Total Kenya Ltd/Eco Challenge supports KCDN Greening Initiative
From: odhiambo okecth
Date: Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 6:03 AM
Subject: Fw: Total Kenya Ltd/Eco Challenge supports KCDN Greening Initiative
Besides giving us 1000 seedlings for the day, Total Kenya Ltd through Eco Challenge have today sent to me Kshs 20,000.00 to help out with logistical arrangements.
We are mobilizing the residents, the children and their parents and we really need to be a float. On behalf of the management at KCDN, I must take on this early opportunity to sincerely thank Total Kenya Ltd and Eco Challenge for this support.
We need airtime, transport and other logistical arrangements.
We had also earlier received Kshs 3,000.00 in support Dr Bishop Mbagaya, and Kshs 2,000.00 from Ms Arinolah for the same course.
This involves all of us, and whosoever feels that he can support us, be free to communicate with the undersigned.
Many thanks as we engage more players to come on board.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Friends,
On 5th September 2009, we will be converging at KCDN offices at 8am to kick start the cleaning exercise on Komarock Canal.
We are pleased to announce that Total Kenya Ltd, through Eco Challenge, will be giving us 1,000 various types of seedling for a start. We will detail all the other forms of support they are giving to us.
City Council of Nairobi has mobilized her staff to join us for the event and they will provide technical support and water for the day. I was called in for an early morning meeting with the PR Department at the City Hall to ensure that the staff at City Hall participate in this exercise the best way they can.
I talked with the Sponsorship Manager at Safaricom and she was optimistic about their participation.
Housing Finance called us this morning and I went in for a meeting with the head of their Public Relations in the evening today. They will get back to me on the level of their support.
Barclays Bank at Haile Selassie called me last week and they are determining their level of involvement.
Together with all Friends of KCDN who have shown willingness to support this initiative, we will converge for the Ministerial address on Environmental Conservation at KCDN at 8am on 5th Sept. The Minister will be invited to address the gathering by the Town Clerk, Mr Phillip Kisia. We will then proceed to the site, and we want to set an ezample of what can be done when the people join hands with institutions that ought to provide these services.
We want to invite as many Corporates to step forward and claim a piece of the cake. They will then show-case what they can do to help make Nairobi a Cleaner place. In the process, they will be supporting our efforts at KCDN to mobilize the people on the need to take care of our environment.
We will give a daily brief on activities from Monday as the D-Day approaches. In the meantime, we are very thankful to all those Friends of KCDN, including the Minister of Environment and Mineral Resources, for having accepted to be part of this noble initiative.
If you are touched by what we are doing, do not hesitate to contact the undersign to offer the kind of support you can.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
RE: EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL BILL FUNDRAISING IN AID OF MY ELDER BROTHER, PETER ONYANGO BONYO
From: Richard Bonyo
Date: Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Subject: RE: EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL BILL FUNDRAISING IN AID OF MY ELDER BROTHER, PETER ONYANGO BONYO
Dear Friends,
I greet you all.
May I bring to your attention the unique health experience I have been shouldering and that now need input from all my friends and relatives wherever they are.
My elder brother Peter, once a prominent lawyer in Nairobi, lost his job after getting into financial crisis in his law firm. This led to him being struck off the Roll of Advocates in september 2004.
In January 2009, he experienced a severe mental depression that led to him experiencing his first episode of schizophrenia. I admitted at him at Dr. Frank Njenga's Chiromo Lane Medical Center in 11th January 2009 where he stayed until 31st January 2009 incurring a bill of Kshs. 139,000. So far I have paid Kshs. 103,000 single handedly.
On 27th July 2009, the case recurred and this time round it was quite acute. I took him to Kisii Level 5 Hospital Ward 10 where he is admitted to date. In the meantime, I have tried to address core c challenges that frequently lead him to nerval breakdown. The bill is now standing at Kshs. 50,000 and I will need a firther Kshs. 50,000 to reinstate him into Legal Practice as a long-term intervention to help check his depression permanently.
Please, contribute any amount that GOD might allow you via M-Pesa on Telephone Numbers: 0717 71 33 04/ 0724 752 458.
There will be a mini fundraising on 3rd September 2009 at Vesba Eating House at Development House, Mezzanine Floor along Moi Avenue in Nairobi starting 5:30pm.
You are most welcome,
Yours sincerely,
Richard Ochieng Bonyo,
Hon. Secretary General,
RODESA SACCO Society Limited
P. O. Box 9394-40100,
Kisumu
Fairwell, Mr. Kennedy
By Jd Brown
We buried the “Great One” Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy in Arlington National Cemetery yesterday. Kenyans this is your lost too!. The Kennedy family was instrumental in helping Kenya students with ” airlift fares ” to come to US for their education in 1960s, sending Peace corp to Kenya in post independence days and the recent historical election of ” one of your own” President Barack H. Obama.
Kennedy was more than “the lion” of the US Senate where he served more that 47 years…he was the” champion of the underdog”. US public laws are named after elected officials who author them and get them passed into law. For 47 years in the Senate Kennedy helped, championed and passed: Civil right laws, Disability act law, Minimum wage laws, Immigration laws and numerous health care bills.
To my friend who hale from east coast of Kenya here are your answer on how “Wasungus” handle funerals for their accomplished politicians like Sen. Kennedy. Kennedy’s funeral was celebratory of his achievements when he was on this earth than mourning his death. Public viewing was open to all. There were NO politics by politicians. Ex-Presidents and current President came and got the same attention like other guests in attendance. Kennedy’s friends spanned beyond his Democratic party base. Republicans who have for many decades fought him over major legislations in the Senate came to pay him homage.Effective political leadership call for going beyond ones political base without compromising principals for what you stand for and no one lived this philosophy better than Sen. Kennedy. These are my observations and what Sen. Kennedy’s legacy will mean to me in many years to come.
In all, Sen. Kennedy was ” work horse” not like many politicians who are ” either jack asses or “show horses”. He was a man of action and results. Where many politicians are only concern with their status in society and the posts they hold in public offices, Kennedy opted to fight for the “little guy”!.
Among the many legacies Kennedy left behind none will be bigger than the election of President Obama. Without his unconditional endorsement in primary elections and ” passing of the Torch” to him and the call for new generation to lead and get involve , Mr. McCain and Sarah Palin would be in office today!. Listen to his mortal word: ..with passing the torch … new generation of leaders must get to work..hope will rise again..dream will live on”. Words spoken during at democratic convention in Denver for Obama change election in Denver.
Mr. Obama would be still serving in the US senate as we speak without the Kennedys support!. He saw something ” the IT” in Obamas’ leadership ability that reminded him of his slain brothers in US political struggle. Again, for people who don’t know how difficult it is to overcome race and party politics in the US, this endorsement was not an easy task. For over 200 years plus of US democracy nobody predicted or knew that some one of Kennedy’s stature could endorse minority person to be the next president of the US and the leader of the world in their life time!!!!!. And most of all, to endorse Sen. Obama over stalwart democratic party insider/mover like the wife of former President Clinton of all people was “game changer” in US presidential politics . THE LION MAY REST..BUT HIS DREAMS WILL CONTINUE BECAUSE THEY ARE LEFT IN GOOD HANDS!!!
For my E. Coast Kenya friend,these are the things Kennedy did to ” the world’s “underdogs” and to your far distance country man to become the first African American president in the US. Now he is leading the land where his ancestors were brought to work in cotton fields and lives in house his slave ancestors built for their masters..what irony!!!!
I hope you and and your friends will share my one man’s observation on Sen. Kennedy’s contributions to better this world!!. The” underdogs” of the world have lost and will miss their champ!.. but all is not lost, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west tomorrow!. News leaders will rise to lead one more time..and the “dream will endure”
Now I have answered your questions my friend, you and your friends should now answer me the following questions: How do you remember your fallen leaders in funerals?, Are your funerals off limits to politics or the other way around?, If President Obama was running for Presidency in Kenya could have been elected president or he could have just been another tribal politician?
Read The Lion is at rest.
- - -
from: Jd Brown
Date:Aug 30, 8:56 PM — [ ] —
subject:Fairwell, Mr. Kennedy
FW: Forced removals of Maasai pastoralists in Loliondo, Tanzania
From: Nicodemus Shauri Eatlawe
Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Subject: FW: Forced removals of Maasai pastoralists in Loliondo, Tanzania
FEMINIST ACTIVIST COALITION
(FemAct)
C/O Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) S.L.P 8921 Dar es Saalam,Tanzania, Kituo cha Jinsia, Barabara ya Mabibo Mkabala na Chuo cha Usafirishaji (NIT) Simu +255 22 2443205; 2443450; 2443286 Selula: 255 754 784 050, Fax. 2443244, Barua Pepe info@tgnp.org, Tovuti www.tgnp.org
PRESS RELEASE
Feminist Activist Coalition (Fem Act) and Pastoralists Forum press release about Gross violations of human rights and citizenship rights in NGORONGORO district carried out on behalf of the private investor,
ORTELLO BUSINESS CORPORATION (OBC)
We member organizations of Feminist Activist Coalition, FemAct, who advocate for gender equality, human rights and development and women’s liberation together with the Pastoralists Forum (Arusha) are highly disturbed by the gross violations of human rights and citizenship rights and breaking of laws carried out by the government operation to forcibly move Maasai pastoralists from their homes in eight villages within Loliondo Division, Ngorongoro district. The forced removals of Maasai communities by state machinery and a private company began in early July this year and continues up to the present moment, on behalf of the business interests of a private investor from the United Arab Emirates, namely Ortello Business Corporation (OBC).
After information about these violations of human rights and citizenship rights had been publicized in local and international mass media, FemAct and Pastoralists Forum decided to jointly investigate the facts about the issue for ourselves. Between August 19 and 23, 20009, leaders from FemAct and the Pastoralist Forum travelled together to four of the eight pastoralist villages concerned, namely Ololosokwan, Soitsambu, Olorien- Magaiduru and Arash, to talk to local villagers and their leaders; the team also met with Ngorongoro District leaders, and management of Oterllo Business Corporation (OBC). The aim of the visit was to investigate the situation and confirm whether or not government officers have collaborated with the investor (OBC) to violate the human rights and citizenship rights of the women, men and children in the villages mentioned above.
Fem Act and Pastoralists Forum understand that OBC was allowed to rent an enormous hunting block in the Loliondo area in 1992 by government through the Ministry of Natural Resources. This aroused a major protest and led to a major public debate nationally and world wide, that was referred to as the ‘Loliondogate scandal’. The hunting block is within an area which was already settled and legally owned by eight pastoralist villages; hence their presence in the area is perfectly legal. At question is the issue of the hunting block to Oterllo Business Corporation, and whether or not it will be reissued to OBC next year, when it comes up for renewal!
We found out that beginning in early July this year, the government used armed force, namely that of the police and the Field Force Unit( FFU), and with OBC’s own armed guards forcibly expelled Tanzanian citizens, who are residents of this area, from their homes and villages. The explanation given for this violent act was that it was necessary to protect the area against environmental degradation, without any consideration of legal rights to live in the area. This forced removal of Maasai women, men and children from their homes is a gross violation of human rights and citizenship rights, and breaks our government’s laws and our nation’s Constitution.
When FemAct and Pastoralist Forum visited the area we discovered and confirmed the following:
The operation by the Government and OBC is being carried out against villagers who legally reside on and own this land and other resources in the area, according to the Village Land Act of 1999; therefore the Maasai are not invaders as claimed by OBC;
Gross violations of human rights and citizenship rights have taken place, and the laws and Constitution of our nation have been broken, which include the burning down of people’s homes (boma); destroying food supplies; specific violence against women and children, including rape; undue use of force which led to miscarriages; arresting and torturing villagers – the whole operation did not follow the law and appropriate rules and regulations;
Government and investor claims that the pastoralist communities are degrading the environment is false. In reality, the opposite is true: environmental degradation has been caused by OBC Company, for example by establishing an airport right in the middle of wildlife corridors and birthing areas; causing noise and disturbance by air pollution from air craft, which include huge jets; building permanent houses illegally in animal conservation areas; and water piracy from water sources of the animal reserve;
There are major shortcomings in the legal framework, which include:
Intervention from outside in the signing of contracts between OBC Company and the eight village governments to allow hunting to take place in the area; the contracts were signed by the government with the eight village governments on behalf of the OBC company; and OBC signed as a witness;
Hijacking Tanzanian communication networking systems in the area surrounding OBC Company. For example, as soon as you enter the area you receive a short message(sms) on your mobile phone from ETISALAT which welcomes you and says “WELCOME TO THE UNITED ARABS EMIRATES”
Construction of airport strip and operation of direct air travel between the area of the hunting block and foreign countries, with no immigration, customs and tax regulation. Large airplanes land and take off from this air strip, with the capacity of carrying more than four hundred passengers and a large number of motor vehicles.
Lack of transparency in tax and customs collection—there is no information or documentation showing that TRA is collecting customs from the cars imported from foreign countries, with registration plates from United Arab Emirates, and used locally; or taxing numerous other resources which are taken directly from Loliondo, reportedly including wild animals dead and alive; and
OBC Company is given and enjoying diplomatic status by the government, contrary to the situation for all other private companies. The OBC camp is guarded by the Field Force Unit (FFU), police and other state machinery organs. Different government units have been organized from the district to the national level to coordinate OBC Company activities. For example, FemAct and Pastoralist Forum leaders were denied entrance into the OBC company camp; instead they were removed from the place under FFU escort and later stopped and questioned by FFU allegedly under instructions from the Arusha Regional Commissioner and the Ngorongoro District Commissioner.
Following these events and observations, FemAct reconfirms the position it took in its press release of May 22nd, this year, that the Tanzanian state has been hijacked by and serves the interests of wealthy private investors, with the connivance of corrupt national and international individuals (wafisadi), plundering the resources of the majority of the people, and in the process, causing them bodily and emotional harm.
Given the information which we have documented and confirmed, FemAct and Pastoralist Forum demand the following:
Government to immediately stop the operation to forcibly remove pastoralist communities from the Loliondo area and elsewhere, which are gross violations of human and citizenship rights and against government rules and regulations and the Constitution ;
Government to hold accountable and discipline all those government officers who will be found to have participated in these unjust and illegal acts carried out against the pastoralist communities of Ngorongoro District;
Emergency relief and humanitarian assistance to be sent immediately to the victims of the operation in Ngorongoro District, especially water, food, tents and care and treatment for women and children;
Compensation be paid to all victims of the operation for their loss of property and the physical and emotional harm caused to them;
Government be held accountable to explain why the OBC company has received official diplomatic status;
Government to provide detailed information on tax and customs collection practices of TRA, tele-communications regulations (TCRA); use of national air space of Tanzania (TCAA); and the immigration status of all visitors (Immigration) associated with the Oterloo Business Corporation operations in Loliondo and Arusha Region in general;
Government to communicate an official statement on the future of pastoralists in Tanzania;
Government to provide a detailed explanation and plan for resolution of the conflict between laws pertaining to land and to wildlife, in particular the Village Land Act of 1999 and the Ngorongoro Crater Authority Act of 1959;
Activists and all the people of Tanzania to immediately take action to protest against the unjust and illegal violations of human and citizenship rights of pastoralist communities and other villagers living in Ngorongoro District; and
Mass media to continue to investigate and publicise all unjust actions and violations committed by the government in cooperation with the OBC company against the citizenship rights and human rights of pastoralist people in Ngorongoro District.
Issued by FemAct and signed by:
Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP)
Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
Concern for Development Initiatives in Africa (ForDIA)
Youth Action Volunteers (YAV)
The Leadership Forum (TLF)
Coast Youth Vision Association (CYVA)
Walio Katika Mapambano na AIDS Tanzania (WAMATA)
Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA)
Youth Partnership Countrywide (YPC)
Tanzania Human Rights Fountain (TAHURIFO).
HakiArdhi
Women Legal Aid Centre (WLAC)
Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team (LEAT)
Tanzania Ecumenical Dialogue Group (TEDG)
HAKIELIMU
Women Fighting Against Aids in Tanzania Trust Fund (WOFATA)
Taaluma Women Group (TWG)
Marcus Garvey Foundation (MGF)
Tanzania Coalition on Debt and Development (TCDD)
ENVIROCARE
Pastoralists Forum
Women’s Dignity (WD)
Pastoralists Indigenous NGO’s Forum (PINGO’S FORUM)
Ngorongoro NGOs Network (NGONET)
Ujamaa Community Resource Trust (UCRP)
27 August 2009
Zanzibar withdraws passports of unregistered Comorians
Zanzibar authorities have embarked on a special exercise to withdraw passports issued to Zanzibar residents originating from Comoro who had failed to apply for citizenship as directed in 1968 by the first President of the Isles, the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.
According to Zanzibar Immigration Commissioner, Mwinchum Hassan Salum, the move is intended to thoroughly scrutinise the register to verify the status of individuals and identify all unqualified Tanzanians with Comorian origin for immediate withdrawal of their passports.
“The passports were issued accidentally to some residents with Comorian origin,” the Commissioner confirmed in reaction to widespread complaints that the exercise was discriminatory and politically motivated.
He said that the late President Karume had in 1968 ordered all Zanzibaris with Comorian origin to register themselves together with their children so that they could be entitled to all rights enjoyed by other Tanzanians.
Salum however said, the Immigration register indicated that some Comorians who enrolled in the register were granted certificates of naturalisation, but those who did not register were not bona fide Tanzanians and therefore their passports must be withdrawn forthwith so that they can apply for naturalization or risk legal action.
He argued that as per Chapter 39 of the Laws of Zanzibar, the status of the people of the Comorian origin were not the Sultan subjects and were therefore considered as “aliens.”
By law, he said, these people have no other legal options except to register and apply for a certificate of naturalization.
He added that as per the Law of Tanzania every person who was a citizen of Tanganyika immediately before the Union Day shall be deemed to have become a citizen of the United Republic on Union Day.
The Isles immigration chief further said in accordance with the law in force in Zanzibar on Revolution Day, January 12, 1964, a Zanzibar subject shall on that day be deemed to have become a citizen of the United Republic of Tanzania.
He advised all the Comorians living in Zanzibar to know their immigration status and that those not qualified for Tanzanian citizenship should register with the Immigration and apply for naturalization.
The Commissioner defended the government’s decision, arguing that the exercise was not politically motivated and that it was purely a legal matter.
He elaborated that the “passport withdrawal practice” would not include some members of the Comorian Society who are either Tanzanians by descent from their fathers or mothers.
Asked for comments, some members of the Comorian Society living here wanted the Immigration Office to publish a list of all the people who had registered in 1968 to enable them to know their nationality status.
They said the “passport withdrawal practice” had affected them psychologically and some had been affected to the extent of loosing their jobs.
They requested the Isles President Amani Abeid Karume to intervene on the issue.
On his part, the Minister of State in the Zanzibar Chief Minister’s Office, Hamza Hassan Juma has requested the Comorians to go to the Immigration Office to find out their nationality status and abide by the laws of the land.
- - -
From: Leila Abdul
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Subject: Zanzibar withdraws passports of unregistered Comorians
Reminder – Diana Orwa Fund Raiser
Dear all,
This is to notify you of my daughter Diana's wedding which has been planned for December 2009. Diana is getting married to Mr. Robert Oyugi from Seme location.
There will be a fund raiser held at Eli Ndire's residence on the 29th of August 2009. The address is 80 Phelps Ave, apt B, New Brunswick, NJ.08901
l sincerely hope that l can count on your support.
Yours faithfully,
MRS. CATHERINE ORWA.
860-518-1081
- - -
From:
Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Subject: Reminder - Diana Orwa Fund Raiser
Fwd: Edwina Onyango preliminary court hearing : CHANGE OF VENUE FOR COURT HEARING 9/1/2009 @ 9:00am
From:
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Subject: Fwd: Edwina Onyango preliminary court hearing : CHANGE OF VENUE FOR COURT HEARING 9/1/2009 @ 9:00am
Edwina Onyango preliminary court hearing : Please note change of venue
From: Helida Auma
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 2:27 PM
To: Kaula, Peter O
Subject: CHANGE OF VENUE FOR COURT HEARING 9/1/2009 @ 9:00am
Please note the change of venue for the preliminary court hearing of my sister Edwina Onyango. The new venue is: Jim Thorpe Court House
3rd floor,Courtroom #2
Corner of Rt 209 South and Broadway
Jim Thorpe, Pa 18229
Tel: (570) 645-2609
Please come and show your support on Tuesday, September 1st 2009 at 9:00 AM
Thank you,
James Onyango
Re: Otieno Ombok
From: maurice oduor
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: Otieno Ombok
Shouldn't this kind of exchange be undertaken privately and not on a public forum like this?
Courage,
Maurice
--- On Thu, 8/27/09, Judy Miriga
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Seeking Justice: Unnecessary police arrests in Limuru!
From: George Nyongesa
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Subject: Fw: Seeking Justice: Unnecessary police arrests in Limuru!
Since our attempt to hold a a peaceful meeting to discuss CDF and other devolved funds at Manjiri Foot Ball grounds which the provincial administration had protested violently against and later got arrested, spent a night in the police cells and charged in court the following day, residents of Limuru area continue to face harassment and brutality in the hands of Kenya Police. See the call for help email below. I appeal to all of us to think of how we can help our fellow citizens to liberate their village from the hands of criminal state agents roaming in their homes.
George Nyongesa
+254 720 451 235
--- On Thu, 8/27/09, Samson Mwaura wrote:
From: Samson Mwaura
Subject: Seeking Justice
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 1:53 PM
- On Wednesday 19th August 2009 at Kabuku junction Limuru at 20:00 hrs the policemen came to a local video show called Dallars and arrested 35 people who were watching a movie.
-The owner tried to ask the police why did they have to do that and yet he had all the licenses needed to transact that business. They told him they will know when they are taken to the court.
-They were all taken to Tigoni police station and the policemen were looking at them one after the other saying that they were looking for particular faces. The victims could tell that it was members of Bunge la Mwananchi Limuru who were being targeted in the arrest.
-On thursday the 20th August 2009 in the morning 13 people were released after paying some money depending on how much you had.
-On the same day the other 22 people were arraigned in court charged with gambling.The prosecution produced a set of new cards and Kshs 80 that the accused persons were using.
-The Magistrate doubted about the evidence provided and ask the prosecutor how the accused persons could be gambling with one set of cards and Kshs 80.
-The Magistrate ordered the accused persons to be taken back to Tigoni police station and brought to court the following day.
-On friday the 21st August 2009 they were taken back to court where the Magistrate sent them to 14 days in remand without an option of a bond or a fine.In Tigoni they were kept there for saturday and sunday and on monday the 24th August 2009 they were transported to industrial area remand home.
-We all know this boys and others are students.Their charges were substituted from watching the video to gambling.
-We therefore request for legal intervention to assist these boys get justice.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Persons are born with natural rights. Rights to freely associate, right to peacefully assemble, are among them.
The reported police action is clearly in violation of that principle.
To enforce the official recognition of individual rights and liberties, by the state, a clear need for a written constitution / bill of rights, to be supported by appeals thru truely independant courts, is needed.
The current report serves to once again emphasize this fact.
Sincerely
- - awm - - 2009 Aug. 27
Re: Why Turning MAU into Mkalenjin Aondoke Upesi will complicate matters for Raila and 2012 elections
From: David B
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: Why Turning MAU into Mkalenjin Aondoke Upesi will complicate matters for Raila and 2012 elections
Bwana Amenya
Yours is the kind of wisdom and sane discussion I have been longing for. People cause hate and tension unnecessarily by trying to show that others are like dung. Look, While others are being allowed to cultivate forest in the "shamba" system, others who actually posses title deeds are handed 14 day ultimatum. Any animal with little brain will never expect cooperation from such skewed application of justice. MAU MUST BE CONSERVED, YES but when and how did these people get into Mau? Kibaki himself handed out some of the titles in 2007!!. They are not just 1900 titles, they are over 15000 plus squaters.
But why all the impatience? Why not seek reasonable solution together with the community? I am from Mau, and I and the community have no problem at all in leaving the forest alone, we badly need that forest. But wait, Kenyatta started it in the 70s by dishing out peaces of it to Kikuyus and no one complained about it. Ndefo, Rare, Likia, Mau Narok (all in Njoro) and parts of Mau dished out to pure Kikuyu. Kuresoi forest is the very essence, the real Mau home to the Ogiek and the actual source of all the water including Mara, yet was dished out to Kikuyus in the 70s and the Kisiis came in to buy land too. Olenguruone was violently grabbed and dished out to Kikuyus in 1974/1975. We watched silently.
Kamara, Timborua, Molo forest, Turi forest, Mau Summit forest had already gone to Kikuyus, Elburgon, Burnt forest (in the very heart of the Kalenjin land) had all gone to Kikuyus. I have not mentioned also that all the Muzungu land were all grabbed by the same powerful Kikuyus all the way upto Kitale? Kidowa and Londiani were all heavily populated by shamba cultivating Kikuyus all the way to Kipkelion (again, the heart of the cultural heritage of the Kalenjin) all the way to Fotana (Fort Tanan). Kiptungo, Mareshioni, Naisuet, Ndoswa forests were all densely habited by one community in the name of shamba system. They were only waiting to claim themselves as forest squaters and demand allocation of the forest land ( I am increasingly being very proud of my peaceful Kalenjin nation, all this time we kept our peace, Now God help us).
Before Moi peacefully left office, some of the worried departmental heads decided they could not sit and wait for another Kikuyu to come and dish the remaining forest out to Kikuyus, they dished it out too!!. Now we are evicting these few Kalenjins who rushed to salvage the left over?
Kidaruma dam hydroelectric generation was closed recently due to low water levels. what happened was that Mau? All over the country is drying. Why harase a small population instead of seeking a more sustainable solution? We will vacate Mau but treat us like human beings or ..Kenya will never be the same.
During these times of drought and hunger, only fools will evict people and destroy their livelihoods. You will be creating more crisis fools!!.
Sit down and calmly seek a more lasting solution. Raila and Kibaki, You can do better than show hatred against a people.
ArapBett
Life is about Connections; connecting with God, with humans and accessing resources to help change the world.
Dare to dream and then do it(Thomas Nelson, 1998)
The one who is afraid to go wrong may never be right
--- On Thu, 8/27/09, amenya gibson wrote:
From: amenya gibson
Subject: Why Turning MAU into Mkalenjin Aondoke Upesi will complicate matters for Raila and 2012 elections
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 6:53 AM
Sometimes is important for any leader to be quite careful on any policy he/she may try to push across may spell doom for him/her in near Future
Let me explain using a few examples
1-When Moi pushed Hon Uhuru to be a KANU flag bearer for 2002 elections consequences are there for us to see,Uhuru project went belly up
2-When Raila tried to bring some sanity on roads expansion by demolishing buildings we all know what happened
3- When NARC tried to bring a radical surgery in Judiciary we all know what happened
I bring out all this in matters in relation to to MAU evictions
It may look to be a good idea but may also turn out to be badly executed and may cause more discontent
We may be fascinated at about conserving our forest and diversity but
we also we need to ask ourselves are we doing it well or is just waking up one morning and begin removing people
The idea of using police agencies to remove people in MAU forest will
leave a bad taste in many people from MAU forest
I will be glad if Raila if need be,try to use communities and elders to educate people on need to vacate MAU Forest let us not be in hurry to push people out of MAU Forest in a haste not forgetting the currest state our nation is undergoing-no water,no power,no food,etc
Kenya is in unstable condition and if we start to flex muscle wrongly may be hard to correct it.
Hon Raila has to engage all and discuss the issue gradual and have the process carried out humanely rushing to show your mighy power may work against him
Learn how Obama is handling Healthcare Issue in USA he has allowed wisdom and better judgement to prevail unlike had he stood firm and pushed the whole issue forcefully.
Can Hon Raila use your professional skills to wade through Mau issue or you will use Fimbo ya Forest officers to weep powerless communities that are eking a living in MAU
Over to You Hon PM
Thanks
Gibson Amenya
Member of Kenya Young Greens
Feedback gamenya@kenyayounggreens.org
The Lion is at rest.
from: move on dot org
date Aug 26, 2009 8:59 PM
subject The Lion is at rest.
Dear MoveOn member,
The Lion is at rest.
Senator Teddy Kennedy passed away last night and our movement lost a hero. His leadership, his vision, and his passion will never be forgotten.
As we grieve, we must honor his memory and re-dedicate ourselves to his fight. Right now, let's listen to his words. Below is a powerful video that lots of MoveOn members are passing around this morning.
Tonight, please light a candle in your window to memorialize him.
Tomorrow, as Senator Kennedy said, "...the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Tomorrow, let's re-commit ourselves to achieving the thing that mattered most to him: Quality, affordable health care for every single American.
Thank you for all you do.
--Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, Danielle, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Jodeen, Julie, Kat, Keauna, Laura, Lenore, Marika, Matt E., Matt S., Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Nita, Noah, Peter, Sasha, Scott, Stephen, Steven, Susannah, Wes, and the entire MoveOn team
References
Visible links
. http://pol.moveon.org/kennedy/?id=17001-5885054-rnPsRBx&t=3
. http://pol.moveon.org/kennedy/?id=17001-5885054-rnPsRBx&t=4
The Invasion of Migingo by the Museveni’s Uganda Government
From: Judy Miriga
Date: Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Subject: The Invasion of Migingo by the Museveni's Uganda Government
Folks,
Does this mean the Coalition Government of Kenya gave Museveni full right to own Migingo? How can Uganda Administration take security charge on Migingo? Is Migingo Ugandan property or Kenyan? How can the Coalition Government just watch when its Citizens are being bullied by the Ugandan Government on Kenyan land? and How can the Uganda Security Armed Forces take control of Migingo a Kenyan property without the Coalition Government saying anything or stepping in? Why are the Migingo Fishermen facing such brutality and frustrations in the hands of Ugandan Army when Kenyan army is just watching? Do the Public have the right to sue the Coalitiong Government for not providing the required security? Is there security in Kenya? Does the Coalition Government concerned about providing services including the security to the electorates or not? What can the Citizens of Kenya read between the lines from this kind of action? Are the Armed Forces in Kenya aware such things are happening to Kenyans in Migingo? Why has the Security not been dispatched to Migingo to protect Kenyan Fishermen there? Arent the Fishermen paying taxes to Kenya Government? What is the Parliament saying about all these? Where are the Civil Society and the Human Rights activists in Kenya and what do they have to say about this kind of action by Uganda Government invasion? Does the fishermen of Migingo have the right to sue the Coalition Government for not protecting their livelihood and business in Migingo, yet they pay taxes for their securities and safety? What are the consequences of an illigal invasion to a privacy?
Why has the Kenyan MPs decided to be quite about Migingo invasion?
Why are they throwing cold water on it when peoples lives and businesses for their livelihood is being threatened by the outside forces? Is this a game of Thieving by Public Office, that Public property is sold under table dubiously by the Coalition Government to Museveni? Does the Public have the right to question and to know who the ownership of Migingo is presently, the reason why Kenya Coalition Government is aloof about Migingo? Is Public interest a private affair? Is there a plan for underground mercenery Mafia take over of Migingo as well as other public property being swindled by the Coalition Government? Can the Civil Society, Faith Based, NGOs, Men and Women stand up and protect that which is being stolen from them and make noise? Can they DEMAND for an answer?
People you must not keep quite when your Destiny is corrupted. Even if it is one inch, fight for it, it is your right......no one should take you for granted because you are poor, it is the same politicians who have put you to a sorry situation of poverty you are in today. Go to the bottom of the matter and know the truth, this is because the Word of God says, it is the Truth that shall set you free.......Do not take Gods word for granted people.
The World is Watching......
Take Action........
Thanks,
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
Ugandans watch over Migingo tally
By Standard Team
Residents of Migingo Island were counted amid tight security by Uganda police.
Two enumerators, accompanied by two elders, moved door to door on the one-acre island under the watchful eye of Ugandan security officers.
Speaking from the disputed island, chairman of the local Beach Management Unit Juma Ombori said the exercise began well.
He, however, cited the absence of most fishermen from their residences as a major challenge.
"Many fishermen were on the lake at night," he said adding this forced enumerators to carry on with the exercise Tuesday and Wednesday.
The four, together with a supervisor, arrived on the island on Monday morning and are expected to leave when counting ends on August 31.
Meanwhile, in Migori, heavy rains and lack of adequate census materials affected the exercise. A survey by The Standard showed most residents were yet to encounter the enumerators after the first night. Of 23 residents interviewed, only six had been counted.
"We waited until midnight before giving up," said Mr William Mandela, a resident.
And contrary to the directive that clubs be shut from 6pm to 10pm, clubs in Migori had a field day, operating throughout the night.
Official word
Bar owners claimed they were yet to get official communication from the Government on the directive to close early.
Elsewhere, US President’s step-grandmother Sarah Obama was among the first to be counted in Siaya District.
Mama Sarah was counted at her Kogelo home.
She praised the exercise and urged fellow villagers to take part in the census.
Supervisor Fransisca Aluoch and enumerator Dora Odhiambo counted Mama Sarah, 89, at 6pm on Monday night. She was asked questions such as the number of livestock she owns and whether she uses firewood or any other type of cooking fuel.
Elsewhere, census failed to take off at Osieko beach on Lake Victoria after enumerators from Bondo and Budalang’i districts clashed over who would conduct the exercise.
Bondo DC Mohamud Salim and local statistical officer John Asudi had to rush to the area yesterday morning to sort out the dispute.
In Rarieda District, counting at Magare Island was completed early in the morning as two enumerators and a supervisor spent the whole night on the tiny island.
By Nick Oluoch, George Olwenya and Nicholas Anyur
Re: 23 Rift MPs attack Raila
From: odhiambo okecth
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Subject: Re: 23 Rift MPs attack Raila
There was a time last year, when after watching Ruto closely, I returned the verdict that this chap was suffering from a lot of youthful exuberance.
I bet I was right then, am right still and will be right forever.
Whenever we have serious national issues, and when court with his fingers on the till, Ruto runs to his tribe.
He messed with our maize reserves then ran to his tribe.
He sold the KPL land, the matter for which is still in court, then he rans to the tribe.
He messed Mau,or rather, him and Mzee Moi messed Mau, then he rans to the tribe.
Honestly, does this chap think about Kenya? Are we not all fro tribes? Will it be good if all of us ran back to the tribe when issues became National.
He is mentioned in the ADC land saga and he come to parliament and tells all and saundry that he does not have a patent to the name William Ruto.
Kenyans must call the Ruto bluff and move on. And Mau must be conserved at all costs.
Secondly, defending Raila Odinga is a very tricky affair. Some of us do not know what he stands for anymore.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
From Talking to Tasking
--- On Sun, 8/23/09, Kuria-Mwangi wrote:
From: Kuria-Mwangi
Subject: Re: 23 Rift MPs attack Raila
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2009, 2:18 PM
Bob-K
The rest of Kenya is with Raila. That is what matters. Tinga knows that and that is why he is showing
Ruto the red hankie.
--
http://www.kuria- mwangi.blogspot. com
http://www.facebook .com/kjmwangi
On Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 4:59 PM, BOB-K BOB-K wrote:
23 Rift MPs attack Raila
By Vincent Bartoo
The firestorm between Prime minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture minister William Ruto raged on with the Eldoret North MP stepping out backed by 22 tough-talking Kalenjin MPs.
Their message to Raila was simple and clear: Respect us or we will wash our hands of you.
They also defended retired President Moi, welcomed President Kibaki to the province and told Raila they were fast losing confidence in his leadership.
[
Agriculture Minister William Ruto (right) speaks to Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto (standing) and Roads Minister Franklin Bett during a rally at Cheptiret Secondary School, Eldoret South, on Sunday. Photo: peter Ochieng’/Standard
]
They came from different political parties — including Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement — to deliver the message that the region had struck a common chord and would sing him one song and one tune.
Mr Ruto set the ball rolling by declaring the Kalenjin community was in Rift Valley Province by right and were not squatters.
Information Minister Samuel Poghisio, an ODM-Kenya MP, asked the PM to understand that "Rift Valley is a people, not a party".
The MPs rebuked Raila for saying Moi should keep quiet, with Poghisio warning: "If you touch Moi, politics will change in this country".
He added: "We are in different parties but we have come here to speak with one voice for our people in Rift Valley. Leaders in this country need to know that one day they, too, will be retired."
Roads Minister Franklin Bett said: "We are a people who sing and play drumbeats of peace. But it is possible to do the opposite if you irritate us."
On Sunday, after parallel weekend meetings by Raila and Ruto in Kisii, the Agriculture minister congregated 22 MPs in Cheptiret, some 40km from Eldoret. The PM was the target of their direct attacks.
planned evictions
Again, the issues of contention remained the impending Mau Forest Complex evictions, Raila’s perceived ingratitude to key supporters once in power and what they see as poor management of ODM.
The MPs told Raila he must respect them if he wanted their respect.
Three weeks ago, as Rift MPs attacked Raila over plans to evict their people from the Mau, the PM threatened to bypass them and engage their constituents directly.
Ministers present at Cheptiret included United Democratic Movement’s Prof Hellen Sambili and Assistant minister Linah Kilimo who is from Kenda. They, too, spoke in defence of the community.
"We are in different parties but we have come here to speak with one voice for our people in Rift Valley," said Poghisio.
The Communications minister said it was wrong for Raila to attempt to silence the voices of Rift Valley leaders.
"Our problem in Kenya when simply put, is bad manners!" Poghisio said. "How can you go telling (Cherangany MP Joshua) Kutuny or even Moi to keep off? How do you expect people to survive?"
Ruto said it was wrong for leaders to discriminate against some citizens while advocating peace.
"The way to a stable and peaceful Kenya is for all of us to talk to each other in a just manner," he said.
The minister said the current drought should not be squarely blamed on Mau settlers but on climate change as a result of gas emissions from industrialised nations.
"We support environmental conservation, but this should not be used to criminalise and demonise the people of Rift Valley," he said.
Ruto said the Mau evictions must be carried out systematically and settlers adequately compensated.
The minister vowed no one would stand in the way of the unity of the Rift Valley people. "Even though we are in different parties, no one can divide us. We will stand together," he said.
Ruto added former Presidents Kenyatta and Moi should be accorded respect. The MPs told Raila they would not let him use the environment issue to ‘brutalise’ the Kalenjin.
[
Twenty-three Rift Valley MPs bow their heads in prayer after an inter-denominationa l prayer service dominated by the province’s hot politics and pending Mau Forest evictions, in Cheptiret on Sunday. Photo: Peter Ochieng’/Standard
]
"To anyone trying to use the environment to brutalise our people, we will say ‘No!’" said Chepalungu MP Mr Isaac Ruto.
He said Rift Valley MPs would lead a spirited fight against attempts by the PM to use the National Assembly to force out members of the community from the Mau Complex.
"No one should ask Parliament to override the fundamental rights of Kenyans who have valid title deeds," said the MP said.
Show of unity
Speaking during an inter-denominationa l prayer meeting in Cheptiret area of Eldoret South, the MPs said Sunday’s show of unity on the Mau issue was a new beginning.
Kutuny warned Henry Kosgey and Sirma (the only Kalenjin MP to accompany Raila in his last two visits to the province) and others who won’t work with them they were at risk.
"We are giving them notice, that whoever is going round with this man (Raila) is not serving the interests of the Kalenjin people and they will be isolated unless they return to the fold," he said.
The MPs extended an invitation to President Kibaki to visit the province and warned Raila, who is scheduled to visit the North Rift this weekend, that they would only welcome him on a development tour.
Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot said they recognised and supported the President’s visit but not that of Raila.
"We will give the President the hospitality he deserves," he said. "Huyo mwingine, hatumtambui (we do not recognise anyone else)."
William Ruto called on Rift Valley residents to accord every leader a cordial welcome "so long us they are coming to speak development".
Trappings of power
On 2012 politics, the MPs vowed they would play their cards better. "In 2002 and 2007, we supported losers. In 2012, we should not make the same mistake. We should consult widely before supporting a particular candidate," said Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui.
Lagat and Keter said Rift Valley residents were currently regretting why they went to the streets protesting on behalf of a man currently enjoying the trappings of state power while supervising the persecution of his supporters. "We lost our people in the process of fighting for him. But he has now disowned us," said Keter.
Kilimo described Raila as a wolf in sheep’s skin and quoted the Bible in Luke 6:45: "It says what someone speaks is what is in the heart. Raila kept telling us we should not mistake him for a cat yet he was a lion that had been rained on."
Kilimo claimed Raila tried to "clear the Kalenjin from the leadership of this country" in the 1982 abortive coup. "He is at it again, this time trying to oversee this starting from Mau. We should be warned, just like he warned us that a tsunami is coming," she said.
Speaking in Kalenjin, Ruto reminded Rift Valley electorate that they made a hasty decision in 2007 without listening to the voices of those who tried to warn them.
"All this I hear you complaining about is our very own fault. But next time, we will sit and talk widely. For now, no one should deceive you that we have already decided on the direction we will take," he said.
Bob-K
Enquiring mind wants to know
Tanzanians are all guilty
Tanzania is a nation bedevilled by umerous problems. It is very common for Tanzanian masses to blame their leaders as the cause of the nation’s woes, little did they ponder to reflect on their contribution to the genesis of these problems.
I believe Tanzania is not a poor nation; but is a nation poorly managed by its leaders and the ordinary citizens. The greatest problem facing Tanzania today is corruption that has became a deep-seated menace in the minds of Tanzanians; it has even become a way of life to most Tanzanians from top government officials, politicians down to the lowest ranking civil servant. Most of the corruption by top government official is perpetrated with the collaboration of a junior cashier who raises a bogus cheque and receives a paltry amount from the loot; oblivious of the fact that by that collaboration, he has denied his child access to quality education or good health care for his family members and his ommunity at large.
The masses are also the greatest collaborators of politicians in election rigging, snatching of ballot boxes and thuggery during political campaigns and elections. A party delegate may be bribed to impose an incompetent candidate on the electorate or rigged an indolent legislator into office wittingly or unwittingly doing a great disservice to his community and his nation at large. Where elections are rigged the masses destroy and burn government buildings and properties in protest.
The masses are the ones that kill and distroy each others’ property during civil disturbances on trivial reasons. It doesn’t matter to them that they have lived in the same neighbourhood for a long time; as far as there is a religious or ethnic difference between them, because they don’t seem to believe that they share the same humanity with one another.
Tanzanians generally do not like obeying rules and regulations; they perceive most laws as punitive. That is why most motorists will not wear seat belts while driving. They don’t view those laws as safety measures to safeguard their lives; but just something to make them uncomfortable.
The negative behaviours of our leaders are reflections of the general behaviour of our society; because the leaders have emerged from the larger Tanzanian society. Our society teaches our children to respect
only wealth and affluence; hence we don’t value honesty and transparency in our daily activities. Teachers and parents now even collaborate with students to cheat during examinations. Having emerged from this type of background, do we then expect our leaders to behave differently from the larger Tanzanian society?
Tanzanian leaders have mismanaged the resources of the nation to the extent that the country cannot provide essential services like pipe borne water, electricity, education and effective health care delivery to its citizens. The leaders continuously siphon money from the treasury because they know that their wealth and affluence determines the respect they earn from the society; it may even earn them chieftaincy titles from their communities or even an honorary degree from a university. They can sponsor their children’s education in expensive foreign schools, maintain their generators at home and afford to pay for their health care in foreign hospitals.
If truth must be told, Tanzanians are all guilty; both the leaders and the ordinary citizens, because they have all contributed to the genesis of these problems. It is high time we realise that we have been doing great disservice to our nation. We should collectively change our attitudes and choose the path of progress instead of retardation. I believe we can change the way our country is governed by collectively embracing honesty, hard work, patriotism, transparency and respect for rule of law as our values rather than respect for wealth and affluence.
- - -
From: Yona F Maro
Date: Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Subject: Tanzanians are all guilty