Monthly Archives: March 2008

PRESS RELEASE BY BISHOP Dr WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE OVER CABINET STALEMATE

3 Replies

Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:01:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: “Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede”

Kenyans greatly need normalcy in service delivery to immediately resume in the country and this is to be realized through quick implementation of the pact signed a month ago between President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga.

It is clear that no proper services are offered to Kenyans by the government and this calls for immediate dissolution of the current cabinet and the naming of new cabinet based on the 50—50 agreement signed by the two leaders last month. The issue of the expected cabinet has raised serious anxiety among the Kenyan public and it must urgently be addressed without further delay.

To implement what the two leaders signed in-front of International mediators led by H.E Koffi Annan, there must be total sincerity and commitment by both PNU and ODM teams in ensuring that co-existence and normal life were realized in the country as soon as possible.

As religious leaders we must take this opportunity to ask President Kibaki to without any further delay dissolve the current cabinet and put up anew one in a coalition government as per what they signed with Hon Raila, who has bent so much, a move that saw a decline of the volatile situation in the country from the last general election results.

We, as Nyanza Council of Church leaders, must be open in pointing out that the situation in the country was still not good and that any move to renegade on the signed document on power sharing is more likely to throw the country into another unexpected environment.

It is on that ground therefore that we appeal to our two leaders that is Hon Kibaki and Hon Raila to be sincere to one another and to the country by going to what they signed in power sharing on how to govern the country.

We, support a 34 member cabinet since Kenya is a developing country and it would be a big burden to the tax-payers to have a bloated cabinet. President Kibaki must without delay any further delay put a new cabinet which must be lean and service oriented.

We believe that Kenyans keenly follow the current unfolding events and they can see that Hon Raila Odinga has bent so much to ensure that harmony returned in the country despite that he is the one who won with Parliamentary and Civic representatives. He actually should have more share in the new government structure if H.E Hon Kibaki and PNU are sincere.

In line with our call, we feel duty bound to point out to our leaders that they will harshly be judged by history should another unexpected environment crops up in the country due to the stalemate on over the size and portfolios of the expected cabinet.

Lastly, lets remind ourselves as Kenyans from where we have come from about two months ago and we jealously guard against a repeat of the same. This is why our two leaders, Hon Kibaki and Hon Raila Odinga MUST be sincere to one another on EXACTLY what they signed on power sharing. The Bible said is YES let it be YES, we don’t expect any leader to go against the agreement.

God bless Kenya. Thank you,

Bishop Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede,
Chairman, Power of Jesus Around the World Church, &
Nyanza Council of Church leaders (on behalf of the Council)

Subject: PRESS RELEASE BY BISHOP Dr WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE OVER CABINET STALEMATE
March 27, 2008.

Meet Barack for dinner

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Susan  —

If you’re wondering what it might be like to join Barack Obama and three fellow supporters for a casual dinner, you should watch this video.

From the very beginning of this campaign, Barack has rejected contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. Instead, he has relied on grassroots donors like you to support this campaign, and this is not the first time he’s invited you to join him for an intimate dinner for five.

Get a glimpse of a previous dinner with Barack, and make a donation before 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31st. You could join Barack and three other guests for an evening of good food and good conversation:

Dinner with Barack


https://donate.barackobama.com/dinner

One of the folks in that video is Michael Griffith, a miner from Fernley, Nevada — he was one of Barack’s guests at a dinner last year.

We gave him a call this week and asked him to talk about the experience so that we could share it with you. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“It was an awesome experience — Barack spent hours talking to us, and at the dinner table he was just like any other guy. It really felt like somebody invited friends over for dinner and good conversation.

My dad is a paralyzed vet, and his health care costs are huge,so I talked to the Senator about how he planned to provide for our veterans. He gave a thoughtful, detailed answer, and I could tell that taking care of our veterans was a big concern to him.

But we didn’t just talk about politics. He talked about his children, and his wife, and how much he misses his family when he’s on the road. And those of us with children shared stories about our families, too. He was a funny guy, and there was a good amount of joking around. All in all, it was a great conversation.

Ever since the dinner, I’ve remained active in the campaign. I was the precinct captain for my neighborhood here in Fernley, Nevada, and we won our caucus. I also went to the county convention, and we won there too.

I’m grateful to have been a part of this, because I know that beyond winning an election, we’re also changing the way politics works in this country.”

People like Michael are transforming politics in this country
— not just by changing the way campaigns are funded, but by getting involved on a grassroots level and working for change in their communities.

While Senator Clinton and Senator McCain have accepted millions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs, this campaign has relied on more than a million individual donors giving only what they can afford. Just last month, more than 90% of the donations to Obama for America were for $100 or less.

If you make a donation in any amount between now and 11:59 pm EDT on Monday, March 31st, you could join Barack and three other supporters for dinner and a conversation about the issues that matter most to you.

Make a donation and share your story, and you could join Barack for an intimate dinner for five:

https://donate.barackobama.com/dinner

Thank you for your support,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Donate

    Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:01:17 -0400
    From: “David Plouffe, BarackObama.com”
 Subject: Meet Barack for dinner

Ref Kenyan Honoured

Leave a reply

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:02:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: amenya gibson

I take this moment on behalf of Global Young Greens to clap happily for James Shikwati Director of IREN Kenya for attaining great recognition globally for his great innovative skills

Keep up and I believe our ODM/PNU govt will come for your ideas if they hope Kenya to achieve anything in their vision 2030

I was scared of Civil war that was looming large in Kenya but am back ringing my head up again

Wish you best of luck in your work

Thanks
Gibson Nabuteya Amenya
Global Young Greens
Kenya

——
Subject: Ref Kenyan Honoured

Re: Cabinet dispute, PNU Nonsense Continues …..

Leave a reply

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:49:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keen Nyamwange

Michoma,

The Standard is the only one that is courageous enough to tell the whole “story”. It is no wonder that your man Michuki attacked them. It is a mirage in your view that they seem to support ODM and not your Party Not United (PNU). PNU is shady and continues to be headed to the abyss.

Keen Nyamwange (Obama’s Illinois for Raila – OIFR)

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

MICHOMA MOENGA wrote:
Nyagudi,

Thanks for answering the question. The problem is that the Standard has long been and continues to be a player, not a reporter in matters ODM vs PNU. In most instances, it is lopsidedly bent towards ODM which they always cast in the best light, even exaggerated light.

Thanks.

Michoma Moenga

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

—, Robert Otieno-Nyagudi wrote:

http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143983863&cid=4

Michoma Moenga douglassmichoma@… wrote: Nyagudi,

What is the source of your information?

Thanks.

Michoma

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Robert Otieno-Nyagudi Jagem2000@… wrote:
Wanakenya,
. . .

——
Subject: Re: Cabinet dispute, PNU Nonsense Continues …..

Present cabinet must be dissolved to give way to the power-sharing cabinet

1 Reply

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:32:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keen Nyamwange

Fellow Kenyans,

In order for the power-sharing exercise to make any sense, ODM / Raila must demand (yes demand) that the current hastily appointed cabinet of PNU / Kibaki be dissolved before a new and “fresh” cabinet is put in place. PNU / Kibaki has already forgotten why and how we got here. The power monger greedy hardliners seem to think that this is just a big game. It is not.

I must say that I will be definitely disappointed if ODM / Raila caves in to the pressure of these self-centered and self-serving PNU / Kibaki “don’t get it” bunch of frauds.

Please ODM / Raila do it for the people of Kenya. The suffering that was inflicted on the good people of Kenya and the blood that was shed must be kept in view at all times. The people want a lean but effective cabinet. However, since PNU / Kibaki seems to have something under their sleeves, please fight for equitable ministerial distribution between PNU / Kibaki so that Kenya will experience real change for once.

Let me also interject my stand on another point. I have a feeling that most people want to see a regional representation in the cabinet. Why is that so? Is not this the reason why we had trouble with the 2007 elections in the first place? Regionism, Tribalism, Clanism, Villagism, Familism are the core ills in our society. Why does it matter if a Kikuyu is the minister of education for example? Is the minister not supposed to serve the interests of his/her constituency as the MP from such and equitably serve the country as the Minister for education? Is the minister not supposed to work while looking at the BIG (Kenya) picture in terms of schools, quality of education, distribution of teachers, etc by looking at the needs of the country as a whole?

If Kenya has to move forward as a progressive nation we must work to encourage diversity and stand up against those in positions of power hogging whatever they get their hands on to their home constituencies and most frequently to their families while the rest of the country is marginalized.

Kenyans must hold these ministers accountable. Ministries are for Kenyans and not for constituencies. Think about it. Roads and works, Health, Finance, Internal Security, Constitution, Provincial Administration, Education, Local Government, ETC are there to serve the Mwananchi as a whole.

Before you conclude that I am conflicting myself, take time to digest my views. It is double-edged.

Please God have mercy on Kenya.

Keen Nyamwange (Obama’s Illinos for Raila – OIFR)

“A person who has even a speck of Jesus’ fire burning within will set the local Church membership also burning with the fire of Christ. A Church that has a fire burning within will set a Jesus inferno in the neighborhood. And a community that is on fire will set the city on fire. The whole country goes a blaze following this chain of events. By convection and radiation and conduction and induction and fusion and infusion, the heat love of God will be transmitted from medium to medium”. Quote by Keen Nyamwange.

—–
Subject: Present cabinet must be dissolved to give way to the power-sharing cabinet

CAN THE COUNTRY AFFORD 44 MINISTRIES?

1 Reply

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:04:10 -0400
From: Dan Orao

When it comes to the creation of public jobs no other country does better than Kenya. Sometimes I wish the energy and creativity that Kenyan politicians and their supporters devote to creating government cabinet jobs could be put towards creating jobs in the private sector. In this country public hopes are always raised and dashed, elections come and go, tribal conflicts flare up and simmer down, politicians keep their higher salaries and benefits and poor people remain poor. The euphoria of Annan’s power sharing agreement will soon fade away. Today the public and international community is being told that peace has returned to the country. Tourists are coming back, foreign governments are being asked to provide aid for internal refugees. Mr Kibaki and Mr. Odinga are debating on how to divide the cabinet posts amongst their supporters. MPs from all parties and tribes are making secret deals for these positions.

Public Memo to Onyangos, Atienos Kimanis, Wanjirus Wanjalas, Mohameds, Fatumas Chelgets and many other Kenya tribes who had hoped for meaningful political and economic change from this election: These job openings are for POLITICIANS ONLY. As we speak the following additional ministry positions are being proposed to accommodate MPS from various political parties and tribes: Ministry of Nairobi Metro, Ministry of National Harmony and Cohesion, Ministry of Rice, Ministry of Implementation of vision 2030. God knows if the country had these ministries before the general election, there may have been no deaths in Nairobi metro slums, no tribal killings in Naivasha / Nakuru, Rift valley or Kisumu. The Rice Ministry may have prevented the current food shortage and starvation in internal refugee camps and Kenya villages. The Ministry of Vision 2030 could have helped ECK to run legitimate elections and how to count the votes.

If the country is going to have 44+ cabinet ministries I too would like to forward the following Ministries to Mr Kibaki and Mr. Odinga for consideration: Ministry of Kisumu Metro, Ministry of Tribal affairs (to be run by tribal elders of my village NOT politicians), Ministry of Millet ( the grain many people eat), Ministry of Dog Catcher (there are many stray dogs in the country spreading rabies), Ministry of Monkey Control (these creatures are causing a lot of starvation by destroying crops), Ministry of Podiatry (to control jiggers for pedestrians), Ministry of Polygamy (to control marriages between adult males and young females per tribal cultures in some part of this country), Ministry of Women’s Affairs (protecting women from polygamous marriages and male abuses), Ministry of the Unemployed (specializing in youth for hire for political events), Ministry of Bribery and Corruption (specializing in how to tax stolen money for the government) and last but not least the Ministry of Camels and Donkeys (the majority of Kenyans deserve to have these animals in the government). The money spent in building roads is a waste of resources; donkeys are the way to go. I welcome fellow Kenyans to add other ministries I might have left out. These cabinet posts don’t need education qualifications or job experience. They only require you know someone important and have the correct party affiliations and tribal loyalty.

The cost to pay for the bloated ministries will be done the old fashion of simply printing more money. Nobody remembers or pays attention to what it is costing Kenya treasury to pay off retired and current Mp’s benefits anyway. It was not long ago when these current and former MP-S took Sh. 1.5million severance on top of their normal salaries and benefits before the election. Laws passed by politicians for politicians in 2002 now entitled them to earn Sh. 3,000,000 for every year served in parliament. This is just for severance pay. The total cost for severance pay for the 210 MPS not including nominated MPS is Sh. 315,000,000 million at the end of the five-year term. The annual pension for a regular MP is Sh.3.8 million. For a Minister it is Sh. 4.2 million and for the Assistant minister it is Sh. 3.9 million. If you factored in annual salary, expense allowances and pension benefits you can see why the best jobs in Kenya are in the parliament. Many companies and governments in the world can only offer matching funds for pensions for their employees up to 5%. In Kenya, MPS only pay 12.6% of their annual salary and the government pays 25.4% into the pension fund. What a bargain! In the last election for example fifteen Assistant Ministers not coming back will get Sh.5 million each. Ministers who served more than two terms gets a Sh.1.5 million lump sum and Sh. 95,000 monthly payment for life. A regular MP who served two terms gets 1.4 million lump sum and monthly payment of 90,000 for life. Kenya voters may not want to hear this but looking at these numbers now you know why these
politicians are using you all the time during elections. The return on investment (ROI) in Kenyan politics speaks for itself based on these numbers. The poor voters are often losers in a system that awards elected officials these hefty benefits. In sports there is always a next game. In Kenyan politics there is always another election coming around the corner. The campaign positioning for the 2012 election has already begun with the selection of the cabinet ministries.

Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, damn your parties and tribal loyalty for the first time and be statesmen that stand for Kenya. Nobody won or lost this election and this is why you have agreed to lead the “power sharing government”. You need to divide all Prime and Ordinary Ministries equally and find qualified people to run these ministries. Don’t turn the selection of these cabinet posts into welfare for your supporters and tribes. All MPs should feel free to quit this government or party if they don’t get cabinet posts and they should not hold the interest of the country hostage during the cabinet selection process. The country cannot afford to pay the salaries and benefits of more than 34 Ministries. I suggest if you are going to expand these ministries then make changes in the constitution to create part-time legislators. You may want to “think outside the box” by appointing ONLY new MPs who have never held cabinet posts and can bring new ideas to this government. The old guards who have held various cabinets post in this country will still get their government compensation for life. Permanent Secretaries can be used to bring new ministers up to speed in their respective ministries.

Current MPs need to lead by example and donate a part of their salaries to help the internal refugees in this country. After all their salary comes from public funds that they have voted for. Using salaries for this noble course will not affect the MPs’ wealth or future government benefits. The MP’s personal contributions can encourage international donors to help these refugees in Kenya. The actual cabinet appointments will not make any difference whether a member of your tribe get cabinet post or not. These politicians will do what they have always done, and that is making money in these public posts. The public should not even waste time by demonstration, missing work or destroying properties because one of your own did not get the cabinet post. Can the country afford the cost of 44 Ministries? NO!

Dan M. Orao
Michigan, USA

——
Subject: CAN THE COUNTRY AFFORD 44 MINISTRIES?

Re: Is whining/complaining a disease or a life style?

1 Reply

Date:  Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:41:41 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Absalom Birai

It goes without saying that every family member  needs peace of mind to be able to cope with the many daily challenges.

But you and I know that once in a while, an individual whines/complains/or raises his or her voice.

That said, there are some individuals who seems to have majored and minored in whining / complaining. They are so good at it that once they start, they will never quit. If you doubt me, check out the following:

1.There are mothers/fathers who have turned their homes into a theater of complaining. They seem to be un-happy until they have complained/whined over something. With time, some of the family members find peace and quietness elsewhere.

2.There are some church members who will complain/whine for almost everything. Nothing is done right unless of course is done by them. They will complain of the pastor, elders, choir leader,….name it.

3.There are some employees who complain/whine for minute issues, thus making the life of others so miserable

If you can recall, it was this behavior of whining/complaining that became a stumbling block to Moses, the man of God, who the Bible refers to as the “meekest man on earth.” (Numbers 12:3)

Even more interesting is what Solomon tells us in the book of Proverbs. In that book, there is preference in dwelling with the mourners than living with a whiner.

Have you ever come across people who whine/complain for almost anything? Next time you come across them, please do your best to find out what their real problem is. Will you?

Just a thought

Pr Birai-612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org
Wednesday, March 26,2008 @ 7:35 am

Subject:  Re: Is whining/complaining a disease or a life style?

Re: Cabinet dispute, PNU Nonsense Continue…..

6 Replies

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:05:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Robert Otieno-Nyagudi

Wanakenya,

Look at the cabinet proposal made by ODM and contrast it with one by PNU. One thing is apparent; I think these PNU jokers just DON’T GET IT………. They JUST DON’T GET IT!

Kenyans understand what it means to share governance on a 50/50 basis. Indeed, it is preposterous for these PNU socio-political perverts to even fathom that Kenyans will sit back and allow them to derail the process. Kibaki should remember a few commons truths above the 2007 election; that he lost the election, that he stole the election in broad-day light, that he was hurriedly, shamefully and illegally sworn into office during the dark hours, that his careless and arrogant actions catalyzed the violence and police brutality and that he played a hardliner for months as Kenyans died and properties destroyed.

After all, in view of the sorry state our nation was railroaded to, ODM has been compelled due to the post election conditions to cede their rightful ground and the party has been extremely gracious in accepting to share their rightful cake with a violent and careless robber PNU. Yet it remains a disturbing fact to note that PNU still feels that they have some room and right to haggle. I mean, this is ludicrous

Nyagudi

—-
Subject: Re: Cabinet dispute, PNU Nonsense Continue…..

New Cabinet

1 Reply

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:39:49 -0400
From: Washington Okechi

Just when you think KIbaki and his cronies have finally awaken up, you get proved wrong. What is this ridiculous cabinet proposal this people are coming up with? A cabinet of 45 including AG? How can a straight thinking person create, Ministry of planning, Ministry of Nairobi metropolitan, Ministry of vision 2030 and national cohesion and harmony. For God’s heavenly sake, mt kenya mafia, all these fall under one ministry, which is planning. And how are you going to have ministry for women and another ministry for youth. This is insane, Then there is ministry of public health and another ministry of medical services. I am very disappointed. ODM proposal is more than fair and I would encourage Raila not to give any more ground. According to ODM proposal, PNU actually get 20 slots (including, President, vice president and deputy prime minister) combared to ODMs only 19 slots. Mr Odinga is being very fair and the whole world is going to see that.

Prof Okech
__

Subject: New Cabinet

Cabinet dispute

Leave a reply

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:44:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keen Nyamwange

ODM/Raila must stick to their guns and must NOT allow PNU to short change them “again”.

I agree that the high profile ministries must be divided equally. PNU is forgetting the agreement that stopped the bloodshed said POWER SHARING.

ODM is not being done a favor; Kenyans are the beneficiaries of an equitable power sharing deal. Period.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=119843

Keen Nyamwange (Obama’s Illinois for Raila — OIFR)

“A person who has even a speck of Jesus’ fire burning within will set the local Church membership also burning with the fire of Christ. A Church that has a fire burning within will set a Jesus inferno in the neighborhood. And a community that is on fire will set the city on fire. The whole country goes a blaze following this chain of events. By convection and radiation and conduction and induction and fusion and infusion, the heat love of God will be transmitted from medium to medium”. Quote by Keen Nyamwange.

—

Subject: Cabinet dispute

KISUMU MAYOR CHALLENGED OVER GRADER

2 Replies

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:42:10 -0700 (PDT)

BY JEFF OTIENO IN KISUMU
The newly elected Kisumu city mayor Sam Okello has been urged by a group of councillors to promptly intervene to salvage the council grader.

According to the enraged civic Leaders the 20 million grader was bought in 2006 by the regime of the former mayor Priscah Auma to generate revenue for the council and refurbish council roads.

Investigations by this journalist reveals that the graders use has been diverted into commercial gains by a clique of council chief officers who dish it out to their favourite local contractors at “friendly” cost albeit at the expense of the cash strapped civil authority whose workers have not been paid salary for now close to 12 months.

Impeccable sources confided to this journalist that the council chief Eng Lawrence Airo has decided not to open a separate account for the grader and instead opted to channel all the income accruing from the grader into council general account thus making it difficult for anyone scrutinize or know it’s viability.

“The grader is almost grounding to a halt and i wonder which coffer will be used to repair it”, quipped a woman councillor.

A spot check by this writer reveals that the staggering millions worth machine is lying in one of the council yards partially dilapidated with it’s tires completely worn out.

“Main roads within the council jurisdiction particularly in the slums are deplorable yet a few disgruntled and unscrupulous individuals are embezzling with glee the grader “, continued the woman councillor.

END

Subject: KISUMU MAYOR CHALLENGED OVER GRADER

voter turnout – – invitation to discuss

2 Replies

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:45:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Fredrick Anyanga

Many experts believe that voter turnout continues to decline because people have lost faith in their political leaders. Do you agree or disagree? and Why?

Please help me discus this with the experts.
Thank
Regards
FREDRICK

Subject: voter turnout – – invitation to discuss

THE KENYAN TRIBUNE IS BORN

1 Reply

Date:  Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:13:44 +0300
From:  Oduor Ong’wen

Do you miss a weekly that goes beyond ‘Man Bites Dog’ kind of journalism and takes you to the whys and hows? A new weekly newspaper, THE KENYAN TRIBUNE hit the news shelves on Friday, March 21, 2008 and was an instant hit. You can also access it online at www.thekenyantribune.com. highlights include:
  a.. No holds barred analysis of the power-sharing accord
  b.. One-on-one with Prime Minister-designate, Raila Odinga
  c.. A look at Kalonzo musyoka’s hot and cold politics
  d.. Road blocks on Obama’s way to the Oval office
  e.. And more…
If you like it, let more know about it. Just check it out at www.thekenyantribune.com

Country Director – Kenya
Southern and Eastern African Trade
Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI)
Msanduku Lane, Off Gitanga/Vanga Roads
P.O. Box 26063 – 00504 Nairobi, KENYA
Tel +254 20 3860745/6
Tel +254 20 3872671
E-mail: <ong’wen@seatinikenya.org>
www. seatinikenya.org
www. seatini.org
Subject:  THE KENYAN TRIBUNE IS BORN

It’s Easter Again!

Leave a reply

It’s Easter holiday again; a time of the year when the world poses to remember the dead and resurrection of the man of Galilee!

In the spirit of Easter, I found it necessary to dig deep into the archives of Christian history, to, if anything, remind myself of the journey that our Lord and Savior took to save us. And what a journey it was!

Although from the very beginning He was kind, considerate, generous, always there for both the poor and the rich, the “saints,” and those that the community considered sinners or better still, the untouchables, He was hated by many, some of whom sought an opportunity to kill Him.

He was accused of things that He never said or did.

Many are the people who hated Him without any reason whatsoever. It was all based on hearsay. Indeed some made a gospel based on the rumors! Many groups who had nothing in common, joined hands just to make His life bitter!

The situation was so bad that from time to time, He resorted to living a loner’s life. As you study the gospels, it becomes clear that though He was God, He decided to stay away from a community so hostile, for a period of time. It hurts when you find the gospel writers over and over stating that He decided to stay away from a certain city because people wanted to kill him.

He was betrayed by some of the members of the inner circle. And at the time when He needed the support of those He loved and had given all for, sadly, they all fled and left Him to die a lonely death!

Heretofore, they agreed to accuse Him of things that they either imagined or construed.

And so on this Easter season, as those who care for His great sacrifice find it necessary to celebrate, I can’t help but wonder aloud! “Are we different from those who persecuted Him? Am I? Are you?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai-612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

Commentary: What’s this obsession with the PM perks?

3 Replies

When we were fighting for the repeal of Section 2A, our concern was that the presidency was also so bloated, and we needed to trim it down a little. This included the size of the presidential motorcade, the size of the security detail, and the obvious wastefulness that went with that office.

When Kibaki took over, the first thing we saw was the increase in the size of the presidential limousine, the increase in the number of the robo cops that guard the president, and a lot more wastefulness.

I am concerned with the persistent press coverage of what we expert with the office of the Prime Minister. The other time, it was how lavish the office will be. The next time, it was the security detail, and it was arrived that Migosi Raila Odinga will be guarded by 120 robo cops!

That was outrageous. One man cannot be guarded by that number of armed policemen, when thugs are roaming Nairobi at will.

Today, it is his car. That a custom-made car has been ordered for Hon Odinga! Is that news? It goes without say that the holder of that office, and at that, being Hon Odinga, he must get a limousine befitting his current status. After all, they are only 2 in the country; HE Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.

Pray, is someone hell bent on creating a new Odinga for us? Is someone hell bent on creating a collision course for Raila against the citizens?

Matters of security in many countries are better handled silently. Why have we never been told the number of the presidential guards, and the level of their preparedness in the event of calamity?

Why must we be told the case with Hon Raila Odinga? Or rather the office of the PM?

Is the press on a mission here? Is the press……. . Is the press…… .

This is mischievious, and The Standard, must take the necessary measures. Do not spoil for yourselves by shooting on the hip.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

ATTN: Ugenya People & Friends – Teleconference on Sat. April 12, 2008 to Plan Festival in Dec ‘08

3 Replies

A Planning Teleconference – Saturday April 12, 2008

  • 3-7 p.m. East Africa Time [+3GMT]
  • 8 a.m. – 12 noon Eastern USA Standard Time [-5GMT]
  • 12 noon – 4 p.m. [+0 London GMT]

Agenda:

1. Planning the forthcoming Ugenya Cultural Festival
2. Development Activities in Ugenya

To participate , click to join Ongoing Forum

http://ugenya.blogspot.com/2008/03/ugenya-plans-first-cultural-festival-in.html 

_______________________________________________________________

Ugenya plans first Cultural Festival in Dec ‘08

SEGA, SIAYA–March 23, 2008–People from Ugenya/Uholo of Siaya district plan their first cultural festival in December 2008. The Cultural Festival is an annual event designed to promote cultural, historic, development and community ties.

A committee for the festival has been set up but with various chairs of publicity, merchandise and food vendors, children’s entertainment and general entertainment still yet to be selected.

“We’re are also looking for someone to hold the chair for our volunteer committee,” Ugenya-Uholo Development Cooperative (UUDC) Chair, Richard Chodha said. “We would like to get as many volunteers, especially from Ugenya abroad, to help out as possible.”

The planning group will be working to draft a festival schedule as well as organizing several fundraising events for mid 2008.

The three pillars of the festival are:

§ Celebrating the history and culture of Ugenya and Uholo
§ Promoting local, sustainable community amenities
§ Identifying and responding to community development issues

The fair this year will include merchandise vendors, sports such as traditional wrestling, football, tug-of-war, traditional food vendors and entertainment, all reflecting the various cultural practices of the people of Ugenya.

Music, dancers and other features will be the entertainment. Children’s entertainment will include similar activities geared more toward younger age groups.

A raffle and art exhibit will also be available, along with informational booths sharing information about the cultural practices being represented.

Ugenya daughters married outside Ugenya (affectionately called “wagogni”) and their offspring are very welcome to participate in both the festival and UUDC.

UUDC is an organization geared towards socio-economic development of Ugenya.

Visitors from outside cordially welcome to the Ugenya Cultural Festival, which encourages people to interact and learn about the various cultures and backgrounds of their fellow country men and women.

To help fund the festival this year, UUDC is tapping into various resources for sponsorship. Local clubs and various fund-raising opportunities help fund the committee plans including entertainment, vendors and publicity.

“We’ve been working on the planning for this event since the middle of 2007,” Chodha, who is a teacher at Siror Primary School, East Ugenya said. “This is large scale in comparison with anything we’ve done in the past.”

“We want to show Ugenya people, their friends and well-wishers who love Ugenya that they can have fun and get to know people through our events and activities,” Chodha said.
“This upcoming festival is going to be a lot of fun, and its going to support local socio-economic development like nothing else we’ve done before.”

For more information contact dongruok.ugenya@yahoo.co.uk;
Tel.: 0721-762-374 (Kenya) or +1-647-208-1265 (Abroad)
Website: www.ugenya.blogspot.com

http://groups.google.com/group/dongruok-ugenya/members

Will the Grand Coalition Arrest Biwott and Moi for Ouko’s and Muliro’s Deaths?

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Former officer fingers Biwott as Ouko killer
March 23rd, 2008
By David Ochami

NICHOLAS Biwott shot and killed the late Dr Robert Ouko within the compound of Nakuru’s State House on the night of February 12-13 1990, according to a testimony given yesterday to the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the former minister’s murder.

Biwott’s alleged personal role in the murder dramatically unfolded in a three-hour testimony by a former District Security Intelligence Officer, (DSIO) James Lando Khwatenge, who had access to secret intelligence traffic between senior officials of the former regime at the time of Dr Ouko’s death. Khwatenge, who left the Intelligence Services at the rank of Inspector as a Deputy DSIO in Nakuru in 1992, was posted to Eldoret in August 1990 and worked at several stations including Iten and the provincial security headquarters in Nakuru.

For the full article, please see http://www.kentimes.com/07dec04/nwsstory/topstry.html

Sent by Okoth Otura.

Why is Biwott Transferring Assets Now?

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Friday, March 21, 2008

When we were all busy worrying about the post election tensions and turmoil, nobody remembered to analyze exactly what happened in the last elections and especially how the giants fell.

Actually one of the major shocks of last december’s general elections was the felling of political giant, Nicholas Kipyator Biwott by a nobody in his Keiyo South constituency. Jackson Kiptanui Kiplagat of ODM garnered 30,380 votes to Biwott’s paltry 9,483.

So for the first time since the late seventies, Biwott is not an MP.

But what should worry Kenyans even more is what Biwott is up to now that he is away from the political limelight and can spend much more time on his colossal business empire.

The reason why Kenyans must forever be interested in Biwott is really simple but let me spell it out here. We know how Bill Gates made his money and we also know how the Rockefeller family (descendants of JOHN D. Rockefeller) made their money.

Closer to home we have a pretty good idea of how Manu Chandaria came to own so many prosperous companies. Now my question is simple, How did Nicholas Biwott make his money? If I may put it bluntly he made his seed money from stealing public money and taking hefty bribes for major government projects. The Turkwell Gorge Hydroelectric project made Biwott, to name one colossal project.

For the full article, please see http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-is-biwott-transferring-assets-now.html

Sent by Gordon.