World & Kenya: Donor Funding to the Kenya Judiciary should be frozen
from: Gordon Teti
To send a message to the lords of impunity and those who aided them, like the Kenya Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (IEBC) in rigging Uhuru Kenyatta to the presidency of the Republic of Kenya, the international community that finances the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), the two Western financial lending institutions should and must cut funding with immediate effect to Kenya and particularly to the Judiciary and the IEBC. The Kenya Judiciary under Willy Mutunga has been receiving a lot of financial aid from the two Breton institutions who were duped that the Kenya Judiciary is being reformed. This funding must stop with immediate effect since Willy Mutunga is not a reformist but an old tired chameleon who is working with the conservatives and the lords of impunity to make quick money as a compensation for the the many years that he spent struggling in political activism
KENYA GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO END FLOODING
By Agwanda Saye
The government has embarked on a 20 year mitigation strategy to end the floods in Kisumu County.
The permanent secretary for special programs, Andrew Mondoh said the strategic plan will be implemented in three phases running through 20 years.
The first phase will be implemented in the first 18 months where assessment is done on the affected areas and the victims are given some materials. The strategy which is already in place involves giving the victims food stuffs, bedding and mosquito nets.
Mondoh said in the second phase which is to take up to five years the government will construct check dams in the flood-prone areas and in turn use the water for irrigation. The final phase which will take 20 years will include feasibility study on the affected areas to establish the real cause and exact and appropriate measures for controlling floods.
In this phase, Dams will be constructed across the rivers that burst their banks frequently during heavy down pour. Such rivers are Nyando, Auji and Miriu.
Mondoh said this as they assessed the flood situation in Muhoroni, Nyando and Nyakach constituencies in alongside his counterpart, Mark Bor, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Public Health. The team also included the provincial Security team, the Red Cross Society, World Vision and United Nation Children’s Fund, (UNICEF).
The team distributed 300 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 20 gallons of oil, 300 blankets and 180 Mosquito nets in Nyando and Kadibo. Similar amounts will also be distributed to flood victims in Muhoroni Nyakach and Nyatike.
The victims given materials were the adversely affected and were verified by a committee that included Red Cross and the Provincial Administration.
Public Health Ministry PS, Bor said that his ministry will provide nets to the victims as they were prone to water borne diseases.
“We are now providing treatment kits for prevention of water borne diseases,” said Bor.
Red Cross Western Region Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Owako said that the floods are still affecting Kano, Nyakach, Siaya and Budalangi.
Nyanza PC Francis Mutie assured that the government will do everything to ensure that also learning resumes in the affected schools.
Mondoh challenged the area residents to plant trees as a way of conserving the environment since that will help in stopping the floods.
…ENDS…
KENYA: KISUMU CHRISTIAN MINISTRY TO CONSTRUCT HEALTH FACILITY IN SIAYA COUNTY.
By Agwanda Saye
A Christian Organization Ministry is set to construct a health centre which is to cost Kshs 5 million within Siaya County to boost health care within the area.
Salem Orphanage Ministries head Bishop Pheobe Onyango said the clinic sponsored by Unbox Life International and her Kisumu Based Ministry is to serve those who are living along the beaches and other adjacent areas of Lake Victoria within Bondo District in Siaya County .
“We have palns to develop aclinic around this area to address the lack of proper medication in the area far away because even NGO’s have ignored it” she said.
KENYA HAS BEEN PUT ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP FOR SEX HAVEN
From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013
Kenya has been put on the international map for sex with dogs, on the ‘bench', for marks, sex in the cemetery, sex in the parks, sex in brothel pubs, sex in private cars, just to mention but a few.
As Mombasa Polytechnic students, Janet Akoth Omollo and Mercy Waithera Karanja and a tourist were being arrested at Mamba Apartment in Mombasa while filming a pornographic film, part of the scene involving sexual acts with a dog, Kenya Episcopal Conference were issuing a press statement condemning a Catholic group for a billboard and newspaper advertising campaign promoting condom use.
Other students were Mary Nyambura Kimani, Magdaline Wairimu Chege, Celestine Nekesa Sitati, Dorcus Melishah Indakwa, Lydia Nyaboke Momanyi, Philidelia Mawia Solomon, Anne Wanjiku Gichuki, Celilia Nzambi Katuku and Joyce Wacuka.
No one can explain exactly why foreigners find Kenya to be the easiest country where anything to do with sex is the better forum. Even the US Catholics for Choice have found Kenya to be the best country to advertise and promote the use of condoms.
As Christopher Clement Weisssenrieder - Swedish national was caught filming the girls, a US doctor was pleading guilty to sexually abusing at least 14 children over an eight-year period in Kenya working at hospitals and with aid groups in Sori, South Nyanza. John Ott, 67, faces up to 30 years in jail and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on July 26 after admitting to a harrowing catalogue of crimes.
This is not the first time the issue of recording and trafficking pornography has emerged in Kenya. On Jun 23, 2009, an American preacher was charged with trafficking in pornographic materials in Nairobi.
Thomas Manton of Dominion International Ministries was charges at the Kibera Law Courts. The charges stated that: “On February 25, 2009 at Runda Estate in Nairobi, for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, the accused made or produced obscene publication, one compact disc, tending to corrupt morals.”
In 2005 US authorities smashed a worldwide child pornography syndicate, which involves Kenyans who trade in illicit images over the Internet using sophisticated encryption. Most of the participants are the youth though people in good careers including banking, media and modeling have been mentioned as savvy actors in Kenya.
Desperate unemployed girls are also eager to be engaged at a cheaper fee. Some are paid as low as Sh.750 for a video recording of around 8-10 minutes. Girls who engaged in these acts say they do so against their conscience because of economic hardship in Kenya.
The youth seem to be the vulnerable groups because most of them are unemployed and are out to do anything to earn a living. Most of them are graduates and since they are not absorbed in the job market, they end up doing petty jobs to earn a living.
It is very sad indeed that unemployment in the country and economic hardship has forced the youth to drop their dignity and take up any job opportunity coming up. That is why many girls and boys, some underage chose to be prostitutes, even though under the Kenyan law prostitution is illegal.
A taskforce set up by then Nairobi Mayor, George Aladwa revealed that Nairobi has approximately 7000 commercial sex workers with each having at least three to four clients. That’s approximately 21,000 to 28,000 sexual activities per night in Nairobi alone.
It explains why pornography is a booming business in this city. Kiss TV’s Dennis Okari recently revealed the sex dens where orgies take place and pornography films are shot. Girls confessed to him that many of them are joining the porn industry due to unemployment and economic hardships.
No wonder why pornography has become one of the biggest businesses in Kenya, bigger than Hollywood, bigger than the major league sports. Today in Kenya, the easiest way to make a dime online is to go to pornography. That is why porn will never die in Kenya.
Analysis and statistics from the common keywords show Kenyans love to search and read about pornography than they read about businesses. This is a very worrying trend in the country were morals are decaying on daily basis.
No wonder why Kenya has been put on the international map for 'sex. It explains why it was hit with a bush sex scandal in March 2011 when several shots of different Kenyan citizens, including college students were caught on camera having physical sex in different positions, at a particular location, on a particular bench in the Masinde Muliro Garden, Kakamega in western Kenya.
The pictures captured people including students, old men, nursing mothers among others having sex at the recreational ground arousing mixed reactions from all sectors. The garden has since become one of the biggest tourist sites in the country.
Lecturers and teachers are also demanding sex from their female students in exchange for marks. These students later use their first class honours degrees to secure some of the best jobs in the private and public service, including sensitive areas such as the health sector. This puts off male students to compete in the ‘sex for marks’ arena as they do not have the requisite assets.
It is at the same time City police are at a loss on how to handle the increasing cases of couples opting for ‘green lodges’ near Uhuru Park. Police on night patrol have caught some couples so engrossed in pleasure that they forget they are in public. The eucalyptus trees opposite Uhuru Park in the Upper Hill area have particularly become a notorious ‘green lodge’.
It is also at the same time shocking details have emerged on the extent to which school girls fall prey to sexual predators — their own teachers. Up to 12,660 girls were sexually abused by teachers over a five-year period. The report by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) says that in some cases, teachers abused as many as 20 girls in a single school before they were reported.
The survey, which captured data between 2003 and 2007, said the 12,660 girls estimated to have been abused in schools over the period were enough to fill 79 single-streamed primary schools that have an average of 40 girls a class.
According to the report, done jointly with non-profit Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, some teachers were serial sexual offenders and molested girls from one school to another because when caught they were simply transferred and no action was taken against them.
Recently a secondary school in Gilgil was closed indefinitely following allegations that the principal was having love affairs with students. The Ministry of Education ordered Eburu secondary school to be closed sending over 300 students home with parents calling for the arrest of the teacher in vain.
It emerged that for years, the headmaster in the day and boarding institution had love affairs with students and some of the teachers were aware but not report the school head. Trouble started after the students went on strike to protest the interdiction of one of the teachers for absconding duty.
This is not to mention various Nairobi pubs and clubs turning them into a den of prostitution and brothels where a number of white women entertaining clients. The locations, mostly in gated maisonettes with acres of parking space, are apparently well known to taxi drivers and residents in the neighbourhood.
The most prominent ones are in Lavington, Hurlingham, Adams Arcade, Westlands and Kileleshwa. The mostly married men who attend these parties are Kenya’s prominent people.
For a weekend of pleasure the girls offer their services to these men which include anything and everything form massage, blow-jobs, anal sex and group sex.
According to sources from a Nairobi based private university, the girls in this trade earn handsomely, anything between Ksh 10,000 and 50,000 a night (200EUROS-1000) a night.
The story of a university student Mercy Keino who died under unclear circumstances after attending a party in Nairobi’s posh Riverside estate attended by among others a prominent Kenyan politician and scores of other rich businessmen tell it all.
Group sex, which in the United States is also called adult buffet, involves consenting adults arranging for intense sex sessions.
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: Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and The Supreme Court To Redeem Their Battered Image
From: Gordon Teti
The Judges of the Supreme Court are poised to redeem their badly damaged images following the illegal decision to confirm Uhuru Kenyatta as the 4th president of Kenya against all the evidence to the contrary. Now the six (6) disgraced Judges of the Supreme Court want to bribe the trust of Kenyans on May 24, 2013 by declarring the obvious. That the County Commissioners that were forced through the throats of Kenyans by Mwai Kibaki to frustrate the implementation of devolved government are in office illegal. From day one when Kibaki did this Kenyans knew that the action was illegal and unconstitutional.
Therefore Mutunga should not think that Kenyans are stupid to believe the Judges of the Supreme Court when they will uphold the decision of the High Court which had ruled that the County Commissioners have no place in the present dispensation.
Kenyans, please do not buy this ploy of bribing your trust. Willy Mutunga and his five friends will forever remain condemned for betraying Kenya and the Kenyan people. God the Almighty will pay them the ultimate price that they deserve.
Here are the DETAILS: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-119192/county-commissioners-know-fate-may-31
Kenya: THE MUGO REPORT
From: Mugo Muchiri
Los Angeles, CA
May 1, 2013
THE MUGO REPORT – April 2013
Q: Good morning Bwana Mugo, it’s nice to see you. How’ve you been this past month?
Mugo: I’ve been very well, thank you. The spring is here and the flowers are blooming. I hope you had a beautiful April too.
Q: Oh yes I did, asante! Now I notice you have a little yellow on your lower lip. What’s up with that?
Mugo: (brushing away) Is it gone? It’s a little turmeric. I take a half spoon every morning kufukuza uzee. There’s this Indian grocer who runs an Indian sweets and spices shop on Yorba Linda Blvd. in Fullerton. One day, he showed me a pack of turmeric and told me it was good to take a little every day. So I fuata’d nyayo and made it a habit.
Q: What are its benefits?
Mugo: Spices are generally good for one’s health. They also make food taste better. I’ve read about turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects. There’s a lot of literature about its other health benefits. But in general I think it’s a good complement, so I’ve tried to make it a habit and thankfully it seems to have stuck. I think its benefits are subtle, nothing flashy.
Q: Sawa. So let me start by thanking you for doing this again. For me, it’s always a joy to re-look at our beautiful Kenya over the past month, and to pick things that stand out.
Mugo: Oh you’re very welcome. When two come together – whether it’s something as banal as sharing a meal of ugali with sukuma wiki or a meeting of minds through conversation and reading – something more is added. And I’m happy to be part of this process.
Q: President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are not exactly old hat, but they’ve had a few days on the job now. I think it’s fair to say that constituting the Cabinet has been their most important task thus far. We now have a pretty good layout of the people whom Uhuru and Ruto will count on to run the government and help their Jubilee promises. What are your thoughts regarding this important step?
Mugo: It’s an admirable start and I like the choices. Each has strong credentials and therefore a robust CV. Moreover, they’re not entrenched politicians or even neophytes at that. Uhuru and Ruto threw their fishing lines deep in private sector waters. Hopefully the private sector’s loss will be the nation’s gain. There’s also a fresh breath of air with the relatively large women representation on the proposed Cabinet.
They promised to nominate a technocrat-heavy team and they’ve certainly lived up to it. Now having said that, I want to underscore my discomfort with the nomination of Charity Ngilu and Najib Balala. I think Kenyans were expecting a complete sweep in the character of the Cabinet. I think these two cast some unglamor over the otherwise historical nature of the nominations.
Q: Ruto gave an undertaking that only he and the President would be the politicians on the team.
Mugo: Well yes, although Uhuru deftly tried to walk that back.
Q: I imagine both Balala and Ngilu wouldn’t exactly have a picnic in Parliament when their vetting begins.
Mugo: Balala’s odds are better than Ngilu’s. Ngilu’s road to confirmation will be straddled with thorns unless of course Parliament decides to use her as leverage for something they want badly.
Q: Why do you think Uhuru settled for what most clearly view as a problematic nomination? Ngilu’s tenure at both the Health and Water ministries always left a corruption trail that led to her family – her daughter, Billy Indeche, her son-in-law and her uncle amongst others. And as if that weren’t enough, she’s handed one of the most plum portfolios in the Cabinet.
Mugo: Well she’s clearly a loyalty play. But that’s not all. If land is to be seriously addressed in an unprecedented manner, then expect very large private owners in Kenya to endure some significant pain in the coming years. I’m thinking about 999 year leaseholds; Kaptagat-like excisions from public lands and what have you. We all recall which side of the constitutional debate the Kenya Landowners Association, which represents large-scale private landowners, was on.
Anyone with the word ‘President’ or ‘former President’ preceding his name, together with their families, continues to have land issues in the public’s eye. And this group is associated more with the cause rather than the cure of the land problem in Kenya. So I look at Ngilu’s pick as a bone thrown to this constituency. And I expect Uhuru to vigorously defend her as she treads rough waters.
Q: Well what about Balala in ‘Mining?’
Mugo: It’s clear the President wants mining to accelerate in terms of its intrinsic importance to the economy. Extraction and processing will inevitably feed value-added manufacturing which if done in Kenya will add a new character to the nature of this sector, as well as reduce the nation’s over-reliance on agriculture.
But the large tracts of land where mining is either being currently done or will be in due course- think Taita-Taveta, Kwale and its Coastal neighbors - these are again largely concentrated in the hands of very few families. So I think you want an Uhuru-damu kind of guy in this portfolio, one whose first impulse is loyalty to the appointing authority. And can you think of a better guy than someone whose career was literally at its deathbed? It’s hard to see a guy like that resigning from Cabinet on a matter of principle.
On the upside, this guy hasn’t been dogged by corruption scandals, at least not that we know of. Plus, his stint at Tourism was positively regarded. He received accolades for his stewardship of that important sector of the economy. I have less of a problem with Balala than I do with Ngilu. Ngilu’s toxic.
Q: OK. Let’s move on to. What’s up with the MPs and Senators and their remuneration demands? What part of ‘unsustainable public sector wage bill’ in Uhuru’s recent speech to them did they not get?
Mugo: I don’t even know where to start. There’s something all too familiar with power dynamics in Parliament. You can change the men and women there, but you can’t seem to change the behavior. Makes you wonder what kind of conversation Dedan Kimathi and his ilk have done there. Parliament’s demands are ultimately a calling card towards a weaker economy. The question is, Who aside from Omtata cares?
Q: Explain to us the relationship between wages and an economy’s competitiveness? How might higher wages, especially those from the public sector, dampen growing economic prospects of the Kenyan economy?
Mugo: Well let’s start with government. Government collects taxes through the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) which, by the way, is headed by a former Finance lecturer of mine at the University of Nairobi, Bwana Njiraini. All the money collected is then spent in two areas (actually three if you add corruption): recurrent and development expenditure. Recurrent expenditure refers to all disbursement for the purposes of running and maintaining an administration, by far the bulk of which goes to pay salaries of civil servants; development expenditure, on the other hand, refers to outlays to build schools, hospitals, roads and bridges and so forth…….to develop the country.
These two are in competition in the sense that more recurrent expenditure means less money for development. So you see, if government workers agitate for more and more wages, it necessarily decreases the development part of the budget. This leaves the government two options: to either source development funds locally, or to borrow from ‘development partners.’ When the government decides to tap the domestic market as opposed to getting foreign assistance, what this does is shrink the pool of local credit for all other prospective borrowers, including the private sector and regular wananchi like you and I.
Q: And this shrinking pool of credit must make it more difficult for businesses and individuals to borrow, right?
Mugo: Exactly. This is because interest rates go up. Just like when tomatoes get scarcer in the market, prices go up. Then the private sector borrows less, individuals borrow less and this has a contracting effect on economic activity. The result is that the whole economy loses the competitiveness that naturally derives from a lower cost of doing business. To finish the thread of thought, when the government leans heavily on foreign partners for budgetary support, the ultimate effect is to increase the total outstanding debt of the nation. So we end up paying more in interest from future budgets. Therefore less would be available for spending on education, infrastructure development, health, poverty eradication etc.
Q: So the legislators’ fancies could actually become quite dangerous to the health of the economy?
Mugo: Yes indeed. It’s not quite the thrust into the heart yet, but legislators’ actions represent the sharpening of the dagger.
Q: But here’s the question: why do they do this? These are very intelligent men and women who’ve just emerged from some bruising fights. One assumes that they know the living conditions of the vast majority of folks that they’re avowed to represent. They also know the condition of the economy and the extent to which Kenya can or cannot afford to bear ever larger wage bills. Why do they do this?
Mugo: A most important question ndugu wangu. It’s called greed and like envy, jealousy, kindness, compassion can be a powerful motivator of behavior. In all cases, greed leads to bad behavior. And by the way, the legislators in Kenya are no different in this respect from their counterparts here in America. Ask yourself, to pick just one issue, why universal background checks for all gun purchases simply can’t pass Congress. Yet a resounding majority of Americans support it. Or why there’s such a vehemence of opposition to closing tax loopholes for the wealthy, something that would ultimately be beneficial to, and therefore stimulative of the US economy.
Q: Why?
Mugo: It’s essentially greed. A broken part of the economy happens to work for a powerful constituency and so all manner of legislative muscle is evoked to kill efforts at fixing the broken wheel. This kind of greed can happen on an individual as well as on a collective level. And it’s a commentary on one of the forces that fundamentally shape human life. The constant tussle between the pair of opposites: hot and cold, night and day, pain and pleasure. You know, you want the sex but not the baby kind of syndrome.
Q: So are we doomed in Kenya to a cabal of power welders who routinely take the big bites and gulps and tell the rest of us ‘to suck it up?’
Mugo: No. The quality of individual and collective life depends on which force – either vice or virtue - has the upper hand. It all depends on the strength of the collective consciousness of the society in question. If the collective consciousness is low, then the negatives have the upper hand and society suffers; when collective consciousness rises, then the positive forces gain a greater hold on life. Life is as we want it.
Fortunately there is a way of Transcendental Meditation or TM which when practiced for 20minutes morning and evening allows the mind to experience finer and finer states of thought, eventually transcending the finest level of thinking, and experiencing the source of thought or pure consciousness. This is the state of Being, and its character is absolute bliss consciousness. The result is a growth of inner contentment, better health, more harmonious behavior and a peaceful environment. Show me one content guy who's ever pointed a gun at another, and I’ll show you a $100 bill without a Benjamin.
Q: So you want all legislators to practice TM?
Mugo: Not only legislators, but everyone. Any and everyone who wants to enjoy a healthy, blissful and harmonious life should practice TM. And inadvertently, they will be spreading a harmonizing influence of coherence and positivity in their immediate environment. Then wrong tendencies, such as the ones we outlined earlier just simply vanish. And with that, the true spirit of service to their fellow men will begin to shine forth.
Q: Is there any scientific research that supports what you’re saying?
Mugo: Yes, in fact plenty. Just go to www.tm.org and see for yourself many of these studies. A Stanford University study for instance showed TM to be twice as effective as other techniques in lowering psychological stress. There are studies that have shown how TM is effective in the relief of insomnia or sleeplessness; how it lowers high blood pressures and its risk factors. In total, over 600 studies so far document TM’s positive impact on mental health, physical health, social behavior and societal quality of life indices.
Q: Haya, asante bwana Mugo. Let’s wrap it up. By the way, you mentioned to me that you wanted to share a fellow wananchi’s concern about this wages saga we’ve been talking about. Why don’t we tackle this and then wrap it up.
Mugo: Sawa. There’s this gentleman by the name of William Achia. We’re both MBA graduates from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, although I was there earlier. He now teaches as an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. I thought I might share his sentiments which I’m included as an attachment. He’s an example of the love of country that so many of us here in the Diaspora feel for Kenya. I’ve also included my reply to him. Hope readers enjoy.
Q: Well thanks for sharing. We meet next month kama kawaida.
Mugo: Asante, it was fun.
KENYA: OMBUDSMAN OFFICE OPENED IN KISUMU.
By Agwanda Saye
The Commission on Administrative of Justice has launched its Kisumu Branch office which , marks the beginning of the Commission’s decentralization process to the Counties to take services closer to the public in line with the constitution.
The CAJ Chair Otiende Amollo says the Commission appreciates the Challenges faced by the public especially the limited knowledge about administrative justice and their entitlements to the demand prompt and quality services from public institutions.
According to the commission man Kenyans countrywide are in demand of their services owing to systematic weaknesses as well as behavioral aspects that have always impeded quality, prompt and efficient service delivery in the public sector.
“In the year 2012, the Commission handled a total of 4,062 complaints, out of these 1,398 complaints and inquiries were resolved” Amollo added.
He added that the statistics showed that the majority of the complaints and inquiries received were against the Ministry of Lands at 11%, National Police Service at 10%,the Judiciary and Provincial Administration 8% each ,State Law Office 5%,Ministry of Labor 4% and Ministry of Finance and the City Council of Nairobi at 3%.
“In terms of the categorization, most of the complaints and inquiries related to delay, unresponsive official conduct, unlawful official conduct, administrative injustice inefficiency and abuse of power among others” he added.
The Commision will also be opening another office in Mombasa to cater for the public within the Coastal Region and will also set up offices in other regions based on the resource allocation.
Ends
KENYA: FREE MEDICAL CAMP BY SALEM MINISTRIES WITHIN SIAYA COUNTY.
By Agwanda Saye
Salem Ministries which is a Kisumu based Christian Ministry will host a free medical camp within Siaya County the birthplace of the USA President Barrack Obama which will be conducted by a group of volunteer nurses from California and Washington Seattle from the United States of America.
The free medical camp will take place at Uhasi in Pala Sub Location
According to the head of Salem Ministries Bishop Pheobe Onyango the free medical camp will take place between 13th and 14th of May this year and will comprise eight people from the US under Unbox Life and together with local nurses and doctors.
“There will be general treatment and the main target will be to try and de worm the children and test and treat malaria” Onyango added.
She added that her organization targets to offer the services to over two thousand people for the two days event.
“We target people from all the Constituencies making Saiya County to come for the free medical camp and we hope that people from Ugenya,Alego,Rarieda,Gem ,Bondo and Ugunja constituencies will attend ,my worry is that the duration might be a challenge but we will try to attend as many as possible “she added.
She however said that should they be overwhelmed by the number of those seeking medical attention then they might be forced to add another day.
“She added that she has followed all the laid down procedures with the authorities in regard to the event saying all the authorities concerned are fully aware of the free medical camp.
KENYA & WORLD: PRESS DAY MARKED AS TWO JOURNALISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS
From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013
Today is World Press Freedom Day. Although the day gives people the chance to pay tribute to media professionals who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty, in Kenya as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports-Kenya: 2013 - Committee to Protect Journalists, the day is marked at the time two investigative journalists have received death threats.
Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu, investigative journalists from the private KTN television network received threats from anonymous callers and via social networking sites on Wednesday, according to Namu and Willis Angira, associate producer for KTN.
David Ohito, news editor of The Standard, which is also affiliated with KTN, told CPJ that the threats were linked to an investigative story aired on KTN two weeks ago, called "Inside Story: Death in Ten Minutes" that suggested foul play in a helicopter crash that killed former Interior Minister George Saitoti.
It is also being celebrated at the time police were also implicated in the January 2009 murder of Weekly Citizen journalist Francis Nyaruri, shortly after he investigated corruption within the police department.
Nyaruri was brutally murdered in western Kenya in January 2009 while investigating suspected corruption in a police construction project. The investigation has not yielded arrests to date.
Just recently a correspondent for The Star daily newspaper was found dead Sunday morning in his house in the coastal city of Mombasa. A housemate found reporter Bernard Wesonga with blood on his nose and mouth at around 11:30 a.m. according to Star Deputy Editor Charles Kerich.
Local journalists said Wesonga, 27, was with friends at a local pub in Mombasa Saturday night, leaving around 10 p.m. Wesonga had told friends he recently received anonymous threats via text message in connection with a story that described allegations of unlawful shipment and sale of fertilizer that had exceeded its expiration date. Authorities have not established a cause of death.
Against the background that on Saturday, March 9, 2013, US President Barack Obama made a statement in a gala for journalists in Washington that appeared to suggest that Kenya is not a safe destination for foreign correspondents.
"They've risked everything to bring us stories from places like Syria and Kenya, stories that need to be told," he said. Syria is currently in the midst of a bloody civil war that was started on the pretext of removing its dictatorial ruler Assad from power. The conflict in Syria has killed more than 70,000 people.
The period following the Kenya's last presidential elections in 2007 was marred by widespread ethnic violence. Over a thousand people were killed. Kenya's journalists, especially those working independently, found themselves the targets of public anger, police intolerance and political fury. Many were threatened, injured, attacked and had equipment damaged or taken.
In Nairobi the day will be marked with two key celebrations:
1)The regional journalists convention - Second Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) Gala, an event that seeks to acknowledge, identify and promote excellence in media in Kenya
2) The Executive Council meeting of World Association of Press Councils (WAPC, which will draw participants of press councils from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia Burundi, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Nepal, the United States of America, Pakistan, India, Malawi, and North Cyprus among others.
These events will focus on safety and protection of journalists and encourage Development Journalism in Kenya in respect to Vision 2030.
Each year since 1997, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded to honor the work of an individual or an organization defending or promoting freedom of expression, especially if it puts the individual’s life at risk.
The award is named after a journalist murdered in 1986 after denouncing drug barons. Last year it was awarded posthumously to a Russian investigative reporter who was murdered in a contract-style killing in 2006.
Established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 as an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, World Press Freedom Day has only been celebrated since 1993. This seminar took place in Namibia in 1991 and led to the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media.
It has much deeper roots in the United Nations, Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights which states that everyone “has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".
The Windhoek Declaration called to establish, maintain and foster an independent, pluralistic and free press. It emphasized the importance of a free press for developing and maintaining democracy in a nation, and for economic development. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3, the date on which the Windhoek Declaration was adopted.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
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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: These are some excellent leads
From: Judy Miriga
This is a straightforward case and by now, it would have been concluded.
This is one of such cases that are "A See-Through" and we are convinced that it shall be resolved soon both by the Local and the International community. It will also expose the inside rot stored in Kenya's Political landscape.........
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, Clara Shegu wrote:
From: Clara Shegu
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 10:05 AM
Paul, i have no background in medical field but yours is also an opinion on possible cause of death,he could have actually committed suicide so don't just dismiss it especially his behaviour prior to his death.
But what is coming out as the more likely cause of death is poisoning whether self or third parties.
Who could be the third parties and what could be their motivation?
a) Kilonzo defeated Harun Mwaua in Makueni senator race..drugs and politics
b) Muthama wanted Kalonzo in parliament by all means..political
c) Kilonzo is believed to have secrets about perpetrators of PEV. According to a video of him recorded in Jan 2008, he says he believes PEV was actually planned..ICC
From: Paul Nyandoto
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 8:50 AM
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
People:
Polonium 210 in kenyan soil. How did they bring it into kenya?. Our airport detect radioactive substances or not?. May be through sea, or through land.
I hear they are not leaving stones unturned. But what do they want people in the funeral homes or Kilonzo`s family to wear during burial time?. They definately need radiacative protectors.
Why should our media throw such a lethal news, but still want Kilonzo to have a normal burial. Polonium 210 is radioactive, but it hardly kills instantly like Kilonzo´s case. I think that the pathologist should not have released all the details to the public unless they were sure of what they are saying.
It means macroscopic evidences are not enough to give any clue yet. Kilonzo also did not leave any signatures, containers of poison, or needles or writings like it always happens during suicide deaths. Kilonzo was also not of a type who can commit suicide. The man was born a fighter and a winner too. No winning warrior commits suicide. Just go back to Prof Wangari; look that ladies history, how she was treated politically, had even a deadly disease cancer, but never commited suicide. She died from a natural cause. Kenyan politicians hardly kill themselves, life is good for them. So the theory that he may have taken poison and hide the container in the soil outside is zero. Nobody hangs himself and take the rope after death to hide in the bush. Or shoot himself and hide the gun.
Paul
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, Jectone Ndunya wrote:
From: Jectone Ndunya
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 8:43 AM
Do you people believe that the Late Mutula, would have his dinner at 8pm, go to bed with remains of the food still on his bedroom table? I doubt that! and then be seen at 2 am in the garden? doing what? and by whom? was he on phone, seated, standing running or what? where were his security at the vilas at that wee time?
Then he went back to bed with food remains still on the table and slept? i doubt that, Mutula would have cleared the table if the house help had gone to sleep before he went to bed! I told you that, that food mix, ( Githeri, Nyama Choma, fruit drink, etc) were not adding up and i think they may have been placed to confuse investigations!
From the closest of his family member's, whom did he talk with last according to his phone call history? Do you want to tell me that, from 8 pm, till 1 pm the following day, no one from his Children or wife, contacted his phone? If they did and at what time, and failed to get a response, did they try to contact the workers for information? If so, at what time!
You expect Mutula to keep vital documents in his bed room and which should be out of bounds, do you think the Late would go to bed without locking his bed room door? Not likely!
If the door was that open, why did it take his workers so long to get to his bed room?
Lots of simple questions would solve this instantly!
Jexx in the hood
"Success never resides in the world of weak wishes, but in the palace of purposeful plans and prayerful persistence"
--- On Thu, 5/2/13, mohamed warsama wrote:
From: mohamed warsama
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 1:36 AM
The implication of testing for Polonium poison is obvious: it brings into the investigation radar the lunch Mutula Kilonzo had last Thursday at Norfolk Hotel with Raila, Wako and Muthama, because polonium can take long to react.
Mohamed Warsama
From: Maurice Oduor
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:12 AM
Subject: Kenyans are now sacaring us/ Kilonzo´s case
Laktar,
I agree with you. A pathologist or Crime Scene Investigator should never reveal what cause of death is suspected. If a murder, the killer will have an opportunity kujipanga or to hide evidence. I'm surprised that a pathologist from the UK would agree to this. Unless they are doing this as a diversion to lull the killer into peace of mind.
Courage
MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
By Staff27/04/2013 08:12:00 // Kenya News | MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics05:12
Saturday April 27, 2013 - Word has it that Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko is now using all means available to access President Uhuru Kenyatta after his earlier efforts of meeting the President hit a dead end.
According to some sources, Sonko has resorted to bribing some security officials attached to the Presidential Escort as a way of getting access to State House.
The flamboyant MP, who was a key pillar in the Jubilee Alliance campaigns, has found himself on the rough side since the day President Uhuru was sworn in as President.
He has been thrown out of Uhuru’s entourage and it has been made clear that he is not wanted near State House after he failed to account for the huge sums of money he was given during the campaigns.
Rumor has it that Sonko was given more than Sh 500 million by Uhuru, but he is unable to account on how he spent the money during the Jubilee campaigns.
Big Kenya names hire and plot for power
Alternative text.
By BERNARD NAMUNANE bnamunane@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)
Posted Tuesday, December 27 2011 at 22:30
Many of the presidential hopefuls spent the Christmas holiday putting final touches on their preparations for next year’s campaigns.
The 2012 presidential race is crowded, attracting more candidates than any other election since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who starts the race in pole position by virtue of being the contender leading the biggest party, has also made some radical changes.
Out goes the old Orange Democratic Movement party slogan “Chungwa Moja Maisha Bora” and in comes a new slogan, “Change We Need”.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, another candidate who is buoyed by the trappings of incumbency, has gone a step further and renamed his party, Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya. It is now called Wiper Democratic Movement.
Other strong contenders are Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and MPs William Ruto (Eldoret North) and Martha Karua (Gichugu).
Also in the race are Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, assistant minister Peter Kenneth, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula, former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju, MPs Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka), Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), and Education permanent secretary James ole Kiyiapi.
The aspirants are spending heavily, buying helicopters, setting up campaign secretariats, hiring staff at county levels and retaining campaign experts and PR gurus to clean up their image.
Mr Odinga, vying for the presidency for a third time, has set up four separate offices in Nairobi with former Kenya Ports Authority chief Brown Ondego leading the fundraising team.
He is yet to appoint a person to lead his main secretariat and double up as the campaign manager.
The appointment of lawyer Paul Mwangi as his legal adviser has been interpreted to mean that the PM wants his core campaign team to reflect the face of Kenya. (READ: Lawyer Mwangi appointed to replace Miguna)
Sources said the secretariats will be led by professionals and business people.
Several lobbies such as Friends of Raila, ODM Network Team, ODM Youth for 2012 and ODM Women Congress have joined his campaign.
A group of professionals from the Rift Valley has been formed to counter the anti-Raila wave in the region, and a coordinator is expected to head his campaigns in the diaspora.
Campaign website
When you log onto his campaign website, www.railaforpresident2012.com, you will be hit by the ‘Change is Coming’ message and hip-hop songs by local artistes, including Kigeugeu by Jaquar.
Mr Odinga has also set up several Twitter and Facebook accounts to woo voters on the social media.
Mr Musyoka has, on more than one occasion, declared that the 2012 presidential race is between him and Mr Odinga.
The party has two secretariats, one at the headquarters in Wiper House, Kileleshwa and another in Lavington.
Prof Marete Marangu leads the main secretariat, while Brig (rtd) Henry Rop is at Wiper House.
He has also brought on board lawyer Donald Kipkorir and Nominated MPs Ahmed Affey and Shakila Abdalla to win Muslim votes. Mr Musyoka also enjoys the backing of prominent parastatal heads.
“The secretariats are only on provisional basis since the Vice-President is an active member of the PNU Alliance,” said his spokesman, Mr Kaplich Barsito.
Mr Musyoka, who will be making the second attempt at the presidency, has opened offices in the United Kingdom to lead the hunt for the diaspora vote.
He argues that he is not a tribalist and wants Kenyans to elect a ‘servant leader’. He has a website, www.mykalonzomusyoka.com and several Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Mr Kenyatta, who recently regained control of Kanu, wants to take a second stab at the presidency after losing to President Kibaki in 2002.
Also a member of the G7 Alliance, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance minister has picked some of the people who led President Kibaki’s re-election in 2007.
Top business people
His main secretariat is based at Chancery House, but he is yet to appoint the head. Mr Kenyatta has two other campaign offices, one in Lavington and the other at the UK Centre in the city.
Those working closely on his campaign include State House political advisor Nancy Gitau, former MPs Justin Muturi and David Murathe, Mr Alfred Gitonga and Mr Kenyatta’s long time personal assistant, Njee Muturi. Top business people and parastatal heads are also coalescing around Mr Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta has a chopper at his disposal, has extensive links with Kenyans in the diaspora and runs a website, www.uhuru.co.ke.
His aides are also active on the social media, often releasing statements on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Ruto, who will be vying for the presidency for the first time, has opened a secretariat in Kileleshwa headed by Mr Sande Oyolo and another office for his party, the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
He has a think-tank comprising university lecturers and business people managing all aspects of his campaigns, from raising funds to preparing a manifesto.
“I am contesting the presidency not because I want power, but because I feel that as a person who has at one time walked to school barefoot, I understand problems facing Kenyans from all walks. Kenyans require leaders who can deliver them from poverty,” he said.
He has ordered a helicopter, runs www.williamsamoeiruto.co.ke, is active on Twitter and Facebook and has a dedicated short text message number, 7777, for interacting with supporters.
But like Mr Kenyatta, his push for the house on the hill seems to be held back by the pending case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Ms Karua (Narc Kenya) and Prof Saitoti (PNU) have established their secretariats in Kilimani and Lavington, respectively.
Ms Karua runs www.marthakarua.wetpaint.com and launched her presidential bid this year. She is the most active aspirant on Twitter and Facebook.
Even though seen as outsiders, Mr Tuju and Mr Kenneth have covered a lot of ground in their bids for the presidency. Mr Tuju has two secretariats, runs www.raphaeltuju.com and is active on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Kenneth is said to have acquired a second helicopter and recently launched his manifesto for the presidency.
He runs www.peterkenneth.com and has revived Kenya National Congress (KNC) as his vehicle to State House.
“We are actually shopping for a running mate. I cannot be somebody else’s running mate.
“There has never been any discussion with any presidential aspirant. Kenya needs ability, vision and energy, not a name or fame,” he says.
He is also setting up party offices in Lavington, and is recruiting members.
“We will focus on fewer things that have more impact on the economy. Most of my campaigns will be based on town hall meetings,” he says.
Prof Kiyiapi has been criss-crossing the country seeking support, but is the only aspirant without a party.
Perhaps he will disclose his political network when he steps down as Education PS and hits the ground running.
The Headliner: Garissa residents say police should change tact
Published on Apr 30, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
An uneasy calm continues to prevail in Garissa after a week of police operations to flush out those behind the series of grenade and gun attacks. But questions still abound as to why the town has since December 2011 remained vulnerable to attacks. And whether security officials in an effort to curb crime in the county have been going about it the right way. NTV's Sheila Sendeyo reports on this week's headliner
Kalonzo Courts Kalembe
Published on Apr 29, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
Daniel Owira stood in front of the President, giving a memorable performance, an experience he says he could never have dreamed of. This experience is in total contrast to his reality, one of a single-roomed shack in one of the city's slums with a torturous time every start of term to get school fees. And as the re-opening date for second term neared, Daniel was a worried boy, but today, he needs not worry. His plea for an education fell on the right ears and his dreams to be a lawyer are no longer just that... they might actually come to fruition.
CORD Steps Up Musyoka Comeback Plan
Published on Apr 24, 2013
Efforts to get former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka into Parliament have gone a notch higher with deliberations and consultations now geared towards getting Kibwezi West MP Dr. Patrick Musimba to step down for him. And just to be sure, those keen to have Musyoka as the next Kibwezi MP have since approached former area MP Kalembe Ndile who lost narrowly to Musimba seeking to persuade him not to contest should there be a by election.
Mutula Opposed To MPs Stepping Aside For Kalonzo
Published on Apr 18, 2013
Nominated Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo is opposed to the option of having nominated MPs in the national assembly step aside to give way to the former VP Kalonzo Musyoka return to the house. Speaking exclusively to K24, Mutula said the move would be against article 97 of the constitution.
Kalonzo's return to Parliament hits a snag
Published on Apr 16, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
The Cord coalition's plan to have former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka return to parliament appears to have hit a snag. While it has been reported that several MPs are ready to give up their seats for the former VP, those being mentioned are denying such reports. NTV's Enock Sikolia reports.
Kalonzo to go back to parliament
Published on Apr 15, 2013
Watch KTN Streaming LIVE from Kenya 24/7 on http://www.ktnkenya.tv
--- On Wed, 5/1/13, Tebiti Oisaboke wrote:
From: Tebiti Oisaboke
Subject: MIKE SONKO IN DEEP TROUBLE
Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 5:14 PM
I pity him too. Now he is in much more hot waters than he was during the Kibaki administration. No wonder he bowed twice to Junior and his assistant to and from the ballot box during the Senate speaker's elections. The duo had graced the occasion to witness how the folks they "poured" millions of Kenya shillings voted. During the parliamentary speaker's elections following the 2007 general elections, the Mt Kenya goons greased the freshman MP for Embakasi to purchase his vote so that he could vote for their preferred candidate. The Mt. Kenyans didn't have majority in the house so they wanted to purchase some votes from the majority ODM's party to win the seat. However, Hon Were pocketed the cash and voted for the ODM candidate (Hon Marende). When the Mt. Kenya realized that, Hon Were never delivered his "cherished" goods they had already signed the invoice for, they were so upset and ordered for his elimination. And that is what eat Hon Were and not what Mutahi Ngunyi is trying to lie to us. The Ainamoi MP who lost his life by the road side, was involved in a love triangle with a police officer who was dating her colleague. ODM had nothing to do with this as Ngunyi is trying to defend those crooks who are out to exterminate our brilliant brains. ODM never deployed the officer who shot and killed the MP along with his darling baby come baby. That was their own business on the side.
Coming back to Sonko Bin Mbuvi, I am surprised to learn that the one million cash he distributed to Harambee Stars at JKI Airport upon their arrival from Lagos, Nigeria was stolen money. I wondered how in the world could a crook arm himself with 1M cash Patin-Moi's "Jirongoes" and distribute it freely in the open to members of the public in this modern 21st Century world. I couldn't phantom why he chose to do it that way instead of drawing a check to the team so that they can cash it. Doesn't he know how the check system works?
God bless Kenya as we move and forge backwards
TOI
From: ROSE KAGWIRIA
Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 3:59 PM
Subject: MIKE SONKO IN DEEP TROUBLE
Poor mike. Yes he campaigned for jublee but who told him he will sit in state house after that. I really pity him. If he was cleaver, he would have campaigned for his brother Kalonzo. Now I understand why people were running towards one direction for campaign. Kumbe there was so much money?
http://www.kenyan-post.com/2013/04/mike-sonko-in-deep-trouble-he-cannot.html
MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
By Staff27/04/2013 08:12:00 // Kenya News | MIKE SONKO in deep TROUBLE - He cannot access UHURU at State House after stealing 500 MILLION
The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics05:12
Saturday April 27, 2013 - Word has it that Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko is now using all means available to access President Uhuru Kenyatta after his earlier efforts of meeting the President hit a dead end.
According to some sources, Sonko has resorted to bribing some security officials attached to the Presidential Escort as a way of getting access to State House.
The flamboyant MP, who was a key pillar in the Jubilee Alliance campaigns, has found himself on the rough side since the day President Uhuru was sworn in as President.
He has been thrown out of Uhuru’s entourage and it has been made clear that he is not wanted near State House after he failed to account for the huge sums of money he was given during the campaigns.
Rumor has it that Sonko was given more than Sh 500 million by Uhuru, but he is unable to account on how he spent the money during the Jubilee campaigns.
Kenya: Jubilee Cabinet should be more inclusive
from: Joseph Nyaringo
The yet to be confirmed nominees for Cabinet Secretaries by the Jubilee government comprises men and women of finesse, knowledge and professionalism but their composition is not inclusive and representative for diverse groups in the Country.
We expected President Uhuru Kenyatta and his team to consider nominating at least an individual with a consciousness on social justice, advocacy and strong understanding of the plight of the poor. We expected to see a youth and at least a Kenyan citizen from a different ancestry incorporated in the Cabinet lineup as a gesture to boost national diversity.
We have evolved as a nation through great struggle. Men and women with bravery risked their lives; forgetting their self-comfort to fight for the collective good of our nation before and after independence. The freedom and democracy we cherish and the good signs of accountability in managing government affairs were never achieved on a silver platter.
I challenge the Jubilee government to consider men and women who have fought for Kenya on the streets and in the boardrooms to the Cabinet. Offer them an opportunity in the Cabinet in order to showcase their yearnings for the nation’s poor. With this, the nation will gauge the fire and desire which drives an activist to pursue causes geared towards transforming the lives of the poor in society.
After all, the sum total of any successful government is measured on how many poor people whose hopes it has rekindled.
The proposed sixteen members Cabinet have no single individual who has participated to edify Kenyans on the utility of justice, fairness and democracy. This is a vital segment of our population which is more result oriented, passionate and their desire to emancipate society is more crystal clear because they focus on people.
We cannot underrate the bravery of the present Century activists like Okiya Omtata, Anne Njogu of CREAW, Mwalimu Mati of Mars Group, Cyprian Nyamwamu of NCEC, Susan Kariuki and Kepta Ombati both founders of the Youth Agenda.
The number of Kenyan activists both old and young is huge. I believe they are energetic, knowledgeable and strong believers in freedom, fairness, justice, democracy and the rule of law for all Kenyans and can do well if offered a chance.
I agree with a Daily nation Columnist, Macharia Gaitho’s analysis on the need to have agents for change in the Jubilee Cabinet rather than pure bureaucrats. While bureaucrats mostly follow the ‘book,’ and strict work ethic, their view on the plight of the masses is often vague.
Some level of extremism is vital for effective management and leadership of any institution. We need people of the late Mboya’s caliber whom as a Trade Unionist, made an excellent Minister for Justice. The late John Michuki’s tenacity and firmness helped to transform the public transport sector in the past government.
Freedom icon, Nelson Mandela’s endurance, bravery and reconciliatory approach, helped to liberate and pacify South Africa. Mother Theresa made a mark in the lives of the poor through philanthropy and divine consciousness.
On diversity, we expected to see a Cabinet nominee from the Asian community. If voters are embracing diversity by voting Kenyan Asians like Irshad Sumra and Shakir Shabir, why should our leadership avoid this vital constituency in a Cabinet?
After all, Asians are naturally good managers and the government needs to tap their talents in running government affairs. The developed World especially the USA realized that a blend of professionals from diverse backgrounds is a boon to their economy and the country has benefitted massively through this.
While some Kenyans are jubilating how the Jubilee government has injected fresh blood in the Cabinet by shutting doors for politicians especially older ones, I think this argument is far-fetched and a false theory. Where is proof that non-politicians are good performers in the Cabinet?
Those tasked to run public affairs need to have political backgrounds and understanding on how politics shapes public policies. Cabinet Secretaries will operate under the policy guidelines of their ministries but they will still remain answerable to the executive- the President and his Deputy who are politicians.
Besides, legislators vetting Cabinet nominees are elected through a political process. Therefore, we cannot completely divorce politics from those tasked to take Cabinet portfolios in subsequent governments.
Retaining Madam Ngilu and Najibu Balala who are politicians in the Cabinet, isn’t a bad gesture. After all, the Kitui Central MP is passionate, motherly and those who have worked with her say, she is a stickler for duty despite alleged malpractices when she served as Minister for Water in the past government.
The nominee for the Ministry of Mining, Najibu Balala, performed equally well as Minister for Tourism and his background as chairman for the national Chamber of Commerce Mombasa branch, will boost his performance in the new Ministry.
Having a hybrid Cabinet will ensure service delivery, professionalism and harnessing of a broad range of ideas to spur socio economic development in the Country.
Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, USA
Kenya: Scapegoating: Mutula feared for his life: Muthama
from: Judy Miriga
Good People,
Because of these outbursts here under, Muthama must be given police protection and if the Government fail to do that and incase Mutham is killed, then the Leadership has himself to face legal justice as this will be seen as pre-plan terrorist tactics to intimidate and cover-up for the true killer or Mutham will be now used as a scape-goat for cover-up.
Let justice take its rightful course, if it is Muthama, then justice shall reveal; but jumping the gun is in a way taking law on your hands........
and it shall be unacceptable......
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - -
--- On Wed, 5/1/13, Judy Miriga wrote:
Good People !!!
God's spirits do not lie......The truth shall come out very soon.
More pressure and the whole truth will come out......
Speak up people before all of you perish...............
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
Muthama: Mutula feared for his life
Published on Apr 30, 2013
http://www.ntv.co.ke
In the senate on Tuesday, Johnstone Muthama sensationally claimed that the late Makueni Senator Mutula Kalonzo had expressed fears about his safety. Muthama said the late Mutula had warned that his life and that of the former Prime Minister alongside his very own were in danger. He spoke as MPs asked the government to ensure it unravels the mystery surrounding Mutula's sudden death. Brenda Wanga has the update from the two houses.
Mutula feared for his life: Muthama
By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com AND JOHN NJAGI jnjagi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 30 2013 at 23:30
In Summary
Senators pay tribute to departed colleague as Muthama claims Mutula had raised fears over his life
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo had raised fears over his life 48 hours before he was mysteriously found dead at his Maanzoni home, it has now emerged.
Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama on Tuesday told the Senate that Mr Kilonzo had casually raised issues about his life when they met over lunch together with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Norfolk Hotel on Thursday afternoon.
“He told the former PM that you and all of us here are not safe. Our lives are in danger,” Mr Muthama said.
He said he received news of the senator’s death on Saturday at 11.05am before rushing to his home immediately to find out what had gone wrong.
The Machakos Senator was contributing to an adjournment motion moved by the Leader of Majority Kithure Kindiki to give senators time to pay tribute to their departed colleague.
Planned meeting
“We had lunch at the Norfolk hotel with him (Mr Kilonzo), (David) Musila and the PM on Thursday and we had planned to meet again this Thursday,” Mr Muthama said.
He, however, did not divulge the details of the discussion on their security and what the agenda of the meeting they planned to hold on Thursday would have been.
His remarks were, however, dismissed by Nominated Senator Beth Mugo who termed them “largely unfounded”.
“It is not fair for leaders to make inflammatory remarks while mourning a great leader like Mutula. Let us not incite one region against the other. If any life is in danger let us report to the police,” Mrs Mugo said.
While paying tribute to Mr Kilonzo, Siaya Senator James Orengo said he met the Makueni leader at the Senate chambers on Thursday where he looked disturbed and distraught.
Said Mr Orengo: “I met him on Thursday and told him Mr Mutula you have not spoken in the Senate, what is wrong? He looked tired and distraught. He then told me there is nothing to talk about.”
The Siaya Senator further told the House it was strange that in every election, Kenya has to lose great leaders through strange deaths, citing the cases of former MPs George Kapten and Masinde Muliro who also died suddenly and mysteriously.
While paying tribute to the fallen colleague, Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula urged investigators, police and doctors leading the inquiry into Mr Kilonzo’s death to do a thorough job to allay fears of foul play.
Mr Wetang’ula, who is also the Bungoma Senator, said he learnt a lot from the Makueni leader during his pupillage at his law firm in 1981.
Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura urged his colleagues not to join the fray of people peddling conspiracy theories surrounding Mr Kolonzo’s death and instead leave investigators to conduct their work to unearth the truth.
Mr Kilonzo’s colleagues eulogised him as a brilliant lawyer, who spoke his mind without fear, and one who transcended ethnic divisions in his work as a politician and Cabinet minister.
Elgeyo Marakwet’s Kipchumba Murkomen said the Makueni Senator’s brilliance inspired them to pursue the law career.
Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi described Mr Kilonzo as a man of all seasons, saying even though he was in the end removed from the Justice ministry, he managed to steer it with a light head and heart.
Speaker Ekwee Ethuro formed a six-member committee to work with other teams in arranging the burial of the Makueni Senator.