Category Archives: Kenya

KENYA: THE ZONING OF EXCLUSIVE KALENJIN DISTRICT BY URP LEADERSHIP MIGHT BOOMERANG AND HAS RESULTED IN NOT EVEN ONE SINGLE PARTY PARLIAMENTARY ASPIRANT GETTING ELECTED UNOPPOSED.

From: Arrum Tidi
Date: Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Subject: Ruto URP could come out of the South Rift empty handed without a parliamentary seat after March 4, 2013.
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THE ZONING OF EXCLUSIVE KALENJIN DISTRICT BY URP LEADERSHIP MIGHT BOOMERANG AND HAS RESULTED IN NOT EVEN ONE SINGLE PARTY PARLIAMENTARY ASPIRANT GETTING ELECTED UNOPPOSED.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

IF the former Eldoret North MP William Ruto had a dream that by partitioning several Kalenjin districts in the South and North Rift to be his party’s exclusive votes zone would result in several of URP party candidates getting elected to parliament and senate seat unopposed, the exercise has since turned out to be a pipe dream, because not one aspirant had sailed through to parliament and other legislative bodies without strong opposition.

The strategy had even sealed off aspirants who wanted to contest the election in various constituencies on the TNA ticket, though this particular party is a senior partner within the Jubilee Alliance.. Balkanized together were districts like Nandi North, Nandi South in Nandi County, Uasin Gishu County, Elkeyo County, Baringo County,Kericho and Bomet Counties.

It is even worse in the South Rift region covering Kericho and Bomet Counties. Ruto’s original plan was to shelve his party’s loyalists so that some of them could sail through to the official nomination exercise without much opposition from candidates armed with tickets of other parties. It didn’t work that way.

In Kericho County alone, most of its seven parliamentary constituencies are so crowded by aspirants from other political parties. In the newly created Sigowet constituency, which is located in the lower part of the old Belgut, the URP candidate Justice Kemei, a former director with the Chemelil Sugar Company is facing five other aspirants. In the neighboring Ainamoi, the URP candidate Benjamin Lang’at the former area MP is facing six other candidates, all sponsored by other parties.

Justice Kemei is facing his fellow former Chemelil Sugar Company manager Eng. Richard Koech. All the other parties like KANU, UDF, ODM,, KNC,SAFINA, Kenya Labour Party and others have produced candidates who are giving William Ruto’s men sleepless nights.

The South Rift region who’s inhabitants are member of the industrious Kipsigis sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups is a votes-rich region.

William Ruto, the self-styled king-ping of the Kalenjin community, according to the locals had made a technical errors by accepting to play the second fiddle to the Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta as his presidential running-mate within the Jubillee Alliance, something which the members of the populous Kipsigis community seemed not to have approved.

Had Ruto contested the presidency on his own, he would have galvanized the majority of votes in this region very comfortably. But for close to three years, Ruto had traversed the region telling the voters that his name will definitely be on the presidential ballot papers before making an abrupt about turn. Ruto’s waves in these two region was so strong, and when he succumbed to a lesser position than the presidency, the voters have since viewed him as someone who is pursuing selfish interests and politics of deceits.

A section of the Kalenjin now blames Ruto for having mortgaged the community for personal aggrandizement, and this will definitely have an adverse repercussion and even affect the whole of the jubilee Alliance.

Waiting in the wings to benefit and harvest more parliamentary seats in the two regions is the 60 year old party of independence, KANU, which is campaigning under the umbrella, of the Amani Alliance led by the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Parliamentary constituencies at stake in the South Rift regions included Chepalungu, Bomet West, Bomet Eastm Konoin, Soitiki, Buret, Belgut, Sigowet, Ainamoi, Kipkellion West and Kipkellion East.

Two of William Ruto’s most loyal supporters in the two regions, namely Charles Keter {Belgut} and Isaac Ruto {Chepalungu} are not defending their parliamentary seats. The two have switched to Senate contest. Ruto is contesting the Bomet County Senate seat, while Keter is in the race for the Kericho County Senate seat.

The other party which stand to gain by way of harvesting several parliamentary seat at the expense of Ruto’s URP and its Jubillee alliance is the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM}, which is led by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The party has planted its candidates in early every constituency, and the local believes and maintains that Raila Odinga is a true reformist despite of concerted effort by the William Ruto and his cronies campaign to discredit him as someone who hates the Kipsigis people due to his role in the controversial mass eviction n of members of the community from the Mau Forest water catchment area.

Some of Raila’s supporters in the 10th parliament from the two regions had deserted him and run into the URP, hoping they would find an easy nomination to parliament and other legislative bodies with little opposition. But things have since turned in the opposite direction.

ODM has only one of its former MPs in the region who is defending his seat. He is Magerer Lang’at the former Mp for Kipkellion. The other former Mp Franklin Bett has since declined to defend his seat and is now playing a different role as the ODM election board chairman.

The last of the former ODM MPs in the region to ditch the party was Mrs Beatrice Kones, who is an Assistant Minister for |Home-Affairs. He has since lost her bid to be nominated the URP candidate for the Bomet seat, which she had inherited from her late husband the late Kipkalia Kones.

Urp’s other headache is the emergence MOI’S new waves of support among the Kipsigis people which appeared to be heading to cutting William Ruto’s influence and political clout in the region into size.

The retired President Daniel Moi is a man who no sane person can underrate his influence among the Kalenjin people; The community believes and maintains that Moi is the true professor of Kenya’s politics. He has since thrown his weight behind Musalia Mudavadi‘s Amani alliance which is using his old political slogan during the Nyayo era of of Peace Love and Unity.

The contest of political supremacy in the South Rift cannot be accurately be predicted at the moment, but from the looks of things, William Ruto will be the loser, due to the fact that the majority of the Kipsigis voters will not vote for Uhuru Kenyatta under all the circumstances.

Ends

Kenya: What has happened to the Kenya National Language Board? Has it been abolished ?

SINCE WHEN DID THE ICEBC ABOLISH THE ENGLISH / KISWAHILI LANGUAGE TEST FOR PARLIAMENTARY AND SENATORIAL ASPIRANTS IN KENYA?

Commentary by Leo Odera Omolo

The concerted effort recently made by the Independent Electoral and boundary Commission{IEBC} to ensure that the candidates aspiring for the elective positions of County governorship have obtained university degrees from the recognized institutions of higher leaning and universities is commendable.

However, we have so far not been told of what happened to the National Language Board, that has always been tasked with the responsibility of conducting tests and interview for the purposes of assessing the communication skills of all those aspiring to be elected into our legislators system.

Have only heard and witnesses candidates aspiring for the parliamentary and senatorial seat being cleared by the IEBC officials to contest the election minus the compulsory certificates of proficiency in both English and Kiswahili languages.

What has happened to the National Language Board. It been abolished? Long before independence in 1963 these language boards were always constituted at the Provincial {PEOs} levels under the supervision of the Provincial Education Officers, whose duties were recently changed and transformed to be the Provincial Directors of Education {PDE}

The Provincial language boards were later replaced by the National Language Board. There were categories of candidates who were automatically exempted from sitting before the board, particularly those armed and equipped diplomas from learning institutions and colleges.

The idea behind these tests were mainly to ensure that those who seek for elections into our legislative bodies were people capable of fo0llowing the proceedings and debates in those bodies.

I have gone through the new constitution, but failed to locate any clause within the sacred document that speaks about the abolition of the National Language Board. And now that under the new constitutional dispensation, Kenya has returned to the tri-cameral parliamentary system, it would be prudent for the IEBC to ensure that those elected to the next parliament and the Senate, should be men and women of high integrity and communication skills.

There are special cases when our legislators are sent to represent Kenyan in the regional and international forums at which communication skills are most essential and compulsorily required to enable our delegates to actively participate in the deliberations of such forums.

In this context, am aware of the |Nyayo eras, during which politically correct individuals were exempted and nominated to serve in parliament and in other bodies irrespective when they were able to follow the proceeding or not. This were the period when the likes of Mulu Mutisya, Ezekiel Bargetuny, Joseph Leitich and other were made MPs by KANU big-wigs.

I happen to be privy and regular attendance at the various regional and international forums including ministerial councils of the African Union or other regional bodies. Kenya had became the laughing stocks attracting derogatory comments by delegates from our neighboring countries, who were wondering why a country like Kenya which is reputed for having excelled in producing more intellectuals and technocrats could send team of mediocre to represent her I n such important forums.

The way I see things happen and in the absence of a competent National Language Board I can accurately predict that the next [parliament could be filled by MPs with half-baked education, academically dwarfs and semi-illiterate legislators. The same could be said of the Senate.

It is only the IEBC which can rescue our country from the impending bug shame. I have heard some of the parliamentary and Senatorial aspirants speaking while arguing their individual cases in connection with the recently flawed political parties preliminary nominations exercises, and I have come into conclusions if these are the same people expected to be voted into our legislators system on March 4, 2013

I am sure for certain that the likes of Mike Mbuvi {Sonko] of Makadara, Mary Wambui of Othaya constituencies just top mention a few example are not sufficiently qualified to sit in the August House.

The 10th parliament had its share of semi-illiterate MPs who sat there fir five years and left without even framing one single question or the supplementary question, leave alone making their maiden speeches in the House owing to language handicaps.

In this age of the dot-com generation we need to move a high notch and deviate from the couture of electing to our supreme legislative bodies people with questionable academic background.

In the 10th parliament we Kenyan should be grateful and thankful to the Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Otiato Marende whose skills got us where we are today, because the last parliament faced myriad of constitutional problems during the constitutional dispensations and debates of hundreds of most complicated and important bills related to constitutional advancement.

The former Emuhaya had succeeded in guiding the House to the higher scale of debates despite of the intrigues of the coalition government. I wish the next MPs would be compelled to re-consider Mr.Marende to be given a second chance to serve Kenyans in the same capacity

There only a few regular contributors to these constitutional debates, with good numbers of MPs who sat there and earned millions of shillings from the public coffers without making any meaningful contributions to the debates and deliberations in the House. We should therefore not allow similar situation to arise again. Kenya is not short of the technocrats therefore the voters should be sensitize to cast their votes for only the mature and

The time is also ripe for Kenyans to desist from the political culture voting for heavily moneyed aspirants. It has became evidence that in this country anybody who come u with ill-gotten drugs money makes it easy to Parliament even if such a person have no leadership quality. This makes it clear that Kenyans have become money worshippers.

Let us go for men and women whose integrity and performance would portray our country as the land of dissent men and women. We should know that communication skills is power Anyone who cannot communicate well in any of the two official languages, namely English and Kiswahili has no business seeking to be elected an Mp or a Senator.

Ends

Kenya: People Power to Stay on Responsibility and Integrity to secure Promising Livelihood & Survival

From: Judy Miriga

Good People,

It must be a deal or no deal.

We are all not perfect. Time and again we have come short of the Glory of God. When we identify our mistakes, we correct them and try to make them better so we are able to leave in harmony with the rest sharing and caring for one another. It is the promise from God.

We as a people, are better off when there is peace and unity. Peace and unity cannot thrive where some people already planned to short-change others by selling off their birth right to deny others survival and livelihood. You cannot trust someone who plan to kill you and destroy your life by making you their slave. A slave have no freedom nor can they claim human rights of any kind……but God created you to share and enjoy natural benefits of His Blessings God perfected from creation. It is the reason why God told King Pharaoh of Egypt to “Let My People Go” and God saved His people from the oppression and snares of the evil one where we were Redeemed from works and plans of the Evil by paying a price for our life. Should we give a smaller evil a chance once again to destroy us when God has good plan for us in the Reform Change. Do you think the Reform Change came by surprise; no, God is in this plan. We shall not give any small devil an opportunity to destroy us. We shall use the power of the people God gave us presently to defeat the evil.

Good people, God has good plans for us, plan that will save the environment from the evil ones pollution, will save nature and human beings livelihood and survival if only we shall engage in doing good and involve in the right perspective to make things better. We can only do this if we refuse the evil and the corrupt who have pushed our lives into careless killings, pain and sufferings. A leader worth his salt should be responsible with integrity. This is the measure we must evaluate on all prospective candidates vying for public office irrespectively and without discrimination or favor.

The voice from wilderness is sending you good news to engage people power to change your lifestyle and improve your destiny. The whole world is on our side and we shall not go wrong. Charge the evil ones and the corrupt in the Supreme Court of Law and penalize them from not honoring Peoples Public Mandate and refusing to be in compliance according to agreement in the Oath of Office they swore to uphold. Men and Women of wisdom are already speaking out and are sounding an alarm, they already made good moves and some had gone to court and their cases thrown out…….we must make a consolidated force of unity and stick together to demand justice, heed our advice and take a stand; let us move to Supreme Court united with additional claims revised. It must be a deal or no deal………We must not fall in a trap to give in to no lesser evil. They must all be tried for the evil they committed in engaging in Land Grabbing we must own our land and survive making deals that are with dignity, those that protects and preserve live…..e.g.

Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shoulders the most crucial challenge of guaranteeing and and conducting a legitimate transparency and accountability electioneering process based on Reform Change Constitutionality with consideration threshold of Responsibility with integrity conducted under a reliable, secure, safe, and efficient elections which are free from flaws or any kind of fraud. Today IEBC is failing Kenyans and remedy is “People Power” to go lodge official legal complain to the Supreme Court and take Chief Justice to task upon his word of Integrity. Reasons are in addition as follows:

1) Judge gives KRA nod to demand MPs’ unpaid taxes, these are conditions candidates seeking public office must show responsibilities with integrity before they can qualify…….

Quote: “High Court judge Weldon Korir held that the MPs were not exempted from paying taxes on their income since Article 210 of the Constitution provides that the burden of taxation shall be shared fairly.

He said that the National Assembly Remuneration Act, which exempted MPs from paying taxes was enacted before the promulgation of the new Constitution and that it must be brought into conformity with the Law.

“The country is coming from a background of greed and financial misappropriation. Public money has in the past not always been applied in its intended purpose of the development of a country and it is for this reason that principles of public finance were included in the Constitution,” said judge Korir.

He noted that it would be absurd for the lawmakers to claim they expected to continue to be exempted from payment of taxes on their allowances since they were aware that under the new dispensation, MPs would be expected to shoulder their portion of the tax burden.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of this country. It is the will of the people, the mandate they give to direct the manner in which they ought to be governed.”

The judge also said all persons working in the country were subject to payment of taxes, a duty he said could not be contracted out, by an agreement between any arms of the government.

He said the Executive and Legislature exercised delegated public power and were therefore constrained by the Constitution and could not exercise any power or perform any functions that were beyond those conferred by law.

“The Executive cannot donate an illegal benefit and if it does, it is an act done in violation of the Constitution, notwithstanding the consequences of the contravention. Equally, parliamentarians are not entitled to accept an unlawful advancement of monies belonging to the citizens of this country,” said judge Korir.

The State, according to him, had only one choice when it came to implementation and application of taxation to public officers which he noted was, to obey the Constitution by enforcing and applying the clear provisions of the Constitution.

He said that if any of its agents made the mistake of failing to honor the said constitutional obligation, the party must immediately make amends rectifying the error by remitting any taxes that have not been paid.

Some 18 human rights group members among them retired Presbyterian Church of East Africa minister Timothy Njoya had filed a constitutional reference last year seeking a declaration that all State officers including MPs were under obligation to pay taxes.

They were also seeking to reverse a State directive to all permanent secretaries to refund all taxes deducted from ministers and their assistants”.

2) The suspicion Kenyans exhibited against the police force following the 2008 violence still exists. The need to act firmly and uphold the law is key if wananchi are to work with the National Police Service. The National Police Service need to ensure that all persons recruited and deployed at polling and tallying centers are conversant with the law. Political parties need to ensure that all persons to whom they issue Party Certificates are sensitized on relevant laws especially sections of the NCI Act 2008 regarding hate speech and other laws relating to keeping peace and non-incitement to violence that; Elections are important in any democratic society but the continuity of the nation is bigger than each and all. Thus the general populace needs to respect the law and remember at all times to put KENYA KWANZA!…..says, Mzalendo N. Kibunjia, PhD., EBS

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN on Sunday, January 27, 2013

Show-case: Over 200 heavily armed bandits made away with hundreds of sheep and goats on the eve of Christmas

In Samburu, Kenya: Barely a month after bandits killed 42 police officers in Samburu, more than 200 heavily armed cattle rustlers have invaded and attacked Waso Ronkai village and fled with hundreds of sheep and goats.

The incident in Samburu North occurred at 11pm when the residents were preparing to usher in Christmas Day.

Three families were attacked in the incident.

The more than 700 police officers currently stationed in Samburu North did not stop the raid despite receiving a report as the raiders fled with the livestock.

“The residents of Samburu North have strongly complained to the Government over persistent attacks and raids by bandits at Masikita and Kawap in Samburu North and the stealing of camels, cattle, sheep and goats from the area,” said Lenkai Parsulai, a resident.

Insecurity

Fourty two guns were stolen from the police officers killed in Suguta valley in Baragoi and it is suspected they are now being used in the increased roadside robberies targeting those travelling for the Christmas holidays from Baragoi to Maralal.

Tension increased last week after bandits from Baragoi attacked Allamano village and police also recovered a mobile phone belonging to one of the police officers killed in Suguta valley in Maralal town.

3) The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Sessional Paper No.3 of 2009 on the National Land Policy (NLP) provide for a new classification of land to be known as “Community Land”.

Under the Constitution, Community lands are to vest in and be held by communities that are identified on the basis of ethnicity, culture or similar community of interest. The Constitution further directs Parliament to enact legislation to give effect to the creation of community land.

On the other hand, evictions have, for decades, taken place in Kenya, especially in informal settlements in contravention of international human rights standards. Mass evictions have usually involved Government Projects or private developers claiming ownership of land on which some of the settlements stand. Sessional Paper No.3 of 2009 on the National Land Policy requires the Government to establish an appropriate framework for evictions, based on internationally acceptable guidelines. We have tangible list of Land Grabbers who must face the law before they are engaged in Public Office, threshold of the same in Responsibility and integrity must take prominence and we cannot be hoodwinked with fake commissions to cover their evils……

4) Jacob Omolo wrote his Labour Market and Policy Interventions paper in 1978, the unemployment rate in Kenya then stood at 6.7 per cent. Twenty years later in 1998, the figure had risen to 25.1 per cent.

James Kariuki, a sociology lecturer at the University of Nairobi, says unemployment is viewed as a sign of failure by our, society and the society rejects those that cannot meet the expectations put on them.

Youth unemployment is “a time bomb that calls for urgent action” Prime Minister’s Office flawed in Youth Project Funds, we demand Responsibility with Integrity over Youth Project Fund and that Raila to face threshold of the same in the Supreme Court of Law before he can vie for any other public office including any other claims pending of integrity with vision 2030 as well as Sykamau evictions including other case-scenarios must not pass threshold of Supreme Court justice. Unemployment disrupts life and leaves it’s victims basking in disgrace. After a long period of unemployment with being driven into displacements are reasons for mental frustrations and illness makes individuals of circumstances to succumbs into deterioration of sociological and psychological conditions that causes victims to loose dignity and pride to livelihood and survival and eventually makes them vulnerable to criminal and other unacceptable lifestyle. These are victims of forced conditional circumstances by the corrupt that must face threshold of integrity before any of such corrupt characters are accepted back into public office.

The consolidated petition will now be heard on February 6, and only for one day.

However lawyers indicated the likelihood of taking the matter to the Supreme Court if and after Uhuru and Ruto are cleared by the IEBC.

The Supreme Court ruled recently that it would be the forum to deal with any disputes arising from the nomination of presidential candidates by the IEBC except those by the political parties.

On or before 29th January 2013, Lawyer Lucy Akaka said Mr Weda intended to withdraw from the case due to conflict of interest.

Ms Akaka was instructed to inform their clients of the intention to withdraw and to have them present in persons in court on the hearing day.

5) IEBC is wrong to shelve vetting and illicityly and unconstitutionally delivered Certificates to candidates. The group (ICPC) warns…….The International Centre for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) has now written to the electoral commission to protest against plans to shelve vetting of candidates.

ICPC in its letter dated January 11 to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) wants to ensure full compliance with leadership and integrity conditions set in the Constitution.

ICPC Executive Director Ndung’u Wainaina said the Constitution gives the commission the sole mandate on all matters touching on conduct, control and supervision of elections.

“Therefore, determining the suitability, ethics and integrity of public office seekers falls squarely on the shoulders of the commission,” Ndung’u said.

Criminal records

In September 2012, ICPC had petitioned the court to compel IEBC to make candidates’ history and criminal records (if any) accessible to the public for informed decision-making.

“Your office opposed our intention by arguing that our petition was speculative, as you have not failed to develop a detailed code of conduct that is Chapter Six compliant,” Ndung’u’s letter to IEBC boss Isaack Hassan reads in part.

The High Court, in the Mumo Matemu case, was quite unequivocal that any person who has pending integrity issues is not fit to hold public office and according to the civil society group, IEBC should read from it in setting the mechanisms to vet aspirants.

“To our mind, therefore, a person is said to lack integrity when there are serious unresolved questions about his honesty, financial probity, scrupulousness, fairness, and reputation, soundness of his moral judgment or his commitment to the national values enumerated in the Constitution.”

The letter added: “In our view, for purposes of the integrity test in our Constitution, there is no requirement that the behaviour, attribute or conduct in question has to rise to the threshold of criminality. It therefore follows that the fact that a person has not been convicted of a criminal offence is not dispositive of the inquiry whether they lack integrity or not.”

Reasonable doubt

The ICPC boss argued that the same standards of integrity were reiterated by the judicial tribunal that investigated the conduct of the former deputy Chief Justice, who was removed from office for misconduct.

“This decision of the tribunal conclusively shows that the standard of proof in ethics and integrity for public office holders is neither that of the criminal law, that is beyond reasonable doubt nor that in civil cases, which is on a balance of probability,” he said.

6) In September, the petitioners through their lawyer Ambrose Weda amended the case to include the names of Raila, Mudavadi, and Kalonzo. They raised questions about their suitability for public office over varying allegations ranging from abuse of office, nepotism and corruption, among others claims.

The amendment was rejected by the High Court prompting the petitioners to withdraw the case late last year.

The Public Corruption, Ethics and Governance Watch lobby group and activist Charles Mwangi sought to bar Mr Odinga, Mr Musyoka and Mr Mudavadi from seeking public office on claims that their candidature contravened Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity. According to the groups, a leader is contemplated to be someone who carries dignity, legitimacy and has the people’s trust and confidence and that electing any person committed to trial would bring dishonour to the office and seriously affect the person’s ability to discharge his duties. Unfortunately IEBC have issued Mr. Odinga, Musyoka and Mudavadi certificate to contest and this must be contested at the Supreme Courts. It is why Raila, Kalonzo, Mudavadi is not yet out of integrity suit.

IEBC concerns raised:

IEBC accused of overlooking misconduct….

• They say IEBC has been helping in defilement of the Constitution by failing to stamp their authority and bring sanity in the electoral process

• Led by lawyer Harun Ndubi (right), they said commisssion has continued to disregard parametres and principles set out in the Constitution

• They have also ignored several reports regarding the conduct of some political aspirants

On January 28 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

Reported By Rawlings otieno

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been advised to bar candidates with questionable integrity and character from contesting in the General Election.

A section of the civil society members under the banner of Kenya for Peace with Truth and Justice said IEBC has been helping in defilement of the Constitution by failing to stamp their authority and bring sanity in the electoral process.

Led by lawyer Harun Ndubi, the group accused the IEBC of condoning electoral malpractices, which they are supposed to enforce.

“The Elections and the Electoral Offences Act clearly states their mandate and how they are supposed to conduct the elections. Extending the deadline for submission of the party list is by itself rigging, which is an offence under the Act,” said Ndubi……and is therefore unconstitutional.

The group said IEBC has continued to disregard parametres and principles set out in the Constitution and other relevant legislation through practices such as party hopping and accused them of ignoring several reports, which had been presented to it for review concerning the conduct of some political aspirants.

Speaking during a Press briefing at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, the group lashed out at the electoral body and the Registrar of Political Parties for failing to rein in errant political parties. They took issue with the parties for conducting their nominations using the IEBC voter registrations book instead of the political party’s registrar, citing that the move was against the Political Parties Act.

Case of Flawed nominations:

Ndubi also said it is the IEBC that should stop candidates with leadership and integrity issues from contesting the various political seats.

He said the Commission of Administrative Justice had given a damning report of some 24 candidates including TNA’s Mike Mbuvi vying for senatorial position in Nairobi County and also former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu who got the nod to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, to be stopped from contesting.

The group also wants the parties that conducted flawed nominations to be punished by Law for allowing their supporters to cause violence.

The Political Parties Act states: A political party shall not engage in or encourage violence by its members or supporters.

“The institution charged with the regulation of political affairs has displayed a disturbing reluctance to enforce their respective mandate. IEBC has repeatedly shifted timelines for the submission of nomination lists,” said Ndubi.

They threatened to use all the means including filing petitions at the High Court to stop such candidates from contesting…..This must now be filed to Supreme Court of Justice under Peoples Power Claims…….

7) Planning expert Patrick Adhola said a governor of a city like Nairobi is like a president in waiting and needs to understand urban economy. Candidates integrity that have been issued with certificates are still questionable, how can people elect candidates of questionable circumstances…… do we trust these candidates with national economy whose understanding to gubernatorial position is unknown, but is expected to understand the Urban Area and Cities Act as clear as crystal, and provide manifesto details of plan of action showing public “How To” he/she expects to engage in County Development proving they know and understand how urban finance works ???…….. “The candidates should give reasons why we should trust them with our future,” Mr Adhola said.

The director for Centre for Urban Planning and Innovations in University of Nairobi Prof Peter Ngao said research on urban poor in Kenya indicated that urban poor spaces have highly educated people but live in worst human conditions.

Prof Ngao said gubernatorial candidates should tell Kenyans there agenda for informal settlements. He regretted that there is growing polarization with ethnic clashes being witnessed in some slums, a thing that would spoil the cities development.

Prof Omenya called for planned housing for urban poor saying highly unequal societies were also the most insecure.

Together we are strong, divided we loose…….Spread the word so together we shall gain the Reform Change we have been struggling for and achieve peace united in love sharing and caring for one another………It is the promise from God……..

Cheers……!!!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

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ICC: Mention of Uhuru, Ruto cases set for Feb 14

By Wahome Thuku

KENYA; The twin criminal cases against Jubilee Alliance luminaries Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto will be mentioned before the International Criminal Court (ICC) mid this month.

Lawyers representing the two will be travelling to The Hague on February 14 for the status conferences, according to sources.

But Uhuru and Ruto, who are Jubilee presidential candidate and running mate, may skip the sessions as they are not required to be present when the cases go for the status conference before ICC’s Trial Chamber V.

Their trials for crimes against humanity start at The Hague on April 10 and 11, a time when the country could be going for a rerun of the presidential elections.

Status conferences are provided for under Article 64(3) of the Rome Statute for the court and the parties to set a trial date, confer on the necessary procedure for fair and expeditious trials, determine the language to be used in the proceedings, and agree on a timetable and scope for disclosure of documents and information for adequate preparation for the case.

These will be the second twin status conferences, the first having been held in June last year.

COMMENTS:

ceaser1 February 2013 5:23 PM The real culprits who have the fancy name of PRINCIPALS over whom people maimed,killed and destroyed are enjoying the unfolding the circus that is the ICC selective justice process unfold. The two are squarely politically responsible (by ommision and commision) for the escalation of the chaos and due to the grave consequencies of their irresponsibility so are they criminally culpable too. If particulary Raila goes ICC free for making inflammatory statements before during and after the 2007 elections (I have video evidence to support that),then we his victims will seek legal redress elsewhere whether he wins or not.

Battle looms in Nyanza as hopefuls get IEBC nod

Updated Friday, February 01 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Evelyn Kwamboka And Rushdie Oudia

Kisumu County

A major contest is looming in Nyanza as aspirants ‘rigged’ out of the nominations submit certificates from other political parties in readiness for the March General Election.

The aspirants, comprising veteran politicians, sought solace in smaller parties mainly within the CORD alliance, a move that is likely to challenge the dominance of Orange Democratic Movement in the region.

The aspirants aggrieved by ODM’s decision to ‘award’ certificates to their rivals after the party’s election board chairman Franklin Bett’s ordered for fresh nominations that never took place in Homa Bay, Migori and Kisumu, are set to hit the campaign trail with an intention to ‘prove a point’ during the March 4 elections.

Former MPs Olago-Oluoch (Kisumu West), Ochieng’ Daima (Nyakach), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), and ODM official John Magaiwa and Grace Akumu, were some of those affected in the nominations.

Flawed nominations

Yesterday, Ford-Kenya, Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) became the main beneficiaries of the flawed nominations.

The repeat was not held in constituencies such as Seme, Kisumu West, Nyakach, Nyando and Muhoroni, and instead ODM gave tickets to people selected by the party.

Most aspirants, who left for Nairobi after ODM failed to hold a repeat of nominations in the three counties, presented their papers to the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission as they prepared to hit the ground with their campaigns.

In Kisumu County, former MP Olago-Oluoch will be contesting the Kisumu West parliamentary on a Ford-Kenya ticket.

“I defected from ODM to Ford-Kenya due to rigged nominations that denied me a certificate despite winning,” said Olago.

The former MP, who is to battle it out with Rozah Buyu, said he did not want to go to court over the issue and that is why he sought the Ford-Kenya ticket.

Ironically, during the 2007 primaries, Buyu accused ODM of rigging her out in favour of Olago after the party gave the lawyer-cum-politician the ticket for the Kisumu West parliamentary seat.

Daima, who moved to Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party would square off with with Owuor Aduma. In the nullified nomination preliminary results, Aduma is said to have beaten the former MP with 12,422 votes against 6296.

Other newcomers perceived to be strong on the ground have also started their campaigns.

They include Abdulkadir Omar, who defected from ODM after his rival for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat, Ken Obura, was declared the winner in the nominations.

Repeat polls

In Homa Bay County, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, who was nominated despite the party’s failure to hold a repeat of the polls, is set to battle it out with Hilary Alila.

Alila, who was kicked out of the race by ODM’s decision to award the ticket to Kajwang’, will be gunning for the seat on a PDP ticket.

“Kajwang’ should prepare for a tough battle and I will give him a run for his money because people know what happened in the nominations,” Alila told The Standard.

On the issue of some candidates from smaller parties stepping down for those perceived to be strong on the ground, Alila said he is in the race to the end. Siaya County, which was another trouble spot during the ODM primaries, is also an area to watch in the coming General Election.

Yesterday, Mr William Oduol, who was disqualified alongside Dr Oburu Odinga, also presented his papers to the IEBC. He will be seeking the Siaya County governor seat on a National Agenda Party of Kenya.

“Despite all the hurdles erected along my political path by ODM, the electorates have confidence in me,” he said.

Oduol defected to NAPK after ODM gave direct nomination to Cornel Rasanga following a dispute between him and the PM’s elder brother Oburu Oginga.

Nyanza region has also not been left out in the legal battles that arose from the nominations.

Rarieda former MP Nicholas Gumbo, who had been awarded the ticket by ODM, was temporarily stopped by a court order from presenting his papers to IEBC.

Court order

Mr Okong’o Omogeni also obtained interim orders stopping IEBC from clearing veteran politician Abuya Abuya on an ODM ticket for the Nyamira County Senate.

Court orders were also issued against candidates nominated by ODM in Nyatike and Kuria East.

The contest for the Kisumu Senate, in which Jubilee Alliance has fielded a candidate to battle it out with ODM’s Anyang’ Nyong’o and Gerge Weda

IEBC tender case to proceed, court rules

By Mwaniki Munuhe

KENYA: The High Court has allowed a case challenging the award of a tender to print millions of ballot papers to proceed.

Three firms are seeking to stop the multi-billion shilling deal between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and a supplier in the UK. The case has been allowed to proceed on grounds the petitioners – Kalamazoo Secure Solutions, Ren-Form CC and Aerovote – have raised credible concerns on how the contract was awarded.

On Friday, High Court Judge George Dunga said procurement by public bodies should never be done “indiscriminately and in a clandestine manner.”

Efforts by IEBC and the supplier, Smith & Ouzman, to block the petition were unsuccessful.

In challenging the deal, the petitioners question Smith & Ouzman’s financial capacity to print the ballot papers, saying the company has made losses for the last four years. They also claim the company is under investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), a matter that could interfere with the printing and delivery of the ballot papers. The SFO would not confirm or deny the firm was under investigation.

The petitioners have also raised issues in regard to inconsistencies in the contract ranging from the dates of acceptance, award, international delivery conditions, bidding and whether or not IEBC, a public institution, subjected the deal to competitive tendering.

IEBC denies aspirants clearance

Updated Friday, February 01 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Anthony Gitonga

The Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) locked out several political aspirants for failing to meet requirements for clearance.

Among those denied the green light was former cooperative’s Permanent Secretary Patrick Khaemba (New Ford -Kenya),Jack Raguma (ODM), both gunning for governor’s seats in Trans Nzoia and Kisumu.

Mr Edwin Yinda, who was seeking the Alego-Usonga parliamentary seat, was also locked out. In Mombasa, former MD Kenya Ports Authority Abdalla Mwaruwa (TNA, Mombasa gubernatorial seat) was also turned away because he did not have a clearance certificate from the Commission for Higher Educations (CHE).

Certify

The same applied to Khaemba and Raguma who have until on Friday to clear with the CHE in Nairobi and dash back to present their certificates.

In Turkana Central, IEBC co-ordinator George Omondi said Mr Abok Ilikwel, a former Kenya Airports Authority sergeant, did not adhere to the Commission’s deadline on resignations.

An aspirant vying for the gubernatorial seat in Murang’a County was turned away due to lack of a letter certifying his degree as genuine. Mr Julius Kaberere could not raise a document to certify the degree he held was from an institution recognised by the Commission for Higher Education.

And in Naivasha, the tribunal revoked the nominations of parliamentary candidate John Karanja and Esther Njeri after listening to petitions presented to them.

The winners and losers after court’s verdict on party nominations

Updated Friday, February 01 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Wahome Thuku

KENYA: The High Court has dismissed cases involving party nominations in one-line rulings as candidates began presenting papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Judges David Majanja, Weldon Korir and George Odunga heard over 15 petitions filed since Tuesday challenging determinations of the IEBC Disputes Resolution Committee on the party primaries.

Transport Minister Amos Kimunya is now free to defend his Kipipiri parliamentary seat on a TNA ticket.

The court threw out a petition filed by lawyer Stanley Kihiko seeking to block him from the elections over alleged electoral malpractices.

Kihiko claimed Kimunya was involved in electoral malpractices and no results announced in Kipipiri for the TNA nominations. His lawyer Evan Ondieki claimed there was video evidence of bribery, intimidation and harassment.

Locked out

He said the youth were asked to give way for the elderly to vote, only for them to be locked out in the evening.

But IEBC, however, urged the High Court to dismiss the petition terming it an abuse of process having been filed by a lawyer with vested interests in the seat.

Kimunya’s lawyer Mwaniki Gachoka and TNA counsel Linda Milimu said the petition had been filed with an ulterior motive.

Petition

Also cleared was businessman James Mugambi seeking to succeed President Kibaki as Othaya MP on Saba Saba Asili ticket. The court dismissed a petition filed by a voter, Mr Michael Wachira. Wachira had accused Mugambi of colluding with his new party to forge IEBC stamps and documents and write a letter showing he had defected from TNA.

The court, however, ordered IEBC to hear complaints involving Mr Abuya Abuya and former Law Society of Kenya chairman Okong’o Omogeni.

In his petition, Omogeni is challenging the decision by the IEBC compelling ODM to hand a nomination for Nyamira senate seat to Abuya. The IEBC committee ordered ODM to clear Abuya after clearing his nomination fees.

The court dismissed a petition seeking to block Mombasa’s ODM gubernatorial candidate Ali Hassan Joho and his running mate Hazel Katana over academic qualifications.

Petitioner Janet Mbete wanted the IEBC compelled to produce Joho and Katana’s degree certificates.

But their lawyer, Ahmednassir Abdullahi, described the petition premature, saying there was no evidence of lack of academic papers.

“No right of the applicant has been breached by the candidature of Joho and the petitioner can vote for any other candidate,” he added.

KENYA: THE PRICE OF DEMOCRACY

From: dick.aduonga

It is an elections year and the country is abuzz with all manners of political activities. At this time of the political cycle, we witness some of the most colourful characters in our political life. Going by the just concluded party primaries, one would be tempted to be excited at the prospects of Kenya becoming a thriving democracy but when you pause for a minute; you again wonder if that is really a correct observation of our current political development.

For the past 40 years we have had a grudging political system with the political class taking little interest in the rights of the citizenry. By nature politicians seldom favour change in the interests of the working class and for many years they got their way in an ethnocentric Kenyan politics, sometimes through brutal force irrespective of the wishes of the majority.

Now Kenya has a new dispensation through its new constitution which compels all citizens to play fair and develop governance institutions that support the growth of democracy in the country. Leaders use political parties to ascend to power through the people and this means the people ought to be empowered to elect or deselect those leaders they deem unfit to lead them at a particular time. The price of democracy is that when one engages in a competition with fair rules and loses or wins, we expect them to accept such an outcome.

Kenya as a young democracy has the signs for a brighter future. The last party primaries even though in some cases was shambolic, the fact that majority of the contestants were happy with the outcome is great. To depart from the past ways of doing things has not always been easy. Most of these politicians have often survived political onslaught from their competitors through political patronage. So it was not a surprise that the party prodigal sons did not want to play fair.

It is important that as Kenya moves forward in its political, social and economic development, politicians understand that an empowered citizenry engages and contributes positively to the holistic development of the nation. Their wishes should be respected when they deselect or elect a leader of their choice because there is no reasonable logic in a party forcing a leader on the people. In future parties should ensure their rules of engagement are clear so that all potential participants can robustly evaluate themselves before seeking clearance for the party nominations.

Have a very peaceful elections

Dickson Aduonga

Kenya: A Big Showdown between Otienmo Kajwang and Hilary Alila in Homa-Bay town

Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

The presentation by the two aspirants contesting the Homa-Bay County Senate seat was so dramatic in that the Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister Otieno Kajwang’presented his nomination certificate to the IEBC officials in Homa-Bay in the company of a small crowd of followers.Kajwang’ is the ODM official candidate.

The Minister rival the 38 year old Nairobi-based businessman Hilary Ochieng” Alila who is contesting the seat on the People Democratic Party which is led by the former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara pulled the largest crowd of supporters who escorted him to Homa-Bay town in Matatus. Boda Boda motorbikes and traditional dancers.

Immediately his papers were accepted by the IEBC officials, Kajwang’ quietly slipped off the town and drove away accompany by members of the GSU and the security personnel and drove to unknown destination, while Alila supporters continued singing and dancing around the town.

Kajwang was handed the ODM nomination certificate in a discredited and much flawed nomination exercise, which many people in the region believes had been won by Alila with a big margin of votes.

Kajwang’ previously represented Mbita constituency in Suba region ever since 1997, but recently shifted his political camp from Mbita to Homa-Bay and switched to the contest of Senate seat instead of defending his Mbita, the move which political pundits and observers saw as a” a blunder and political suicide.”

Fears persists that the Minister would not be able to garnered enough support from the residents of Mbita in his previous parliamentary constituency because he had burned the bridge between him and the Suba people and would be in the race for the Homa-Bay County Senate seat without their blessing and goodwill.

The flamboyant Nairobi businessman Alila appeared to have attracted more support in all the seven parliamentary constituencies including Ndhiwa, Gwasi, Mbita, Homa-Bay Town, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo Kasipul, mainly youths and woen.

Ends

Kenya: Trouble is brewing inside President Barrack Obama’s Kenyan family over the recent trip to Washington D.C by a self-styled spokesman

Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

Trouble is brewing within the Kenyan based family of the US President Barrack Obama following claims that the person who had traveled to Washington D.C early this month to witness the second inauguration and swearing o President Barrack Obama had no mandate of doing so, but was an impostor.

It has emerged that a former Siaya County civic leader Nicholas Rajula had travelled to Washington D.C to attend President Obama second swearing in on behalf of the family while masquerading as the family spokesman.

Rajula’s trip to the US has since elicited a harsh reaction from Malik Abong’o Obama, the elder step-brother of President Obama who disowned Rajula as an impostor and impersonator with no blood relations with the Obama family in Kenya.

Addressing newsmen in Siaya town during the launching of his campaign for the lucrative and powerful elective position of Siaya County governor, Malik distanced the family from the so-called spokesman, adding that he is a self-styled person who had no blood relation with the Obamas, though he hails from the Alego Kogelo sub-clan. He added that he {Malik} was the defacto spokesman of the Obama family in Alego Kogelo .Siaya.

Malik is contesting the position of the Siaya County governor as an independent candidate. Observers and local political pundits, however, were quick in pointing out that he stands very little chance of winning the seat a region where the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM} is the party of choice.

Ex-Councilor Rajula, who is a businessman running chains of hotels included Kogelo Luxury Resort, which is allocated only a few meters from the Obama rural home in Nang’oma Kogelo in Siaya County could not be reached immediately for his comment.

This writer made a frantic effort to reach President Obama’s 90 year-old step grand-mother Mama Sarah Obama for her comment over the ex=Councilor alleged trip to the US on behalf of the family in vain. However, none of the Obama relatives in Kenya had travelled to the US to witness his second swearing in his second term of five years.

Ends

KENYA: AWITI PICKS ORATA RUNNING MATE

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

ODM nominated Homa Bay County Governor Mr Cyprian Otieno Awiti has picked Mr Hannington Orata as his running mate. According to information he has just posted on his Facebook wall, Awiti has picked Orata following his promise during campaigns.

Awiti promised the people of homa Bay County that he would pick his running mate from Ndhiwa Constituency for the sake of balancing. “ I have Kept that promise and I am proud to announce that I have picked Mr. Hannington Orata as my running mate” Awiti says on his Facebook wall.

He says Mr. Orata has a rich experience in the management of public affairs having worked as a chief finance officer at the Kenya anti corruption commission and in the same position at the Kenya pipeline Company.

Mr. Orata he says is an accountant by profession and has substantial experience in financial management gained during his stint in the banking industry for over ten years. Join me in welcoming Mr.Orata to the Team.

Mr Orata hails from Kanyikela and was one of the aspirants for Ndhiwa MP By-election. He lost to Augustino Neto.

Although speculations went rounding suggesting that Awiti could pickTom Obondo who also lost ODM nomination for Ndhiwa By-election, the fact that he remained the political turncoat who once abandoned the then popular Ford-Kenya to rejoin the then powerful Kanu for his own personal gain could be viewed as an obstacle on his part.

Obondo’s effort to explain to Ndhiwa voters that political circumstances forced his defection to Kanu in 1994 for an effort to bring government-funded development projects to the people of Ndhiwa at the time could not convince voters either.

Ndhiwa constituency is made up of five major clans which include Kanyamwa with around 28,000 registered voters; Kabuoch with 24,000 voters; Kwabwai with 16,000 voters; Kanyidoto with 12,000 voters; and Kanyikela with 5,500 voters.

Although they live together harmoniously and share the same language and culture, the fact that five clans have exhibited fierce rivalry on the political arena since the country’s independence, some clans may not welcome well the appointment of Orata as running mate.

The late Ojodeh, who hailed from the Kwabwai clan with around 16,000 registered voters -was able to survive all those terms because he was a tough political player who somehow always managed to cobble together a winning formula by attracting a good proportion of support from the other four clans.

Among those who eyed the Ndhiwa parliamentary seat and provided stiff opposition to Tom Obondo include Manasseh Kidew, Monica Amolo, Neto Oyugi, Owiti Jera, Oyoo Kanyangi (a former magistrate), J.M. Ojuang’, Mireje Onyando, Hannington Orata, Beatrice Ogola and Dr Martin Owino among others.

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: Updates for upcoming Njoro farmers day

From: CSR Kenya

Dear Exhibitor and Sponsors.

First we want to thank our exhibitors and sponsors for the support of our farmers Day. We are doing all we can to promote the event through the web, mail, Radio, print and of course the word of mouth. We are pleased by our attendance projections and want to exceed the number and get our Exhibitors a tremendous amount of local exposure.

ABOUT NJORO: Njoro is an agricultural town 18 km west south west of Nakuru, Kenya situated on the western rim of the Rift Valley. The main economic activities are agri-based industries, large-scale wheat and barley farming. Light manufacturing industries such as timber milling and quarrying are also a mainstay of the local economy. That why this place is the ideal place for an event like this

For those of you who are still interested in taking part in this event We are finalizing our program for the event so kindly get back to me promptly with your interest before the 2nd of Feb 2013.

Again we thank you for your support and look forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

With Diligent service

For Directions to the farmer’s day site, please click the link below. http://www.csrkenya.org/zerohunger.htm


Julie W. Chege
Marketing Manager
C.E.S.R.A KENYA.
www.csrkenya.org 020-2188788
Connected Communities

KENYA: THREE CHINESE FOREIGN WORKERS WHO WERE CAUGHT RED-HANDED WHILE COOKING STEW OF PYTHON SNAKE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND TAKEN INTO POLICE CUSTODY

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Three Chinese foreign construction workers were last night arrested and placed in police custody pending their appearance in court.

The three Chinese and their Kenyan aide were arrested by scouts and rangers of the Kenya Wildlife Services {KWS}.The incident took place at the Olkaria Geothermal power station project, which is currently under construction about 90 kilometer south west of the capital, Nairobi.

The four were arrested only a few hours after they killing the python. According to the police sources in Naivasha town , the four skinned the snake before cutting it into small pieces to make a stew meat.

The Chinese foreign workers are engaged on the construction site. They are said to have been making big influx into the nearby Hell-Gate National Game Park an area which is poplar with foreign tourists.

The local Maasai pastoralist’s herdsmen had tipped the KWS rangers deployed by the KWS to guard the game park and protect tourist sceneries within the area.

Naivasha Police Chief Paul Korir confirmed the arrest of the three foreign workers and their Kenyan accomplices, adding that they have been released on police bail and would be taken to court within two or three days to answer the charges of being in illegal possession of game trophy, namely python skin and meat.

The Kenya Wildlife Services officers acting on a tip-off visited the camp site where they Chinese were being housed and found them cooking a snake meat. A large number of Chinese foreign workers later flocked the local police station to inquire about the fate of the colleagues.

Koriri said it was against Kenyan laws for any unauthorized person to kill mammals and wildlife that is “why we have arrested them”

There has been hue and cry ever since the great influx of Chinese foreign workers and businessmen into Kenya. Moist of these Chinese are engaged in construction of roads and other projects previous undertaken by international construction firms from the European Union and other Western countries.

The arrival of thousands of Chinese in Kenya is also said to be related to the increases and alarming cases of poachers who have been killing elephants at large to the near extinction of the Jumbos.

A lot of consignments of illegal export of elephant tusks have been discovered while on transit in far places like Hong Kong, Bankok in Thailand, and other foreign capitals. The tusks are believed to have been originating in Kenya, though the country has placed a total ban on elephant tusks trade.

Elephant and both white and black rhinos are classified in Kenya as endangered animals species and are under twenty four hour protection by the government through the KWS. But the poachers armed with deadly and sophisticated weapons are said to be coming from the ungovernable Somalia neighbor, and the Chinese merchants are believed to be working in cohort with the poachers from Somalia.

ENDS

Kenya: The Peoples Reform Change Movement want a Legally Legitimate Electioneering of Integrity

From: Judy Miriga

To: Chief Justice Willy Mutunga
Head of IEBC Commission
Head of CIC
The Law Society of Kenya
United Nation Chief Ban-Ki-moon
US Secretary of United Nations Susan Rice
African Union Secretary Ms. Zuma
UK Head of Mission to Kenya
US Head of Mission to Kenya
US Head of Mission Johnny Carson
ICC Hague
His Excellency US President Barack Obama
His Excellency UK President Cameroon

My Honorable good people,

I submit this Rights appeal before your good offices so to be given extreme urgency of attention. I believe the Election will not be legitimate if the Diaspora remains locked out from participating fully in the electioneering. It is illegal and unconstitutional. I feel that to avoid inclusion of Diaspora is another way of rigging Reform Change to favor Special Interest corruption as usual and therefore Reform Change will not have been attained.

As a “Voice of Reason”, a “Voice of the Voiceless”, “a victim of circumstances”, A Self-proclaimed Change Agent Advocate of the intimidated, the oppressed and marginalized and Civil Rights Diaspora Spokesperson, I have the following Statement of facts concerning land grabbers commission report, Claims and Appeals to be heard urgently in order to save a grave situation case-scenario of Crimes, Violation and Abuse of Human Rights going on in Kenya and so election of March 2013 can be legitimate. In which case, if Diaspora are not engaged in this electioneering, the rights will have been violated and the election will not be legitimate.

Statement of Facts:

Sometimes on 28th of December 2007 when civil war got out of hand and innocent people were carelessly being slaughtered mercilessly in their houses with pain and sufferings everywhere, I called on Diaspora people from Kenyan everywhere in the world with friends and sympathizers of Kenyan people on the net to assemble for Demonstration to Kenya’s Embassy wherever they were so the careless extra-judicial killings could be stopped immediately and Law and order should be followed with firm negotiations for Reform Accord for way forward. On the 2nd of January 2008 in the USA, we did our part where I organized and led the Demonstration and ended it at the White House where former President Bush was kind enough to hear our cry and send The US Secretary Condoleezza Rice urgently to Kenya to negotiate for peace. We believe that those suspects of serious political responsibilities who engaged in Land Grabbing, corrupt practices with other terrorism acts unfavorable to Reform change should be disqualified from contesting in the Reform electioneering in Kenya.

From here we begun a journey of Reform we believe in and are committed that democracy should work in a balance, in an equally shared favorable conducive environment of fair play where all must play by the same set of rules without putting any burden, obstacles or barriers on the disadvantaged poor; that Democracy must be established with the Legislative Constitutional Agreement to guide, protect and preserve Public Mandate demands and needs independently from adverse conflict of interest from Politically Correct Special Business Interest which was the reason for the Civil War with careless extra-judicial killings of the innocent in order to drive people away from their land; and for which the Political Responsibility was to heed and comply in an Agreement and take Oath of Public Office to uphold.

In order that we reach our destination in the journey we took on January 2nd 2008, Kenya Diaspora participation in Kenyas Democratization was Constitutionalized. Kenyans in Diaspora have a right to participate in the Democracy and Constitution making of Kenya. This includes participating in the 1st election for Reform Change because it is our right. It is equally so that, in the democracy train, our destination is to see things change for better and peace, unity and love should be the underlining factor to our progressive development agenda where we intend to improve our destiny with reliable sustained fixtures.

The Constitution is a supreme authority that created the Institution of Parliament, the Executive, the IEBC which oversees electioneering, the CIC that ascertain Reform Constitutionality is in compliance according public mandate and the Judiciary which is the independent Jurisdiction Court of Law.

It is illegal for any person within the framework of the Constitutional institution to work against the Constitutional Policy for self political gains away from public mandate which one committed oath of office and swears to uphold. It is a known fact that Conflict of Interest contrasts, and constrains Public Mandate service delivery, thereby shortchanging security, reliability and effectiveness of good Governance with just rule of law function-ability to deliver the constitutional mandated public service. This could mean a demand for an automatic disqualification over non-compliance.

As Diaspora Spokesperson, a Change Agent Advocate, a voice of the voiceless and a voice of reason, I am not going to let this glitter of Reform Hope fade away from the faces of the poor, the hungry, the marginalized, the under-privileged and the oppressed or those faced with situation of innocent killings, insecurity, homelessness, draught, joblessness, environmental pollution and politically engineered ethnic conflicts or of drug influences with adolescent prostitution cases in the rise. As we persistently are on the look-out pushing for the Reform Change for the New Kenya, we noticed that the corrupt political class ganged in the coalition government and engaged in sneaking dangerous clauses unfavorable to Public Mandate and interest, (this is political responsibility that must not go unchecked in the Transparency and Accountability for Integrity) We noticed that the New Constitution specifically on Devolution of Counties, the Land and the Finance Bill was hijacked to serve the Politically Correct in the International Corporate Special Interest cartel network against public mandate and interest. This turn of events are against the National Reform Accord Agenda Signed Agreement by the two Principals Kibaki and Raila. PM Raila remained aloof with cases of such “Youth Fund for Job Creation” at Prime Minister’s Office going under unreported, and totally irresponsible in his service delivery to public.

The Political game at play are tactics with intent to bring back to public office the Politically correct special business interest, people with Serious Political Responsibilities who time and again have engaged in defrauding and frustrating Reform Agenda. Such extension if proved in the Court of Law through Responsibilities and Accountability, may have consequences relative to failed integrity that do not allow such characters to hold public office. So, without it, there should be no election.

The Constitution also demands that Kenya’s elections take place after every five years. Political Parties are also required to be within the Constitutional Policy framework and guidelines. The present scramble for Status Quo leadership engages failed technique of the Old corrupt Rule which failed us 50 years ago down the line. We highly suspect these are the same conspiracies at play meant to evade Reform Accord policy for a New Reform Government we want which is free from the political responsibilities of the past corrupt which has killed and caused pain and sufferings with fall out of meaningful livelihood and survival. Life must be of meaning again and we must fight harder to gain a life of meaning to all if we shall stick with the Legal framework of the Reform Change put in place.

Claims for Appeal from Observation:

1) The Kenya Diaspora have been locked out from election of March 2013 and this is against Rights and equally is against the law

2) There has not been any training to prepare people for electioneering so people would vote on informed choices and likewise, those candidates aspiring for leadership, more specifically the Presidential Candidates have not demonstrated or offered Reform Development packages how they wish to Govern if given another chance. They have not demonstrated passion to accommodate the Reform nor do they have the will to change or Reform to better policies that can bring Reform Development Agenda.

3) Security and political trust in Kenya is still dangerous and worrisome and the test has been proved in the recent Party nominations that just ended where the will of people was not respected or honored and those rejected by the people were rigged back in Party leadership to continue corruption in their unfinished business

4) Land Grabbers, those that have caused the failure and are the reasons for political fall-out are the campaign financiers and sponsors of the top current runners-up of those who are seeking political office. This clearly shows that we are adding fuel on fire for more extra-judicial killings in the political correctness Responsibilities and this is not going to help us in the Reform Change we all want………Please see Attachment of Land Grabbers Commission Report…….

5) Finance Bill was one of the first proposals put on the table, presently, it is incomplete. It seemed like the politicians kept suspending it for special business interest reason, why Oburu Odinga because of special interest with Uhuru in the Finance has been rigged back. This is why we believe the Coalition Government avoided engaging on Finance Bill because of serious controversial scandals surrounding utilization of public funds and expenditure of the same that need to be investigated and be brought to court. Without Finance Bill, there is no way to ascertain allocation of funds to the Counties for Government set-up or management and how will the election help if there is no proper establishment of Governorship structure done. This is why Oburu is rushing for Governorship to continue with corruption they had at Finance Ministry. This would critically fail core value of constitutional legislation for Reform. It is why we want accountability of what they did and where the money is as at now before they can be trusted with another public responsibilities.

6) Since the Reform Change Agreement is being scuttled, (failing Responsibility with Integrity from Transparency and Accountability) it will not be in compliance as per the agreement. There shall be room to corrupt for conflict interest where those with the highest Judicial case to answer and have serious political responsibilities in land clashes, terrorism and killings of 2007/8 are on top of the game trying to manipulate our Reform we struggled so hard and for this reason, we might not achieve the Reform we want if this election must go as planned in March 2013; signs of times are that, they have used big money to rig their own people back in the fray. Land problems have not been resolved and lands in Kenya have been irregularly and stealthily been sold……which is that, Kenya has been sold…………and this must be corrected before election is done. It is because we do not want Land Grabbers as participants controlling electioneering of March 2013

7) Faced with the general falling situation including socio-economic challenges created by the politically correct holding serious questionable political responsibilities requiring threshold for integrity clearance and investigations; matter of present Political situation is not legally safe nor is it conducive for Reform Change we struggle for. Social and economic vulnerability is highly challenging and Kenya livelihood and survival is in serious risk of extinction if Judicial determination of the Reform Accord compliance shall not take precedence to fill the void and conclusively curb the eminent fall-out and collapse by providing way forward through forming an Interim Transitional Committee that will make sure that Training the public before election to vote informed choices is done safely as needed, integrity for responsibility test is performed as required, Governor institutions have been established, Security ensured, Land Grabbing cases formalized and the Will of the People is guaranteed.

8) We need all partners with all good people all over the world on board to join in this struggle (against the corrupt) with us so we can achieve this “Kenya Mpya People’s Movement” that has the packages of Reform Change we all want. We must defeat and burry the corrupt who have painfully terrorized and made our lives miserable failing in abject poverty in the past 50 years. It can be done if we follow the Reform Change Law and Order. There is no another time. We can skip March and have our elections in August when everything is done the way it should with those suspects holding highest political responsibilities disqualified.

9) concerns raised
They say IEBC has been helping in defilement of the Constitution by failing to stamp their authority and bring sanity in the electoral process
Led by lawyer Harun Ndubi (right), they said commisssion has continued to disregard parametres and principles set out in the Constitution
They have also ignored several reports regarding the conduct of some political aspirants

We demand that Uhuru, Ruto and Raila must be disqualified from contesting as they all have serious political Responsibilities and economical challenges with social illegitimate issues emanating before and after 2007/8 election gone bad so that ICC Hague should go on smoothly undeterred and Kenyans begin to engage in Development agenda at peace with each other. Let the truth be told and more specifically, if ICC Hague case must produce the Justice we all want, we must give it substances with which to operate and work sufficiently effectively without discrimination or favors. (Hawa watu wamekula pamajoa wanajuana kwa vilemba) These people plan and ate together, they are fooling us and they want us to pay their price for them…….it cannot happen, we must choose righteousness and stick with it…….. Let the law prevail.

Land Grabbing and politically correct killings from organized thugs and terrorism going ons cannot be corrected when Uhuru, Ruto and Raila are shareholders of the same and Kenyans must correct the land problems as Kenyans from Tana River, Lamu, Kwale, Mombasa, Isiolo, Turkana, Marakwet, Garsen, Malindi, Migingo, Yala Swamp, Lake Victoria, Migori, Rongo, Awendo, Ringa, Uriri etc., are still factors of Land the illegal Grabbers.

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – –

IEBC accused of overlooking misconduct
GLANCE FACTS
concerns raised

They say IEBC has been helping in defilement of the Constitution by failing to stamp their authority and bring sanity in the electoral process Led by lawyer Harun Ndubi (right), they said commisssion has continued to disregard parametres and principles set out in the Constitution

They have also ignored several reports regarding the conduct of some political aspirants

Updated Monday, January 28 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3
By Rawlings otieno
KENYA: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been advised to bar candidates with questionable integrity and character from contesting in the General Election.

A section of the civil society members under the banner of Kenya for Peace with Truth and Justice said IEBC has been helping in defilement of the Constitution by failing to stamp their authority and bring sanity in the electoral process.

Led by lawyer Harun Ndubi, the group accused the IEBC of condoning electoral malpractices, which they are supposed to enforce.

“The Elections and the Electoral Offences Act clearly states their mandate and how they are supposed to conduct the elections. Extending the deadline for submission of the party list is by itself rigging, which is an offence under the Act,” said Ndubi.

The group said IEBC has continued to disregard parametres and principles set out in the Constitution and other relevant legislation through practices such as party hopping and accused them of ignoring several reports, which had been presented to it for review concerning the conduct of some political aspirants.

Speaking during a Press briefing at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, the group lashed out at the electoral body and the Registrar of Political Parties for failing to rein in errant political parties. They took issue with the parties for conducting their nominations using the IEBC voter registrations book instead of the political party’s registrar, citing that the move was against the Political Parties Act.

Flawed nominations

Ndubi also said it is the IEBC that should stop candidates with leadership and integrity issues from contesting the various political seats.

He said the Commission of Administrative Justice had given a damning report of some 24 candidates including TNA’s Mike Mbuvi vying for senatorial position in Nairobi County and also former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu who got the nod to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, to be stopped from contesting.

The group also wants the parties that conducted flawed nominations to be punished for allowing their supporters to cause violence.

The Political Parties Act states: A political party shall not engage in or encourage violence by its members or supporters.

“The institution charged with the regulation of political affairs has displayed a disturbing reluctance to enforce their respective mandate. IEBC has repeatedly shifted timelines for the submission of nomination lists,” said Ndubi.

They threatened to use all the means including filing petitions at the High Court to stop such candidates from contesting.

Kajwang, Kimunya, Midiwo cleared by IEBC
By EMMANUEL TOILI etoili@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)

Posted Monday, January 28 2013 at 17:36

Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang, Transport Minister Amos Kimunya, Jakoyo Midiwo and Shakir Shabil were among candidates cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dispute team to vie for their respective seats.

During party primaries, dispute arose in Homa Bay County when Mr Kajwang, a senate hopeful, was accused of being behind voting materials marked in his favour and dropped at Rodi Kopany and Kodiera markets in Ndhiwa.

But Mr Kajwang’ distanced himself from the claims, saying his opponents were determined to ensure that the nomination process does not go through.

On the other hand, Mr Midiwo was granted direct nomination by his ODM party, thus, causing the dispute.

However, the IEBC Dispute team ruled that Mr Midiwo was handed the nomination certificate legally.

Mr Kimunya’s rivals Lawyer Samuel Gichigi and former area MP Mwangi Githiomi had appealed to IEBC accusing him of electoral malpractices.

Oburu: Raila advisers forced me out of race
By JUSTUS WANGA jwanga@ke.nationmedia.com ( email the author)
Posted Sunday, January 27 2013 at 00:30

After the ODM nominations characterised by chaos and irregularities, members of the Odinga family who were controversially denied the party’s ticket by the elections board blame forces outside their Nyanza backyard for their political woes

Two members of the Odinga family who were controversially forced to drop their bids for the seat of governor during the party nominations last week have broken their silence on a matter that sensationally put them in the spotlight for days.

Finance assistant minister Oburu Oginga and his sister, Ms Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, who had sought the ODM ticket to vie for the positions of governor in Siaya and Kisumu counties respectively, say they were victimised because of their family name.

The two have also dismissed the perception that the demonstrations held in some parts of Nyanza over the bungled ODM party nominations amounted to a rebellion against the Odinga family.

Dr Oburu blamed his predicament on the Cord alliance presidential advisers who he said believed that his ambition would jeopardise Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s chances of winning the presidential election.

Big issue

“I had to give in to pressure from them. Personally I – and let me say even Raila – did not believe that my ticket would jeopardise his chances of becoming the president. But these people who call themselves advisers or think-tank kept hammering this on him each morning he got to the office. They created a big issue out of it,” said Dr Oburu, who is the PM’s elder brother.

Dr Oburu was denied the ODM certificate by the party’s elections board after his opponent, Mr William Oduol, contested the results announced by the returning officer.

Ruth Odinga, on her part, blames her opponents whom she accused of using the Odinga tag to lock her out of the race.

“They paid some youths to create an impression that residents of Kisumu could not live with the prospects of me becoming their governor. It is sad they succeeded in this mischievous undertaking,” she said.

She further said that because the Odinga family fought and suffered for the country during the clamour for reforms, it is only fair that they also enjoy the liberty of running for elective seats of their choice.

“We should be allowed to run for any seat like other Kenyans because whether we get elected or not is the discretion of the electorate who I’m sure recognise what we have sacrificed for them,” she said.

“I was vying as Ruth Adhiambo and not as sister to Raila and it is also important to note that I trounced my opponents in the race but I had to consider the bigger picture, peace and sanity in Kisumu, that was getting worse due to isolated cases of incitement.”

Dr Oburu feels that he has been victimised for being the brother of a presidential candidate. He dismissed the claims that a rebellion was brewing against their family, especially if he insisted on getting the party’s greenlight to run for governor.

“Rebellion is a very remote idea. Those who were against my ambition to run for governor were not even Siaya people. If anything, my people had nominated me to be their governor by double the number of votes my challenger was able to garner,” he said.

He said the people of Bondo have nothing against the Odingas.

“They supported me when I was their MP for almost two decades. In fact they feel betrayed that I had to drop my bid,” he said.

Critics and some observers say the Odingas may have borne the brunt of those who rightly or wrongly felt that the family was trying to create a kingdom-like structure to occupy as many elective seats in the region as possible and so they had to be stopped.

A debate has now emerged on whether the manner in which the contested victories of Dr Oburu and his sister were handled by the ODM elections board was actually meant to forestall a likely rebellion against the Odinga family in Luo Nyanza.

Prof Egara Kabaji, a lecturer at Masinde Muliro University, argues that the decision not to award Mr Oduol the certificate to run for governor was informed by a conviction that it would have given him a licence to boast that he had beaten the mighty.

“Giving him the ticket would have led to chest-thumping – that ‘see I have removed the jinx of the Odinga factor in our politics’, and so the panel saw an easier way out of the impasse in settling on a neutral candidate,” Prof Kabaji told the Sunday Nation.

He added that removing the names of the Odinga siblings from the ballot was meant to save the face of their family and eventually the Prime Minister from imminent dissent.

“Much as this is their democratic right, something I totally agree with, common sense should have told them that it was going to be ugly,” he said.

Family grip

Mr Oduol, on his part, says it is in the minds of many of his supporters that the fear of the elections board was that had he been issued with the certificate, he would upset the Odinga family grip on Siaya politics.

“That is their opinion but I’m not fighting the Odinga family, in fact Raila remains my presidential candidate of choice,” he said.

There had been rumours that at least six members of the Odinga family were positioning themselves for several elective seats across the country.

At some point, Jaoko Oburu, who is Dr Oburu’s son and one of the founders of the Friends of Raila lobby, was said to have been eyeing the Bondo parliamentary seat that his father left to run for governor. But Dr Oburu later said the rumours were spread by “haters” out to cast the family in bad light.

“Such talks are being peddled for political expediency and should be ignored in totality,” he said, adding that none of his cousins was running for any elective position.

The Prime Minister’s step-brother, Mr Omondi Odinga, is reluctant to call it anti-Odinga rebellion but he says the riots that followed the announcement of Adhiambo and Oburu as ODM candidates for governor were seen as an attempt by the Odinga family to impose candidates on the electorate.

“I think they are just fed up with leaders being forced on them come every election. They have woken up and are ready to shrug off any form of intimidation from these usual suspects,” he said in reference to his family.

He claimed that the outcome of ODM primaries in Luo Nyanza is usually pre-determined long before they are conducted.

“I think they should have the courtesy to inform the innocent contenders that the party has its owners so they do not waste their money, time and energy campaigning for what will not come to pass,” Mr Odinga said.

Prof Peter Simatei, a lecturer at Moi University, says Ms Odinga’s right to vie for political office seems to have been undermined by a flawed nomination process and a perception that the Odingas have an unbridled hold on the local politics.

“Ruth could simply have been a victim of a mistaken belief that the Odingas had collectively agreed to sponsor her candidature but, again, who knows, perhaps a transparent, independent, peaceful and well organised nomination process would have seen her clinch the Cord ticket,” he said.

Former joint chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo is the only relative of the Odingas left standing after the bruising January 17 and 18 nominations.

But he has expressed fear that now that their detractors are done with Ms Odinga and her brother, he could be the next target.

“After concerted hate campaigns by forces in the government edged both Ms Odinga and Dr Oginga out of the race, I know they may want to target me for being a cousin of the Odingas. This is despite the fact that I won fair and square,” Mr Midiwo said.

“The motive was to create an impression that Raila is facing resentment in his own backyard, which is not anywhere near the truth. It is an isolationist tactic that will not work.”

On blogs and other social media forums where the Ogingas came under scathing attacks from residents and people who felt they were becoming too possessive of the regional politics, Mr Midiwo alleged the National Security Intelligence Service could have played a part.

“The NSIS had a strong hand in the social media hits,” he said, adding that it was a strategy to check Mr Odinga’s popularity ahead of the election.

But Elisha Odhiambo, who was vying for the ODM ticket to run for the Gem parliamentary seat, has accused Mr Midiwo of instigating the violence that hit the area in the primaries.

“He planned all this chaos and should stop pointing fingers elsewhere,” Mr Odhiambo said. Mr Midiwo has denied the claims.

From: DICKENS ODHIAMBO
Subject: Fresh Headache for Raila, Kalonzo Over Defections
Date: Monday, January 28, 2013, 12:12 PM

Fresh Headache for Raila, Kalonzo Over Defections
admin | January 27, 2013 | 0
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Stiff competition is expected among parties supporting similar coalitions in the wake of fallouts over sham nominations.

A countrywide survey shows that the Orange Democratic Movement, Wiper and United Democratic Front recorded the highest defections amid claims of flawed primaries.

This has raised fears that rivalry among parties in the same coalition could cost them seats in battlegrounds, resulting in a president with a minority support in Parliament (as was the case with President Kibaki in 2007) and Senate.

The most affected coalition is Cord, where candidates who were edged out in ODM primaries in Western, Nyanza and Coast provinces defected to Wiper and Ford Kenya.

“If one coalition is split, a weaker rival candidate is likely to win the seat,” Mr Peter Aling’o of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy said on Sunday.

He said friendly parties were cannibalising each other because the number of seats they win on March 4 will determine their strength in the coalition government formed after the election.

“The idea of a coalition is to create a sense of ownership and equality in the coalition. Post-election, this will change, and increase the possibility of underrating some partners. They will begin to ask, ‘how many votes, and how many MPs did you bring?’ The fewer the votes, the lower the standing,” said Mr Aling’o.

Mr Kibe Mungai, a lawyer and political analyst, said the intra-coalition competition will open doors for Kenyans to ‘correct the mess that happened in the sham nominations’, and shield the country from dictatorship.

“This is a blessing in disguise, because it will facilitate credible elections for the better,” said Mr Mungai.

He also noted that because different parties will be fielding candidates, it means whoever wins the presidency will not have absolute control of the Legislature.

“Whatever coalition is going to form the next government, it is in the national interest that they do not have a powerful majority in Parliament …that will be arecipe for dictatorship, and will make the impeachment clause in the Constitution an idle threat,” said Mr Mungai.

In most battlegrounds, ODM losers defected to Wiper, making the party’s leader, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, the biggest rival of Mr Raila Odinga (ODM) in hunt for elective seats in Coast Province. Mr Kalonzo is Mr Raila Odinga’s deputy in the Cord coalition. The same applies in Western, where most aspirants who lost UDF primaries decamped to New Ford Kenya of Eugene Wamalwa. New Ford Kenya and Kanu are part of Amani coalition led by Musalia Mudavadi of UDF.

The defections in Jubilee coalition have bucked the trend, with neither main affiliateparties URP and TNA fielding rival candidates. This could be partly because the parties (URP of William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA) have distinct support bases in Rift Valley and Central provinces respectively — and had a pre-election deal not to field candidates in each other’s stronghold.

The defections have set the stage for a bruising battle among friendly parties for senate, governor and MPs slots.

In Mombasa, former Kisauni MP Hassan Joho faces stiff competition from another Cord member Suleiman Shahbal who is running on a Wiper ticket for governorship. For senate, Suleiman Shakombo of ODM will battle it out with Omar Hassan of Wiper, who quit the Orange party citing favouritism.

The differences between the two wings have trickled down to some parliamentary seats such as Nyali, Jomvu and Changamwe where aspirants are competing within the Cord coalition.

In Jomvu, Environment assistant minister Ramadhan Kajemba’s son, Seif Kajembe (ODM) will face Wiper candidate Badi Twalib who decamped after losing in the Orange party primaries.

In Nyali, the contest is between Mombasa businessman Hezron Awiti Bolo (Wiper) and former deputy mayor John Mcharo (ODM).

Former unregistered Islamic Party of Kenya chairman Omar Mwinyi (ODM) will battle it out with Mr Philip Ndolo (Wiper) for the Changamwe seat.

In Taita Taveta, the contest for governorship will be lost and won in Cord, with Mr John Mruttu (ODM), Ms Jacinta Mwatela (Wiper) and Sophy Kibai (Ford Kenya) seeking the seat.

In Kisumu West constituency, former MP Olago Aluoch defected to Ford Kenya where he will contest the seat against ODM’s Rosa Buyu who was handed the ticket.

In the newly created Kisumu Central, Mr Abdul Omar will run on a Ford Kenya after claiming his victory was stolen. Mr Ken Obura has the ODM ticket.

In Nyando, former MP Fred Outa will square it out with Mr Jared Okello who defected to Ford Kenya.

Mr Hillary Alila, who lost the ODM Homa Bay senate nominations to Immigrations minister Otieno Kajwang’, will vie on a PDP ticket.

In Kisii, Cord parties face a similar dilemma.

Public Works Minister Chris Obure (ODM), Mr Omingo Magara (PDP) and Mr Raphael Raini (Ford Kenya) will fight for the senate seat.

Ms Bridgit Ombati (PDP) will battle it out with Ms Mary Sally Otara (ODM) for Kisii women representative slot.

Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka of ODM, Mr Don Bosco Gichana (PDP) and Anthony Kibagendi of (PPK) are all seeking the Kitutu Chache seat.

Jubilee coalition also faces the same challenge in Bomachoge Chache where Mr Fred Mititi (URP) and Mr Amos Nyamoko (TNA) want the seat.

In Kakamega, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo (FPK) and university lecturer Shanyisa Khasiani (ODM) are vying for senate within the Cord coalition.

In the Amani coalition, assistant minister Manyala Keya will defend the Lurambi seat on New Ford Kenya ticket after he lost UDF nominations to Bishop Titus Khamala.

Housing Minister Soita Shitanda is vying for the Kakamega govenor post on a New Ford Kenya ticket after he was disqualified by UDF on academic grounds. UDF picked Mr Paul Olando.

At the same time, businessman Julius Asira is vying for the Butere seat on a Ford Kenya ticket while Mr Andrew Toboso who beat former Cabinet minister Amukoa Anangwe in the nominations will fly the ODM flag. Prof Anangwe may vie on an FPKticket.

In Malava constituency, Mr George Munji who lost to Said Khasabuli in UDF primaries has decamped to Kanu, a key partner in the Amani coalition led by Mr Musalia Mudavadi.

However, Mr John Shimaka who was also floored in the UDF nominations decamped to Wiper party and will battle it out with ODM’s Musavin Zakaya Nambwa.

Cord faces another headache in Busia County where Mr Sospeter Ojaamong (ODM) and Mr Philemon Imo of Ford Kenya are all going for the governor’s seat.

Former Attorney-General Amos Wako of ODM will lock horns with former Nambale MP Chris Okemo of Ford Kenya for the Busia senate post.

In Siaya, Mr Cornel Rasanga Amoth of ODM and Mr William Oduol of National Agenda Party of Kenya will face off for the govenor seat. Mr Oduol was denied the ticket alongside Dr Oburu Oginga following protests that the ODM secretariat had unprocedurally endorsed Dr Oginga.

Source:Daily Nation

Kenya: Siaya parliamentary aspirant says he was robbed of his nomination victory due to the family feuds within the Odinga camp pitting Mrs Ida Odinga and Dr Oburu Oginga

From: Arrum Tidi
By Our Reporter

TROUBLE is brewing with the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s family following unconfirmed claims and allegations of gross interferences over the recently concluded nomination exercise in Siaya.

Impeccable sources within the Odinga family of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga Prime Minister Raila Odinga have confided to us that there existed a highly spirited political wrangling with the Odinga family backyard as the result of the much flawed ODM nomination and thereafter the issuing of party’s nomination certificates to the winners in their respective constituencies.

The ODM nomination certificate was issued to the former Alego-Usonga MP Edwin Ochieng”Yinda, the man who had publicly acknowledged that he had been defeated in the nomination by a Kisumu Hotelier Charles Odunga Mamba.

He said he had been very close to Dr Oburu Oginga to the chagrin of Mrs Ida Odinga for some hidden reasons that he could not elaborate on, but he firmly believes Mrs Odinga is responsible for his misfortunes. He was rigged out in 2007 and again durnig the last week’s controversial ODM nominations in Siaya

Odunga mamba who runs the chains of Mamba Hotels in Kisumu City had won the majority votes during the nomination exercises. Another aspirant George Omondi had alleged admitted that he was involved in some election irregularity and was automatically disqualified from the race.

And when Charles Odunga travelled to Nairobi the next day and visited the Orange House, the party headquarters in Nairobi , he was shocked to learnt that the nomination certificate had already been collected by the former MP for the area Edwin Ochieng’ Yinda.

Odunga-Mamba, the man who is known to have been very close to the Odinga for many years and had even at times sacrificed his wealth in backing the ODM has pointed out an accusing finger to Mrs Ida Odinga, the wife of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga has having been responsible for his misfortune..

Odunga said he had always been suspicious that Mrs Ida Odinga was “not very comfortable within him”, particularly due to his unswerving support to the Finance Assistant Minister Dr.Oburu Oginga.

It all started when he threw his weight behind Dr Oburu Oginga during the battle for the Siaya County Sanatorial seat that pits Dr Oburu Oginga against the Lands Minister James Orengo. The issue was resolved amicably and the two senior most politicians in Siaya County were separated with Orengo left to vie for Senate while Dr Oburu Odinga contesting the position of the County governor.

Pressed hard as to why should Mrs Ida Odinga want him out of parliament, Odunga said that he suspected the matter to be related to the family feuds at the Odinga home turf in Bondo, Siaya County.

Pressed to state whether he was going to ditch the ODM, Odunga said he would continue supporting Raila Odinga for his presidential bid, and was not about to ditch the ODM. However, he did not mince his word and insisted that Mrs Odinga had formed the bad habit of interfering in the day to day management of the party.{ODM}.

At the same time the rumors making the rounds within Kisumu and its environs that Jack Ranguma, the man whom won the Kisumu County governorship to accept Ms Ruth Adhiambo Odinga as his deputy governor.

However, the elders from the Kano sub-clans of Jack Ranguma last night had held a meeting behind closed doors and told Ranguma not to yield to the demand from the Odinga family that Ruth Adhiambo be accommodated in the County governance as the deputy Governor of Kisumu County.

Miss Adhiambo had been one of the half a dozen of aspirants, but had pulled herself aside from the race citing her family interests. The latest demand that she be accommodated into the County governance had just come as surprise to all the elected leaders. The move has exposed members of the Odinga family as being greedy people who are ought to hold members of the Luo community at ransom and slavery bondage.

The much flawed ODM nomination exercises has become the popular talks of the town. Many people areleft wondering how Prof.Anyang’Nyong’o is going to sit in the Senate knowing it pretty well that had not won the election for the same seat in a poplar vote?.

Ends

7 Days of Peace Activism- 25th Feb to 3rd March 2013

From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

On the 3rd March 2013, we will host The National Prayers for a Peaceful General Elections at Uhuru Park and we will also issue Certificates of Appreciation to all the Teams that have made Kenyans for a Clean General Elections Campaign.

This will be preceded by 7 Day of Peace Activism starting on the 25th Feb and ending with the Prayer Session on the 3rd March at Uhuru Park and we will visit on a Daily Basis, all the perceived Hot Spot Areas in Nairobi. You are invited to be part of this Great Transformation shaping our attitudes towards each other as One People under God.

Mr. Cornelius Wamalwa- DC Dagoreti addressing residents of Kawangware 56 during the Dagoreti Human Peace Caravan. With him is Oto

These are the Team Members for Kenyans for a Clean General Elections Campaign so far;
A Better World/SOFDI
The Public Service Transformation Department
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
The Provincial Administration- Nairobi
The City Council of Nairobi
The National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management
The CHF International- Kenya Tuna Uwezo
PeaceNet Kenya
Kituo Cha Sheria
The Kenya Police Service
Administration Police Band
The Traffic Police Department
The World Vision Kenya
Transparency International
Radio Ramogi- Royal Media Services Ltd
Waumini FM
Kiss FM- Radio Africa Group
Citizen TV- The Power Break Fast Show
Freedom House
Dagoreti District Peace Committee
Kibera Community Justice Centre
Kariobangi Waste Management Alliance and
The People of Kenya

Mr. Stanslaus Alusiola of Kibera Community Justice Centre and Kituo Cha Sheria addresses the residents of Kawangware during the Dagoreti Human Peace Caravan

This Campaign has not been easy. Tomorrow we are heading to Dandora at 10am for a Consultative and Planning Forum for the Dandora Human Peace Caravan scheduled for 2nd Feb, and then at 2pm, we will pay a Courtesy Call on DC Westlands for the same. The Kangemi Human Peace Caravan will be on the 9th Feb.

This is our Revised Programme that also indicates what we have done, Courtesy of the Friends and Partners at The Kenyans for a Clean General Elections Campaign;

. 5th January 2013; Mathare in Starehe- Hosted

· 12th January 2013; Highrise in Langata- Hosted

· 16th January 2013; Kariobangi -Kasarani- Hosted

. 16th January 2013; Voter Education Launch at Dandora Sports Groun- Hosted

. 17th January 2013; Hosted at Radio Ramogi at 8.00am- Hosted

. 18th January 2013; Hosted at Radio Waumini at 10.00am for a Programme that will air at 7.30pm today.- Hosted

· 19th January 2013; Mathare Human Peace Caravan- Hosted

. 19th January 2013; Kongowea Clean-up Campaign- Hosted

. 19th January 2013; in the US; President Barack Obama joins in the National Day of Service- Hosted

. 19th January 2013; Kibabii DTTC Red Cross joins in cleaning Bungoma District Hospital- Hosted

· 21st January 2013; Courtesy Call on the DC Dagoreti- Hosted

. 24th January 2013; Planning Session with various Groups at Dagoreti.- Hosted

. 24th January 2013; A Meeting with the Director- Administration Police Band at 2.00pm- Hosted

. 26th January 2013; Dagoreti Human Peace Caravan- Hosted

· 29th January 2013; Consultative and Planning Session with DO and Team- Kariobangi

. 29th January 2013; Consultative and Planning Session with DC and Team- Westlands

. 31st January 2013; Consultative and Planning Session with DC and Team- Makadara

. 2nd February 2013; The Dandora Human Peace Caravan- Embakasi

· 9th February 2013; The Kangemi Human Peace Caravan- Westlands

. 11th February 2013; Consultative and Planning Session with DC and Team- Kisumu

· 13th February 2013; Makadara

· 16th February 2013; Kisumu

. 19th February 2013; Consultative and Planning Session with DC and Team- Kamukunji

· 23rd February 2013; Kamukunji

On the 25th February 2013, we will launch 7 Days of Peace Activism in Nairobi and this will be our Programme;
25th February 2013; Kayole Soweto
26th February 2013; Kariobangi North
27th February 2013; Kibera
28th February 2013; Embakasi Village
29th February 2013; Mathare
2nd February 2013; Kiambio
3rd March 2013; National Prayers for a Clean and Peaceful General Elections at Uhuru Park

Edgar and the Young Volunteers for the Environment with, Mr. Njoroge Nyagah of Freedom House and Oto after the Dagoreti Human Peace Caravan

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Clean General Election as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya


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Corruption is rampant in rural areas as APs are said to be running illegal “Kangaroo Courts”s

INVESTIGATIVE Report By Our Special Correspondent

CAN anyone in the higher authorities either in the Office of the President, the police and the Administration Police authorities make a move with speed with the view of bringing sanity in the services of the Administration, which is denting the image of the country.

The image of the Kenya government which needs cleansing has been soiled and defaced by rampant corruption practiced by traffic police and administration police officers.

It has been established beyond any reasonable doubt that the administration Police officers posted to work in the outlaying district, divisions and rural administrative locations have shamelessly and corruptive established illegal “Kangaroo Courts”

These ‘Kangaroo Courts are only there and meant for the purpose of minting money earned illegally from unsuspecting members of the public..

A case in point is an ugly incident which occurred at Rapogi Trading Center in Uriri district,within Migori County.

The head f the Administration police unit posted at the nearby District Officers Divisional office in the company of several other APs made a surprise visit to a local bar located in Rapogi Market. There were several revelers as the raid took place during the wee hours of the night. After the exchange of harsh words with the revelers, the visit by policemen degenerated into a brawl.

The brawl resulted in the head of the AP sustaining minor injuries on his arm. THe revelers took to their heels scampering for safety in all directions.

THe next morning the head of the AP fook a P3 form, arrested one of the patrons of the bar, a young trader at the market who is running a butchery shop and locked him into police custody at the DO’s office. Acting on the fake P3 form which was later to emerged had not been filled and signed by a competent medic to warrant the suspect to be charged with the assault case.

The mother of the suspect who had by then spent two night in police custody struggled to raised Kshs 30,000 and paid the money to the head of the AP for the release of her son. No criminal charge was preferred against the young man.

A few days later the no nonsense Uriri D.C George Lagat got a wind of the matter. The D.C.immediately summoned both parties and the head of the AP to appear before the district security committee for interrogation. It was during this exercise when the P2 Form was established to have been a fake one. And the D.C’s team found that no criminal offence had been committed by the suspect and ordered the AP boss to refund the money which he had taken from the suspect’s mother immediately. The AP boss admitted having received the bribe money. To-date no money has been refunded to the family and the matter has since degenerated to hide and seek.

Similar cases are so common with the APs posted to work in the rural locations and divisional headquarters in the remote part of the country far away from towns. People apprehended by the AP for the allegedly committing petty criminal offence have always bought their freedom after parting with colossal amount of money. The money is pocketed by the AP and never get into the government coffers via the established courts of laws and other government coffers such as the KRA

Brewers and consumers of the illicit ”Chang’aa” are more prone to abuse by the APs. Some of them are forced to part with large sums of money on weekly basis as ‘Protection Fees”.

It is not uncommon for the culprits suspected for having committed serious criminal offences to escape punishment so long as they could raise bribe money, such criminals go scot’s free.

Another category of the Wananchi targeted by both APs and Traffic Police officers are the Boda Boda motorbike riders, particularly those rising on rural access and feeder roads. It is no longer secret that traffic police officers are always demanding the bribe money with menace. Some of the Inter-regional highways linking Kenya with the neighboring Tanzania and Uganda are commonly used by foreigners from those countries who come here for businesses while using country buses and matatus of the country. These foreigners sit inside these vehicles and witness the illicit transactions. The exchange of bribe money is done in full view of these foreigners, who when they get back home started soiling Kenya’s good name and question the sanity to our roads.

Ends

Diaspora Kenya Peace initiative, Presents

From: Mary Gakere
To: jaluo jaluo jaluo@jaluo.com

From: Daniel Mwaniki
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 2:19 PM
Subject: Diaspora Kenya Peace initiative, Presents

Diaspora Kenya Peace initiative, Presents

We, Diaspora Kenya Peace Initiative, are urging every Kenyan and Kenyan friends to spread the word of peace and refuse to engage in any kind of violence during the coming elections. We do not want the repeat of 2007 mayhem that put Kenya in the world’s ugly spotlight. We love Kenya and we cannot seat and watch it slide back. The Kenyans have the power and the will to reject any kind of violence regardless of the elections outcome. We demand smooth power transitions and observation of rule of law.

Please watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8BnNcDkk3o&feature=youtu.be and forward this email to reach as many Kenyans as possible, at home and abroad.

If the link does not work for you, cut and paste the URL to your browser, or do a search on YouTube for Diaspora Kenya Peace Initiative01.

Thank you
Diaspora Kenya Peace Initiative of Southern California.

KENYA: CYPRIAN AWITI WINS CASE FILED BY ENG. OKUNDI

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
NEWS JUST IN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Even though Cyprian Atieno Awiti has just won a case filed by Eng. Philip Okundi protesting the nomination results of Homa Bay County in efforts to be considered as the party’s nominated candidate for the Governor’s post, most of ODM supporters are upset in the manner nominations were conducted.

Mariana wrote 24 January 2013 4:48 PM: “Why do we behave like we are not educated. Surely civic education is needed seriously in Nyanza. God help us please!!. Or else we are going back to Kanu kind of rule.”

Fredrick Ja Gem 24 wrote January 2013 3:25 PM: “ ODM should stop fooling around with luo Nyanza people, the days of party euphoria is over, the days of imposing leaders to people is a “thing of da past”

Let Raila and his party know that we need change in our region and NOT BIG names like Nyong’o, Midiwo, Oburu, Kajwang’ and other non performing leaders, Odingaism will never exist in luo Nyanza if this is the case, common mwananchis’ right cannot be violated by some few characters in the name of ODM…ON that note right now am mobilizing Siaya county residents to vote candidates of their choice and not party….Dictatorship should be stopped and democracy be exercised, we are perishing because we lack knowledge and wisdom nnktt”.

Jaratiro wrote 24 January 2013 1:03 PM: “ @George. For your information Kajwang is NOT a performer and had competitors in Homa Bay. Do not deceive like that”.

PAUL TWENYO from Homabay wrote 24 January 2013 9:46 AM: “Sincerely, I am greatly disappointed with ODM party, I have just realized it has its owners, wait for a rude shock on 4th of MARCH 2013,we cannot continue suffering at expense of other peoples benefit, it is in Nyanza where a meter from fresh water lake is a desert, and it in Kisumu where 20litre water goes 20 Kenya shillings during dry season yet, fresh water lake is at stone throw. We must be allowed to elect those we feel can meet our needs “Nitawakataa” come rain, come sunshine”.

JARAE wrote 24 January 2013 8:56 AM: “We are not happy with the way Raila dictates luo Nyanza.Nyong’o and Midiwo did not win. This is a total shame and should have just gone ahead to include Oburu and Ruth. Shame.”

PAUL KIBET wrote 23 January 2013 4:11 PM: “When will Democracy come to Kenya? The Democrats who criticized Moi for years failed Badly. Mlolongo used by Moi was much better. Who will help us?”

Wilson wrote 23 January 2013 1:16 PM:” Going through the official ODM list, I feel that something is a miss. The Siaya governor’s name changes by the day. Who voted Mr. Amoth? was he among the contestants? ODM is confusing Kenyans”.

noah otieno wrote 23 January 2013 12:50 PM: “ The ODM Party list of nominees makes it look like an enormous ensemble of losers shamelessly coerced down the throats of the electorate. Wacha tukutane kwa NDEBE wata SHANGAA!”

AWUOR BEATY wrote 23 January 2013 11:24 AM: “ seriously Kenyans aren’t foolish, we know our democratic right, ODM we are tired of direct nominations give us fair nominations list, Surely people of Seme DONT WANT PROF NYON’GO.”

atang’a w. wrote 23 January 2013 10:39 AM: “there is no democracy in ODM especially in Siaya constituency,, l wonder where this Nyongo has come from, its a total shame!!!!!”

peter pundo wrote 23 January 2013 10:37 AM: “This is a disgrace to the faithful voters. How did otieno kajwang, Nyongo, n the others get their names int this list? Railashould know that kenyans are not happy”.

Cathy wrote 23 January 2013 10:37 AM: “ I’m very much ashamed with what happened in ODM. In the first place what was the need of premaries? We can’t be forced with the leaders we don’t want. My advise to Mr. Ondinga is that he is going come March 4th and let him not complain. There is no democracy in ODM and way things are I’m 100% convenced that Mr. Kibaki won 2007 elections”.

Kipkorir wrote 23 January 2013 10:02 AM: “Is this the final ODM list?Why do places like Vihiga, Bungoma etc have more than one candidate in some seats? It cannot be. And are you kidding me that they could not find suitable persons in places like Narok, Kajiado etc to run for the senatorial race?”

job omino wrote 23 January 2013 9:05 AM: “ With all this happenings Raila has truely shown luos that we are here to be guided with his wills of greedy and babaric losers,all the failures in the likes of Anyang nyang,Jakoch Koyo ,Ayiecho

Yiech, wuololololooooooooooo,luos we are finished,thought we had support for one with a greedy intention, so we see Miguna was realy right. state house let it be. UHURU NA KAZI”

otura evans wrote 22 January 2013 11:50 PM: “ Giving certificate to losers in ODM nomination is a shame to the national parties officials……. so it is true that we have parties owners and parties supporters. ODM is a total shame in luo nyanza. Am otura evans -migori- we are not happy especially suna east constituency”.

Onyango Opondo wrote 22 January 2013 11:17 PM: “ This is not democratic i thought professor Anyang Nyong’o lost, How is he now the aspirant in Kisumu county.Being a resident of Siaya county am confused the other day they announced it was Okanja for Governor seat. Where did Cornelius Amoth come from? I want the NEB at ODM to explain to the voters how they came up with this names”.

Prof. Khamale Mutraka wrote 22 January 2013 5:49 PM: “Where is the so called national face of Kenya in this list? Why are the nominated candidates for MP seats in constituencies”

Javan Ndaga wrote 22 January 2013 5:27 PM Nyong’o, Yinda, Kajwang’, Ayiecho Olweny, Fred Outa, and several others lost in the ODM primaries, yet their names appear here wahat a shame!This is sham”… (Sources- Standard).

Here is the list of nominees submitted by ODM to IEBC:

ODM has released a list of all nominees for various political positions countrywide as submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Here is the list:

Narok County
Gubernatorial – Johnson Parsamet Ole Nchoe
Women Representative – Lydia Maneu Masikonte

Kajiado County
Gubernatorial – Dr. David K. Ole Nkedianye
Women Representative – Emily Maatany Kiparki

Kericho County
Senatorial-Stella Chepkurui Koech

Bomet County
Senatorial -Andrew Kimutai Langat

Kakamega County
Gubernatorial – Hon. Wycliffe A. Oparanya
Deputy Governor – Shnyisa Anota Khasiani
Senatorial – Shnyisa Anota Khasiani
Women Representative – Rachael Ameso Amolo

Vihiga County
Gubernatorial – Kennedy Enosi Butiko
Senatorial – Dr. Henry Embeywa Etende
Women Representative – Alice Muhonja Kirambi

Bungoma County
Gubernatorial – Hon. Alfred Khangati
Senatorial – Hon. Lawrence Simiyu Sifuna
Women Representative – Salome Naliaka Mwangale

Busia County
Gubernatorial – Hon. Sospeter Odeke Ojaamongson
Senatorial – Sitswila Amos Wako
Women Representative – Florence Mwikali Mutua

Siaya County
Gubernatorial – Cornelus Arasanga Amoth
Senatorial -Hon. James Orengo
Women Representative-Emily Agnes Awitta

Kisumu County
Gubernatorial -Jackson Ranguma
Senatorial – Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o
Women Representative – Rose Auma Ogendo Nyamunga

Homa Bay County
Gubernatorial – Cyprian Otieno Awiti
Senatorial – Gerald Otieno Kajwang
Women Representative – Gladys Atieno Nyasuna Wanga

Migori County
Gubernatorial – Prof. Edward Oyugi Akongo
Deputy Governor – Anne Omodho Anyanga
Senatorial – Hon. Wilfred Gisuka Machage
Women Representative – Susan Millie Owino

Kisii County
Gubernatorial – Hon. James Elvis Omariba Ongwae
Senatorial – Christopher Mogere Obure
Women Representative – Mary Sally Otara

Nyamira County
Gubernatorial – John Obiero Nyagarama
Senatorial – Erick Okongo Omogeni
Women Representative – Alice Nyanchoka Chae

Nairobi County
Gubernatorial – Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero
Senatorial – Margaret Wanjiru
Women Representative – Sylvia Ming’ala

Nandi County
Gubernatorial – Dr. Seronei Chelulei Cheison
Senatorial – Henry Kosgey
Women Rep – Scholastica J.Turei

Baringo County
Senatorial – Edward Lekaichu O. Kateiya

Laikipia County
Senatorial – Peter Mburu Mugwe

Nakuru County
Gubernatorial – Rev. Lawrence Bomet
Senatorial – John Njenga Mungai

West Pokot County
Gubernatorial – Geofrey Lipale
Senatorial – Julius Recha Murgor
Women Representative – Lilian Janice Plapan

Samburu County
Gubernatorial – Michael Lolwerikoi
Senatorial – Hon. Simeon Lesrima
Women Representative – Paulin Lenguris

Trans Nzoia County
Gubernatorial – Godfrey Siundu Wasike
Senatorial – Wamulondo Mutondo William
Women Representative – Gladys Nekesa Musali

Uasin Gishu County
Gubernatorial – Prof. Margaret J. Kamar
Senatorial – Paul Kiptenai Kimisoi Birech
Women Representative – Moira Jepkorir Chepkok

Elgeyo Marakwet County
Gubernatorial – Timothy Kipchumba Biwott
Senatorial – Amb.Tabitha Seii

Meru County
Senatorial – Gitobu Imanyara

Tharaka Nithi County
Senatorial – Francis Nyamu Kagwima

Machakos County
Gubernatorial – Prof. Anthony M. Wambua

Kirinyaga County
Sanatorial- Roseliet Wanjiru Kabiru

Kiambu County
Women Representative – Irene Warucu Njenga

Turkana County
Gubernatorial – Josphat Koli Nanok
Women Representative – Rhoda Anupe Loyor

Mombasa County
Gubernatorial – Hon.Hassan Ali Joho
Deputy Governor – Hazel Nyamoki Katana
Senatorial – Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe
Women Representative – Mishi Juma Khamisi

Kwale County
Gubernatorial – Salim M. Ngala
Deputy Governor – Fatuma Mohamed Achani
Senatorial County – Boy Juma Boy
Women Representative – Zainab Kalekye Chidzuga

Kilifi County
Gubernatorial – Amason Jeffah Kingi
Deputy Governor – Kenneth mwakombo Kambo
Senatorial County – Stewart Mwachiru Madzayo
Women Representative – Aisha Jumwa Karisa Katana

Taita Taveta County
Gubernatorial – John Mtuta Mruthu
Deputy Governor – Maru Ndiga Kibuka
Senatorial County – Danson Mwazo Mwakulengwa
Women Representative – Joyce Wanjalah Lay

Garissa County
Gubernatorial – Harun Mohamed Yussuf
Deputy Governor – Abdullahi Abdirahman Sheikh
Senatorial County – Hon. Farah Maalim
Women Representative – Zainab Mohamed Idifle

Wajir County
Gubernatorial – Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamad
Deputy Governor-bdihafid Abdullahi Yarow
Senatorial – Abdirahman Ali Hassan
Women Representative – Fatuma Ibrahim Ali

Tana River County
Gubernatorial – Adam Barissa Dhidha
Deputy Governor – Hamid Abiyo Morowa
Senatorial – Martlew Bashora Malimu
Women Representative – Alfelt Mumbo Abio

Mandera County
Gubernatorial – Ahmed Abdi Noor
Deputy Governor – Yussuf Maalim Hassan
Senatorial County – Abdinasir Mohamed Khalif
Women Representative – Amina Hassan Ahmed

Marsabit County
Gubernatorial – Ukur Kanacho Yatani
Deputy Governor – Omar Abdi Ali
Senatorial – Eng. Godana Hargura
Women Representative-Nasra Ibrahim Ibren

Isiolo County
Senatorial – Charfano Guyo Mokku
Women Representative – Lucy Nyoroko Mworia

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: Will the Luo – Kuria power – sharing arrangement brokered by Raila Odinga stand the test and earn him votes in the region?

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town.

The power sharing which was recently hatched and brokered by the ODM leaders in Migori County which resulted in the apportioning of all important elective positions in the newly devolved County governance. Will this work in favor of the Prime Minister galvanizing the Kuria votes for his presidential ambition ?

The answer is “big No”. This is because the arrangement which was brokered under the Minister for Public Services Dalmas Otieno in collaboration with few Luo MPs in total secrecy behind the locked doors of hotel room in Nairobi had excluded many stakeholders in the Migori regional political derby.

The original aims and objectives of this arrangement was meant to ensure the minority Kuria community, which is one of the smaller and marginalized communities, would not be swallowed by their neighboring Luo majority when it comes to the allocation of decision making positions within the MIGORI county under the new constitutional dispensation.

The idea was noble, though it cane very late and only after several Luo and Kuria political personalities had already launched their campaign for the various elective positions.

Under the new arrangement several positions a were dished out exclusively for the Kuria. The senior most of all was the coveted Senatorial position. The County governor position was given the the Luos, while the Deputy Governor position went to the Kuria as well as the County CEO and Speaker of the Regional Assembly.

Among the Luo politicians whose campaign trail had already hit the ground included the former Mathare MP and at one time a member of the East African Legislative Assembly, Gilbert Ochieng” Mbeo, A one time two terms KANU MP for the larger Homa-Bay constituency Phares Oluoch Kanindo. Also in the ace for the Senate seat was a prominent Kuria politician John Magaiwa is the current ODM Migori County branch chairman.

Migori County is a region whose inhabitants comprises of communities from diverse communities. There are thousands of Abaluhyia, Maragolis, Kisii, Abasuba and Somalis therefore it was a great mistake and miscalculation of the fact for the ODM having thought of the Lus and Kurias only.

There were several Luo personalties who were also eying the governor position. They included Prof Edward Akong’o Oyugi, a young technocrat Mark Nyamita, a member of the Kenya Sugar Board Zachary Okoth Obado.

The decision which is believed and suspected to have been influenced and brokered by the former Kuria MP Dr Wilfred Machage. DR Machage is a Kenyan Kuria politician whose family is deeply rooted in the neighboring Tanzania. He has been an MP for Kuria ever since 2002. But wanted to find a soft-landing spot after sensing that PNU was heading for political limbo.

The arrangement was readily approved by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who made two quick tour of Kuria region for the purpose of ensuring that the new arrangement between the two communities is harmonized ahead of the March 4, 2012 general election.

The new arrangement of power-sharing between the two communities was endorsed by th Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who made two quick tour of the region to try to harmonize the frosty relations between the two communities.

What Raila Odinga did not know was that Machage has no political clout over the Kuria people, though he has been their MP for two terms. He is not welcome in many parts of the two administrative districts of Kuria East and Kuria West.

Dr Machage had demanded that he be given direct nomination to the Senate seat by the ODM leadership to the chagrins of the voters and other ODM politicians Dr Machage was found of bashing Raila and the party. The former MP remained the most vocal of critic of ODM and Raila Odinga while he was serving in the coalition government as an Assistant Minister for Works on the PNU side.

At one time he was arraigned in court and charged with making inflammatory and hate speeches the charge which prompted his close to one year suspension from the cabinet

The Kura community is divided into four major sub-clans, namely Nyabansi ,Bugumbe, Bukiria. And Buirege. The constituency has since been sub-divided into two parliamentary constituencies and named by the IEBC Kuria East and Kuria West. It was one of the 80 extra parliamentary constituencies created last year by the ICEBC and endorsed by an Act of parliament .Most of the four sub-clans had close tie with their cousins living across the Kenya-Tanzania borders.

The Luos in Migori County vehemently objected to the new arrangement arguing that apportioning the political seats would mean balkanization of the tribes in the area, though they two communities have lived in peace and harmoniously in the past.·

The power-sharing issue had elicited the heated debate and argument , but Raila Odinga insisted that the Kuria must be brought to the mainstream of ODM so that he could harvest their votes.

When the ODM primary nomination was conducted in the region on January 17, 2012. Raila Odinga’s man Dr Wilfred Machage was handed down e devastative defeat by John Magaiwa who polled over 72,000 votes against Dr. Machage’s 51,000.But strange things happened, Magaiwa wad denied the nomination certificate, which was handed over to the Defeated Dr. Machage.

Magaiwa who had been steadfastly an ODM leader in Kuria for the last two decades was kicked out of the party. He has since reportedly sought for an URP ticket. But on the ground the decision made by the ODM headquarters of denying Magaiwa the party’s nomination certificate despite of his landslide victory over Dr. Machage has disappointed the Kuria people who have now vowed not to vote for Raila Odinga.

Other short-changed aspirants for Migori Senate seat and that of governor have jumped the ODM bandwagon. Other like Ochieng’ Mbeo have decided not to contest the election on other party tickets, but vowed not to campaign for the ODM and Raila Odinga in the area.

With the populist Magaiwa jumping the ship and joining the URP, the ODM should as well forget the Kuria votes. Also short-changed was Ms Ghati, a young Kuria woman who had vigorously campaigned for the Migori women representative. Although she had won in the primary nomination, she was denied the ticket which went to Mrs Owino Acholla, the wife of the one time former Migori MP was dished out to Mrs Anne Omodho Anyanga, the wife of the Nyatike MP Eick Omond

Ends

Kenya & Rwanda: FAREWELL PARTY FOR REBSON DZALA – ASPIRANT KILIFI NORTH (MP)

From: AKR|Association of Kenyans Living in Rwanda

Fellow Kenya,

Am happy to let you know that, one of our members, Rebson Dzala won the Kilifi North Nominations (for MP). He will soon relocate to focus all his energies in pursuit of his dreams of being a change agent.

The friends of Dzala in conjunction with Kenya-Rwanda Business Association invites you to his farewell party tomorrow 26th Jan 2013 at Foeyes Premier Hotel from 3 pm.

Rebson has requested for your support and prayers in this gruelling task ahead. Find a copy of Rebson’s Nomination Certificate!

Go….. Rebson……. Go for it !!!

Carol.

Kenya: Tension has gripped the South Rift regions following the zoning of the area as the exclusive URP electoral zone

Writes Leo Odera Omolo.In Kericho Town

Political temperatures has arisen up followed by tension in the South Rift region of the expansive Rift Valley Province after several districts were Cannibalized together and declared the exclusive voting zone outside the jubilee Alliance.

The issue came to the surface immediately soon after the recently concluded Jubilee Alliance primary nominations. In the nomination exercise, TNA, which is the principal alliance and partner of the URP had its members barred from contesting the elective positions in areas which were classified as the URP electoral zones.

The districts which were grouped together and declared as the exclusive electoral zone of the URP included several Counties of Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Baringo, Keiyo, Baringo, Trans-Mara, Molo, Nakuru Kuresoi and other places.

An aspirant who was vying the election in the newly created Sigowet constituency in the lower Belgut region of Kericho County said that those who turned up ready to contest the elections on TNA were turned away and told that they cannot contest any seat in those areas which had already been classified as the URP electoral zone.

A good number of aspirants have since sought for accommodation in other parties, and the fear persist that those who won in the URP primaries in the region might not make it to the next parliament after March 4, 2013.

In the same context, the jubilee Alliance is also risking being rejected by the electorate in the region due to its discriminative policy, which has Balkanized the communities on tribal line.

TNA members were denied the right of contesting the election on Jubilee ticket and told they can only do so on URP ticket. But not on TNA which is the umbrella of the Jubilee Aliance

Members of the Kipsigis sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group who form the bulk of the majority of the resident of the South Rift region are known not to be comfortable with the jubilee Alliance that has in the face of it brought together the Kipisigis and the kikuyu community.

This particular community has yet to e wholeheartedly in the Jubilee Alliance, and view the URPO leader William Ruto who has secured the powerful position in the alliance of being the running – mate for the Jubilee Alliance Presidential candidate as someone who has mortgaged the community for his selfish interests.

The Sigowet aspirant who requested for his anonymity has since moved to another political party outside the Jubilee Alliance and has appealed to other who felt grieved to do likewise.

The zoning of these electoral areas is illegal and was made deliberately to have William Ruto’s political surrogates and sycophants get political mileage over their opponents during the much flawed primary nominations. He also blamed the former Belgut MP Charls Keter for being the architect of the political zonng of the South Rift region, and warned that the former legislator who is now vying for Kericho County senate seat will pay dearly for his part in ill-advising the URP to create the tribal zoning.

The zoning of several districts had disarmed many would be aspirant for the various elective positions in these area. It has also raised political temperature in the region which could see the majority of the voters drifting back to ODM and CORD.

The common talks making the round in Kericho and its environs is that William Ruto the URP leader had miscalculated and underestimated the intelligence of the voters in the region in is plan to convince his Jubilee partners that he had the political clout over the voters in the zoned districts, something which he will pay dearly for his mistakes.

The zoning of the vote’s rich districts into URP exclusive electoral zones, might also have a serious repercussion on Uhuru Kenyatta presidential voting system.

“Our people are not for sale, and Ruto seemed to be hell-bent in auctioning the Kalenjin voters for his selfish interest, but we shall teach him a lesson that he will live to regret for years to come, let him just wait for the March 4, 2013,” retored Mr Josephat Lang’at a Litein politican.

The Kipsigis sub-tribe, the most populous among th Kalenjin ethnic group has about 12 parliamentary constituencies in Kericho, Bomet, Molo and Rongai. Some of its members live in Nandi, Cheranganyi, Nakuru, Narok South, Kilgoris,Trans-Nzoia and Subukio.

Ends

Election violence in Kenya? … Not again

From: Judy Miriga

People,

This is not what Kenya expects in the Reform Change we have been fighting for.No corrupt person should be forced on people once they are rejected. The peoples verdit is final……..People are the boses, they choose how they wish to be governed and all political players must respect wishes of the people.

The fight for Reform change is not over people, we shall continue fighting till the “Voice of Reason” is respected and honored.

We are all in this together for the sake of Reform Change and let justice speak up for the people.

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Election violence? Not again

Updated Wednesday, January 23 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3
By Njoki Karuoya

Last week, I lost hope that the March 4 elections would be peaceful. With all the main presidential candidates working hard to be seen as national by appointing running mates from different communities, I was confident that a repeat of the 2008 post-election violence would not occur. But now I’m not so sure.

While the violence that seems set to rock the country in six weeks time may not be tribal-based but more about individual winners and losers, the scary fact is that violence will be a reality; and it may be worse than what we saw last weekend.

Bloated pool

I’m I being pessimistic? Perhaps, but imagine this. The post-primary violence was at the level of aspirants, and a bloated pool at that, which means hope more than guarantee, carried the day. Now there are all these candidates carrying around nomination certificates that declare them as bona fide party representatives for various seats, who believe they are the one.

And in the next six weeks, that ego will get so bloated that it will not be contained within the confines of a ballot box. So can you now imagine the explosions when their opponents are declared winners?

If the police want to ensure a more level-headed, violent reaction (if there is anything like that) after the pronouncement of winners, they need to, between now and then, disarm all Kenyans off pangas, jembes, tyres, matches, petrol and other inflammable and blunt objects. These are often the tools of violent. If they can manage this too, they need to force all Kenyans to attend anger-management crash courses that will also include lessons on the importance of peace, including peaceful protests.

Most importantly, the police will need to increase their bullets (hopefully the rubber bullets), tear gas and other riot-control weapons.

Abducted

But seeing as all these may be a tall order for the police, I’m worried for all those innocents who may be at the right place at the wrong time, and accidentally find themselves in the middle of abrupt violence. The victims of such mayhem are often women and children. When such violence erupts, women walking around are grabbed and gang raped. Children are abducted or killed.

And yes, it may be easy to tell people to lock themselves in their houses right from the evening of March 4 (after the voting exercise) till Sunday, March 10 when, hopefully, the final results will have been announced and any violent rages following such announcements have run out of steam. But we all know that violence tends to find people in the perceived safety of their homes.

Five years ago, when some people went out of their houses to protest the controversial presidential elections, many stayed at home. Others ran to places of ‘safety’ like churches, police stations and the chief’s camp. But the bloodthirsty killers went after them. People were killed in their homes, either by the rioters or by the police. Others were killed in church, while women were raped everywhere.

Accept loss

This is not the life I want for myself or for any Kenyan. I want us to live in peace, irrespective of other people’s opinion – because that is what elections are all about; providing individuals with the opportunity to exercise their opinion. The majority of Kenyans with the same opinion carry the day. That’s just the way it is. If you and those thinking like you lose, it’s simply because not as many people thought the same way.

Maturity is the skill to painfully accept your loss, find reasonable ways to vent your frustration then move along. Violence is never the answer as it costs more than acceptance, what with the collateral damage and loss of property and livelihoods.

Just how mature are we as Kenyans? That will be the major test as we get closer to March 4. Let us choose peace and tolerance instead of war and intolerance.

I wish all candidates the best, but as they campaign, they must realise that those nomination certificates they hold are not the tickets to success. They could lose come March 4, too, and they need to act as gentlemen and ladies when the proof is presented to them; and as leaders by calming their supporters down to peace instead of inciting them to violent protests.

South Nyanza Protests

Published on Jan 18, 2013

Protests rocked most parts of the County over alleged manipulation of results. Riots rocked Kendu Bay town amid claims that the nomination for Karachuonyo Parliamentary seat had been manipulated while in Ndiwa, scores of demonstrators poured to the streets claiming manipulation was going on in favour of outgoing Mp Augustine Netto.

Protests over insecurity in Kisumu

Updated Monday, October 29 2012 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Mangoa Mosota

Prominent Kisumu businessman Shem Kwega has died and his wife critically wounded after being shot by thugs in broad daylight.

Shem Kwega and his wife Rose Onyango were admitted at the Intensive Care Unit at Aga Khan Hospital soon after the incident. Kwega later succumbed to injuries.

The duo was shot at a few minutes after 10am, along Nyerere Road, near Mamba Hotel.

A witness, Morgan Ashino, said the two thugs armed with a G3 gun, blocked Kwega’s car, before he got out.

“He came out and held the gun, before one of them hit him on the head with a fist,” said Ashino, a motor cycle operator.

Kwega then got into his car and tried to drive off, but the thugs shot him several times, as the vehicle swerved into a ditch. His wife was also shot as the gang forcefully took a bag reported with some money from her.

Ashino said together with four other motor cycle operators, followed the thugs all the way to Nyamasaria, about five kilometres away.

The shooting incident sparked off a wave of protests by an assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny and local residents who marched in the streets demanding action.

Protestors blocked the Kisumu – Kakamega road, with over 500 of them surrounding Kondele police station.

More than 30 police officers drawn from Kisumu and Nyando Divisions are hunting the gang, who drove from the town in vehicle they had earlier hijacked.

Kwega is the Kisumu Town West Constituency ODM chairman and in 2007 sought parliamentary seat, but lost in the nominations. He owns two petrol stations in the lakeside town.

The shooting comes only two days after an acclaimed researcher was killed by thugs in Tom Mboya area.

Dr Joseph Odhiambo, of Centre for Disease Control (CDC) was hacked on his head on Saturday night.

The deceased was a senior technical adviser to the CDC’s Global Aids Programme.

Nyongo’ under fire over flawed Kisumu vote

Updated Saturday, January 19 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3
By Rushdie Oudia

KISUMU; KENYA: Five governor aspirants in Kisumu County are demanding the resignation of ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyongo’.

The aspirants accused Prof Nyongo’ of interfering with party nominations in the county, alleging he was to blame for the flawed exercise.

Led by Owino Omolo and Ruth Odinga, the aspirants also called for the nullification of all governorship results, saying the process should be repeated.

The aspirants alleged that Nyong’o was working with Jack Raguma, who is also in the governorship race, to ensure the two of them win. Ms Odinga alleged that Raguma alongside Nyong’,o had gone to collect ballot papers at the Kisumu Airport on Thursday, which was illegal.

“It is wrong for ballot papers to be in the hands of an aspirant,” she said, alleging that the two had a cup of tea with one of the ODM returning officers, who was to oversee the nominations.

“No nominations will take place until returning officers and presiding officers are changed,” said Ms Odinga. However, Nyongo dismissed the claims as cheap politics, saying he was not meddling.

How Kisumu was turned into a battlefield

Updated Monday, January 21 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Maureen Odiwuor

KISUMU, KENYA: A returning officer was escorted by heavily armed security detail to Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu where he announced the Kisumu County nomination results.

The officer, said to have been appointed by the party after Albert Mbwaga was replaced for allegedly colluding with Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o, addressed impatient party supporters at 10.30pm on Saturday.

He declined to identify himself but went ahead to read a list of results that he referred to as provisional. He started by declaring Shakeel Shabbir as the Kisumu East parliamentary nominee.

For Nyando, Kisumu West and Muhoroni, where voting was still going on at the time of announcement, former MPs Fred Outa, Olago Aluoch and Ayiecho Olweny were declared winners respectively. Ochola Ogoda was announced the winner for the senate seat while in Seme constituency no winner was declared.

Mlolongo results indicated Dr James Nyikal was ahead of the rest.

Heated reactions

Hell broke loose when he announced Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s sister, Ruth Odinga, as the ODM governor nominee. This sparked reactions from ODM supporters who began protesting following an earlier announcement that Jack Ranguma had clinched the governor ticket.

The angry crowd reacted violently, with one General Service Unit officer was hit by a stone on the head.

This prompted security officers at the scene to lob teargas canisters to disperse the protesting youth before the team that announced the results was escorted out of the venue.

Tension had been heightened by the long wait supporters had to endure for the release of the results. At 9pm, the impatient crowd attempted to force their way into the college

List of ODM nominees as submitted to IEBC

Updated Wednesday, January 23 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

Women Representative-Florence Mwikali Mutua

Siaya County

Gubernatorial -Cornelus Arasanga Amoth

Senatorial -Hon. James Orengo

Women Representative-Emily Agnes Awitta

Kisumu County

Gubernatorial -Jackson Ranguma

Senatorial -Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o

Women Representative-Rose Auma Ogendo Nyamunga

Homa Bay County

Gubernatorial -Cyprian Otieno Awiti

Senatorial -Gerald Otieno Kajwang

Women Representative-Gladys Atieno Nyasuna Wanga

Migori County

Gubernatorial -Prof. Edward Oyugi Akongo

Deputy Governor-Anne Omodho Anyanga

Senatorial -Hon. Wilfred Gisuka Machage

Women Representative-Susan Millie Owino

Kisii County

Gubernatorial -Hon. James Elvis Omariba Ongwae

Senatorial -Christopher Mogere Obure

fredrick Ja Gem24 January 2013 3:25 PM ODM should stop fooling around with luo Nyanza people,the days of party euphoria is over,the days of imposing leaders to people is a “thing of da past” Let Raila and his party know that we need change in our region and NOT BIG names like Nyong’o,Midiwo,Oburu,Kajwang’ and other non performing leaders,Odingaism will never exist in luo Nyanza if this is the case,common mwananchis’ right cannot be violated by some few characters in the name of ODM…ON that note right now am mobilizing Siaya county residents to vote candidates of their choice and not party….Dictatorship should be stopped and democracy be exercised,we are perishing because we lack knowledge and wisdom nnktt.

Esther Wanga24 January 2013 10:16 AM Clearly ODM.Can you revise your list otherwise Raila wont see my vote.I’d rather vote Uhuru.dont u think you are hurting people???Mr Bett???Can you give us the people we chose.I’m disappointed particularly for Homabay County_Rangwe constituency.You replaced the MP we chose together with all the county reps.How do you explain Position 5 securing a certificate??????DEMOCRATIC INDEED!!!You’ll be in for a rude shock!Keep up you mulpractices!!

PAUL TWENYO from Homabay24 January 2013 9:46 AM Sincerely,I am greatly disappointed with ODM party,I have just realized it has its owners,wait for a rude shock on 4th of MARCH 2013,we cannot continue suffering at expense of other peoples benefit,it is in Nyanza where a meter from fresh water lake is a desert,and it in Kisumu where 20litre water goes 20 Kenya shillings during dry season yet, fresh water lake is at stone throw.We must be allowed to elect those we feel can meet our needs “Nitawakataa” come rain, come sunshine.

JARAE24 January 2013 8:56 AM We are not happy with the way Raila dictates luo Nyanza.Nyong’o and Midiwo did not win.This is a total shame and should have just gone ahead to include Oburu and Ruth.Shame

Victor JaAlego23 January 2013 6:46 PM Guys, RAO is not OMNIPOTENT, in fact he was sitting somwhere sipping his tea.Your fury is directed to the wrong person.The National Election Board are to blame and surely something is happening.The corrupt parted with money and will be drained down the loo.ODM is the party to beat like it or not.

Ndege23 January 2013 6:37 PM ODM if that is the way democracy is done then i aint voting any ODM candidate. surely we are no robots they should have seen the mood on the ground imposing leaders on people and its the electorate who have the voice that’s a big NO. Like Muhoroni the so called Prof was beaten yet he was handed nomination. rude shock is awaiting ODM on 4th March.

CONCERNED SERIOUS KENYAN23 January 2013 5:28 PM AS YOU MAKE YOUR BED, SO SHALL YOU LIE ON IT. COME 4TH MARCH 2013, RAILA AMOLLO ODINGA, DON’T REGRET ON THE OUTCOME. YOU MIGHT GET YOUR PRESIDENTIAL VOTES WITH NO MPS, GOVERNORS, SENATOR, COUNTY REPS ETC. THE MAJORITY MIGHT COME FROM OTHER PARTIES WHICH DEMONSTRATE SERIOUSNESS WITH PROPER DUE DILIGENCE ON THE CANDIDATES THEY PICK TO SUPPORT THEIR VICTORY. REMEMBER CHAPTER 6 ON INTEGRITY WHIC DOES NOT EXCLUDE NOMINATION OF PROPERLY VETTED CANDIDATES. I WISH YOU WELL IN YOU PRESIDENTIAL BID.

Elphas Osii23 January 2013 4:43 PM I cant believe what has just happened….if that is the so called Democracy,Jakom,watch these space on 4/3/2013…..

Siasa Kali23 January 2013 1:18 PM Please, this is not what we want or expected, why leave all the preferred nominees and pick your own for the specific sits? Was the nomination process for formality? Wait and see, come 04/03/2013, i know i’m not alone, we will serve you right. I now understand the internal dictatorship within the ODM that sent away all the PENTAGON members.

Thugs attack Judge probing Tana clashes

By CYRUS OMBATI
NAIROBI, KENYA: A High Court Judge was on Wednesday night carjacked and kidnapped in a robbery incident in her Karen home, Nairobi.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka was driving into her compound at about 10 pm when she was confronted by five heavily armed men.

The Judge, who chairs a commission investigating the Tana River clashes that have claimed more than 160 lives and displaced thousands of people, told police that she was alone in her official car when gunmen who seemed to have been waiting struck.

Taking her hostage, they forced her into her house and ransacked it. The attackers confiscated several documents, a laptop, television set and other electronics.

The Judge’s husband, who is a businessman, drove in during the robbery unaware of the attack. The gang also took him hostage for hours as they demanded cash and other unclear “information”.

Police say the gang later abducted the two and drove with them out of their compound to Dagoretti area where they withdrew more than Sh40,000 from their ATM accounts.

They then took them to Kangemi area where they abandoned the two in the darkness and directed them to where they would leave the cars.

The Judge and her husband later drove back to their residence after they alerted police.

Police, who are still investigating the attack, have questioned why Nzioka’s personal body guard and a police officer stationed at the Judge’s home were unarmed at the time of the incident.

Detectives who visited the scene say their preliminary analysis shows that the gang was interested in the Judge’s laptop.

“We believe the other items they stole were just a cover up and their interest was in the laptop which they took. We are investigating,” said a senior police officer.

Nairobi Area head of police operations Wilfred Mbithi says no arrest or recovery has been made so far.

Judge Nzioka chairs a commission that is investigating Tana River clashes that have so far claimed 160 lives.

She was scheduled to officially release the report on the clashes on Friday after hearing evidence from more than 130 witnesses.

The night attack is believed to be linked to the report that the commission was compiling.

The incident comes a week after lands permanent secretary Ms Dorothy Angote and her husband were attacked in similar incident in their Lavington estate, Nairobi.

Their car is yet to be recovered after they were carjacked and robbed.

The couple was attacked last Wednesday night and robbed before they were dumped in a coffee plantation in Kikuyu.

According to police, Angote and her husband were driving to their home when they were attacked by three gunmen who had posed as her security guards.

Apparently the thugs had earlier attacked the security guards at the compound, stripped them of their uniforms and tied them in a corner. The thugs later wore the guards’ uniforms and positioned themselves in the compound.

When the couple arrived at about 10pm, the thugs ushered them in before holding them at gunpoint. According to reports, the gang was armed with AK47 rifles.

Angote and her husband were then driven around the city before they were abandoned in a coffee plantation past midnight. They were later rescued by police after villagers found them tied to a tree in the coffee plantation.

Police who saw them said they were unhurt. On Wednesday, police said they were yet to make an arrest or recovery of the car.

Detectives handling the case said they have a clue on who the gunmen were but they are yet to know the motive and were trailing them.

Police said the thugs also stole the couple’s X-Trail car, jewelry, cash, an iPad and other personal valuables.

Canadian gold mining firm is closing its operations in Mozambique to concentrate its activities of gold prospecting in Western Kenya

Reports Leo Odera Omolo

A Canadian owned gold prospecting firm, African Queen Mines Ltd is reported to be in the process of quitting Mozambique to focus on its gold exploration activities in Western Kenya after reviewing its portfolio of exploration properties in South West and East Africa.

The move is expected to reduce the company’s operational costs and prioritize projects for development in 2013.

The firm’s Chief Executive Irwin Olian was recently quoted as saying that African Queen Mines Limited will halt development of King Solomon project in Mozambique to concentrate its activities in Western Kenya regions of Rongo and Ugunja gold fields in Kenya and Noyem and Nyadonam in Ghana.

The discovery of large deposits of gold reserves in Western Kenya in the past five years continues to attract foreign interests with several international mining firms taking acreage.

Statistic show that in 2010, Kenya earned Kshs 6’3 billion {USD 72.9 million) from the sale of five tones of gold – three times mote than the year before, indicating how rapidly the commodity is growing down as the most important export product in the country. and especially focusing on the Western Kenyan regions.

More gold exploration companies such as Africa Barrixck,Linear Metals, Red Rocks Resopurves and Gold Plat are narrowing down on Kenya and especially focusing on the country’s Western regions.

Last November, London based African Barrick Gold plc acquired mineral prospecting area in Western Kenya from Aviva mining Limited,a firm which is wholly owned Cubstation of the Monorovia Stock Exchange quotes Aviva.

Recent survey by the government and private companies have revealed gold deposits around Migori and \Kakamega Counties in Western Kenya.

However, the gold prospecting ground in many parts of Western Kenya might not be the fertile ground for business following the recent rising in concerted agitation by the local miners, particularly the indignant Kenya, who felt that foreign companies were out to exploit the country’s minerals while not making any meaningful return to the |Kenya | Treasury.

There is discontent by local small scale miners in Migori area, which has recently led to the revocation of one company’s prospecting license. the firm, Mid Migori gold mines Limited, has been in conflict of interests between the local miners and politicians, who have been accusing them of dishonesty.

There were accusation that Mid-Migori, a firm which has been in exploration work in the area for the last ten years, was actually prospecting gold and exporting its product by road via the neighboring Tanzania without having gone through the country taxation system under the Kenya Revenue Authority. The conflict also is with the local Member of parliament Edick Omondi Anyanga, and in September last year a team of Parliamentary Select Committee on minerals and natural resources visited Migori area and held talks with the local and foreign miners. He committee had recommended the revocation of Mid-Migori Gold Mines, though one of its manager later wrote from London suggesting the change of names and accused the former area MP of under mining its activities in the area.

The local miners through the managing director of Migori Mining Company limited, a self-help group comprising local and small scale miners Mr Timon Oliewo Sure, a Kenyan mine engineer with the vast experience in gold mining gained after long service in South African gold mines came out in full support of the local MP insisting that the MP had their mandate to speak on behalf of the much exploited local miners.

Kenya is not benefiting from its abundant minerals because of illicit dealing and rackets of exporting the commodity secretly.

Ends