http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=773
– – –
Date:  Wed, 28 May 2008 23:26:56 -0400
From:  Joram Ragem
Subject:  Re: WHY IS KIBAKI SILENT ABOUT THE GRAND OPPOSITION
– – – – – – – – – – –

Joram

Even though I had previously refused to discuss anything with your alter ego (Note:-You have refused to use your real name. But I know who you are), I think your comments here are very reasonable and demands a real response.
 
It is true I am a strong supporter of Raila, not blindly though. Raila’s achievements speaks for themselves. Very few people can do what he has done in the short life time he has had. As we speak no politician in Kenya has the interest of the people of Kenya at heart more than Raila Amolo Odinga. For that I salute him, support him, route for him but I do not worship him.   My writing here is a commentary and not advisory. The alternatives I provide are not absolute because I do not have any capacity or mandate to give Raila or Kibaki any advice. Mine is an opinion. Since I am not in Raila’s administration, I have not pledged any allegiance to be a faithfull servant. Once that happens, I will still air my views but they will be directly to his administration and not to the public. As at now I am an employee of my readers so I have to write what is real to them.
 
Since my writings are in the public domain, either party can use the information either way. Even though I have been involved in certain activities for ODM during the election and was one of the initial protesters in Washington DC against election rigging, I do not serve in any official capacity for ODM hence my views cannot be private unless solicited. I do not question only one party activities in my comments and this should eliminate the comparison you made between me and Lucy Kimani. I think me and her are two different animals.

As for Ababu’s situation, my point is that the opposition will be formed in one way or another if the coalition continues its trend whereby PNU gets everything and ODM none. ODM and Raila moreso has to make a choice of whether they are going to fight the opposition or use it.  When they oppose it, they make Ababu and Rift Valley MPs heroes because their complains are genuine. Many laws were passed to bar the formation of opposition but this is what made Raila, Orengo and even Kiraitu the politicians they are today.

I could have said more privately if you identified yourself.

Barack

– – –
Date:  Thu, 29 May 2008 16:17:01 +0000
From:  barack abonyo
Subject:  RE: WHY IS KIBAKI SILENT ABOUT THE GRAND OPPOSITION

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=770
– – –
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 12:55:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Fred Miriga
Subject: Re: Grand Coalition Opposition
– – – – – – – – – – –

Judy, Boaz and the rest;

Somebody said these words; if you fail to teach someone who could benefit from lesson, you waste a person. If you  attempt to teach someone who cannot benefit from the lesson, you waste your time. A wise person wastes neither people nor time. Some people (The don`t know type, but think the otherway round) claim to have inherited intuitive genius from their ancestors or their college professors. How fortunate for them!!!! For those of us who have not, however, the only alternative is to listen carefully and observe closely as we have done with the GEMA people. Knowledge and experience, combined with study and reflection, will have to substitute for our lack of GENIUS. Judy you are doing a very GOOD JOB KEEP ON.

Thanks  Paul Nyandoto.

– – –
Date:  Thu, 29 May 2008 09:34:07 +0300
From:  Paul Nyandoto
Subject:   Vs: Re: Grand Coalition Opposition

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=768
– – –
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 17:59:16 +0000
From: barack abonyo
Subject: WHY IS KIBAKI SILENT ABOUT THE GRAND OPPOSITION

– – – – – – – – – – –

Dr Abonyo.

I partly agree with you on this. However, you seem to contradict yourself when you say that Raila recognize Ababu’s grand opposition as a wing of ODM on the one hand and on the other you say Raila need to bring Ababu in the fold. Do not get me wrong, your advice is well taken but it appears like you are exposing our dirty linen in public. I am assuming you are a Raila supporter what with your Raila should do this, Raila should do that. Have you given your advice to ODM, Raila or Ababu in private and it was rejected?

If so, have you asked yourself why it was rejected? I do not see PNU diehards like Lucy Kimani giving PNU or discussing PNU strategies in a public forum. Is this why they say ‘we’ cannot hold leadership positions?

That ‘we’ cannot stay put under pressure and discuss or starategize privately? Even in the USA, I have not seen Hillary or Obama, or McCain strategize publicly how they intend to upset the other. I would agree with your writings 100% if you suggested to Kenyans how to resettle the displaced, how to jump start those whose simple economies like kiosks, matatus, or careers were distabilized. Dr Abonyo, do not get distracted with the side shows. Rather let us help agitate for the successful change of the constitution even if Raila and ODM did not get the lion’s share in the government that was all theirs in the first place. Tomorrow, Kibaki could drop dead, and Kalonzo might outwit Raila again if the same constitution is applied. I am sure many will not like a traitor to rule Kenya, but as long as the traitor is able to throw meaty bones to some quarters, Raila or any progressive leader for that matter will be outwitted. The people’s choice was denied leadership once and the whole world could not make him have it, and this could be easily repeated as we are diverted with grand opposition sideshows, which could very well be PNU or Kibaki’s grand machinations.

An attempt to end the coalition and then say, “You see, I succeeded in stealing an election. I survived a rebellion and a resulting illegitimate presidency. I hoodwinked Agwambo in accepting a grand coalition. I Infiltrated his base which rebelled against him. Now that he does not have absolute control of the majority, I will push for him to also loose the PM. Then my succession plan for Uhuru will be complete.” Dr. Barack Abonyo, Kibaki is Kenya’s president now. Do not help his project to outwit a progressive next time tomorrow. And by ‘progressive’ I mean not just Raila.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

– – –
Date:  Wed, 28 May 2008 23:26:56 -0400
From:  Joram Ragem
Subject:  Re: WHY IS KIBAKI SILENT ABOUT THE GRAND OPPOSITION

The question uppermost on Kenyan’s minds today is…what’s happened to Raila Odinga? I’ve met many Kenyans during my travels who’ve asked me to explain what the ODM game plan is. I don’t pretend to be an insider in ODM politics. Matter of fact, I’m just a humble writer. But I know something about the Hon Odinga’s kind of politics because I’ve watched the man for years. I therefore propose that for us to understand where the Prime Minister is coming from, let’s study how he has handled the most crucial public moments of his life.

1. When I first heard of Raila Odinga, I was in Form 1 at Kamagambo High School. On a Sunday morning, I was told that the Moi government had been overturned and that a certain Lt. Ochuka had acted in concert with Mr. Odinga to beat another bunch of plotters led by Sir Charles Mugane Njonjo. I was intrigued by the events. When you are a young man, such things as coups are very exciting. But to come to the point, the important thing here is to answer the Why question. Why did Raila find it necessary to kick Moi out by force? The answer is simple. Moi was literally raping Kenya. Be reminded that the man was presiding over a regime that instigated and abetted tribal clashes in the Rift Valley, killed political rivals like Dr. Ouko, looked the other way as corruption threatened the economy, and enriched his family…and the families of his cronies…beyond measure. So why did Raila do it?

2. As I became of age, I watched as the Hon Odinga transformed himself into a political machine unrivaled in Kenya politics. Matter of fact, I’m persuaded that the Langata MP is the most charismatic, most formidable politician Kenya has ever produced. JM came close. The point here is that Raila decided to become a politician to save the nation. You have to remember that during that time, the winds of democratic change were sweeping across Africa and the world. The only way to legitimately acquire power was through the ballot. So Raila did just that. If you ask me, that’s a man who plays by the rules.

3. Now that I’m a grown man, I’ve watched Raila handle fame and fortune with dignity and humility. He’s managed to build a business empire and a political following that makes his rivals go through sleepless nights. You’ll recall that he led the nation to defeat the retrogressive Constitution fronted by Kibaki during the referendum. He led the nation to defeat the Uhuru Project. He led the nation to floor Kibaki at the polls. He led the nation to find peace after Kibaki stole the elections in a fashion befitting a man blessed with just a quarter of a brain. Did somebody say Kibaki was a Makerere alum? How he shames his alma mater! The point I’m making here is that Raila has always led the nation…to a better place.

4. Finally, we all watched, after the stolen elections, how Raila handled one of the most explosive situations Kenya has ever had to deal with. Love him or hate him, what you saw was a man who worried about Kenya more than he worried about himself. He chose to create peace for Kenya’s children rather than create space for himself at the State House. That tells a lot about a man’s core beliefs and character.

Fellow Kenyans, I’ve brought up the matter of the Hon Odinga because many people don’t understand what the plan is for the future. What we must all understand is that we are up against the forces of doom. We’re up against a cartel that has horded power and wealth since independence. They derailed our democracy in 2007, but we will not let them again. So when you see Moi scheme in the Rift Valley, just remind him that we defeated the Uhuru Project and we will defeat him again. When you see Kalonzo map a GEMA game plan, just remind the traitor that we are writing his final chapter in Kenyan politics. And when you see Kibaki’s allies do everything to humiliate the Prime Minister, just remind them that we beat them before and we will do it again…at a time of our choosing.

Why am I so confident? Because I trust the Kenyan people. And I trust Raila Odinga. I know for sure that a time is coming when a different kind of politics will have to be played. But, friends, that time is not now. The wise know that you only tip your hand when the path to victory is clear. So as we go forward, let us rejoice that the youth of Central Province, led by the Mungiki leadership, have teamed up with their fellow Kenyans to create a just and humane society. A society where all Kenyan children are cared for regardless of where they come from. Can we do it? Yes we can!

So let the Hon Odinga draw his game plan. In the fullness of time, he’ll tell us where we are going and how we’ll get there. When that time comes, don’t be caught sleeping. Let the man who has called himself the bridge to the future cross the Jordan with us, then we’ll pick the fruits when we get yonder!

For love of Country,

Sam Okello

– – –
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 14:10:14 -0700
From: samokello@ . . .
Subject: THE RAILA FACTOR–A STARK REMINDER

Folks,

The 10th Parliament of Kenya does not need a Grand Coalition Opposition considering that the election was rigged and flawed with many citizenry casualty as well as loss of lives forcing Extraordinary special Circumstances to mediated for its functionality and existence. There is an uphill struggle for Grand Coalition Government to be fully operational so to provide goodwill and hope to expectant Citizens of Kenya as well as Foreign Investors. After post-election that caused serious scars in many minds, majority Kenyans are struggling to patch-up extreme bitterness and be able to come to terms with the wounded peaceful coexistence survival of Ethnic Rivalry in Kenya and to be able to face the future with open mind and hope. It is not easy to accomplish the much needed humanity face look of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in a time frame as is necessary without providing a conducive environment.

Raila’s statement is very sensible, valid and feasible. Those Legislatures who did not get Ministerial postings still have a place as backbenchers where they are able to represent their electorates and Parties in the same framework of checks and balances on issues requiring matters of National Interest and public concern. It sounded sensible that not everyone was able to get Ministerial postings given the grave situation circumstances he (Raila) explained. I believe the steps Raila and Kibaki have taken to gazette the policy statement (No Grand Coalition Opposition) are worthwhile. The disillusioned must seek fresh mandate for Party Representation is plausible. It is a credible move and I Aye Raila’s back.

Having said that, people have different opinions on this Grand Coalition Opposition, but I have the following observations. That, I cannot be hoodwinked or be taken for a ride by Ababu Namwamba because he is an OPPORTUNIST, of some sort. Ababu Namwamba was over ambitious from the word go and I watch him step by step when he was in USA. I watched those who fronted for him with utter amazement, and realized the school of thought was lucking at that point. His support for Raila as well as the maiden speech he gave in Parliament was all calculated band show. He had his own personal vested vendetta of finding gateway to parliament then joining the GEMA JAZZ of SUCCESSION come the year 2012. This was cooking from way back the Referendum when GEMA SUCCESSION sensed defeat. This is not anything new to many, I saw it coming. His speech in Parliament did not move me, although he tried being the first timer and a new comer in parliament. Orengo was the showcase in the house, some people miss this fact. Why make a hoolabaloo when there is a lot to learn as a New Commer in the house and service to your electorates who are also watching. There are processes to undergo before one can be trusted with responsibilities of running a Ministry. It is a good thing to resign then seek a fresh mandate instead of rocking ODM boat from within. There are two faced well orchestrated plan by GEMA where, from reliable sources, Wetangula and Ababu Namwamba are immediate GEMA Projects to dismantle the unity in ODM and to cause PM Raila in a jungle sea storm so he does not concentrate in his duty bound deliberations and missions, as follows:-

1) The GEMA OATH that no other Kenyan except a Kikuyu must take control of Kenyan Rulership
2) Succession NETWORK by the GEMA MAFIA with such like Uhuru Kenyatta and Martha Karua and Co. is known to all
3) The Stage managed drama by GEMA to divide ODM and to reduce its numbers on its elected members by HOOKS AND CROOKS is also well known – so that, when a snap election is called, the united ODM is in disarray and cannot stand
4) The GEMA Mafia are committed to make the Grand Coalition government ineffective and dysfunctional by instigating elements and disrupting functions of PM Office so that it becomes DORMANT not able to deliver
5) The GEMA Mafia are hell bend to Destroy and Dismantle Mediation process of Annan’s Team
6) The GEMA Mafia also BELIEVE that everybody in the world are JUNIOR
7) The GEMA Mafia have put plans to Disrupt the USA/Kenya pact relationship by propagating dirty tricks

Wetangulas derrogative outbursts of discrediting PM Office and US Envoy is an abuse of power. It is unprocedural, unfortunate and primitive. Ababu Namwamba’s Grand Coalition Opposition stubbon stiff neck is ill formed and must be rightfull condemned. It must be known that Wetangula and Ababu Namwamba are both GEMA funded projects to disorganize stability of GRAND OPPOSITION GOVERNMENT’s unity and functionability as well as to disrupt Parliament businesses in place.

I do not see much of the above set strategy by GEMA permeating the will of majority electorate Kenyans. The ground is so charged. The DEMAND for CHANGE for Justice, Accountability, Democracy and the Rule of Law cannot be down-played. Raila has read the Signs of Times, although we understand he relaxed the 50 by 50 share for the sake of peace, he is not naïve. He is expected to deliver working alongside Kibaki. Therefore, all I can advice Raila is to pay attention and to continue to strive for the needs of Kenyans and DELIVER. Have an Open mind to Public Forum and hear their comments, and get to answer some of the burning issues by fulfilling the promises at the REFERUNDUM. As a matter of fact, PUBLIC OPINION FORUMS or DISCUSSIONS are A POWER IN ITSELF and its all part of GRAND COALITION OPPOSITION for Checks and Balances in addition to BACKBENCHERS, no need for Official Grand Coalition Opposition as yet. Voices of the People are Voices of Reason.

Change is here people, lets all tighten our belts for this rough ride in this new take of Government. It is not a time to Bull Fight for senseless creation of such MONSTER Grand Coalition Opposition, or uncalled for Rhetorics because everyone knows their origins and their intentions. Let every loving Kenyans, Friends and Foes CONDEMN it in totallity to clear the smoky forest from posibility of fire.

Judy Miriga
USA

– – –
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 06:52:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Grand Coalition Opposition

– – – – – – – – – – –

There is a difference between Opposition for the sake of Opposition, on one hand, and Championing Ideals of Kenyans which could be opposed by a Conservative Government on the other. Indeed opposition is not simply an ‘outfit’ or a ‘supra-structure’.

Where you lose it is when people mistake opposition as homogenous conglomeration of disaffected individuals either based on unmet individual expectations or utter parochialism. These could be a swam of hyenas growling for a chance to scavenge.

I fully support the evolution of citizen-based consciousness that puts all persons with authority under check. That need not necessarily acquire any legal form.

Off the record; Can somebody tell me who this Judy Mariga of Ugenya Siaya Alego is. I wish I had the true identity of the person.

Boaz

– – –
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 18:38:22 +0300
From: Boaz WARUKU
Subject: Re: Grand Coalition Opposition

– – – – – – – – – – –

Boaz,

It is clear from you letter that you understand Government and Politics very well, but it is not time for Pressure Groups and Coalitions. My understanding of the shared Government between ODM and PNU is to take care of the Government while preparing for Election in six months from February 2008 to determine who truelly won 2007 general election and for he Country to have a True Party Leader leading the Country. Therefore those in the Office and out should keep their good ideas to give to one Governing Party and leader after the election.

Fred.

– – –
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 12:55:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Fred Miriga
Subject: Re: Grand Coalition Opposition

Ababu Namwamba is one of the MPs on record challenging the validity of the presidency of Kibaki and openly attempting to pledge an allegiance to Raila Odinga during the heat of the discredited election results. I was watching it live as Ababu displayed a rare act of courage accompanied by an excellent eloquence. There was no doubt in my mind that a leader was born or should I say appeared. Now Ababu publicly supports the grand opposition, Raila opposes it while Kibaki is quiete. For me I thought the chronology should be the opposite. Kibaki should oppose it while Raila should be quiete about it. Why is Kibaki absolutely quiete about this? Does he have something to gain from this? and if so what is it? Is this a usual mechanism of finding a thorny issue that will drive a wedge within ODM? Yes Kibaki is quiete because he knows a level of descent will always emerge when members of one family fight. That descent is to his advantage.

As soon as the coalition was formed, there seemed to have been a few problems. One of such is an illusion that there is fifty fifty power sharing in the government. At the beginning of the agitation for an opposition, I still thought that this was a mechanism by which ODM was attempting to agitate for equal sharing of power from top to bottom and expected that Kibaki and Kibakilets would be the first to shout. It has turned out that ODM is much more afraid of this opposition that PNU or is that so?. The question is why? Why should ODM not want a partyless opposition? Are they afraid that this opposition would support PNU bills or defeat ODM bills?

I still doubt that opposition is really more of an ODM problem. I think ODM is making it its problem by engaging into a battle that belongs to some one else. One has to first know that ODM’s stake in this coalition government is not 50%. I would estimate it as 20%. Indeed in this coalition government the vice president and the secretary to the cabinet have become more powerful than the prime minister and are the right handmen of the president. There is a general delink between the president men and prime ministers men as evident in their recent public statemnets. Infact ODM is a thorn in the flesh of this government and should be a pseudo or mild opposition. In that respect, the opposition formed by Ababu Namwamba who is an ODM MP should be an arm of ODM. I believe ODM should start talking this opposition in this direction rather than telling them to quit. For god’s shake the driver of this vehicle is an ODM diehard.

While Raila’s and ODM’s statements have been very reconciliatory on issues such as resettlement and arrested youths, those of Martha Karua, Uhuru and the rest have been very forceful, adamant and arrogant. Of course president Kibaki has been silent but on the side pushing Odinga to do his job only when it benefits him. He pushed the PM to push hard on the resettlement in the Rift Valley because he knew Raila was the only one who could do this while he ignored all contentious issues presented by ODM. I think the president has formed this attitude of always asking Raila to go and deal with his “boys” whenever there are problems. But, how has this benefitted Raila and at what cost Raila has been doing this? The results are very clear. The MPs from Rift Valley have become vey very mad with Raila, and ODM is at the brink of collapse. ODM cannot afford this.

Well it is time that the PM should be aware that the boys are not blind and may be this time he should tread carefully and reformulate his approach to this opposition thing. First, Raila must recognize the fact that a real coalition is not in existence as we speak. ODM has no hold of anything in the defense, internal security and constitution and will not do anything that is outside the interest of PNU while PNU can always do something outside the interest of ODM as they have always done with the current appointments. For many who fought tooth and nail in defence of ODM, lack of real power sharing is a betrayal especially if the captain of the team seems not to believe otherwise. May be this is what Ababu has observed. May be Ababu has noticed that this ride is not going to yield much. May be Ababu has presented this to ODM and nobody listened. It is time ODM paid attention to this wave. They cannot tame it by diverting it.

Ababu is not alone in this. As things stand, the MPS from Rift Valley may be thinking of the same and it becomes a thorny issue for Raila to have come up and said that the MPs disagreeing should go a head and seek a new mandate. Well based on the proporsal of the cabinet, some of the Rift Valley MPs may do just that if the issue of arrested youths is not properly addressed by the PM. This issue of opposition is bigger than Raila or Kibaki thinks. New leadership and powerbases have emerged since the last election and most of them hate Kibaki. A close association of Raila with Kibaki to an extent that Raila tells his base to go and seek a new mandate is a crack that might divide his ODM Gondwanaland. Raila must go back to his power base and understand what they are thinking. He must not help Kibaki out at the expence of his party. He must let Kibaki fight his wars publicly. Raila’s best bet is to keep Ababu and his associates in the fold. This is the coalition that should matter to him and the public. The one between him and Kibaki is very very slippery. Furthermore, Ababu has supported Raila for presidency and will support him again. I do not see Kibaki, Karua, Uhuru and co supporting Raila for anything. Kibaki must be forced to come out and talk against the opposition himself. Raila should not do this on his behalf again. He has done enough for free.

Raila must not scatter his base, he needs to consolidate it. He needs to solve this thing within the party and should not go public against this opposition. Raila can afford to loose Kibaki but not Ababu and the Rift Valley MPs. Indeed Raila should let Kibaki speak on this.

Dr. Barack Abonyo

– – –
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 17:59:16 +0000
From: barack abonyo
Subject: WHY IS KIBAKI SILENT ABOUT THE GRAND OPPOSITION