PSC & CoE are joking with kenyans on constitution
Kenyans:
It is high time to wake up and defend your rights. After more than a quarter centuary of bleeding, poverty, diseases, misrule, mismanaged, underdevelopments, corruptino, foreign debts, looting of country`s valuable things, assasinations of politicians, selling of Kenyan`s richest things to the west or arabs etc. we are still being given a let down on the constitution.
- Why should kenya still have an imperial president, king, or a powerful presidential type of government.
- Why should Kadhi laws be included in our constitution at this moment when we know for sure that the muslims are the minority not the majority. After seeing how muslim fundamentalist are not rational in thinking just recently in our streets of nairobi (during demonstration).
- With poverty sweepiing almost all corners of Kenya why should Kenya have more than 200 Mps, ministers, another senate, more executives and at lower levels again leaders who will be just sitting to work on papers but do not produce money, except consume money. There are two type of jobs: The direct jobs which make materials to be sold, from there the country get foreign currency or goods sold in domestic market to bum the home economy etc. And the paper or social jobs like services which does not directly contribute into the production of goods. Let say Mps, ministers, senate, executive etc. these people hardly do the manual work which makes the economy running, but they do cosume a lot in term s of salary than the real gold miner or diamond digger. These types of jobs should not be too much as this constitution is now trying to put it. The new constituion is going to overburden the tax-payers for nothing, Kenyans can not afford it. Kenyans can not even provide at the moment education to her future generations and foreign governments are funding education for us. Why cann`t we wake up just for a moment and see the truth.
-Kenyans have been struggling with TRIBALISM FOR now 46 years since independence and the real cause of TRIBALISM IS the IMPERIAL PRESIDENT. Have we people forgotten why people were cutting each others throats during last post election violence. Was it not because of the presidential election. Since independence a tribe which produces the president have been having advantage of other tribes and hatred is already split everywhere. So why again concentraing power on one man?. Since we know that each of us atleast is connected to a particular tribe. Or Why not to make a section indicating that no one tribe should produce a president in two successive elections. This will make it impossible for dominance.
- How are they going to control the president?. under what circumstances will the president be impeached?. Guys let us not forget that Hiltler was democraticaly elected, but you all know what he did. Well nobody know today that another Moi who is not a kikuyu might rise to presidency one time , that is when people like Karua, Muite who are now supporting another imperial president will satrt shouting for another constitution, but you know what it will be too late for them by then. Man has always been the gun maker, but unfortunately the gun has killed the man more than the gun itself.
/ What power will the provinces or districts have
Kenyans please reject the draft. If not for the imperial president, but for the kadhi laws, sheria laws etc, or just for too many Mps which will overburden the economy. If we pass kadhi laws into our constitution we will cry later.
/It is unfortunate that the languages of kenyan tribes are mutually incomprehesible, and many of our cultures are mutually repugnant, just like it was with the whites. But we live in the same country so let us use our best part of the brain to make Kenya a progressive society NOT a constant war zone. This thing now they call KKK will fade away and you will see the consequences.
Paul Nyandoto
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Lift Every Voice & Sing, Kenya is Born Again.
The year was 1900 and Johnson was a school principal in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. He was asked to speak at an Abraham Lincoln birthday celebration, but instead of speaking he decided to write a poem. With time running short, plans changed again and James asked his brother, music teacher J. Rosamond Johnson, to help him write a song. And it became a popular selection for church choirs -- a tradition that continues today. The song 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' came to be known as the black national anthem.
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/liftvoice/
Today, I exude happiness and tears salvation flow freely down my chicks as I internalize his truth and it dawns on me that one Mohamed Abdikadir and the Parliamentary Select Committee might have just begot Kenya a second Uhuru.
In mine eyes they have already redeemed themselves and given Kenya hope of a rebirth. One clause in their report published widely in local media indicate that they have resolved unanimously that Parliament and the executive will be separate in the new constitution.
As if working immediately under this arrangement, they completely extricated themselves from the two principles, faced the equation squarely and midwifed amendments in the draft constitution which I want to beat Mutahi Ngunyi, Kumekucha and others in saying is the best I have seem.
Did it need to come only after our allies withdrew funding for important projects. Really, in consideration of the journey it has taken us to reach this far, what took so long? All this time, we Wanjiku has been a slave of the politicians. Or perhaps under their spell. Today, the politicians agreed to call the bluff. Today, I think Wanjiku got her emancipation.
And so, tonight my fellow Kenyans, I want not to say more, but instead, I dedicate to us the words of James Weldon Johnson which I have found fitting our plight so perfectly. Johnson referred to his song as the "Negro National Hymn." I say let's make it an international anthem. Watch this, hear and read the lyrics below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyS3HPInHtI
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered;
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.
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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?)
The Town Clerk accepts that he has been defeated
From: Odhiambo Okecth
The Town Clerk at City Council of Nairobi Mr. Phillip Kisia has just accepted in a press conference that the City Council of Nairobi cannot collect the garbage that chocks Nairobi.
This is very sad, especially coming from one person with whom we had lots of hope in transforming Nairobi into a clean city.
At KCDN, we are mobilizing the residents to join our schools that have come forward to help clean Komarock and Spine Road. We have been in discussions with City Hall and the Provincial Administration, and we are geared for the massive clean up; what with the support of 12 schools around us.
For the Town Clerk to go on air and accept defeat raises many issues;
Nairobians all over are paying private firms for their garbage to be collected from their houses. The Council used to collect such garbage but they failed long time ago on this end. We nowadays pay private collectors to collect our garbage.
The City Council of Nairobi has been the main player in making Nairobi dirty. They collect cess from those who trade by the road sides, people who have no known garbage collectors, yet the Council collects cess from them.
The City Council of Nairobi are the people who license and allow all illegal structures in Nairobi. How can they allow such illegal structures whose owners are the main players in making Nairobi dirty and then they turn around and tell us that they are defeated.
What do they do with all the cess they collect from all road side traders? What happens to routine maintenance?
The City Council of Nairobi has contracted friendly people only known to them to collect garbage in Nairobi. These people are paid large sums of money for doing nothing, simply because they are known at City Hall. Can the Town Clerk tell Nairobians why these private truck owners are so engaged by City Hall for doing nothing?
Waste disposal is of serious concern to many of us in Nairobi. The Dandora Dumping Site is a site not worth looking at, yet, the Council engages in ping-pong games instead of addressing the real issues of environmental degradation.
The Town Clerk knows that we have many ghost workers on the pay roll at the City Hall. Instead of addressing this issue with clarity of mind, we engage private consultants to get for us what we can get in hours from the Divisional Commanders and the Ward Managers. Why engage a private consultant on what you can readily get?
There are many more issues that come to mind with this kind of disclosure. It means that we are heading nowhere with reforms at the City Council.
With this kind of attitude, there is no need of pretending that the City Council is engaging Nairobians as Stakeholders in helping to evaluate their performance. Some of us might not want to join and play in this kind of circus.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Chairman; Stakeholders Evaluation Committee
City Council of Nairobi.
KKK AND UHURU KENYATTA.
From: Kalonso Musyoka
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:49:29 -0800 (PST)
Kenyatta in trouble 22 years after his death
New African, Jun 2000
Jomo Kenyatta's grave in the precincts of parliament is given a 24-hour guard - but not his name. Twenty-two years after his death, Kenya's founding father is under attack from politicians who are even calling on his family to account for its wealth. John Kamau reports from Nairobi.
At the northern edge of Kenya's parliament building lies a magnificent mausoleum guarded around the clock by armed soldiers. This is where Jomo Kenyatta was buried in 1978. But even as the soldiers go about their duties with reverence, Kenyan politicians are attacking the founding father's long gone leadership with venom, accusing him of corruption and silencing his opponents.
And while the fray goes on in political circles, many business people have stopped hanging his portrait on the walls of their premises. Slowly, the once revered Mzee is losing his place in the affections of his people.
Recently Raphael Wanjala, an MP, called for the withdrawal of the soldiers guarding the grave. "There is no point guarding a dead body," he said. "What economic benefit do we get when soldiers continue to guard a dead corpse? [sic] ", he asked, pretending not to know the tourist dollar being earned by countries elsewhere who guard the graves of their heroes.
Over the years, the Kenyan currency notes that bore Kenyatta's portrait have been replaced with those of President Arap Moi, and the coins are also slowly being phased out.
In recent months, politicians branding Kenyatta as a tribalist who got rid of his opponents have been pressurising the deceased president's family to account for his wealth. It is the first time Kenyatta is being ridiculed in public to such extremes.
"I don't know why all these questions. I don't know why we should disturb his soul," says Bernard Hinga, Kenya's first black commissioner of police. But because he ripped off the Kenyans and left it for his son - Uhuru, is the whole reason why Kenyans are unhappy. Uhuru the son was born with a golden spoon in his mouth and therefore never lived the true Kenyan child life. Had he lived that live, he would not use his
Subject: KKK AND UHURU KENYATTA.
China’s march in Kenya upsets local firms- How Can One Define Corruption?
from Judy Miriga
dateMon, Jan 25, 2010 at 7:43 AM
Folks,
We want to know:
1. How this deal was made?
2. Why Kenyan professionals did not play a role?
3. Why Kenyans were not notified or informed?
4. Why Local Community were not employed to do the manual road work?
5. Why Chinese prisoners were imported to do the job Kenyans can do?
6. Why Kenyan's security is compromised by importing dangerous criminals
7. Why Kenya is importing substandards commodities which consumes our
economy putting an edge to our GDP
8. Why Parliament did not approve this deal
9. Under the road reserves the Chinese are constructing, there are a lot of Mineral
soil, we want to know, who did feasibility study, who surveyed and mapped the
report, and why it was not made public before an investor is invited
10. Why the exported minerals and soil were not inspected by Kenyan Authority
before they are shipped or airlifted out - who gave the mandate of Kenyan's
natural soil to be shipped stealthily to China?
11. We want to know why the Kenyan Parliament is quite when Kenya is rapped by
foreigners......
12. Who is supervising the work of this foreign Company to confirm Kenyans
standards are maintained
Cheers!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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China’s march in Kenya upsets local firms
Officials of a Chinese company on site of a road construction project near Isiolo town in July 2008. The road will join Isiolo town and Ethiopia. Photo/FILE
By DAVID OKWEMBAHPosted Saturday, January 23 2010 at 21:00
In Summary
Contractors say the Chinese get big easy deals and could drive them out of business
Days after a visit by the Chinese Foreign minister Yang Jiechi, the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi was closed down for a Sh1 billion renovation.
Shengli Engineering, a Chinese firm, was awarded the lucrative tender to refurbish the country’s biggest stadium that was built by the Chinese government for the All Africa Games in 1987.
It also transpired that the Chinese official had confirmed his country’s support for plans to build a multi-billion dollar sea port in Lamu.
Once constructed, the port would serve as a key entry into southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Rwanda via a new rail network.
While the government is receiving the windfall from the China, many local companies are questioning the easy way in which Chinese firms seem to access major capital projects and key sectors of the Kenyan economy.
Major projects
Cheap and often sub-standard Chinese goods have also found their way onto the shelves of Kenyan supermarkets and kiosks.
From 44 companies in 2001, the presence of Chinese firms has increased to more than 200 operating as trading companies, restaurants and clinics.
The Cninese Embassy in Nairobi says there are 12 major Chinese companies in Kenya, including Huawei Telecommunications, Sinohydro Corporation, China Road and Bridge and Shengli Engineering.
Also in the country is China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which is involved in the exploration for oil in northern Kenya.
Chinese companies are already involved in various other sectors in Kenya, including telecommunications, infrastructure and energy.
The projects in different parts of the country run into billions of shillings.
The construction sector – housing and roads – has attracted the highest number of Chinese companies with key roads in the country under rehabilitation or construction by them.
Among the major projects undertaken by the Chinese firms are the expansion of the Kisumu airport, rehabilitation of the Moi International Sports Centre, expansion of Thika-Nairobi highway, the Sondu Miriu power plant interface and oil exploration in northern Kenya.
The acting permanent secretary in the ministry of Roads, Hyslop Ipu, defended the award of tenders to Chinese firms saying most of the tender had been floated internationally while others had restricted conditions for the bidders.
But local traders and firms involved in construction are questioning the rationale of shifting towards China when the balance of trade is tilted towards the Chinese.
While none of the local companies is questioning the quality of the Chinese projects, they are concerned that many of them may be forced to close down or lay off staff due to unfair competition.
Roads minister Franklin Bett is on record as praising the Chinese firms for their quality and timely completion of projects.
According to last year’s Economic Survey, Kenya’s exports to China stood at Sh2 billion while imports from China were at an all-time high of Sh63 billion.
A report by 14 universities in Africa under the aegis of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) released two months ago warned that increasing investment, foreign aid and diplomatic ties with China would hurt Kenya.
“Fears have been raised about threats to engineering talent and skills and the collapse of local construction companies due to invasion of Chinese construction firms,” says the report.
The researchers feel that Chinese firms are undercutting local companies and that the latter may collapse.
They estimate that more than 50 per cent of construction activities in Nairobi, both private and state-sponsored, have been captured by Chinese construction firms usually preferred for projects ranging from roads, water systems, power generation and hospitals.
“Increasingly, the structure of employment is changing, with an increasing proportion of foreign employees in Chinese enterprises,” says the report by the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies.
However, these findings are disputed by the Chinese press attaché in Kenya Liu Bo and Mr Ipu.
Mr Bo told the Sunday Nation that Chinese were not involved in any underhanded deals to get the lucrative tenders.
“We strictly adhere to all tender regulations, but it is because of the workmanship that Chinese companies are awarded the tenders,” Mr Bo said.
While agreeing that some tenders were restricted, the press attaché said most tenders were advertised internationally and open to all companies including those in Kenya.
Quality of products
He also defended the quality of products imported from China, saying his country was very strict about standards.
“There is low quality and counterfeit. Kenyans should separate the two because China does not encourage counterfeit while we have quality standards for all our goods for export,” he added.
Mr Ipu defended Chinese companies, saying Kenyan firms could benefit from technology transfer from their Chinese counterparts.
“We are building the capacity of local firms so that they can compete with other international firms,” the acting Roads PS said.
But a leading local contractor in the road sector, who can’t be named without jeopardising his business, accused the government of favouring Chinese firms.
He said while the government gave local firms 10 per cent of the total cost of the project when it was awarded a contract, the Chinese were paid 50 per cent.
On signing the contract, the Chinese contractors are given a further 40 per cent of the total cost, but nothing is extended to local firms, he said.
“How do you expect us to compete when the ground is not level?” the contractor asked.
Barely surviving
While the Chinese make their money, Kenyan firms claim to be barely surviving on small projects awarded by local authorities and the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Peter Musango, managing director of Kirinyaga Construction, one of the leading road contractors in the country, was not available for comment as fortunes of the firm are said to have dwindled due to the stiff competition from Chinese firms.
At one time the company owned by the Mathira MP Ephraim Maina controlled major contracts in the road sector as well as construction.
Mr Ipu said Kenyan firms might be losing out on some of the major capital projects because of the conditions set by donors that blocked local firms.
The latest edition of London-based African Confidential cautions African countries, Kenya included, to tread carefully when dealing with China.
“For now, because of their richness in natural resources and as a nod to South-South solidarity, African countries may at times punch above their weight in China’s strategic considerations.
Yet China’s relations with Africa are just a small piece of its foreign policy when seen in a global context, and African countries would do well to remember that,” the magazine notes.
KENYA: THE LAND QUESTION
The Land Question
The emotive land question is the biggest test on the sincerity and commitment of our political class to reforms and justice in this country.
By seeking to expunge the Land Commission from the new constitution is a clear illustration of the vested interest “Fat Cats’ agenda coming into play at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) sittings at Naivasha.
The Land Commission is not an ambush on the constitutional process but the culmination of a due process where the land commission was fully endorsed through parliament. The next step was to entrench the Land Commission into the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya to give it credence and power to address the land question in this country fully and fairly.
It is no secret that land is the most abused national resource in this country, whereas other Kenyans acquire land through sweat and blood, a few members of the political class form both sides of the divide own huge tracts of land that they were given for free! This is wrong and need s to be addressed.
The land question is an emotive one that has perennially caused the ethnic and inert-tribal conflict in this country. It is the thrust underlying the post election violence. They are unjust land injustices that continue to simmer from generation to generation. We cannot continue to wait since we have been waiting for over 100 years. From the time the British and the Boers grabbed vast tracts of land to the post independence era where politicians dished out huge portions of land to themselves to recent times where politicians grabbed public trust land and forestland.
The timing was well calculated; where resolution on a pure Presidential System was leaked to the media and in the din of the debate and excitement that followed this information the PSC expunged the Land Commission which had already been written into the constitution draft. The hawk eyed modern Kenyans were alert and quickly raised dust over the matter. We hope they will listen.
It is the land question that determines the colours of the flag of our country! We, the black people shed our blood in fighting for the rich agricultural that is in our country. However, when all these injustices have been addressed, we shall live in peace love and unity that is symbolized by the white in our flag. And some seemingly ‘smart’ politicians supposedly can just steamroll the constitutional process and diminish the land question, they better pause and think again. It is a common sense thing here.
If the political class of the Fat Cat category does not heed the voice of the people by having the Land Commission entrenched into the constitution, then we will make sure that we elect a President under the new constitution on a land question platform. That will be worse than having a constitutional due process through a land commission because it may be punitive. The electorate has an option and the political class better watch out.
Same goes for the constitution document. We could endorse it for the sake of change and then elect a leadership that will be ready to get to parliament and amend the relevant clauses that we will not have agreed with. Amend the constitution platform.
The game is not over yet, it has just begun and our politicians should think with their heads and not tummies. Every Kenyan is hungry and they should never assume for one minute that any Kenyan is accustomed to hunger. They all have their knives sharpened to get a piece of the cake. Ask those who are distributing resources in Haiti, a hungry man is bad news. And nobody blames them, they are hungry, simple.
The psyche of the Kenyan today is very different from what we had two years ago. They are now fully aware that our politicians are users. And they are preparing to teach them a big lesson come next election; especially the users. (Some people use a derogatory term – Ordinary Kenyans as if there are any Special Kenyans – ie. bourgeoisie??)
One recent event made me realize this: During the recent public transport strike, the business people in Nyanza and Western refused to join the strike because they argued that it was not going to put bread on their table. The usual burning of tyres and makeshift roadblocks were absent.
In their view, they are still trying to recoup their losses as a result of the post election violence from which they are yet to see any tangible gain. They argue that they were struggling for someone else’s bread and prestige and have gained nothing themselves and that the very leaders are now inaccessible. In one incident in Kisumu last year, a mob held a Member of Parliament hostage and took all the cash from him (over Ksh.300,000) and then let him go. It came out in the press as armed robbery but that is far from the truth. The youth are hungry and somebody comes around in a big car under the cover of darkness. When they wanted votes they came in the day and now that they are in Parliament they come under cover of darkness – no way, argued the youth.
I fear that the political class is loosing touch with the electorate by being insulated through sycophancy, ego-play, power and wealth. But this is short lived. The electorate has peeled eyes. The land question must be addressed now, it cannot wait any longer, 47 years is long enough.
Sande
Vihiga Village
Down with Racism and Xenophobia from Black Kenyans
From Onyango Oloo
Over the last few weeks, I have been simply flabbergasted by the outpourings of narrow minded (if there is even a mind behind all this) bigotry directed at Kenyans who happen to be Muslims. Just when I am catching my breath from all that venom comes this sludge of virulent racism this time targeting Kenyans of South Asian heritage based on age-old recycled stereotypes about "Wahindi". What is even more saddening that the bulk of these hateful Kenyans are YOUNG- in other words a generation which has benefited from earlier struggles where Kenyans who happen to be Muslims and South Asians contributed a lot to make this country a better place. These young Kenyans by and large live in multi-ethnic, multi-racial and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods. I am sure that away from the internet they PRETEND to get along with everybody including all those they lambaste online.
I have reproduced the following thread from the Mlalahoi list serve to make my point. I want to thank those people in this thread like Humphrey, Ken, Christine and Linda who have stood up bravely against these poisonous fumes. Kudos and bravo to you!
Well, read on:
lilian wanjiku
Hi Comrades, Am lost for words as far as these Chutas, I mean hawa Wahindis, ...
Jan 27 (1 day ago)
lilian wanjikuLoading...
Jan 27 (1 day ago)
lilian wanjiku
to mlalahoi
show details Jan 27 (1 day ago)
Hi Comrades,
Am lost for words as far as these Chutas, I mean hawa Wahindis, are concerned, they are recking havoc to our brothers and sisters in Industrial Area by paying them peanuts and calling them all sorts of names, whoever has worked with or is working with them knows what am talking about. They have extended their unruly behaviour on our roads. Picture this comrades, last night as I was driving home near Brookside drive, Westlands at around 9.00PM, there was a lady who was closing the road and the lady had actually crossed the road but this stupid Chute hooted at her hauling some insults and drove off with loud music, she got confused n started running back to the road, some watchies came out of their gates and told her pole. How do you describe this dear comrades?
We need Mutua and Kanjwang to do an Al-Fasal thing to these guys, they think they own Kenya.
Console me on the way forward.
Lilian Wanjiku
Anti Neo-Colonialism Campaigner
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humphrey kebaya
Good God...how can you generalize the action of one individual to stand for a...
Jan 27 (1 day ago)
humphrey kebayaLoading...
Jan 27 (1 day ago)
humphrey kebaya
to mlalahoi
show details Jan 27 (1 day ago)
Good God...how can you generalize the action of one individual to
stand for a group. That is so shallow,
- Show quoted text -
K
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julia chege to mlalahoi
show details 6:48 PM (14 hours ago)
to catherine & ken, where there is smoke thre's fire,....i am yet to hear a kenyan who has worked for an indian and not undergone some force of abuse or another- degrading or dehumanising treatment. just ask the ladies who work @ the epz, they would elaborate further. even away from the epz, my roommate in university worked as an assistant in a good indian company, but she told me that employees hardly stayed for more than 2 months because they just couldnt put up with the abuses and insults hurled at them...sure enough albeit thinking she would be the exception, she also finaly resigned when she could no longer withstand the degrading treatment. yes there may be good indian employers out there but in my daily interactions i am yet to hear of one..........anyone?
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milu muyanga
to mlalahoi
show details 7:49 PM (13 hours ago)
I have never ever come across a 'decent' muhindi, dead or alive-NEVER! Idi Amin Dada (CBE) knew what he was doing then. Unfortunately, in Kenya they are the faces of the faceless corrupt Kenyans- any muhindi business doing well (eg Nakumatt) hiko faceless Kenyan and chances are that import are duty free.
Linda.Mulindi@fco.gov.uk
to mlalahoi
show details 5:35 AM (3 hours ago)
Hata nashindwa niseme nini hapa!! Honestly this is the kind of mentality that breeds violence and ignorance.
I know very many people of asian origin that are kind hearted and generous and their employees have only nice things to say about them. If you think Idi Amin had any kind of point to his madness then I'm afraid you need to check yourself into a mental institution. This is a man who drowned millions of disabled people (THEY WERE NOT ASIAN, THEY WERE UGANDANS BORN AND BRED!!)
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James Mwaniki
to mlalahoi
show details 6:41 AM (2 hours ago)
But honestly speaking, is it not hypocrisy to say Indians running
especially manufacturing and factory related businesses don't almost
always nyanyasa the. Africans employed therein? And furthermore they
import employees from India and make them supervisors even without
proper qualifications? And they pay their employees on time, yes, but
very little salaries even after working for them for many years! There
are good Indian employers true but this forum is not for such, its for
the majority who need to change their attitude towards their black
employees and they will get even better output from them and increase
moral in their workers.
JM
- Show quoted text -
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Munyasia Kithuka
to mlalahoi
Most Indians employers especially in Industrial Area mistreat african employees
Indians...............slippery characters and its high time they left for India.
Kind Regards,
Munyasia
IS OUR COUNTRY KENYA SINKING OR NOT???.
Kenyans
Something is seriously wrong with our country. This country is either sinking or completely going bankrupt.
A country which has been independent for almost 46 years:
- Can not finance her own education, can not provide education to her future, can not provide enough food for her citizens. Guys: if Kenya can not provide education to her future generation then what type of future are we talking about?
- The system is encouraging human slavery. Without proper education, future Kenyans will be looking for low paying jobs, not only in Kenya, but also outside Kenya, in places like Saudi Arabia, where Kenyans are already being thrown through the window to die.
- USA has also just given the information that they are stopping financial aid to the government: So please tell us, if our government is also being financed by foreigners, then where does the money come from to pay Mps all those figures?. The other month the British government issued a statement that the money they gave for primary education was already pocketed by thieves.
-The new constitution is also at the dwindling state: I can not understand why a country so much polarized with tribalism, still wants to divide people more. We used to read the colonial history in Africa, how whites did the divide and rule system every time they wanted to conquer an African. So why is our new constitution still full with this adding more constituencies, who will this divide and rule serve?. Why dividing again a country full with a lot of divisions, ( from tribal, to religion, poverty, rich, education for poor are already different for the rich etc). Why another presidential system after it has failed the country for 46 years?. Why not to experiment on another system: Remember God help those who help themselves.
-A country having lots of unsolved scandals, from Goldenburg to unpaid for Hotel like Grand Regency.
-Child abuse in the coast is being shown in Television almost every where including Europe. Countries like Finland have made even documents on pedophiles in the Kenyan coast. What is the government doing?. Lands for private Villas are over sold in the coast and now even threatening the tourist industry itself. Whose interest are these things being done on?. In Nyeri, Kibaki`s back yard, children as young as ten have to sell sex for food.
-The post election violence creators and the victims are not yet resolved. Kenyans are still in Uganda as refugees after the violence. The country is full with courts and the so called judges, but can not even try the post election criminals herself. This is an indication that the country is having no leaders to do all these at a time when they are eating or even over eating what the country’s tax payers can not afford.
- The country has gone down that even terrorists take to the streets to demand equal rights, what type of system is this?. Soon you will see pedophiles doing the same, when people like Wagner are just being released like that.
- Just imagine how Lord Dalamere treated Africans and now his grandson is just killing Africans like a fly, 46 years after independence and nothing is done. I wonder sometimes when I hear a fellow Kenyan writing that we do have a lot of progress; where is that progress?. Can somebody tell me?
- The future of Kenya now completely lies on the young generation. The so called present old generation have let the country down and are sinking it. But how will the young generation manage it with all those debt these Mps have eaten and are still eating? Next time you might wake up to find that you are a foreigner in your own country, since Kenya is being sold indirectly in bits and bits. Go to the coast you will see that your movement is already restricted.
- Let the young generation take this dwindling constitution away from the present monsters who think that they are the stakeholders, so they deserve the right to do what pleases them, or what pleases their bosses.
With all these problems unsolved and a foreign government or governments financing our daily life and most important, future strategic systems like education: Guys I am afraid to tell you that we are already indirectly colonized again. What a pity after 46 years of dictatorship, then again going back to the ghetto.
Paul Nyandoto
Kenyans support US Govt withholding FPE funds over corruption
Citizens’ statement in support of US Govt withholding FPE funds over corruption
We the citizens of Kenya wish to issue this statement in support of the decision by the United States Government to withhold funds that had been earmarked towards Kenya’s Free Primary Education programme. As aggrieved citizens we agree and demand that those responsible for the misappropriation of free education funds not only be dismissed from office but be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
We wish to categorically state that:
- It behoves the holder of any office, especially public office, to be and stand accountable for resources entrusted to them in carrying out their duties. The responsibility for the running of the Ministry of Education and the application of funds allocated to it lies squarely with Minister Professor Sam Ongeri and his Permanent Secretary Professor Karega Mutahi and they must therefore step up and face the consequences for their wanting leadership.
- Since the alarm on the misappropriated funds was not sounded by the Miinister and his PS but by persons outside the ministry, it is a loud indictment they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing in their capacity as the principals of the education ministry. The Constitution of Kenya, the Government Financial Management Act and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act espouse the principle of transparency and accountability by obligating financial administrators, including ministers and their permanent secretaries to maintain proper records and adhere to financial guidelines and regulations.
- If indeed they are not culpable as they wish us to believe, the only noble and patriotic thing left for Professors Ongeri and Mutahi to do, is to step aside and allow free and independent investigations to be undertaken at the Ministry. They clearly cannot preside over the audit of the Ministry and are a hindrance to independent investigations by remaining in charge of any evidence available at the Ministry.
- Kenyans are gravely concerned and wish to remind our leaders that the disappearance of funds meant for our children’s education is but a part of the wider issues that bedevil the education ministry. Symptoms of such deeper problems have manifested repeatedly in the past in the form of student strikes, teacher strikes, rampant exam leakage and cheating, imbalanced admission process to secondary schools, mal-administered public schools, substance abuse and promiscuity amongst students and even sexual abuse of students by their teachers.
We wish to state further that:
- Kenyans are relentless in their war against impunity and corruption in Kenya and it is for this reason that we support the US and the UK Governments’ actions of withholding any further funds towards free primary education, although our children and poor parents who depended on this programme remain the innocent victims.
- Kenyans are cognisant of the fact that these funds are not free and are therefore very keen that any debt incurred by our Government on our behalf be managed and administered in a transparent and accountable manner.
- Kenyans are anxious that no more money should be poured into FPE unless and until a proper financial and management system is in place to ensure that the money is appropriately utilised.
We hereby demand as follows:
- That Professor Sam Ongeri and Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi step aside with immediate effect and allow independent investigations to take place.
- That the Government embarks on an urgent and immediate complete overhaul of the education ministry. This can begin with the excusing from duty of the two professors who have apparently been overwhelmed by the docket’s mandate.
- That the President and the Prime Minister take a definitive and decisive action in this matter because if cannot and do not, their inaction makes them in our eyes complicit actors in the ongoing impunity and corruption. It is a high time that our leadership took notice of our discontent with the state of affairs and Kenyans wish to remind them that we will not tolerate the continued running of our country’s affairs in such a haphazard and rough shod manner. This FPE fiasco is indicative of Kenya’s ongoing political leadership problem since the Minister and his PS are political appointees. We are looking to the two principals to show leadership and give us firm guidelines on the way forward.
- That the funds earmarked for free primary education be traced and retrieved and the perpetrators be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
We renew our call for urgent and immediate action by Kenyans as the war against impunity can only be won battle by battle. It has been historically apparent to us that our leadership remains unresponsive to Kenyans’ real life, real time issues unless we are dramatic in making our demands upon them. We therefore call upon fellow Kenyans and the whole of the civil society to join the war against impunity and corruption by loudly dramatising our contempt of the misappropriation of public funds.
We also call upon friends of Kenya and the wider diplomatic community to show solidarity with us and the US and UK governments in demanding transparency and accountability from our leaders.
The country’s future lies in the hands of this crucial ministry and if the Minister Ongeri and PS Mutahi cannot match up to the job at hand, Kenyans shall not hesitate to kick them out of office by any means available to us as we have done in the past with other corrupt leaders.
If no concrete and decisive action is taken in the next few days, Kenyans will be left with no option but to employ mass action countrywide and paralyse operations unless and until something happens towards dealing with the matter of the missing funds.
We urge and rally Kenyans towards unrelenting resistance of the culture of impunity and corruption in Kenya.
George Nyongesa
For Bunge la Mwananchi
Website: www.bungelamwananchi.com
+254 720 451 235
PURE PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM
We are thankful that for once in as many times ODM listened in to the small voice of reason and saved themselves an impending political embarrassment. Way to go! And listen some more. Ask Obama. Never get too busy or mystified by the tasks out there that can be overwhelming at times; always maintain an ear to the ground. Always!
We are glad reason has prevailed. That we should have a pure Presidential system where the Chief Executive is elected by popular vote of 50%+1. To be honest, that is what Kenyans want.
The media reports that the ODM supporters will need a lot of convincing are misplaced. They were half-heartedly supporting the Parliamentary because their leaders said it was good but if they change their mind, it is still ok. The supporters know what they are aspiring for and the system does not matTer much.
It Is not rocket science but a matter of vested interests and myopic perceptions. We should give Kenyans a constitution beyond Raila and Kibaki. A constitution beyond Jaluo na Kikuyu. We should look into the future and contrast our circumstances against the tapestry of history.
The problem in this country is not the title that should be assumed by the CEO of the Republic but the checks and balances that are functional and effective to keep the occupier of the office severally accountable to the electorate who are the people of Kenya.
A clear separation of power between the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary should be well spelt out. Those who were advocating for the hybrid system are lost to the fact that we have been having a hybrid system in this country all along. A corruption of the Parliamentary system (impure presidential system). The late President Jomo Kenyatta took over the leadership of this country as a Prime Minister but he connived with the brilliant Tom Mboya to assume the title of President without engaging due process. And that is where our problems all began. I am saying this with all due respect to the late Tom Mboya.
Thank God we shall now have a proper Presidential system.
Sande
Vihiga Village
Zanzibar: Yes for the Unity government, but no for the referendum
If the Union Government and the ruling party believe that what is needed to bring harmony and unity among Zanzibaris is to create a unity government (the so called government of national unity) then the people's representatives in Zanzibar should be allowed to endorse the idea and from there a unity government should be established immediately.
But, if the union government and CCM's NEC believe that in order to have a unity government, there should be first a referendum where by the people of Zanzibar would vote if they agree, then allow me to be the first one to vehemently oppose this referendum for being manipulative, unnecessary and would set a very dangerous precedence in the future.
It is manipulative because the referendum would avoid the political issues that have eclipsed these Islands for so long, and instead it would create a " merry-go-around" system of dealing with political issues by simply bringing them to vote. Unfotunately, unless we know what percentage of votes would render the exercise credible, it is almost impossible to know what the people really want. Should it be a simple majority vote? What if the referendum comes out almost fifty fifty (something that could easily happen in Zanzibar)? Would we say the people's voice has spoken?
It is unnecessary because, for almost fifty years, we have known that Zanzibar is split almost in the middle, and there is no way any government can govern effectively without involving the other party. It was for this reason, prior to the revolution, the first post independence government under Shamte, was an all inclusive one. If we already know this, and we have experienced since the elections of 1995, 2000 and 2005 that Zanzibaris are still divided, why not just go along and agree in principle, and in law, that after this year election, whoever wins MUST establish a unity Government. Isn't that the easiest thing to do, rather than calling for a referendum, and have the people all charged up again right before the general election?
On the other hand, if this idea of national unity is a good idea, and if CCM believes that it is good for Zanzibar to have such a government, why not then consider the same idea for the mainland? Don't they think some of us believe that a unity government should also be created on the mainland? We believe we have very good leaders outside the ruling party who could be invited to join the government in power. If they don't believe it, they should also call a referendum on the mainland and see how many Tanzanians would support it. If it is good for one party of the union, I believe it is also good for the other!
But even worse, this is dangerous. If we agree today (as the ruling party seems to imply) that a referendum will be legally binding to the point of changing the political landscape and structure of Zanzibar, why then shouldn't we expect that a call for a referendum in the future would be made by those voices which would like to secede from the Union? What will stop other politicians citing the referendum to call for a new referendum to decide on other political issues? The possibilities of chaos are endless.
Otherwise, yes for the Unity government, but no for the referendum!
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Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultant
MITANDAO HII ITUMIKE IPASAVYO
MITANDAO HII ITUMIKE IPASAVYO
Hivi ni mara ngapi umewahi kuandika barua pepe kwenda kwenye anuani ya taasisi Fulani ya elimu ukakuta kumbe haifanyi kazi haswa hizi za mawasiliano kwa wote kama info@maishabora.ac.tz sio vyuo tu hata taasisi na mashirika ya umma kote huko kumekuwa na matatizo sawa .
Au hata ni mara ngapi kuona mawasiliano ya kiofisi ambayo inayo anuani zake pepe zikitumia anuani zingine za kusajili bila kupitia anuani za tovuti zao ? pamoja na kupiga kelele kwa kipindi kirefu sana inaonyesha watu hawasikii na hawataki hata kubadilika kwenda na wakati.
Kwa kipindi kirefu kidogo nimekuwa mmoja wa wale watu wanaoshangaa kwanini vyuo vikuu nchini havina au havijaanzisha huduma za mawasiliano kwa njia ya mtandao kwenye tovuti zao zinazohusu miradi Fulani au vikundi Fulani vya wanafunzi ?
Kwa mfano chuo kikuu cha maisha bora wiki hii darasa jipya limeanza na walimu wa darasa hilo wameamua kufungua group kwenye google ambapo wameweka anuani pepe za wanafunzi wao kwa ajili ya kuwasiliana nao na kubadilishana vitu mbalimbali vinavyohusu masomo yao .
Nimeamua kwenda kwenye mtandao wa maisha bora nimeshangaa kwa mfano wanafunzi wa chuo hicho hawana maelezo ya kutosha hata kuhusu group yao hiyo mbali na kujulishwa kwamba ile ni mali ya yahoo chochote kinachobadilishwa mule ni mali ya yahoo , hata chuo chenyewe hakina sera za mawasiliano kwa njia ya mtandao na hata maelezo mengine ya jinsi wanafunzi wanavyowasiliana wenyewe hata walimu kwa walimu wenyewe .
Mfano wa chuo cha maisha bora ni mfano halisi wa vyuo vingine na taasisi za elimu , mashirika ya ummah na yale yote yanayofanya kazi kwa maslahi ya nchi wote wameamua kwa makusudi kabisa kujiingza kwenye kundi hili kufungua groups kwenye yahoo au google kwa ajili ya mipasho yao ya kikazi hata kama sio public lakini ni vitu ambavyo mtu anaweza kutafuta kutumia search engine mbalimbali na kuweza kujua kinachojadiliwa ndani .
Na pia wengi wanasajili bila kupitia kwa makini maelezo kuhusu matumizi ya mitandao hiyo kama inaendana na maslahi yao kwa namna Fulani au la , hili ni suala la kuangalia kwa karibu zaidi , tujenge utamaduni wa kuwa na vyetu wenyewe .
Kuna hitajika jitihada za dhati kabisa kwa wadau popote walipo wahakikishe kwamba wanaandaa sera za mawasiliano kwenye vitengo vyao vya kazi vinavyohusu ICT ndani yake kuwe na mkataba ambapo kila mfanyakazi anayekabidhiwa kifaa hicho anaweza kuweka sahihi yake na kukubaliana na matakwa ya shirika , chuo au taasisi yake .
Vyuo hivi , mashirika na taasisi zianzishe vikundi hivi kupitia wavuti zao wenyewe hii ni kwa maslahi yao na nchi kwa ujumla , makosa ambayo yamefanyika huko nyuma kuacha mambo haya yasirudiwe tena huu ni mwaka mpya tunaingia kwenye ushindani wa kila aina kwahiyo ni vizuri basi taasisi , vyuo na taasisi zijue wajibu wao katika ushindani hii .
Nawatakia mafanikio tele katika kuanzisha sera za mawasiliano kwenye taasisi , mashirika na sehemu zingine za kazi pamoja tunaweza kwanini wao waweze sisi tushindwe .
Haturudi Nyuma
--
Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultant
Mandela would have dialogued with Mungiki
By PROF. GEORGE LUCHIRI WAJACKOYAH
Mungiki is a Kikuyu word that literally translates into many. By definition, Mungiki means multitudes. The imagination of this politico-religious group plays the images of the poor. Many of them understand jiggers’ infestation, peasantry and abject poverty, for they live it or have experienced it.
Members of this group, which is proscribed according to government records, trace their lineage, or allegiance to the Mau Mau freedom fighters. The Mungiki owe their existence to President Jomo Kenyatta, their politicization to President Daniel Moi, and their commercialization to President Mwai Kibaki. There are feelings among Mungiki that Kenyatta short-changed their forefathers, Moi retained Mungiki when he feared Uhuru Kenyatta could lose the 2002 polls to his baptismal godfather, Kibaki, while members of the Kibaki administration are alleged to have used Mungiki for retaliatory killings during 2008 post-election violence.
Mungiki, ideologically, though not with the same name, sprouted to protest Kenyatta leadership’s marginalization of freedom fighters. The late Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, JM, as he was popularly known, was sympathetic to this group, for he did not see how peace could be sustained with a handful of people living on millions of resources, against millions living on a handful. JM desired well for the entire nation; he was widely accepted and loved in Kenya and beyond our borders. He was a champion of the poor.
Some members of this group were learned and politically astute as well, which made the government of the day fearful. This gave birth to a clampdown in Bahati, Nakuru and its environs; frequent arrests, detention without trial of their leaders, and mass propaganda, such as the Mwakenya leaflets. Some of the leaflets were manufactured by the intelligence, to subdue the Kikuyu groundswell. The intelligence coerced some KANU youth wingers into informers, to gather information on the activities of this organization. Kikuyu young men caved to that pressure and fled to Thika, Murang’a and the outskirts of Nairobi – the literal expulsion of young males was quite telling.
In debilitating despair, the next cohort of Mungiki was born. This lot grew up knowing little hope. They lived in slums with neither government order nor interests. They regularly did lowly jobs, and that is where they regrouped and started taking oaths of allegiance. Fate had brought them together, and they felt a duty towards one another, each seeking to be a brother’s keeper. At this point politicians started organizing them into micro economic activities, such as manning Matatu terminals and providing security through vigilantes. As a testimony to their role, areas protected by Mungiki experienced lots of safety, until criminals blackmailed them, and opened the floodgates of police harassments and killings of sect members. This is how the third generation of the highly manipulated Mungiki came into being.
The third contemporaries of Mungiki have been widely seen as a terror gang. Much as there is little one can say as far as their actions go, we as a society, must be patient and tolerant. We must listen to what they are telling us. This group has been widely stage-managed by mindless businessmen and politicians. The government, too, has used double standards in handling them. To some extent, some politicians want to keep them desperate and hopeless, this way; they can be easy guns for hire. Case in point is the post-election violence retaliatory killings.
Understanding Mungiki will contribute to national security intelligence, and by extension, increased safety of all Kenyans. Sending police on extra-judicial killing missions is not only illegal, but also leads to loss of valuable information; – one wayward person transformed is worth a million like ones killed.
Mungiki, if well directed, and driven by the humble vision of its founders, can tip the scales in Central Kenya politics, and also alter the way politics is played in Kenya. If their organization and loyalty get a laser-focus on the issues of poverty and governance, the ahoi will easily pull the reigns from the athomi. Visionary leadership and values that control bitterness, and strive for justice while upholding fairness, is all it will take. It is out of this realization that Mungiki morphed from a sect to politico-religious group.
Ask yourself this question; why does the government let Mungiki hold public demonstrations, if it considers it a proscribed group? The government is a mixed bag reminiscent of a brigade up against itself. The day a true regime change comes to Kenya, there will be accountability, and during that time, just like judgment day, people will carry their crosses.
Having initiated dialogue with Mungiki leadership, I have learned that the Mungiki problem can be dealt with finality. It is also crystal clear that politicians have been using the young men for their personal good. Mandela dialogued with Inkhatsa Freedom Fighters who till then, like Mungiki, were branded criminals by the system and the media. The solution rests in dialogue, not wanton slaughter by the police. There can be no moral authority in a case where the police, who should be dissuading people from unwanted conduct, demonstrate the same vile acts.
Let us all cast our eyes into the distant past, to pre- birth of the republic; the depths of history. From it we will understand what happened to the Mau Mau and their descendants, especially why they were relocated to Bahati in Nakuru.
I have understood much of Mungiki because I have probed it. In the same train of oddity, I will ride around the world, meeting Kenyans and friends of Kenya. This year, I plan to travel the world on my – Meet Kenyans world tour – where I will listen to any Kenyan with suggestions on issues affecting daily lives. My journey starts in the United States in January and February, followed by a 10-day exploration of Europe in March.
Prof. George Luchiri Wajackoyah is a presidential aspirant in Kenya’s 2012 general elections. For more information about him, check out his official campaign web site: www.glw4president.com. You can also follow him on Facebook under George Luchiri Wajackoyah or Luchiri Wajackoyah for constant campaign updates. Reach him at George@glw4president.com
CONSTITUTIONAL REFOMS – FROM AN IMPERIAL PRESIDENT TO A KING
CONSTITUTIONAL REFOMS - FROM AN IMPERIAL PRESIDENT TO A KING
By Mwandawiro Mghanga, Chairperson of Social Democratic Party of Kenya
The Members of Parliament have betrayed people of Kenya, particularly the majority poor and exploited and the struggle for new progressive national constitution. No wonder the majority of the MPs that are tampering with the constitution in Naivasha have never been involved in the struggle for democracy in the country. They were part of the dictatorship that was opposed to democratic reforms. While patriots and progressive Kenyans were being persecuted by the Moi and Kenyatta regimes for struggling liberation from dictatorship, those who are now purporting to decide about the constitution for Kenya were accumulating wealth through corrupt deals. The few of the MPs at Naivasha that were reformers yesterday have now turned into opportunists and traitors and are either silent or collude with those who are manufacturing the constitution which Kenyans should reject.
The MPs went to Naivasha with a mandate to discuss about the harmonised draft of the Committee of Experts that had been improved by various views of the Kenyan people and organisations. However, the MPs decided to exceed their mandate by rewriting the draft constitution and messing it in the process. Rather than listen to Kenyans they opted to listen to foreigners and impose their system of governance chosen by imperialists upon us. They chopped off chapters and sections from the draft that embody Kenyan cultural values, social and economic rights and all that empowers the poor. They have removed from the draft the wishes and aspirations of the people that have been expressed over the decades of the struggle for the new constitution. Thus from the imperial president under the present constitution, the MPs have created a king in the new constitution. They have done this by claiming that the majority of Kenyans want to elect their chief executive, president, directly. What they deliberately avoided to say is that while the Kenyan people want to elect all their representatives, they have never wanted to elect a king whether in the form of president or prime minister. In fact, that is why they struggled against colonialism, the Kenyatta and Moi dictatorial regimes. It is for the same reason they struggled for multiparty democracy that has now completely been undermined by the King in the form of a President proposed by the MPs at Naivasha.
As a revolutionary, I cannot afford to be pessimistic. That is why I always argue that a constitution is not Holly Bible or Holly Qumran. There can never be a constitution that is so perfect that it can never require to be changed. Any constitution we shall get will in future be changed again and again to reflect the dynamism of life in Kenya and the world. I am therefore of the opinion that this time round Kenyans must have a new national constitution. I agree with those who are proposing a yes yes referendum in which we shall vote for either the constitution with the presidential system or with a parliamentary system proposed by Kenyans and for Kenyans and based on the historical and material conditions of Kenya. This has been arrogantly rejected by the MPs who falsely tell Kenyans that the yes yes referendum will polarise and divide Kenyans. Some of them have even proposed that there is no need for the referendum arguing that it will divide Kenyans. It is as if in a democracy, and especially in a class society like Kenya, division and class struggles can be avoided. It is as if under the capitalist system in the country Kenyans are united.
I understand the cynicism, pessimism and a sense of hopelessness that is now growing among progressive Kenyans. How can we justify the energy and struggles we have put for constitutional review for so long if we end up with a constitution that is worse than the present one in terms of governance, many are asking? May be when the document being manufactured at Naivasha eventually comes to parliament it will be rejected by the committee of the whole house. But the chances are slim indeed. Again, should it be passed by parliament then Kenyans will still have a chance to reject it at the referendum. Yet the importance of the referendum in this regard is being questioned even as the propaganda for the king – president is intensified through the media.
This brings me to the argument and the propaganda by Synovate that Kenyans want to elect their chief executive directly, and that therefore they are for the presidential system of government rather than a parliamentary system. In the first place, in both systems the head of governments are elected directly by the people. The difference is that in the presidential system the people elect a head of government and state called president who is not directly accountable to parliament and therefore the people while in a parliamentary system the people elect a head of government who may be either a president or prime minister but who is not head of state and who is directly accountable to parliament and therefore the people. Under the presidential system Kenyans will vote mainly for a rich individual while paying only lip service to ideologies and political parties. Under a parliamentary system Kenyans will vote both for political parties, ideologies and leaders of political parties. A leader of a political party that has the most votes and that forms the largest party or coalition of parties in parliament also forms the government to practice the policies they promised the people for a given period in the constitution.
As for the king in the form of president proposed by the MPs at Naivasha, let us open the Bible in the book of Samuel chapter eight. It is written that the elders of Israel told Samuel to appoint them a King to rule them. When they insisted Samuel decided to consult God. God told Samuel to provide them their wish provided they understood the meaning of being ruled by a King. Which is authoritarianism, dictatorship, oppression and slavery. The people of Israel were warned that the King will the King would be a despot who would rob them of their land, property and make them perpetual servants with no freedom and rights. Despite the advise of Samuel and God, the people still insisted they wanted a King. And so they were given their King. And it came to pass that they suffered for thousands of years under the rule of Kings. If therefore it is the desire of Kenyans to have a King in the place of an Imperial president, they will get their King. And the Kenyan ruling class will have they last say.
For the president proposed by the MPs will be added more powers on top of the one he already has. He is both the head of state and head of government. Yet he or she is not required to justify whatever decisions he or she makes directly in parliament. Already Kenya is governed by powerful people and institutions that are only accountable to the president and not the people, from permanent secretaries, heads of parastatals, judges, heads of the army, police, prisons, various commissioners and commissions, ambassadors, etc. On this list will be added ministers. The president will appoint ministers from outside parliament. These ministers will be accountable to the president who appointed them whatever the talk about seeking the approval by parliament. Like permanent secretaries, the ministers will be above politics and therefore Kenyans will be ruled by the king president and civil servants who are not accountable to the people. In a multiparty system like Kenya, ministers are appointed to implement the policies and programs of their political parties. The presidential system proposed by the MPs will render political parties useless and instead strengthen authoritarianism, tribalism, nepotism, corruption, social inequality and arbitrary governance. This is good for the present political and economic ruling class that is united in their desire to maintain the present status quo. But it is the bane of those struggling for a democratic, just, equitable and progressive system in our country. Under this system, the chances of person from the peasant and working class to become president, nay King is the same without of a camel passing through the eye of a needle.
Yes, the struggle for social and national liberation is not easy; it is long, hard and protracted. Yet it has to continue.
Mwandawiro Mghanga, Monday, January 25, 2010
The construction of President Barack Obama, Kogelo Community Center to commence before the end of the year
THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA COMMUNTY CENTER AT NYANG’OMA KOGELO TO COMMENCE BEFORE THE OF THIS YEAR.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
Kenya’s Ministry of National Heritage has announced that the construction of the multi-million shilling, President Barack Obama Kogelo Community Center, will commence before the of this year.
In a message read on his behalf to the participants at the President Barack Obama first anniversary cultural festival, held over the weekend, at Alego Nyang’oma Kogelo, the Minister for National Heritage, William Ole Ntimama said the area is the home of the father of the US President, and the area has emerged a major tourist destination, making it necessary to develop the cultural centre in place.
The minister said development of Kogelo Cultural Centre is in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development blueprint, which endeavors to make the country one of the top 10 long haul tourist destination in the world.
“Currently”, the Minister said, “North America has emerged as a leading tourist source market for Kenya, accounting for about 10 per cent total arrivals, only second to the United Kingdom”, the Minister added.
The speech was read before a huge crowd that attended this year’s cultural festivals at the Senator Barack Obama Kogelo Primary School, which is an area adjacent to Senator Barack Obama Secondary School, during the celebrations, to mark President Obama first year in office
“Kenya”, the Minister said, “is a rich, diverse cultural heritage, and the ministry has a major role to play in fostering appreciation and development of cultural heritage for the benefit of the Kenyan people”.
The closure of the four day festival was graced by the US ambassador to Kenya, Michael Rennerberger, who was accompanied by Mama Sarah Obama, the step grand mother of President Obama and other family members.
Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Oodinga who was expected to attend the function did not show up, as he was reported to have travelled to the Far East, on official government duties.
A visit to the nearby Nyang’oma market, the usually dusty rural market place, revealed that the area has undergone a facelift. Small kiosks and food stalls have been turned into permanent buildings, and more are under construction. The local business community were optimistic of a booming business in the near future, so they are trying hard to ensure that they will be able to tap the resources to be availed by the expected tourists from the US and other developed nations of the world.
There were all signs of booming business at Nyang’oma market. The murrum road that branches off from Ndori Market in Rarieda, heading northwards to Nyang’oma, across River Yala, has been graveled to an all whether road. Plans are also said to be a foot to have this portion tarmacked before the end of the year. Other plans are also a foot for the establishment of a tourist class Hotel along River Yala, and the project is being undertaken by the Kenya Tourist Board.
ENDS
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com