Category Archives: Kenya

World & Kenya: ICC to terminate President UHURU KENYATTA’s case

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From: maina ndiritu

Tuesday February 11, 2014 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) will terminate cases facing President Uhuru Kenyatta before the end of this month, a senior official of the ICC has exclusively said According to the official, the judges at the ICC held a brainstorming meeting on Saturday where they resolved to terminate the case facing Uhuru Kenyatta on technical grounds.

The judges argued that the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, did not convince the judges on why Uhuru’s case at the ICC should be adjourned indefinitely until the Kenyan Government agrees to give the, his financial details.

They said they cannot hold Uhuru Kenyatta hostage because the Kenyan Government and Uhuru Kenyatta are two different parties in the case.

“Uhuru is sued by the ICC as an individual and the Kenyan Government is another entity,” one of the ICC judges said.

The session was a closed door affair and only Bensouda and victim’s lawyers were allowed to enter.

The ICC judges are now waiting for Kenya’s Attorney General, Prof Githu Muigai, who will brief them on the Government position regarding the ICC cases facing Uhuru and his Deputy, William Ruto.

After Githu Muigai’s briefing, the judges will wait for another 14 days where they will officially terminate Uhuru’s case under the Procedures and Rules of the Rome Statute.

KENYA: FOR GOD’S SAKE JUBILEE SHOULD NOT UNCOVER WOUNDS OF PEV

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From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014

Vivian from Nairobi writes: “Fr Beste what do you say about the members of the Jubilee Coalition who are drafting a motion for the National Assembly seeking to summon Justice Philip Waki to disclose the full contents of an envelope he handed over to the former International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, containing names of key individuals implicated in post-election violence?

Don’t you think this is going to spark yet another clashes among ethnic communities. For God’s sake I pray that Adan Duale should not try this. In Kenya we are just trying to heal from the clashes of 2007/08 and now they want to take us back again surely”.

Vivian you are absolutely right, by bringing Waki to open the other secret envelopes is to spark fire. This comes days after immediate former ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo admitted in a radio interview last week that he had been under pressure then from some Western diplomats in Nairobi to pressure judges to declare President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto unfit to run in the General Election.

National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale insists Waki must be brought to the Parliament to reveal other names which were not given to Ocampo. By revealing the secret names in the list according to Duale will help confirm widely held contentions that the cases were part of a nefarious design by the West to fix Uhuru and Ruto.

According to Duale, it was clear Koffi Annan was working with envoys from United States, Britain, France and Germany to have Uhuru and Ruto locked out in order to ensure Raila Amolo Odinga ascended to power.

By revealing secret names Duale wants to demonstrate that Uhuru Kenyatta never supported President Mwai Kibaki as alleged to have planned, financed, and coordinated the violence perpetrated against the perceived supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement, the political party of the President’s rival, during post-election violence from 27 December 2007 to 29 February 2008.

According to Duale Uhuru had no control over the Mungiki organization and as such never directed it to conduct murders, deportations, rapes and other forms of sexual violence, persecutions, and other inhumane acts against civilians in the towns of Kibera, Kisumu, Naivasha, and Nakuru.

Kenyatta was summoned to appear before the Court on 8 April 2011 and the confirmation of charges hearing was held from 21 September 2011 to 5 October 2011, in conjunction with the cases against Mohammed Ali and Francis Muthaura. All the charges against Kenyatta were confirmed by Pre-Trial Chamber II on 23 January 2012.

Francis Muthaura was indicted on 8 March 2011 with five counts of crimes against humanity with regard to the situation in the Republic of Kenya. As the Head of the Public Service, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Chairman of the National Security and Advisory Committee of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, he is alleged to have planned, financed, and coordinated the violent response against the perceived supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the political party of the President’s rival, during post-election violence from 27 December 2007 to 29 February 2008.

Specifically, Muthaura was alleged to have directed and paid Mungiki forces loyal to the President to attack civilians and instructed Mohammed Ali, the Commissioner of the Kenya Police, not to intervene against Mungiki forces.

Muthaura was allegedly criminally responsible for murders, deportations, rapes and other forms of sexual violence, persecutions, and other inhumane acts perpetrated by Mungiki forces against civilians who were perceived to be loyal to the ODM in the towns of Kibera, Kisumu, Naivasha, and Nakuru.

Muthaura was summoned to appear before the Court on 8 April 2011 and the confirmation of charges hearing was held from 21 September 2011 to 5 October 2011, in conjunction with the cases against Mohammed Ali and Uhuru Kenyatta. All the charges against Muthaura were confirmed by Pre-Trial Chamber II on 23 January 2012. He was later left free for lack of evidence.

William Ruto was indicted on 8 March 2011 on four counts of crimes against humanity with regard to the situation in the Republic of Kenya. He is alleged to be the leader of an ad hoc organization created by members of the Kalenjin ethnic group which was created to perpetrate violence on behalf of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the political party of presidential candidate Raila Odinga, during post-election violence in December 2007 and January 2008.

On 1 August 2011, the charges were reduced to three counts. Ruto, as the a top leader in the ad hoc Kalenjin organization, directed Kalenjin youths to target civilians of the Kikuyu, Kamba, and Kisii ethnic groups, which were perceived to be supporters of the Party of National Unity, the political party of Odinga’s opponent during the election.

Ruto is alleged to be criminally responsible for the murder, deportation, torture, and persecution of civilians in the towns of Kapsabet, Nandi Hills, Turbo, the greater Eldoret area. Ruto first appeared before the Court, voluntarily, on 7 April 2011 and through the confirmation of charges hearing, which was held in conjunction with the cases against Henry Kosgey and Joshua Sang. All the charges against Ruto were confirmed by Pre-Trial Chamber II on 23 January 2012.

Joshua Sang was indicted on 8 March 2011 on four counts of crimes against humanity with regard to the situation in the Republic of Kenya. He is alleged to a top leader of an ad hoc organization created by members of the Kalenjin ethnic group which was created to perpetrate violence on behalf of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the political party of presidential candidate Raila Odinga, during post-election violence in December 2007 and January 2008.

On 1 August 2011, the charges were reduced to three counts. As a broadcaster for the Kass FM radio station, Sang incited Kalenjin youths to target civilians of the Kikuyu, Kamba, and Kisii ethnic groups, which were perceived to be supporters of the Party of National Unity, the political party of Odinga’s opponent during the election.

He is alleged to be indirectly responsible for indirectly for the murder, deportation, torture, and persecution of civilians in the towns of Kapsabet, Nandi Hills, Turbo, the greater Eldoret area. Sang first appeared before the Court, voluntarily, on 7 April 2011 and through the confirmation of charges hearing, which was held in conjunction with the cases against William Ruto and Joshua Sang. All the charges against Sang were confirmed by Pre-Trial Chamber II on 23 January 2012.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole

KENYA: SUGAR INDUSTRY IN KENYA IS ON THE VERGE OF TOTAL COLLAPSE

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Sugar industry feature By Leo Oder5a Omolo in Kisumu City

Sugar millers in West Kenyan have huge stockpile of unsold produce in their warehouses.

The millers have reported that they are unable to sell the commodities as the local market is currently flooded with cheap sugar imported from Brazil and Egypt finding its way into Kenyan market via unscrupulous folk working in cohort with sugar barons who are reportedly importing cheap sugar from foreign sources. The sugar barons are said to be having connections with the powerful government officials in high places.

The traders in question are the same people responsible for poor cane prices but the Kenya Board, which is the industry regulating body is unable to intervene.

Farmers and millers have appealed to the KSB to come out of its slumber and rescue the sugar industry from totally collapsing.

Frustrated Millers are now said to be in the process of declaring thousands at their workers redundant because of sugar worth millions which the companies were unable to sell in the local market which is currently flooded with imparities sugar. The situation is so pathetic as it threatens to drive Kenyan workers in the sugar industry out of their jobs while we are exporting our money to benefit came farmers and workers in Brazil, Egypt and other sugar producing foreign countries.

Perhaps the Jubilee government headed by the hard working President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is kept in the dark about multiple arts of economic sabotage through the malfeance the dumping from regions outside COMESA .

A structure deficit exists in COMESA with their surplus from domestic sources and weak compliance for that portion destined to Kenya.

There is urgent need for Kenya key players in the industry to lobby for the exclusion of sugar from rules of origin teamwork and only all our COMESA FTA countries with surplus trafrom domestic production to expert to Kenya.

SNC of Egypt, a government corporation, imparts on government authorization from Brazil over one million metric tones annually for local market supply stabilization and the export the sugarcane into COMESA FTA under rules origin; a glaring loophole must transfer economic welfare to Brazil and producers at the expense

Kenyan sugar cane farmers in the Lake region and western Kenya SIIC of Egypt, a government corporation, imports an government authorization to aim Brazil over one million metric tones annually for it local market supply stabilization and le-export the same quantity into COMESA FTA under rule of origin, a glaring loophole that transfers economic welfare to the Brazilians producers at the expense of the Kenyan sugar cane farmers in the Lake region and in Western province.

It is worth to be remembered that. Egypt is pursuing a mixed economic model of country and free market approaches.

Tax evasion, which is so rampant among private millers who under declare production and sell sugar-un-invoiced. Immigration breaches on work permits through the use of low skilled migrant labor from India and Paikstan…is prevalent in some privately owned sugar mills………some process sugar millers who under dealer production and sell sugar uninvoiced immigration measures on work per unit through the use of low skilled migrant labour train Pakistan and India is prevalent in privately owned sugar mills.

These breaches of fair labour practices allow transfer across traction mixing through inflated repatriated remuneration and contribute to you unemployment in the country

Transfer prices for imported parts and materials act through our country’s own incorporated supplies companies in the UK and India.

Dumped sugar from UAE and Somalia, India, Brazil is fueling crime through financing it. Contraband dumped sugar is used to under through “duty money.”

Incorporate businessmen from Somalia community posing as large sugar traders are the one funding crime from sugar trade, which 15 million Kenyans who depends on locally produced sugar supply chain both directly and indirect arein danger of t of further impoverishment if order is not restored.

Sugarcane farmers / producers have suffered a deadline in farm produce prices from Kshs. 4,300 to Kshs. 3,200 per t0n of produces in the last 18 months and is in danger of further declare to Kshs. 2,500

Unprecedented counterfeiting of packaging for leading sugar brands of Mumias Sugar Company and Sony Sugar is blatantly being carried out by contrabands and sugar traders dumping the non-COMESA sugar in local market.

The produce packed in counterfeit packaging of these two leading companies are openly sold in the coastal towns, North Eastern and part of Eastern, Rift valley and Mount Kenya regions of Kenya. The government therefore should out a thorough investigation about the source of repacked and trended sugar calling in the main supermarket outlets and tact for wholesomeness.

The government should also address public health concerning that radioactive waste and harmful heavy metal could be released to un-susceptive consumer public in Kenya.

Surplus production stocks from prior years, kept in open shortage in countries such as Brazil, India one reproduce of choice for dumping to countries with weak regulatory regimes. The open manner of handling could expose Kenyan Public Health concerns since such sugar is meant for further KRA and KEB’s are powerless in contending the vice involving trip money in Kick back.

End.

Kenya: KISUMU IS PARALYSED AS YOUTH STAGE PROTEST AGAINST A SIKH COMMUNITY MONUMENT

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From: LEO ODERA
Date: Sat, Feb 8, 2014 at 8:07 AM
KISUMU POLICE IN THREE DAYS BATTLES WITH THE YOUTH OVER STATUE

Reports leo Odera Omolo

The police in Kisumu city fought a running battle with hundreds of rowdy ODM youths who had staged near violence demonstration in Kisumu city central Business District (CBD) demanding that a statue erected by members of the Sikh Community be removed.

The monument is meant to commemorate 100 yeas since pioneer members of the community settled in the town 100 years ago.

The statue made of bronze metal is erected on the round about on Mosque road right behind the Siri Guru Sabha Mosque.

It has attracted hundreds of youth who are usually idling themselves at Kondele, Nyalenda, pandpieri and the main Kisumu Bus Terminal, boda boda motorbike and bicycle riders.

Business was paralyzed in severeal streets as the shop owners hurriedly closed doors fearing the possibility of looting

The demonstrators, some of the armed with and bottles filled with petrol in readiness to set the monument a blaze. It forced the police to lob tear gas canisters on the demonstrators who fled in on directions, but immediately regrouped at a distant spots.

The ODM leader Raila Odinga visited the scene, on late Friday afternoon and pleaded with the protesters to disperse in vain. The former Prime Minister returned to the scene on Saturday morning and pleaded with the youth to disperse, but none could hear him. The youth heckled him and shouted obscene words. The youth and mistaken the statue to be an idol God erected by Devil worshipers and vowed to bring it down even at night. Some had brought the old tires and fuel ready to set the monument ablaze. Aiaoleft quietly after his pleas landed on the rock.

Sensing the danger that some of the demonstrators had ulterior motives of looting Indian shops the police have kept vigil at the scene.since Thursday when the project was started.

The youths according to some of the eye witness were incited by a woman who claimed that she represents the church Ministry of the Prophet Dr. Owuor and had insisted that the monument would symbolize devil worshiping – – Something, which they claim was an insult to the mainly Christian Kisumu residents.

Curious onlookers milling around the statue fled in disarray after the police fired teargas at the protestors. The youth vowed that they would not rest until the statue is pulled down.

Two religious leaders in Kisumu commented they had objected the construction of the monument when their opinion were sought by the county Governor Jack Ranguma whose office is believed to have concerted to the by members of the Sikh community

Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede of the Power of Jesus Around the World and Bishop Mwai Abiero of the Anglican of Kenya said they had voiced their objection that the statue was a sign of idolatry.

However, head of the Sikh Community in KisumuMr C S Hayerin vehemently denied that the statue was offensive to any religion. The monument was erected for the single purpose of commemorating 100 years of the Community arrival and presence in the town. It has nothing to do with religion

ends.

KENYA: WATCH OUT- TNA MIGHT BUY ODM OFFICIALS

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From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Fred from Kayole writes: “Fr Omolo Beste what is your take on TNA Secretary General, Onyango Oloo’s claim that TNA was closely monitoring ODM elections with an aim of conducting a massive recruitment exercise within CORD zones.

According to Oloo President Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA has set out plans to cash in the ongoing leadership wrangles in the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the highly likely botched party’s election scheduled for February 28th and March 1st.

Oloo says ODM’s election would tear the party apart following tough stance held by the community over top seats and that it would be the right time to strike Raila Odinga and weaken his support base by recruiting his own disgruntled supporters mainly from Nyanza and Western, saying it was the only way to finish Raila Odinga’s political future and for TNA to perform better in 2017. Do you think this is possible?”

Thank you for the question Fred. I think Onyango Oloo is right, given that President Uhuru owns TNA and has the money to buy people.

If the claim that the ODM National Elections Board has produced the final list of candidates the party wants to contest for various seats in the upcoming party elections, then Oloo is right that this line up would tear party apart and TNA will definitely find its way to botch.

According to the claimed list of people ODM wants, out of the 93 candidates, only 86 were cleared to vie with the list generating heat from the disgruntled Young Turks, who have vowed to embarrass former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by failing his so called “preferred candidates”.

Here is the preferred final list of ODM contestants for all positions.

Party Leader- Raila Oding aacording to the claim is to capture the leadership and not Simba Arati. This is because Raila owns the party

Deputy Party Leader- Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, David Songok Langat.

National Chairman- Manson Nyamwaya pulled out claiming that ODM prefer Paul Otuoma and not Nyamweya, Mpuri Aburi, Josphat Nanok and Isaac Musau Mwilu.

Deputy Chairperson-is contested by Adan Keynan and Otieno Kajwang, Kajwang has expressed fear that ODM has preferred Keynan.

Secretary General is contested by Elizabeth Ongoro, Ababu Namwamba, Agnes Zani, and Nicholas Gumbo. Ongoro has claimed that either Agnes Zani or Ababu Namwamba is to be rigged in.

Deputy Secretary General- James Wandayi, Peter Ntoiyan Ole Musei, Simon Lilian, Issac Mwaura, Paul Kaika, Lawrence Gumbe

Treasurer-Simon Ogari, Ibrahim Mpohammed Omar, Timothy Bosire.

Deputy Treasurer- Omondi Anyanga, Stephen Ringera, Rachel Amolo, Diriye Mohammed Abdullahi, Rahab Robi.

Organising Secretary- Gitonga Wathanga, George Aladwa, Reuben Ndolo, Mohammed Sumra, Julius Okinda, Rozah Akinyi Buyu, Abdikadir Omar Aden, Samson Angienda, Stella Chepkurui Koech.

Deputy Organising Secretary-Seth Kakusye, Kikete Mung’ahu, Florence Mutua, Bob Njagi, Nicholas Zani, Suleiman Ramathan, John Waluke, Lukulu Sianga, Samuel Kihara Ndiba

Four MPs who plan to contest for top positions who have rejected the composition of the National Elections Board (NEB) include MPs Elizabeth Ongoro, Abdullahi Dirje (Wajir South) and Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango).

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

KENYA: MANY LUO-NYANZA DELEGATES FAVOR ABABU NAMWAMBA TO WIN TOP ODM POST

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The Budalangi MP Ababu is the man tipped to clinch the coveted position of the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM}, according to a good number of the would be delegates to the forthcoming party’s national elections schedule to form more than 2500 delegates to the NDC.

It will, however, be an up-hill task for the ODM leadership to pick up the right delegates owing to the fact that there are several branches in Luo-Nyanza with two parallel sets of leadership. Efforts made previously to have proper election in the branches where there is disputed leadership became difficult after the grass root election held three years ago was marred with complaints of rigging and favoritism.

Branches with several set of leadership included Rongo, Nyakach. Migori. Mdhiwa, Homa-Bay, Kasipul, Kabondo Kasipul, Muhoroni and other places where the grass root election were held In haphazardly or faulty manner.

Meanwhile claims by the ODM leader Raila Odinga that the election will be free and fair without interference from any quarters is taken by man delegates as a big joke and his usual political gimmicks.

A clear evidence that there are certain favored and She went to Migori in the company of the Kisumu Kaloleni Ward County representative Ms Prisca Auma Misachi who is the former Kisumu City Mayor. Both ladies addressed a section of Migori delegates in favor of Dr. Zani to win the forthcoming elections.

Other evidence of favoritism is the active participation of the seemingly unpopular Homa-Bay Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang´and the unkindest utterances made by several speakers against the so-called rebel Luo MP during the memorial of the 20th anniversary of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga at the Odinga family home at Kang’o Kajaramogi in Nyamira Bondo.

The most lethal speeches against the rebel youthful Luo position were delivered by Otieno Kajwang’, Dr Oburu Oginga, John Mbadi and Raila Odinga himself.

The man most targeted for vilification and scathing criticism was the Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who was allegedly accused of being the Jubilee mole in the ODM with ulterior plan to rock the party’s boat from within.

What has emerged as the result of the heated campaign for the party positions is that the DOME’S invisibility is much exposed, and what is likely to emerge is the party which is divided than ever before.

It has been confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt that those who have polled out of the race did not do so voluntarily, but were coerced, The coerced which has been fiercely denied by Raila is on the card, and the ODM supporters in Luo-Nyanza be of Luo MPs or the so called “Green Horns”

There is clear evidence that the position of the ODM Secretary General will go to Ababu Namwambsa. Party leaders consider him as being witty, brave, eloquent, experience and has all is take for one to be the Secretary General of a mass political movement like the ODM.

Many believe Namwamba is mature, and has a wealth of experience in addition to his unswerving loyalty to the partly leadership. Namwamba”s victory will, however, depends on the attitude of the party’s delegates from Western Province.

ENDS

Kenya: Of Polygamy & Healthy Talk

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To: jaluo jaluo
From: Joram Ragem

It’s early Sunday morning, and I am lying awake very satisfied next to my beautiful and flexible wife Cheruto Nyar Got. I mean she is flexible literally and metaphorically.

She has welcomed the idea of a second wife, not necessarily for purposes of satisfying my sexual needs, I mean that too, but primarily for our building a large family as God commanded us through Adam and Eve, to multiply and fill the earth. Remember never to bring forth a child you cannot care for though. May I also add that it’s for political reasons I say I need to have a large family.

Luos are being assassinated and cheated in elections and we need to change the scale in the Tyranny of Numbers equation choke! Now, let me speak to the men or women who think that the issue of a second wife is about sex. Indeed, as we age, the human male and female tend to relax a little and lose that spark that arouse the opposite sex. However, never get a second wife for that reason. She too could lose it, and you too have corrected nothing, then what? You get a 3rd, 4th….wife? The key to retaining the spark in your marriage is to be flexible literally and metaphorically.

Look, when I noticed I was not getting strong erections, I talked to Cheruto Ragem and my doctor too. The Dr thought I should try Viagra or Cialis which I did, but these medicine didn’t work for me cause my problem was psychological. Hawi Odingo helped a lot with tips on foods that work in that department. But in truth it was my brain, and you know contrary to popular opinion, the largest sex organ in the human male and female body ain’t your dick nor your breast, it’s the brain stupid! So it needs stimulation and I tell you, that’s where Cheruto for me or your partner can help a great deal.

Remember, our ancestors did not craft the word ‘Chiega’ or ‘Chuora’ for nothing. Men, there are a few things you can do though to avoid Erectile Dysfunction so you can meet Chiegi’s expectations as Chuore. Exercise your abdomen, back, pelvic and thigh muscles really good to increase blood flow to your groin and dick. Kata Otieno Aloka osewachonu maber ni ‘Kanumgo E Teko’ donge? Women, remember that God created you with a body which us guys love to see. So do all you need to do, let us see it and no sex in the dark please!

Remember the days women did not shave their armpits? Well nowadays it’s a normal thing to remove hair in the armpit for ladies. The progressive woman of today will also remove hair down there. There is really no need to spot and groom a ‘Karura Forrest’ down there anymore jowa. After all, the temperatures in Kenya stays too high for it! Well shave down there really good and see how your partner will love it. And don’t use a razor please. Otherwise you will breakout with what in Lundha my village we called ‘bundu bundu’ in South Nyanza they call ‘Okuodo’ in Nairobi they call pimples, and in Central they call ‘Boiros’! These actually are boils which in medical terms are inflammation of the hair follicles due to ingrown hair which was not removed correctly! Use hair remover lotions tho.

So as I lie here besides Cherry my wife, who is very flexible in body and mind, I let you know that I am very satisfied because of the flexibility in our relationship. We talk and do all we can to stay active. In addition to exercise and improving your looks to stimulate the brain through vision, eat the right kind of food to avoid obesity. In all, let me assure you my good people, I am up early cause I am happy, Cheruto is happy, Mr Victor is happy and so is Ms Victoria. Notice I never mentioned love anywhere, because love really has nothing to do with what I am talking about.

[Edited]
[The End]

TANZANIAN POLICE IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST MAN-HUNT FOR CRAZY GUNMAN WHO KILLED 8 PEOPLE.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town

PANICKING and fear has gripped the residenbts of both sides along the the common border of Kebyta abd Tanzaia following the reports that a crazy gunman who had run amok and shot eight people to death leaving three in serious gun wounds, and who is still at large, could possibly cross the border and sneak into Kenya and cause more havoc with the lives of innocent people.

According to Radio Tanzania, Dar Es Salam and BBC monitored in the neighboring Kenya, the shooting of the eight Tanzanians took place on Saturday if the previous week in Tarime district in the north Mara region. the semi-pastoralists Kuria community, which has spread across the international border line between Kenya and Tanzania with half of the population of this community living on both sides of the border and speaking one vernacular Kuria language. It is therefore much easier for any criminal person on the run and being pursued by police on the either side of the border to sneak to the other and vanish.

According to Radio Tanzania the government of Tanzania has sent a large number of policemen into Tarime district, both uniformed and top detectives to try and track down the gunman whose identity could not immediately be established. The motive behind the shooting also remained unclear to the security men in Dar Es Salaam. The gunman is said to be taking only mobile phone handsets and other valuables from the victims .

Kuria people living on both sides of the border are cattle rearing people and the region is cattle rustling infested.

Tanzania has beefed up the security and reportedly sent more than 200 policemen . The reinforcements were called into the area from other regions and the nearby districts.

Many people on the Kenya side of the border appeared to have been unaware of what is happening in Tarime, which is only about 20 kilometers from Sirare border posts, which is the official border crossing point. The two countries have a porous borderline and the longest stretching from Lake Victoria to the India Ocean. Locals on both sides can cross.

However, Kenyans living near the borderline have been cautioned by the local administration to be on the look out and report suspicious stranger person to the nearest police station for interrogation.

The police In Tanzania could not disclose what type of weapon the gunman is using, but his marksmanship indicated that he might have served in the armed forces previously.

Tarime district is laying north of the famous serengeti National game park and north east of the lakeside town of Musoma on the shore of Lake VICTORIA.

ENDS

KENYA: JUBILEE POLITICIAN IN KUIRIA’S SHOP TORCHED DOWN BY UNKNOWN ARSONISTS

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town

John Magaiwa, a prominent Jubilee politician in Kuria, has reported that unknown arsonists recently set his shop a blaze torching shop goods and other property estimated at Kshs 20 million.

The incident took place at Mabera Trading Center in Kuria West district, Migori County. Unconfirmed reports says the police are holding one suspect who is assisting them In their investigations.

Magaiwa said the incident took please during the night of January 17-18, 2014 Before March 4,2013 general election, Magaiwa who is an ex-civic leader was the ODM branch chairman in Migori County. He had prior to the elections declared his interest in contesting the Migori Senate seat on the party ticket , and even campaigned vigorously for the seat fro close to three years and was tipped as the possible winner.

Magaiwa, however, ditched the ODM and left the party in huff after some of the party MPS from the region held and a locked door secret meetings in an hotel in Nairobi and came up with the idea that the ODM Senate ticket be given directly to the former Kuria MP Dr. Wilfred Machage in perception that his nomination would lure the Kuria voters and convince them to vote for the ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga on man-to-man.

The MPS floated the idea to Raila whom made several impromptu visit to Migori and told his Luo supporters that they should Forget the Senate seat for the area because it would be given on a direct nomination to a candidate from Kuria a minority community which is sharing Migori County with the majority Luos because the Kurias were a marginalized minority.

Among those who had already declared their interests in the Migori Senate seat included the former two the Homa-Bay MP Phares Oluoch Kanindo, the former Mathare MP Gilbert Ochieng” Mbeo. All the three together with Magaiwa had already deposited their money with the ODM head office and were only waiting for the green light to go on with their election contest.

DR Machage was still a top official of the defunct PNU party then headed by the retired President Mwai Kibaki and had not yet ditched the then ruling party.

Magaiwa felt he was betrayed and short-changed by the ODM leadership and crossed into the TNA/URP coalition. The Kuria voters rejected Raila Odinga and the two ODM parliamentary candidates for Kuria East and Kuria West constituencies, which were all swept by the Jubilee.

In the final analysis, the local political pundits believes that it was Magaiwa who became an instrumental tools that helped the Jubilee to an easy major victory over ODM in Kuria. Raila was told that Dr Machage had lost touch with the Kuria voters. But he could not hear of this and bulldozed his way by prevailing upon the party headquarter is which issued a direct party nomination to Dr. Machage,

The former MP won the Senate seat specifically owing to Luo votes, and not Kuria’s.After the March 4, 2013 election Magaiwa went back to his shop business at Mabera Trading Center, which is located along the Migori Sirare road.

Pundits were quick in pointing out that the torching of Magaia’s shop could have some elements of political undertone. This is because of his massive popularity and influence which had helped the Jubilee made inroad into the two Kuria districts dislodging the ODM.

ENDS

Kenya: Democracy is Utopian, we ain’t there yet

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From: ANYUMBA GEORGE

Bloggers;

The circle, after fire was the greatest invention by man. Funny, nothing is new under the sun, even the fire existed in another form before we finally “invented” it. The same is true with everything under the sun, things go in circles.

Now the ODM election has brought something to fore. The coat clingers, having been swept from their comfort are now crying foul and accusing RAO of denying them “their democratic rights”.

Ladies and gentlemen, lets be fair. These Luo MPs have never practised democracy to begin with. They are in ODM, not because it is the most democratic party, but because it a means to their selfish ends. RAO hand picked these goons and brought them this far. When they were being hand picked, then it was democracy. My question is; “will any of these goons hullabalooing be able to survive without clinging to RAO’s “democracy””? Lest you forget;
Orengo tried and failed. Nyong’o the good professor learned that knowledge in Economics alone does not make an astute politician. Otieno Dalmas walked with the Cockrel into the gulloitine.

RAO raised these goons on hand-outs or was he hawking the party positions to the highest bidder as Orengo purports? What is going on in ODM exposes democracy, in African sense as a Utopia we wont reach any time soon. I dont support RAO. I have said before that he has been strangling democracy in Nyanza, and these goons were his disciples. Let them run helter skelter, they are just paying back what they denied others in the first place. The circle has connected on them.

Nobody is indespensable. We got young people with blood running hot in their veins. Let the Luo MPs boycot the elections. A new crop will sprout up. If anything, Kenya cannot be Balkanized into regional blocks, we need each other to shame the status quo. RAO learned too late; age and Devolution may deny him a chance to realize his dream. Posterity will thank you for this

Afwande!

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VAT TAXATION IS HURTING THE FARMING REGIONS IN WESTERN KENYA

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

DISCONTENT has arisen in DISCONTENT the three highly agriculturally productive regions in Western Kenya following claims and allegations that the tax regime and the KRA have unrealistic increase the highest percentage of VAT charged on farm inputs and implements.

Previously farm inputs did not attract any taxation. Exempted from paying duties included trucks, tractors,and all the equipments used in farming.

However, according to the VAT Act, which was recently enacted by parliament, all these machineries now attract tax of 16 per cent, making them inaccessible to the farmers.

At the same time the Vat taxation system, it is being alleged, has exempted equipments used in the building construction industry.. Analysts say the construction work is only booming in Central Province and in the capital, Nairobi.

The players in the agriculture sector see some elements of discriminative taxation by the tax regime, which is deliberately and systematically targeting the communities living in the three Agriculturally rich Western Kenya region consisting of the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western Provinces

Members of parliament representing the various electoral constituencies, which are close to maize producing, sugar cane growing and other areas with high insensitivity of farming have been asked to come out of their slumber .They should introduce motions in both Parliament and in the Senate challenging this discriminative taxation,” said one key player in the agricultural sector who requested for his identity to be kept secret for fear of possible reprisal.

The highly mechanized sugar industry is the hardest hit. There are so many prohibitive taxes charged such as ncess. “If the situation remain unaddressed for long, then Kenya will not be able To beat the COMESA deadline, “hr added.

A visit by this writer in the farming regions 0f Trans-Nzioia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kisumu, Kericho and Trans-Mara region revealed that due to heavy VAT taxation now imposed on tractors and other farm inputs farmers can no longer afford to purchase new tractors and other farm implements owing to the skyrocketing prices..

VAT charges have also affected the sales of spare parts. One key player in the sugar industry6 asserted that may be there is a cartel of top government officials working in cohorts with the sugar barons to facilitate the importation of the same commodity so that they in turn could make a kill.. MPS should demand an explanation as to whether the high VAT taxation has any elements of political undertone aimed at the economic strangulation against the communities living 8in the agricultural productive regions in Western Kenya..

If It is true, as it is being alleged, that there is a cartel among the government officials collaborating with the sugar barons with the intent of creating artificial shortage of sugar in the country for their own selfish interests then the sooner such groups would be kicked out of Treasury and the KRA the better. It is sad that such people who are out to impoverish members of the farming fraternity.

The tea industry is another sector which is highly mechanized, which is also suffering from the effect of the heavy VAT taxation system.,

The government should set up a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations about unnecessarly high taxation imposed through Vat so that it could protect the farming community. Unless something positively is done to streamline the excesses in Vat taxation the country could in the near future experience acute shortage food grains.

Companies dealing in the sales of farm inputs have also reported sharp decline in business, which has seen the sales going down with huge percentage .No inquiries about the sales of new tractors, trucks and pick-ups are forthcoming, said one dealer in Eldoret, adding that the government need to move much faster and have the VAT btaxati9n rectified.

Sugar cane is grown in abundance in Western and Nyanza Provinces, whereas maize, wheat, barly is produced in the South Rift region of Narok County and some parts of Uasin Gishu, Tea is grown and produce in the North Rift regions of Nandi and also in the South Rift counties of Kericho, Bomet and also in parts of Trans-Mara.

Other areas where farming is thriving in the ift alley included Nakuru, Molo, Kuresoi,Naivasha, Gilgil, Subukia, Rongai and Molo.

ENDS

KENYA: THE GOVERNMENT IS ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE ACTIVITIES OF LAND CONMEN IN AWENDO

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

The Provincial Administration and police authorities in Migori County have been asked to launch a thorough investigation with the view to apprehending a group of conmen who are reportedly cheating the residents of Awendo and its environs that they could help them regains thousands of hectares, of land on which hey were removed from 30years ago to make room for the establishment of the SonySugar Company.

Before the establishment of SonySugar company in 1977, thousands of local residents were removed from their ancestral land,which now forms the bulks of Sony Sugar on exclusive estate estimated to be measuring about 5,000 hectares. Two sub-locations were affected, These were Waware and Waundha located in Sakwa East location, Awendo district, Migori County..

The land was acquired compulsorily under the Land Acquisition act. The affected families were adequately compensated by the government and asked to move on. Those whose land was acquired had their names gazette in he official Gazette showing the acreage of land each farmer had before it was taken away.

About a month ago a group of people suspected to be conmen formed a committee, and told the affected farmers that their land was not taken away by the government, but had been bought by GEMA As part of its investment wing, and that the cultural-cum-investment organization , which for many years was led by the late Njenga Karume has since surrendered the land and it wanted the same to revert to its original owners. The group has opened an office in Awendo town and Its coordinator is called Mr Richard Mamba Nyamani who is issuing forms and asking the farmers to sign it.

The group has held a series of meetings, the last one was held last week at the home of one William O. Okola, which is close to Miriwa Market.Owing to land scarcity in the area, many farmers who appeared to be ignorant of what is going on have signed those forms hoping that parts of SonySugar nucleus estate farm would be slashed, re-surveyed and given back to the former owners these meetings take places in behind closed door shopping centers in private homesteads instead of being organized in government facilities a such as at the D, Chiefs or D.’s office, and from the looking of things it appears that the local provincial administration is not aware of what is going on.

Some of the enlightened farmers who have seen these forms, immediately became suspicious that this could be the work of conmen out to fleece them of their hard earned money. Some of the resident became suspicious when the group invoked the name of the defunct GEMA and were left baffled and wondering why and how the organization which was mainly operating in Central, Nairobi and Rift Valley region could have managed to acquired thousands of hectares if land in South Nyanza in 1976/1977. Most of them viewed the information as far fetched and as such devoid of the truth and have now called upon the government to investigate.

The residents have called on Migori Governor and Awendo D.C to come out of their slumber. They should come out and enlighten the public on this contentious issue before members of the public are conned of their money.

A survey carried in the area by thus writer revealed there is no land space in the area. All the parcels of land which the government had acquired was handed to he SONY SUGAR Company and almost all under the sugar cane plantations with exception of the small portion of land which was reserved for Awendo Town, and which was under the management of County Council of Migori and later Awendo Town Council. There is not even an iota of vacant land parcel left for anyone to retrieve back.

Asked by thus writer how the land would revert back to the original owners, Mr Mambas said over the phone that all the forms and signatures would be handed to a the group’s lawyer in Kisii Town who in turn would file the case in the High Court to demand that the land inquisition be returned to the owner. The coordinator , however, could not reviel the name of the group’s lawyer in Kisii,

This is not the first time for the residents of the area to suffer under the cunning conmen. A couple of years way back, another group of conmen had emerged in the are which fleeced the residents of thousands of shillings under the pretext that the landless people would be given land and settled in Maasaland at place called Keiyan In Trans-Mara district in Narok COUNTY. The group got away scot-free while laughing all the way to the bank. So far nobody has been given land in that area..

The forms are being distributed ibn an office in Awendo town, where people go and sign them giving particulars of their national identitity cards etc. Those inquiring about the scheme are shown some of the most outdated land maps and copies of stale official gazette publication showing where they former homesteads were located before the mass eviction of 1977.

ENDS

Kenya: Atwoli reacts

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By JEFF OTIENO.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli Has dismissed claims by some section of Coast politicians that their people in plum government positions are being targeted. Claims which appeared in a section of the press was emphatic that plans had been hatched and finalised to ensure that their people be sacked from the government.

“If you’re corrupt and incompetent as an officer in the establishment don’t hide in your tribal cocoons as away of salvaging your diminishing image or fate”,

The coast leaders were trying to defend the besieged Cabinet Secretary for Labour Kazungu Kambi who has been taken to court by a civil society crusader Charles Omanga on grounds of alleged incompetence and dubious academic credentials.

The case is slated for hearing on 11th Feb. in the High Court Nairobi.

Kambi is of late marooned with accusations that together with NSSF CEO and the board they failed to follow procurement procedures to award a Chinese firm multi Billion project. Atwoli together with FKE Chair person Jackline Mugo have maintained that procurement provisions were violated to favour the Chinese outfit culminating to cancellation of the tender.

“As Cotu we will always remain steadfast to ensure that Kenyan workers interests is catered for and we won’t condone these heartless cartels whose only agenda is to milk our workers dry”, Atwoli said.

ENDS

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.

END

USA & KENYA: RUMORS ABOUT THE OBAMA MARRIAGE CAUSED PANICKING IN HIS KENYAN RELATIVES HOME

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By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

PANICKING and anxiety has gripped the home of Kenyan relative of the US President Barrack Obama after a local daily newspaper made a startling speculative report that the Obama’s 21 year old marriage is headed to the rock.

THE PEOPLE, a Kenyan daily whose ownership is closely associate with the family business flagship of President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday this week devoted the whole page with the banner headline “Is Obama’s glamorous marriage ending soon?

The speculative article is well illustrated with series of photographs showing the Obamas in an unusual gloomy mood during couple recent trip to South Africa for the burial of the country icon Nelson Mandela, a clear sign that President and Mrs. Obama are no longer reading from the same script.

In one of the picture had a caption showing highly agitated Mrs Obama yelles at her husband in an animated chat with blonde Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning Schmidt during the burial of Mandela in South Africa.

Another interesting photo is showing President Obama engrossed on his smart mobile phone as unimpressed Michelle looks away and unconcerned.

The original report appeared to have been written by a US based journalist based In Washington D.C. a Mr Tom Leonard. A visit made by this writer to the Obamas family home in Alego Nyang’oma Kogelo in Kenya’s Siaya County about 50 kilometers west of Kisumu City found the grim faced family members gathering in small groups and carrying the copies of Monday edition of the PEOPLE while discussing the issue in low tones.

Although the Obamas have yet to visit Kenya their ancestral home where the President’s, father the late Barrack Obama senior, is buried, the couple are very popular with Kenyan people of all shades of life. Many people in this region are known to be most proud of the Obamas.

And even President Obama’s eldest step brother Malik Abong’o Obama who is a businessman-cum-politician could not offer any comment. Everybody is tight lipped including the usually flamboyant step-grand mother of the US President, the 90 year old Mrs Sarah Obama. The news appeared to have hit the family like the Tsunami.

The newspaper article opened with the following phrases citing the family invitation to guests for the Michelle”s 50th birthday. The invitation email message says in part ”guests to snack.sip and dancing, but advised the guests to wear comfortable shoes and practice their dance moves.”

“ Purse-lipped Washington etiquette, but it says experts were baffled at the informality of it all.” The Obamas have always been keen to appear accessible even if the stand offers vitality is somewhat different.

The report extensively quoted the US based newspaper, The National Enquirer. It adds that the Obamas are the world’s most scrutinized couple at the best of times, but was rare to find guests at the bash who did not secretly watch them with particular interests. After all,

the last time they were photographed together at the Nelsom Mandela memorial-The First Lady was looking none too pleased as the husband posed for for photographs with the leggy blonde Danish Primier Helle Thorning Schmidt.

ENDS

KENYA: SHOULD RAILA APOLOGIZE FOR ALLEGING MILITARY HAND IN 2013 ELECTIONS?

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From: Joram Ragem
To: jaluo jaluo jaluo@jaluo.com

REGARDING IEBC & KIMEMIA DEMANDING AN APOLOGY FROM RAILA FOR HIS UTTERANCE THAT THE MILITARY WAS INVOLVED IN RIGGING THE LAST ELECTION.

With the passing of Nelson Mandela who fought and is admired greatly for his achievement for dismantling apartheid, with the just concluded remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr who fought for civil rights for all people, and with todays passing of Jerry Okungu there is still a lot of suppression of freedom of expression in Kenya. At Mandela’s Memorial, Uhuru Kenyatta was present and he was one of those talked about by President Barack Obama who stated that there are still many hypocritical leaders who claim solidarity with Mandela’s fight for freedom but in their own country they cannot tolerate the slightest dissent.

Raila may have more details now than he knew then or even at the time he disputed the elections in court. Be that as it may, Raila Odinga is a citizen of Kenya and has every right to his opinion.

Whoever feels this opinion is repugnant to justice, or is offensive, or is maligned by it, or is a breach of peace, or a security threat, need to go to court, instead of demanding public apologies in the very media they have suppressed.

Kenya is not the ‘wild world west’ where an offended gun trotting cowboy will post empty warnings like “Apologize Or Else.” These empty, imagined or real threats notwithstanding, those sitting in the comfort of democratically acquired power need not worry, panic or get agitated.

Look, many leaders in USA publicly stated that the USA government through the CIA, or Russia, or Cuba assassinated JFK. Because of flourishing freedom of expression no sitting government official threatened a US citizen for expressing conspiracy theories.

To wit Agwambo need not be threatened. There are many who are willing to die for this man who has been cheated the presidency twice. They really have nothing else to lose if Kenya goes up in smoke.

It is Kimemia, Gichangi, Hassan, Uhuru, Ruto, Muhoro, Kinyua, el al who will regret losing the peace and tranquility they are agitating to lose. Ignore Raila to his opinion. Let Raila enjoy his freedom of expression and being in the opposition.

You have already detained him for 8 years and stolen his presidential victory twice. Enjoy your stint in running Kenya. Lets avoid wishing to be like South Sudan. Because in just a flash of a second, we could.

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.

Ends

KENYA: TWO NIGHT GUARDS BATTLED IT OUT WITH A HYENA OVER THE CARCASS OF A GAZELLE ANTELOPE THEY HAD HUNTED FOR THEIR MEAL

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Two night guards sustained grievous bodily harm during a tough fight with the hyena who sneaked into their makeshift house and snatched the carcass of a gazelle antelope which they had hunted and killed for their meal.

The incident took place in Narok North in the heart of Maasailand, not far away from the famous Maasai Mara Game reserve. The beast ventured in a makeshift house, where the guards lived, while they were asleep and snatched the carcass of an antelope.

The commotion then followed when the hyena was dragging the carcass out of the house. The guards were woken, but, it was too late because the hyena had already dragged meat into the thicket. They quickly armed themselves with bow and arrows, spears and machetes and gave chase.

Battle ensued and the guards manage to retrieve the carcass. ”We bravely followed it into the forest. The incident took place at a place called EOR-Kule in Narok district, Narok Count. The hyena did not gave up. It followed the guards and the carcass menacingly up to their s door steps, forcing them to light up a bonfire to keep the hyena at bay.. The beast then fled and disappeared in the nearby forest.

The two guards were treated of their injuries at the Narok district hospital and discharged. The senior game warded of the KENYA wildlife Service, KWS}Mr Benard Koruta, advised those who live next to the forest to be more cautious, adding that the current biting drought in the area was responsible for the rise in human-wildlife conflict.

In November last year a woman successfully fought off three hyenas which attempted to drag away her three year old son into the forest. Another Maasai woman braved a fight with a grown up male leopard which mauled her savagely last month.

And last week, two Maasai Morans were mailed by a lion they were trying to kill as part of their cultural initiation into manhood.. The two Maasai Morans are still being treated for their injuries at the Narok district hospital.

ENDS

Nyando mp And Kisumu Governor bury hatchet

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To: jaluo@jaluo.com

By JEFF OTIENO.

Nyando Mp Fred Outa and Kisumu County Governor Jack Ranguma have hence forth buried their political differences.Confirming to the press Outa said the protracted war between him and the Governor was as a result of his luckwarm style of leadership which has made the county to lag behind in terms of development since he took over the mantle of leadership but he has now agreed to shift fresh gears.Both Leaders were early this week spotted taking tea in a posh hotel in Kisumu to the chagrin of some opportunists who have been taking advantage of their differences.Most political pundits are however keenly watching whether the new bond will last considering that Ranguma as a person is said not to be his own man hes marooned by mandarins whose advices he cannot defy and also further considering Outas level of patience.The Mp is to lead a week long powerful delegation trip to Germany to try and unlock a stalemate between the county government and a consortium of investors who had been awarded a staggering Kshs15b to tackle waste management.The project has been shrouded with wrangles with inside sources saying Ranguma who was initially keen about the whole project has now developed cold feet for reasons which has stunned the residents and key stakeholders taking into consideration that he personally travelled there in september last year sat and agreed with the investors.The project has sharply divided the county assembly and the executive deep in the middle.Some opine that even if there was semblence of rules of procurement procuders which were violeted why cant it be re done to legitimise the whole thing in order to salvage the gigantic project.?Heartless Ranguma handlers and sycophants are however of the opinion that the finance executive Omulo Okal a man with unrivalled career in the banking sector for decades together with another officer in the Governors office should be victimised.Okal was initially Rangumas member of chicken cabinet but has been elbowed by busy bodies and his fate in the county now hangs by a thread.Ranguma literally fished out Okal from a lucrative job as a manager at Family Bank Kisumu Branch but the prevailing bad blood now tearing them a part is the pedestrian talk.Stringent financial management style is also said to have played a role of murky ties.Outa is accompanied by a group of Ward Reps a cross the county and theyre to leave on 23rd jan and whether Ranguma has now given them a blessing the press could not immediately establish.END