The younger generations of politicians, particularly the Kalenjin MPs who of late have been pointing accusing fingers at the Prime Minister Raila Odinga blaming him of complicity in the Mau Forest evictions and rehabilitation of this important water tower are simply not telling the truth about the historical background of the matter.
The political history of Mau Forest and other injustices related to the land distribution could as well be traced back to the final constitutional talks on the future of an independent Kenya, which were held inside the famous Lancaster House in London, UK in 1962.
These problems are inter-related to the dismantling of the so-called “White Highland”. It has since emerged that during the round table constitutional talks, the African delegates who were then representing two major political parties of the time, namely KANU and KADU were subjected to too much blackmailing by the White Settlers representative and those representing colonial authorities.
And due for the then clamor for political independence and the liberation of the country fro the colonial York to an independent African government, they hastily and hurriedly rubber-stamped many clauses in the then new Lancaster House constitution that wee only meat for the protection of white settlers and their properties.
Kanu delegates were led by the founding President the late Jomo Kenyatta, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya, James Samuel Gichuru, Eliud Ngala Mwanda, Muhinga Chokwe and other party stalwarts like Dr Julius Gikonyo Kiano,Samuel Onyango Ayodo, and Mbiyu Koinange.
The KADU team was led by Ronald Gideon Ngala, Daniel T. Moi, Masinde Muliro, Taaitta Arap Toweett, Marie John Seroney,Peter Habenga Okondo, William Murgor and John Keen.
The moderate white settlers were led by Michael Blundell, Sir Charles Markham, Mrs Agnes Shaw, Mrs Dorothy Hughes, Bruce Mackenzie,Sir Alfred Vincent ,Culwick and Crosskill, R.S Alexander and Humprey Slade.DEREK Eriaskin and others.
There were also extremist’s racists’ white supremacists like major BP Roberts, Major F Day, Aircomodore Howard Williams and others. Ex-officio representatives included the Governor, the deputy Governor,Sir Patrick M Renson, the Chief Secretary, W.F.Coutts and Minister for legal Affairs Griffith Jones ,Q.C. and others.
The Indian community were represented by the likes of Avind Jammidar, Ibrahim Nathoo, D.B Kholi, J.S Patel, F. De Souza, C.B.Madan, K.P Shah
Due to the clamor for political independence, KANU AN KADU delegates to the talks were coerced and blackmailed by the representatives of the Her Majesty government at the Whitehall and Colonial Office led by the then Secretary of State for the British Colonies Duncan Sandys to succumbed easily to the white settlers demands for compensation for those who wished to leave the county at the independence.
The British government at the same time readly made available millions of sterling British pounds, which was to be given to the new Kenya government headed by he late Jomo Kenyatta. The money was meant to be utilized in compensation payout to the departing white settlers and partly to be used in the purchasing of the farms owned by European settlers and other for properties and partly for the settling of the millions of the landless African people of Kenya.
Immediately when the independence came and the white settlers had realized that the new African government had the money for the compensation of their land an property, there was mass exodus of whites despite of the repeated assurances given by Jomo Kenyatta and member of the post-independence cabinet that their property would be given maximum security protection under the Bill of Right entrenched in the Lancaster House constitution, the majority of the whites settlers numbering about 200,000 in population opted to go out of Kenya for green pasture elsewhere.
The new independent government half-heartedly used the money in settling few African population in Subukia, Rongai, Londiani, Molk, Olkalou, Nyahururu, Laikipia, and other places.
The settlement scheme the re-distribution of the lands were , however, biased and only dished out selectively to favor one particular community [the Kikuyu] at the expense of other needy Kenyans.
The Kikuyus were given farm lands in areas previously considered as the indigenous Kalenjin regions in total disregards of the local indignant communities.
Members of the Kalenjin community dissented to this, but the senior Kalenjin politician of the time who were none other than Daniel Arap Moi and Dr.Taaitta Arap Towett, were happily serving in he post independence cabinet an never raised any objection to the settling of Kikuyu people in area previously considered as the Kalenjin land.
Two Kalenjin politicians, however, were vehemently opposed to the spread of Kikuyu settlement in what they considered as the Kalenjin land.They were Marie John Seroney then the MP for Tinderet and Morogo Saina then the M for Eldoret North. This was the source of hostility between Seroney and the KANU government, which led to both Seroney and Saina being jailed and landed in detention camps following the no in famous Nandi Hills Declaration.
It was the same money given by the British government for the settlement o landless African people of Kenya that Kenyatta is being alleged to have used in acquiring vast plantation s land in Taita Taveta, Mwatate, Ziwani, Laikipia, Ruiru and Salgaa near Nakuru.
Jomo Kenyatta died on August 22nd and hi hen Vice President for 12 years Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi stepped into his shoes at the mantle of power. It was during Moi’s presidency hen the government half-heartedly opened up the Mau Forest and other areas for Kalenjin settlement, most of hem illegal squatters.
The first tribal land clashes between the Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Kisii, Luos, Luhyias were believes to have been launched with the full knowledge of members of the security apparatus during the Moi’s Presidency.
It was also the Moi KANU regime which encouraged tribal land clashes which were meant t cleanse the region of what were commonly called madoadoa colours out of the region
The dreaded Kalenjin warriors were secretly trained an armed with crude weapons in the Embobut Forest, Ndoinet, Marigat and Mau Forest and then ferried on government vehicles an other tracks donated by wealthy Kalenjin businessmen and farmers when they launched three prongs full scale attack on the Kisii in Sotik, Luos in Nyando Valley, Nyakach an luhyias in Lugari and along he Rift Valley-Western Provinces boundaries causing the first internally displaced persons in 1996/97 and the last clashes and the worse of all was in 2007/2008.
The original intention was to keep a bay those who were clamoring for the multi parties system of politics then opposed to the KANU doctrine of the monolithic one party dictatorship.
On the latest opposition to Raila Odinga roe in the Mau Forest saga, the Prime Minister had no personal interests in the forest, but was just executing and implementing the collective decision of the cabinet. Some of the now outspoken MPs like William Ruto were members of the cabinet and at in the cabinet meetings when decision and government plans on the rehabilitation of Mau Forest were being deliberated upon, but they did not raise any objection.
Mr Odinga should be exonerated out f these malicious accusations and falsehood a he has done nothing wrong to the Kalenjin community because the source of injustices done to this particular community as the land redistribution is concerned lies elsewhere and not strictly with Raila Odinga.
Cooperation on land and water resources is motivated by scarcity and degradation and economics. There is a need to increase access and productivity, and ensure land and water remain a conduit for agricultural and economic growth and for the general advancement of human well-being. The United Nations system plays an important and unique role in international cooperation in regard to the management of land and water resources. It has facilitated a series of key meetings on the topic and helped establish a range of international organizations and programmes focussing on enhanced management and improved support to land and water.
As a result, international cooperation on land and water has picked up, particularly after the 1972 Stockholm Conference and the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Several UN agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Bretton Woods Institutions hold the mandate or share responsibilities for promoting and coordinating natural resources and environmental policies and activities.
No human being in the world should be treated this way.
Both local and international law must protect human rights and this call is valid for legal jurisdiction to take it up without any waste of time. The United Nations should embark on investigating this matter urgently and report to the world what is at stake and the measure it is taking to resolve this matter.
Very sad indeed…….
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
– – – – – – – – – –
— On Mon, 8/13/12, Africa j bwamkuu wrote:
From: Africa j bwamkuu
Subject: They’re kicking them off their land
Date: Monday, August 13, 2012, 5:29 AM
…if it’s true, we shall be the first to act!
Dear friends,
At any moment, a big-game hunting corporation could sign a deal which would force up to 48,000 members of Africa’s famous Maasai tribe from their land to make way for wealthy Middle Eastern kings and princes to hunt lions and leopards. Experts say the Tanzanian President’s approval of the deal may be imminent, but if we act now, we can stop this sell-off of the Serengeti.
The last time this same corporation pushed the Maasai off their land to make way for rich hunters, people were beaten by the police, their homes were burnt to a cinder and their livestock died of starvation. But when a press controversy followed, Tanzanian President Kikwete reversed course and returned the Maasai to their land. This time, there hasn’t been a big press controversy yet, but we can change that and force Kikwete to stop the deal if we join our voices now.
If 150,000 of us sign, media outlets in Tanzania and around the world will be blitzed so President Kikwete gets the message to rethink this deadly deal. Sign the petition now and send to everyone:
The Maasai are semi-nomadic herders who have lived in Tanzania and Kenya for centuries, playing a critical role in preserving the delicate ecosystem. But to royal families from the United Arab Emirates, they’re an obstacle to luxurious animal shooting sprees. A deal to evict the Maasai to make way for rich foreign hunters is as bad for wildlife as it is for the communities it would destroy. While President Kikwete is talking to favoured local elites to sell them on the deal as good for development, the vast majority of people just want to keep the land that they know the President can take by decree.
President Kikwete knows that this deal would be controversial with Tanzania’s tourists — a critical source of national income — and is therefore trying to keep it from the public eye. In 2009, a similar royal landgrab in the area executed by the same corporation that is swooping in this time generated global media coverage that helped to roll it back. If we can generate the same level of attention, we know the pressure can work.
A petition signed by thousands can force all the major global media bureaus in East Africa and Tanzania to blow up this controversial deal. Sign now to call on Kikwete to kill the deal:
Representatives from the Maasai community today urgently appealed to Avaaz to raise the global alarm call and save their land. Time and again, the incredible response from this amazing community turns seemingly lost causes into legacies that last a lifetime. Lets protect the Maasai and save the animals for tourists that want to shoot them with camera lenses, rather than lethal weapons!
With hope and determination,
Sam, Meredith, Luis, Aldine, Diego, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team
For More Information:
The Guardian: “Tourism is a curse to us”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/06/masai-tribesman-tanzania-tourism
Society for Threatened People: Briefing on the eviction of the Loliondo Maasai
http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/session12/TZ/STP-SocietyThreatenedPeople-eng.pdf
FEMACT: Report by 16 human rights investigators & media on violence in Loliondo
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/58956/print
Voices of Loliondo: Short film from Loliondo on impact of eviction on Maasai
Acumen Fund has just released a report on affordable housing in Kenya “The ABCs of Affordable Housing“. The report aims to serve as a point of reference for practitioners and investors looking to enter into the affordable housing market. “Our primary reason for releasing this report is to encourage more entrepreneurs and investors to enter the affordable housing sector in Kenya and provide them with some tools to succeed”. Follow the link provided above to access the report.
Download attached document
—
Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
Apparently encouraged and sensitized by the relatively small progress being made as the result of legal suit filed by the Mau Mau veterans in High Court in London against the British government for the torture and atrocities against members of the Kikuyu community in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising years in the 1950s, another Kenyan community which had suffered similar treatment is also in the process of filing another historical suit in the UK seeking compensation for its members who had suffered similar treatment.
Member of the Talai community, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups who were banished and exiled from their ancestral land in Kericho, Nandi, Tugen and other place for close to forty years are also considering the option of suing the British government to compensate for the loss of their ancestral land, property and the, loss of their freedom.
Commonly known as Laibon is for the belief by many Kenyans that its members possess supernatural powers of soothsaying and prophecy, the Talai community, The Talai community who were before the year 1934 were living happily among the other Kalenjin sub-tribes like the Nandis, Tugen, and Kipsigis .
The Talai had occupied the most fertile in the Kericho Highlands region. The British had decided to give this area to the white settlers for tea plantations and construction of the green tea leaves processing factories.
The large tea plantations and factories which were introduced as cash crops in the region in early 1920s still stands there and owned by foreign British multinational foreign companies to-date.
The colonial authorities in Kenya, was becoming increasingly intolerant with the falsified accusations peddled by colonial chiefs and white missionaries alleging that the Talai were mobilizing their people to stage an armed rebellion in protest for the confiscation of land meant for tea plantations. Other accusers to the colonial authorities that the Talai were capable of bewitching families even government officials to death.
A discriminating ordinance was hurriedly tabled in the Whites and settlers dominated Colonial Legislative Council in Nairobi. The newly enacted law, which was immediately sanctioned by the Whitehall and colonial office in London.
It gave the colonial authorities in Kenya the power to remove the Talai community and forced them into internal exile. Talai members were hunted down like wild antelope, bundle together in makeshift camp in Sosiot and in other places while on transits camp while waiting to be walked for miles to their new homes.
They together with their herds animals were escorted by armed soldiers and policemen across the Nyanza Province and the remotest hills are of Gwassi now known as Suba South district. The place was infested by tse-tse flies and the colonial authorities expected the members of the Talai community to perish udder such squalid condition on top of the remote Gwassi Hillsh with no water for their animals and even for human consumption.
Close 2,600 families were involved in the inhuman exercises. The Talai members use to take their herds of cow for watering 15 kilometers away at Sori at Karungu-Bay on the shore of lake Victoria only twice a week. The group was placed under the administrative watchful of one generous retired Chief Kasuku Matunga with whom the group quickly cultivated close friends and family ties, making the life much easier for them to survive. Their leader Arap Koilagen was late relocated to another remotes part of the neighboring Mfangano Island, where he later succumbed to death exile in around 1956.
While In Mfangano those Talai members who were hard-core were placed under the supervision of the latex-Senior Chief Simeon Wasonga Kwach with those who were exiled there also cultivated another very warm friendship and relationship which has lasted for decades. Strict restrictions were paced on the Talai.
They were m allowed t ravel outside Gwassi or South Nyanza district without the express permission granted permission by the local chiefs, district officers {DOs], police District Commissioners. They were also barred from receiving visitors from their original Kalenjin home region, Only the boys and girls were, however, allowed to travel back home during mandatory circumcision periods .
The came the year 1962, when Kenyan people were clamoring for political independence,the then Legislative Member representing the Kipsigis community in the white settlers dominated Colonial Legislative Council Dr. Taaitta Araap Toweett moved a motion calling upon the government to revoke lift all the restrictions t had imposed on the exiled Talai community so that these people should come back home and resume normal life among their kins in their ancestral land in Kericho.
The motion which was seconded by the late Tom Mboya and supported by among other legislators Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro Ronald Gideon Ngala and Daniel T.Arap Moi. It was accepted by the colonial government unanimously supported by all the 14 African elected members of the Legco, moderate Europeans and White Settler, Asian members and the rest. There, was, however some loopholes in the motion itself. It din t spelt clearly how he close 7,000 families of the Talai community would be resettled, where to settled them and the availability of the lands were never mentioned. The Talai were verbally promised they would be resettled among their people with no specific mention about the land. This is because thee were no more land in the region for free in Kericho and in most parts of Kalenjin region had already been settled and exhausted.
The Talai were then abandoned in a small Kericho Municipality parcel of land where they have been living in a crowded manner ever since 1962
The majority of hose living in Kericho have yet to get the land which they can call their own and settled on despite of the repeated assurances by the successive independent governments of Kenya.
This week members of the Talai community converged for a cultural celebration gathering. They issued fresh demands for compensation from the British government.
The community spokesman Joseph Sigilai said the community suffered heavily in the hands of the colonialists and wanted compensation from Britain as soon as possible failure of which will institute legal action.
“There are hard facts that our people were tortured by the colonialists before us being pushed from our fertile ancestral land to create room for the Tea plantations and factories in that has benefited other people still languishing in abject poverty,” said Sigilai.
The sub-tribe spokesman said they were keenly watching how the Mau Mau fighter’s case was being dealt with before making the next move or instructing lawyers to commence legal action seeking compensation.
The youths participating in the cultural gathering wee n of the role their forefathers played, particularly the late Arap Koilagen in resisting the colonialists leading to his torture and eventually forced exile and displacement of his people from Kericho in 19
He said the community was also demanding land from the government as promised saying since they retreated to their ancestral home in Kericho County, the have been accommodated relatives some of whom have now run out of patience.
“We came back to Kericho in 1962 and we were accepted and accommodated by our distance relatives. Due to pressure of land, some of us are now being told to seek for land elsewhere rendering us squatters once again” ,said Sigilai.
He said the Kenya government has only managed to settle 515 families out of the total 5,574, and we are still being told by the authorities to be patient.”Surely we have run out of patience as the government seemed to be buying times as we suffer,”said Sigalai.
The celebrations were held at the Moi Garden ground in Kericho.
FEATURES
Kenya Railways Action Group
2012-06-28, Issue 591
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/83200
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cc Wikimedia Kenya Railways Corporation has over the past two decades gone from being an exemplar of service and care to leaving behind a greed-driven legacy of retrenchment, dislocation and abandonment of its employees. As one of the key national institutions, the Kenya Railways Corporation, at its apex, was an employer to over 25000 Kenyans, deployed to serve the Nation across the Railway Network distancing 2400km from Mombasa to the Kisumulake shore, with branch lines to Taveta =96 Tanzania, to Malaba =96 Uganda; and, within Kenya, to kitale, Nanyuki, Solai =96 Nyahururu and the Kajiado – Magadi lines. The complex network of feeder lines to the industrial areas of Nairobi and all the other major towns in Kenya also provided the connecting rail network for the invaluable range of transport services offered to the economies of the countries within Eastern Africa and the great lakes region.
Through this railways establishment Kenya became the leading provider of transport linkage to the countries depending on its services for the vital imports of goods, which moved the engines of industry and sustained their economies. Aside from this, it provided other important auxiliary services, which included the provision of engineering and technical services through the massive Central Workshops facilities – only rivaled by those in South Africa and Egypt.
The then central Railway Training School also provided vital training on the maintenance and repairs of railway equipment and infrastructures and, most importantly, played the critical role of preparing the next generation of railway men and women for the future administration and management of the Railways.
Sorry to say that all these programs, which were mooted and painstakingly mooted by our visionaries, following many years of planning and resources commitment, were in one fell swoop sacrificed at the altar of greed.
Today the Kenya Railways Corporation has become a shell of its former self and is rapidly fading into obscurity, for the reasons outlined in this paper. This forms the basis of our appeal to the concerned stakeholder for concerted action and restitution to those who were caught up or traumatized by the effects of the plunder to their lives and livelihoods, from those who, entrusted with a great and noble responsibility because of narrow interests, deliberately, caused the collapse of this giant Corporation, probably pushing us many years back in our quest to join the polity of advanced nations.
Conversely, the Railway Act (Cap 397) empowers the Corporation to fully exploit all the resources availed to it for the benefit of the employees and the country at a large.
As intended, the economic contribution to the exchequer and the general welfare of the people of Kenya would therefore be dependent on how well these resources were applied in meeting this and those other objectives which have been clearly specified in the Act.
LAND
To facilitate its operations, the Kenya Railways Corporation was endowed with large tracts of land – including estates property, major assets and infrastructures – spread along the length and breadth of Kenya. Over the last hundred years, most structures have been built parallel to the railway network, stretching over 2400 km.
However, over time and starting with the instigation of the Musuva Commission of Inquiry in 1989, this land was invaded and rapidly changed hands, without ascertaining the railways traffic requirements and the necessary expansion of the railways operational infrastructures.
In the more scandalous cases, operational land was recklessly excised and disposed of, without ascertaining KRC’s present and future expansionary needs. See Ndungu report.
For example, the allocation of land within the boundaries of the locomotive turning triangles (termed Diamonds) in the major stations system, greatly obscured traffic operations and endangered safety. This encroachment gradually crept into the Railway estates housing and staff were at times required to cede their housing accommodation overnight – often without notice – to pave way for the so called property owners or developers of the new acquisitions.
This encroachment into railway land worsened with the passage of time. The plunder was cloaked with impunity, with trespass or open violation of the employees’ rights that was justified by the political correctness of the perpetrators.
With the subsequent retrenchment of employees, the ensuing scramble for the displaced railway assets escalated. The workers’ rights and interests were completely subjugated in the process – even in the instances where GOK had issued clear instruction guidelines that the workers are given first priority and fair treatment in benefiting from the divestment program that had commenced in the government parastatals. Every effort by GOK to empower the employees under the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) for Employment and Wealth creation, launched in 2003, was jettisoned.
Housing assets were initially identified to be sold to staff under the GOK initiative, but the target employees were hounded out of those houses orhastily retrenched to deny them the opportunity to benefit, as their civil service colleagues had done. The staff, rightly resisting vacation of quarters for nonpayment of their outstanding benefits, were viciously evicted; regardless of the violations of their rights, KRC influenced the disposal of the cases in court on technical grounds, leaving many employees scarred and bearing irreparable damage to their lives.
This occupation and resultant effect of the hostile takeover process was entirely dehumanizing to the employees. It characterized the beginning of the severe disintegration of the once robust railways system. The attrition witnessed presently, which continues to affect and hound the lives of railway men and women, is the consequence of the scramble for the institutional assets and lands identified and set aside by the taxpayers for the welfare of the retired staff, following concession of the corporation.
COMMISSION
We can say that the genesis of the corporation’s problems accelerated following implementation of the Musuva Commission of enquiry report recommendations. It opened the system to opportunism. The deliberate variation of the commercial and administrative procedures established to regulate the complex railway systems were dismantled without thought.
KRC became a laboratory for experimentation, and in the course of time the Corporation became a haven for enrichment by all shades of personalities, brandishing name tags from the political establishment and seeking to exploit the railway resources. The scramble and plunder of railway land and assets went on to the extent of completely subjugating the welfare and legal rights of the employees. Where their labor rights were concerned, the Union was compromised to such a degree that the employees had no alternative but to hold the short end of the stick in any negotiated terms.
In the subsequent retrenchment onslaught, the employees’ cries for fairness were completely ignored and, for many, their lives began to disintegrate before their very own eyes. Families broke up and parents divorced as wives and children refused to accompany their spouses and parents to their rural homes. Evictions like the ones of Muthurwa and Makongeni Estates spilt into the public domain and the courts, where the right to housing and illegal evictions is now the subject of contention.
The barriers that had been placed in their paths in their quest for justice discouraged many, and having no other recourse, they let destiny to take its course. As a result of the inhuman treatment, many employees who were sent home without the decent safety net promised by the World Bank, in compensation for the lost employment years, silently perished from broken spirits and destitution.
BENEFITS
The Railways retrenchment was effected in phases. The first phase commenced in 1994 when the World Bank recommended that KRC could initially sell its surplus assets to raise the funds to cover the retrenchment costs. The staff then retrenched were promised increments later rescinded, forcing many to retire in penury. Those who tried to seek redress faced a biased union, an impervious court system and a hostile political environment. Their plight was drowned in the corridors of corruption, and many left for their rural homes with nothing to show for their years of toil.
The second phase commenced in 1998. With the learning curve of shortchanging the employees perfected and securely in place, this group’s terms of retirement were equally varied, leading many to retire with peanuts. Litigation did not succeed; for example, it took over 14 good years to have their exempted tax deductions refunded. In all these instances, the union was at the centre of the controversy, with the argument that once the lowly terms negotiated was registered, the courts, which had been appealed to by the aggrieved employees, could do nothing about it. In other instances, the employees whose benefits were exempted from taxation were paid last year, and, to date, others are still chasing their payments,. Others despaired and died while still awaiting payment, leaving their dependents to reckon with the administration. Those who survived the ordeal are now awaiting the outcome of the Inter- ministerial disputes resolution committee that had to step in to address the numerous cases that had been brought to it by the aggrieved employees.
Completed cases of refunds were sat upon or with held by KRC on flimsy reasons, such as that the files could not be traced, or citing lack of funds; yet GOK had set aside and granted to the corporation millions of shillings to clear outstanding debts. The issue of underpaid benefits payment has been under correspondence and has severally been referred to the World Bank by the aggrieved employees for necessary clarification. The matter is still hanging to date and is shrouded in secrecy, in view of the serious financial repercussions where funds are found to have been misappropriated.
The third phase commenced in year 2002. The circular letter stipulating the initial severance benefits promised to staff of three months pay for every completed year of service was as in the previous cases rescinded and the staff paid instead one month’s pay for every year completed. Their protest led to naught, and the most affected group, at the time, was the employees engaged on renewable contract terms; they had their contracts automatically renewed at the end of every second year period. Nonetheless, these staff merited payment, given the fact that the service rendered to the corporation was continuous, making them eligible for the full payment of benefits.
The most affected in this category were the women staff in the secretarial cadre, equally eligible for admission to permanent and pensionable status prior to retrenchment. They were retrenched on the remainder of the 2 years running contract. Those who appealed and made vigorous follow ups with GOK were paid their lump sums and rightly admitted to pensionable status, onaccount of the many years of loyal service rendered. The victims of ignorance and misinformation were left out and retrenched on the balance of their running contracts of the expired contract terms at the time of retrenchment. The affected staff left with empty handbags to face an uncertain future and to deal with economic hardships.
The fourth phase commenced in year 2006, following the decision to concede KRC. Sheltam, the firm that won the railways bid, later abandoned the concession in controversial circumstances, causing unquantified financial losses to the Kenyan taxpayers in billions of shillings.
This phase was fraught with irregular financial dealing and retrenchment terms which similarly to the previous ones, severely short-changed the staff. The payment process was riddled with controversies, with batches of the staff earmarked for retrenchment paid under terms which did not clearly reflect the agreement GOK had entered into with the World Bank at the commencement of the retrenchment program. For example, the administration created a new category of employees called permanent contract workers, whose description appeared nowhere in the corporation’s personnel regulations. The funds requisitioned on their behalf are yet to be fully accounted for, though many were sent home with almost nothing to their names.
The PKF auditors appointed by the World Bank to oversee the payment process transparently, were themselves embroiled in the misdemeanors and abandoned the program, left mysteriously without settling numerous cases of underpayments and over payments to staff, six years down the line. They have yet to account to GOK and the World Bank the millions of shillings alleged to have been misappropriated during the process of effecting payments to the staff earmarked for retrenchment.
The information on the actual retrenchment benefits was variously stifled or varied, in a manner which left many retrenchees confused as to the applicable terms.
Again, the role of the Union in undermining the rights ofthe employees, in collaboration with the railways establishment, came to the fore.
IMPACT
On the whole, this process fundamentally affected the lives of many employees. With the mounting pressure to take over the operations and railway assets, the employees’ human rights were violated in many respects. With regards to housing, many employees eligible for free accommodation until their benefits were settled in full and in accordance with established railways regulations and the existing rules of natural justice, found themselves viciously evicted and left to seek abode in the surrounding slums. The plight of their families remains the discussion for another day, to be best told by them.
We believe that this truth will be known, with your assistance, as we begin to make the rounds in the country to collect and document these stories for posterity.
Even where the parent Ministry (transport) directed that that staff who had been unjustly evicted be reinstated to their quarters until their dues were paid in full, KRC was recalcitrant; they ignored such instructions and countered with their own arrangements, which were entirely inconvenient to the interests and welfare of the affected staff. In such instances, KRC advised the aggrieved staff to proceed to their home stations or to source accommodation in the vandalized railway quarters, away from their home stations, where found available. Those who took this option and occupied such vacant wayside quarters were later, treacherously, told to pay rent or face evictions.
In spite of the Railways Union’s clarification to the Transport Ministry on the railway’s housing policy, and the ministerial directive to KRC for reinstatement of the staff back to their houses, the staff affected, who had completed the requisite options forms introduced by KRC to implement this ministerial directive, never received any feedback, leaving the matter to fizzle out with the passage of time. Today, a majority of these staff now live in embarrassing destitution, leaving heartbreak, sorrow and desolation, thanks to the travesties of new managers and changed and untested policies imposed on an institution which once ran like clockwork and took very good care of its employees.
As such, it may be observed that over the years many KRC employees became victims of an institution run down as a consequence of conflicting interests. Their condition has worsened with every subsequent separation of staff from the institution. It was therefore necessary to document these happenings, so that justice can be served for those whose rights and lives have been turned upside down by the establishment; and to seek restitution for those who have suffered loss and to comfort the bereaved in the cases where spouses surrendered and sought solace across the Rubicon.
Across the country, there are over 9465 retired employees who now depend on the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme for their livelihood. They are required to receive monthly pensions until the end of their lives. However, this prospect is now threatened and constrained by political machinations targeting the properties which were set aside by GOK to provide for the pension needs of the retired employees.
Equally, the non-permanent staff, numbering over 3000, presently are pursuing payment of their retrenchment benefits with the corporation. Staff who stuff who suffered evictions and were residents in the sprawling Makongeni and Muthurwa railway housing estates are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping for redress through the courts.
However, in all these instances procrastination is noted, and whether this is deliberate or otherwise depends on whether those who have been charged with the responsibility to act are enjoying largesse by way of railway land. We have always suspected that to be the case, as the continuing suffering of KRC employees in the midst of all the atrocities committed to them clearly defies logic.
In this respect we would like to request the readers of this article to come on board and assist in achieving the following objectives:
i) Facilitate funding for mobilization of the aggrieved staff, system-wide; to collate and document their grievances and channel them to the right agencies for redress.
ii) To counsel and provide hope to the widows and dependents whose breadwinners have departed prematurely as a consequence of the maltreatment by the railway establishment
iii) To establish a case for compensation and payment of claims owing to the staff who were prematurely retrenched, which have not been fully settled by the employer.
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Generously, have a fruitful environmental friendly day.
Patrick Kamotho
Fahamu Pan -African Fellow[FPAF]
African Views-Kenya Chapter.
Interim Co-ordinator East Africa Alliance of Inhabitants.Member. Bunge La Mwananchi.
Country Convener, Baraza La Taifa Social Movement
C.E.O. Shields & Spears Co. Ltd
DAVID PITT Associated Press June 19, 2012 – 2:02 pm EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa — A watchdog group filed an ethics complaint Tuesday against Iowa Board of Regents member Bruce Rastetter, accusing him of abusing his position on the board overseeing public universities while pursuing a partnership between Iowa State University and his agribusiness corporation, AgriSol Energy.
Rastetter participated in discussions the university had about working with AgriSol to develop a huge commercial farming operation in Tanzania, a project critics have called a land grab.
“This looks pretty bad,” said Ross Grooters, a Citizens for Community Improvement member from Pleasant Hill, in a statement. “Rastetter needs to go.”
About 30 members of the Des Moines-based group delivered the complaint to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board on Tuesday.
Rastetter’s spokesman, Joe Murphy, said in a statement that an ethics review is welcome and he will cooperate fully.
“We are hopeful that this review will address any questions surrounding Bruce’s commitment to public service here in Iowa and abroad,” he said. “As we have stated before, there is no conflict of interest. Bruce has long been an advocate for education and agriculture and has a strong tradition of providing support and gifts to the Regent institutions.”
Gov. Terry Branstad appointed Rastetter, an agribusiness executive who donated $160,000 to the governor’s 2010 campaign, to the board in February 2011. Rastetter had been working on behalf of AgriSol with ISU since 2009 on a plan to develop 800,000 acres of Tanzanian farmland for crop production.
Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht responded to a request for comment on the allegations by email.
“We are fully confident in the judgment of Regent Rastetter on his decision regarding when to recuse himself,” he wrote.
Critics opposed the Tanzania project because the land had for decades housed 160,000 refugees from Burundi who were being relocated by the Tanzanian government. Investors, who stood to earn millions if the project was successful, argued it would help residents by improving food production and farming techniques. They added they had no role in the relocation.
Officials with ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which received a $1.75 million gift from Rastetter in 2007, were to implement an AgriSol-funded program providing a range of services and training to help farmers in the area.
Rastetter waited until June 17, 2011 — six weeks after his term started and four months after his appointment — to disclose the conflict, doing so only after the project received publicity. He waited until Sept. 13 before recusing himself from discussions related to ISU’s involvement. That was the same day the university abandoned plans to seek a multimillion-dollar federal grant with AgriSol.
CCI, in its complaint, claims Rastetter falsified financial disclosure statements to the state’s ethics board by omitting information about his wealth and job responsibilities with AgriSol and other companies he manages.
The group says he violated the state’s executive branch ethics law and a separate section of the state code that makes it illegal to falsify disclosure statements.
It also says he violated the regents’ conflict of interest policy, which says “Regents and institutional officials must endeavor to remain free from the influence of, or appearance of, any conflicting interest in acting on behalf of the Board or a Regent institution. Such interest may include, but are not limited to, employment, ownership of, or service on, the board of directors of an organization that has or may have relationships with the Board or a Regent institution.”
CCI said it wants Rastetter to resign from the board or, if he refuses, Branstad to remove him.
Ethics board Executive Director Megan Tooker said a decision will be made first about whether the complaint contains sufficient legal grounds to launch an investigation.
If so, the board orders an investigation.More serious violations may lead to a contested hearing, which is similar to a trial with witnesses, testimony and evidence. If the board eventually determines a violation occurred, it can issue fines.
It cannot remove an executive branch appointee from office. It can only recommend the appointing authority — in this case the governor — remove the violator.
Other media outlets around the state covered our action yesterday as well, including:
Des Moines Register
Radio Iowa
Ames Patch
Iowa State Daily
Ames Tribune
AgriSol Timeline
Bruce Rastetter is no stranger to Iowa CCI members. We started fighting his Heartland Pork factory farms in the late 90’s. Since then he has continued to make his big money mark across Iowa, starting and selling ethanol plants under his Hawkeye Renewables, and most recently with his AgriSol effort. His political power has grown too, through hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to candidates, and millions spent in shadowy political attack groups like the American Future Fund and Team Iowa PAC.
Yesterday we filed a conflict of interest complaint against Rastetter. (Read some of the press coverage of the event here) Now we have compiled a timeline of Rastetter’s involvement in the AgriSol affair and his attempts to use ISU to further the project.
2007: Rastetter donates $1.7 million to ISU
2008: Rastetter begins talks with Tanzanian government
2009: Collaboration between ISU and AgriSol begins
2010: Rastetter is the single biggest donor to the Branstad campaign, giving more than $164,000.
2011:
February 25: Branstad appoints Rastetter to Board of Regents
May 1: Rastetter’s term begins: he should have recused himself from discussions of an ISU partnership with AgriSol at this point.
May 18: Rastetter finances a $13,000 trip for ISU officials to Tanzania
June 14: Des Moines Register publishes AgriSol expose
June 17: Rastetter discloses his financial interest in AgriSol to the public
July: Rastetter elected President Pro Tem of Board of Regents
September 13: Rastetter finally recuses himself from discussions of partnering with ISU – four months after he becomes a Regent.
September 26: Dan Rather reports on AgriSol
2012:
February: ISU cuts all ties to Tanzania project
April 24: Rastetter files a false financial disclosure report with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board
June 19: Iowa CCI members file a conflict of interest complaint against Rastetter with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
Source : http://iowacci.org/in-the-news/rastetter-ethics-complaint-filed/ and http://iowacci.org/uncategorized/agrisol-timeline/
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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
A scramble for cheap African farmland by foreign investors threatens to leave millions of people without water and could ultimately drain the continent’s rivers, a report warns.
“If these land grabs are allowed to continue, Africa is heading for a hydrological suicide,” said the report’s co-author Henk Hobbelink, coordinator of GRAIN, an organisation supporting small farmers.
Foreign governments and wealthy individuals are snapping up millions of hectares of land on the continent for large-scale agriculture projects to grow food and biofuels for export.
But the report warns there is simply not enough water in Africa’s rivers and water tables to irrigate all the newly acquired land.
In some cases communities are already being moved off land to make way for these mega-projects. In others, the plantations will divert water from rivers that local people depend on for their own farming and everyday needs.
“Millions of Africans are in danger of losing access to the water sources they rely on for their livelihoods and for the survival of their communities,” Hobbelink said.
“The worst case scenario is indeed we end up with a situation where the entire continent’s river systems will dry out.”
Hobbelink said the land deals – many of them along the Nile and Niger rivers – were already creating tensions in some parts and could fuel conflict.
Countries leasing land include Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya Tanzania, Mali and Senegal.
The report, Squeezing Africa dry: behind every land grab is a water grab, said those acquiring farmland knew that the access to water they were automatically gaining – often without restriction – could well be worth more in the long term than the land deals themselves.
Agriculture already sucks up around 70 percent of freshwater used globally. But demand is likely to soar as the world population increases.
Investors come from India, Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Libya, Qatar, the United States, Britain, France and Canada among others, according to GRAIN.
But the report said Africa was in no position to support these massive new agribusiness projects – one in three Africans already lives with water scarcity and climate change will make things worse.
Hobbelink also pointed out that in many parts of Africa there were distinct dry and rainy seasons and local communities had adapted their farming methods to suit these fluctuations. But he said many crops being farmed on the new plantations, including rice, sugar cane and palm oil, required huge amounts of water all year round.
POVERTY
Much investor interest is focused on countries in the Nile basin. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has estimated the ten countries in the basin have enough water to irrigate a maximum of 8 million hectares.
But four countries alone – Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt – have already established irrigation infrastructure for 5.4 million hectares and leased out a further 8.6 million hectares.
Tensions have already flared over one project in Gambela in Ethiopia. The plantation, owned by Saudi-based billionaire Mohammed Al-Amoudi, is irrigated by water diverted from the Alwero River which locals depend on for fishing and farming.
In April an armed group ambushed Al-Amoudi’s Saudi Star development operations, leaving five people dead, according to GRAIN’s report.
Advocates of land deals and irrigation projects say these big investments in Africa should be hailed as an opportunity to tackle hunger and poverty. But Hobbelink said people were being paid as little as 70 cents a day to work on projects.
“Virtually all the land use we’ve seen is about installing huge plantations and removing people from their territories,” he added.
“It’s more about creating poverty than helping to address it.”
Hobbelink said the key to ending poverty was to invest in and improve on local technologies and methods for managing and conserving water.
“We think the current drive for land-grabbing, as we call it – which is what we think it is, has to be stopped,” he added.
GRAIN’s report comes ahead of the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development. Water will be one of the key topics under discussion when the meeting opens on June 20.
Read more at AlertNet Climate, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s daily news website on the human impacts of climate change.
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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
The African continent is absorbing the global pressure caused by population surge. The enormous land grab, and food piracy trending in the continent, in which Africa’s farmlands, and water sources, necessary for food production, are rapidly falling in the hands of – land grabbers is quite worrisome and likely re-ignite another ugly chapter of confrontation in human history. Tanzania being a potential victim, it must do all it can to avert this brewing catastrophe from its boarders
Major global conflicts and wars were fought on the pretext of land; Quest for territorial expansionism and influence, need for natural resources, and food sufficiency. From the agrarian period, to the never ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict, land has been at the center stage. Similarly, the challenging internal and cross boarder future conflicts will be land related. The conflicts will be characterized by deadly internal uprising characterized by hungry rural population looking for water and land for farming, turning against investors-land grabbers- or modern day settles if you will, while urban dwellers dying to have food revolting against their regimes
Rich nations with population explosion are buying huge tracts of the continents arable farmland, to meet their domestic food needs and security. Many wealthy nations, with no arable land, are exploiting the cracks of greed and corruption within the African regimes, to address the pressing food needs within their countries, leaving Africa in a potentially explosive situation.
World largest commodity producers have sensed the dangers ahead, and since then have been imposing restrictions on their domestic staple food exports in order to maintain economic, and food related security, leaving the global market with huge supply deficit. This new trend is posing a greater threat, particularly for Africa, whose farmland is becoming an alternative for wealthy countries with huge populations to bank on in terms of their future food sustainability and security
South Korea, China, Japan, India, Britain, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are leading the pack in land grabbing spree. The Saudis have signed a deal for 500,000 hectares of land in Tanzania. South Korea has grabbed 960,000 hectares in Sudan, and 1.3 million hectares in Madagascar. These neo-colonialists are in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Congo, Mozambique, and Zambia just to name a few
The most troubling reality behind these neo-colonialists, is that, all of the food produced in these farms, are not for host country domestic consumption; they are however, being shipped back to their home countries to feed their populations. According to London’s Financial Times, Madagascar’s former regime leased their land to the South Korea’s DAEWOO company for 99 years, and all the harvests during the period, was to be shipped back to feed South Koreans.
The company paid nothing for the land, and the only promise to the government was the improvement of the country’s infrastructure. This is the pattern across the continent in which African leaders have repeatedly inhumanely evicted, razed and burnt their citizens’ dwellings at the expense of these neo- colonialists, food pirates, and land grabbing settlers. Madagascar public was not informed of the land deal, and when the news leaked, the regime’s life came to an abrupt ending; the country’s leadership was toppled by the outraged population.
The following leadership led by Andry Rajoelina, world famous disc Jockey, nullified the contract, declaring Madagascar’s land as neither for sale nor for lease to foreigners. African natives many a times have had no significant gains in these deals, apart from providing slave labor. In a series of African leaders selling their countries, president Museveni In early 2000’s, violently displaced his own people, and gave the land to a German coffee investor leaving his population in extreme poverty and despair.
Millions of people around the continent have been violently driven out of their ancestral lands at the expense of foreign land grabbers, and food pirates. This leaves us to wonder on what’s wrong with us Africans. We can’t think the basics. It is next to impossible for a Tanzania national for instance go to Saudi Arabia, South Korea, India or even China and purchase 300 hectares of land. Land is an extremely sensitive issue in the Middle East and Asia and simply untouchable, yet an African is selling his own land to foreigners to grow bio-fuel, yet he has no food. He is a slave in his own state of mind.
Land is rapidly becoming scarce within the Eastern Africa Bloc of nations. With projection of nearly 70million people by 2025, need for farmland, and water sources in Tanzania will be significant. Strain on these resources will be enormous and challenging, especially at the time they will in the hands of foreigners. We have to realize that, there is no sanity, restraint, or tranquility where there is no food. Hungry people have no morals and can never be rational. This is survival law of nature.
We are likely to face internal lawlessness when people will have to deal with live or die situations due to lack of food. This tragedy will only be averted, if our future food security and sustainability planning takes into account the fact that our LAND and water sources remains off limits for UNREASONABLE foreign lease, acquisition or purchase.
In recent years, Brazil moved to tighten her land ownership laws, in which no foreigner is allowed to purchase land. The same approach should be applied in Tanzania. We cannot allow foreign governments to ease their population pressure by taking advantage of our country to re-settle their land less. Tanzania is nobody’s colony and is not going to be. We are a growing nation, leasing our land for 99 years to foreigners is a political suicide and betrayal to the people of Tanzania. Nationalists in the parliament of Tanzania must rise and confront this issue head on, be it in the East African Federation or Far Eastern friends, Tanzania’s land must be off limits.
Newly nominated members of the East African Legislative Assembly, Honorable Banji, Kizigha, Mwinyi, Taslim, Kesi, Ndelakindo, Kimbisa, Murunya, Nyerere and Yahya, must carry the same mantra to the EAL Assembly. Our land and natural resources, have no expiration date, and MUST remain out of bounds and completely out of the DISCUSSION by foreign entities.
Nyerere’s administration regarded our land its resources so sacred, to an extent of leaving them intact for generations to come. Likewise, our present leadership must do the same as the current generation is in position to develop our land and its resources in very few years to come. We must adopt the Brazilians approach to maintain our future economic independence, and food security, averting land grabbing that is likely to ignite deadly survival conflicts of our times Mungu Ibariki Tanzania
John Mashaka
Mashaka.john@yahoo.com
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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Large-Scale Land Investments are Violating Human Rights and Undermine Food Security in Ethiopia
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May 17, 2012, Oakland, CA: On the eve of upcoming meeting at Camp David on May 19, 2012, with four African leaders to discuss food security, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the Oakland Institute and the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), call upon President Obama to address what may be the single largest man-made contributor to food insecurity on the continent today: large-scale land investments by foreign investors.
In an Open Letter to President Obama, the Oakland Institute and SMNE are delivering a petition signed by over 8,000 supporters of the indigenous and local communities of Gambella, Ethiopia – 70,000 people in all – who are being forcibly relocated to make land available for investment in agriculture. There are plans to relocate an additional 150,000 people, most of whom are subsistence farmers who have been able, until now, to feed their families without receiving government or foreign aid over the last twenty years.
The letter points out that in addition to the many problems surrounding forced relocations and human rights abuses, the loss of ancestral lands where people farm equals the loss of their ability to feed themselves. Farmers and pastoralists are being turned into plantation workers with false promises that result in menial seasonal jobs that do not put food on the table or provide for their basic needs.
The Oakland Institute’s field research in Ethiopia revealed a grim picture of violence, coercion, and unrealized benefits by relocated communities. These findings are confirmed by Human Rights Watch’s independent study involving 100 interviews and sixteen site visits this year.
The burden of the Ethiopian government’s objective of economic growth is being borne by the indigenous and local people of Gambella and the Lower Omo Valley, where a half million will lose their lands. This is too great a cost. As Ethiopia is one of the largest recipients of US aid (more than $1 billion a year since 2007), the US bears responsibility on matters of such grave consequence. The letter cautions that something has to be done to ensure that the United States is not an unwitting partner in this current tragedy.
The Oakland Institute and Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia are urging President Obama to look beyond the charade of so-called responsible investment that will supposedly benefit all in the long run, and instead, calls for the US to reassess the terms of its support to the Ethiopian regime.
Our hope is that President Obama will take leadership in responding to an international call asking him to put the brakes on this impending and present-day catastrophe.
Oakland Institute is an independent policy think tank, bringing fresh ideas and bold action to the most pressing social, economic, and environmental issues of our time
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Across n section of residents from Nyando Constituency within Nyando District have vowed to resist attempts by their area Member of Parliament Fred Outa and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s office to construct Prison jail house within KOchoggo area.
Led by Ahero Town Council Chairman Councillor Joel Oron and his Vice Chairman Cllr.Onyango Weather, they leaders dar5ed the Ministry to send its officers for surveillance within the area with a view of commencing the construction of the said prison.
“There is a maximum prison within Kodiaga area and there is Kisii and Siaya Prisons, why is the area MP founding it prudent to agitate for the construction of Prisons within Nyando and trying to induce land owners with compensations?“ Oron wondered.
He vowed that they as grassroots leaders will resist at all costs the construction of the said Prison saying the crime rate within the area does not warrant such.
“I know very soon the Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be here with a view of convincing the area residents to allow the said construction to go on after being misled by the area MP, when he comes we will make our stand known even if it means loosing our seats, we will defend our people to the hilt” the angered Oron added.
We have authoritatively established that the area MP has bought some section of the land where the prison is to be constructed with a view of re-selling it back to the state again.
Nyanza Provincial Prisons boss P.Kamau when contacted said the whole project has been stopped till all the pertinent issues are addressed
FOLLOWING the recent ousting of Uhuru Kenyatta as the national chairman of the Kenya African National Union {KANU} the appointment of its interim officials and its planned revitalization politics of the South Rift regions is likely to take new dimension.
The vote’s rich region of the Rift Valley Province will be voting for close to sixteen members of Parliament following the recent realignment of the various constituencies and the creation of close to five new ones.
It is being estimated after the next voters registration exercise, the South Rift could register close to 2 million or slightly more voters as the result of the inclusion in the voter rolls of youths who have attained the ages of 18 years and issued with the new generation identity cards.
However, more attention will be focused on politics of the Kipsigis land, an area where three major political parties will be competing for close to 1.8 million votes in eleven parliamentary electoral areas.
The Kapsigis land has been blessed with three additional parliamentary Commission {IEBC], which were hived out of Kipkellion, Belgut and Bomet. The three additional sets were added on top of the existing eight sets bringing total parliamentary representations in the Kipsigisland to eleven.
The Kipsigis sub-tribe of the most populous sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups occupies the two most populous Counties of Kericho and Bomet.
The constituencies include Kipkellion East, Kipkellion West, Belgut, Sigowet, Konoin, Buret, Sotik, Chepalungu, Bomet East and Bomet West.
Members of the Kipsigis community, however have extended the stakes in several neighbouring districts, and constituencies in Kuresoi East, Kuresoi West, Kilgoris, Rongai, Subukia, Narok South, Narok West and Molo.
As the result of mutual mistrust between the Kipsigis and their cousins in the North Rift, particularly the Nandis, Keiyos and Tugen, the recently formed United Republican Party of Kenya {URP}, which the Eldoret North MP William Ruto has declared that he will use as his vehicle to the State House, the re surging KANU influence in Kipsigisland could derail Ruto’s presidential ambition.
Moreover the influence and popularity of the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM} has yet to be fizzled out in the region. The party leader Raila Odinga, who is also the Prime Minister of Kenya still enjoys enormous backing and support of the Kipsigis people therefore anyone dismissing the party as “finished” in the region is not telling Kenyans the truth.
URP could have overtaken the ODM, but its leader William Ruto made two major blunders and several tactical errors.
Ruto is credited to have sponsored the move which saw the coup which ousted the former United Democratic Movement {UDM}, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Vice Commander of all the combined armed forces of Kenya Lt.Gen.John Arap Koech a highly respected and an influential Kipsigis man. He replaced Koech with the former national chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers Joseph Chirchir a fellow Kipisigs from Buret s .
Grieved Gen. Koech resisted the take over and moved to court. But while the matter was still being handled by the Court, the same Ruto having assumed that he had already bagged the Kipsigis in his safe basket, felt it was time to bring the Maasais on board and brought in the former Speaker of the National Assembly Francis ole Kaparo whom he made the interim chairman of the UDM and kicked Chirchir out, though the latter resisted the move an action which caused a serious split in the party hierarchy.
Ruto’s supporters within the Kipsigis community whose numbers were swelling up day by day started dwindling. His popularity in the South Rift took a nose dive. Members of this ultra conservative saw the Eldoret North MP as someone who is pursuing the old Daniel Moi’s policy of “use and dump”.
During his twenty years long rein of power the retired President Daniel Arap Moi used several political elites in Kipsigisland and dumped them mysteriously after using them against each other.
The retired President made sue that none of the Kipsigis politician during each and every general election before they matured up and gained national recognition. Those used by Moi and dumped include the ate Alexander Bii who was pitted against Moi’s contemporary the late Dr Taaitta Araap Toweett in the voluntarily resigned and insisted in seeking for fresh mandate from the electorate voters who had voted for him in 1963 on a KADU ticket..
Toweett recaptured the Buret seat in 1969,but was later removed to pave the way for Moi’s newly fond friend in Prof.Jonathan Ngulolu Arap Ng’eno. In 1978. Another man used to eliminate other Kipsigis leaders the mightier Kipkalia Kones.
This stigma of use and dump is still very fresh in the mind and hearts of the Kipsigis people, making them suspicious of their cousin from the North. The community had run into difficulties with Moi when thy sought for his assistance so that they could buy an acquire some of the foreign owned tea plantations and factories in the region.
Instead of getting the assistance from Moi, the latter is alleged to have acquired some of the firms for himself and his families. The farms include Kaisugu Limited now owned by Moi’s family. Mau Forest Tea Estate and Factory was also acquired by Moi, but after the dismantling of its tea processing machineries, which were later reinstalled at his own Kiptagich Tea Factory in Kuresoi, the former President handed the 920 acres bear tea estate minus its processing plant to his former errand boy and roving ambassador, the former nominated MP Mark Too, who later sold the farm at an exorbitant price in excess of Kshs 270 million to a group of Kipsigis farmers and traders numbering about 43,000 shareholders under the business flagship Yasang’wan Company Limited.
Moi and some of his closest friends from the North Rift also allegedly acquired stakes at the Kipkebe Tea Estate and factory in Sotik and also in the Sotik Highland Tea Company. The two firms are located in Bureti district, while Kaisugu Limited and Mau Forest tea companies are in Kericho district.
The Kipsigis felt the Moi’s KANU regime had favored their cousins fro the three sub-tribes in the north, namely the Keiyos, Tugens and the Nandis at the expense of the close to 9 other sub-tribes that forms the larger Kalenjin community. And that the Northerners had not only marginalized the Kipsigis politically, but also economically.
Endowed with an area with the highly fertile highlands, which produces close to 60 per cent of tea, and arguably advantaged with men and omen with highest education, the Kipsigis people have stretched their influence to the neighboring districts due to their lust for land and settlement.
The present Kuresoi constituency is represented by Zakayo K. Cheruiyot the former powerful PS in-charge of Internal Security and Provincial Administration. Kuresoi has received extra additional parliamentary constituency and will now be represented in the next parliament by two MPs.
A member of the Kipsigis community can easily bag the Kilgoris seat in the neighboring Tans-Mara district due to the its massive settlement in the region which started in 1961 and has since brought their voters strength almost at par with those of the indigenous Maasai people at 50-50.
Many Kipsigis people have settled in both Narok West and Narok South constituency where they have the swing votes. The same could be said of Rongai and Subukia as well Molo constituencies in Nakuru.Since independence in 1963, many Kipsigis people moved out of the region, bought farms and settled in other areas like Koibatek, Cheranganyi, Nandi Hills, Tans-Nzoia, Laikipia and Nandi North
In comparison with other Kalenjin ethnic groups, the Kipsigis are arguably much more wealthier due to tea excessive farming and also favorable trades with their neighbors in milk, vegetables, maize and other foodstuff, Due to he presence of larger number of workers in he tea plantations and factories, the circulation of money in the two Counties of Bomet and Kericho is the highest. This ha reduced the poverty index n the region drastically.
The political history of this region is that the Kipsigis people have been supportive to KANU ever since the dissolution of KADU in 1965. But the community charged its political allegiance to KANU drastically in 2002after the retired President Daniel Moi had anointed Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor.
However, not all of them had ditched and abandoned KANU. But in 2007 the community voted for ODM and its presidential aspirant Raila Odinga on man-to-man basis returning all eight of its MPs on ODM ticket.
Two people were credited for having succeeded in vigorously campaigning and persuading the Kipsigis to abandon KANU altogether and voted for ODM. These were the late Kipkalia Kones, and the Lt.Gen {rtd} John Arap Koech.
But things did not work well immediately soon after the appointment of the ODM members in the coalition government cabinet. Some of the MP of the Kipsigis region disapproved the appointment of three Nandis – all fro the North Rift, whereas the majority Kipsigis people who gave the ODM close to 1.2 million voters ended up with only one cabinet slot.
Arithmetically, the ODM had harvested close to 900,000 voters in both Kericho and Bomet Counties, whereas the combined votes garnered by the party in the entire Nandi region was less than.240,000 But the party had taken into consideration the seniority in the party ranks. Henry Kosgei, the Tinderet MP is the national chairman of the party, while William Ruto, the MP for Eldoret North happen to be the Second Deputy party leader, and as such there was no way the Prime minister Raila Odinga could have left them out of the cabinet.
The most outspoken MP was the former Minister in the Moi regime Isack Ruto the Chepalungu MP who took Raila Odinga head-on accusing him of having short-changed his community in the cabinet appointments. Coincidentally, the thorny issue of evicting the illegal squatters at the contentious Mau Forest came in and fueled more disagreement between Kalenjin MPs allied to William Ruto and Raila Odinga.
Our of the eight MPs fro the Kipsigis community, only four bolted out and joined William Ruto in rebellion against Raila. Four of them stayed on and maintained their unswerving loyalty to the party. These are Franklin Bett the Minister for Roads, Magerer Lang’at an Assistant minister for Energy, Mrs Beatrice Kones, an Assistant Minister for home Affairs and Dr. Joyce Laboso the MP for Sotik in whose constituency anti-Raila leaflets surfaced last week.
The team which rebelled and abandoned the ODM and moved out with William Ruto include Isack Ruto {Chepalungu}, Dr Julius Kones {Konoin}, Charles Keter {Belgut} and Benjamin Lang’at {Ainamoi}.
However, none of the two groups can claim having upper hand a far as popularity inside Kipsigisland is concerned. Opinions are divided between URP and ODMN with KANU trailing the two parties in third position.
The perception that William Ruto and his URP is the most popular leaders and calls the shots in Kipsigis region is not true. When the time for the actual election came, the battle for political supremacy ill be fought in three prongs, namely URP, KANU an ODM, Nicholas Biwott’s Vision Party of Kenya and the UDM could share the spoilt and also succeed in harvesting one or two seats each. It will also depend on ho each party could sustain its presence up to the finishing line.
William Ruto’s flirtation with Uhuru Kenyatta, however, is not well taken by the Kipsigis people who blames Uhuru’s father the founding president for having facilitated the massive settlement of Kikuyus in the regions the Kipsigis people considered as their God given land in the rift Valley. It is also imperative that the Kipsigis and the Kikuyus have fought over the same land ever since 1992-93, 1996-97 and 2007 incurring heavy loses in terms of lives of human being, property and homes.
The reconciliation between members of the two communities appears to be within only he lips of their politicians, but not well cemented in the grass root, and this need more public relations exercises as well as civic education. The same could be said of the reconciliation between the Kisiis and Kipsigis people along the Borabu-Sotik volatile district borders.
Here is no single political party which controls the population in the South Rift region of the expansive Rift Valley Province, and many of the parties could merge victorious comes the next polls.
FRESH panicking mood has gripped this fast growing farming town I the North Rift following the revelation by newspaper reports that the International Criminal Court at the Huge is keenly following events related to a court case in which the area MP William Samoe Ruto is involved in another legal tussle in a case connected to land grabbing from an internally displaced person.
Local media house reported on Tuesday this week that Ruito is again on spot following revelations of his acquisition, owning up and controversy surrounding a piece of 100 acres of land allegedly grabbed from an internally displaced person.
The report revealed that the International Criminal Court has stepped in to acquaint itself with a court case that pits Ruto against an IDP over a large tract of land which the MP had acquired after post-election violence.
Ruto supporter in this town could be seen engaged in low tone discussions in groups while looking visibly wearing worrying faces. On of them intimidated that more case of similar nature against their MP could sprung up in the near future.
The newspapers had reported that the ICC head of investigation has formally written to the government of Kenya on behalf of the Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.
In the letter addressed to the Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti dated March 22, the ICC Head of Investigations Division Mr Michael De Smedt had noted that they had learnt of the existence of a civil case between one Andrew Gilbert Muteshi and William Ruto over a land dispute.
According to a report appearing in the Kenya’s most influential and authoritative, the STANDARD, the Internal Security Minister has sine forwarded the letter to the Kenya’s Attorney general Githu Muigai seeking to have the Ruto case file for onward transmission to the ICC.
Smedt had said the case might contain information that is relevant to Ocampo’s investigations into conduct of Ruto during the period of post-election violence of 2007/2008.
“The OTP hereby request the assistance of the competent authorities of the Republic of Kenya to transmit the following documents,” he added.
According to the ICC request, they want to be furnished with a copy of the full civil case file containing all documents filed in the case between Muteshi and Ruto concerning the disputed land in Uasin Gishu district.
Ocampo is also reported as seeking copies of the new or additional documents that would be added to he case file subsequent to the execution of this request.
Mr Smedt promised that all information given to the prosecutor’s office would be dealt with confidentially.
“In accordance with Article 87{3} of the Rome Statute, the competent authorities of Kenya are requested to keep the request for assistance and any supporting documentation confidential except to the extent that disclosure is necessary for the execution of the request,” Smedt added.
Smedt further appealed to the Kenyan government to treat the matter with the utmost urgency so as to facilitate investigation by the prosecutor’s office.
Last week, Ruto beat a hasty about- turn following an earlier pledge he had made to return the 100-acre piece of land he allegedly acquired illegally from Muteshi.
The abrupt change of heart occurred after the MP and the IDP failed to agree on certain conditions.
The case is now set to go to full hearing paving way for tabling for details on how Ruto acquired the land Kaptebei Settlement Scheme in Turbo area in 2008inside Ruto’s parliamentary electoral area.
Also on Monday last week Muteshi who was allegedly forcibly evicted fro the piece of land, told the court that Ruto who had agreed to surrender the land and relinquish the title deed for the property he bought from a woman said he was not ready to accept that he acquired it illegally.
Muteshi had indicated through his lawyer Antony Lubulelah that he would only accept the property back if Ruto also catered for the expense he had incurred filing the case.
Due to failure to record an agreement before the High Court Judge Lady Justice Rose Ougo as ordered two weeks ago, the Judge ordered the matter to be heard on April 25 and 26.
RUTO had prior to court brief appearance during which he had his accused were expected to sign the formal settlement agreement had convened pre conference and tired to put up a spirited defensive words how he had acquired the piece of land and detailed account of the transactions. But legal experts were quick in cautioning hi against putting up his defense via the media instead of making them before the court.
Ruto’s supporters have expressed fear that the particulars contained therein the civil case could furnish the ICC with fresh ammunition with which the ICC prosecutor could use during the forthcoming trials at The Hague with which the court could justify the claim that Ruto ha caused illegal eviction of people from their farms and homes during the post-election violence.
The fate of a controversial Sh. 118 M Kenya police housing project in Ndhiwa , the backyard of internal security assistant minister Orwa Ojode will be known on Thursday when the public procurement oversight authority meet to look at the issue.
The project which seeks to ease the biting housing problem for the police officers working at Ndhiwa police station in Homa Bay county had a false start last month following a controversy over the award of the tender which saw one of the 12 contractors who participated in the bids petitioning the public procurement administrative review board to review the award citing alleged anomalies of procedure in procurement .
According to documents in our possession ,the tender for the proposed 16 units type E flats was advertised in the newspapers and opened on February 8th this year at the boardroom of the DC, Kisumu East district by the district tender committee chaired by the area DDO.
Twelve tenderers returned their tender documents amongst them, a firm known as Cell Arc Systems. It is this firm which petitioned the board for review of the tender award accusing the procuring entity of irregularly awarding the tender to a firm whose bid they claim was higher than theirs.According to documents we obtained while investigating the matter, Cell Arc Systems was the lowest responsive tenderer out of the four companies which were found to be responsive after evaluation.
The project had been estimated to cost Sh.118.7M by the quantity surveyor from the ministry of public works in Kisumu who prepared the bill of quantity for the project and according to the documents relating to the tender , Cell Arc Systems had a tender sum of Sh107,082,999.80.
Interestingly, the company whose details and name we also obtained and which won the disputed tender had quoted sh.128,336,019.20 which was the highest.
Other two companies which also prequalified after evaluation whose names we can not reveal for legal reasons quited sh.110,045,512.06 and sh 118,120,215.05.
In their petition, Cell Arc advance that the tender committee was required according to section 66(4) of the procurement Act to award them the contract being the lowest” responsive tenderer at Sh 107,082,999.80.
Instead, the committee awarded the tender to the winning company at Sh 128,336,019.40, a bid which was higher that that of the petitioner by a difference of sh 21.2 M.
Part of their letter to the review board dated 10th of March this year read in part ” the decision by the procuring entity to declare our bid unsuccessful was arrived at without due regard to the evaluation procedure and criteria as set out in the tender documents and the Act”.
It went ” under section 50(3), tenders shall be ranked according to their evaluated price and successful tender shall be the tender with the lowest evaluated price in accordance with section 66(4)of the Act”
The petitioner also states to the board that according to the technical evaluation committee report , the contractor who was given the job has only completed a project of Sh. 9M while Cell Arc has successfully completed a project Of Sh 59.4M and also implementing another worth sh 75.5M project within Kisumu.
” It is therefore inconceivable and in total breach of the Act and rules of natural practice to award contract to a firm whose bid was higher and also less experienced and technically qualified. Financial analysis also indicate that most of the rates of the contractor were high” read the letter to the board.
In fact following the appeal, the Kisumu East DC Mabeya Mogaka, in his letter to the Nyanza PPO Njue Njagi dated 14th March, which was also copied to the Nyanza PC and the regional commissioner Central Nyanza, informed the provincial police boss that the contract agreement for the proposed residential units for Ndhiwa police station should not be signed until he is notified that the complaint raised has been adequately addressed by the public procurement oversight authority who have been petitioned.
Notable is the DC’s comment in the same letter and we quote ” Indeed the highest tenderer was awarded the contract while it is prescribed that it is the lowest tenderer who should be awarded”.
Mabeya in fact cautioned in his letter to the PPO that ” from my quick observation I note that the government will lose Sh 18 M if this particular contract is signed”.
Most of the contractors we talked to during our investigations claimed officers from the public works inflated the cost of the project with some insisting the project could not be over Sh 70 M. Our efforts to very the claims by the quantity surveyors from the ministry were futile.
In his reply to the grounds of the appeal, the procuring entity on their part insisted it did an evaluation as per the relevant provisions in the Act and regulations by converting preliminary , technical and financial evaluation.
According to his response in a letter dated 16th March , the district procurement officer Mr. Luke Midamba said the award was not based on the lowest tenderer alleged by the applicant rather it was based on lowest evaluated tender after considering the criteria set in tender advertisement.
whether the project will be allowed to proceed to full implementation with issue raised by both the parties now remains to be seen as the board sit to review the award today at a Kisumu hotel.Based on their findings, the tender will either be nullified or be given green light.
I will tell you another thing, if we in one voice and in a short notice, we were able muscle to vote in favor for the Referendum to gain Devolution for Public Mandate interest, will it be difficult for us to vote for an independent candidate a choice for public ????? We will keep the fire burning until people get what they want……
My thinking is this, people on the grassroots is well informed and are more educated since the referendum. The public is knowledgeable about the corrupt politicians intentions to make Kenyans their SLAVES and with their ping pong drama, they think they have control of the public. Public Demands for CHANGE are on the walls…..they know where the shoes pinches…….and it is the reason why 90% of people of Kenya want the ICC Hague to take effect for justice to be seen to have been done.
People hate to see the youth jobless and want sustainable jobs not the other way where their children engage in cocaine or any drug peddling or prostitution which is perpetuated and are spread by these same corrupt politicians. People are tired from living a hopeless life, where their homes are demolished to serve special interest, while others are driven to the IDPs, homelessness or to slaughter house, with their blood used as rituals for the “Birds of the Same Feathers” whose survival is based on political conspiracies of man-eat-man society, with increase of poverty, hunger, without any plan for draught management and protection, succumbing to environmental risks and threats, enduring endless pain and sufferings. Women equally want to engage in sustainable and feasible development agenda so they are able to live and own descent homes and bring forth a stable healthy family unit and be able to provide sufficiently to their children’s needs. Lastly the public want to vote for a Responsible leader with Integrity who is prepared to deliver genuine and realistic service to people. Money was poured to block referendum by the Corporate Special Interest, but, the Referendum turned to be a huge success……The People won……..Again, this time round, and by the Grace of God, peoples wishes will win against the Corporate Special Interest syndicate conspiracy cartel network of stealing public Wealth Resources and their land…….
We will not give up, we will intensify our campaign far and wide and in every-way we know how. We will reach out to all corners and people will know the cause of their pain and sufferings, and they will vote according to what suits their needs and demands and not of the Special Interest………People will vote CHANGE……..
By Faith, we are determined because we Believe that God is in His business of change. That, God has listened to the quite cries and lamentation of His people and God answers Prayers……..He God will not have brought us this far if he did not care for His creations and nature……..
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
– – – – – – – – – – –
— On Sun, 3/25/12, Evans MACHERA wrote:
From: Evans MACHERA
Subject: Devolution, Finance and Land Bill is nowhere yet re-groupting & election fever is on climax
Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 1:30 PM
Judy,
Talk of the Finance Bill and the Land Bill,then i will show you the Honey and Buttered side of the Bread. This is the juicy National cake that saw skewd infrustructuring (development) in our country that was the basis for Constitutional Review hence the much needed change.
The old order is sweet forsome and wont watch things fall apart from their handsfor where shall they go!
In his poem “The Leaders”,Amos Tabalia write;-
Tomorrow,Today and Yesterday
What is the difference?
All exists not
Tomorrow turns to today
Today to yesterday
Yesterday was tomorrow
And all turned today.
You are the leaders of tomorrow
The old greedy leader never lets go
Promise of nonexistence
That buys time and adds nothing
Why such blatant lie corrupts our minds
I never understand
Today tomorrow and yesterday are now
A time-line separating the three
Exists not
It’s now and now or never
Like soldierss with no armour
We have to fight with our hearts
For we can only change now
And not tomorrow,for tomorrow is not.
(Riddles of my Mother) – Amos Tabalia. ( www.Nsemia publishers).
Unless we implement the New Constitution “fight with our hearts” now for any meaningful change,tomorrow wont because “A time-line separating the three Exists not” – yaani,there is no difference.
Divolution was intended to distribute resources from the few to the many in the grassroots where the citizenry make local decisions affecting them – without the Finance and Land Bill put in place,then there is no Devolution,hence no “change” implying that the constitutional review commission were joking with paper work at the expense of kenyans.
Evans MACHERA.
From: Judy Miriga
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 9:50 AM
Subject: Devolution, Finance and Land Bill is nowhere yet re-groupting & election fever is on climax
Folks,
We demand that the Coalition Government to be dissolved immediately now. Kibaki
and Raila will not bring the change we all want. They are co-conspirators, and are
busy playing delaying tactics cards so to stay in public office illegally.
Election cannot go on without Devolution, Finance and Land Bill put in place. For
this case, we must also not keep them in office illegally.
The coalition government has failed and is in office illegally and unconstitutionally.
We want change and justice to be seen to be realistic and we want it now……….
The Mombasa people have woken up and are telling it like it is……the rest of the
country need to do the same.
Our youths, men and women, wake up let us all unite and fight for our rights.
It is now or never…….It is our lives, livelihood, survival and destiny, these politicians are destroying for the benefit of special interest, their greed and selfishness.
Each one everyone, do your part, do it the way you know how and do it best for change to be a reality.
Judy Miriga Diaspora Spokesperson Executive Director Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc., USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
ICC Legal Committee Statement
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Mar 22, 2012
A special team tasked by the attorney general to advise the Kenyan government on the ICC cases, has recommended the appointment of a special prosecutor and trial of post election violence cases, in Kenyan courts. The team comprising of legal experts presented its report to attorney general Githu Muigai on Monday and recommended that all Kenyan post election violence cases, including those faced by the four Kenyan suspects whose cases were confirmed, should have their cases audited afresh by Kenya’s judiciary. Abdi Osman has more details.
PM – IEBC Row
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Mar 21, 2012
Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday denied casting aspersions on the judiciary when he faulted the January 13th advisory opinion rendered by the constitutional court on the date of the next general election. Speaking in Kisii last weekend, Odinga had termed the constitutional court a ‘fake or kangaroo court’, remarks that did not go unchallenged by Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga. But Odinga has now sought to clarify that he only differed with the court’s ruling, and did not intend to demean the entire judiciary. And as Francis Gachuri reports, the premier is courting yet another controversy, for allegedly intimidating the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which set a march 4th 2013 date for the forthcoming general election.
Can Election Date Be Changed?
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Mar 20, 2012
So, is it possible that election date can be changed?
Update On ICC Hacking & KNDR Report
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Mar 20, 2012
A suspect is now being held by police in connection with the ICC hacking incident. This comes as the Kenya National Dialogue Reconciliation (KNDR) releases its latest report on Agenda Four items.
Election Date Debate
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Mar 19, 2012
Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has lashed out at PM Raila Odinga over his remarks that Kenya’s Judiciary is bogus. The Chief Justice termed the PM’s remarks as unfortunate and reek of Executive impunity.
Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 1 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 2 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 3 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 4 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 5 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 6 OF 7
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Face the Nation_Mombasa County Part 7 OF 7
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Newsmakers: Orie Rogo Manduli
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Dec 29, 2011
NEWSMAKERS: Focus on ‘Iron Lady’, Orie Rogo Manduli. Manduli: I’ve fought and won many battles. We crown Newsmakers for the year 2011 with the story of a woman who has continued to fascinate many, not only by her unique sense of style and fashion, but also by her outspoken character that has seen her politically wrestle it out with men for various leadership positions. A former model and rally driver, she has done what most women would consider taboo and what many men term as too aggressive, coming from a woman. But for a woman who at only 19 was a divorced mother of 3…she says she has no apologies to make, and hopes her story remains symbolic in the continued fight for gender equality. Here’s Evelyn Wambui with tonight’s Newsmaker, the one and only, Ambassador Orie Rogo Manduli.
Parliament Sitting Extension Debate
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Feb 23, 2012
Members of parliament will now have 60 extra days to scrutinise debate and enact into law three bills touching on the crucial matter of land after they voted in favour of a motion seeking the extension of the February 27th deadline. The motion was however passed amid tense moments, after 150 of the 151 mps present in the house at the time voted in its favour. Debate on the matter was delayed for two hours as the executive and backbenchers alike desperately rallied mps to raise the 148 votes constitutionally required to pass such a motion, failing which the house would have been forced to sit throughout the weekend or risk an early dissolution. And, as Chris Thairu reports, the executive once again came under fire with cabinet ministers being accused of sabotaging the constitution implementation process by delaying the generation of bills.
Parliament on Devolution Bills
Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Feb 21, 2012
The three bills on devolution sailed through the second reading today with members of parliament proposing several amendments. As the house rushed to beat the February 27th deadline by which the county governments bill, the intergovernmental relations bill and the transition to devolved governments bill must be passed, mps unanimously voted in favour of the 3 bills, which now proceed to the committee stage, where the proposed amendments will either be approved or rejected. House Speaker Kenneth Marende has in the meantime approved a motion sponsored by the constitution implementation oversight committee, seeking to extend the February 27th deadline by three months. And as Chris Thairu reports, that motion is expected on the floor of the house tomorrow. Chris Thairu reports.
Tough times ahead in final year of coalition
By OSCAR OBONYO
There are signs that the life of the Grand Coalition could end the same way it started four years ago — on a turbulent note.
The unhappy marriage between ODM and a PNU-led coalition, sealed to end a political crisis, comes to a close within a year. While it has had its honeymoon periods from time to time, there has been no shortage of domestic disturbances, either playing out in public or behind closed doors.
The latest issues causing rifts between the two coalition partners are so explosive they will require significant goodwill and statesmanship from President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to avoid raising political temperatures in a country still healing from the rifts caused in 2007.
Trouble is brewing between the two on four clear battlefronts — the date of the next election, the Devolution Bill, the composition of the Police Service Commission, and the Government’s position on the International Criminal Court process.
That Kibaki and Raila have taken hard and conflicting stands on these issues is a pointer to the friction ahead. Government Joint Chief Whip, Jakoyo Midiwo, says the issues are so dear to the PM and his ODM party, they must be pushed through.
Disagreement over the election date has proved particularly explosive, with the Judiciary and the electoral commission caught in the crossfire after public statements on the matter by the President and Prime Minister.
A planned meeting between the two to settle the issue failed to take off, as did an Appeals Court hearing that may have informed it.
Dennis Onyango, the Director of Communication in the PM’s Office, said there was no need for the meeting, as it had been pre-empted by events preceding it, including the electoral body’s announcement of the election date.
Days before the scheduled meeting, President Kibaki seemed to imply preference for the option of a March 2013 election proposed in a constitutional court’s advisory opinion in January. This was in a clarification to an offhand remark that suggested he favoured elections “at the end of this year”.
This confusion prompted the PM to restate his preference for a December 2012 poll, which was the second option provided for in the advisory opinion. He later went ahead to slam the constitutional court for its judgement, for which he has since apologised.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced March 4, 2013, as the election date, saying it had failed to get Kibaki and Raila to commit to bringing the coalition to an end to allow for elections in December.
Allies of the President say the impasse came about because it was not clear if ending the coalition would trigger the dissolution of Parliament, leading to an election, or create a constitutional crisis. ODM, however, suspects it was not a coincidence that the IEBC made its announcement four days after the President made his preference known.
Respect court’s decision
In a quick rejoinder, however, the Head of President Kibaki’s Press Service Unit, Isaiya Kabira, says the President was not stating a preference, only settling on the only viable court-provided option. Kabira points out that the President “has already stated that he will respect the decisions of the courts with regard to the election date”. The Appeals Court ruling on the same matter is set for next week.
“An election date is an important calendar event in any nation. President Kibaki is fully aware of this (and has no reason to delay it). Indeed, it begs the question of what can he do in (an extra) three months that he will not have done in his ten years as President or over 55 years in service to our country,” he said.
Recently, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua asked the President and Prime Minister to demonstrate statesmanship by dissolving the Grand Coalition Government in time for a December General Election. In an open letter to the principals, Karua said the dissolution of Government was an option given by the recent electoral court ruling. The Appeal Court ruling next week may help settle the question of whether dissolution will make a December poll possible.
As the country moves closer to the first election under the new constitution and the Kibaki succession, the feuding between the two coalition partners is likely to intensify. Within the Raila camp, much of the anger arises from the feeling that the President, through the national security apparatus, has allowed Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto to discredit Raila at public rallies across the country. The two ICC accused plan to contest the presidency despite pending trials in The Hague, taking on perceived frontrunner, Raila.
Sponsor rallies
The thinking within the PM’s corner is that the President’s handling of the ICC question favours the two. Indeed, this is what informed the recent remark from the Raila Secretariat that Uhuru and Ruto belong in jail while awaiting trial.
Reached for comment, however, Ruto was categorical that President Kibaki was not the type to sponsor rallies for other people. He said blaming the President for the rallies suggested a poor understanding of how Government works.
“Tinga (PM) and his team must be trapped in (thoughts of) the old order where the Provincial Administration was used to stifle the people’s constitutional right of freedom of assembly and speech,” reacted Ruto. The MP opines that ODM should learn to sort out its problems without dragging in other players: “If the prayer rallies are the issue, then why don’t they organise their own rallies and pray for those they wish to pray for?”
Kabira adds that asking the President to stop one group from peacefully propagating its views is calling for him to stop being neutral.
“President Kibaki’s only interest at the moment is a free, fair and credible election and a smooth peaceful transition,” he says. Kabira adds that he sees nothing in the recent developments that suggests things are spiralling out of control. “Together they (Kibaki and Raila) have steered the Grand Coalition through both trying and fulfilling moments.”
Mathira MP, Ephraim Maina, is optimistic that the coalition leaders will pull through. Stating that he has a lot of respect for the two, Maina instead blames Kibaki-Raila handlers of poisoning the environment for narrow selfish gains.
“It was never easy from the beginning, but these two gentlemen have proved before that, however hot the issues are, they have the capacity to sort them out,” says Maina, the Chairman of Central Kenya MPs caucus.
The emerging heat is just part of the wider drama that was re-ignited early this month by the nomination of members to the influential Police Service Commission. Raila raised the red flag by disassociating himself from the list of nominees presented by the President to Parliament. He maintains he was not consulted over the final decision.
The nominees were Amina Masoud as the Chair, and Esther Chui-Colombini, Ronald Musengi, James Atema, Shadrack Mutia, and Mary Auma as Commissioners. Masoud was ranked third behind Johnston Kavuludi who scored 77 per cent, and Murshid Mohamed who had 75. It is not clear why the two were left out.
Local special tribunal
The current standoff rekindles memories of last year on January 27 when President Kibaki nominated Court of Appeal Judge Alnashir Visram as Chief Justice, Prof Githu Muigai as Attorney General and lawyer Kioko Kilukumi as Director of Public Prosecutions. Raila, who was out of the country, rejected the nominations saying he had not been consulted, thereby forcing Kibaki to retreat.
In the meantime, the ICC debate and lately, the alleged forged UK-Government letter, continue to generate more heat. Except for their initial support for setting up a local special tribunal to try the suspects, Kibaki and Raila have walked different paths on the ICC matter.
The latest flap came after a dossier suggesting Western nations were pushing for Kibaki’s indictment by the ICC under a Raila presidency was tabled in Parliament. The dossier, dismissed as “not genuine”, has irked the ODM leader greatly for suggesting he was either a foreign puppet or a conspirator in securing the indictments of Uhuru and Ruto. Raila is reportedly surprised that Kibaki has not reprimanded those dragging his (President) name into the ICC process.
Noting that President Kibaki formed an independent team to advise Government following the ICC rulings, Kabira denies alleged ill intentions on the part of the President. That team, he says, included Paul Mwangi, the legal advisor in the PM’s office. The President received the team’s report last week.
Another clashing point revolves around the question of devolution. Raila’s Orange party recently released a statement vowing to fully support the devolved system of Government. The President has, however, declined to sign the Devolution Bill into law raising objections on several issues related to security.
“Kibaki will not be President after the next elections. It is important that his candid views on who will wield the power over security both nationally and locally be heard. To have police officers answerable to a governor is to invite chaos in our country,” says Kabira.
Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Kenya: Police Arrest ‘ICC Email Hacker’
23 March 2012
A journalist has been arrested by police on suspicion of hacking into the International Criminal Court server and obtaining confidential information.
Dennis Itumbi was arrested on Thursday night at his rural home in Embu where he was reportedly hiding after evading four attempts at arrest by police. He is likely to spend the weekend in the cells before appearing in court on Monday.
Detectives from the Serious Crime unit started hunting for Itumbi on Monday after investigators from Cyber Crime Unit linked him to the alleged ICC hacking. The investigators staked out his house in Thindigua for days but could not find him. The police eventually tracked his phone in Embu on Thursday night. He was arrested, brought to Nairobi and detained at Muthaiga police station.
Investigators want to recover a computer or a mobile phone that the ex-People daily and Baraka FM reporter allegedly used to hack the ICC system. CID Director Francis Muhoro Ndegwa told the Star that the police were questioning Itumbi on suspicion of hacking into the ICC domain. Yesterday, Itumbi recorded a statement at CID headquarters denying that he had hacked into the ICC domain.
Last month, ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo threatened to seek arrest warrants for those interfering with witnesses in the Kenyan cases. Ocampo claimed that some individuals were threatening ICC witnesses who are likely to testify against the four Kenyan suspects facing trial over the 2008 post election violence.
CID Director Francis Muhoro and Serious Crime Unit boss John Kariuki yesterday met to decide the way forward. Police sources said Itumbi will be arraigned in court on Monday to answer two charges of hacking of a website and and email contrary to the Communication Commission Act. “We have no doubt that this the man we have been looking for,” said the source.
Last week, Attorney General Githu Muigai directed the Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere, CID boss Francis Muhoro and NSIS boss Michael Gichangi to investigate the claims that a Kenyan had hacked into ICC emails to intimidate witnesses. Muigai said that he had received a complaint from Ocampo that there was “hacking of email accounts of a person of interest” and intimidation of witnesses.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing investigations, I wish to caution that any person guilty of interfering in any way with the process of the cases before the ICC or meddling in the local investigations relating to the post-election violence case, is liable and shall face the full force of law,” Muigai advised Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko.
Last month Itumbi threatened to sue fellow blogger Robert Alai for claiming that he was behind the forged UK Foreign Office documents that allegedly proved that Britain was supporting Prime Minister Raila Odinga. MPs on Monday are due to start investigating the origin and authenticity of the documents.
Itumbi was seen in Parliament on the day that the forged documents were distributed to MPs. Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo tabled the alleged briefing papers that apparently showed that the UK wanted to have President Kibaki indicted after he leaves office and to have Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto arrested in April.
Itumbi has been reportedly working as a consultant for Kenyan politicians. He has allegedly been paid for media coordination and other related activities. A document has been circulating showing the alleged monthly expenses of a local politician. It is not known if the document is genuine or forged. The document records that in January ‘Dennis’ received about Sh238,000 itemized as ‘ICC related press conferences’ and Sh18,800 for ‘Serena Hotel (press conference hall hire bill).’ Itumbi runs a popular blog on Facebook.
From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
B R E A K I N G NEWS
REGIONAL NEWS TEAM
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
The news which has just come in says that a police officer has been injured after suspected Mombasa Republican Council youth stormed a polling station during mock elections in Malindi, Coast Province Saturday.
One of the four officers manning the polling station at St Andrews Primary School was forced to fire in the air several times to disperse the rowdy youth. The injured officer also lost his firearm.
The elections were cancelled after the mob attacked the officials with crude weapons and vandalised property belonging to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
According to one of the clerks at the station situated in Kisumu Ndogo area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the group arrived in a car and mingled with others posing as normal voters.
The clerk said that the youth, who had crude weapons, insisted that the elections should be stopped, reports Daily Nation.
“They had rungus (clubs) and immediately they alighted they started wrestling the police and attacked them.”
They vandalised several ballot boxes and destroyed many of the ballots that had already been cast.
“The attackers who were about 40 escaped on foot after the police officers shot in the air,” said the clerk.
The IEBC risk and compliance director Abdulrahman Bilacha confirmed the incident and said that security had been beefed up at the rest of the 20 polling stations participating in the exercise.
The reason behind the storm is not very clear, however the Mombasa Republican Council have declared they want to secede from Kenya and create a country based at the Coast province. They claim successive governments have not done much to alleviate poverty at the coast.
In its manifesto, the Mombasa Republican Council laments that “This country (Coast) has become a field of Kenyans looting our wealth,” and demands the removal of Kenya’s administration and, ultimately, independence.
Here is the Mombasa Republican Council Manifesto….
“THE MOMBASA REPUBLICAN COUNCIL
INTRODUCTION
We, the Coast people are not concerned with the Kenya constitution; the Coast Region (Mombasa) has a separate legal status as a protectorate.
The country, Mombasa which extends right from the Indian Ocean to Sultan Hamud, from Lungalunga to Kismayu and owned by natives, namely; the Mijikendas, Taitas, Pokomos, Bajunis, Arabs, Hindus and other Coastal tribes, has suffered a lot since 1963.
Remembering the time after signing of the agreement on 8th October 1963, which placed Mombasa (known as Coast province) under Kenya’s protection, this country (Mombasa) has become a field of Kenyans looting our wealth.
DEMAND
The original communities as named above are now demanding their colonial masters, Kenyans;
1.To repeal the 8/10/1963 Agreement cmnd 2161
2.Remove their administration
To grant our independence
AGREEMENT
By the time Kenya gained independence, it was seen that the British protectorate (Kenya protectorate) was not well organized for an autonomous state. So the British government and the government of Zanzibar placed the Coast region under the protection of the government of Kenya. Agreement No. cmnd 2161, which on its paragraph four (4) third and fourth lines stated that the government of Kenya, entered into certain undertakings concerning the protection after Kenya has attained independence.
Some of the reasons that made this Coast Region be placed under Kenya’s protection was well illustrated in the colony and protectorate of Kenya sessional paper No. 9 of 1961 in chapter ‘V’ examination of proposed solutions. Section (a) clause 50 line 15 stating. A number of people said that they wanted the British to maintain their connexion with the coastal strip and indeed looked to her Majesty’s government to defend them against possible invasion from upcountry Kenya tribes people. If the strip was set up as an autonomous state. The letters written by M. Shamte and J. Kenyatta concluded in London 5th October 1963 and exchanged to each other. Now under the Mombasa Republican council, we can administer ourselves. Therefore, the Republic of Kenya is being urged by the Mombasa republican Council to nullify the 8/10/1963 Agreement. Once these colonial and cruel governing masters are gone and we gain our independence:-
1.We will form our own government which, the Coast region will cease to act as province but instead it will become an autonomous state.
2.We will be able to appoint directly our people (the coast people) to operate our parastatals and other sectors which are conducting within our country Mombasa.
ADMINISTRATION
The Mombasa Republican Council demands to the government of Kenya to remove their administration starting from the executive office, the president office to local village elders.
Thus this government is governing the Coast province illegally as per the 8/10/1963 Agreement. This is why the government leaders use force to grab land within the Coast region i.e. the evicted people at Vipingo-Kikambala, this shamba is now grabbed by the Kenya government leaders, the evicted people we have witnessed in Watamu, not only were they banished but also killed, the titanium eviction, Msambweni eviction etc.
The Coast people are totally fed up with the Kenyan Administration which doesn’t protect as it was agreed but instead loots and kills mercilessly innocent people of the Coast Region. And once the government of Kenya removes their administration;
3. We the Coast people will be able to form our very strong
and fair administration that will comprise of well disciplined security forces, well trained by strong and super power nations with high quality sophisticated machines and modern technology with well experienced trainers.
4. The Mombasa government will see that, the elected
President will not be above the law.
5. The President will be answerable in court incase this person
breached any article of the law.
1. The Mombasa government will keep an eye on all the ministries.
2. That the Mombasa government will make sure a very big competition is witnessed at the Mombasa Ports Authority so to make sure our authority becomes the first and higher speeding in the harbor activities.
3. The government of Mombasa will make sure it is mandated to provide birth certificates, passports, identification cards and other primary documents free of charge within six (6) months as from the birth of the Mombasa citizen.
4. There will be freedom of worship
5.All the worshiping centres i.e. churches, mosques, Kayas, Hindu temples and other recognized centres will be safeguarded under our government.
6.Thus, there will be fair police rules which will eradicate the harassment of the wananchi.
7.The administration will come from the indigenous from the Coast, which will cease the demolition of our houses, burning of our houses, assault of our people, killing of our people, land grabbing, bad governing and many other evils that we witness from the government of Kenya.
8. Will cease the harassment of hawkers’ as per the Mombasa government will arrange enough land from the public land for such people.
9. The Mombasa government will ensure all the towns plus the city of Mombasa have reinstated the free public toilets for the sake of wananchi.
10. Justice will always be maintained at all times and to all people.
11. The Mombasa government will make significant difference within our country Mombasa than how it is today under Kenyan colony.
LAND AND SETTLEMENT
1. The Mombasa government will announce all the Mombasa land belongs to the Mombasa citizens shortly after Mombasa attains independence. 1.All land held by foreigners i.e. Kenyans, and others will be revised so to be known in which the person acquired it.
2. The Mombasa government will make sure all the grabbed land is taken back to the wananchi of Mombasa.
3. A new law concerning land distribution and ownership is going to be used.
4. There will be Regional independence land committees for the land matters which will make sure all the coastals benefit from the motherland, thereby make Mombasa citizens proud to be coastals.
5. All the title deeds which will be offered shall be under the government of Mombasa.
6. The Mombasa government will make sure the term ‘squatters’ and ‘crown lands’ come to an end immediately.
7. The Mombasa government will be entitled to provide proper and permanent settlement to all her citizens.
1. Our government will form a home care unit for widows, orphans, elders and the disabled people.
EDUCATION
1. The government of Mombasa will see that, the education funds is properly utilized as per the intended purpose.
1. The government of Mombasa will be mandated to build different institutions that is: 1.Modern Institutions
2. Nursery and kindergarten schools
3. Primary schools with all facilities i.e. stationery
4. Secondary schools
1. 1 .High schools
2. Colleges
3. Universities etc. which will all be financed and equipped appropriately.
1. The pupils will be educated from nursery to the highest learning freely including provision of uniforms.
1. The Mombasa government will make sure that, all the trained and students have attained the degrees and thus obtain employment opportunities in their home companies and other sectors in line with their profession.
2.The Mombasa citizens will have to resume their studies from where they left due to selfishness of their colonial masters (government of Kenya) in order to enable our new government (Mombasa) provide better performance.
1. The hopeful students will be given opportunities to study abroad.
FINANCE
1.Our government will provide free education for all the Coastal’s recognized religions.
2. The Mombasa government will make sure all resources are distributed equally.
3. The Mombasa government will make sure, the Mombasa cash crops get an international market and become the most important crops in the world.
4. Our government will ensure good relationship with both the developed and developing countries in a manner to ensure the resultant trade benefits the Mombasa traders and uplift the economy of our country.
1. Every Ministry will be provided with funds according to approval of the parliament.
1. There will be minimum tax of duty offered to businesses which is going to be at a reasonable rate, unlike the one we have currently.
1.Our Mombasa government will even reduce the tax fee for all our neighboring countries who use our Ports i.e. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi etc so to enjoy as they have no any other ports to use.
1.The 68% revenue collected in the Coast province will eradicate the poverty state in the dry rural areas i.e. Kinango, Ganze, Magarini and other areas.
2. The Mombasa government will find that, the ordinary coastal person is effectively considered and necessities like food, shelter, health etc. are met.
3. The Mombasa government will form fair rules to collect tax from the good wealth that God endowed us with i.e. titanium, ocean, petroleum, agricultural land, tourism, gold, wildlife, livestock, industries etc.
4. All Mombasa citizens who are unemployed will be provided with monthly funding assistance.
5. Small scale businesses will not require permit nor licence to operate.
HEALTH
1.There will be modern technology in health sector and free medical care to her citizens.
1. All trained doctors will be given opportunity to work in health sectors.
2. The government will buy and import medicines to all the government hospitals and clinics.
1. The health coverage will be very high that, all citizens will be catered for.
TOURISM/WILDLIFE & NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Tourism is the most important sector, being one of the most revenue earners.
1. The Mombasa government will make sure that, it is highly improved and well protected.
2. The beach is the most attracting area and the good beach hotels. The traditional dances and the traditional culture of the coastal life is going to be modernized and better areas of entertainment be erected.
The museums and our national heritage i.e traditional and cultural dressings/dances, ruins (Gede) will all be protected and better attention accorded so that it’s fame grows to be known globally.
2. All the Mombasa forests together with ranch areas will be reserved for the purpose of our wildlife animals.
1. We will form a very strong fresh water board so as to make sure coastals and our livestock get sufficient water.
1. The government of Mombasa will ensure all the mineral found within our country will be protected accordingly in manner to benefit coastal people but not victimization as we have witnessed in various places within the Coast Region.
1. The land with gem stones minerals will be protected and set a side for gem stone excavation to be done under the government licence.
1.The Mombasa government will make sure the coastals get first priority to the Beach trading, fisheries and other sea facilities so as to empower the coastal indigenous in all the sea sections including the tourists sector, which will experience the coast people with their gift given by God (the ocean).
1. The Mombasa government will ensure the coastals get Utalii college with all facilitation equipments so to enable the coastal community become the most renown experts in the tourism sector.
1. The wildlife is going to be protected much against poachers and properly taken care of.
2. The Mombasa government will ensure that all the hotels and cottages are kept to the best standard to compete with other countries in the world.
3. The charging rate will be reduced to receive as many tourists as possible thus earning more revenue for the Mombasa country.
4. The beach boys and operators will offer the best discipline to the tourists and avoid harassment to the same.
5. They will be given licence.
6. The Mombasa government will maintain high security to the tourists both in town and at the beach.
7. Well trained police officers will be used to fight against terrorism throughout the Mombasa country.
8. Our government is going to protect every tourist along the beach and outside the beach line within our country Mombasa. Good roads will be build inside the parks.
9. The government is going to increase the size of our parks and increase the wildlife by acquisition from other countries.
10. Well trained tour guides and knowledgeable are the ones who will be recruited in the tourist industry.
Souces-Webcom
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
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Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
The GEF and UNCCD Secretariats collaborated on this new book to convey how sustainable land management (SLM) practices are helping shape a sustainable future for people and the planet. The book is illustrated with high quality photos donated by the GoodPlanet Foundation and from other sources, to demonstrate how human ingenuity is largely driving innovations in soil, land, water, and vegetation management. It describes how harnessing natural, social, and cultural capital is addressing fundamental needs for livelihood and well-being—food, water, energy, and wealth—while delivering global environmental benefits.
A Special Feature By Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town
.
HOME-BAY County one of the newly created 47 counties under the new constitutional dispensation is promising to offer a lot for the future of the residents along the eastern shoreline of Lake Victoria
.
The County’s shoreline in Lake Victoria is covering close to a distant of approximately 28o kilometers. It starts at Nyakwera on the Nyakach-North Rachuonyo districts borders and winds up at Lakinyiero in the Southwestern border of Suba South district with Nyatike district in Migori County.
There close to twenty small fishing islands on the Kenyan side of the lake and some of them are potential as tourist’s destinations.
The County is also full of pre-historic sites which could be developed as potential tourist attractions if the next county governance could do its home work and if possible succeed in luring both foreign and local investors to come and developed tourist class hotels, lodges and beach resort facilities.
The region is also potential destination for bird watchers, but above, the Suba region could provide close to 60 per cent of the County annual income accrued from fish, and fish trade, tourism, hotels, lodges and beach resorts, though these could be achieved on self-help development schemes, but it would also require a lot of input from possible foreign sources and massive investments.
Already local inputs are evidence in places like Mbita Town, where several beach resorts of the tourist class have sprung up in the recent past, more efforts is still required to crown it all. The proprietors of the beach resorts also need more capitals to invest in extra curriculum activates such as boat racing, skiing ensure that their facilities are well equipped with speed boats to ferry the tourists around the lake on von voyage trips to the nearby pre-historic sites and birds watching trips.
A local resident who is a candidate vying for the lucrative and powerful position of the county governor Dr. Mark Matunga recently made a moderate estimation that Suba region alone could rake in close to 70 per cent of the County annual revenue.
Dr Matunga cited the recent restocking of the Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley with new species of wild animals such as zebras black and white rhinos, giraffe, improved fishing facilities and fish trades and other facilities.
In the recent past, Homa-Bay County has witnessed the construction of new tarmac roads like the Kendu-Bay-Homa-Bay and Homa-Bay Mbita roads as some of the component of e important development of the infrastructure taking place.
The region, especially the Suba region is well served with the Ndori –Luanda Kotieno ro which winds u at the Mbita Ferries, which is plying the narrow Nyanza Gulf between Luanda Kotieno on the Rarieda side of the lake to Mbita Town.
The private firm that owns and manages the Mbita Ferries has recently introduced new and the largest ferries that can carry up to 30 motor vehicles plus close to 200 passengers at a go in one trip. This is a tremendous improvement and would provide the travelling passengers with quick accesses in crossing the narrow channel. The ferry service is expected to improve economic activities in the Suba region as it will facilitate quick travelling to businessmen and traders visiting major wholesale and distribution shops in Kisumu City.
The private firm that runs and manages he Mbita Ferries is reported to have already initiated a tentative plans it envisaged to launch a new ferry service between Mbita and Mfangano Island in the near future, It will also be ferrying both passengers and vehicles aboard that could be used by visitors on while touring around the important sites and scenarios on Mfangano Island where all weather roads have already been constructed.
The construction of roads on Mfangano Island came about as a personal initiative of Dr.Matunga, who is a native of the Island who also single handed initiated the massive electrification. He single-handed secure a powerful diesel fired engine ,which has now brought the hitherto sleeping and backward Island into limelight of brightest lights through the power supplies to schools and other important institutions as well a to the individuals homes.
There are close to twenty small fishing islands on the Kenyan side of the lake, some which could be developed as the tourist destination, and could make the country compete with other tourist destination regions like Seychelles Islands, Mauritius and even South Africa. Notable islands which are suitable for the establishment of beach resorts and lodges include Takawiri, Ngodhe, Kiwa, Remba,Ringiti.
Another potential Island is the famous “Soklo Kipenji or Soklo Kibanga” which is close to a number of important fish landing beaches around Usawo on the mainland. Next to “Soklo Kipenji” is the Sukri, which is much close to Homa-Bay town on the mainland. Sukri ha fertile an which is arable and has so many inhabitants living on it, though most of the spent their day time doing or tending to their businesses in Homa-Bay Town and only retires to the island at the fall of the night using motor boats and home made canoes.
“Soklo Kipenji” is full of myths in folklore tales of the past. For many years, the locals held firm believes that it was a place where there is a hidden powerful and invisible devilish being from other planet. Fishermen dared not land their fishing boats on “Soklo Kipenji” and travelers plying the nearby lake waters on their r way to Mbita Point from Homa-Bay pier were always forewarned not to ask any question.
It has never been inhabited nor frequented by the locals, and it was said that even the fish eagles never landed their catches on its rocks, and that ever crocodiles, lizards and monitors stayed away fro the tiny island. Unconfirmed reports says that two White European explores who defiantly ignored the advice of the locals not to visit the Island in 1922, shortly immediately after the end of the first World War, and attempted to land – – their boat mysteriously disappeared never to be traced to date. And that is how this Island earned its name.
However, following human settlement pressure in the nearby Lambwe Valley forest, Baboon, Monkeys and even hyena have of late took refuge on this island. It has been deprived of its natural trees by charcoal burners and women in search of fire wood, leaving only sky pointing sharp rocks with no vegetation to protect its soil.
Ake Simbi Nyaima, the volcanic lake, which is situated in Central Karachuoyo Location in Rachuonyo North district as well as birds sanctuary near Oyugis, are some of the potential areas worth development, if at the Central Government is keen in resuscitating its forty five year old Western Kenya Tourist circuit, which has remained in the drawing board ever since it was initiated and launched by the then Minister for Tourism and Wildlife S.O. Ayodo in 1967.
Homa-Bay County is also rich in minerals, especially gold, which are said to be in abundance around Wire Hill near Oyugis, and at the old Awuoro mine about six kilometers south east of Oyugis Town and near Mithui Secondary school Kokal area.
The now closed down gold mine which is only a few meters away from Ruga Market on he right side of the Oyugis-Kisii road thrived in the 1930s and early 1940s, but he foreign investors, mainly South Africa Bower and Australian miners close them own following pressure mounted by the black nationalist during the struggle for political independence. The gold deposits were never exhausted.
Red ochre could also be mined on the slope of the Hill facing Mithui ,which are so good for home floor colors, and next to the scene on the Oyugis Gamba Market {Rioma road] one come direct to the old caves where people used to take cover from their invading enemies during the old days.The caves are now being used as pilgrimage site by religious people.
The crocodile shaped rock on to of a hill in Kauma Kwadhigone area of Karachuonyo could be another potential center of tourist attractions of attraction, especially to those visitors wished to see the wonders of the world.
A tourist class hotel is already in place put up by he Germans near Kowu9or Pier,{formerly Homa-Lime area} which adequate facilities for any class of visitors, VIP included. Another decent hotel facility is the tausi hotel, located within Rodi Kopany Market, which serves as the junction of Homa-Bay Rongo and Ndhiwa Rangwe roads. And a few kilometers way is the latest Ndhiwa Resort, which is established in Ndhiwa Town and the brain child of the area MP Joshua Orwa Ojode. The road from Rodi Kopany to Ndhiwa has been modernized and the work is progressing well via Aora Chuodho, where the Massoulin of the world record breaker polygamist of all time the late Ansentus Akuku Ogwela, commonly known as Akuku Denja is buried. In his life the danger man is believed to have married more than 100 wives, though at his death there were only 39 of them were still living in his three homesteads which are well spread from Central Kanyamwa, Kwabwayi and Karungu Locations. He had more than 209 children.
Branchi off at Mirogi Trading Center, the visitor has only eleven kilometer
drive into the main gate of the Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley. Next to the park is he pre-historic” Kor Lang’o”, the now defunct main road believed to have been used by the Massais people while taking their herds of cattle for water I Lake Victoria centuries ago.
the KWS headquarters for Ruma National Game Reserves one can drive via Kanyamwa escarpment and link up with the main Homa-Bay –Mbita road at Ogongo or drive to Homa-Bay town only 23 kilometers away from the Forest main gate. Inside the Game Park there is a lodge with all facilities which offer social amenities to the visitors wishing to stay overnight.
Branching off at Mirogi Trading Centre is only eleven kilometers drive to the Lambwe Valley is being maintained by the KWS. Homa-Bay Tourist Hotel could be the next destination for the visitors while other could pt up at the Hippo Garden Hotel also located in Homa-Bay town. There are small and medium class hotels offering accommodation in town. But now that Homa-Bay Town has been chosen as the regional administrative headquarters for the
Homa-Bay County more enterprising hotels are expected to sprung up.
The lakeside town which hitherto was a sleeping town is expected to be the hub of business activities in the region due to its proximity to land and water transport system to other destinations in the region. Both foreign and local entrepreneur are welcome to invest in a five star or lesser graded hotels in order to tap the revenue expected to flow in from the tourist and other visitors to the region.
The resuscitation o Homa-Bay town will, however, depends on the good governance and proper planning by the County governance. But given the fact that all major roads leading to the ton have been constructed and the other on modernized.
A large deposits of lime and cement tones were recently discovered around Ruri Hills and the new Homa-Bay County will have to go out flat looking for the potential investors into the a Cement factory.
The town is now looking rejuvenated and no longer the dusty place of the past .This has been done head of the inauguration of the new County Offices, which will be immediately soon after the next general election, perhaps next year.
Moving further west, visitors will be able to see the famous pre-historic site of the famous Nyamgondho Wuod Ombare shrine at the shore of Lake Victoria not far away from Nyandiwa Beach Trading Center.
The government has already signed a new contract with the Chinese road construction firm to have the Mbita-Sindo-Magunga road, which is expected to link up with another highway from Ndhiwa ro Sori .Town in Nyatike district. This give unlimited access to tourists and visitors an easy driver along the lake with the possible branching off to areas like Kisegi and Nyandiwa chi is a fast growing beach town.
Former Gwassi MP Zadock Syong’o whose birthplace is at Kisegi had secured the power supplies to most schools and market places in Gwassi. Next to Nyandwa is the beautiful Kiwa Island which has a population estimated to be slightly over 500 people complete with their domesticated animals. The new road will traverse via Sindo,Nyabera, and pass through the Ruma National game Park to Magunga, pss through the junction of Tonga Secondary School via God Bura to Kokomo and Kiabuya junction and then to Laknyiero from where it will link up with Sori Town.
Plans has already been envisaged to have this road constructed via the vast Kadem up to Muhuru-Bay near the Kenya Tanzania border. This plan was recently disclosed by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he addressed a mammoth crowd at Kaswanga in Rusinga West Location, Rusinga Island during the burial of the former Kenya’s Permanent representative to the UN the late Michael Okeyo.
Mfangano Island is another place which is full of pre-historic sites, and yawning or the development of more tourist class hotels. On top of Soklo plateau, there are several sources of mineral waters, which could be bottled
The same could be said of the twin island of Rusinga. Here a few hundred meter of Wanyama fish landing beach there laying deep in the water two oxen looking like stones. The stones according to the local folklore were the remnants of two full grown up bulls which belonged to two cousins called Mnyama and Ware. The stones are called Nyama gi Ware signifying to the two sub-clansof Wanyama and Waware, and the saying goes that the two bull had fought the fiercest battle until they landed in the water where they turned into permanent stones. These are just mythology tales. However, the area is potential for the development of good beach resort hotel of tourist class.
A;ready there in place a tourist lass hotel at Kamasengre next to the airstrip and not far away from the buralk place of one of the uncompromising champion of freedom fighter/architect of Kenya’ independence and charismatic politician the late Tom Mboya, the former Minter for Economic Planning and Development in the post-independence cabinet who was assassinated in a Nairobi street in 1969.
Some, medium class hotels are already in place in Mbita Town, which included Mbita Beach Resort, ICIPE Guest House, Rusinga Holiday Inn, and others currently catering for visitors, but more facilities including speed boats for sporting are still required for the region to be able to reap the fruit of the expected influx of tourists into the region in the near future.
The latest flare up along the Nyado, Muhoroni, Tinderet and Aldai districts borders, which resulted in the loss of the precious lives of six Kenyans leaving scores injured and hundreds left hundreds homeless must be handle with extra care by the authorities in both sides of the border.
The ugly incident must be condemned unreservedly by all level minded Kenyan who cherish peace and the rule of law.
The investigators should go much deeper and look into the possibility of a political angle playing part in the skirmishes, which in my view is not caused by the simple act of cattle rustling.
Cattle rustling business between the two communities is centuries old trade, but has never before degenerated into full scale tribal skirmishes like the one witnessed last weekend.
If not thoroughly investigated and its root cause uprooted and amicably resolved, it could be pointing out to the direction of the shape of things to come this being an election year.
This full scale bloody confrontation comes at the time when members of the two neighboring communities have pitched camps in two different political parties vehemently opposed to each other, could be a recipe for much more bloody battles ahead.
It all began last Thursday nigh when unknown common stock thieve raided Nyakunguru village in Muhoroni district and stole four cows
The thieves drove the animals across the border into Nandi district. The next day dozens of Luo youths armed themselves with crude weapons crossed the border and moved into Chemase area in day light and forcefully seized 44 herds of cattle from the Nandi farmers and drove the animal across the common border into Muhoroni district.
The police did what they could and recovered some of the animals, but the Luo insisted that the recovered herds cannot be returned to their rightful owners until the Nandis on their return the four cow they had stolen from the Luo side of the border.
In retaliation in anger, the Nandi made an armed incursion into several villages during the night . The invaders set dozens of Luo homes ablaze and torched hundred of hectares of sugar cane in the farms belonging to the Luo , an action viewed by Luos as punitive economic sabotage. The next morning bands of Luo youths boarder several trucks in crossed the border in retaliation raids and torched several homes leaving many people homeless.
The local MPs representing the affected areas should be absolved from blame. Led by Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and included the Muhooni MP Prof/P Ayiecho Olueny,Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Lands Minister James Orengo, Aldai MP Dr Sally Kosgey moved with speed and addressed series of tension charged meetings pleading with the residents for calm and to work together to ensure that peace and tranquility returned to the affected area. Kosgey even went out of his way offering to give cash money to compensate the owner of the stolen cows. The offer was out rightly and rudely rejected. At one point at a meeting at Chepsweta area, those in attendance demanded that the Muhoroni MP leave the venue of the meeting, but were calmed by Kosgey.
The active participation in the peace process by the veteran Nandi politician Mzee Ezekiel Bargetuny who did not only appealed for calm and restoration of peace in the are, but also allowed the displaced person to use his farm as a temporary refugee camp.
All this are clear indication that the local MPs were genuine and serious in their undertaking in preaching for peace.
However, there some missing pertinent questions which calls for an immediate answer. Judging fro the arsenal of weapons displayed and captured by TV cameras, there seemed to have been prior preparation for the armed conflict. Who were the owners of the trucks that ferried the dozens youths from Muhoroni into Nandi area on a revenge mission? Who paid for the cost of hiring the trucks?
Houses and cane farms went up in flames even as the leaders were busy addressing the meetings and urging the residents to maintain peace. Were there any signs of “Double Speak” on the parts of MPs? Why the Nandis were reluctant to have the Muhoroni MP participating in the peace meeting at Chepsweta?
Some of the youths were seen carrying shields made of steel materials meaning other people have long been preparing and getting ready in anticipation of such eventuality. This is what the government must investigate and ensure it contained such unlikely event of the outbreak of full scale tribal war. It must pre-empt it and contain the situation, but not to wait until after such ugly incidents have occurred and then rush its security personnel to quell the Violence at a much higher costs.
The government must also share the blame for having reused to prosecute those politicians who have been criss- crossing while defiantly making inflammatory speeches, some of which are full of insults and high provocation despite of recommendations by several bodies, commissions and civil societies.
It has the services of the National Security Intelligence Services {NSIS} with well staffed section handling and dealing with internal security whose responsibilities include advancing it o any boiling issue in the marked trouble spot throughout the country. Has the NSIS ceased to exist?
Communal grievances, which originated from biased and unfair distributions of the land in the Songhor valley, particularly the large scale farms formerly owned by the departed white settlers, some which were taken over by the ADC at paces like Kimwani could be the contributing factors to the latest spate of grudges and hostilities.
Peace and tranquility are the component of development and co-existence of the all the Kenyan communities and it must be upheld at all cost. Action should be taken against anyone disrupting peace even if he or she is from the politically correct and untouchable groups, the strict observation of peace of paramount,
People’s Ancencestral land is at stake…….More than 2,000 families have been targeted by Kibaki and Raila to vacate their homes for business cartels.
Aida, Raila’s wife’s Relative is holed up in Pretoria…….Aida’s mother was married in Gem Siaya and later was terroed (re-married in Uriri South Nyanza)…..The Terroed Uririan Husband died and now Aida’s mother is still living in Uriri South Nyanza……BUT what is amazing or what makes this story very mysterious and queer is that…..this days Aida, Raila’s wife is more frequently seen in Uriri than in Bondo or Gem……At some point, this has become a concern to many whose lands are near to Uriri next to Makalda Mine and the whole of the Rongo, Ringa etc., etc., land surrounding Gold resources are the target……..It is only recent that their fears have been confirmed…….That they are the next IDPs to be migrated out of their Cultural Heritage Homes…..People have been quietly warned to shut-up…….if anyone talk, their homes will be burned down……….Who can explain this???
…….and I agree with Orie Rogo……..and we Warn, whether three legged or two……….LET THEM TRY……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We want to know and we are very very concerned. This is why Kamenchu has all our full support………
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Sh4.5b irrigation project launched in Migori County
Published on 24/02/2012
Residents of Nyatike in Migori County have been asked to support a multi-billion shilling irrigation project, which seeks to create jobs and increase their earnings.
The Sh4.5 billion irrigation project has started with phase one expected to cost Sh700 million beginning next month. At least 2,000 farmers will be affected and relocated to allow implementation.
Area MP Omondi Anyanga said the project will create jobs and increase food security.
“This is a positive move from the Government for giving priority to food security ventures. There will be an opportunity for farmers to exploit their full potential,” said the MP.
“The locals and all leaders must back this project for it to succeed, without hurdles as we saw with the Sondu-Miriu hydro-power project in Kisumu County about a decade ago,” he said.
Leading councillors from the area, the MP asked those relocated to accept compensation and pave way for the project.
Anyanga said Nyatike area had been marginalised since independence, adding that the project was going to be an eye-opener to farmers to exploit their agricultural potential.
The legislator appealed to the locals to own the project and move away from the sites to hasten implementation.
He explained that 2,088 farmers had been identified for compensation, ranging from land, crops, graves, and trees. They would earn Sh87.4 million in compensation.
He disclosed that a conflict resolution committee had also been formed to deal with differences during the compensation and relocation processes.
The project, he said, was aimed at addressing adverse unemployment through creation of employment opportunities that are expected to arise from factories to be established to use several industrial crops be grown under the project.
Farmers in Nyatike and Karungu divisions will grow paddy rice, vegetables, and various industrial crops such as soya beans, cotton, and sugarcane.
The project would also reduce health risks due to frequent use of contaminated water as it will offer clean domestic water for locals and their livestock.
The construction of dykes along the banks of two main rivers of Migori and Kuja are expected to resolve annual flooding that usually affects plain lands of Nyatike, whenever the two rivers burst their banks.
Favorable Exploration Results at African Queen’s Odundu Prospect in Kenya Point to Highly Prospective Drill Targets for Upcoming Program
Thu, 16 Feb, 2012 10:13 AM EST
AccessWire Canada Finance
Vancouver, British Columbia — AFRICAN QUEEN MINES LTD. (the “Company”) is pleased to report favorable results from its preliminary field work and airbourne geophysics at its Odundu property in southwest Kenya’s Rongo Gold Fields, which are being utilized for target generation for its upcoming core drilling program. A convergence of positive sampling and geochemical results from field work with positive results from ground and airbourne geophysics studies points to a number of highly prospective targets that the Company is planning to test by drilling.
The Odundu property covers an area of approximately 97 sq. km in the Kanango gold mining area of the Migori District of Nyanza Province in Southwest Kenya near Lake Victoria. The Project is situated some 380 km. by road from the capital city of Nairobi and 60 km. N of the border with Tanzania, forming part of the rich Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt extending from Tanzania and hosting known world-class gold deposits including African Barrick Gold’s Bulyanhulu and North Mara Mines, within approximately 100 km. of the Project, and AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita Mine.
An airborne magnetic and radiometric survey was carried out by Terrascan airborne GmbH and Co Kg, a German company, on behalf of the Company. It revealed north-west south-east trending structures and a prominent shear zone traversing the Odundu property. Several smaller structural splays diverging from the main shear zone were also detected. A grab sample from an artisinal pit located within the shear zone revealed a high value of 69 g/t au. Other grab samples from this pit obtained by a Qualified Person, Dr. Peter Christopher, P.Eng., indicated gold values ranging between 6.08 and 10.10 g/t au. The rock types identified are highly altered with evidence of sulphide mineralization. To date, only a small portion of the shear zone traversing the Odundu property has been explored.
In order to follow up on the airborne magnetic anomaly, the following program was initiated and completed:
-A detailed ground magnetic survey covering 5 square kilometres was carried out by Remote Exploration Services (Pty) Ltd from South Africa;
-Geological mapping covering approximately 6 square kilometers was completed to identify the lithologies and structural trends within the ground magnetic survey area;
-Sampling and gold analysis of termite mounds located within and peripheral to the shear zone amounted to 123 samples covering an area of approximately one square kilometre.
The ground magnetic survey confirmed the existence of the shear zone/fault system detected by the airborne survey. Anomalous gold values from the termite mound samples located within and peripheral to the shear zone ranged between 0.50 ppb and 669 ppb. au, with many samples in the higher ranges. Furthermore, arsenic anomalies were detected approximately 200 metres and 1.3 kilometres north-west of the pit.
These initial favorable results prompted the company to undertake a 3D Resistivity and Induced Polarization (IP) survey of the Odundu area. This survey was administered by Akili Minerals Services Ltd, a Kenyan company. A zone of high chargeability over an approximate strike of 1.5 kilometres X 100 metres wide was detected by the IP survey within the shear zone/fault system. The Resistivity survey showed a zone of low Resistivity (high chargeability) commonly indicative of sulphide mineralization. It appears that the IP and Resistivity survey results may be related to a rich sulfide zone associated with gold.
Identification of this shear zone, which encompasses abandoned and active mining operations and demonstrates initial high gold values, is highly encouraging. A trenching program is now being completed with a view toward examining the possibility of further gold potential along the shear zone extensions. This trenching program was initiated recently and is progressing well. Ultimately, the trenching information will clarify the nature and surface extent of the mineralization, the structural detail, and complement the planned core drilling program.
The Company’s rights to the Project arise from an Earn-In and Joint Venture Agreement with Kenyan-based Abba Mining Company (“Abba”), under which the Company may earn up to an 85% interest in the Project by funding prescribed optional stages from exploration through feasibility. The Company is designated as manager and operator of the Project on behalf of the joint venture partners. The Project is being managed on behalf of the Company on-site by Senior Exploration Geologist Mike Othitis, P.Geol. AI, MA, Bsc. General Project oversight is being provided by Senior Consulting Geologist Pete Siegfried (M.Sc, MAusIMM). Both are qualified persons who have reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.
According to Irwin Olian, CEO of the Company, “The convergence of positive geochemical and geophysics data at Odundu suggests a high probability of success in our upcoming reconnaissance drill program. We are excited to be moving forward now.”
About African-Queen
The Company is an exploratory resource company with diversified mineral properties in Southern, East and West Africa. It is exploring its properties in Mozambique, Ghana and Kenya for gold and other metals and it is undertaking exploration in Botswana and Namibia for diamonds, gold and other metals. In Mozambique the Company has approximately 230 sq. km. under license for gold and metals under an agreement with another company. In Ghana it has 28.9 sq. km. under license for gold. In Kenya it has approximately 850 sq. km. under license for gold and metals, and a further 737 sq. km. of gold and other minerals licenses under agreements with two other companies. The Company’s operations in Mozambique are carried out through its subsidiary PAM Mocambique Limitada and its operations in Ghana are carried out through its subsidiary AQ Ghana Gold Limited. Its operations in Kenya are being carried out through its operating subsidiary AQ Kenya Gold Limited. Its operations in Botswana are carried out through its operating subsidiary, PAM Botswana (Pty) Ltd.; its operations in Namibia are carried out through its operating subsidiary PAM Minerals Namibia (Pty) Ltd. The Company has its executive offices in Vancouver, Canada. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada on April 30, 2008 and received certain southern African assets in a spin off transaction related to the acquisition of Pan African Mining Corp. by Asia Thai Mining Co., Ltd.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AFRICAN QUEEN MINES, LTD.
“Irwin Olian” Irwin Olian Chairman & CEO
For more information, contact:
Carrie Howes Corporate Communications
Irwin Olian, Chairman, President and CEO |Carrie Howes,
tigertail@africanqueenmines.com
carrie@africanqueenmines.com
Phone: (604) 899-0100
Fax: (604) 899-0200
Phone: Germany – +49 (0) 21141
Canada + 1 416 900 3634
U.K. – +44 (0) 870 490 5443
