of the ongoing investigations into the sensational claim made recently by Gem Mp Jakoyo Midiwo that a plan had been hatched to assassinate Prime Minister Raila Odinga. DAILY POST: REVEALED: Names of who planned Raila’s

This is not the first time Raila’s life has been in danger. In the run-up to 2002 elections, his personal car was sprayed with bullets at a Rainbow Alliance campaign trail in North Eastern. Raila had been dropped at Isiolo Airstrip by two aides who escaped unhurt during the incident.

Raila’s security was again beefed up in 2009 over claims he was the target of terrorists unhappy with Kenya’s continued co-operation with Washington on the war on terror.

In September last year, again, there was the grenade drama at the Office of the Prime Minister that police dismissed as an act of mischief.

Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi also went public over fears for his life when five men, armed with an AK 47 rifle, axes and other weapons, broke into his Nairobi home at night looking for him. He said the attack was political.

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga also claimed that his life was in danger. Water assistant minister Ferdinand Waititu has been questioned by police over the threats.

Security officers said they summoned him after his name featured in the claims made by Njenga last month.

Njenga had claimed his life was in danger and that suspicious cars had been trailing him on the road and to his Nairobi and Kitengela residences with some of the occupants leaving messages they want to talk to him.

He added an assistant minister who he did not mention by name had been calling and threatening him with dire consequences over his decision to support former minister Njenga Karume as a spokesman of the Kikuyus.

Karume was in October installed the leader of Gema at a cultural event in Murang’a, which has elicited diverse reactions from Uhuru supporters. Maina Njenga has accused Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto of promoting ethnic hatred.

Njenga who was at a church event in Nairobi and added said they oppose these tribal organisations because we want Kenya to prosper. Njenga was referring to Kamatusa and Gema associations.

According to Njenga these alliances will cause something bigger than what happened in 2007/ 2008.Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi and Orange Democratic Movement politician Aburi Mpuri, who accompanied Njenga also opposed the revival of Gema and Kamatusa movements.

Njenga attacked church leaders who have attended and prayed at Gema and Kamatusa meetings accusing them of stoking tribal hatred. Njenga was barred from addressing the last Gema meeting in Limuru because he wanted to oppose it.

Police were forced yesterday to stop Limuru 2B meeting led by Maina Njenga. Although the police said it was because of security reason, the Limuru 2B was aimed at bringing together Kenyans from all regions to chart the way forward for a peaceful Kenya.

Central PPO John Mbijiwe said they had reports that some criminals plan to use the event to champion their ideas to the masses. Mbijiwe said the Limuru District Security and Intelligence team had learnt that the meeting would be infiltrated by criminals.

An advert that the organisers put up in local newspapers said the meeting would be addressed by among others retired cleric David Gitari and MP Gitobu Imanyara.

Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi who is among the organizers.

The police action of blocking the Limuru 2B meeting probably got the blessings from the high authorities since it was going to counter the recent Gema and Kamatusa tribal meetings in which certain divisive declarations were made.

Although Raila is being targeted because according to Uhuru and Kenyatta he is the one who wants them go to Hague to face charges at ICC, in the January 23 decisions, the majority of the judges charged Ruto, in one case, and Muthaura and Kenyatta, in the other case, as indirect co-perpetrators under article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, and charged Sang under article 25(3)(d) for contributing to the crimes allegedly committed.

Although the Police Commissioner, Mr Ali Mohamed was left free, his alleged shoot to kill orders resulted to police officers killing at least 405 people during the violence, injuring over 500 more, and raping dozens of innocent women and girls.

That is why even though the decision declined to confirm charges against Ali the Kenyan authorities must remain obligated to investigate unlawful police killings and abuse and bring to account those responsible.

Under the Rome Statute, crimes against humanity are any of a number of acts – like murder, torture, or rape – committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population, pursuant to a state or organizational policy.

This is not the first time Kenyan securities and militia groups have been accused of rape, torture and killing. In Mt. Elgon, both Kenyan security forces and a local militia group, the Saboat Land Defense Forces (SLDF) committed numerous atrocities between 2006 and 2008. Like the crimes currently under ICC investigation, many of the crimes committed in Mt. Elgon appear to have been orchestrated for political purposes.

The Kenya authorities should also stop political prayer meetings which according to National Cohesion and Integration Commission believe are used to spread hate speech. If they are not stopped then Kenyans should be ready to experience the genocide similar to that of Rwanda.

Genuine prayer is essentially the time we spend being conscious of being in the presence of God, and of desiring to know and love him more each day. To be conscious of God within and in a sense just soak in God.

The very best prayer to pray is the prayer our Lord taught his disciples: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them who trespass against us”. This is the heart of this prayer. Our Lord taught us that the heart of the Gospel is forgiveness. It is forgiving our brothers and sisters that we shall be forgiven by our heavenly Father. It is also the way to our own freedom. We cannot grow at all in our Christian life unless we forgive.

Prayer includes respect, love, pleading and faith. Through a prayer a devotee expresses his helplessness and endows the doership of the task to God. This is when God allows me to love and respect others as I would like them to love and respect me.

For William Ruto such prayer meetings would be the time to examine himself as a former treasurer for the Youth for KANU (known as YK 1992).This group was widely seen as having been responsible for ethnic violence in 1992 and 1997, which claimed hundreds of deaths and thousands displaced in the Rift Valley Province.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
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00800, Westlands
Kenya

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KENYA: THE NYANZA COUNCIL OF CHURCH LEADERS FORUM.

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From: Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede
PRESS RELEASE.
12TH APRIL 2012.

WE the Nyanza Clergy appeal to Peace Loving Kenyans and Bishops from various Churches and different Faiths to pray for Peace and Unity for the whole Country of Kenya.

We also condemn a section of the Clergy who collude with some Politicians to preach tribal alliances as this will never take this Country anywhere but will only divide Peace Loving Citizens with an aim of hating one another.

WE are also condemning in the strongest terms possible the ill motive plan by a section of politicians in the country who are allegedly plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga.We are therefore appealing to the various organs of the Government to fully investigate the alleged conspiracy to eliminate the country’s Prime Minister, as Kenyans want to know the whole truth about the saga.

We are kindly asking the police to give the matter the uttermost attention it deserves. In the previous years, such kinds of rumors were said about JM Kariuki, Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko, Bishop Alexander Muge among others. These rumors later became realities when these mentioned prominent personalities were eventually murdered under mysterious circumstances and their cases are still unresolved to date.We further appeal to the peace loving Kenyans and the Bishops from various churches and different faiths to pray for peace and unity for the whole country.

We also condemn those people who are preaching tribal alliances as this will never take this country anywhere but will only divide peace loving citizens with an aim of hating one another. Politicians should instead embark on a mission to see that the country remain united especially at this time in which we are approaching General Elections.“We do not like seeing our country going back to the darkness of the 2007/08 post election Violence,”

Lastly, we are advising our fellow church leaders who are turning into disciples of politicians by presiding over prayer rallies to leave the politicians a lone as clergy should instead wait for the politicians in the churches.“The action of some of our brothers betrays Christian faith and let men of God not be consumed by Politics.

In Christian teaching, love your brother as you love yourself not for church ministers to pray and open the doors for abusing each other in political rallies. Finally, we are appealing to the Government to beef up security for the Prime Minister God Bless Kenya.

1. ARCHBISHOP DR. WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE –
CHAIRMAN NYANZA COUNCIL OF CHURCH LEADERS.

2. ARCHBISHOP JULIUS OTIENO

3. ARCHBISHOP HESBON NJERA

4. BISHOP FRANCIS MWAYI ABIERO

5. BISHOP JASPER OGELLO.

6. BISHOP JOHN ONYANGO OBER

7. BISHOP OWUOR MENA

8. REV BARACK AGALO

9. BISHOP EVANS OOKO

10. BISHOP ALEX OWUOTH

11. BISHOP JAMES OPIYO ONYANGO

CHAIRMAN – SIAYA PASTORS

HOW POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS IN KENYA ARE COVERED UP

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
KISUMU CITY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo did not only hand to police the names of senior Government individuals he claims are plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Raila Odinga, he is also convinced that there were such plans and he is ready to face the court of law to defend himself on the allegations.

Thank God that even though those who head the criminal investigation department and police boss are directly appointed by President Kibaki himself, the court is somehow independent and truth may one day come out.

Kenya is not like those days when assassinations were planned, executed and just passed like passing clouds. The story of Erastus Kirui Chemorei exclusively reported by Standard on Sunday, 13th November 2011 can tell it all.

The report has it that when the news of the killing of Erastus Kirui Chemorei hit the headlines six years ago, the country was made to believe he was in the police most wanted list. The police went to great lengths feeding the public with propaganda that he had been the architect of robberies and killings in Kitale. Chemorei was a senior General Service Unit officer and the current police commissioner Mathew Iteere was his boss.

The Standard revealed that what the public was not told is that at the time of his killing, Chemorei was keeping custody of the key to the store where the Sh6.4-billion cocaine haul that was seized by police in a private villa in Malindi was kept. This fact was known in top security circles, some of whom are still top in this current government.

The report had it that in an investigation by KTN, Chemorei came into the limelight when together with then GSU commandant Lawrence Mwadime and Assistant commandant and current Police Commissioner, Mathew Iteere, were mandated to keep safe custody of the cocaine – the biggest ever netted locally.

According to sources, Chemorei who was an adjutant at the GSU Training School, Ruaraka, was picked because he was seen as honest, secretive, and trustworthy. These attributes would lead to his brutal murder at the hands of those who had theirs firmly fixed on the haul.

As soon as Chemorei took up the new duty according to the report he became a hunted man. He found himself being given compulsory leave from time to time. According to documents, the officer was told to proceed on leave in December 10, 2004, February 1, 2005, February 8, and February 17.

His family members and other people close to him at his Kitalale home said Chemorei was a disturbed man, an indication that he was sensing danger since he could not understand why he was given compulsory leaves so frequently. He knew some people were after him but swore not to co-operate with them, so he was eventually killed.

This fear according to the report was confirmed when on February 19, 70 police officers led by then area DCIO, Julius Sunkuli, OCPD Augustine Kimantheria, and DC Christopher Musumbu surrounded his house.

According to witnesses, who The Standard On Sunday tracked down and talked to, the events that followed the arrival of the police at Chemorei’s homestead could easily have been taken from a page torn off the script of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Abubakar Latama is quoted to have said he had just concluded a deal to buy a cow from Chemorei when they heard vehicles roaring near the gate of the deceased. “We had just finished taking tea and after I handed him Sh8,500 for the cow I had bought from him (he needed the money as his son had been sent home from school because he had not cleared his fees), he led me outside to where the cow was,” he said.

“We were walking to where the cow had been tethered, some few metres away from the house, when the police vehicles pulled up outside his gate. “We saw many officers disembarking and taking positions around the barbed wired fence as others entered the compound and headed towards us. We turned back and went to meet them,” Abubakar told the Jicho Pevu reporters.

He said as they approached the police officers they were ordered to sit down. No greetings were exchanged. “Chemorei seemed to know them because when the officers told us to get down, he asked them what the problem was. After being informed that they had come to do a search, he told the one who was speaking, “If there is an issue you should have called me to the office, but was told to shut up,” said Abubakar.

Chemorei’s son, Elijah, who was also present, said he saw Land Rovers approaching his home, but he thought they belonged to the GSU. “I was used to vehicles coming to our home when they came to pick my father. I did not think it was anything strange until officers disembarked with their guns and surrounded our house,” he said.

Elijah recalls that the officers went straight to where his father and Abubakar were and told them to sit down. A few minutes later, his father was led away while Abubakar was told to lie down as officers descended on him with kicks and slaps.

“I heard the officer who was in plain clothes ask my father where the key was. When he asked him which key, he hesitated and said ya choo,” he said.

Elijah says there was an argument between his father and the officers who were asking for a key and every time they were given a bunch of keys they said, “Sio hizi!”

He said some more officers were allowed into the compound and went inside the house and shortly came out with his father’s pistol, which was handed over to the man who was interrogating his father.

He recalls that while other officers were still searching the house, the officers guarding his father started debating whether to leave him as they led him towards the fence. “Some were saying let us leave him, while some said let us shoot him. Finally one of them shouted, “Shoot him!” And they started shooting,” says Elijah.

Abubakar says as he lay on the ground, writhing with pain after the beating, he heard someone bark the order; “Shoot!” and gunshots tore the air. “I heard the shots and I knew my friend was being shot as I heard officers saying, “Amepatikana leo.”

History in Kenya tells how assassinations are planned and covered up because the top security men and women are the appointees of the president. That is why under the Jomo Kenyatta era, when JM Kariuki, Tom Mboya, Ronald Ngala, Pio Gama Pinto, Argwings Kodhek, Bruce McKenzie and Kungu Karumba perished in circumstances, which left a lot to be desired in a civilized society like Kenya-Till today Kenyans have not been told who killed them and why.

Pinto was assassinated on the morning of February 24, 1965 as he drove his car home with his year old daughter on the back seat. Achieng Oneko termed the killing brutal and deliberately planned (Daily Nation, July 5, 2001).

In 1975 when JM Kariuki was assassinated GSU Commandant was Ben Gethi-who was part of the murder conspiracy.

Come Moi regime, Dr Robert Ouku is killed. When the Commission of Inquiry set up to unearth the truth about his grisly murder in February 1990, the inquiry was stopped prematurely just when the commission was about to interrogate Hezekiah Oyugi, who was the Permanent Security in charge of internal security at the time of Mr. Ouko’s death (Sunday Nation, March 18,2001).

All who knew about Ouko’s death have mysteriously died. Oyugi died later after contracting a rare ailment known as the motor neurone syndrome soon after being released from police custody where he had been held for questioning.

The report had it that on the night of February 13, 1990, Ouko was dragged from his bed in his Koru home and his body was found later that morning by a local herdsboy who ever since disappeared mysteriously. Dr Ouko served in the government from colonial times through the presidencies of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi. He was an MP for Kisumu Town.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
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Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
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KENYA: ARCHBISHOP OSCAR ROMERO’S 32ND ASSASINATION ANNIVERSARY

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

In India a special liturgy and a Way of the Cross was offered yesterday in commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Msgr. Oscar Romero, archbishop of San Salvador. He was assassinated by US-supported rightists on March 24, 1980 while celebrating mass.

Msgr. Vincent Concessao, Archbishop of New Delhi celebrated the liturgy. He pointed out that the prophetic ministry of truth and justice of Archbishop Romero is crucial for the Indian Church.” Today is also the 19th World Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs. It is also World TB Day.

Archbishop Oscar Romero was a man of great faith-the man who loved justice. He was quoted telling the reporters of El Salvador, “Even if every prophet fighting against injustice is killed,” Romero prophesied, “New prophets will arise; for you are God’s microphone! “A bishop might die, but God’s people will never die.”

Romero died because of his outspoken condemnation of militarism and injustice. He had emerged as the highest-profile defender of impoverished campesinos and idealistic members of the Catholic clergy who were demanding an end to centuries of inequality and repression in El Salvador.

Romero became a Christ-like figure, who followed Jesus’ example of unflinching anticipation of martyrdom. Romero also adopted the methods of Jesus, a strategy of active nonviolent resistance. He repeatedly called on the security forces to stop the repression.

Romero is not alone in the fight for justice. In January 2012 the Fides news agency published a list of pastoral workers who were killed during their missionary work, even though not all of them were martyrs in the strict sense.

In 2011, 26 pastoral care workers were killed: one more than the previous year: 18 priests, four religious sisters and four laypeople. For the third consecutive year, the place with the most deaths was the American continent, with the deaths of 13 priests and two laypersons.

Following was Africa, where six pastoral workers were killed: two priests, three religious sisters, and one layperson. In Asia two priests, one religious sister, and one layperson were killed. The least affected continent was Europe, where one priest was killed.

Many of them were killed in the course of attempted robbery or kidnapping. Others, the Fides report said, “were killed in the name of Christ by those opposing love with hatred, hope with despair, dialogue with violent opposition.”

The Fides report cited the words spoken on Dec. 26 by Benedict XVI, during his Angelus message on the day of the liturgical feast of the martyr Stephen: “As in ancient times, today the sincere adherence to the Gospel may require the sacrifice of life and many Christians in various parts of the world are occasionally exposed to persecution and martyrdom. But, the Lord reminds us, ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’ (Matthew 10:22).”

In America, the most violent country was Colombia with seven deaths out of the overall total of 15. Mexico was in second place with five. Brazil, Paraguay and Nicaragua each accounted for one death. Those killed were the following:

Colombia: Fr. Rafael Reátiga Rojas and Fr. Richard Armando Piffano Laguado killed by gunshot by a murderer who was traveling with the two priests: Fr. Luis Carlos Orozco Cardona killed by a young man who shot him among the crowd; Fr. Gustavo Garcia Eudista was murdered in the street by a man who wanted to steal his mobile phone. Fr. Jose Reinel Restrepo Idárraga, killed by unknown persons while he was riding his motorcycle, which was then stolen along with other objects belonging to the priest; Fr. Gualberto Oviedo Arrieta, found covered with wounds and knifed to death in the rectory of his parish.

A layperson, Luis Eduardo Garcia, a member of the social pastoral ministry, attacked by a group of guerrillas, kidnapped and then killed.

Mexico: Fr. Santos Sánchez Hernández, attacked by an intruder who entered his house, most likely to steal; Fr. Francisco Sánchez Duran, found in the church with wounds to the neck, perhaps in an attempt to stop a robbery in church; Fr. Salvador Ruiz Enciso, who was kidnapped and killed; Fr. Marco Antonio Duran Romero, killed in a gunfight between soldiers and an armed group. A laywoman, Mary Elizabeth Macías Castro, of the Scalabrinian Lay Movement, kidnapped by a group of drug dealers and brutally killed.

Brazil: Fr. Romeu Drago was killed in his home. His body was then brought to about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from his home, where he was burned. Paraguay: Monsignor Julio César Álvarez was killed. His body was found in his room, hand and foot bound, with injuries and scratches and strangled.

Nicaragua; Fr. Marlon Ernesto Pupiro García was kidnapped and killed. In Africa the killings took place in Burundi (2) and one each in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan, Tunisia, and Kenya. Tunisia: Fr. Marek Rybinsk was killed, a Salesian missionary, whose body was found dead in a local Salesian school of Manouba.

Kenya: Fr. Awuor Kisero was attacked in a suburb of the Kenyan capital.

Congo: Sister Jeanne Yegmane was killed in an ambush. South Sudan: Sister Angelina, while bringing medical aid to refugees. Burundi: during a robbery attempt Sister Lukrecija Mamica, of the “Sisters of Charity” and Francesco Bazzani, a volunteer. In Asia there were four deaths, three in India and one in the Philippines.

India: Fr. G. Amalan was killed in his room by a person who escaped with a few rupees found in the home; Sister Valsha John, who worked among the poor and tribal people, killed in her home, a catechist and lay activist Rabindra Parichha, kidnapped and killed.

Philippines: Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME missionary was killed, while on his way to a priests’ meeting, two gunmen shot him in the head and back. The sole death in Europe was in Spain, Fr. Ricardo Muñoz Juarez was killed by thieves who broke into his According to information in Fides possession, during the decade 1980-1989- 115 missionaries were violently killed. The summary of the years 1990-2000 presents a total of 604 missionaries killed, according to their information. The number is significantly higher than the previous decade.

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KENYA: PROF WANGARI MAATHAI REMEMBERED

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From: People For Peace
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Today is February 28. It is exactly 20 years ago when the late Prof Wanagari Maathai joined mothers of political prisoners to demand their release in 1992 at Uhuru Park. The women who were kicked out of Uhuru Park moved to All Saints Cathedral where they stayed in the church’s compound for over seven months before their sons were eventually released.

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These are the mothers who fought for the release of their sons. They set up camp in the Uhuru (Freedom) Park where they staged a hunger strike and waited for the release of their sons. The mothers included Leah Wanjiru Mungai, 77, Elizabeth Wanjiru Matenjwa, 74, Milka Wanjiku, 84, Veronica Wambui Nduthu, 71, and Monica Wangu Wamwere, 81.

Led by Maathai, these mothers held a publicized meeting on February 28, 1992 with Attorney General Amos Wako to whom they handed a letter of support for their sons. They demanded that the Kenyan government uphold democratic principles and allow freedom of speech, but Wako met their demands only with a promise that he would look into the matter.

On March 3, the Moi government decided to forcibly disperse the demonstrators. Government police forces beat protesters with batons, fired gunshots into the air, and hurled tear-gas into the tent where protesters were gathered.

To ward off the police, three of the protesting mothers stripped their clothing, shook their breasts, and shouted, “What kind of government is this that beats women! Kill us! Kill us now! We shall die with our children!” The police forces responded by turning away and leaving the scene.

Although it could look as if there were no other political prisoners from other ethnic communities, other women like Marcella Ojuka (mother to Paddy Onyango), Margaret Opiata (mother to Odindo Opiata), Joyce Wafula (mother to Wafula Buke), Beldina Adhiambo (mother to Apiny Adhiambo), and Anne Kitur (wife to Tirop Kitur) may not have been at Uhuru Park but they, too, identified with the other womens’ struggles.

These were the days that the political atmosphere in Kenya was characterized by brutal government repression and terror. They were the days many students, journalists, lawyers, and human rights advocates were among those imprisoned for perceived anti-government statements, ideas, and actions.

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Kenya: The late Dr. Ouko’s famed house girl Seline Were Ndalo is dead. She was aged 75 years

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

The famed house maid of the murdered former Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister the late Dr Robert John Ouko has died aged 75.

According to her brother Eliud Aum Ndalo, Seline who was formerly married to the former Assistant Chief of Kanyikela sub-location in the then West Konyango location in Ndhiwa district the late Wilson Ododa Oyaya.

Seline came to fame during the disbanded Dr Ouko’s Commission of inquiry following her testimony of having seen a white car parked at the main gate and having seen the late Minister being dragged towards the car by his assailants.

She died peacefully at her home near Oridi Primary School near Rapedhi SDA Mission after a long illness. She had no child of her own.

Her body has been taken to Kosano Health Centre near Ndhiwa Town for preservation while the burial arrangement and plans re in progress.

Seline Were Ndalo came to fame following the grisly murder of the late Dr.Ouko in Febrary 1990 at his home in Koru near Muhoroni. She was the last person believed to have spoken to Dr.Ouko shortly before the fateful midnight when unknown strangers stormed the home and took away the Minister whose partly charred body was later discovered at Got Alia six kilometer away from his home.

Seline gave the testimony during the disbanded Ouko Commission of Inquiry that she was awoken in the adjacent room where she had slept when she heard of the commotion coming from the direction of Dr. Ouko’s bed room. She piped her eyes through the window curtain and saw the Minister being dragged from the house to a waiting white car which was parked near the main gate.

Many people thought that Seline had more information, and knew much which she did not divulge to the public for her own safety and personal security. Most of the Ouko workers at the farm, and those who knew something about his disappearance and consequent death including security intelligence officers, a Permanent Secretary and the then Commissioner of Police have since perished and have gone to their graves with vital information about the murder which shocked the Kenya nation and dented the reputation of the then President of the republic of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi and his entire administration.

Seline is believed to have survived long enough because she had disappeared from the eyes of the public and went to lead a quiet life in her rural home in Ndhiwa never to be seen anywhere near Kisumu. She will go to her grave with vital information about the assassination of the late Dr Ouko the man she had served faithfully well for many years.

She was taken into the Ouko family to serve them after the death of her husband and the life was proved to be difficult for a child less woman in the village.

Ends