Category Archives: Kenya

Kenya: This is what chokes Kenya, wastes our beautiful Country

from odhiambo okecth

Friends,

Just have a look at the enclosed photos and ask yourself, what role am I playing in making Kenya this dirty?

In the same vein, we have corporates whose produce is choking Kenya. We also want to ask them, what are they doing to ensure that Kenya remains a Clean Country?

Lastly and to all of us, we will be launching the Donholm Clean-up Campaign on the 6th August 2011 at the Naivas East Gate along Outer Ring Road at exactly 7.00am. We are inviting all people and corporates who believe that we can make some difference to join us and make Kenya Clean.

If you want to support in any way, please get in touch.

As usual, A Clean Kenya Starts With Me. And a Peaceful Kenya is My Responsibility. And those who might want to be of support to us may get in touch with the undersigned.

We are looking forward to creating a partnership that will add value to this campaign with all willing Kenyans.

We at KCDN -www.kcdnkenya.org firmly believe that we the People of Kenya can help Clean Kenya.

This is a campaign for Kenya by Kenyans. Let us make it big……

If it is to be, it is up to me. A Clean Kenya Starts With me. A Peaceful Kenya is my Responsibility.

Disclaimer; The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign is about us Kenyans. It involves all Kenyans from the various regions, religious persuasions, political thinking and we do not discriminate against any Kenyans nor any region.

Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Nairobi
Nationwide Coordinator – Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
National Coordinator- Friends of KNH Maternity Unit
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126
Email; oto@kcdnkenya.org, komarockswatch@yahoo.com
www.kcdnkenya.org
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

Board at KCDN; Mr. Rashid Juma- Chair, Ms Janet Ongera, Ms Irene Wasike, Mr. Lameck Siage- Nigeria, Ms Brigitte Frey- Switzerland, Mr. Moses Tanui, Ms Shazeen Chatur, Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch- CEO.

Strategic Advisors; Mr. Elijah Agevi, Ms Grace Odhiambo- Australia, Dr. Matunda Nyanchama- Canada, Mr. Oduor Ong’wen, Mr. Peter Ngoge, Ms Dorcus Amondi

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He is also Chair to the Nyamonye Catholic Church Development Fund.He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010. He is the Convener of the upcoming 2nd Edition of the Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption to be held on the 21st October 2011 in Nairobi Kenya.
…….Moving From Talking to Tasking……..

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KENYA: THE BIG DEBATE ON AL-SHABAAB AND MUSLIM FANDERMENTALISM IN KENYA

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From: People For Peace

Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

Although Tourism Minister, Mr Najib Balala has denied any link with Al-Shabbab, the fact that Muslim Youth Centre (MYC), commonly known as Pumwani Muslim Youth he financed is known for aiding Al-Shabaab militia in Somalia by extensively funding, recruiting and providing training networks for its recruits in Kenya is the reason why he is being accused by UN Monitoring Unit.

Riyadha Mosque in Majengo, Nairobi under construction which a recent UN Monitoring unit linked it to supporting the Al-shabaab adherents in Somalia- Photo/Standard

Al-Shabaab, literally meaning “the youth,” is an offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which splintered into several smaller groups in 2006 and began operating as an independent entity in early 2007. Since then it has been waging an insurgency against the UN-backed government in Somalia.

According to UN report, Nairobi’s Eastleigh is hub for Al-Shabaab militants. Kenya has a large Somali diaspora living in the Eastleigh suburb of the capital Nairobi, along with nearly 400,000 Somalis living in the world’s biggest refugee camp in Dadaab in the north of the country.

A general view of Eastleigh shopping centre in Nairobi-There is booming retail and wholesale businesses in the area. A United Nation’s report identifies Eastleigh as the hub for Somali-based Al-Shabaab militants/ Photo-Nation

Refugees have taken the advantage among other things to buying and selling passports and illegal procurement of visas, Kenyan identification cards and to some extent drugs. The report further says Busia border point along the Kenya/Uganda road is the most porous of all the entry and exit points in the country.

Undercover NTV video footage taken by the crew June this year showed the activities of a network of terror recruiters luring youths to go and fight in Somalia. One of the key recruiters captured on tape is a serving member of the Kenyan military and a Muslim, Corporal Hussein Abdullahi Athan who has been in the Kenyan military for 10 years.

The organisation maintains its grip on power by using violence and intimidation, while also having the necessary funds, weapons, technical expertise, and human resources needed to conduct operations. It raises money by taxing international aid organisations, collecting funds from citizens, receiving remittances from abroad, and receiving financial support from Eritrea and now Kenya.

The fact that Hussein is also a trained engineer – a skill set, in the army it means that, among other things, he is a specialist in laying land mines and booby traps as well as in bridge-building. His base is 10 Engineers in Nanyuki, but he is currently attached to the school of combat engineering in Isiolo as a trainer. He was meeting the NTV crews as a soldier loyal to al Shabaab.

Mind you, the Kenya Defence Forces Minister also happened to be a Muslim, Mohamed Yusuf Haji, so you can see the connection. Mind you again, that the current Kenyan National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) head is also a military, Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi.

Although it could politically be argued that President Mwai Kibaki re appointed Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi as NSIS boss to enable him foresee dubious plans pertaining to the threats of the security in his government, the Minister for Defence still has the power.

This is because the core function of the Ministry of State for Defence as spelt out in the Armed Forces Act, chapter 199 is to defend the Republic of Kenya against armed external aggression. The secondary mission is to provide support to civil authorities in maintenance of order. In this regard, the Ministry contributes to the maintence of national security by guaranteeing and preserving the territorial integrity of our country.

It would also mean that even though Gen Julius Waweru Karangi who was appointed the new Chief of the Defence Forces on July 13, 2011 to take over from Gen Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga, he cannot do much to foresee the security threats as the minister.

Corporal Hussein Abdullahi Athan is the best trainer for the Al-Shabaab given that the tactics employed include guerrilla techniques characteristic of terror groups when targeting its enemies, including suicide bombings, (remote-controlled) roadside bombs, grenade attacks, assassinations, and small-arms attacks.

It explains why Al Shabab is one of Africa’s most fearsome militant Islamist groups. The Shabab claimed responsibility for coordinated bomb attacks that tore through crowds watching the 2010 World Cup final in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, killing at least 70 people, including an American aid worker.

Although Mr Balala denied any link with the A-Shabaab, saying he only attended a fundraiser in support of Riyadha mosque in Nairobi’s Pumwani area in September 2009 and donated Sh200,000 which was wired to an account operated by the Islamist movement that controls much of southern Somalia, the fact that this money was deposited in a Habib Bank account, operated by al Shabaab’s point man in Nairobi Ahmad Imam and other Muslim youth centre members puts him at fixed.

This is not the first time the Muslims linked with terrorism in Kenya have been supported financially. In November 2001, Kenyan authorities arrested some 50 Muslims suspected of having business links with Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network. Most of the suspects, who were later released, had reportedly been receiving money from relatives and friends working in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The arrests mainly centered on the heavily Muslim populated coastal city of Mombasa.

Since then tensions have been high between the Muslim community and the Kenyan government. Muslims on the coast, the northeast and in Nairobi complain that they have been persecuted on the flimsy excuse of being terrorist suspects. In Mombasa, roughly 60 percent of the population is Muslim.

It is claimed that Muslim charity organizations founded to help the poor in northern Kenya and Somalia have been used to fund al-Qaeda. Working with sympathizers inside the charities, al-Qaeda is said to have used humanitarian funds for terrorist attacks in Kenya, Tanzania and Indonesia.

In one case, donations to the al-Haramain Foundation to support Islamic preachers ended up in the pockets of a suspect in the November 2002 bombing of the Israeli hotel in Mombasa according to Associated Press, June 6, 2004. Quoting U.S. officials, the report said that a fish business financed with charity funds also steered profits to the al-Qaeda cell behind the August 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in East Africa.

A Kenyan Muslim preacher on Al-Haramain’s payroll until February told AP he knows at least two Islamic preachers who are still being paid by the charity. The preacher, who was paid 8,000 Kenyan shillings, or just over $100, a month, asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

Kenya is susceptible to terrorism, especially due to the government’s close relationship with the United States and other Western democracies. The influx of Somali refugees crossing into the country from war-torn Somalia is another reason why the international community should worry about the country’s internal wrangles.

It is reported that over 25,000 new refugees from Somalia have entered Kenya as a result of the Islamic courts taking power. There are genuine concerns that Islamic radicals may be using this refugee flow to smuggle weapons and people into Kenya to engage in terrorist attacks against Western interests.

Al Qaeda operations in Kenya have been closely linked to Somalia, which, since the 1991 fall of military ruler Siad Barre, has been a haven to Al Qaeda operatives and saw the emergence of the armed fundamentalist militia, AI AI. It worked closely with Al Qaeda to undermine the US-led United Nations Intervention in Somalia in the mid-1990s and acted as an agent of the then radical Islamic regime in Sudan to destabilize neighboring Ethiopia.

Al Qaeda used Kenya as a gateway to support its activities in Somalia, through financial transactions, the hosting of meetings in Nairobi, the shipment of arms, facilitation of travel by its operatives and through other forms of support.

From Somalia, Al Qaeda came to nest itself in Kenya’s Coastal Muslim community, using coastal shipping routes out of Somalia, recruited Kenyans to participate in its activities plotted to bomb.

The Al Qaeda-linked organization, AI AI, has sought to gain a foothold within Kenya’s Somali community in North Eastern Province, especially among the refugees who had fled from neighboring Somalia after the collapse of the Somali state in 1991. In recent years, North Eastern Province has witnessed the growth of Islamic fundamentalism supported in part by Saudi-financed charities and also attributable in the Somali refugee camps to AI AI activists.

Kenya’s Muslim population is concentrated in the Coast, Eastern and North Eastern Provinces. Kenya’s Muslims largely follow a Sunni tradition of Islam that goes back many centuries and is heavily influenced by the tolerant teachings of the Sufi brotherhoods. The small community of Kenyan Shiite Muslims is largely composed of descendants of immigrants from India and Pakistan.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

CAUSES OF THE CURRENT FOOD INSECURITY IN KENYA

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From: Faulu Suba

I pray for my brothers and sisters that are afflicted by hunger and thank those who are making contributions to help buy food for them.

It was however alarming that we did not realize that in some parts of the country, there is a glut of non-staple foods like bananas, potatoes and cabbages. This excess is reportedly rotten and going to waste instead of being channeled to needy areas. This is a failure of markets, the GoK and all of us. One consequence of this failure is a weakened farming(food producing) system which might make farmers to produce less next season.

In addition to undermined farming, other problems that need to be addressed are:

1)Rigid diets to an extent that people sleep angry yet alternative foods are available. Who said hunger can only be alleviated by providing maize and beans? Can’t ‘omena’ and cassava also relieve hunger?

2)A GoK which is starved of functional FOOD SECURITY POLICY. The policy has not addressed the access gaps in food availability. The ministers are busy scheming on how to ct down others to size in 2012 elections(or busy trying to devise tricks to postpone elections to 2013);

3) A not so vibrant agri/food business sectors. We do not have investment that adequately bridge the gaps between food production and food markets. Food markets are therefore starved.

4) Poor stewardship of resources at our disposal(water, land, finances, knowledge e.g. meteorological early warnings)

Or is it just because we live in the end times????????

Kenya: Bumper crop harvesting in some parts of Luo-Nyanza but “The Ocampo Six Famine” still bites

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

THERE is bumper harvesting of new food grains in some parts of Luo-Nyanza, and the arrival of new maize from the field I expected to reduce the prices f the same to an affordable proportion.

The relief of pressure of acute food shortage in the region is expected to be last only a few weeks, because the crop failure is widespread, most in low-lying locations along the shoreline of Lake Victoria.

The most biting famine which has since been christened “The Ocampo Six” is likely to continue until December. This will depend on how the short rains, which begin in late August and early September, will behave.

“The Ocampo Six” had sent the price of food grain sky rocketing from the previous Kshs 20/ per 2 kg of maize up to Kshs 160/- two kilograms in some regions. The situation is aggravated by the refusal of the neighboring Tanzania to allow its maize to be exported into Kenya.

Apart from banning the import of maize through the normal borders posts, some unscrupulous traders have since resorted to using parts of unguarded Lake Victoria and other “Panya Routes” in the villages, but the quantities which comes via such illicit routes are quite insignificant and cannot help the situation.

Crop failure is wide spread in places like Kano Plains, Nyakach, Karachuonyo, Lambwe Valley, Homa-Bay, Mbita, Gwassi and Nyatike constituencies. On the northern parts the crops failure covered areas like Raried, Alego-Usonga,Ugenya and part of Kisumu Rural constituencies.

In the upper parts of South Nyanza in areas like Kasipul-Kabodo, Rangwe, Rongo, Awendo Uriri ,Migori and Kuria there is bumper harvest. But fear persists that the grain would not last longer due to the scourge of “Ocampo Six” famine, which the locals says is the worst in the 21st century and only compare with two other previous famine “Nyaldiema and Nyngweso” of the 1920s and 1936.

Some older and still surviving Luos still remember other famine like” Ladhiri {1943} and Chung’ni Kimiyi{1961} and Ke Mau Mau of 1953. However, all acknowledged that the “Ocampo Six” will go down as the most biting famine in modern history of the region.

Other region which is reported to have received bumper harvest is Trans-Nzoia and parts of Kuria.

The poor harvest in some parts of Western Kenya is attributed to the supplies of irrelevant maize seedling by prepared by some unscrupulous and unprofessional seed companies, which have sprung up like mushroom in recent years. Also in the business re conmen, know to be using logos and container of the much efficient Kenya Seed Company based in Kitale town in Trans-Nzoia County.

The harvest is nearly 100 per cent better in Ndhiwa district, which of late has become the bastion o food in the greater Southern Nyanza.

Gwassi district which usually known as the bastion of grains in Suba region has witnessed a total crop failure, a making the situation in the two islands of Rusinga and Mfangano even worse.

Another bastion of food production is Uyoma in Rarieda.In some places it rained a lot flogging the crop field, or it rained less and insufficient to support the crop.The situation varied due to the climate change in the region.

Politicians and community leaders in the region have appealed to the peasant farmers to plant roots yielding crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes to avert further deterioration of the famine.

Among them is Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga and Karachuonyo MP Eng. James Rege. The two legislators have appealed to their constituents to make good use of the short rains by planting cassava and sweet potatoes in places where the two crop could grow and flourish.

Ends

Kenya: Kipsigis leaders are pleased with the statement by Nyatike MP on the need to maintain peace and harmony among the neighboring communities

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

KIPSIGIS leaders have praised the Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga for his recent call that the Luos and Kipsigis neighboring communities should continue living in peace and harmony.

Speaking in Kericho Town the leaders appealed to MPs from the neighboring communities to emulate Nyatike MP and preach only the gospel of peace and love among Kenyans of diverse ethnic background. The MPs the leaders said, must refrain from making inflammatory utterances in public place and gathering which could fuel communal hatred.

Pastor Hezron Cheruiyot of the Methodist Church in Chilchila Division within Kipkellion constituency and Councilor Nicholas Tum of Kericho Municipality said they were pleased with Nyatike MP statement that the differences between the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto were personal and therefore must not be used to incite the Kalenjin and the Luos into hatred and hostility.

“Elected leaders must guard their tanks against making provocative utterances that could be construed by the general public that could cause confusion and misunderstandings among the neighboring communities. The Kipsigis and the Luos share the common border between Nyanza and Rift Valley and have lived harmoniously from the time immemorial and should be allowed to continue living and working together in the interest of the country.

Pastor Cheruiyot said he regretted an incident in Kericho Town in which an MP from Luo-Nyanza who had accompanied the Prime Minister Raila Odinga was heckled and shouted down and forced to cut short his speech when he made some incoherent utterances which did not pleased the audience who were mainly the Kipsigis people.

Leaders should always weigh their words before making public utterance. Those who have nothing in their mind to say before the multi ethnic audiences should shut up,”said the pastor.

Councilor Nicholas Tum of Kericho Municipality said ODM was still very strong in the South Rift despite of claims by ODM rebel Kalenjin MPs allied to the Eldoret North MP William Ruto that the community in the region has ditched the party.

Tum said some of the MPs representing various constituencies in Kipsigisland who are allied to William Ruto are in for a big shock come the next polls. Those who are persistently attacking the party leader Raila Oodinga whenever they opened their mouths will lose their seats comes the next polls. That is the reason why a good number of the incumbent MPs are scrambling for the two seats allocate for the region in the Senate.

Coun. Tum appealed to the ODM supreme leader Raila Odinga to pick the Road Minister Franklin Bett as his running-mate during the next general election.

He said owing to Bett’s steadfast and unswerving loyalty to the party and his contribution, he would be good bait for votes catching in the South Rift if picked as Raila’s running-mate.

Tum cautioning members of the Kipsigis community against making hasty decision of joining UDM saying that party is still embroiled in prolonged and protracted legal tussle before the court over its leadership. If the community is fooled about with propaganda to abandon ODM, it will be sidelined by the next government which will consign the community to the political periphery.

At the same time survey conducted by this writer in both Kericho and Bomet Counties indicated that members of the Kipsigis community, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups are slowly drifting back to KANU.The Kipsigis is the most populous Kalenjin sub-tribe with more than 1.3 million voters.

The community occupied the fertile region in the highlands southwest of the Rift Valley a region which is agriculturally rich with sufficient annual rainfall which is conducive for tea and coffee growing.

In the year 2007, this community voted for the ODM on man-to-man and gave the party MPS in all the eight constituencies of Kipkellion, Ainamoi, Belgut, Buret, Konoin, Chepalungu, Bomet and Sotik. The region gave the party’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga almost 100 per cent. It also handed the ODM an overwhelming victory in the neighboring Kuresoi constituency in Molo district and another constituency in Rongai where members of the community are the majority of the inhabitants.

However, due to what is seemingly to be irreconcilable differences between the party leader Raila Odinga and his deputy William Ruto the party’s influence I the region is drastically reduced. If the ODM could managed to recruit credible new leaders and support their candidature in the election in all the constituencies, this time around there will be 10 electoral areas after the creation of two extra constituencies in Sigowet in Blgut and Chilchila in Kipkellion, it could still garner enough vote to enable it win at least between five and six seats in Parliament.. Similar percentage could be retained in civic wards within the two Counties.

The party which is likely to slash in the flesh of the ODM is KANU and not UDM. The party of independence could perform well in Kipsigisland if it will back the Vice President Stephen Kalonzo musyoka.

The common saying in the region is that the Vic President who had served in the KANU government under the retired President Daniel Arap Moi for a long time and only ditched the party in 2002 has since maintained a guarded tank and has never publicly issued any statement that is viewed as derogatory and despising Moi in similar in similar fashion like other former KANU luminaries have done.

Members of the Kipsigis community are, however, worried about political instability and endless internal wrangling in KANU pitting the party national chairman Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and other leaders like his deputy Gideon Moi and the secretary-general Nck Salatt.

The community is not comfortable with the idea of having another Kikuyu president after Mwai Kibaki, and if there is no solution on sight within the ODM within the next three months, they switch their support to Kalonzo Musyoka.This is because of the hurdles facing William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta in connection with pending criminal cases with the ICC causes looming large on their path..

Ends

KENYA: PILLARS OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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From: Faulu Suba

Just like a 3 legged stool, the economy of a community has 3 pillars namely:

GOVERNMENT, FIRMS (BUSINESS) and HOUSEHOLDS.

Government provides regulatory framework for peaceful coexistence and infrastructure; firms harness available resources to produce goods and services for both the government and households; and the households provide labor, entrepreurship, knowledge and markets for the firms.

When a community solely, rely on one pillar namely the government and politicians as the sole source of development, it is like siting on a one legged stool and THE ECONOMY OF THAT COMMUNITY WILL SIMPLY NOT STAND.

It is a high time, we raised the pillars of business and functional households for the local economy to pick up. A functional household is that which in addition to consumption is productively engaged and knowledgeable enough to harness resources through entrepreneurship. Such a household uses its income to save for hard times, invest in firms and lastly consume responsibly.

These guys throwing 8 cents at people in the hope of getting in to elective positions should instead invest their money in tourist hotels in the beaches, fish cooling plants and other enterprises which can employ thousands and create a critical mass of functional households that would sustain our economy.

KENYA: WORKSHOP ON LAND AND WATER SECURITY

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Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
WUNDANYI-TAITA TAVETA
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011
TAKE-3

Workshop on land and water security entered its third day yesterday here at Taita Taveta County in Mombasa Catholic Archdiocese with challenges on the implementations of the new constitution with some participants wondering why Kenyans voted for it overwhelmingly despite the fact that some church leaders told their flocks to vote against it.

Some participants were even concerned why the very church leaders who rejected the constitution and called the meeting to condemn one single man for wearing stud on his ear cannot do the same for over 10 million Kenyans who die of hunger.

Church leaders fear they would be blamed if they don’t condemn things that touch on morality that is why they were afraid if they did not reject the constitution because of abortion or condemn Dr Willy Mutinga for wearing the studs, which to them meant that he was either homosexual or advocating for it they would be blamed.

Those who die of hunger or still live in IDPs camps is not of a great concern to church leaders because they don’t touch on morality and therefore don’t see any need to call for meeting to push on the government to ensure that no body is dying because of hunger when they are able to feed them.

Kenyans overwhelmingly and peacefully voted “YES” for a new constitution as opposed to some Church leaders who commanded their flocks to vote “NO”. ‘YES’ got 5,954,767- representing 67.25 percent of the total votes while “NO” got 2,687,193- representing 30.25 percent.

Kenyans and for that matter, the vast majority of Christians went against their church leaders’ command and voted “YES” because they generally agreed that the proposed constitution, while not perfect, is a huge improvement over the old constitution, a colonial-era document that gives almost total power to the President and leaves out any mention that the government serves at the behest of Kenya’s citizens.

They voted “YES” because Kenya’s new constitution is not only designed to re-distribute political power away from the capital, Nairobi, to 47 newly created counties (the devolution of powers), but also the land issue. It explains why numerous groups played a pivotal role in delivering this historically critical outcome, including established groups such as the Kenya Land Alliance.

Other groups included the Center for Land Economy, Women’s Right Movements, the Green Belt Movement, and newer groups such as the young women’s advocacy group Warembo ni Yes (an outgrowth of Bunge la Mwananchi—Women’s Social Movement).

Warembo ni Yes used new technologies such as mobile phones, Facebook, Twitters and the Internet, and more traditional methods such as community forums to amplify the voices of their constituency. In the process, innovative female leaders emerged to advance women’s rights.

Women were to vote overwhelmingly for the new constitution because it guarantees that they will fill at least one-third of elected and appointed government posts, land and property inheritance. Under Kenya’s previous law, inheritance was governed by customary law, often preventing women from inheriting property from their parents or laying claim to joint assets when their husbands’ died.

A new Bill of Rights also provides that all marriages shall be registered under an Act of Parliament. This means that even customary law marriages will be certified, protecting women’s interests in disputes between a widow and her in-laws over property. Currently, in the case of customary marriage it is the in-laws who attest to the existence of the union since they are the ones who oversee the traditional wedding.

In the new dispensation, all marriages will be officially registered. Women will also be protected from claims by other women who turn up following a man’s death, claiming to have been married to the same man under customary law and demanding a share of his estate – a common occurrence.

Historically land has been the centre for controversy in Kenya especially the issue of women being denied the right to own or inherit land. There are numerous cases where women are disinherited of land and new law seeks to change this as stated in the following articles Article 60:

(1) Land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable, and in accordance with the following principles-

(f) Elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property in land: Article 68 Enact legislation (vi) To protect the dependants of deceased persons holding interests in any land; and water.

The new law defines community land as ancestral land and lands traditionally occupied by hunter –gatherer communities or lawfully held as trust land by the county governments. The new law entrenches provisions that protect culture and traditional lifestyles of indigenous people.

“The constitution shall protect indigenous communities that have retained and maintained a traditional lifestyle and livelihoods based on hunter- gatherer economy or pastoral persons and communities, whether they’re nomadic or settled community because of its relative geographical isolation who have experienced only marginal participation in social and economic life of Kenya as a whole.

That is why a day after Kenyans voted to accept a new constitution women across the country spoke about their hopes and expectations. Formerly women have been robbed of their financial contributions to matrimonial assets.

Men for example could just wake up one morning and sale the house they had bought together with his wife without her consent. This cannot happen now because the new constitution provides for the elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property.

This is indeed a very historic moment for the women of this country who have for years battled with their in-laws in succession cases. Formerly in the case of customary marriage it is the in-laws who attest to the existence of the union since they are the ones who oversee the traditional wedding.

The new constitution also grants health budgets for counties, making health care services more available in rural areas. It will ensure that there will be better deployment of health workers in all parts of the country, better nutrition and provision of health services. This will enable more women to deliver in hospitals and a sharp improvement of family planning services.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

Kenya: Kenyans for Kenya

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From: Chris Olola

Is it true that our Government, GoK, CANNOT and will NEVER find or attempt to seek a long lasting solution to this deplorable situation that has continued each day to claim lives of our people in the North? http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000039809&cid=4. Could someone in the Government please tell us what the GoK is doing about this (and in many other regions of the country)? Absurd!

Chris

Rebuttal on the Article “New Requirements for Travelers to USA”

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From: Tebiti Oisaboke

HE Ambassador Demob

Your apology has been accepted though its too little and too late for the damage had already been done. Once destructive messages of this nature gets in the public domain, they spread like wildfire and retracting them really doesn’t help much because the US Dept of Justice through its Nrb-Kenya embassy has already got the contents of the message. It will involve lots of explanations to clarify this message which are normally painstaking. Its a good gesture though which needs to be complimented but the manner in which it was delivered was poor and unacceptable in modern day Kenya. We don’t need to spill our beans in public, it hurts the poor man more than it does the elite and well to do your Excellence.

TOI

===============

On July 9 2011, an article, “New Requirements for Travelers to USA” written by Chris Wamalwa (in USA) appeared in the Kenya based, “The East African Standard”. The same article has been subsequently, carried on in social networks like Mwakilishi.com, Diaspora Messenger, among others. As a result, Kenyans of goodwill have written or called the Embassy, seeking clarifications on the contents of the said article.

Consequently, Kenya Embassy in Washington D.C. wishes to take the earliest opportunity to convey our sincere apologies for what appeared in the article. Under all intent and purpose, the article totally misrepresents His Excellency the Ambassador’s initial communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was to explore possible ways of briefing Kenyans wishing to travel to USA.

Having interacted with Kenyans in the USA, clearly, majority of them are doing great in many aspects (socially, economically, etc) and there is no question about that. Maybe a small fraction is grappling to make ends meet. Many, irrespective of how well they are doing, have shared their experiences about their early lives in America, citing how long it took them to settle down, if they have. On a day to day basis, the Embassy receives many concerns about some of the challenges and difficulties that some Kenyans are going through; ranging from unemployment, drug addiction, to social distress, among others. Listening keenly, it emerges that most of them did not know what to expect on coming to America.

It is on the basis that there is no sufficient information to Kenyans travelling to the USA (and other parts of the world), as students, immigrants etc, that the Kenya Embassy in Washington deemed it necessary to initiate a conversation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the need to provide useful information to would-be travellers in order to mitigate some of the challenges that arise when Kenyans arrive in the USA. Secondly, some orientation of Kenyans before they migrate to any parts of the world would enable government to capture requisite data that is critical for national planning, especially in the current dispensation where the government expects tangible participation of the Diaspora in national development. Indisputably, therefore, it is the responsibility of the Kenya Government to promote and protect the interests of all Kenyans abroad. And so, the goal of the Kenya Embassy in Washington is to ensure the welfare of Kenyans in the USA.

Undoubtedly, the spirit of the article in The East African Standard does not capture at all, the well intended proposition of the Embassy; that is, to adequately prepare Kenyans migrating to the US. This is highly regretted and the Embassy would like to sincerely apologize for any misunderstandings that this may have caused.

Kenya Embassy
Washington D.C.

July 12 2011

— On Tue, 7/12/11, Tebiti Oisaboke wrote:

From: Tebiti Oisaboke
Subject: Do we need to make it any harder than already is to secure a visa from Nairobi?
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 3:40 PM

This is not a solution Ambassador Odembo. Prior to me coming to the Western world in search of education, I attended a two day orientation organized at the American Cultural and Educational Center behind Nat’l Bank of Kenya building in the summer of 1986. This was only to enlighten us on what to expect upon arrival in the western hemisphere but didn’t give us survival tactics. We had to figure them out by ourselves. Our speakers were people from the American Embassy, Nrb-Kenya, some returning Kenyans who had schooled, lived, and worked in America. All they told us was about cultural shock something which was reinforced again during my first quarter’s freshman class. The more we give hints that we cannot make it in America, the more we give the Americans a leverages to tighten visa rules. Besides the economical recession is just a temporary thing and will soon go away. Its not only Kenyans who are affected, but the native/indignant American citizens too. We are trying to run away from corruption, nepotism, impunity, clanism, marginalization, insecurity, unemployment sailing way over 100%, starvation, epidemics, lack of education because all the cash donated to educate our kids by foreigners has been stolen and many many other social issues which we the commoners have to deal with on our daily lives.

When Kenyans come to America, its a last resort. If we all had economical resources, why would we come here for? What you should advice Baba Jimi’s administration is to find ways to create employment, distribute the Nat’l cake equally, provide security, water, healthcare, infrastructure, to all and not just a few chosen ones. End nepotism, corruption, impunity and above all, justice to all Kenyans including those who murdered Mercy C. Keino, Sam Wamboi, Dr. Ouko etc; and you will see Kenyans not outsourcing themselves due to economical hardships.

I have just learnt that you will be touring America’s south this weekend and I’m looking forward to talk more with you about this issue. I don’t want to pre-empty myself right now.

Welcome

TOI
In harry

— On Tue, 7/12/11, Kennedy Gisemba wrote:

From: Kennedy Gisemba
Subject: Do we need to make it any harder than already is to secure a visa from Nairobi?
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 12:22 PM

From the East African Standard

By Chris Wamalwa in USA

Kenyans planning to travel to USA may soon be required to prove that they have basic knowledge of how life ‘actually’ is in America before they are issued with travel visas.

Proof, to be in the form of some kind of ‘certificate of induction’ issued after attending Basic Information sessions conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be part of a retinue of requirements that must be presented to the US Embassy in Nairobi as part of qualifying documents when one is seeking to travel to America.

Currently, one has to show proof that they are financially able to sustain their stay in the USA without becoming a ‘public charge’. For those going to study, they must present financial bank statements from their sponsors either in Kenya or in the USA.

The move that is bound to be received with mixed reactions by a public that is wary of the many complications around visa applications for traveling abroad, is being spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in the USA, more specifically Ambassador Elkanah Odembo.

Odembo who first proposed the requirement through a letter he sent to his Permanent Secretary in Nairobi, says the move is aimed at protecting the safety and integrity of Kenyans migrating to the USA. In the recent past, the Kenyan embassy in the DC has been inundated by calls and letters from Kenyans living in the USA seeking help for all manner of problems.

“We are seeing too much suffering on the part of some Kenyans who came to this country with scanty information about how life actually is. We think part of the solution to this problem can be tackled when someone is still in Kenya and that is why we are proposing this initiative,” Odembo said in an exclusive interview with The Standard.

He says proper information for those going to America is very key in helping them prepare financially and psychologically for the life they are bound to find there.

Odembo, who was himself once a Diaspora student in the USA, said the embassy is in the process of developing a manual containing basic information about America. This will be part of the literature that will be given to those intending to travel to the USA for whatever reasons but especially for those choosing to study in America.

“When we came to America to study long time ago, this was part of the requirements. We had to prove that we knew what we were going to do in America. Of late, this is not happening,” he said, adding that the manual is a necessity and will contain not just the do’s and don’ts but also basic information

about important contacts and help centers managed by the Diaspora in the USA.

Odembo said he was working closely with the newly appointed USA ambassador to Kenya, Scott Gration, whom he described as someone who is very ‘conversant’ with these issues.

If approved and implemented by the Kenya government, this will be one of the measures aimed at tackling some of the immense challenges that the Diaspora is currently facing in the face of changing fortunes for USA, following the September 11,

2001 terrorist attacks in New York and the collapse of the financial markets.

Many Kenyans living in the USA have not only lost their jobs in the recent past but also their homes and investments as a result of the economic recession.

Some of the measures aimed at checking illegal immigrants to the USA include tightening rules for foreign students.

Many foreign students can’t find jobs within the campuses and if they drop some classes to find work to supplement their upkeep, their student visas are revoked.

Frustrations arising out of this have led to increased social ills such as domestic violence, suicides and drug and alcohol abuse.

Hardest hit are those who are migrating on the lottery visa commonly known as Green Card. Many are staying for months on end and sometimes years without finding employment

Kenya: 40-year-old Form 1″

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from Tebiti Oisaboke

Mama Kerubo 25 and a mother of five from Nyambiri Mixed SDA Secondary School, Nyamira County in Gusii Highlands, can surely borrow a leaf from Mama Wanjiru Weru 40 and a mother of three and who also a freshman at State House Girls, Nrb-Kenya. By the time Mama Kerubo approaches 40, she will be a med student at Kenyatta. She surely can use all the support she can get Ps. Birai to achieve her goals. Education has no age limit. Here in America I have taken history classes with 75 year old veterans who fought during the second world war. When in class, the instructor doesn’t have to say anything because these folks can teach him more history about the war than he has read in the history books. Mama Kerubo and Wa Weru could be very resourceful to their classmates.

TOI

– – – – – – – – – – –

40-year-old Form 1

http://www.ntv.co.ke
A 40-year-old mother of three is spending the night in boarding school for the first time, as a form one student. And as if to lend credence to the adage life begins at 40, Mercy Wanjiru Weru, who has reported at Kenya High School today, is savouring the chance to pursue her dream career. But such cases of mature students enrolling in ordinary schools, is increasingly being viewed as an indictment of the government- run adult education programme. Francis Mutegi explores this matter further.

Kenya & Uganda: Kenyan and Ugandan Ministers finally agreed to have survey work on the disputed Migingo Island resumed immediately

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

KENYANS and Ugandans living in village around Lake Victoria have good reasons to smile following a brief statement issued after a two days ministerial consultative meeting held in Nairobi resolved that the two countries should resume joint survey with the view to establish the true ownership of the disputed island in Lake Victoria.

The two small and rocky islands, which are located close to Kenyan mainland have been the subject of heated argument between the two sister countries. And at one time, the dispute about the ownership of Migingo and Ugingo had threatened to derail the regional integration under the auspices of the East African community, which both countries are the founder members.

Other members of the EAC include Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda shared lake Victoria with Tanzania having the lion’s share of 54 per cent, Uganda 42 per cent and Kenya had the smallest portion of the lake’s water at only 6 per cent, mainly around the Nyanza Gulf (formerly Kavirondo Gulf.

A joint ministerial consultative meeting held in a Nairobi hotel and chaired by Kenya’s Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Prof.George Saitoti and attended by a Ugandan delegation led by his counterpart Sam Kutesa also agreed that a joint policing exercise on the two islands should be established.

Prof Saitoti disclosed to the newsmen that police chiefs from the two countries would meet soon to operationalise the directive of the joint security policing and its mode.

Kenyans living on Migingo and Ugingo islands have often complained of harassment by Ugandan authorities, which they allege demand that, they pay taxes and bribes money before they are allowed to fish.
Migingo’s wealth lies in its proximity to some of the richest remaining deep water fishing ground in Lake Victoria. The highly prized and economically important Nil Perch species is said to be in abundance around the two islands.

Prof Saitoti spoke to newsmen on Wednesday evening at the end of the two days consultation meeting held in a Nairobi hotel between Kenyan and Uganda delegations. He said there is need to approach the issue soberly.”That is why I am happy that the joint consultative meetings that have been held in Nairobi have been very fruitful.”

Ministers in the Kenyan delegation at the Nairobi talks included James Orengo {Lands} Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ {Immigration}, Yusuf Hajji {Defense} and Prof.Hellen Sambili {EAC Affair}. Also in attendance was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of lands Dorothy Angote and the Nyanza Provincial Commissioner Francis Mutie.

Diplomatic row erupted between Kenya and Uganda three years ago and shortly after President Yoweri Museveni controversially claimed that the disputed Migingo Island was in Kenya territory, but its waters were in Uganda.

Museveni defiantly declared that Kenyans would not be allowed to fish on the island, sparking off outrage and protests from the Kenyan public. At one time even Kenyan parliamentarians were up I arms demanding that the issue be handled militarily instead of diplomatically. But the principals in the ruling coalition government President Kibaki and the Prim Minister Raila Odinga repeatedly called for calm and insisted that the issue would be solved harmoniously.

President Kibaki took some time before he public reiterated that both Migingo and Ugingo were on the Kenyan side of the common international border between the two countries.

And on Wednesday this week Minister Saioti said Kenyans and other inhabitants of the two islands should go about their day to day activities without fear.

He added that while carrying out the joint survey, teams from both countries should be guided by the African Map of 1926 and 1962 Lancaster House constitution of Kenya and he 1995 Ugandan constitution.

ON HIS PART, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said that the Migingo issue should not be politicized, adding that all efforts and consultations be made to resolve the matter

“Let us be sincere while conducting the survey and not engage in acts that may cause unnecessary excitement or tensions,” Kutesa said.

The Ugandan Minister said residents of both countries who lives on the two islands should co-exist peacefully as they wait for the survey to be completed..

Ends

KENYA: LAND AND WATER SECURITY IN MOMBASA ARCHDIOCESE

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from ouko joachim omolo

Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY DAVID KOBIA SIMON
WUNDANYI-TAITATA TAVETA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011
TAKE-2

Coast province is rated as one of the very sensitive regions in Kenya as far as the issue of land is concerned. According to government sources, Coast Province – in which the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa is located, has the highest number of landless people in the country.

Coastal land was previously owned by the Persians Arab Sultans and British. It was only much later handed over to the Government of Kenya. The squatter problem escalated due to rising populations, increased demand for land, and the non restriction of land ownership in the country. A presidential directive to regularize Coastal squatters on Government land was first issued in 1978. Since then, there have been concerted efforts to establish regional settlement schemes.

From the period of colonialism, Kenya has been grappling with the land question which subsequent government regimes have been unable to or unwilling to resolve. The land question has manifested itself in many ways including fragmentation, breakdown in land administration, disparities in land ownership and poverty.

This has resulted in environmental, social, economic and political problems including deterioration in land quality, squatting and landlessness, disinheritance of some groups and individuals, urban squalor, underutilization and abandonment of agricultural land, tenure insecurity and conflict.

In its pastoral and development mission, the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa virtually covers 9 administrative districts of the province and makes day to day interactions with huge populations seriously affected by land problems in the region. Many people in this region remain landless (and squatters) yet it is a critical asset to the economic, social and cultural development.

In Taveta deanery for instance, it was estimated that close to 40 percent of the population in Taveta district comprises of squatters found in clusters of close to 100 households in different parts of the large-scale farms some of which have been in dispute for a long period of time.

This has significantly contributed to increased levels of poverty and its subsequent effects in many sections of the community. The nature of colonial and neo colonial experience in coast can only be understood through the contradictory and multiple functions and conflicts that land generates.

The prevailing situation in the 10 mile Coastal strip is that land occupied by the indigenous Kenyans are still held under communal customary tenure as most of the land have not been adjudicated to determine the individual land rights. Areas which have been adjudicated under the Land Titles Act, have legal individual tenure except that most of the Landlords are absentee landlords.

It is estimated that absentee landlords at the coast own over 77, 753. 02 hectares of land in the deaneries covered by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, it is estimated that absentee landlords own a total of 77, 519 hectares. Squatters who believe they have the right of ownership as they have lived in these localities from time immemorial occupy these parcels.

Even though the Government has recently acquired a few of the farms and converted them to settlement schemes, such as Mtondia Roka and Shimba Hills, land tenure issues at the coast still remains one of the most sensitive issues as locals feel they were cheated at the time of adjudication in 1908. The land occupied by the indigenous Kenyans were not adjudicated as private property, but were alienated as crown land.

Although agriculture is the highest income in Kenya, many people in coast province are virtually denied the chance to practice it because they literally have no piece of land that they can legally claim as theirs. In extreme cases, it has even led to lose of lives.

The most urbanised part of Coast Province is the Mombasa metropolitan area. For example the overall growth of population in the Nyali-Bamburi-Shanzu area has resulted in rapid urbanisation. Large numbers of people seeking employment opportunities are moving into the area between the main road and the beach, as well as the surrounding areas.

Roads and other infrastructure development are not keeping pace with increasing development in the north coast, causing severe shortages of potable water and power. Moreover, hotels continue to develop in plots landward of the original beach hotels and are beginning to encroach on existing residential areas.

This situation is complicated by an unpredictable influx and temporary settlement of refugees, creating huge demands on the meagre public facilities and degradation of the local environment. Although there is a land use plan for the area, administered by the Municipal Council of Mombasa, development has not adhered to the plan.

Increasing commercial and residential development, urbanisation pressures and uncontrolled land use changes have placed a significant strain on existing services and infrastructure in the area. Trends suggest increasing growth of many sectors within the area, all of which will exacerbate the public service and infrastructure problems already being experienced.

The Kenya coast however, has played an important role for over 2,000 years in East Africa when merchants sailed from Arabia in search of gold, spices, ivory and other goods. Dating back to the seventh century, Arabs settled on the coast, and built trading centres and settlements along it.

The Portuguese had established trading posts along the coast since 1498 but were driven out in 1790 by the Arabs. Although many settlements have retained prominent facets of Arab culture, the coastal area has progressively integrated the distinct races of African, Asian, European and Arab people.

Because of its long history of human activity, Kenya’s coast has an estimated 70 significant historical sites and monuments. Out of these, 58 have been designated as National Monuments and Reserves.

These historical sites and monuments include isolated ruins of houses, mosques, tombs, townships – example, Gede Ruins – and fortified areas such as Fort Jesus. They also include monuments like the Vasco da Gama pillar at Malindi, and urban areas of historical and architectural importance, such as Mombasa Old Town.

Kenya’s coastline has about 53,000 hectares of mangroves in nine species, occuring mostly in creeks, bays and estuaries. Some villages still exploit mangroves for their wood both for commercial sale and subsistence use.

Depending on the size class, mangroves are harvested for their wood both for commercial sale and subsistence use. Mangrove wood can be used for building purposes, firewood or making charcoal.

A significant proportion of coast province land is contained in national parks, especially at Malindi, Watamu, Mpunguti and Kisite. Tsavo is the oldest, best known and largest. The 13,686 km2 of Tsavo in the province takes up a large chunk (about 66 percent) of Taita District and a small portion of Tana River District. This has resulted in acute land shortage in Taita, with a high population concentration in the Voi-Wundanyi corridor and another one in Taveta.

The coastal areas contain important coastal lowland forests which support a high diversity of flora and fauna. These resources are important parts of the coastal ecosystem and also provide additional tourist destinations. The Kaya Forests of the Kenya coast are relic patches of the once very extensive lowland forest of East Africa.

Today these forests are protected as sacred places and are still historically used by Mijikenda elders for prayer purposes and other ceremonies. These forests are being protected by the National Museums of Kenya as Forest Reserves, especially in the Kwale and Kilifi districts. However, many of these Kayas have been thinned out and are in danger of being lost completely.

The Miji Kenda, the dominant African tribe of the coast apart from the Taita, initially settled by the seashore. They were gradually pushed further inland to pave the way for Arab settlements. The term Miji Kenda describes the settlement pattern, which was based on the nine sub tribes of the people. They settled in nine fortress villages, one for each of their tribes. Inside the fortress villages, which were located in forests with only one exit, crop farming thrived.

The Kenya Coast was recently engulfed in violence emanating from Likoni (Mombasa District) and spreading to Kwale District. This violence lasted about two months, claiming the lives of many and shattering an important sector of Kenya’s economy.

The attackers raided the predominantly Luo slum of Maweni in Kongowea, Mombasa. Ujamaa and Shika Adabu villages were also invaded. This called for the scouring of the Simuani caves, Kaya Waa and Kaya Bombo forests where 10 members of the gang were arrested by Administration police and General Service Unit personnel.

Over the next few days, as the violence moved on north to Mtwapa, and the death toll increased, people continued taking refuge at the Likoni Catholic Church where the Kenya Red Cross Society extended aid. Some of the 69 suspects already arrested started appearing in court.

A Mombasa politician Emmanuel Karisa Maitha was in 1997 arrested in connection with the violence as bloodshed spilled over to Kwale in the South and Kilifi District in the North. By this time, the pressure exerted on the government by opposition leaders, lobby groups and religious leaders was so great that a high level security meeting was held to draw up new strategies to counter the violence.

The violence continued as is depicted by a stampede at the church when unknown people lobbed stones into the area. By then, the death toll had risen to 36 and destruction of property continued as 400 waterfront kiosks were brought down to ashes in Malindi. By 20/8/97, the number of suspects in police custody stood at 309 including Mr. Omar Masumbuko (East African Standard August 21st 1997).

David is a Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa coordinator

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

What is Your Mission as a Kenyan in 2012

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from barack abonyo

We shall not wink untill our mission on this planet is achieved. There is a reason why every man and woman is born. For us it is such a time as this that we have the opportunity to free our communities from the bondage of perpetual poverty. Do not count yourself less of a man or woman. Every man and woman is given the same measure of faith to achieve his fullest potential on this planet. What matters is how you use it. The time is right and ripe.

Dr. Barack Otieno Abonyo for Governor of Kisumu county
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Florida A and M University
1415 Martin Luther King Dr.
Tallahassee Fl, 32304
Tel:850-561-2553
850-339-4806

KENYA: WHY PHILLIP KISIA CANNOT BE NAIROBI GOVERNOR

5 Replies

from Ford Wilson

Another question, why do they have more than enough vehicles and askaris to arrest and charge hawkers, people who buy from the hawkers, those who board or alight from matatus at non-designated points, those who cross roads while talking on mobile phones…… Yet we don’t see enough vehicles to collect garbage, we see poor drainage systems everywhere, no maintenance of city council estate houses…… (by the way, when was the last time houses in Kariakor, Huruma, Kariobangi South, Shaurimoyo, Bahati, Mbotela, Maringo, na hizo mitaa zingine …. last painted or repaired? Why have their walls been turned into boards for advertisements? Kisia anajua hio? For sure, HE CANT GET MY VOTE!!!

Regards,
Ford Wilson …

– – – – – – – – – –

From: otieno sungu

Oto, My simple question to Kisia is, can Kanjo guarantee security for motorists after collecting a handsome KSH 140/= for parking, if not, why? Is it right to charge for no services? Why re council askaris quick to clamp vehicles, tow etc yet we am yet to hear cases where they have arrested vandals of such incidents? To me, like many, Kisia is a failure, nothing much has improved from City Hall. We need total overhaul, not cosmetic changes to cheat us.

Sungu.

From: odhiambo okecth

My Friend Dick,

I truly sympathize with Chairman Sungu.

If I were to take his analogy, I would look at the bigger picture. We all live in Kenya, yet, the people we elected under the watch of one Emilio who is His Excellency, have planned successful raids to our Treasury and the Central Bank with complete abandon.

They have planned Anglo- Leasing, Maize Scandals, Oil Scandals and all under Emilio’s watch. Does it erode the many gains Emilio has seen Kenya through?

Isolated incidences of vandalism cannot be used to sum the credentials of Philip Kisia.

Go to the Police Force; in as much as the police have a constant presence, we still have isolated cases of burglery. Does it dim the performance of our friend Mr. Itere?

Go to the reforms taking place in our Prisons; we still have isolated cases of break-outs. Does it dim the credentials of Mr. Osugo?

We must all learn to appreciate that even Jesus the Holy Christ was crucified by jo-Rarieda when He came visiting, yet, He is the Son of God.

Do I need to defend Kisia? No. The good that he has done far out weighs the isolated cases of vandalism. If anything, I would blame the Police and not Kisia.

Ama Wuod Rarieda?

Oto

From: Dickens Mitawia

Askofu, How can you say such a thing about me? You see, Oto is my friend. And we allknow that he is Kisia’s friend, after all he has been assisting Kisia with issues to do with environmental conservation and cleanliness as well as evaluation of Kisia’s and hisofficers’ performance within City Hall. At the same time, Sungu is not only my friend. We are related. And Sungu is also a buddyto Oto. It therefore follows that Sungu and I are friends to Kisia by virtue of the osmosisenabled by Oto. ….are you getting my drift why Oto has to say something?

From: Kuria-Mwangi

Oto:

Uko wapi? I think Mitawia is laying traps for you here. If I were you, I would assume I never saw his comments. Hapa iko mtego wa panya. On Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM, Dickens Mitawia wrote: Oto, What do you have to say? I know you and Kisia have an un-dying love forthis city and you have worked very hard to bring sanity in our Nairobi. Whyis Sungu peeing on the credentials of your friend with abandon in thismanner? Say something Oto.

Dickens Mitawia.

From: otieno sungu

I hear from the grapevine that one Phillip Kisia wants to run for Nairobi Governor. I want to posit here, like always that this is a failed man who will run Nairobi County down. In this new dispensation, we need innovative leaders who deliver service to the people. Today, I have just met 2 miserable Kenyans whose car side mirrors have been vandalized near the National Archives parking area. It happened to me just a few days ago at the same sport. Vandals are plying their trade right in front of city council askaris who only succeed in harassing innocent traders and extorting bribes. In the short conversation we had, they lamented what The City Council charges parking for. While there is an army of parking attendants to collect parking fees diligently, another army to clamp cars whose owner have not paid up, another moving round in unworthy death traps in the name of “break downs” towing away any double parked cars and those parked in non designated areas( all these very noble indeed) one wonders at what mercy cars are left after The council collects Ksh. 140/= parking charge. This is a fraud that Kisia can only perfect once he becomes Governor, collection of levies of non delivery of services.Parking fees should come with security as package, otherwise what “service” do they offer for the Ksh.140/= besides the space? Take the jams in Nairobi, while the council askaris are keen on drivers who jump zebra crossings and red lights, pedestrians violate the simple traffic rules with abandon causing untold traffic snarl ups, something which requires a simple enforcement of the stop light signs for both motorists and pedestrians for order to prevail. Yet Kisia in his wildest dreams imagines that he can preside over a whole County when he cannot even manage a simple Council. These are the kind of failed leaders we must reject, those who offer lip service for our hard earned taxes.

Otieno Sungu.
Vugu Vugu
Mashinani.Tel: 0729294743.

—

Kenya and Uganda have agreed to resume survey work on the disputed fishing islands in Lake Victoria

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

KENYA and Uganda have agree to resumed the suspended joint survey work in Lake Victoria to establish the exact border and restore the ownership of the disputed two fishing islands of Migingo and Ugingo in Lake Victoria.

The two survey teams will report to their respective governments within two months. While the exercise is going on the two governments have agreed that contingent of police team from both countries would be deployed to patrol the islands.

The dispute over the ownership of Migingo Island has been the subject of heated exchange between the Kenyan and Ugandan governments with the MPs in Kenyan parliament up in arms urging their government to take military action to restore its sovereignty over the two islands.

Uganda has been adamant posting its marine police to patrol the two island and despite of repeated agreement that it should pull its security personnel out of the two islands to allow the joint team of surveyors to complete their work an determine the exact boundaries.

Meanwhile the Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries is set to spend over Kshs 6 billions within three years to beef up security in Lake Victoria.

Disclosing this good news, the Assistant Director of Fisheries Michael Obadha said the money is to buy surveillance boats, train rescuers in time of disasters, and introduce coast guards. The envisaged plans, he added are in advance stage.

He was addressing fishermen an fish traders at Mahanga fish landing beach in Siaya County .He said plans to introduce coast guards to patrol the Kenyan side of the lake against pirates and criminal element is in advance stage. Coast guards are a special security agents who deal with safety and criminal matters around water bodies.

The Ministry said the Obadha is now waiting for procurement of equipment and training of personnel who will be hired as coast guards before launching the essential service needed around the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria.

He said decision to introduce coast guards services was arrived at following rising insecurity in the lake. Fishermen have persistently complained of piracy and harassment from security agents from the neighboring countries.

The director assured fishermen that the presence of coast guards in the lake would be felt within the next one year. He said the constant wrangling between Kenyan fishermen and fishermen from neighboring countries were unhealthy and needed to be addressed urgently.

Obadha, however, advised the fishermen to desist from demanding more rights given that Kenya had the least size of water bodies in Lake Victoria.

His remarks come amid complaints by the Kenyan fishermen over harassment from neighbors .The neighbors accuse Kenyans fishermen of invading their territorial waters. “Although we only have six per cent of the entire water mass in Lake Victoria, yet we have majority of fishing crafts and fishermen in the lake. If each country was to stick to its territory, then we will be the sufferers.”

Director Obadha called on the Kenyan fishermen to be calm and patient over border conflicts. He further urged the fishermen to safeguard the cordial relationship with the neighboring counties of Uganda and Tanzania as their survival in fishing business depended on this.

He, however, cautioned that Kenya should be taken for granted over Migingo and Ugingo fishing island in lake Victoria, which Ugandan are illegally occupying at the moment, though the government wants to see the matter solved harmoniously.

Ends

Kenya: The government is urged to introduce regulatory authority to curb fatal accidents by boda boda motor bike taxis on Kenyan roads

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Awendo Town.

WHAT was otherwise billed as a high profile burial of a highly respected elder and prominent sugar cane farmer in Awendo district cane growing zone turned tragically when two other accidents occurred leaving two mourners with multiple leg fractures.

It was indeed a double tragedy in the true sense because the deceased Mzee Nahashon Nyandiga Aloo was himself a victim of motorbike boda boda taxi.

Mze Aloo died two weeks ago when motorbike taxi collected him at his Ng’ong’a village home in Waundha sub-location, Sakwa South in Awendo district within Migori County, He was travelling to Awendo town a distance of six kilometers when the accident occurred.

But while riding on the main road between Awendo and Uriri center, a drunken motorbike rider suddenly appeared from an inlet road and hit his machine by the side killing him instantly.

In what appeared to be double tragedy, a woman mourner whose name was given as Mrs Barracj Aduwo who left the burial site on a motorbike taxi was crashed within only a few meters from the funeral home. She sustained multiple leg fractures.

Another an unidentified woman mourner was also crashed at a distance of few kilometers from the same home. Both women were rushed to the hospitals within Awend and Migori districts where they are receiving treatment.

Mzee Aloo who was in his early 80s is a retired former senior civil servant. Among the thousands f mourners who gave the elderly farmer a tearful send off include former Education PS Leo P Odero, the former DVC of Moi University Prof. Douglas Odhiambo, the chairman of Awendo Town Council Johnson Omolo Owiro, a one time two terms MP for the larger Homa-Bay constituency Phares Oluoch Kanindo.

Also in attendance were two local technocrats Nginjo Abonyo and John Odera Nyangaga both are CEOs in private sector in Nairobi and the MD SONYSUGAR Paul Odolla, Awendo DO 1, civic leaders from Rongo, Migori and Awendo Councils, religious leaders, teachers and farmers within the region.

Speaker after speaker heaped a lot of praise to the late Nyandiga for having been a man of peace and love who worked hard both as civil servant and later as a farmer and trader and urged others to emulate him. He lived a humble life of a staunch Christian had extended a hand of help many young men and women apart from educating his own children and those of his other deceased brothers.

They appealed to the government through the Ministry of Transport and the police to bring the menace of motorbike boda boda taxis to sanity in order to curb uncalled for deaths on Kenyan roads.

The number deaths occurrences on daily basis have already outstripped those killed by motor vehicles. An since it is the new made of transport in the country like its n other developing countries the police must ensure the riders are competent enough t o ferry the traveling passengers n the main-roads and highways.

They said the riders must produce certificate of proficiency, driving licenses, and the certificate of good conduct from the police before they are allowed to operate their machines on the main-roads.

Distributors selling the motorbike must also be compelled to ensure they may only sell the new bike to a rider on production of a driving license. The number of the boda boda motorbikes be curtailed by he licensing authority and be reduced o a manageable numbers

The boda boda motorbikes should be confined only to operate on feeder and access roads, but not on the highways unless within the town centers.

Those who addressed the mourners said they were alarmed at the high rate of deaths caused by boda boda motorbike taxis and now calls their operation to be regulated to avoid more loss of lives on the road carnage.

Ends

KENYA: LAND AND WATER SECURITY IN TAITA TAVETA COUNTY

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From: ouko joachim omolo

Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ

WUNDANYI-TAITA TAVETA

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

TAKE-1

From July 24- 28 2011 myself (Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ,) Fr Ken Thesing, Maryknoll, Mr Joseph Adero Ngala, People for Peace in Africa are conducting workshop on land and water security in Taita Taveta County, Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.

Taita Taveta Country is one of the forty seven counties of Kenya, located in the Coast Province of that country. It lies approximately 200 km northwest of Mombasa and 360 km southeast of Nairobi city. It covers an area of 16,975 km2. of which a bulk 62 percent or 11,100 km2. is within Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks.

Historically, about 86 per cent of Taita Taveta County was grabbed by the colonial government which carved out 62 percent of it and converted it into the two national parks while the remaining land was given freely to European war veterans for sisal estates and subsequent governments of Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki, the Taita Taveta community was therefore displaced and rendered landless.

According to the latest census results, the county has a population of 284,657. These, however have to squeeze within 4,000 square kilometers for settlement and farming as the rest of the land is occupied by ranches, rocks and wetland.

The remaining 5,876 km2 is occupied by ranches, sisal estates, water bodies such as Lakes Chala and Jipe in Taveta and mzima springs, and the hilltop forests which occupy less than 100 km2. or approximately 10 km² out of 587.5 km².

The County has approximately 25 ranches. The main land use in ranche is cattle grazing. The three operating sisal estates of the district are the Teita Sisal Estate, Voi Sisal Estate and Taveta Sisal Estate.

There are 48 forests which have survived on hill tops in the district of which 28 are gazetted and are under government protection and management. They range in size from small 500 square metres with a few remnant trees to modestly vast 2 square kilometres indigenous and exotic forest mountains.

Land grabbing has become one of the major issues in this County. The large scale farmers who are wealthy Kenyans have continued grabbing land in this county. The land owned by the Kenyatta family alone in Taita Taveta farm is 74,000 acres. This is not to mention 50, 000 acres currently under Mrs Beth Mugo, Minister for Public Health and niece of the first President.

Former Assistant Minister for Roads and Public Works Basil Criticos who has been accused of one of the land grabbers in Taita Taveta was sacked by Moi. Mr Criticos had complained about the squatters who occupied his land. Several hundred families had moved on to his farm and a neighbouring farm, beaten up security personnel, and burnt sisal crops.

It is not clear why land in Taita Taveta has been known for its crisis. Historical background could give some hints. Historically the land was not occupied not until the Taita people migrated to Kenya through Tanzania. They migrated to Kenya in five groups each settling at different places of the present Taita Taveta County in Kenya.

While settling in these areas the Taita speaking people interacted with other communities or tribes particularly the Taveta, the Pare of Tanzania, the Borana, the Wakamba and the Maasai. Since then about 20 percent alone are from Western Kenya.

Others who settled in the area include the Falasha (Jewish) that settled in Taita Hills after conflicts in the Ethiopia or settled at the area during some migration south. Today there are sub groups or subtribes of Taita.

They can be divided into Wadawida, who traditionally lived around the Dawida, the Wasagalla who lived around the Saghalla, and the Wakasighau who lived around the Kasighau massif of the Taita Hills.

The Saghalla people speak Kisaghala which is much closer to the Kigiriama or mijikenda (nine tribes who speak almost same language). The Kasighau are closer to the Pare and Chagga of Tanzania but are Taita speaking people.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

Kenya & Rwanda: Approved AKR Constitution

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from Association KenyansinRwanda

Dear All,

Kindly find attached a copy of the constitutition which was approved by members on 16th July 2011. Please read the document especially if you want to serve AKR in a official capacity because it is our fall back when things are not clear.

The election were set to 6th August. The procedures will be clarified by the newly formed elections committee according to the new constitution.

Thanks

John Kamwengu
Acting Chair

– – – – – – – – – – –

ASSOCIATION OF KENYANS IN RWANDA (AKR)

CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS

June 2011

Notes on this Constitution

Included:

Clear guidelines about what happens when an Executive Committee is not operating properly.
Clear guidelines about responsibilities of the Executive Committee .
Clear guidelines about duties and responsibilities of the officers of exc com.
Changes in the compostion of the executive committee.
Clear guidelines on membership , dues and cessation of membership.

ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION

1. Name, Mission Statement, Vision, Purpose, and Objectives

2. Jurisdiction

3. Membership

4. Officers/Executive Committee of Directors

5. Financial Provisions

6. Meetings

7. Bylaws

ARTICLES OF THE BYLAWS

I. Membership

II. Executive Committee

III. The Executive Committee

IV. Election of the Executive Committee

V. Authority

VI. Meetings

VII. Financial Provisions

VIII. Committees

IX. Bylaw Amendments

X. Termination

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: NAME, MISSION STATEMENT, VISION, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Association of Kenyans in Rwanda(AKR), hereafter referred to as AKR. AKR shall be a non-profit community based organization.

Section 2: Mission Statement

The mission of AKR is to encourage and foster successful participation and integration of the Kenyans in Rwanda in the educational, social, political, civic, and economic activities of Rwanda. AKR is a welcoming and integrating organization, and will strive to provide the tangible and intangible social infrastructures that are needed to settle and motivate new migrants of Kenyan descent in Rwanda temporarily or permanently.

Section 3: Vision

AKR envisions a society in which all individuals of Kenyan descent, have equitable opportunities to realise their full potential and to participate meaningfully in the building of their careers and personal growth during their stay in Rwanda.

Section 4: Purpose

AKR’s purpose is to provide services to its members and to network with all levels of business, government and with other organizations for the benefit of its members and the community at large.

Section 5: Objectives

To partner with government departments, public and private organizations and agencies in attracting, settling, integrating, and retaining Kenyans in Rwanda.

To support the provision of services that encourage education, social services, civic, political and economic participation of the Kenyan community.

To collaborate with government departments and agencies, public and private organizations and agencies to reduce barriers that hinder the full participation of Kenyans in the development of Rwanda.
To encourage and to promote the participation of people of Kenyan descent in the building of Rwanda through cultural, educational, political and social network and activities.

To generate and maintain a comprehensive database of Kenyan Diaspora that will serve as a resource base for members, organizations, and the general public.

To sustain a collaborative and cooperative relationship with public and private agencies.
ARTICLE 2: JURISDICTION

Section 1: Scope of Opération

The activities of AKR are to be carried on within Rwanda or within such geographical area as the Executive Committee may from time to time define.

AKR office shall be in Kigali.

Section 2: Registered Office

The registered office of AKR shall be

C/O Kenya High Commission Kenya

P.O. Box 6159

KIGALI-RWANDA

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

Categories of Membership

Membership will be of three classes; Regular, Corporate and Honorary

ARTICLE 4: OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS

AKR shall be governed by an Executive Committee of elected members. The governing committee shall be known as The Executive Committee

ARTICLE 5: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Section 1: Budget

A detailed budget approved by the Executive Committee shall be presented to the general membership for ratification one month after the AGM.

Section 2: Liability

AKR is not responsible for personal liability or property damage that occurs during the Association activities.

ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS

Regular general membership meetings will be held every month.

ARTICLE 7: BYLAWS

AKR may adopt such bylaws as it deems necessary, and may amend them or set them aside by majority vote of those present and voting with the provision that no such bylaw may contravene this constitution.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Class of Membership

Membership in AKR shall be open to individuals or groups of Kenyan descent as stated in the constitution Article 1. (2) (3) (4) (5) and subscribe to these bylaws.
Membership will be of three classes, Regular, Honorary and Corporate, as stated in the Article 3 of the constitution.
Section 2: Definition of Membership

Regular Membership:
Regular membership is limited to individuals of Kenyan descent and the non-Kenyan spouses and dependents of Kenyan immigrants.
Regular Members in good standing may vote, participate in all general membership activities and join committees.
Regular Members who meet requirements may hold any position on the Executive Committee.
A regular member will maintain membership by attending at least 60% of the general meetings , paying annual membership fee and being fully paid up in all contributions.
Membership will be renewable annually at the AGM.
Honorary Membership:
An individual, not a member of AKR Association, having performed outstanding service for the community of AKR , upon whom this association desires to confer special distinction.
A past member of the association currently not resident in Rwanda whom the executive committee may bestow upon this membership. This member shall not pay monthly subscription fees but may attend meetings and vote on resolutions but shall not be entitled to vie for any office.

Corporate Membership:
Corporate Membership will be extended to:

Groups: registered organizations that meet conditions set in Article I, Section 1 (a) of AKR’s bylaws.
Corporations: Any registered businesses that have met the conditions for corporate membership.
All applications or recommendations for Corporate Membership in AKR shall be submitted to the Executive Committee and approved by a simple majority of members of the Executive Committee .
Corporate Members cannot vote and shall not hold any position on the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Membership Obligations

Every Member is expected to pay annual dues and levies to remain in good standing.
Members should actively participate in AKR events.

Section 4: Dues

Membership dues for Regular and Corporate classes will be set by the Executive Committee and are approved by the community at an annual general meeting of AKR.
All Regular and Corporate Members must complete a membership application form and pay the prescribed dues.
In special cases membership dues for a Regular member may be waived by the Executive Committee. An application for fee waiver must be made to the Executive Committee for consideration.

Section 5: Cessation of Membership

Membership of AKR shall cease if a member fails to pay annual registration fees payable in a year.
Membership of AKR shall cease if a member submits in writing a resignation letter to the Executive Committee (voluntary resignation).
Membership can be revoked on the recommendation of 2/3 of members .
Resignation or revoked membership does not provide relief to any financial obligations the member may owe to AKR prior to cessation of membership.

ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of a maximum of 9 and a minimum 7 elected members.
The entire Executive Committee shall be elected at the AGM
Only members who have paid the full amount of the monthly and annual subscription fees and attended at least 60% of the monthly meetings are electable.
Members of the Executive Committee are volunteers and shall receive no financial compensation from AKR. However they shall be entitled to refunds for all expenses incurred as indicated in a budget approved by members.
If any member of the Executive Committee, for any reason desires to serve AKR in a paid position, he/she must first resign from the Executive Committee , second meet the requirements of the paid position, third compete with external and internal candidates for the paid position.
Section 2: The Executive Committee Membership

Each elected official of the Executive Committee shall serve for a period of one year and shall be eligible for re-election for not more than two consecutive terms.
No vacancy in the The Executive Committee shall be filled by appointment.
In the situation where the entire The Executive Committee is recalled, the functions of the The Executive Committee shall be automatically transferred to a caretaker committee appointed by the Kenya High Commission.
The caretaker committee shall call an AGM for the election of a new The Executive Committee within a period of six weeks from the date of the dissolution of the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Composition of The Executive Committee

The composition of the Executive Committee shall reflect the diversity of AKR and should endeavour to include men, women, youth and minorities whenever possible.
The Executive Committee must be duly elected Regular Members and shall include the Chair of the Executive Committee, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Organising Secretary/ Public Relations Officer, Vice Treasurer, Secretary and 3 regional representatives.

Section 4: Recall of Executive Committee members

Any member of the Executive Committee, who is found to be lacking in his/her performance of the assigned duties shall be removed by majority of votes of the members in good standing at a special meeting of AKR called for that purpose.
In order to recall an Executive Committee member, a meeting must be called through a petition signed by at least 60 regular members in good standing.
Recall will be by majority vote of the regular members in good standing who are present.
The recalled Executive Committee member must return all records, documents or assets of AKR in their possession.
Resignation or recall does not provide relief to any financial obligations the Executive Committee member may owe to AKR prior to cessation of membership.

ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: The Chair of The Executive Committee

Presides as chairperson of all General and all Executive Committee meetings.
Functions as the joint official representative of AKR.
Is authorized to affix his or her signature to contracts, obligations and correspondence pertaining to AKR and its policies.
In consultation with the Executive Committee can establish and approve special committees.
Shall serve as an ex-officio advisory member of all committees.
Represent the Association in any related activities that cover the interests of AKR members.
May delegate an existing Executive Committee member to represent the Chair of the Executive Committee if the Vice-Chair is unable to serve in a designated capacity.
Directs and liaises with all paid staff members.
Negotiates with businesses on behalf of AKR.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 2: The Vice Chair

In the event of the absence or inability of the Chair of the Executive Committee to serve or function in any of his/her assigned duties, the Vice- Chair shall act in the place of and with the authority and duties of the Chair of the Executive Committee .
Assumes other responsibilities delegated by the Chair of the Executive Committee .
Shall act as the secretary of the corporate chapter of AKR and shall record and note details of all meetings of the Corporate Chapter of AKR.
Section 3 The Organising Secretary and Public Relations Officer

Shall gather, maintain and or disseminate relevant data and information that would benefit AKR and its members, the public and the local community.
Shall identify and solicit eminent individuals and bodies in both private and public sectors for AKR’s activities.
Shall have access to the complete record of all AKR members and shall open and maintain a line of communication with all categories of members.
Shall develop communication and marketing strategies for AKR, work in close consultation with the Chair and other Executive Committee members to promote AKR activities within and outside the community.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 4: Treasurer

Shall receive safeguard, and account for funds and other assets in accordance with policies and procedures established by AKR’s Executive Committee and Membership.
Is responsible for all financial records and accounts of AKR.
Pays all bills and obligations approved for payment by the Executive Committee of Directors.
Keeps a true account of all transactions of AKR.
Presents a full financial report at each Executive Committee and Membership meeting.
Arranges for an annual audit of the Association’s receipts and expenditures at the end of the fiscal year.
Maintains a record for member’s dues.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 5: Secretary

Keeps accurate minutes of all Membership and Executive Committee meetings.
Shall distribute copies of the Executive Committee minutes to all Executive Committee members prior to next Executive Committee meeting.
Serves as custodian of the minutes and any other records pertaining to AKR
Has responsibility for necessary Executive Committee correspondence.
Keeps membership records up to date and maintains a mailing list of all members, including name, email address, postal and home address, and telephone number.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 6: Vice Treasurer

Shall assist the treasurer in his/her duties.
Shall assist the secretary in data entry and validation of membership lists.
Shall collect all monies due from members on behalf of the Treasurer.
Shall keep a single receipt book to be used for collection of membership fees.
Shall assist the treasurer to collect debts and monies owed to the association.
Section 7 : Regional Representative (3)

The association will have 3 regional representatives from the East, West and South provinces. The regional representatives will be appointed by the in- coming executive committee at the AGM. (The incoming chair shall name them as part of his team should he win office.)

Shall represent AKR in the various regions away from Kigali.
Shall collect monies owed to the association from members.
Shall register new members in their respective regions
Shall chair regional meetings of the Association.
Shall attend all meetings of the executive committee and vote on matters arising in meetings.
Shall assist the organising secretary to take minutes at General Meetings of members where the organising secretary may be busy on other matters.

ARTICLE IV: ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: Nomination

There shall be a nominating / election committee formed on the last Saturday of April of each year.
The committee shall facilitate the election of a new Executive Committee.
Terms of reference for the nominating/election committee shall be recommended by Executive Committee and approved at the meeting forming the committee.
The nominating election committee shall consist of three members in good standing plus a legal officer from the Kenya High Commission.
Shall prepare a slate of officers for the AGM.
Members shall propose a list of officers to the nominating committee for presentation at the AGM.
The nominating committee shall serve as the elections committee at the AGM.

Section 2: Date of elections

The AGM (Election will be at AGM) will be held in the 3rd week of June of each year except for this transitional period of July 2011.
The Executive Committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting (AGM) by secret ballot of all members in good standing present.
Voice vote may not be used to accept a slate as presented.
There will be no nominations from the floor.
Early voting will not be allowed.

Section 3: Elections AGM

Observers will be appointed at the AGM for the voting process.
The voting shall be handled by a credible auditing firm.
The candidate receiving the largest number of votes for each position shall be declared elected by the Nomination/Election Committee.
Rules of Order will be the standard for all elections and meetings.

ARTICLE V: AUTHORITY

Section 1: Authority

The authority of this organization is vested in the members. The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the membership.

Section 2: Authority to make and execute

The Chair of the Executive Committee shall have the authority to make and execute on behalf of AKR, any deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument relating to real and personal property of AKR.
The Executive Committee will have three signatories for its account, The Chair, The Secretary and the Treasurer. All transactions will be signed by the Chair and Treasurer while the Secretary will sign in case of a temporary absence of either the Chair or Treasurer .

Section 3: Meetings of the Executive Committee

The meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held at least monthly.
The Executive Committee shall set the date of their meetings.
Meetings of the AKR Executive Committee of Directors shall be held at least monthly to discuss and conduct routine AKR business.
A quorum to conduct business is 50% of AKR’s Executive Committee.
The Chair of the Executive Committee may call special meetings of the Executive Committee when necessary to discuss and vote on special matters.
Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair, when a written request is received for such a meeting that states the purpose of the meeting and is signed by five (5) Regular Members or by written or oral notice to the Chair from three members of the Executive Committee.
In a situation where the Executive Committee is unable to meet due to lack of quorum for two consecutive scheduled meetings the Organising Secretary is required to call a general meeting of AKR members to resolve the problem through recall or election.

Section 5: Minutes

Minutes of AKR’s Committees and Executive Committee shall be kept as a public document
The Secretary shall keep records of all Executive Committee and general meetings.
Section 6: Notice of Meetings

The Executive Committee members shall be notified at least two (2) working days prior to their meetings.

Section 7: Communication to AKR Members

All official written communication and correspondence to other organisations shall be sent out by the Chair of the association.
All email communication to members shall be sent out by the Organising Secretary .
All sms communication to members shall be sent out by the Organising Secretary
Procedure of communication by email.
Any member of the executive committee shall be able to originate a message to members. This message shall be drafted by the originating party and sent out to all members of the executive committee. The Organising Secretary shall wait for an ‘okay’ response from at least 4 of the seven members of the executive committee one of which will be the chair of the committee .
Any message that will not be approved by the chair of the association shall not be valid to be sent out to members.

Procedure for communication by SMS
Any member of the Executive Commitee shall be able to originate an SMS message to all members. This SMS shall be drafted by the originating party then sent to all members of the executive committee. The Organising Secretary shall wait for an ‘Okay’ response from the Chairman and three other members of the committee before sending the SMS to the general members.

Section 8: Executive Committee Vacancy

If any office in the executive committee shall fall vacant, then this is the order in which the vacancies shall be filled until the next general election .
In the event that the office of the Chair shall fall vacant, then Vice Chair shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Vice Chair, shall fall vacant, the Organising Secretary & PRO shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Organising Secretary &PRO shall fall vacant, the Secretary shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Treasurer shall fall vacant, the Vice Treasurer shall shall automatically succeed.

In absence of both the Treasurer and Vice Treasurer, a by election shall be held within one month to fill the position of treasurer.
For a vacancy in any other position the executive committee shall fill the position from among their ranks.
If the office of the Chair, Vice Chair and Organising Secretary shall fall vacant within the course of the AKR year, then a by election shall be held to fill those positions.
If more than 50% of the offices fall vacant in the course of the AKR year then the remaining Executive Committee shall call for a by election to fill the vacancies.
Voting will be by secret ballot. The voting process will follow the same process as employed in an AGM

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1: General membership meetings

AKR’s general membership shall hold monthly meetings at a time and place designated by AKR’s Executive Committee .
The Executive Committee may call special meetings when it is deemed necessary.
The Executive Committee may also call a special meeting when it has received a written request for such a meeting that states the purpose of the meeting and is signed by twelve Regular Members.
Section 2: Committee meetings

The chair of a committee or program may set up and conduct meetings as necessary to carry out the routine activities of AKR for special projects or standing committee activities.
ARTICLE VII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Section 1: Dues

Dues will be set by the Executive Committee and will run from 1st July to June 30th the following year.
Regular and Corporate Members shall pay annual dues in the amount fixed by the Executive Committee.
All members Coroproate and General shall pay the annual fees and the monthly membership fees in order to remain in good standing.

Section 2: Donations

Donations or grants may be received with the approval of the Executive Committee .

Section 3: Budgeted funds

Each year, the Executive Committee shall set a detailed draft annual budget one month after election .
The annual budget must be presented and ratified by the general membership each year.
Any decision to spend any money in excess of the budgeted amount or a re-allocation, must be approved by the Executive Committee .

Section 4: Audits

An audit firm shall be competitively sourced by the executive team one month after election to audit the association’s books for a period of one year. The term of the audit firm will be renewable depending on the view general membership presented at the AGM.
Audits shall be conducted the professional firm that is competitively; at least twice a year (December) and towards the end of the financial year (April ). The results of the audit shall be presented in the subsequent general meeting or when the general assembly deems necessary.
Section 5: Income

All monies received by AKR and its activities shall be deposited in the name of AKR in an insured banking facility.
Donations or grants may be received with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 6: Funds Disbursement

The persons authorized to disburse funds are the Treasurer, the Chair and the Secretary who are designated as signatories to AKR’s bank account.
Checks drawn against AKR’s account shall be valid only when signed by any two of the authorized persons.
Charitable donations can be made by AKR. Such donation requests will be researched and a proposal for the donation be presented to the Executive Committee for approval.
ARTICLE VIII – SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Section 1: Committees

Establishment of Committees:
Special Committees may be established for the purpose of carrying out the routine activities of AKR and shall be created by the Chair of the association. These committees shall be dissolved by the appointing authority or on the lapse of the authority’s tenure of office.

General duties of Committee Chairs:
Shall coordinate the activities of their committee.
Shall be responsible for preparing a budget and financial statement for any events or activities their committee stages once the event is complete.
Shall prepare an annual report for the Association, Executive Committee and committee files.
Section 2: Committee Records

The Executive Committee members of each committee shall maintain complete records of past and present activity of that committee.
Each Executive Committee member shall submit the records of the committee on to the Executive Committee Secretary, who will safeguard the records for future use.
ARTICLE IX: BYLAW AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Amendments

These bylaws may only be amended at any regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose by a vote of the majority of the regular members present, provided that the membership has been given five days notice in writing of the proposed amendment.
The proposed amendments will be brought via the Executive Committee who will be responsible for circulating copies of the proposed Bylaw change to the membership.
Proposed bylaw amendments must be presented at a General Meeting of AKR in a manner that allows for discussion.
ARTICLE X – TERMINATION

Section 1: Dissolution of Executive Committee

In the event the Association is dissolved, the Officers of the Executive Committee then in office shall continue until all affairs of the Association have been officially terminated.

After settling all liabilities of AKR, any remaining assets/funds will be given to an organisation with similar goal and objectives.

Kenya: Focus in The Kisumu Governorship Race……!

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from Judy Miriga

Folks,

In answering Konyiego, this is thought to be addressed to all friends and good people, that there are enough good reasons why Kibaki and Raila must face Legal Justice over crime and abuse against Human Rights, so to add up facts that should provide on events for 2012 electioneering candidacy’s clearance and disqualification…….

That in the focus of PM Raila leaving out outgoing Kibaki, water-tap flow of corruption going down the stream of Raila is what must be closed. It is the reason why Jackoyo and others feel they must continue stay in power to provide service to corrupt Status Quo, while they are collecting more corrupt and illegitimate non-productive money to fill their water tank, before they can serve mwanainchi, in essence, they were not, all the while serving voters according to mandate, but Special Interest.

Guess what, this is one reason why Dominion has its foot rooted in Yala Swamp and was able to take over “Kano” peoples community land and wealth under political theft and in the style, maneuvres “Intellectual Property Thieving”, through the highly toxic corruption undertaking of buying your way out to position for nomination under cover of illegal and non-legitimate Foreign Investment based on popular tag of “Free Trading Entrepreneurship”…….if you resist, you die….

This is why many people, under questionable circumstances, think Raila is the problem reason for excessive poverty in greater Region of Nyanza, consolidating the whole of Nyanza’s wealth, the banker of Land resource and Wealth investment, where, through PM Raila, Family & Relatives, Cohorts and Cartels, Museveni is able to comfortably retain Migingo and Ugingo, Individuals and Community lands and properties are in jeopardy, individuals and the Community accrued wealth disappear towards one direction. Today, the Somali that were in Uganda were sent back and are holed-up in Siaya, and are spreading out within and without Lake Victoria…….Lorries and Buses are being ambushed and stolen from……….Carjacking, Pirating at Deep Sea Mombasa exported and transferred to Siaya and Lake Victoria……..This are some serious Conspiracies that need thorough investigation when Kibaki and Raila are not in power ………and We Believe these are the reasons for Economic Stagnation in greater Luo Nyanza and in Kenya…….. Bad Leadership is the problem, short-cut is not the solution…….slowing population by all means is also not the solution….CORRUPTION, IMPUNITY AND GRAFT IS THE PROBLEM….so, to Remove Kibaki and PM Raila, cohort and cartels is the SOLUTION…

The exchange and transfer of Big money and personal wealth is causing the whole of KANO more poorer and landless, is a recent showcase. History puts it that, these Kano people’s constant suffering are affected by yearly rain fall seasons, and this is not new. They live at the mercy of God hanging on to dear life but will not abandon their land natural resource wealth. They hold it so passionately even at extreme distressful situations. They will not let calamity have a way to press them down or succumb to it…….

The people of KANO PLAINS situation is coupled by poor communication facilities in the country, but amazingly, they are comforted by the use of Radio as communication-link, which is one thing when they are being fished out of the flooded land, they would not let go off their hands. Most Radios in the rural village are operated by batteries, and unlike cellphones which you have to charge through electricity connection…….So, the use of RADIO being handy, the Kano Plains people are able to reach their loved ones “Pahali popote walipo”.

In this case-scenario, adding salt to injury, Kano Land and Wealth has been SOLD corruptly through Status Quo political machination who are knead together AND completely unbroken……..The reason Siaya County election went heywire…..and Ms. Elizabeth Victory is under siege………

This behavior is not acceptable under New Constitutional dispensation order………Call a Spade a Spade………No beating about the bush, PM Raila and Kibaki, cohort and cartels must vacate Public Office for fresh leadership start……..influence and destruction of Jakoyo Midiwo and Professor Anyang Nyongo and the likes must be brought to an end………If Majimbo, Federal Governance has to be of any significance in bearing fruits.

Thank you all,

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

– – – – – – – – – – –

Parliament to Blame for Slow Implementation
Maureen Waruinge
20 July 2011

Three out of every ten Kenyans feel that lack of political will is to blame for the slow implementation of the constitution. A new poll by Synovate shows that Kenyans feel MPs are frustrating the implementation process because they are not united. Synovate Managing Director Maggie Ireri says a further 20 percent of Kenyans feel that corruption is slowing down the process.

— On Fri, 7/22/11, barack abonyo wrote:

Kombo

This was a response to someone who was attacking the people I still believe are good and strong representatives of the region. I do not believe it is a wrong idea to state that they are our soldiers when we are talking about devolution. Of course with Raila as the president, Anyan Nyongo and Orengo as senators and I as the governor you have the right people in the office. There are no better set of people to protect your investment in Kisumu than these honest, visionary, hard working individuals I was referring to.

KENYA: WHERE IS OMTATAH & GEORGE NYONGESA

Leave a reply

— On Sat, 7/23/11, Rose Kagwiria wrote:

From: Rose Kagwiria

Guys

Can somebody find out if all is well with these guys. Their phones are now off. Where are their lawyers? I never saw any lawyer mentioned anywhere

They gave an alarm yesterday that they were being transferred to some funny destination. We are busy condemning them but today as am writing this email, there phones are off. What happened? Anybody aware of their where about? The issues at hand is about our public funds. Is this what Kenyans want? When you shout out, you are silenced, yet the PEV suspect guys are enjoying themselves. I hope their heads have not been torn in pieces. Can somebody confirm?

from Judy Miriga

Folks,

This calls for urgent dispatch and reporting of the United Nations Security council, as we cannot trust the two Principle leaders of the Coalition Government.

This is a way moulded to silence critics of the Status Que, the Civil Society from engaging in public interest, while legitimate temperature to electioneering is being pumped and dangerously raised…….

Let the world intervene and help the situation………

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

— On Sat, 7/23/11, Rose Kagwiria wrote:

From: Rose Kagwiria

Judy

I hope people have not been told to be silent about the matter for their own security.

— On Sun, 7/24/11, CAROLYNE RUTO wrote:

From: CAROLYNE RUTO

Fellow Countrymen,

1. I would like to confirm that Omtata, George and the other 29 are fine and at Industrial Area remand like some colleagues here have indicated.

2. The Magistrate, Grace Macharia, did have them remanded till Wednesday 27th, However, the team of lawyers and advocates working on this case ( Antony, Momanyi and Myself) are trying to have them prrovide an appeal to this ruling of Mrs Macharia to appear in court on Monday (25th) before Justice Ochieng at the High court since our constitutional petition was being mentioned before him on this day. So what we are hoping to achieve is to mention the petition at the High Court as well have an appeal which we will have filed by the court time Monday heard. We will post you on what happens and what orders do issue from the High court.

3. Just to let you know that there is alot of good will from all quarters supporting this cause, National Politicians, several citizens who want to get involved in one way or the other and several High ranking people in government not to mention dedicated Human Rights organizations, with a very special mention to IMLU (Independent Medical Legal Unit).

4. I have read all the posts concerning the Omtata condom remark in court. I had no issue with it. Those of you watching it on TV clips or on streams might not appreciate the circumstances the comments were made. Some People naturally hate Omtata so would look for anything that does not look good to Crucify him. Omata is a poet and Playwright. The Condom remark was typical literal imagery, and i agree with him. I have actually penned a piece that i am sending for local print with the title, the Courts risk being condoms at the expense of being institutions of Justice. Some of us who claim the moral high ground and of course we are entitled, would find this sort of remark or line disparaging, but we feel the same about the Justice system just that we might not use the exact imagery. The activists have myriad cases,one on Ongeri in which they were arrested in December 2009, One on Kimunya on the sale of Grand regency, one on Members of Parliament increasing their salaries and the list is endless. George Nyongesa and Omtata find themselves in all these cases, Omtata’ s case list last i checked are 13, R vs OMtata….all these being cases where he has been either demonstrating or picketing . These rights are constitutionally ingrained, article 37 of the constitution and the constitution shows how you can limit these rights, article 24 of the constitution, so no one, unless they are “being used as a condom” can purport to limit these rights in any other way…if indeed Kenya is a republic and believes in the rule of law, unless there is no rule of law. Most of you found the condom remark disparaging, and shockingly the Police even charged him with the same offense in Kibera. Now, the comment would amount to contempt in case it was, But it wasn’t since the law stipulates what to do in cases of contempt as well as what a magistrate can do when an offense is committed before him/her, section 38 of the Criminal Procedure code. The magistrate did not find it an offence, only said, court had taken Judicial notice of the imagery, so what is all these holiness?… You must also appreciate that before the activists were brought to court, Omtata had just been bludgeoned on the fore head by the Deputy OCPD of Kilimani a Mr. Chebii, so he was both in pain and anger at his rights being violated when the real thieves were fetting their concubines with tax payers Money. It is possible to go on and on in defending him on this, but lets let this condom remark pass it was juts imagery.

5. Let us all as citizens, be vigilant in helping to ensure the rule of law in Kenya and that the constitutional is implemented to the letter as well as obeyed in the performance of duties as therein directed.We might not do it a la omtata but lets do something in our small ways. This coalition government, is of Ali Baba and many thieves. God Bless Kenya.

Agostinho

Jaluo dot Kom

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