Category Archives: FEATURES

KENYA: DRUGS TRAFFICKING FROM NYANZA NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

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CAN THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE CLAIMS THAT ROGUE POLICE OFFICERS ARE INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING IN NYANZA?

Investigative Report By Leo Odera Omolo

The easiest way of stamping out bhang trafficking from Nyanza to Nairobi and to other Kenya towns and other illicit cross border trades is to equip the Kenya police with speed boats similar to those deployed in Lake Victoria by the Uganda marine Police.

There is also need to overhaul top policemen working in the sensitive border regions and counties like Migori, Nyatike and Suba regions.

There is rampant rumors, allegations and claims of police complicity in the lucrative bhang trafficking in the region trades. In some yet to be proved incidences racketeers involved in the illicit trades are said to be enjoying protection by some rogue and un-patriotic policemen stationed in the smuggling spots in Migori and Nyatike county.

The recent events and happening shows the illicit drugs coming into the country via porous Kenyan borders with the neighboring countries via Lake Victoria waters.

Large consignments of bhang get into Kenyan mainland side of Lake Victoria through the disputed Migingo Island. Other smaller fishing islands located on Kenya side of Lake Victoria also being used by the drug traffickers as conduit for smuggling and easy access to the mainland regions and eventually to the markets

Such spots include Migingo, Ugingo, Ringiti, Lolwe, Ngodhe and Oyamo islands.

Bhang is also grown in abundance in Sigulu island which is about 10 kilometers off Budalangi shoreline in Busia county. However, smaller quantity of bhang is also said making its way from Tanzania into Kenya on the main Migori highway that is linking the town to Sirare border post. But the ever presence of policemen on checkpoints and road blocks on the road has curtailed the trafficking forcing the smugglers to use ‘panya’ routes using bicycles and boda boda motorbikes.

Reports emerging from Musoma and Tarime towns say bhang is grown in large quantities in some parts of the world famous Serengeti National Gane Parkand in the neighbouring Ukerewe island In Tanzania

Other landing spots of bhang smuggled from Tanzania include Sori and Muhuru Bay towns in Nyatike sub-county within the larger Migori County

A truck loaded with bhang was recently spotted as it loads the illicit drug behind a store in Sori whose street value was estimated to be around Ksh. 50,000.

The incident took place within only three days after police discovered 7 acres of bhang farm on top of Kimaye Hills near with Ong’er in North Kadem ,which is located less than 10 kilometers from Sori town

Close to 60 policemen spent the whole day uprooting the bhang. They were then enforced by over 50 inmates from Migori G.K. prison .The police succeeded in apprehending six men who were tending the bhang farm and took them into custody .The men were reported to have been working for an influential and wealthy politician in the region who is said to be working as a bhang trafficker .

All these is said to be happening despite the fact that in most parts of Nytatike the police road check-points and road-blocks are there the whole day, and traffic police officers manning these check-points re mains in some places even soon after dark

What give credence to the claim of police complicity in the massive bhang trafficking in the region is that most vehicles nabbed by police in roadblocks are always found far away from Nyanza, mostly in Molo,Naivasha ,Nakuru and Narok area .Perhaps this is after such vehicles had travelled long distance from Nyanza while under the alleged police escort ,which saw them passing through Migori,Kisii,Nyamira and Bomet.

Police road blocks are everywhere in Migori ,Kisii ,Nyamira ,Kericho and Bomet but the bhang traffickers have always been nabbed in places far away from the region.Many of these are sure to conceal the drugs source of origins and supplies

Gwasi Hills ,Ungoe and Gembe Hills in Gwasi and Mbila constituencies are other areas where bhang is grown in abundance.

Before the coming of Independence in 1963, the colonial authorities knew these places and used to dispatch contingents of regular police GSU and APS.during dry seasons with ….to hunt down and burnt down the bhang as well as the makeshift house erected on hill tops by the farmers and those tending the farms. It worked well, but after the attainment of political independence, the successive KANU regime went into deep slumber and relaxed paving the way for more bhang farms to spring up.

The 7 acres bhang farm which the police discovered last month …..was estimated at KSh. 50 million in street value. The bhang was burnt and destroyed at Macalder Divisional Police headquarters.

Residents have however confided to this writer that there existed other bhang farms along the valley of River Kuja in areas not far away from Gogo falls, which is generating electricity for the KPLC and close to the famous pre-historical Thim Lich Ohinga which is now in the management of the Kenya Museum services.

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THE BRITISH MULTINATIONAL TEA COMPANIES IN KENYA FACES RAISING AGITATION OVER THEIR EXPIRED LAND LEASES.

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town

The British multinational tea companies operating in Kericho and Bomet Counties in the Republic of Kenya whose 99 land lease has already expired should not be pushed out of their property, but they should be compelled to donate several hundreds of acres back to the community for the use in establishing essential public utilities projects.

Owing to the fact that the land in the rural locations in the two counties has become too congested and over populated, there are no space for the establishment of important public utilities such as hospitals and universities as well as other institutions of higher learning, therefore some parts of the land on which the tea plantations and factories stand on should revert to the community which were the original owners of the land.

These were the sentiments expressed by a prominent Kericho politician William Kepkemoi Arap Kettienya who reminded the multinational tea companies land that was forcefully seized from its original owners by the colonialists at the turn of the 20th century. Its lease has since expired but the locals live in densely populated rural community reserve land which can no longer be used in establishing socio economic projects such as hospitals and universities, which requires hundreds of acres of land space.

Kericho and Bomet housed more than 45 large tea estates and over 30 tea green leaves processing factories employing over 40,000 work force.

Keiitanya was reacting to a newspaper report which quoted leaders and politicians in the neighboring Nandi County who had called on tea farms whose land lease have expired to return the parcel to the original owners of the land and at the same time restore it to its form it had when the land was taken by force by the colonial authorities and distributed to the white settlers for tea plantation.

There are more than 30 large scale tea plantations for processing factories operating in both North and south Nandi. Key county leaders were amplifying what the Mps from the region had demanded.

Like in Kericho, Bomet counties, the tea farms operating in the region are owned by the British farms and individuals.

The Mps want the ownership of potrate of land used by British multi national companies reverted to the community. However, the leaders of Nandi county are not advancing the proposal that the land be sub-divided, hut will hold them in trust on behalf of the community.

The Nandi county leaders under the governor Cleophas Lagat is in total agreement with the Mps on the contentive issues is now backing the proposal hailed by the Mps and senator Stephen sang, Mrs. Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Nandi women rep. Zipora Kurgat , Alex Kosgei (bumugwen), Julias Meli (tindieret), Julius bitok (mosop) lejah lagat(ge) and Oscar sudi.

According to Mr. sang, their man is to give legal community ownership of land and not necessarily to interfere with the manners and the management of the tea firms

‘’we would like to make it clear that we are not trying to stage the kind of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe style of farm takeover Of more companies, but rather empower the local community ownership and not necessarily interfere with owners and management of tea companies, but rather empower the local to be held in trust by the county government”.

There are more than 20 tea estates and factories in the Nandi Hills sub-county of the Nandi county, situated in the western part of the Rift valley.

The companies include George William’s and Eastern province of Kenya, Kepchono, kapchorwa, Koisagat, Sivet, kirkarus ,Nandi Hills Tea Company and others. These companies have employed up to 350000 workers directly and indirectly.

The issues surrounding the lease of the land on which tea estate and factories stand. On has remained the thorniest issue ever since 1996, When some leaders in Kericho and Bomet demanded that the land should revert to its original owners.

Thousands of rural communities previously occupying the land were forcefully removed from their property at gun point and consigned to to drought strickened and unproductive areas at the tune of the 20 century to pave the way for the introduction of tea bushes in the region which began in the early 1910 and 1922.

Some of the British multinational tea companies at one time were forced to disclose that their property land leased was not for the 99 years, but for the 999 years. This stunned and those advocating for the land to revert to its original owners/ The Kenya government made no comment on these claims.

Major tea companies operating in Kericho and Bomet Counties include james Finlays a Scotish firm, which is also of late involved in the production of cut fliers for reports. There are also other firms owned by individuals and companies in the region. They bringing the employment of the labour force in the regions to a total of about 40,000

However, the recent introduction of mechanized tea plucking machines saw a large number o0f workers being declared redundant and sent home. This has reduced the number of workers in the tea company drastically almost by half.

ENDS

KENYA: KIDERO’S GROWING INFLUENCE AND POPULARITY IN LUO-NYANZA UNSTOPABLE.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

THE Rapidly growing influence and popularity of the Nairobi governor Dr Evans Odhiambo Kidero in Luo Nyanza is unstoppable judging from the rousing welcome and deafening applause which he received during the last weekend Kisumu rally at the Kenyatta Sports Ground.

The Nairobi governor was the centre of attraction and his speech and endorsement by the luge crowd must left all and sundry convinced that Luo MPs who have been dissenting his fundraising activities in the region were at a loss and became disillusioned and disgruntled.

Buoyed by the prolonged cheering by the enthusiastic crowd of thousands of ODM supporters speech obviously might have caused a lot of panicking among his detractors.

The Kisumu rally was also attended by the three principals of CORD coalition led by the party leader raila Odinga, the former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moaea WetangulA, Dr Kidero was wildly cheered despite some early wild rumors that a section of ODM youths and hirelings had been intoxicated and instigated to heckle him. Nothing lie that happened, and those responsible should feel themselves ashamed.

Kisumu rally followed an exclusive closed door meeting of all governors from the 25 Counties countrywide, which are under the CORD administration. Also in attendance were MPS from Nyanza and other regions.

The meeting came in the backdrop of the raging debate over the governors recent massive fundraising activities in the region, which did not go down well with the Raila loyalists.

AT THE END OF December last year a meeting of Luo MPs and other party stalwarts held aT Opoda BAR-Opuk, which is the rural Country home of the party leader Raila Odinga discussed and dwelt at length over Dr Kibero’s fundraising activities in Nyanza, with some of the dissenting it with claims that such activities had some elements of political undertone in Luo-Nyanza with the long scheme of wrestling don the political influence of the Odinga family.. This family has dominated the politics of the region ever since independence in 1963.

The debate went on despite Dr Kidero’s repeated denial that he had no political ambition ambition of challenging Railla supremacy in the Region. Such claims saw Dr Kidero and Raila sharing political platform at the Shauri-Moyo Primary school in Kisumu town during the home coming part of Ms Prisca Auma Misachi a member of Kisumu County. Ms Misachi is a sister to Dr Kidero’s mother-in-law the late Mra Pamela Mboya..

The two happily addressed the crowd and jointly denied there existed any friction between two of them with Kidero coming out bold when he told the gathering that a son cannot challenge his father and mentor The two reiterated theiir commitment to work towards the unity if purpose within the Luo community and also in the ODM with the aims and objective of making the party a popular vehicle for development and future election victory..

It was also most interesting that some of the leaders who had attended the meeting at Raila home last December and who deliberated in bad gossip crowd for the Nairobi governor. When Kidero asked the crowd whether he should continue with his fundraising activities the crowed roared back with wild shouts”Harambee iendelee”..

The Nairobi governor took to the podium immediately after the crowed had jeered and booed the Kisumu governor Jackton Ranguma who was forced to cut short his speech and had come down on earth amid prolonged cheers, adulation and wild cat calls “Kidero Kidero”.

The huge crowed endorsed the Nairobi governor’s fundraising activities and renovations of schools, health facilities and other socio-economic projects in the region.

IT IS worthwhile to remember that the issue of questioning the sources of massive funds which Dr.Kidero was donating in his fundraising meetings was raised Raila’s home by by the Homa-Bay Senator who had alleged that such money could be used in dividing the Luos.

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WORLD: GENERAL AERIAL SHARON DESERVED & WAS GIVEN A HEROIC MILITARY BURIAL HONOR

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

It is worth appreciation the way and manner in which the former Israel Prime Minister, the late Aerial Sharon, was given the highest honour of military sending off before his burial

Given Sharon deserved the heroic burial taking into account his both political and military history in the Jewish state since its formation in 1948.

But the most recent was his military role in the Yom Koppur war of October 1973.

The Egyptians 3rd army had launched a surprise attack against the the Israeli security network in the Sinai dessert and crossed through the them seemingly impregnable Barlev Line, the Israeli defensive line in the Mt Sinai desert. The Egyptians took advantage of the Yom Koppur holidays when most Israeli soldiers guarding their country’s defensive line were less attentive.

Gen. Sharon, while commanding the Israeli tank brigade, launched an elaborate counter attack offensive and encircled the Arabs armies, besieged them and managed to cross the Suez Canal

Thousands in the Egyptians army which had broken the Barlev line were surprised and besieged when they were cornered in the dessert and forced to retreat in disarray leaving behind tanks and other important military armaments. The Egyptian soldiers had even taken off their military boots and abandoned them in the desert together with guns .This was after two days of tank-to-tank battle in the desert. The Egyptian abandoned ultra modern Russian made tanks, some of them intact, while others were disabled.

At the time when the ceasefire which was brokered by the UN Security Council the US and the international community come into effect. Gen. Sharon and his tank brigade had already crossed the Suez Canal water way and were only 45 kilometer from Cairo. the Egyptian soldiers abandoned their army uniform and boots as well as guns in the dessert while fleeing from Gen. Sharon and his men.

Records show that Gen. Sharon took active part in the 1948 war which resulted in the creation of the State of Israel. This was a hit and run guerrillas like war. In the six day middle East war of 1967 against the huge Arab armies comprising combined forces of Egypt, Jordan and Syria had received a thorough beating by him. Gen. Sharon was in the tank brigade that smashed Syria defensive line in the Golan Heights. He therefore deserved all sorts of public and military honour for his heroic background.

In the battle of Sinai desert, Gen Sharon was wounded in the forehead, and newspaper reports flushed his heavily bandaged fore head to the world.

In the 1948 war of independence. He was among the disciples of the one eyed Gen. Moshe Dayan.

thousands of Israeli citizens had staged a noisy demonstrations in Jel Aviv streets ,while shouting their support for Gen. Moshe Dayan. Kaczet (parliament) had forced the then prime minister Ben gurion to appoint Dayan to a term as the Defence Minister.

Gen. Sharon was later to serve both as foreign minister and PM respectively

As young Kenyan journalists under going social studies sponsored by the Kenya Federation of Labor under the late Tom Mboya IN 1962, We studied at the Kibutzi managed by the Stardust & The Israel Federation of Workers. I had the good luck of shaking haunts with Gen. Sharon at the five star King David Hotel in Tel Aviv in 1963 and also on two occasions shared a handshake which another former PM and foreign Minister Mr. Golda Meir and Abba Eban, the linguists Foreign Minister of Israel and other old politicians of those days..

However, I was so disappointed to read the comment by one of the Palestine politician who depicted Gen. Sharon a criminal man who died without having faced punishment for his crimes against human beings for his role in the massacre of Palestinian refugee in Lebanon

By all standard, Gen Sharon died as a hero who had served his country diligently, selflessly with zeal and dedication

I must take this opportunity to sincerely thank the government of Israel for having accorded Gen.Sharon the most colorful and fitting heroic burial

LEO ODERA OMOLO

KENYA: MORE REBELLION AGAINST RUTO IN THE SOUTH RIFT REGION OF KIPAIGISLAND

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News Analysis BY Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town

The time is ripe for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to display their political magnanimity and dynamism and listen to the cries of the their supporters in the South Rift region., and if possible correct the erratic appointment of the parastatal chiefs.

The South Rift regions covering Kerixho and Bomet Countries appear to have a genuine case to complaints, about, which should be addresses in order to restore the confidence of the electorate who had supported the jubilee coalition almost on a man-to-man during the March 4, 2013 elections.

The Kipsigisland region is a votes rich area boosting close to 1.5 _ _ _ votes, and the most populous sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups and as such it is an area which should not be ignored in its appointments for paraststal chiefs and those serving the quasi-government organizations.

A cross check and interviews conducted by this writer with politicians In this town has revealed deeply rooted sense of disappointments and complaints against the Jubilee government which is blamed for having short-changed the community..

The recent sentiments which were expressed by the Kurusu South MP Zakayo K Cheruiyot has received an overwhelming support by the leaders and ordinary members of the public. The MP who is known to be a man of few words is therefore considered as having spoken what is truly reflected the feeling of the silent majority.

A prominent Kipsigis politician William Kipkemoi [Chemosit] Arap Kettienya said the community is in full support of the views expressed by the Bomet governor Isaack Ruto, the Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and other about the day to day management of the Jubilee government is wanting.

Kettienya blamed the Deputy President for hosting a delegation of the purported Kipsigis leaders at his Sugoit home in Uasibn Gishu. The delegation, he said comprised of self-seekers and bunch of opportunists who went there for the purpose of spreading ill-conceived gossips against the elected URP leaders in the region.

KETTIENYA TOLD dp Ruto to deal only with the two governors in the region, namely Isaac Ruto {Bomet} and Prof. Paul Chepkwony {Kericho}, because these are the de facto leaders mandated by the Kipsigisi to speak on their behalf and nobody else, Kettienya accused the Kipsigis cousins from the north of giving the community raw dealings, and trying to undermining the community leaders.

Kettienya is the KANU branch secretary in Kericho County When this writer visited Kericho town people could be seem in small groups discussing politics and all blaming DP Ruto for the woes affecting the Kipsigis community.

The common saying is that Ruto is not advising his boss Uhuru Kenyatta property, and has been making some provocative public pronouncements.

The original MNou signed between the URP/TNA was 50-50 power sharing between the two principal partners in the Jubilee coalition, but the TNA side appeared to have taken the lions share. Ruto’s recent tour of the region for the purpose of pacifying the region did not materialize, and instead some of his utterances have fueled more discontent more than ever before. The resident now call upon President Kenyatta to make an urgent visit for dialogue with the regional leaders in Kericho and Bomet Counters’.

Other leaders scathingly criticized Kericho Senator Charles Keter whom they blamed for being single handedly responsible for the current fall out

One Ward Representative in KERICHO County warned Senator Keter to stop dancing to the tune of Anti-Kipsigis elements from the North Rift. There is no way the Jubilee government should shortchange the majority people who voted for it, said the Rep who requested for his anonymity for gear of possible reprisals.

Another local politician blamed Senator Keter for undermining the two governors who are currently managing the two Kipsigis Counties, and adding this message, “Please leave our two governors alone to discharged their constitutional duties to the electorate,”

A group of youths in Kericho Town were heard shouting loudly in the streets that Alfred Keter, Zakayo Cheruiyot and governor Isaac Ruto were the community heroes who speaks the truth when their community is being marginalized and sidelined in government appointments.

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KENYA: ODM IS BEING FIZZLED OUT OF KISII REGION

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisii Town.

The recently active participation in the just concluded by election in Nyaribari Chache by members of the “Nyandusi family” has spelt the looming signal of dooms and the end of CORD / ODM influence in Kisii region.

This is the family of the late Ex-Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi Ayacko who had ruled the entire Nyaribari Location with an iron fist for close to 30 years ever since 1930s, but still highly respected for what the former Chief did to the community in terms of introduction of modern agriculture, modern education, and massive development.

He was the father of the former cabinet Minster Simeon Nyachae, the former cabinet Minister, and the most abrasive politician. Nyachae is the founder of the Ford Peoples party, which once ruled supreme in Gusii region between 2002 and 2007. He has since retired from active politics, but his influence in the Gusii region remained intact to date.

Members of thus family brushed aside clan’s politics which usually dominate Kisii politics and vigorously campaigned for the winner Richard Tongi from the minority Boguche clan.

The Nyandusi family belonged to Abanyamasicho, which is part of a group of the amalgamated eight sub-clans called “The Kambanane”. This group boosts the voting strength which is in excess of 30,000 registered voters in Nyaribari Chache.

The ODM/CORD also got a big thrashing in Bomachoge Borabu by – election where the Jubilee’s Joel Onyancha beat its candidate Peter Kimori hands down.

ODM Leader Raila Odinga and other party luminaries campaigned for their candidates in both constituencies, but it ended in total disappointment.

However, the party mostly blamed its usually flawed and poorly managed skewed nomination system. The party adamantly ignored the plea by voters in Gusii who had demanded that the party should conduct preliminary nomination exercises to enable the voters to send up the most popular candidate. ODM instead came up with hand-picked candidates named from its Orange House head office in Nairobi, understandably due to the ever present of many brokers and tried to impose them on the Kisii voters.

It should be remembered that the ODM lost close to 10 parliamentary seats, which were considered very safe in its stronghold electoral areas. in Western Kenya to its competitors during the March 4,2013. It lost the following seats which include Kuria East, Kuria West, Teso North and Teso South. Also lost were parliamentary constituencies in Luo-Nyanza of Alego/Usonga, Muhoroni, Kisumu Town West, Awendo and Migori governor position seat went to Omingo Magara’s little known People Democratic Party {PDP} whose tickets were also used by Migori governor Zachary Okoth Obado and the Awendo MP Jared Kopiyo.

The most intriguing aspect of the recent by elections in Kisii only two party MPs supported ODM candidates. These were Richard Onyonka [Kitutu Chache South and Simon Ogari [Bomachoge Chache. and T.Bosire of Kitutu Masaba. The South Mugirango MP Manson Oyongo Nyamweya openly threw his weight behind Tongi who contested by Nyaribari Chache seat on Ford People party ticket thus attracting the backing of the mighty Nyachae family.

The CORD/ODM coalition, however, is still counting on the support of its few left stalwarts like Senator Chris Mogere obure, Nominated Senator Janet Ongera, Kisii governor James Ongwae and his Deputy Joash Maangi abd Women Representative Anne Otaraand several Ward Representatives. However, the gong appeared to be hard on the Raila Odinga party, which had ruled supreme in Gusii between 2007 and 2013 bagging nearly all the parliamentary seats. In Kisii and Nyamira Counties. The party should rebrand itself and strategize for 2017 general election. It must go back to the drawing board and usher in the necessary reforms in its electoral nomination system by avoiding many political brokers and hirelings.

There is clear evidence that many people in Gusii land now prefer the Jubilee coalition and the party of President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto should expect a great influx of people migrating from ODM to the Jubilee within the next few months.

Opinion leaders in Gusiiland, however, are saying the are not happy with the recent appointment of parastatal chiefs by President Uhuru Kenyatta whguch excluded Prof. Sanm K. Ongeri the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during the defunct PNU/ODM coalition Ongeri the most astute and dynamic politician who is arguably the most experience leader in the region has yet to be given any appointment despite having campaigned vigorously for the Jubilee coalition.

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Hackers Used Infected USBs to Make ATMs Spit Out Cash

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From: Yona Msuya

BY SAMANTHA MURPHY KELLY
Hackers reportedly used USB sticks to install malware on ATMs in Europe, eventually controlling them to dispense cash.

According to the BBC, German researchers revealed during the Chaos Computing Congress on Dec. 28 in Hamburg, Germany, that criminals used USB drives during a ATM robbing spree last summer. Although ATMs have been the target of attacks for decades, they often run older software, making it easier for criminals to hack the systems.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25550512

SEE ALSO: Use This Tool to Check if Your Snapchat Account Was Compromised
http://mashable.com/2014/01/01/tool-snapchat-compromised/

The ATMs were running Windows XP. The bank discovered hackers were installing malware and then patching up the security holes as an attempt to go unnoticed. This allowed several machines to be hacked the same way several times.

To dispense money, the hackers used a 12-digit code that revealed how much money — and the denomination of each bill — was housed inside the machine. The interface then displayed menu options to dispense the notes they wanted, most likely those of the highest value. To prevent hackers from going solo, the interface prompted a second login code; the answer would require the hacker to call another person involved in the ring.

If the code wasn’t entered in three minutes, the machine would return to its previous normal screen. This step indicates there may have been some mistrust among the group, the researchers said.

It was not revealed which banks or countries were affected by the attacks.

PRESIDENT KENYATTA HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT HIS LOYAL SUPPORTERS TO THE POSITION OF TRUST

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo IN Kisumu CITY

Those politicians making noisy over the appointment of of parastatal heads have got it wrong. They ought to have known that such coveted appointment are not done by tht President single handedly, but only after a thorough consultation involving other arms of the government including the security intelligence for clearance.

This has been the tradition in Kenya ever since the country become independent in 1963 and thtrefore not the creation of President Kenyatta alone. Apart from the clearance by the department of the security intelligence it also required the approval and implementation of the parent MINISTRY INVOLVED.

What counts most is one’s total loyalty to the head of state who is the appointing authority and the government. The President of the Republic of Kenya cannot wake up in the morning and announce such appointment without proper consultation. And it is constitutional prerogative to do so without knelling down before anybody.

Ambassador Francis Muthaura comes in with the wealthy of experience in public administration and I do not see anything wrong for him being considered for such a plum job. He is more than qualified and his age cannot be a barrier to the job. Let the noisy making politicians respect the country constitution that empowered the President to be the appointing authority.

Some of the vocal critics of the appointments perhaps would have wished to see their political cronies given these jobs despite of experience and qualifications. We are still smarting from an era where one Leader had appointed close elatives and cousin’s t 21 of the plum jobs. This what happened during the PNU/ODM coalition. Such shameful acts should not be allowed to happen again in Kenya,

I can challenge those who are vocal over President Kenyatta’s appointments in parastatals and quasigovernment organizations to give us the breakdown of what happened during the coalition government.

Leo Odera Omolo

KENYA: CRITICISM AND ATTACK ON GOVERNOR KIDERO BY LUO LEADERS IS UNCALLED FOR

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu CITY

The bunch of Luo MPS and leaders attended the so-called consultative meeting in Bondo last week. They denounced the Nairobi governor Dr. Evans Otieno Kidero for his effort to assist the poverty ridled community by conducting a series of high profile Harambee fundraising towards socio-economic projects in Nyanza was misplaced.

These gentlemen of parliament should know that the index of poverty in Luo-Nyanza is the highest in this country. Therefore, the community would definitely welcome anybody who is readily coming to their assistance with both arms. The region therefore needs a foresighted person like Dr Kidero who is mindful of the less fortune members of the society.

Some of the leaders who spoke the loudest should perhaps spent their valuable hero worshiping individuals instead of making any meaningful contributions to wards development activities in the region. One of the examples is the Homa-Bay Senator, Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ who spearheaded anti-Kidero debate, was first elected to represent the larger Mbita Constituency in Parliament before it was splintered into two parts with the creation of Suba South or Gwassi constituency some years ago. Kajwang’ later jumped the ship and relocated his politics to HOMA-bay County and contested the Senate seat, but left nil record of development in Mbita. However, the Senator cannot account for any single economic or infrastructure project he had initiated and completed in Mbita after being in Parliament for close to 17 years.

The outspoken Senator can only be remembered with the song lyrics of Bado Kuna Mapambsno as his only legacy in Mbita. He was eventually forced out of Mbita which he left in a huff after sensing defeat early this year and relocated his politics to HomaA-Bay town for the purpose of hoodwinking the voters in the larger County.

Kajwang’ entered into Parliament almost at the same time with the late Joshua orwa Ojode, the former Ndhiwa MP who was elected in 1974. Ojode, however, left behind a remarkable record of development in Ndhiwa. The MP who converged at Bondo and vilified Kidero are some of those leaders still happy when presiding over the Poverty ridden people, while some of them are swimming in ill-gotten wealth. They should know that hero worshipping politics is now outmoded and has no place in modern society,

Instead of criticizing Dr Kidero, the MPS should strive to sensitizing their people to compete with their neighbors in wealth creation. The Luos have been wallowing in abject poverty ever since this country attained its political independence in 1963, while other neighboring communities moves much faster and turned their areas.

Good example is the comparison of Kisii town and Kisumu CITY. While Kisumu is lagging behind in development, activities in Kisii town are very competitive while Kisumu is stinking in dirty garbages and broken sewerage lines which goes for weeks unrepaired.

Let these MPS come up with tangible ideas on how the Luo-Nyabza could move much faster and catch up with other regions, instead of polarizing the region with deceitful politics, which are full of empty slogans.

Ends

KENYAN POLITICIANS MUST GIVE PRESIDENT KENYATTA AND THE JUBILEE GOVERNMENT A BREATHING SPACE OF TIME TO WORK

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

I should like to extend my passionate appeal to the opposition groups both inside and outside parliament to give the young jubilee government the breathing space of time so that it could implement its election pledges and carry this country to the next level of development.

This government needs sufficient time to enable it to plan well its development activities and programmers. But it could not do so because the opposition groups have kept it on its toes with flurry of destructive criticisms and allegations one after the other making look like if Kenya is permanently on the election mood.

The elections comes and goes, and those who lost their seats and positions during the March 4, 2013 general election should now take the back seats, go home and take care of their cows, goats and sheep if they had any and allow President Uhuru Kenyatta and his teams of youthful technocrats to work under the peaceful atmosphere and in harmony.

Equally important is that there should be only one government’s spokes man who is well versed and fully conversant with the government policy and not not the so-called Tom Dick and Harry.

These characters at times act as agents of confusion through their frequent sycophantic outbursts, which often fell short of convincing Kenya that they are the right defenders of the government.

In this context, I have in mind the like of the Hon. Aden Duale the majority leader in Parliament and the Starehe MP Hon Maina Kamanda and other Jubilee supporters who have been displaying their political mediocrity and naivety each time they opened up in the name of defending the government. Some of these people need to have their statements officially cleared by the government spokesman before such statements are released for public consumption. Kenya is a country of civilized and highly educated men and women, and not a banana state like the neighboring Somalia.

Constructive engagement is the best way of running a country. Therefore our politicians who are engaged in criss-crossing the full length and width of the country while feeding the people with empty poetical slogans and pack of lies are doing a disservice to this nation. THe people need time to cultivate their farms and plant new food crops so that they have enough to eat and not empty political rhetorics based on malice. There will be no other elections until the year 2017 therefore those who wanted to stay afloat and remain relevant in our national politics should strive to find other gainful engagements and allow the Wananchi enough time to go about their daily cores.

The jubilee government is only eight months old in office and as such cannot solve all the problems affecting the Kenyan people overnight. In needs sufficient time to settle down and plan well forth future.

President Kenyatta, I am sure for certain meant well for Kenyans and only need time to implement the government programmers without frequent disruption and endless political agitation by the disgruntled losers of the March 4, elections. Kenyan are so happy that the President appear to be committed to reaching every communities including those living in areas and region which voted against his jubilee coalitions. This is a wonderful political magnanimity on his part, which should be highly appreciated by all Peace-loving Kenyans.

We should all appreciate that managing the state affairs is quite different from seeping a glass of beer or whisky.

Let us all hope that the new year with restore sanity in the minds od the disgruntled oppositionists.

LEO ODERA OMOLO IN KISUMU CITY

KENYA: VETERAN JOURNALIST MOURNS WARURU KANJA

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LEO ODERA OMOLO MOURNS THE LATE NYERI POLITICIAN WARURU KANJA

May take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt profound condolence to the family and friends of the late Nyeri fierce politician Waruru KANJA.

I Knew the late Waruru Kanja way back in 1957 when he led a group of hard-core Mau Mau detainees on Mageta Island, Bondo district, now Siaya County, who were involved in jailbreak after killing the European prison commander who was in charge of the camp.

After killing the prison boss, the group escaped MAGETA Island using a makeshift raft and swam across the Nyanza Gulf {formerly Kavirondo Gulf and landed at Ulugi, near Lihanda beach on Rusinga Island in what was then known as South Nyanza distric after swimming for more that 14 hours.

The fugitives were given shelter by the LUO Elders who gave the them accomodation and food inside hideout houses, but only after separating them in four groups. The colonial police launched an elaborate search for the jail breakers both aerially using the police air-wing and motor-boats. The search also went on into the villagers on the mainland locations of Yimbo, Sakwa and Uyoma.

The colonial authorities used motor-boats and even sent their agents to the twin fishing islands of Rusinga, but all in vain, Warurur Kanja and his friends had been issued with new clothes and were living safely in the villages.

I met the late ex-Mau Mau detainee in the 1980s while he was serving in the cabinet as a Minister and Nyeri Town MP in Parliament Building over a cup of tea, and I found his memory to be very fresh. He could easily recognize me, though many years had lapsed because in 1957 I was a young man of 18 of age. Mzee Kanja was a true nationalist and freedom fighter apart from being detribalized person and humanist

May Almighty God give his soul eternal peace.

LEO ODERA OMOLOO
veteran journalist-cum-Author

KENYA IS BLEEDING TO DEATH FROM AL-QAEDA SUPPORTED AL-SHABAAB TERRORISTS ATTACKS

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News Analysis By Leo \Odera Omolo

As millions of Kenyans celebrated the 50th Independence aniversarry marking December 12th the date in which the country gained its political independence from Great Britain in 1963, residents of Moyale District located in the far North and bordering Ethiopia and Somalia had nothing to celebrate.

The residents of this region did not celebrate the century’s 50th birthday with the rest of the country. Thousands of the residents were displaced during last week’s six days of gun battle that claimed more than 10 lives and led to loss of property worth millions of shilllings.

It was sad that some residents were not even aware that 12th December was a special day for Kenyans across the country and the world. Women and children were still camping in different refugee camps in Kenya and in Ethiopia. 90% of locals sought refuge in neighbouring Ethiopia following the attack Islamic terrorists.

The insecurity situation is now posing this threat to the country’s thriving tourism industry. This is because the Somali terrorists appeared to have infiltrated their agents deep inside Kenya, and making the country to bleed to death.

In the Coastal Kenyan city of Mombasa two British tourists narrowly escaped death early this week when a hand grenade was hurled at their vehicle. But the grenade failed to explode.

The two tourists who were traveling to the popular tourist destination of Amboseli National Game Park under the attack at 7.30 a.m (local time) in the Likoni area of Mombasa.

According to some words of the eye witness who spoke to the news men on strict condition of anonymity, the lone man who hurled the grenade at the vehicle carrying the British tourists, a land cruiser as the driver slowed down to negotiate a sharp corner near Mtongwe junction had been loitering around by the roadside at about 6 a.m.

The device hit the vehicle side window and rolled off. Luckily for the tourists, the device dropped onto the road without exploding. The attacker then escaped and fled from the scene. He disappeared in the sprawling village. He had earlier been observed loitering in the busy road as early as 6 a.m.

Meanwhile the police in Mombasa are holding a Kenyan woman who they are questioning in connection with the mysterious death of a British tourist.

The tourist whose age was assessed to be around 70 years tied under the most mysterious circumstance inside his one room rented house. The victim who is said to have been a regular visitor to the coastal city was found dead by the caretaker of the apartment. His mouth was sealed with plastic tape.

The local police chief Julius Wanjohi confirmed the incident and said the ralus were pursuing vital leads that could unravel the truth. The suspect who is said to have seen a girl friend of the deceased is now in police custody. The killing has angered the residents of Nyali neighbourhood who complained of the uprising insecurity in the area.

Op-ed by WaterAid: Africa’s once in a generation opportunity

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From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE

UN figures show some 70% of sub-Saharan Africans do not have access to adequate sanitation

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, December 13, 2013/ — Op-ed by Lindlyn Moma, Regional Advocacy Manager for WaterAid in Southern Africa (http://www.wateraid.org)

http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=770

Logo WaterAid: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/wateraid.jpg

Photo Lindlyn Moma: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=769 (Lindlyn Moma is Regional Advocacy Manager for WaterAid in Southern Africa)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=770 (Victoria Miandrisoja, 9, smiles with friends whilst washing in clean water from the tap installed at school, Ampanasana Public Primary school, Miandrivazo, Madagascar, 2012 (Credit: Anna Kari/WaterAid)

Africa’s leaders have in their hands a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the international development agenda, not just for their continent but for the whole globe.

The continent’s leaders are in the midst of negotiating the Africa Common Position (ACP) on what the UN framework for development will look like after 2015. The outcome will be hugely influential.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has pointed out that we are the first generation that has the resources and know-how to end extreme poverty. We must ensure that no one is left behind.

As we debate how to achieve this, we must not forget about the work yet to be completed on the UN Millennium Development Goals. These eight ambitious goals, set in 2000 to address hunger, extreme poverty and other issues crippling the developing world, run out in 2015.

Sanitation is the most off track of all of these goals. UN figures show some 70% of sub-Saharan Africans do not have access to adequate sanitation, while over a quarter — nearly 230 million people — practise open defecation.

This has devastating consequences for the continent. Over a thousand African children under the age of five die every day because of this lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation.

Last month, Secretary-General Ban called upon the world to “urgently step up” its efforts and put sanitation at the heart of post-2015 development.

Failing to do so will carry measurable financial costs.

UN estimates suggest about 5% of the continent’s wealth is being lost from this lack of access to water and sanitation. If everyone had access to these services, it would add $33 billion US a year to the continent’s economies, according to a conservative 2012 estimate by economists at the World Health Organisation.

Ghana alone, for instance, according to a World Bank assessment, loses $290 million US each year to a lack of sanitation services. Kenya loses $324 million, Nigeria a staggering $3 billion.

Making access to sanitation and safe water a top priority in the African Common Position presents an opportunity for Africa’s children, and for economic growth. This is also in line with the Africa Water Vision 2025.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, along with the UN-established High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, has already called for a new UN development goal of universal access to water and sanitation. In following that lead, African leaders can be seen to be listening to the voices of its citizens, including women and girls, who are calling for the prioritisation of water and sanitation post-2015.

As we now mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela, the ultimate symbol of justice for the African people, we also remember his calls for an African Renaissance.

Safe water and better sanitation can help address so many of the challenges Africa faces today, from reducing the HIV transmission rate to improving child health and school attendance. As Mandela himself said: “Water is central in the social, economic and political affairs of the African continent.”

By prioritising safe water and sanitation, Africa’s leaders can also ensure the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals is dealt with strategically. Africa’s leaders can set the continent onto a trajectory so that by 2030, everyone has access to this basic right to sanitation.

If we miss this opportunity, we risk leaving hundreds of millions of people on the continent behind, stranding them far from that promise of an African Renaissance.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of WaterAid.

SOURCE
WaterAid

Kenya: multi-billion dollar project in siaya is facing myriads of problems

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NEGATIVE POLITICS AND GREEDINESS FOR THE CHEAP CHEAP HANDOUTS MONEY IS THREATENING TO DERAIL MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR US INVESTOR’S RICE PROJECT IN SIAYA COUNTY

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

Negative politics and anti-development attitude of Siaya politicians is now threatening to derail a multi million investment by an American entrepreneur who has sunk close to Ksh. 10 billion in River Yala Swamp land reclamation project.

Mr. Calvin Burgess an American investor from Okhlohama, US has invested a lot of money in mixed Yala river swamp land measuring about 17,500 hectares in the farm which is located near Ratuoro in Central Alego, Siaya district, Siaya county.

Yala swamp land reclamation project is a multi purpose farm producing thousands of top grade rice, maize, beans, cotton, sorghum, millet, bee keeping, citrus fruits, fish ponds, and other cash crops.

The vast swamp land on both sides of Yala River is covering Bondo, Bunyala, Budalangi and Siaya district. Before Mr. Burgess started this multi billion dollar investment project the massive swamp, now farm land, was home to crocodiles, hippos, pythons, and highly poisonous snakes.

Dominion Farm Limited has now been turned into ultra-modern mixed farm which of late has become the hub of food production inside Luo-Nyanza. However, the work has not been going on smoothly as expected due to gross interference by lead politicians and some local NGOs, environmentalists and local civic leaders, who had turned this most important project into their punching box, thereby incessantly polarizing its progress and expansion.

The war of words intensified earlier this week after the outspoken Gem MP Washington Jakoyo Midiwo fired the first salvo by issuing threats that he will mobilize and lead a mob of ODM supporters to evict the company.

Meanwhile the Dominion Farm Limited has persistently come out to defend its clean record and dismissed numerous allegations of reneging on the agreement signed between it and the defunct County Council of Siaya and Bondo.

Midiwo’s threats prompted the nominated MP Dr. Oburu Oginga and Siaya County Commissioner Joseph Kimigwi to tell Midiwo off over his threats to lead the company’s eviction by the mob of ODM followers and supporters.

Oburu, the elder brother of the ODM party leader Raila Amolo Odinga said it is naïve to evict the investor who has sunk down Ksh. 10 billion in the Yala Swamp rice development project. The MP warned the County Reps and villagers who are reportedly harassing Dominion Group for cheap hand-outs, jobs and other goodies.

“Let us not fight the investor. This behaviour will scare away other potential investors” said the MP, adding that the Government of Kenya and Siaya County residents should instead protect the US Company which has also created job opportunities for thousands of locals.

Dr. Oginga said there are channels of addressing grievances raised by the residents and their leaders and which should be followed. “Because the investment is of great importance to Siaya County and cannot be wished away over petty issues”

“Such a multi billion shillings investment cannot be shut down at the whim of county leaders. It is inconcurrable”, said the administrators.

The commissioner defender the Dominican Group and vowed to beef up security around the project to thwart any attempt to disrupt its operations.

Mr. Kimigwi went on “ Infrastructure that has been brought up by the Dominican Group will always remain the property of the local community and residents should not just look at immediate gains or hand outs.

Midiwo had issued the threats to evict the US company for allegedly failing to comply with agreed and signed with the former County Council of Siaya and Bondo when it leased more than 6, 000 acres of the swamp land for a rice project.

Some local politicians demanded for fresh negotiations at the agreement arguing that the residents have allegedly been given a raw deal by the US multinational company.

The proprietor, Calvin Burgess, has however dismissed Midiwo’s claims saying the project has employed thousands of workers from the surrounding villages and locations both skilled and unskilled.

This US multinational firm has also revived the old ginnery in the region which went burst many years ago due to poor management by co-operative sorcery and is now encouraging cotton growing in the region

It has established the honey processing plant within its own compound. The firm is known to have freely supplied mosquito nets to the villagers in the malaria prone region for free.

Dominion has vehemently denied the allegations and claims that it is not helping the local RESIDENTS.

Ends

THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA IS ACCUSED FOR BEING INSINCER WITH ITS EFFORTS TO REHABILITATE THE AILING SUGAR INDUSTRY

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A Special Feature By Leo Odera Omolo

The government of Kenya is being accused of insincerity in its declared plans to resuscitate the ailing sugar industry. Instead the sugar sub-sector which, is so vital in the country’s economic growth, is said to have been neglected and turned to a milking cow.

A recent tour of the Nyanza sugar belt by the cabinet secretary for agriculture Felor Koskei has provoked sharp criticism of the government whose sincerity to introduce a crash programme for the rehabilitation of the sugar sub-sector is now put into a big question mark.

Koskei announced that five sugar mills which are currently in public investments and under the parastatal management would be privatized soon.

He said the move will be to comply with a resolution passed by parliament in January this year. The five sugar factories included Nzoia, Muhoroni, Sony Sugar, Chemelil and Miwani.

The five sugar companies are heavily indebted to the turned US 525 million with their annual books of account not very attractive.

Koskei issued a directive that sugar cane farmers may now be forced to sell their crops to any millers without zonal restriction. This he said will be on willing seller willing buyer basis.

The cane farmers in Western Kenya through Kenya Sugar Cane Growers Association (KESGA) have reacted angrily and vehemently opposed the new directive.

Sugar cane farmers view the new directive as aimed at protecting the errant millers at the expense of cane growers.

The farmers in the sugar cane growing regions said they have a feeling that if Koskei directive is implemented it will automatically trigger chaos worse than the current pathetic situation in which cane poaching crisis has threatened to cripple the sugar industry.

Koskei, they said has missed the point. How do the farmers who are specifically contracted to sugar companies that had advanced them with millions of shillings in land preparation and development loans deliver their harvests to other millers that did not invest a cent in the same crops development, even if they are offering better terms?

For a farmer too develop an acre of sugar cane from the land preparation to harvesting cost approximately between Ksh. 40, 000 and Ksh. 50, 000 respectively which poor farmer can not afford, hence for partnership with the millers who can only recover their money upon the farmer delivering the cane to the same miller, who had advanced the m with the land preparation and cane development loan.

The government is equally blamed for not having put in place certain binding conditions when signing contract with new investors in the sugar industry especially on issues related to the employment of top management staff in the sugar companies.

There are five privately owned sugar factories which are currently operational. In all the five with the exception of one, Miwani sugar Mills which went burst and presently under the official receivership, all top managers are foreign expatriates recruited from either India or Pakistan.

Local African staff and workers in those factories are only engaged to work as casuals without letters of appointments. Local Kenyans are employed but earning discriminative salary scales in comparison to their foreign counterparts

The expatriate are the one earning the highest salary scales, but not subjected to mandatory deductions such as NSSF and NHIF, while their counterparts (Africans} are forced to pay the mandatory deductions.

Expatriates are employed on petty and odd jobs such as time-keepers, store-keepers, junior account clerks, cane yard clerks, casuals, messengers, accountants, electricians tractor drivers, sweepers etc.

Salaries for the expatriate varied from Kshs 30, 000 up to 80,000 per month. The highest paid African worker earns between Ksh 6000 and Ksh 15, 000 per month, but without being issued with letters of appointment.

In actual sense this is purely case of new slavery when indignant Kenyan workers are being discriminated in their own country.

All the jobs specifications on which foreign workers are doing can easily be filled by local personnel.

Kenya has trained and turned out thousands of skilled workers, in excess of its industrial needs therefore does not require any foreign workers of the above mentioned categories.

The Indian sugar companies, it is being alleged, are said to be spending fortunes in the way of corruptly obtaining the work permit for the expatriate workers, which runs into millions of shillings.

The Indian owned factories incTrans-Mara lude Butali, West Kenya, Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries, Trans Nzoia, Mara Sugar Companies and Miwani Sugar Mills. All are located in Western Kenya.

Some of these rules stipulates among other things that the new mills must be established at a distant of not less than 40 km apart from the existing one, cut the invest must provide to the KSB with evidence that they had acquired enough land acreage for sourcing continued cane supplies to avoid scrambling and cut throat cane poaching.

These r KSB regulations are defiantly and flagrantly ignored by excessively arrogant Indian investors and hence the source of discontent leading to near violence cane poaching that has been witnessed in Western province and in the Nyanza sugar belt and also Awendo sugar cane growing zone which Sony Sugar is violently competing for cane harvesting with Sukari Industries and Trans Mara Sugar Companies as located less than 15 km apart.

ENDS

Uganda-Kenya Relationship

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News Analysis By Leo odera Omolo In Kisumu City

Kenya and Uganda governments have agreed to a mutual deal that when fully implemented will make it much easier to the citizens of the two countries have an easy access to border crossings, instead of the cumbersome going through tough immigration scrutinizes.

The agreement came at the conclusion of a week long consultative meeting held in Kisumu City. The meeting held at the posh Sun-Set Hotel on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria.

It will facilitate free movement of labor between the two countries. IN the new deal those nationals of the two neighboring nations moving to either for a period of six months will only be required to produce their national identity cards. This will apply to Kenyans crossing into Uganda while Ugandans travelling to Kenya will use heir voting cards as the official documents.

The Ugandan delegation headed by a r Mohamed Sadique arrived here last Monday during which time the two delegations deliberated on various contentious issues affecting the two countries. The two teams revived reviewed issues such as reviving the question of Migingo island in Lake Victoria, which has been the sources of endless political wrangling between the two nations for the last eight years.

The Kenya delegation was headed by James Ole SeriAN who is the Regional Co-coordinator Commissioner for Western Province. It asked the joint border survey committee which was established Five years ago to urgently embark on the review process to end the stalement. It became clear at the end of the discussions that the two countries wants Migingio ISLAND border survey reviewed quickly and the dispute between the two countries sorted out amicably and diplomatically. The same dispute has remained a thorny issue for the last eight years at times threatening he peaceful co-existence of the two countries.

Mr Ole Serian the head of the Kenya delegation had told the gathering that the long territorial spat over the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria will soon be resolved in a peaceful manner. His counter part Mr Sadique said that the to countries have enjoyed cordial and warm relationship anf therefore needed to resolved all the outstanding issues harmoniously.

The joint survey team was established by the two nations in 2009 and undertook the joint inspection of the international boundaries in the region, But its work had stalled despite the two countries having made available the sums of Kshs 240 million in which each contributed half of the amount of. During another KENYA-Uganda Ministerial COUNCIL held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi in 2011 it was agreed that the joint survey team would complete its work and come up with practical modalities to conclude the survey and demarcation of the common boundaries in Lake Victoria.

The initiatives, however, stalled due to what Mr Ole termed as failure to bring on board the stakeholders. NINTH KENYA-UGANDA JOINT BORDER TECHNICAL COMMISSION does bring on board all the stakeholders, and, that exercise among the many issues surrounding the true ownership of Migingo Island. Which were supposed to have been addressed adequately and sufficiently.

Ends

KENYA: THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ABOLISH THE INCOMPETENT KENYA SUGAR BOARD

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COmmentratry by Leo Odera Omolo

It is very encouraging that the government of Kenya has declared its reform exercise of its parastatals and other loss making – quasi-government organizations. However the inefficient and perennial loss making Kenya Sugar Board should be scrapped and axed and another vibrant body be established to perform the KSB duties.

The board was created by an act of parliament a few years ago to look after the sugar s-sub sector. At the time of its inception the performance of the industry was well, but gradually this got derailed such that it is not effective in making what used to be a robust industry almost totally collapsed.

The reasons for the decay in this important dub-sector include {1} Composition of a new board that include farmer representative elected more or less along a line similar to that of electing ward representatives to the regional assemblies. At the present electoral system, it is doubted if the farmers have got adequate and effective representation for improvement of their lot.

{2} The current Kenya Sugar Board has failed to achieve equity in financial returns from three tire industry. To – date there is no operating sugar cane payment formula and the poor farmers are so disadvantaged, especially when they have ineffective representation.

The sugar industry in this country could borrow a leaf from Mauritius or South Africa. In the Indian Ocean island of Mautirius, after all made sugar has been sold, about 75-76 per cent of the proceeds are given to the raw cane owners and 24-25 per cent shared by other stakeholders. In this way availability of raw material, cane is assured and there is equity.

As regards COMESA rule, total production of sugar in COMESA countries put together is far less than total consumption in the same region. He Sugar board has not addressed importation of sugar from Comesa countries, which are well known to produce much less than their domestic consumption.

In general, operation of the sugar regulating board should be devolved and placed under County Agriculture docket for close supervision.

In general, operations of the KSB should be devolved and made to fall under County. It is worth noting that this institution has changed names many times. Good agricultural work appear to be conducted in this institution. Effective extension programs need to be created to disseminate research findings to improve the industry. The institution, however should encompass work related to sugar factory as is done in the other sugar research institutions in Mauritius. Research should go to factory level as well. Composition of the board should include people with relevant professional experience, and strictly not seconded civil servants. All the parastatal sugar factories in this country have been run-down. From that time appointments of CEOs had little bearing on professional suitability. Selection criteria of CEOs must be reviewed. The same should go for departmental heads.

Ends

WHY KENYAN PRESS IS FOND OF DISTORTING THE COUNTRY’S POLITICAL HISTORY?

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

ANYONE reading through the columns of the Kenyan newspapers will not escape from reading malice and deliberate distortion and concoction of the the country’s political history, especially in regards to the role of those gallant freedom fighters of the past. I was so disgusted, perturbed and dismayed when I read the stories of Kenyan heroes of the yester-years

The photographs which were lined up as those of the freedom fighters during the hero’s day celebrations were mostly of former Home-Guards and boot lickers of the colonialists. I am particularly concerned with the several supplements carried out by some of the dailies.

Our papers showed only those who were well-known as the blue-eyed agents of the colonialists and white settlers, and the photos with dubious contributions to the real task for liberation war.

The list of the pseudo heroes were published either by design or malice that excluded the portrait of Mzee Harry Thuku, the fonder of the Kikuyu Central Kenya Association, which was later to became the mother of the defunct Kenya African Union {KAU}

The late Thuku, is arguably is the father of African nationalists uprising against the British colonial rulers in this country and their associates, the white settlers, Indian business moguls, and the Arabs. In the list of the past heroes of the independent struggle,the writers deliberately excluded the photo and name of Ronald Gideon Ngala, James Smuel Gichuru,Ex-Senior Chief Koinnange Wa Mbiyu, Wokesha Mengu of Taita/Taveta, Fred Kubai, Makan Singh, Walter Fanuel Odede,Daniel Ojijo Oteko of Karachuonyo, John Paul Olola from Alego, Jalmaya Okaka Rabala of Seme, of the Kavirondo Taxpayers Association { Piny Owacho}, John Kebaso of Kisii, JOHN andala of Bunyore, Lumadede Kisala of Maragoli, Elijah Masinde of Bukhusu, Rev Canon Awori , W.W.W.Awori, Eliud Wambu Mathu, Benard Mate , J.jeremiah Nyagah and Francis J.Khamisi.

Other freedom fighters who had the colonialists and their white settlers friends sleepless nights included Arap Koilagen the head of laibons in Kericho and the descendant of Kipnyige and Koitalel Arap Samoei. Arap K Mfangano Island after his entire Talai Laibon clan} Talai were forcefully evicted from their fertile ancestral land to pave thew way for the white settlers tea plantation in Keriucho and Bomet aregions and driven to the remote Gwassi Hills in the then South Nyanza in 1934. Koilagen died in 1956 and was buried on Mfangano Island while his two other cousins died in Nyeri prison where they were detained by the colonial government

The second regent generation of freedom fighters included Lawrence Gerald Oguda,Taaitta Araap Toweett, John Marie Seroney Josef Stanley Mathenge of Nyeri, Ambalal Patel [Ambu} , V.V. Patel.Daniel Moss oF Mt Elgot Congress, Kondit Ole Tiis, Dr Julius Gikonyo Kiano, J.D. Kali

Back to JAMES Samuel Gichuru, it was the latter who prior to the return of Jommo Kenyatta from Europe in 1948 became the first President of KAU. He relinquished this position and stood down for Kenyatta to resume the party leadership.,.

Again for the second time in 1941 Gichuru stood down as the President of KANU to give way to Commn Kenyatta to resume the party”s leadership after the latter”s release from the colonial jails in 1961,

About ODEDE, The Makerere trained veterinarian had stepped into Kenyatta shoes and resumed the presidency of KAU late in October 1951 only a week after Kenyatta and other top leaders of the party were rounded up by the colonial security personnel on the night of October 20. Kenyatta and five other were vanished in the remotest part of the NORTHERN Kenya before they were charged before a court in Kapenguria and jailed with hard labour on the framed charges of managing Mau Mau. Before the end of the same month, Odede hiukself was arrested while visiting South Nyanza and vanquished into detention camp in Maralal, Samburu from where he remained in the colonial detention and restriction camps until 1960s.

It would be good for the young writers to visit libraries before penning about history and they should stop sycophantic outbursts in which people whose contributions to the independence struggle are very insignificant.

The younger journalists must stop turning the history of this country upside down

– LEO ODERA OMOLO –
IN KISUMU.

KENYA: BOTH CORD AND JUBILEE COULD BE THE BIG LOSERS IN THE KISII BY-ELECTIONS

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News analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisii Town.

UNLESS Cord and Jubilee coalitions changes their tactics and abandon the idea of handpicking their preferred candidates without giving the electorate the free opportunity to nominate the most popular candidates through by conducting preliminary nomination process the two leading coalition parties could face an inevitable defeat in the two parliamentary by-elections.

The commonly popular opinion in this town and its environs is that the voters are unanimous that they will not vote for any candidate who is hand-picked by the either CORD or Jubilee headquarters.

The by elections are due to be held in Nyaribari Chache and in Bomachoge Borabu. Cord has already declared its support for the immediate former MP for the area Chris Bichage. Its principal partner, the WPD, is said to be in the process of choosing Richard Tongi,the man who had petition the high court and caused the by-election.

Rumours making the round here is that Ford People’ s party which was sounded by the former cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae.However, the two leading parties appeared to have ignore the influence of the former Chief Secretary in Kisiipolitics. Leaders of these parties might not be in the know how that ignoring Nyachae waves of influence in Kisii , which is still intac, they re doing so at their own peril. Moreover Nyachae is highly respected member of one of the eight sub-clans, which are known as the kamba nane group in both Nyaribari Chache and in Nyanribari Masaba. He is still calling the shots within the two region Kamba nane which controls the majority of votes in Nyaribari Chance

The By-election in Nyaribari chache could be so complicated by the entry into other election race of Kennedy Omanga, who is the son of the former Nyaribari MP, the late Andrew John Omanga, who had also served as a cabinet Minister for many years. His mother Clara Omanga was once a Councilor in Kisii Municipality and rose through the ladder to became the rank of the town’s Mayor.Other credible aspirants included Ben Mogaka. In Bomachoge, Jubilee has settled on the former MP Joel Onyancha, while the Cord has declared its support to Peter Kimori. Another credible candidate who is likely top give Kimori a run for his Kimori a run for his money is Alfred Nyaundi,

This time around, the by-elections will be pitting the two Kisii political giants in two different opposing camps. These giants are Prof. Sam K.Ongeri who will be heading the Jubilee campaign team and Kisii Senator Chris M Obure of CORD. The two men have fought some of the fiercest election campaign battle in Kisii County before. They were involved in a bruising campaign for the Kisii senatorial seat which Obure won on March 4.

In 2008 Ongeri and Obure were locked in another by-elecion in Bomachoge after the High court in Kisii had nullified Oyancha election of 2007.Obure had succeeded in pushing John Ogari to victory in the consequent by election.

Obure and Onger were in the last Nyayo cabinet which was headed by the retired President Daniel ArapMoi. The two had supported different camps during the constitutional referendum voting of 2005. Ongeri Qa is the PNU torchbearer in Kisii and backed the Banana side, while the Narc government was headed by President Mwai Kibaki. Thereafter the referendum voting saw Kibaki beaten hands down with over one million votes.

Kisii County is an area where clan politics is still thriving and at times even supersede party politics. Clan politics is popularly known among the Abagusii as {\Obonyumba}This kind of clans politics gives advantages to those parliamentary aspirant from larger clans over their minority neighbors no matter how good is a candidate.

As far as the politics of Kisii is currently stand on the ground cord still control the largest parts of the region, but the coalition which is led by Raila Odinga who lost the presidential contest on March 4 to President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee has lost considerable ground to the waves of Jubilee which has made major inroads into many constituencies. Raila, however, must switch from his party’s usually flawed nomination system and give the voters their democratic rights of nominating the candidates of their own choice instead of dictating to them the handpicked canddate.

In the two by-elections, smaller parties including that PDP of Omingo Magara which had only one MP, namely Jared Kopiyo {Awendo},could make gains.

CORD and Jubilee must also watch the activities of the party independence KANU whose RESUYRGENCE IN Kisii region is unceasingly becoming visible.

Ends

International Criminal Court – African Union: Op-ed

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From: Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard – African Press Organization
Subject: Opinion Piece: International Criminal Court – African Union: Op-ed from the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

OPINION PIECE

International Criminal Court – African Union: Op-ed from the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

THE HAGUE, Netherland, October 11, 2013/ — Op-ed from the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute:

Annual session of States Parties to the Statute of the International Criminal Court is a venue for all States Parties

Recently, the International Criminal Court has been in the spotlight of the international stage. This Court is an independent judicial institution that States collectively established by agreeing to its founding document, the Rome Statute, in 1998. The Statute constitutes the legal framework within which the Court works. The Rome Statute system is a major achievement of the whole international community. Hence, the significance of this Court extends far beyond one case, one situation, or one region. All members of the international community should bear this in mind when discussing the current circumstances surrounding the work of the Court.

Logo ICC: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/cpi-1.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/fep_7255-1.jpg (Ambassador Tiina Intelmann is the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court)

Currently 122 States have adhered to the Rome Statute; through their accession to the Statute they have voluntarily placed themselves under the jurisdiction of the Court. Together, these 122 States are responsible for the Rome Statute system, and together they constitute the Assembly of States Parties, where each one of them is equally represented and enjoys the same rights. The Assembly carries out essential functions for the overall Rome Statute system and constantly evaluates how to improve and refine it. The Assembly provides a forum to exchange views on issues of concern to States, to consider amendments to the Court’s legal framework, to discuss how to enhance the capacity of national judicial mechanisms and assistance to victims, and much more. Indeed, the place of the Court in the overall Rome Statute system is to be the court of last resort, to get involved only when domestic avenues fail. It is by no mistake that we constantly stress the importance of the whole Rome Statue system and not the Court alone.

As a rule, the Assembly holds one regular session each year. This year is no exception: we will convene in The Hague, The Netherlands, from 20 – 28 November 2013. In light of the challenges that the Court has faced over the past year, many States Parties have expressed to me their wish to engage and constructively address issues of concern with other States Parties.

For these discussions to be truly comprehensive, it is essential for all States Parties to be represented and ready to engage with one another. I hope that any meetings of the African Union or African States Parties prior to this year’s Assembly session will focus on consolidating suggestions and proposals for consideration by all States Parties at the Assembly session. Moreover, representatives of the African Union are also invited to partake during the Assembly, as they have been in the past. I encourage African States to reaffirm their commitment to the fight against impunity by engaging actively with all States Parties.

Ambassador Tiina Intelmann is the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (http://www.icc-cpi.int).

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the International Criminal Court.

SOURCE
International Criminal Court (ICC)