Category Archives: Kenya

KENYA: POLITICAL DAGGERS DRAWN OUT IN NYANDO CONSTITUENCY AFTER THEIR MP’s EXIT

To: “jaluo@jaluo.com”

By Our Political Reporter

The recent Court of Appeal revocation of Fred Otieno Outa’s election as Nyando MP has elicited a mixture of anger,uncertainity,joy and surprise as many of the area voters had not thought of going back to the ballot boxes given that the High Court had dismissed the petition which had been filled by the man who came second to Outa during the general elections Jared Okello.

In spite of losing the seat, Outa suffered another setback when the three bench judge comprising Justices; Philip Waki,David Maranda and Festus Azangalala directed the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to prosecute Outa for election bribery.

Outa’s current woes was as a result of issuing CDF cheques ten days before the polling day with Justice Festus Azangalala who read the judgment on behalf of his colleagues saying that they had complied with section 86(1) and 87 (1) of the election Act to nullify his election.

As a result of this ,the political temperature within the rice and cane growing constituency is so high to a point that voters are calling upon their respective preferred candidates to go for the seat and take over from Outa who many say his chances if not nil then very thin.

It is worth noting that the constituency is where the Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma hails from and they use not to see each other eye to eye with Outa and at one time during the funeral of the parents of Nyakach MP Joshua Aduma Owuor he literally kicked the seat of the Governor from the main dais saying “Ceremonial Mayors” should not share dais with MPs.

Many of the critics of the outgoing MP says his arrogance and coupled with his second tenure’s entry to parliament are most of his undoing plus the issue of rice farming which he once act as a broker to rice processors outside the region.

“He was treating himself as a King and one who could not return to the electorates,now he will conme back to us and if he comes back?” pondered a pro Okello supporter while demonstrating in Ahero to celebrate his removal as the area MP

The Constituency’s voting pattern will heavily rely on the clans making the area majorly comprising Kochoggo,Wawidhi ,Kadibo and Kakola.

Its worth noting that there might be chances of Outa’s clan voting to any one asa revenge on what they believe is an injustice did to their son by Okello and hence their votes are really crucial in determining who will be the next Nyando MP.

So far the man who was to defeat Outa during the last general elections Joseph Owino Ogendo is being implored to contest by top luo ODM leadership saying the going might not be cosy for Jared and if he wins On a Ford –K ticket then it will reflect that the Raila Odinga led party is losing its clout within luo land.

Raila’s factor might not count so much within the constituency given that his convoy was stoned during campaign times when he went to campaign for Ouya after the sham ODM nominations .

Nyando Cponstituents are said to be so charged that they might opt to go for their own candidate and ignore the “our party” syndrome which was ignored by Muhoroni voters in electing James Onyango Koyoo on a PDP party and Olago Aluoch on Ford-K party within the county.

The others who are being contemplated for the seat are;Kisumu based Fianncial Adviceser Victor Ogutta,a leading Insurer Lawrence Obat,Medics Dr.Ojwang Lusi,Dr.Sam Oron and Dr.Richard Olewe,then there is Lumumba Patrick Ouya and former area MP Calrkson Otieno Karan

Owino Ogendo

He comes from Wawidhi Clan where one time area MP Eric Opon Nyamunga hails from.

He was the man who was better placed to have defeated Outa during the last general elections but it took the intervention of top ODM leadership to implore him not to contest the seat and he opted to continue with his work in one of the key parastatals within the country.

He is a man of a strong financial base who can sustain his campaigns single handedly given his strong financial base, the fact is that Ogendo is one of the few billionaires in Kenya courtesy of his vast interest in hotels,oil,clearing and forwarding ,construction as well as real estate’s within Kenya.

Should he opt to resign from his current job to contest the seat then he is likely to contest the seat.

We have established that top ODM leadership are imploring him to resign from his current job to go for the seat something his close aides are wary of saying he should wait till the next general elections.

“Biggy should ignore this by-election and wait proper for the 2017 elections because igf he opts to go and win this election then he is likely to be judged as afive yearMP”lamented George Opalo.

Victor Ogutta “Ja- Kochoggo”

Victor is a youthful, progressive entrepreneur who hails from the Kochoggo Clan which voted head to toe to the outgoing MP Outa during the last general elections.

Ogutta sits as a junior luo elder within the Luo Council of Elders and his father was one of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s security details which culminated to Jaramogi taking him to Russia for a proper Military training in the sixties.

He has a cozy relationship with luo political leader Raila Odinga given that he contributed immensely during the last general elections.

He is a graduate of University of Nairobi, and then did his Masters at Moi University and he is presently pursuing his PHD at the same institution.

He is a financial management expert based in Kisumu and he too can sustain his own campaigns given his massive strong financial base courtesy of his real estate and banking business.

He is the man who hired the chopper the current Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma used for the entire duration of his campaigns when he appeared to be financial low during the last general elections.

He commands most of the youths within the constituency given that he lobbied them to elect Ranguma.

Lawrence Obat

Obat also hails from Kochoggo and he is one of the leading Insurance brokers within Kisumu coupled with his petrol products business within Nyanza and Western Kenya.

He is the best option for the seat given his soberness coupled with his practical approach on issues.

He was one of the leading professionals within the constituency who campaigned for Ogendo before he dropped out of the race.

He is well versed with the Constituency’s politics given that he did it with Nyamunga,Outa and Ogendo.

He has been elusive in regard to contest the seat though he had set his eyes for the 2017 general elections.

Clarkson Otieno Karan

“Ja Migingo” as he is known by his supporters was the area MP from 1992-1997 and later became Kisumu Mayor after which he served as a Member of Parliament within the East Africa Legislative Assembly after quitting the banking sector where he worked for various banks as the manager.

Karan hails from Kadibo clan the same as Ouya,Outa and Olewe and his clan might decide to vote as a block to “revenge” on a seat they believed was taken awy from them

He is presently involved in large scale farming within Nyando and Muhoroni Constituency though he had hinted that he was focusing on trade unions elections but with this coming unexpectedly he is said to have changed his mind on top of that he is one of the best orators within luoland who can only be rivaled by Rongo MP dalmas Otieno.

“Ja Migingo” might go for the seat and if the elections would be pegged on seniority, expertise and experience then he is a sure bet for the seat” said Solomon Ouko who has been his political strategist.

Lumumba Patrick Ouya “Kalausi”

He is India Schooled and worked mostly within the defunct local authorities as a clerk having served in Homa Bay,Siaya,Malindi,Lamu and Embu.

He is close to Kisumu and Siaya Sentors Anyang’ Nyong’o and James Orengo respectively who are said to be having close ears of luo de facto leader Raila Odinga who if the push come to shove might have a second thought about him.

He contested the shoddy ODM nominations during the last general elections and lost to Outa whom they have not been seeing each other eye to eye.

He has the following of the youths and women within the constituency which might become handy for him if he decides to go for the seat though he tells some that he is unlikely to contest and support Okello given that he fought the court battle alone.

His critics however says that he has to redeem himself as his own man and should not be seen as a political wheeler dealer and brief case man of some luo tycoons.

Jared Okello

He also hails from Wawidhi , he was never satisfied with the flawed ODM party nominations and he jumped ship to Ford-K which was an affiliate to Cord during the last general elections.

He gave Outa agood run for his money and should he have the same strength ,will and zest then he is likely to cause more problems to his opponents.

He is a darling of many due to his oratory skills when he takes the podium, he has portrayed himself as a poor people’s man as he mingles freely all the voters within the constituency freely regardless of one’s class or economic status.

His critics however points out that he need to change his wardrobe for him to look like a serious contestant.

“He should discard his t-shirt trade mark and venture into serious African attires or suits” said one of his supporters.

Erick Opon Nyamunga

He also hails from Wawidhi, however given that his wife Rose Nyamunga is Kisumu County Women MP, he might not go for the seat and whoever he will throw his weight behind might have some advantage over the rest.

He opted not to venture into an elective post during the last general elections as his supporters hinted to us that it was due to what he underwent in 1997 during the ODM nominations when he is said to have defeated Outa in the primaries but was denied victory.

However he joined NARC party and came second giving Outa a run for his money.

Many aspirants might go for him for his political blessings.

Dr.Ojwang’ Lusi

He is currently Kisumu County Medical Director, he is said to be contemplating going for the seat but leading lights within the County are said to be advising him to concentrate on his current employment and throw his weight behind one of the aspirants.

Dr.Richard Olewe

Dr.Olewe is a medical doctor who is presently consulting for the World Health Organization in Sub Africa, he hails from Kadibo Clan.

Dr.Samuel Odhiambo Oron

He worked in Marie Stopes for many years before venturing into consultancy; he has financial muscle to manage his own campaigns as he is also a large scale farmer in Sugar cane, rice and maize farming both in Muhoroni and Nyando Sub Counties.

He was one of the clear favorites for the seat but he is said to have developed a cold feet due to what his supporters say favoritism within the popular ODM party nominations.

“Daktari has all along been Raila’s man and he is ready to contest as long as he is guaranteed that the nominations will be fair and the ground will be leveled to all the aspirants” said one of his key strategists who declined to be named.

He is a Russian trained medic,he hails from Kochoggo Clan, he was one of the lead campaigners for Ouya a head of the botched ODM nominations.

He has a wider knowledge of the constituency and he might leave a mark if he plunges into the race.

His critics say that he has to shake off himself from his NGO operative brother Joshua Odongo Oron if he has to be his own man.

KENYA: IS RAILA BECOMING POLITICALLY IRRELEVANT?

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014

Georgina from Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County writes: “Fr Beste I read your article on how Raila’s political cliques are misleading him and that is why Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno is opted to form a new party to rival Riala’s Orange party in Nyanza. Do you think this party will finish Odinga’s dynasty?

It is very unfortunate that Raila’s elder brother Oburu Odinga thinks they own ODM and they must dictate to Luo people whom they want to be leaders. He is the very one who did not want Dalmas Otieno to vie for ODM Secretary General. I think time has come that Luo people should think beyond Odinga’s dynasty and ODM party. Beste you are doing wonderful job please continue opening our eyes and thinking trend. You are really great man Bests you have mastered Kenyan politics in your finger tips.”

Georgina has raised very important issue. The question whether Oginga Odinga’s political dynasty can be finished in Luo Nyanza has been an issue of debate for long now. Click here The Odinga dynasty to read my article dated August 30, 2011 on the issue.

Former Foreign Minister, Mr Raphael Tuju was among the first Luo political leader who vowed to work towards destroying the Odinga’s dynasty. Tuju vowed to destroy it on the basis that this type of politics is divisive game of tribal politics which he says is extremely profitable to some people Odinga’s family deems right.

Tuju wonders why Kenyans should die for their tribal political leaders who cannot even assist them excel in life. The political vision and mission Tuju has is that the Luo people should look beyond the Odinga dynasty for leadership.

The fact that Raila is currently experiencing myriad challenges in ODM and his Nyanza backyard, raising the question whether he is losing grip in his home turf is a clear sign that this dynasty is being destroyed gradually.

Raila should also not overlook the concern of Gem MP and his close ally Jakoyo Midiwo who has stirred fresh controversy in the party’s top ranks by calling on him to shun key allies from his inner circle of advisers, including his brother nominated MP Oburu Oginga.

Speaking to The People by phone recently, Midiwo singled out Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’, Dr Oginga and former Nyando MP Fred Outa as being behind wrong decisions that have pushed ODM to the brink of collapse.

The trios are using their close links with Raila to influence making of some decisions that threaten the very unity of ODM. They have been misleading Raila on a number of occasions. Remember because of this Midiwo with Siaya Senator James Orengo did not attend aborted National Delegates Convection (NDC) at Moi International sports Centre.

Some notable ODM leaders who skipped the Kasarani event included Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, MPs Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Agostino Neto (Ndhiwa), Millie Odhiambo (Mbita) and Dalmas Otieno (Rongo).

The ODM losing two successive mini polls in Kisii to rival parties are just some early warning mechanism to Raila that he is losing greatly. Chris Bichage (ODM) failed to retain his seat that was clinched by Richard Tong’I (Ford People), while in Bomachoge –Borabu by-election held recently, TNA’s Joel Onyancha beat ODM‘s Peter Kimori despite spirited campaigns led by the three CORD principals in the area.

The mini polls were conducted following the High Court’s nullification of the 2013 parliamentary results in the constituency due to election malpractices. It is also not a secret that some of the leaders who quit the party have not yet forgiven Raila and the entire leadership of the party.

Among politicians who left the party include Kisumu west MP Olago Aluoch who captured the seat with Ford Kenya ticket, Muhoroni’s Otieno Koyoo ( PDP), Awendo MP Jared Opiyo (Ford Kenya) and Alego Usonga legislator Omondi Mulwan (Wiper Democratic Movement).

These politicians won in ODM primary elections but their certificates were given to people Raila and his cliques wanted. If Raila does not change he might become politically irrelevant.

Dalmas Otieno has decided to form a new party known as ‘Kalausi’(Luo name for whirl wind) after claim by ODM officials and supporters from Rongo constituency that the Odinga family pressurised Dalmas Otieno to withdraw from ODM party elections.

After the fallout President Uhuru Kenyatta named Dalmas a special envoy for south Sudan peace talks. Dalmas is also said to be keen on working with Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who also boycotted National Party elections at Kasarani.

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

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

KENYA: POLITICAL POWER BROKERAGE IN KALENJIN REGIONS THE SOURCES OF DISCONTENT AND INSTABILITY

Political feature analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

POLITICAL power brokerage has always been the major cause of discomfort among members of the larger Kalenjin community ever since early 1960s

The practice got heightened during the early part of the reign of the retired president Daniel Arap Moi in early 1980s and immediately after the latter’ accession to power and in 1978 following the death of the founding president Jomo Kenyatta on August 22, 1978.

These political brokers become part of life particularly among the residents of the South and North Rift especially among the Kipsigis and Nandi sub – tribes.

It becomes the source of discontent and instability among the members of the most populous Kipsigis sub-tribe .This is the most populous sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups.

There was one time when emerged one by name of Isaak Kipkorir Salat a former junior clerk with one of the multinational tea companies operating in Kericho and Bomet Districts .

At first he become the brief case carrier of Moi when the latter was serving in the post – independence cabinet as the vice President and minister for Home affairs another person to emerge as the political power broker during Moi’s time was the former Belgut MP Ayub Chepkwony who happens to be related to Moi by marriage – After Chepkwony then emerged another political broker in the region in the name of Prof. Jonathan Ngulalu Arap Ng’eno while during the same period of time in the North Rift emerge one Mark Kiotarbei Arap Too in Uasin Gishu and Nan district In the same region also emerged the former soldier Ezekiel Bargetuny as another powerful political broker also in Nandi and Uasin Gishu regions

Anyone who rubbed shoulder the wrong way with these gentlemen was in for big trouble .The four had entrenched themselves in the Moi KANU regime and were the one calling shots in almost every political issue affecting the Kipsigis and the Nandi communities

One memorable act committed by Salat was when the Moi regime had envisaged a multimillion shilling plan to have the LondieniKikellion, Muhoroni and Kisumu road termacked . The road if constructed could have cut down the Kisumu-Nairobi by distant nearly close to 40 kilometers short.

The project was designed to branch off at Londiani junction on the main Nakuru- Kericho road at Londiani and traverse through this agricultural region through Kipkelion Railway station, Chulwa , Kenya all, Fort –Tennan , Koru Muhoroni and to link up with Kericho – Kisumu road at Awasi.

Acting at the behest of Kericho town wealthy Indian traders Salat publicly advised President Moi in a public address that the road was not viable and would be a waste of money because the road project would only benefit the Luos of Nyanza who were in opposition to the KANU government.

The project was abandoned and never saw the light of the day.Salat won Bomet parliamentary seat in the 1974 general elections and was appointed by Moi to be an Assistant Minister in the office of the President.

In the 1979 Moi called for snap elections .This time around salat and Prof Ngeno had decided that early , Kipsigis nationalist Dr Taaitta Araap Toweett who had featured prominently during the struggle for independence must vacatehis Buret parliamentary seat and go home. Dr. Arap Toweett who was then the Minister for Education, and perhaps the best Education Minister Kenya has ever had must go Toweet twas then the KANU MP for Ruret.

Moi went to Kapkatet an area which is the heart-beat of the Kipsigis politics and to surprise and shock of the mammoth crowd made an announcement that it was time for Taweett to rest or to vacate the Buret Seat and pave the way for a new blood .Moi told Dr. Tawett in his face to have a rest Inspire of the loud murmuring of disapproval by the huge crowd in attendance at the rally.Moi went and stood his ground. Toweett who looked shocked and disappointed reluctantly accepted the verdict and went home and quietly went home a disappointed man.

Prof Ngeno who was by then working for the Nakuru Millers a company asociated with Moi got the KANU ticket and was elected the new Buret MP and consequently appointed the new Education Minster in place of Dr. Towett though he performed dismally and was later relegated to the Housing Ministry

However, Prof Ngeno did not last longer in the seat. In the response to the protest of the elected as the treatment meted out on Toweet Moi later half heatedly made him a nominated MP. It is indeed imperative to remember that Moi and Toweett were age-mates, and there was no way theother became tired while the latter was still going strong snd serving as the head of state. Therefore Moi’s reasoning for the removal of Toweett from his job was irrelevant in this case.

Ngeno was himself in 1983 kicked out of the Parliament and in his place came the farmer Kapsabet Resident Magistrate. Timothy Arap Mibe an ex school teacher t Getarwet primary School who was later trained as a lawyer at the Dar Es Salaam University. At the time around Salat was gradually phased out and then emerged Ayut Chepkurony the Belgut MP who was made an Assistant Minister for Housing. Chepkwony was related to Moi by marriage .He was the husband of the younger sister to Mrs Lena Moi

Meanwhile Mibei who served in the cabinet briefly as the Minister for Works was hounded out of the Buret seat paving the way for for the return of Prof Ngeno in who later represented the constituency until in 1992 when he was he was beaten hands down by the former Tengecha High school’s principal Paul Arap Sang (Chamian Buch)

It was during the late 1997 when Donald Kepkamoe Arap Kones emerged as the most powerful politician and a power broker in Kipsigis and after winning the Bomet parliamentary seat and Kones was appointed by Moi as the minister of state in the office of the president.

Kones emergence saw Ayub hepkw being phased out. Kones and Moi parted the compnay and this gave the way for the return of Ngeno his cousins. Both Kones and Prof Ngeno were member of the Kapecherek sub-clan meaning the people with mixed of Kalenjin – Kisi blood.

As for now a Kericho Senatr Charles KETER who is a political associate DP William Ruto HAS Emerged as NEW power broker in Kipsigis land to the chagrins of the elected leaders of Kericho and Bomet Counties.Keter’ is allegedly openly displaying his dislike and hatred of the two governors, namely isaak Ruto of Bomet and Prof. Paul Chepkwony.

Like the late Kones who with others who were reported to have financed and fed the now infamous Kalenjin Warriors of the 1992-1997 launched simultaneous armed attack against the Luos, Kisiis and Luhyias because these communities were in opposition to the Nyayo KANU regime of Moi. Keter recently faced scathing criticism from the Nyakah MP Aduma Owuor who linked him to the recent out break of tribal skirmishes between theLuos and the Kipsigis along the Kericho-Nyakach borders. Which left six uos dead and close to 50 houses set ablaze destroying property worth millions of shillings.

THe Kericho Senator, however, has yet to come out with the convincing reasons of innocence to the problem,and has only rudely challenged the Nyach MP to make his allegations in report to the police.

POLITICAL RIPPLES IN THE REGION

Other known power broker had a group her during Moi’s 24 years president included Mark Mark Kiptarbei Arap Too Ezekiel Bargetuny also in Nandi and Hosea Kiplagat in Baringo,Nicholas Kiprono Kipyator Biwott who was acting as the principal political strategist of all the time during Mois 24 years presidency and was credited of all and was credited to have been the highly educated power broker in rule the North Rift where other were semi literate outfit.

ENDs

KENYA: GOVERNOR OBADO’S CHANCES OF RECAPTURING HIS LOST SEAT LOOK REMOTE.

News Analysis By a special Correspondent.

The last week’s Appeal court disqualification of the firmer Migori governor Zachary Okoth Obado was an act of blessing in disguise for the Oranga party {ODM}, which is the party of choice in the mineral rich County whose relationship with the governor is known to have gone sour ever since his first day in the office.

Immediately after the court’s judgment delivered in crowded court room of Kisumu, Obado rent his anger at the ODM by way of arrogantly launching scathing criticism of the party and its leader Raila Odinga while reiterating his decision to work with the Jubilee government.

Governor Obando who personally attended the court and brought a large number of supporters all the way from Migori to Kisumu in four hired vehicles, which included school buses and sleek cars immediately made it known that he would be lodging an appeal in the Supreme court of Kenya to challenge the decision.

Also present in Kisumu was the petitioner Prof Edward Akong’o Oyugi and his running-mate in the March 4, 2014 election Mrs Anne Omodho Anyanga, the firebrand who is the wife of the Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga who expressed her satisfaction with the judgment by saying that justice has been Observers of Migori politics and political pundits were quick in saying that the huge crowd of people transported to Kisumu from Migori to cheer him up was an act of the governor’s arrogance and a display of his financial mightiness which might boomerang and work against him should his much touted appeal fail in the Supreme court and a fresh by-election ordered to be held.

There was a brief commotion outside the court when a group of Prof. Oyugi’s supporters made a spirited attempt to block governor Obando from entering his official vehicle, arguing that since he was no longer the governor he was not supposed to used the County vehicle. However, Obado supporters retaliated and protected him from being molested. Police had to intervene and restored orders before the two groups dispersed.

Obado had won the Migori governor’s seat on the ticket of the little known People’s democratic Party {PDP}, which is led by the former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara after loosing to Prof Oyugi in the {ODM} flawed primary nomination. Th PDP was one of the many amalgamated political parties allied to the CORD’s coalition But the Mgara’s party since bolted out of the CORD coalition and joined the jubilee. This latest move has no exposed Obado to be at the mercy o the ODM and now own

Anothger credible and important politician has also gone sour following reports that he is in the process of launching his own political party to rival the ODM in Luo-Nyanza and the wide spread allegations tha he was dividing the Luos of South Nyanza from their cousins in Central Nyanza for selfish interests.

The dismissal of Obado by the appeals Court has created a new political dimension in Migori County politics. It could see many political big guns joining the race for the vacant governor’s seat in the event of the fresh elections are called by the ICEB. On March 4, 2013 election, Obado had banked on his strategy to win over the M candidate the support and backing o the minority voters in two Neighboring Kuria districts and had enlisted the support and the backing of a Kuria man from Kihancha as his running mate and eventually made him the Deputy governor. This came at a tie when members’ o the marginalized Kuria minority community had problems with the ODM over its direct nomination of the former Kuria MP Dr. Machage to contest trhe Migori Senate seat at the chagrin of both Kurias and Luo voters.

Among the big guns whose names are being floated by the electorate In Migori as the possible succors of governor Obado in included that of the former cabinet Minister George Ochilo Ayacko, who was one time two times the Rongo MP and the former Mathare MP Gilbert Ochieng’ Mbeo who had also served as the Kenya’s representatives to the East African legislative Assembly [EALA} and Eng. Mark Nyamita.

Ayacko and Mbeo, which might work against Obado is his reported worsened relationship with the elected Migori MPs. He is said to be at loggerheads with the MPs over allegation of poor governance and favoritism and nepotism other contentious issues in the terms of recruitment of the County workers. The former governor, as the allegations goes, Obadon has employed his own brother, sister-in-law and brother-in-law in the County services at the expense off other job seekers. There are also unconfirmed claims and allegations that for one to be short listed for an interview for employment one must cough out a cool Kshs 300,000

Other shocking allegations included the rumors that the businessmen and traders who submitted their tenders to be contracted by the County on its development project agreeing required to dish out cash money as part of “kick-backs”.

The on-going construction work for at the Awendo sub-district hospital and the MTC In Migori were described as the ”milk cow”.

THE OTHER Migori MPs included Mohmed Juneet [Suna East], Joseph Ndiege n[SunaWest}, Eng Kobado {Uriri}, Jared Kopiyo {Awendo} Edick Omondi Anyanga {Nyatike} and Dalmas Otieno who is being counted as having gone out of ODM. Kopiyo who is also an PDP MP is reported to be allied to the governor. In Kanyamkago where Obado comes,thereis sharp division between the Jokawere sub-clan with his own JokaAtieno and the Maragolis and the Luhyias.The area current MP Eng. Kobado is a member of the Jokawere sub-clan.

For Obado to make it back to his plum governorship job would be an up-hill task and a pipe dream, because he has any questions to answer from the electorate.

Ends

CATHOLIC BISHOPS DEMAND EXPLANATION ON TETANUS VACCINATION

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Maurice from Kisumu County would like to know whether allegations by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Kenya that a WHO/UNICEF sponsored tetanus vaccination campaign may conceal an agenda of forced contraception for over 2 million Kenyan women.

I am not sure whether such allegations are true. What I do know is that as reported on March 27th in the Standard Digital, http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/?articleID=2000107916&story_title=Catholic%20Church%20questions%20ongoing%20tetanus%20vaccination%20targeting%20women%20aged%20between%2014-49%20years/lifestyle/ John Cardinal Njue alleged that the WHO/UNICEF tetanus campaign has been uncharacteristically shrouded from public awareness relative to other national health initiatives that are preceded by a public launch where the public has an opportunity to ask questions.

A Citizennews.co.ke http://citizennews.co.ke/ news story filmed testimony of John Cardinal Njue voicing his concerns, which can be viewed here http://citizennews.co.ke/news/2012/local/item/18145-tetanus-vaccine-controversy According to the report, the Catholic Health Commission of Kenya sent a statement to newsrooms on March the 26th alleging that there has not been adequate stakeholder engagement both in the preparation and implementation of the campaign. The main questions the Church raised for discussion were:

1 – Is there a tetanus crisis on women of child-bearing age in Kenya? If this is so, why has it not been declared?

2- Why does the campaign target women of 14 – 49 years?

3- Why has the campaign left out young girls, boys and men even if they are all prone to tetanus?

4- In the midst of so many life-threatening diseases in Kenya, why has tetanus been prioritized?

Probably the bishops were basing their arguments on the development of a tetanus-based contraceptive vaccine which began in 1975 by Dr. Gursaran Talwar, Director of India’s National Institute of Immunology, which after $4.5 million of funding and 17 years later a working vaccine was created, whose mechanism of action has been described as follows:

“The vaccine works by “convincing” a woman’s body that a11 is unchanged when, in fact, an egg has been fertilized. After conception occurs, a woman produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) that helps to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

The prototype vaccine, made from hCG coupled to a biochemical carrier, neutralizes hCG by stimulating antibodies against the hormone. Without hCG the embryo can’t anchor in the uterus, making pregnancy impossible. The biochemical carrier makes the hCG immunologically visible to women’s immune system.”

However, according to Nyeri public health Officer Dr Samuel Muthenji the drug administered was a genuine tetanus vaccine. Dr Muthenji adds that it is common for Government critics to start rumours when new health initiatives are introduced. The vaccination campaign covers 60 districts in Kenya.

He says that the tetanus campaign was taking place in select counties, and said pregnant mothers will be vaccinated with the same drug administered to those hurt by metallic items. The initiative was announced last April, and sees free vaccinations given to women aged between 13 and 49 years old.

In April, Head of the Immunization Division Tatu Kamau told Kenya’s Star newspaper that the Government hopes the vaccine helps reduce tetanus infection during pregnancy. The vaccination campaign began in September of last year, is in the second of a planned three phases.

Tetanus usually occurs when a flesh wound becomes contaminated and without treatment, complications of tetanus are likely to develop, which can be fatal. Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria can live in many different substances including soil, house dust, animal and human waste, such as manure.

The tetanus bacteria usually enter the body through a wound in the skin or a serious burn. Once inside, they multiply and release a powerful type of poison, known as a neurotoxin. The neurotoxin disrupts the normal workings of the nerves, causing symptoms such as stiffness and muscle spasms. Click here to read more about the causes of tetanus and who is at risk.

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

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

KENYA: SO KISUMU RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM INTERNET? HOW DOES THAT ADD FOOD TO THEIR TABLE?

By Our Reporter

Kisumu County residents will be benefiting from a free Wi-Fi connection from 11th April this year when proper network connection will also be felt in the county.

This is through a partnership between the County Government and the State House Digital team that was made public today in the governor’s office.

The State House Digital Director Denis Itumbi said they want to unveil what will transform service delivery in the county and possible increase people’s job performances.

Itumbi said the Kisumu Wi-Fi connection will consist of 16 economic sectors and cover a radius of 10Kilometer from the Central Business District.

He said the County government and the National government through tax payers will not incur any cost from the project as it will be done freely to the residents, saying the project is done through various partners.

He said this will cooperate hotspots area, markets and villages who will instantly benefit from the project.

The Digital Director said they will have digital impact centre for training people from difference sectors on how they can benefit from using the internet.

The County Governor Jack Ranguma said the county will be one among the countries to have free Wi-Fi in Africa.

Ranguma said the free internet will allow residents to utilize the advantages provided in building their careers.

He said they would be able to register their business online and pay for their licenses through available mobile platforms.

The governor said the platform will enable the residents to engage and participate in the county development issues by airing their views and raising their voices on state services.

KENYA: “THE DEAD REFUSES TO GO HOME”

By Our Reporter

A weird incident was witnessed within Nyando District in Ahero Kochogo village when the corps that was being transported home “refused” to reach home.

The incident occurred at when the bereaved family was ferrying their loved one home before a number of complications were reported.

The deceased was being transported from Nairobi to a village in Butere before the family started developing a number of difficulties that resulted into accidents.

The corps who to the family was the cause of all these “never wanted to go home” and that’s why there were a number of hiccups in the journey.

The journey that entailed the entire family and even some relatives had difficulties in commuting when most of them could not even believe the unfolding events.

The family explained that the deceased has been sending mixed signals even before the real day of the journey that the journey would be full of difficulties which they ignored.

When commenting on the incident, the driver of the van that was involved in accident said he just surprisingly saw a huge black creature before wind screen, an issue that forced him to wheel out of the road.

The family was forced to convince the corps whom they talked to using some traditional words just to allow them reach home.

KENYA: NYANDO MP’s ELECTION NULLIFIED AS HE AWAITS PROSECUTION.

By Our Reporter

Kisumu Court of Appeal has ordered Kenya’s head of Prosecution Keriako Tobiko to prosecute Nyando MP Fred Outa after nullifying his election as he area mp.

The election as per the judge did not meet the required threshold of the election regulations as some of the candidates were humiliated in a way and Outa and his CDF Treasurer James Yogo were found to have bribed the area voters .

The presiding Judge Justice Festus Azangalala who gave the judgment on behalf of the other three Court of Appeal judges,Justices Sankale ole Kantai, Maraga David and Phillip Waki said the election of that constituency was marred with a lot of irregularities as well as bribery.

Azangalala said during the entire campaign period, a number of public resources were misused to an extent that could not be ignored by the court.

He said at some places there were cases of bribery that were reported, a factor the presiding judge said could not be entertained by the court as election procedures were severely abused.

The Nyando constituents are now heading for afresh election as per the courts directive, which is to start soon once the IEBC has been notified.

Alternatively, the candidate who appealed Jared Okello said he was sure that the victory was theirs and he will always be ready to battle Outa at all cost.

KENYA: TIME RAILA’S CLIQUES STOPPED MISLEADING HIM

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

Julius from Nairobi writes: “Fr Beste what is your take on the latest court rulings nullifying elections of ODM Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Nyando MP Fred Outa. Although the courts have nullified some elections in Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA, Raila Odinga’s ODM is too much.

So far, the court has nullified six elections in the Nyanza region, the highest number in the country. Can we blame Raila for forcing in people he wants to win in particular region because there have been nullifications in Bomachoge Borabu, Nyaribari Chache and Bonchari constituencies.

Even though the court also singled out electoral malpractices committed by Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, Senator James Orengo, Women’s representative, Christine Ombaka and MPs Oburu Oginga, Jakoyo Midiwo and David Ochieng against governor aspirant William Oduol during the campaign period last year, Rasanga was still forced in re-election. I think this is a big blow to Raila.”

I don’t think Raila is to blame entirely on the mess Mr Julius. As you have pointed out in Rasanga’s case, some clique of politicians around Raila Odinga is to blame. They have been accused of giving themselves nomination certificates and deliberately causing mayhem during party primaries.

In Homa Bay for example, Senator Otieno Kajwang has been accused of being given ODM certificate when as a matter of fact Hillary Alila won. Returning Officer John Mulehi was forced to agree to have former Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang’ as the Senate ODM flag bearer, Philip Okundi (Governor), and Roselyne Onyuka (Women Representative).

In every ODM primary party elections these cliques of Raila made sure they forced in people they wanted. They did the same in 2007 ODM nominations where candidates who were defeated were issued with party certificate of clearance.

This includes Prof Patrick Ayiecho Olweny who despite having deployed violent tactics on the polling day was defeated by a large margin of over 1000 votes, yet he was issued with certificate. Olweny had polled 7840 votes against the winner Mr. Joseph Omulo Okal’s 8494 votes.

When Okal went to collect his certificate in Nairobi he found out it had been given to Ayiecho. Similarly winners of the nomination in Gem, Ugenya, Nyakach, Kasipul- Kabondo, Kisumu Town East, Kitutu Masaba, Kitutu Chache, Konoin, Kipkellion and Ainamoi were changed.

In Kisumu Rural, where Prof. Anyang Nyong’o faced imminent defeat, he was given “direct nomination” in a move which ignited violent protests and riots. The situation was even (more) grave in Mbita where a prospective candidate and the people’s choice, Sam Wakiaga, was coerced and forced out of the manipulated and fraudulent primaries in order to give way to Otieno Kajwang.

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

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

Kenya: Father Omolo Beste’s Homily on Fourth Sunday of Lent

From: joachim omolo ouko
Sunday, March 30, 2014

Today is fourth Sunday of Lent. The Lenten campaign theme is Good Governance. First reading is from 1 Samuel 16:1.6.7.10-13, second reading is from St Paul’s letter to Ephesians 5:8-14 and the Gospel from John 9:1-41.The story is about Tswani community who were so excited that with devolved their community would be provided with better service delivery.

They thought the new system would bring leadership closer to the people and that that all be involved in decision-making. Barely a year after the polls, some of the community and village leaders had already clearly put their own interests before those of the community and the villages.

They mismanaged funds allocated to the communities, moved into big expensive houses, bought themselves big cars that cost millions of shillings, furnished their offices with expensive furniture and spent huge sums on entertainment and trips abroad.

The campaign comes at the time Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is due to launch investigations into 30 county governors after receiving complaints of abuse of office and misuse of funds.

It is also at the time the State cannot account for Sh500b, which got lost during the 2011/12 financial year. Taxpayers lost more than Sh300 billion, but the latest estimates indicate the figure could rise to nearly Sh500 billion according to Auditor General Edward Ouko.

Ouko estimates that up to 30 per cent of the Government’s total budget in any financial year is wasted. Last year, Sh338 billion of the total government expenditure for 2011/2012 was unaccounted-for.

The total budget for the 2012/2013 financial year stood at Sh1.45 trillion, of which 30 per cent or Sh483 billion is likely to be misappropriated. Airtime, flowers and tea alone were reported to account for Sh338 billion.

The campaign is also coming at the time several business surveys reveal that business corruption is still widespread and that companies frequently encounter demands for bribes and informal payments to ‘get things done’ in Kenya.

There are also pending corruption cases which include Kenya Pipeline Company since 2008 in oil scam involving privately-owned Triton Oil Company in which the government lost 7.5 billion shillings ($86.7 million).

The other pending cases of corruption include land fraud over a deal worth 283 million shillings ($3.2 million) since March 2010. Currently the Kenyatta government has also been hit by claims of irregularities in the award of the Sh447 billion Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway that critics say has been overpriced by more than Sh120 billion.

It is about the time Labour secretary Kazungu Kambi was forced to suspend a Sh5.03 billion project by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to build infrastructure works in Nairobi’s Tassia Estate.

China Jiangxi International was awarded the Hazina Trade Center contract at a cost of Shs 6.7 billion despite a lower bid of Shs 5.9 billion by China Wu Yi, another Chinese company. The award of the tender raised eyebrows before Atwoli blew the whistle on the Shs 5 billion sewerage and road pavement scam.

Kenyans are also losing more than Sh1.8 billion annually in salary payments to ghost workers in the Civil Service. According to recent revelation the government flushes Sh150 million monthly in salaries for workers who are non-existent, dead, retired or sacked – but are still retained in the State payroll – hence ballooning Kenya’s public wage bill.

Kenya’s public sector wage bill currently stands at Sh458.7 billion, which is equivalent to 12.2 per cent of GDP. The amount is almost equal to the Sh470.8 billion the Kenya Revenue Authority collected in the six months to December 2013; and almost half of the expected total revenue of Sh973.5 billion targeted to be collected by June this year.

It explains why Kenya’s debt load crossed the 50 per cent of GDP mark late last year to stand at Sh2.11 trillion or 57 per cent of GDP by end of December 2013. Unless Kenya puts a tight lid on its debt load by fighting against corruption its economy will not be on a steady growth path.

Fiscal discipline will break down and disrupt provision of public services if the wage bill growth is left unchecked. The country’s image abroad is already at stake following the failure by the Treasury to allocate Sh679 million to cater for subscription fees to international bodies.

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

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

KENYA: BRITISH MULTI-NATIONAL TEA COMPANIES HAVE DONE WELL BY PHASING OUT EXPATRIATE MANAGERS AND REPLACING THEM WITH LOCAL AFRICANS.

Industrial feature By Leo Odera Omolo

It is indeed encouraging that the government of Kenya welcomes and encourage both foreign and local investors wiling to invest their money in the agro – based and manufacturing sectors, therefore the time is ripe for the government to set up certain conditions which must be met by the investors willing to invest their money in this country. The time is ripe for the government to set up certain conditions and terms conducive to employment regulations and rules before their investments kick off.

As for now, the multinational Tea companies operating in Kericho and Nandi Hills regions are the ones which have set up good examples by way of making sure that senior management positions are in the hands highly skilled and semi skilled in indigenous Kenya Africans.

The British multinational tea manufacturing companies, like the uniliver (formerly Brooke Band Tea) in Kericho, and the Finlays tea and Flowers in Kericho, and the Finlays tea and Flowers, also operating in Kericho and bomet counties have engaged the highly trained local personnel . The two terms even have promoted to high and middle management positions, some of them trained on-the-jobs.

The same could be said of Eastern Province tea company which own chains of tea plantations and processing factories in Nandi Hills, Kericho and Sotik Highland and Kibabet tea companies in Sotik region of Kericho county.

In most of the above multinational tea companies nearly all the top managers, engineers, doctors, Chief Accountants, Financial Directors positions, are held by indigenous Africans with the exception of the positions involving foreigners who are specilaized on highly technical work.

These British multinational tea Multinational companies had introduced a crush training program immediately after Kenya attained political independence in 1963. They embarked in phasing out foreign expatriate managers, technician artisans. The two expatriate who stayed on their jobs were compelled to train Africans to understudy the expatriate previously employed on lucrative and plum jobs and replaced Them with the local personnel.

What is happening in the tea industry is reflecting the true picture of job creation in a country like kenya where unemployment situation has reached as alarming proportion. It has at large become the source of rising crime waves. The government policy on job creation and employment regulation in Kenya not exceptional. This is something which is happening every where on the globe.

Certain conditions must be set up for the purpose of scrutinizing rogue investors who discriminate and enslave the locals in their establishment.

In this context, I am referring to the pathetic employment conditions in the sugar mills especially where he investors use local African workers like slaves, petty casuals without approximant letters and term and conditions of services etc.

I have in mind the five sugar companies owned by Indian investors.

To be specific and more clear ,the sugar companies owned by Indians include West Kenya and Butali sugar companies which are based in kakamega county ,while Sukari industries is located in Homa – Bay County , Kibos sugar and Allied industries based in Kisumu county and the latest is the Trans – mara sugar company based in Narok County Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries is situated in Kisumu County with the latest and the newest sugar mill being the Trans-Mara sugar Company in NAROK county

In all the five sugar mills the investors have embarked in engaging foreign expatriate workers with impunity. The Investors in the sugar mills have engaged the largest number of expatriates workers to the chagrins of locals. These expatriate workers, most of them imported from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, are semi-illiterate. Expatriate workers from India. Pakistan and Bangladesh are the ones who are running petty jobs such as time-keeper, junior clerks, cane yard clerks and top jobs from the top and down to messenger and … even cooks for making Indian dishes for the top Indian top managers

The whole set up looked like the modern day apartheid racial segregation in an independent Kenya .some of the positions held by the expartriates involved simple clerical jobs which the forum four school learners cam even perform better than semi-literate expatriates.

African workers are kept in the periphery. While working only as subordinate and manual workers, but with no letter of appointment. In the case of those local comparison to what their expatriate counterparts earns, some of the mills produced negligible tons of sugar per day but have employed close to 200 expatriates compare with the Mumias ugar company which turns the highest amounts of sugar per day, is the highest in the country, at 96000 tons per day . But the mill is managed exclusively and efficiently by the local African Manager from the top to the down trodden office messengers and sweepers

Since the terms of its former contracted management of Booker Agricultural international expired two decades ago and the expatriate left the have turned the company around from the the profit losses to a vibrant facility that is a profit making it rather shameful for Kenya, a country which has been independent for 50 years and has trained and truned out thousands of highly skilled personnel, to make the dumping for illiterate and oldest Indian workers who cannot be employed even in their own country .These undesirable Indian expatriate workers have flooded our sugar sub sector of the economy.

The majority of Indian expatriate workers were told they cannot be subjected to the mandatory safety deduction such as NSSF al NHIF as are allowed to export their package back home to their families .Why should the key a government allow the kind of modern day slavery where in citizens are being subjected to discrimination on few opportunities that are available.

END.

KENYA: YATIKE LEADERS ANGERED BY ATTACK ON THEIR MP

From: LEO ODERA

NYATIKE LEADERS WARNS MIGORI GOVERNOR TO DESIST FROM POLITICS OF MALICE.

A CROSS section of ODM leaders in Nyatike constituency, Migori County have come out very strongly in defense of the area MP Edick Omondi Anyanga and advised the MIGORI GOVERNOR Zachary Okoth Obado to desist forthwith from pursuing destructive and retrogressive politics of malice..

Instead of pursuing the outmoded malicious politics of using hired power brokers and discredited political hirelings to discredit other elected leaders, the governor should fulfill his mandate of initiating more development which are beneficial to the residents of the region.

The group comprising of three leaders from Nyatike were reacting to an article which appeared this week in a section of media criticizing the MP on what they described as far-fetched uncalled for and unwarranted attacks.

In the article, according to the group purporting it to have been written by Natike professionals, they charged the work is by an individual masquerading as professional, but is instead a common Nairobi street broker who is Eric Oloo Kinyaga whom they accused of peddling rumor and writing slanderers articles against their hard-working MP.

The group identified the man as one of numerous power brokers and political hireling who has never visited his rural Nyatike in Kanyuor Kadem for long after getting embroiled in protracted land cases with his kinsmen. He is therefore not conversant with the goings in Nyatike.

Kinyaga is running an insurance brokerage firm which almost has gone burst and as such is not qualified to criticize their hard-working MP. The group comprised William Okello {Macalder},. Tobias Ocholla, Joakim Okoth {Got Kachola },Tobia Ocholla {North Kadem} and madam Zilpa Orwa [Karungu Kachieng’}

Speaking in Migori Town the group expressed their anger at what they described as mischievous attack against their MP which is devoid of even an iota of truth. They cited numerous projects initiated by the MP such as rural electrification, the installation of solar panels now providing street lights to all schools, trading centres, and other public institutions covering the entire constituency.

They advised Migori governor, whom they accused of having sponsoired the destructive and maliciously damaging article against their MP, that Ho.Edick Omnondi Anyanga is not interested in taking over the position of governor and was satisfied with what the public had bestowed on him.

During March 4, 2013, it was Mrs Anyanga and Pro. Edward Oyugi Akong’o who contested the governor position against governor Obado and not the who has so far expressed his wish to continue representing his Nyatike constituents and only to retire as an MP when the time comes.

The group told governor Obado to come out clean over the allegations of nepotism in the recruitment of County workers the allegation of massive corruption including taking of kick-backs from those contractors who have tendered to construct various projects including medical theatre at Awendo sub-district hospital and MTC.”He should clean his house first before embarking on hiring other people to make unfounded allegations against the MP,” they said.

Unconfirmed Rumors making the round in Migori and its environs says governor Obado has employed his brother, sister in-law and brother in-law in the services of Migori County. and to the chagrins of the electorate and these are some of the job seekers are being asked. “This are some of the vices which the governor should spare his energy and efforts in fighting,” they said.

Other rumors and speculation which are rampant in Migori is that governor Obado who was elected on a ticket of the PDP party of the former South Mugirango MP Oming

The Migori governor is also being accused for not being cohesive wit his fellow elected leaders and is working in isolation. The region is the ODM stronghold and unless he changed jhis tactics and humble himself to the dominant party he should count himself out of political leadership come the next elections.

Ends

Eastern Africa: The fast emerging oil and gas frontier region

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

5th Eastern Africa Oil, Gas-LNG & Energy Conference – 28 – 30 April 2014, Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Eastern Africa: The fast emerging oil and gas frontier region

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 27, 2014/ — With a 35+year track record in and on Africa, Global Pacific & Partners (http://www.glopac-partners.com) hosts this landmark meeting on Eastern Africa. Now in its 5th year, Global Pacific & Partners invites you to this annual event held in Nairobi, Kenya, providing unrivalled new insights into the upstream opportunities, open acreage, bid rounds, new ventures, oil/gas investments, key upstream players, and corporate/government strategies in this vast region of fifteen countries covering onshore and offshore potential, from Eritrea to South Africa, including across the Mascerene islands.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/easternlogo.png

Download the program: http://www.apo-mail.org/140327prog.pdf

Registration: http://www.apo-mail.org/140327reg.pdf

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/eastern-africa-2013-conference-02.jpg

About “Global Pacific & Partners: Clubs and Networks”: http://www.apo-mail.org/140324net.pdf

Over 350 senior executives attended the Conference in 2013, with 36 exhibitors.

Key Focus:

– Upstream opportunities

– Open acreage

– Bid rounds

– New ventures

– Oil/gas investments

– Key upstream players

– Corporate/government strategies

Senior-Level Presentations from:

– Africa Oil Corp

– Anadarko Petroleum

– BGP

– CGG

– Discover Exploration Limited

– Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, EP

– Geological Survey Department, Malawi

– Ministry of Energy, Kenya

– Ministere des Hydrocarbures, Kinshasa

– Ministere des Mines et des Hydrocarbures, Madagascar

– Ministry of Energy & Natural Resources, Rwanda

– Ophir Energy

– PetroSeychelles

– Petroleum Exploration & Production Department, Uganda

– Salama Fikira

– Shell Exploration

– SPETC Advisory

– Soma Oil & Gas

– Somali Petroleum Corporation

– South Atlantic Petroleum

– Taipan Resources

– T5 Oil & Gas Ltd

– Tullow Oil

– Vanoil Energy

The 5th Eastern Africa – Strategy Briefing presented by their Chairman, Dr Duncan Clarke, is held prior to the conference, on Monday 28th April, and will provide key insights on the corporate upstream oil and gas game, governments, state oil firms, and licensing strategies.

Key Focus:

– Eastern Africa’s corporate E&P players

– Acreage, assets, strategies and investments

– Minnows, Independents, Super Majors

– Onshore/Offshore: Sudan to South Africa

– Foreign State Oil Companies

Following the 5th Eastern Africa Oil, Gas/LNG & Energy we will celebrate the 62nd PetroAfricanus Dinner to be held on 29th April.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Global Pacific & Partners.

Note for the Press:

For further information, please contact Global Pacific & Partners:

Babette van Gessel
Tel: +31 70 324 61 54
@: babette@glopac.com

Sonika Greyvenstein
Tel: +27 11 880 70 52
@: sonika@glopac-partners.com

SOURCE
Global Pacific & Partners

KENYAN MPS BAN CABINET SECRETARIES FROM FLYING FLAG

From: Gordon Teti
Date: Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 10:35 PM
To: “jaluo@jaluo.com”

KENYAN MPs are becoming a disgrace. Who elected these people?

I cannot imagine nor believe that flying of a miniature flag of a country in the 21st century has become a symbol of privileged position in the society. All over the world citizens show the love and patriotism to their country by associating with the country’s flag. Uhuru Kenyatta should not sign this useless Bill that restricts the association to the country’s flag with political power and authority. Wow!

Whoever said that the more things change the more they look the same. We thought such decisions were only possible during the Moi error. We were wrong!

Click the link for details: Standard Digital News – Kenya : MPs deny Cabinet Secretaries privilege to fly National flag
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000107890&story_title=mps-deny-cabinet-secretaries-privilege-to-fly-national-flag&pageNo=3

image

Standard Digital News – Kenya : MPs deny Cabinet …
A miniature national flag fluttering in the wind from a pendant on the bonnet of a posh vehicle announced to the world that inside the dazzling machine was a mem…

KENYA: MUTUNGA DIDN’T MEAN WHAT HE SAID ABOUT WITCH DOCTOR

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Maurice from Kisumu County would like to know my opinion on Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga’s remarks that even witch doctors could help them resolve their disputes without taking each other to the overburdened courts.

My opinion Maurice is that Mutunga did not mean what he said. He was just trying expressing the fact that some cases can be resolved from outside and need not to be taken to court. He said people should stop saying “I’ll see you in court”, and entering a long and costly process, when they could first seek help from churches, mosques, elders or neighbours.

He was just trying to send a message across when he said that even in Kutui, where he comes from, he has told people they can go to the witch doctors to solve issues. The reaction of some people to my opinion is in contemporary world people view witchcraft as something evil and potentially harmful to people.

It is, therefore, no surprise that such a word came from a recognized and respected personality like Dr Willy Mutunga. This is particularly given that most witches are done at night making use of ordinary animals like hyenas, big dogs, mongooses, owls, snakes or lightning birds. They have the skill to tame these animals and hide them at the back of their huts.

This type of witches is common in Kitui where Mutunga comes from, which is why to my opinion he was prompted to use this example. Those days many people believed and in fact their problems were solved.

Those were days that witches were active and their practices included sending snakes to bite their victims or lightning to strike them down. They could also collect the victim’s hair, nail clippings or any article of clothing worn by the victim to cast a spell on it that will harm or kill their victims.

The idea of life-force goes hand in hand with that of limited cosmic good. For example, when people are not prosperous or when their goods are limited, they will argue that someone has taken their life-force.

People would also go to witchdoctors for consultation and to protect themselves against witchcraft. The main aim of the witchdoctor is more to protect than to attack. The diviners use a set of stones, shells and engraved stones which they carry in a small skin bag.

These they throw on the ground, and the pattern in which they fall reveals the answer of their ancestors to their client’s enquiries. Enquiries may relate to the nature and causes of sickness, the reason for a death, the whereabouts of missing stock or any baffling situation or a desire to know something about the future.

In Uganda for example, some women are reported to have been directed by witch doctors to collect body fluids like urine and menstrual blood among others to keep their errant husbands on check.

Under the guise of needing an urgent solution to a cheating husband, women from Katwe, Makindye and Wakaliga where women go to the shrines to seek advice from traditional medicine women.

After consultation women believe if their husbands tried to sleep with another woman, he would smell like faeces, which would turn that woman off. This they believe is a cheaper way of avoiding going to court to seek a divorce case.

That visit cost them sh25,000, cheaper than court case. After preparing food and you are ready to serve him, the woman goes outside and squat to urinate. The directive by the witch is that you make sure you get the first drop of your urine and put it in a cup or tin.

The directive is that when the woman is serving the husband she is to pour it in his soup and juice. As she is doing that she says: “the way this urine has pained me, is the same way you should feel pain when you intend to cheat on me.’ When you do that, you will come back and tell me”.

Bottom of Form

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

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

Kenya: LUO ELDERS PLEDGED THEIR SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT KENAYYATTA

LUO ELDERS WANT KENYATTA AND RUTO TO VISIT NYANZA.

Reports leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu CITY

Members of the Luo Council of Elders held an urgent meeting in kisumu city on Monday and passed several far-reaching resolutions, one of them urging president Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to visit Luo-Nyanza in the near future at their on convenience time.

The meeting chaired by Ker Meshack Riaga Ogalo and attended by 30 elders from all the four Counties within Luo-Nyyanza was held at the Museum view hotel within the posh milimani estate within in Kisumu CITY also urged the community to re-brand itself and avoid the politics of confrontation with the government og the day in order to foster fast development in the region.

This was the meeting of the management steering committee of the Council. It will be followed by another meeting of the governing council scheduled to be held at the Ofafa Memorial Hall at a later date net month.

The elders issued a stern warning to the youthful members of parliament from Luo-Nyanza most of them the so-called “Green Horns” to humble themselves to the government of President Kenyatta and to stop issuing reckless utterances, which are viewed as hostile to the government in order to attract development in the region.

The elders also called upon the government to use all the means at its disposal to fight the up surging insecurity situation .They expressed concern particularly on the deteriorating security along Nyakach-Kericho border by apprehending those instigating trouble in the area.

Flanked by the Council’s secretary Mzee Edward Adera Osawa the elders said the would like President Kenyatta and DP Ruto to extend their tour of Nyanza to cover all the 20 parliamentary constituencies in the region, and to visit all the Counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa-Bay and Migori and meet the people.

The meeting urged the government to ensure equitable distributions of the national cake so that all the Kenyan communities could benefit from the country\s recourses irrespective of the party of affiliation.

Party of the affiliation

The elders called upon the two communities living along the Rift Valley-Nyanza Provinces, namely the Kipsigis and the Luos to live in peace and harmony, and to abandon retrogressive practices such as cattle rustling, which caused the losses of lives.

The elders reaffirmed their loyalty to President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto and disclosed that the next meeting will hammer out the contentious plans for the members of the Luo Cuncil of elders to visit state house in to discuss political and socio-economic development matters in Luo-Nyanza.

Another resolution asked the government to do everything at its disposal to stop the illegal importation of sugar in to the country saying that the practice is hurting sugar millers in Nyanza, some of them are just about to halt their operations and send thousands of workers home.The situation is getting out of hand and the President should use his political magnanimity dynamism to restore sanity in the sugar industry.

ENDS

KENYA: WAR WITH RADICAL ISLAMISTS UHURU WILL NEVER WIN

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

I laughed when I heard President Uhuru Kenya giving Kenyans hope that his government will take decisive action against all those engaging in terror activities at the Coast, saying criminals would not be allowed to hide under the umbrella of religion to harm Kenyans.

Definitely this is the war Uhuru will never win. This is because radical Islam is not merely an extreme version of Islam but a cultural-social ideology dominating all aspects of life. They are ready to die when defending what they think it is their rights.

Like many violent totalitarian movements, radical Islamists’ primary objective is to dominate all those within its reach and suppress all other ideologies, movements, and beliefs in its path, Christianity included. In short, radical Islam is dedicated to the conquest of the world, by any means possible.

Community leaders on Kenya’s coast have already warned that Islamic extremism is not only on the rise, but also a threat to peace and stability in the region. Killing Christians and burning their churches is to send a signal to the government that the truth about the killing of a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Aboud Rogo Mohammed must be found and justice must be done to the Muslim communities at the Coast.

Radical Islamists believe that the Government of Kenya collaborated with US FBI to kill the cleric. A gunman – or gunmen – shot him dead at close range in August. Mr Rogo’s wife was in the car with him. She was injured, but survived.

What irritates the radical Islamists and the entire Muslim communities at the Coast is the manner in which the outspoken cleric was killed. They killed him as an animal, not as a human being, they argue.

It explains why the training and terror attacks are done at the Masjid Musa, the mosque where Mr Rogo used to preach. Aboud Rogo was killed shortly he had urged his followers to take up arms against Kenyan government forces fighting in Somalia.

His name appeared on a US and UN sanctions list, accused of providing “financial, material, logistical or technical support to al-Shabab”, the Somali militant group aligned to al-Qaeda. No-one has admitted to killing the cleric, but many in Mombasa Muslim communities believe he was assassinated at the behest of the Kenyan government.

Radical Islam draws on widely accepted Islamic religious philosophy and customs. The movement also draws heavily on dangerous ideas that negate basic human rights and freedoms of expression.

Terrorism is only one of the tactics used by radicals, with new tactics arising everyday. Some are more subtle such as the use of textbooks, while others are outright violent, such as terrorizing those who embrace freedom of speech.

Radical Islam’s kinship with terrorism, and its willingness to use violence as a means to its ultimate ends, is clearly spelled out in a training manual produced by the radical Islamist terror group al Qaeda, whose operatives carried out the 9/11 attacks in USA.

Radical Islamists tend to gravitate toward three major methods of achieving their ultimate objective. The first is to fight the Near Enemy prior to fighting the Far Enemy. The Near Enemy is anyone inside Islamic lands, whether it is an occupier or someone who has taken away territory that used to be Islamic. It explains why they attack Christians.

The second method is to fight the Greater Unbelief—the major enemy, which today is the United States—before the Lesser Unbelief. And the third method is to fight the Apostates (false Muslims) first, and then the other Unbelievers.

The Sunday Christians attack at the Coast came as the United Nations issued an alert of increased threat of attacks from the Shabaab. The security and intelligence never took this warning seriously otherwise the killing would have been prevented.

This is not the first time Uhuru has given the warning. He gave similar warning six months ago after the terrorists attacked Westgate mall.

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

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

Kenya – Lake Turkana Wind Power: US $870m Financing Agreements Get Signed as Biggest Clean Power Energy Project in Africa

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

US $870m Financing Agreements Get Signed as Biggest Clean Power Energy Project in Africa

Lake Turkana Wind Power – Africa’s biggest Wind Power Project reaches key milestone

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 24, 2014/ — The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (http://ltwp.co.ke) meant to add an existing 300MW of reliable, low cost wind energy to the national grid of Kenya reached a critical milestone following the signing of the financial agreements in Nairobi, Kenya.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/harith-1.png

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=735 (Tshepo Mahloele, CEO of Harith General Partners)

The signing of the over US $870m financing agreements represents a major breakthrough to actualizing the biggest clean power energy project in Africa, spanning years of negotiations and fundraising, says Tshepo Mahloele, CEO of Harith General Partners (http://www.harith.co.za).

The project will be financed with a mixture of equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt.

The Lake Turkana Wind Power project is the first of its kind in East Africa and will be the largest wind project on the continent to date, says Mahloele. The Project will benefit Kenya, and specifically the Turkana area where unemployment is high, with jobs, economic development and, most importantly, electricity which is a vital element in any economy.

LTWP has signed a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement with the government of Kenya through its electricity entity, Kenya Power.

The parties at the signing ceremony were represented by lead developer and independent power producer, Aldwych, which is majority owned by the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF). LTWP is primarily responsible for the financing, construction and operation of the wind farm and comprise a grouping of investors and lenders with extensive financial and technical capabilities and experience on the African continent. They include FMO, Vestas, Finnfund, IFU and a strong local sponsor KP&P on the equity side. The syndicate of banks is led by the African Development Bank and comprises Standard Bank, Nedbank, EIB, DEG and Proparco.

The project will be located on one of the best sites for a wind farm in the world. Not only are the wind speeds exceptionally high but the wind is only from one direction, is not seasonal, and is low in turbulence. The project site is situated on the southeast border of Lake Turkana between two high ranging mountains in the Turkana Corridor where a low level jet stream originating in the Indian Ocean creates favourable wind conditions.

Mahloele says the LTWP will essentially assist diversify Kenya’s energy mix and reduce the country’s reliance on power production from oil and diesel power generators. The Kenya government will save millions per year on importing fuel. The LTWP tax contribution to Kenya alone will be approximately $27m annually and $548m over the life of the investment.

Mahloele says the combination of international financial and technical expertise has ensured that the project is structured in a bankable and sustainable form in accordance with international standards.

This project also forms part of Harith’s commitment to the United States backed Power Plan announced last year by the US President Barack Obama to bring more than 10 000 MW of electricity to sub Saharan Africa. Through Power Africa, Harith has committed $70m for wind energy in Kenya and $500m across the African power sector through a new fund.

Mahloele says the investment is the result of the forward thinking and planning on the part of the Kenyan leadership who had undertaken comprehensive power sector reforms over the past decade.

In Kenya, electricity is mainly generated from hydro, thermal and geothermal sources. Wind generation accounts for less than six megawatts of the installed capacity. Currently, hydro power comprises over 52 percent of the installed capacity in Kenya and is sourced from various stations managed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

It is our assertion that the Lake Turkana Wind Project will greatly reduce Kenya’s over reliance on hydropower which is playing a critical role in ensuring security of electricity supply but is however vulnerable to periodic draught seasons, says Mahloele.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Harith General Partners (Pty) Ltd.

For more information contact: Pule Molebeledi Investor Relations and Communications Executive, Harith General Partners +27 11 384 4002 or Pule.Molebeledi@harith.co.za

About Harith General Partners

Harith General Partners (http://www.harith.co.za) is the leading Pan-African fund manager for infrastructure development across the continent. Based in South Africa, Harith manages Africa’s first and only 15-year infrastructure fund, the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) and also owns London based asset manager Frontier Markets Fund Manager Limited (FMFML). FMFML has USD1.1bn asset under management and manages two funds: The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF); and GuarantCo. The PAIDF US $630m fund is invested in a number of major projects in diversified sectors such as energy, transport and information, communication and telecommunications. http://www.harith.co.za

SOURCE
Harith General Partners (Pty) Ltd

POLYGAMY RECONSIDERED

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014

Lucy (not her real name) writes: “Dear Father, I am married with 4 children. We are not divorced yet with my husband but separated. I filed divorce case last year when I found out that my husband was having mpango wa kando (secret women outside) and dumped me with children.

I realized this when he could not cater for our family basic needs like food, and being reluctant in paying school fees for children. I managed to find the number of one of his secret women and when I called her to find out why she is moving with my husband she abused me terribly. It is a shame Father.

I agree with your homily that with this marriage bill that a man will not consult with his wife when he wants to marry second wife will bring conflicts in many families, and believe me many families are going to break up.

Now Father what are catholic bishops saying about this, they seem to be silence on this issue. I think they should come in one voice to oppose the bill. Otherwise thank you very much your homilies are indeed enriching and down to earth. God bless your work”.

Thank you for raising this issue Lucy. I do agree with you that when bishops speak about it they can be heard and may be to change the mind of the president in signing it into law. May be they are preparing to make a statement, we are to wait see their reaction.

The amendment was moved by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Samuel Chepkong’a, saying under customary law, women or wives you have married do not need to be told when you’re coming home with a second or third wife.

The Marriage Bill seeks to combine seven laws on marriage, divorce and come-we-stay unions. It also recognises polygamy and the payment of dowry for customary marriages. It was introduced in July 2013 and is now in the final stage — the Third Reading — in the National Assembly. The Bill states that those marrying must be 18 years or older.

Even in Islam where polygamy is allowed, with the specific limitation that a man can have four wives at any one time, experience has shown that the contemporary Muslim woman is not happy to have a co-wife.

Even though the Qur’an clearly states that men who choose this route must deal with their wives justly, with high cost of life today it is almost impossible for a Muslim man to cater for his many wives and children.

A husband does not have to have permission from his first wife to marry another wife, even though many Muslim women today would like their husbands to consult them before marrying another wife.

Although traditionally it is believed that men were marrying many wives in order to have many children, according to evolution pioneer Charles Darwin men have historically practiced polygamy as a way to both please their sexual desires and maintain household dominance.

In his 1871 book The Descent of Man, Darwin stated that “Judging from the social habits of man as he now exists, and from most savages being polygamists, the most probable view is that primeval man aboriginally lived in small communities, each with as many wives as he could support and obtain, whom he would have jealously guarded against all other men”.

Most Christian theologians however, argue that Christians should not marry many wives. Theologians base their argument on Matthew 19:3-9 and Genesis 2:24 that Jesus explicitly states a man should have only one wife.

Basil of Caesarea also wrote in the 4th century of plural marriage that “such a state is no longer called marriage but polygamy or, indeed, a moderate fornication. He ordered that those who are engaged in it should be excommunicated for up to five years, and “only after they have shown some fruitful repentance were they to be allowed back into the church.

This was the same time in the 4th century that St Augustine wrote that the good purpose of marriage is better promoted by one husband with one wife, than by a husband with several wives. Justin Martyr, Irinaeus and Tertullian also spoke against polygamy, condemning it.

Remember that not all Christian churches have the same view in polygamy. The Nigerian Celestial Church of Christ allows clergy and laymen to keep multiple wives, and the Lutheran Church of Liberia began allowing plural marriage in the 1970s.

Several other denominations permit those already in polygamous marriages to convert and join their church without having to renounce their multiple marriages. These include the African instituted Harrist Church, started in 1913.

Even the Anglican Church made a decision at the 1988 Lambeth Conference to admit those who were polygamists at the time they converted to Christianity, subject to certain restrictions. Polygamy was first discussed during the Lambeth Conference of 1888:

“That it is the opinion of this Conference that persons living in polygamy be not admitted to baptism, but they may be accepted as candidates and kept under Christian instruction until such time as they shall be in a position to accept the law of Christ.

That the wives of polygamists may, in the opinion of this Conference, be admitted in some cases to baptism, but that it must be left to the local authorities of the Church to decide under what circumstances they may be baptized, according to resolution 5.

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

Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole
From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste

KENYA: LAND WAR WITH CARTELS NGILU WILL NEVER WIN

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu has began war with land cartels that she will definitely not win. Ngilu is well aware of this fact that ending corruption and entrenched land cartels at the ministry would not be as easy as she thinks.

Big money is already threatening to stall and derail the land reforms agenda, a fact that the National Land Commission has admitted. This includes the multi-billion shilling favourite hunt for land barons keen to offload large tracks of land to government at handsome prices.

Ngilu should be aware that historically the lands office has always been a company and not a State office. In other words, even the president cannot win this war.

The delay of issuing title deeds was her first encounter with the reality of how the process had been tampered to favour the land barons who include the lands officials at her ministry, right from the headquarters to the district land officers.

These cartels are working with influential businessmen, politicians and government officials in falsifying land registration documents that resulted in the issuance of more than one title deed in most parts of the country, especially at the Coast.

Ngilu has admitted publicly that many of these cartels have planted themselves in every corner and they are always faceless to the public. They operate through brokers. They could be your friends by day and enemies at night.

Cartels of land officers are well organized. They include lawyers, real estate agents and brokers who are duping innocent Kenyans into buying non-existent land. They use existing deed plans documents showing location and divisions on land to tamper with records at the Lands ministry.

These are the very people are behind the runaway cases of people buying land belonging to other people. The Syokimau demolitions that saw Kenyans lose millions of shillings in investment serves as the best example.

Once the racketeers identify a piece of land they wish to “sell”, they alert their contacts at the Lands ministry who prepare a parallel set of fake documents which they use to dupe their victims.

They usually start their scavenging at the Nairobi City Council where they scour records for details of land transactions that have been approved, including sub-divisions, by town planning committees.

Armed with this information, they forge letters purporting to be from the council indicating an approval, complete with dates and the plots that need to be sub-divided. The forged letters will have different land reference numbers. For instance, if the block title was 54/784, the racketeers could indicate their land reference as 54/256.

The racketeers also ensure that they include the exact date the Commissioner of Lands approved the sub-division. This is allegedly done in collusion with officers in the Ministry of Lands.

You wonder how they do this. Recent investigation by Standard media groups revealed how they do it. Because the original title deed ought to be surrendered, the racketeers generate plot numbers different from the original ones.

According to investigation what helps them is that the part of the title block numbers for the genuine plots will have changed. The number 54 and the new numbers is what remains, e.g. 54/89-320.

The land fraudsters will then come up with fake numbers all of which will begin with 54/, for example 54/850-1081. This can easily convince buyers who do not make thorough investigations when acquiring land. The conmen do not stop at that.

Since busy lawyers will send their clerks, and in some cases, the clerks will share the details of the plot with the fraudsters who will prepare similar titles, it is only prudent for a buyer to spare the time to go to the ministry personally.

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

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