Monthly Archives: February 2010

Kenya Politicians united in grief for Mrs. Abigael Kidero

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UNITED IN GRIEF:
BY JEFF OTIENO

Following the death of Abigael Kidero, wife of Mumias Sugar Company Managing Director, Dr. Evans Kidero, politicians from the entire divide appear to have buried their political differences, and are united to offer solace to the family.

Late last week, it was the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who after a week long tour of Asia, sojourned at the MD’s leafy magnificent home in Gigiri. The Prime Minister was accompanied by lands Minister James Orengo.

On tow was Foreign Affairs Minister,Moses Wetangula from P.N.U coalition, chief whip and Juja MP George Thuo, former powerful Foreign Affairs Minister, Raphael Tuju, Assistant Minister of finance, Oburu Odinga, Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, KANU stalwart and former MP, Gedion Moi and National Assembly Speaker, Kenneth Marende.

MPs Ochieng Daima, James Rege, and Martin Ogindo also visited with the bereaved family.

Corporate world chief Executives were not left behind either. Immediate Managing Director of Kenya Airport Authority George Muhoho, the Managing Director of Kibos Sugar, Bireh Channan and his brother Raju, Linus Gitai of Nation media also came to offer their condolences. So did Marie Stoppes country Director, who had just come back from a tour of Europe.

Opinion is however divided following a decree by Dr. Kidero that he doesn’t want a fund raiser to help in offsetting staggering hospital bills, both locally and abroad, said to be totaling to over Kshs. 53 Million.

The late Abigael had a long battle with cancer, which she eventually succumbed to. She will be buried on 5th March 2010, at her rural home in Asumbi, Rangwe constituency Homa-Bay District. She has left behind three children.

Meanwhile Tom Onyango Alila, who is the coordinator, told this writer that they have finalized all the plans for the burial.

END

Kenya: Onyango Oloo talks to the embattled Chair of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission

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Onyango Oloo talks to the embattled Chair of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission

[This interview has been carried in full in the Friday, February 26, 2010 edition of the Nairobi-based Star newspaper.]


Were you involved in the meeting where the Wagalla massacre was planned?

I did not attend any meeting related to organising the Wagalla massacre. I had just arrived from London and, as the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, the affair was not in my docket. The National Security Council meeting which I attended was a briefing and not an operational meeting and did not involve decisions at the district level.

The book Blood on the Runway which has been the main reference point acknowledges that the account was put together on very scanty knowledge without the benefit of the original primary documentation.

Did you support the violent RENAMO rebels during the Mozambican civil war?

The Mozambican Government requested my assistance to bring to the negotiating table the Renamo rebel group in order to bring an end to the civil war and to create dialogue which would create peace in the country. I flew to Maputo to meet with President Chissano who asked me to contact Renamo who were still in the bush at that time. I fulfilled the assignment, bringing a message of peace to the rebels and acting as a go-between between them and the government backed Frelimo fighters.

At one time I was requested to organise a meeting of church leaders in Nairobi with the blessings of the Kenyan government and President Chissano of Mozambique. Another time I facilitated the Kenyan government’s granting of passports to enable Renamo rebels to fly to Rome for peace talks, which played a part in creating the peace accord
which ended the Mozambican civil war.

The government of Mozambique showed it’s appreciation for my efforts through a personal invitation by their President to attend the signing of the peace accord even after I had left the foreign office.

What is your position on the murder of Robert Ouko?

I do not know who killed the Late Hon Ouko. I appeared before the Ouko murder inquiry and spoke openly as a friend of the deceased. No claim has ever been made linking me to the assassination. In fact the family of the Late Ouko has appointed me as Patron of the Ouko Memorial Library. They clearly would not have done so if they believed I was involved with his murder.

Are you a land grabber?

I purchased land offered to me by the government as did thousands of Kenyas to this day. I complied with the legal requirements and paid in full for the land. The fact that I am mentioned in a report is not conclusive and can not be held against me until proven in a court of law.

Did you condone the human rights atrocities committed during the Moi-KANU regime?

I was one of the few government officials to go before the Saitoti Commission in 1990 where I recommended the introduction of multi party democracy. I am on record calling for the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution, which declared Kenya a single party state and the removal of the queuing system of voting. While serving as High
Commissioner to Great Britain, I met with the Secretary General of Amnesty Internaltional to work on the abolishment of detention without trial not only in Kenya but across Africa. This information is publicly available. In addition, my detractors can check with many of their colleagues like, Ngugi wa Thiongo (who I hosted at a reception in London), Micere Mugo, Salim Lone, Professor Muhiddin, Makokha and many others who benefited from my support during the Moi regime.

But it has been said that your own reports from London when you served there as Kenya High Commissioner were used to convict alleged dissidents opposed to the Moi regime?

I did not produce any intelligence reports while serving as Ambassador or High Commissioner to London. Those familiar with the operations of a foreign mission will know that the intelligence functions in any Embassy are run independently of the Ambassador. There is no evidence to substantiate this claim.


Questions have been raised about the process which led to your selection as TJRC Chair.

A broad range of respected civil society organisations, spanning faith-based organizations, women’s groups, lawyers associations, trade unions and teachers’ unions, human rights organizations, medical professionals and the private sector constituted the selection panel for the TJRC Commissioners.

The panel interviewed 45 applicants and fowarded the list of 15 nominees to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Law Review using a panel of interested parties chaired by Dr. Daniel Ichang’i of the East African Professionals Association. The government did not have a representative on the panel. The PSC vetted the selection, approved 9 names and tabled the results before the House. The 9 names that were adopted by the House unanimously and their names were forwarded to the President for appointment. This rigorous process ensured that the choice of commissioners was aligned with the public interest and had been made on the basis of relevant experience and qualifications.

Until recently, no challenge was offered to my selection as Chairman of the TJRC. It therefore begs the question: what is motivating the people-who have never before contested my nomination-to seek to obstruct the course of justice just at the point where the TJRC is finally about to swing into action with powers to award restitution to the victims. Would these so-called leaders not want to see victims compensated for the pain they have suffered as soon as possible? Over 200 people applied. Did any of those now complaining apply? Former head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and PCEA clergyman Timothy Njoya also applied.


Do you think your critics have treated you fairly in terms of presumption of innocence and due process?

Clearly human rights organizations should not use the law of the jungle and lynch mob strategy to force me to step down. Surely they ought to uphold the rule of law and my constitutional right as a Kenyan citizen to presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Will the TJRC recommend prosecutions and trials for those not only adversely mentioned but found to have been implicated in past human rights abuses?

Yes. The TJRC will make recommendations in these matters.

What is the way forward for the TJRC?

Commissioners should stick together and implement the work plan that has already been developed. I have met many Kenyans who are eagerly anticipating an opportunity to air their grievances.

Kenya: Tonight, Conspiracy Theories Run Through My Mind.

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Ever since Jaramogi said ‘Not yet Uhuru’ and Jomo became our first, I saw with my very eyes the Fundamentalists who believed that leadership was theirs by right. Conveniently they succeeded in keeping away the hopefuls from the fountain of leadership. There was detention without trial and assassination of the hopeful or those suspected to say the least.

When Jomo died, these Fundamentalists actually attempted to disbar Arap from ascending to power. It was through the act of wazalendo that Arap was given leadership albeit for 90 days. In those 90 days, the professor of politics asserted himself by coalescing with the minorities to permanently foil the plan of the Fundamentalists. And for twenty six years he ruled. After tasting the sweetness of power, a new breed of Fundamentalism was evolved. To hold on to there was more detention without trial and assassination of the hopeful or those suspected to say the least. There was also a coup de tat within the ranks.

I digress. Just who Killed Mboya, JM, Ouko, or Muge? I do not know, though I buy into the conspiracy theories. How they were killed is of more particular curiosity for me especially now. In my opinion, they were killed by the Fundamentalist who did not want to imagine ever relinquishing power to the Hopefuls.

My observation is that, contrary to the belief that the Hopefuls and the Fundamentalists have always been rivals, it is the different era of Fundamentalists who are sworn enemies, while the Hopefuls play to their whims as they think they are close to real power.

Read my lips, it took coalescing with the Hopefuls to allow Arap to ascend to power, which was jealously guarded by the original Fundamentalists. The Hopefuls were forced again to coalesce with the original Fundamentalists to end Arap’s 26 years rule and bring down the era of the Neo-Fundamentalists.

What happened about Dec 28th 2007, was an obvious fight between the two extremes of Fundamentalism whilst the Hopefuls were oblivious. This fight is still going on as we watch and bury it’s victims.

As a caution, I would just like to warn that key lieutenants can now be eliminated as it has happened in the past. We know who will be blamed having gathered patsy but significant circumstantial evidence even before any assassinations occur.

Please let all be very careful.

Bishop MugeBishop Muge

Jomo & MboyaJomo & Mboya

JM KariukiJM Kariuki

Robert OukoRobert Ouko

—
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?)

Kenya: PM Raila is on borrowed time

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From: Bill
ODM and affiliates as of Jan 2008 had 113 MPs. However:
Less Magara = 112.
Less 26 RV MPs loyal to Ruto = 86.
Less MPs with changed loyalties – Balala(Mvita), Baya(Ganze), Jirongo(Lugari) plus NEP MPs Duale, Chacha Guyo, Ali Mohammed and Mahmoud Mohammed = 7.
Total Hemorrhage = 34 MPs.
Balance of loyal MPs = 79.

PNU/ODM-K and affiliates had 108 MPs as of Jan 2008.
However:
Less MPs with changed/dubious loyalties – Karua, Mungatana, Kabando, Kiunjuri, Wavinya, Mbarire, Imanyara, Kenneth, Mbau, Kiuna, Muturi, Musila, Kiema Kilonzo = 13.
Total Hemorrhage = 13.
Balance loyal MPs = 95.

For ODM:
79 + 13 PNU MPs who may oppose censure = 92.

For PNU:
95 + 34 ODM MPs who may support censure = 129.

MPs required to pass censure motion of no confidence = 113.

Clearly, Raila is on borrowed time.

Music & Satanism: False Teachings-Embrace the True Doctrine

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People,

If you are a true Christian, you should NEVER believe that there is any person called Satan!!!This is a heathen belief which is unbiblical and pagan! The term Satan does not exist in Hebrew language! It has its origin in Greek mythology..Jesus used it to mean those who had gone wayward..

There is, and there will be no one who can compete with or against God!! Our God is al-mighty, so powerful and omnipresent that nothing can challenge him..A creature can NEVER challenge the Creator!!

The term SATAN is symbolic and it refers to SIN in all forms!! It means an opposer.. going against something or somebody!!

Sometimes it doesn’t even have to mean something evil.. An angel of God was sent to stand as Satan against Ballack the evil prophet, when he wanted to curse the Israelites! Now this was an angel of God, but he was a Satan to Ballack,, does that mean the angel was some mighty super evil being to Ballack? Hell No!!

No angel of God can sin!!! The angels of God have been created in a way that they can’t sin.. All angels do Gods will whether without question.. they can turn into wind and travel and do things in mysterious ways.. What do the angels have to gain by rebelling against God? Nothing..

We humans were created in a way that we could sin and die, or obey God and live! Unfortunately, Adam chose to disobey God and so we, his descendants die..

Jesus Christ was sent to remove the curse of death, so that we can have the hope of living again after death, but only if we change from our sinful ways to Godly ways!!

I can explain many things here but there is no time and space!! Our churches have gone astray, by teaching people falsehoods, and the congregation is too willing to listen to unsound teachings and false doctrines, that is sweet music to their ears!!

Devil worship simply means worshipping materialism and abandoning ways of God, which means humility and good deeds!!

There is NOTHING like the devil! The devil is you and I..There is nothing like Satan..Satan is you and I..Every sin that we commit comes from our own hearts!! No one drives us into sinning..It’s our own weakness that drives us into sinning!! Christ was tempted too, but he was the only man who never gave in to sin!!

If you want to learn true teachings.. feel free to share with me or ask me any questions!!

I’m so disappointed that most educated people still believe in some neo-classical traditional dogmatic teachings, which have no place in the school of a free thinker and enquiring mind!!

God bless you all!

Vincent Mc’Oguda!……..Manchester-UK

Uganda: bbc documentary on human sacrifice lands star character in jail

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A BBC DOCUMENTARY SHOT IN NORTHERN UGANDA ABOUT HUMAN SACRIFICES IN THAT COUNTRY LANDS THE STAR IN JAIL FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

A Ugandan who featured in a BBC documentary film shot in Northern Uganda and aired last month, claiming that he had committed 70 human sacrifices to evil spirits, has been arraigned in court and charged with giving false information.

Polino Angella, a resident of Bala sub-county in Apac district, Northern Uganda, was arraigned before the resident magistrate, Everest Palodi, at Lira court where he denied the offence.

The accused had told the BBC reporter that he had committed 70 murders, including that of his own son, by the name of Nelson Ojede.
The offence, according to Ugandan law, carries a prison sentence of one year.

A senior police officer in Lira said the police were also looking for the BBC correspondent who had interviewed Angella for questioning and possible prosecution.

The prosecution case stated that On January 18, 2010, Angella told a police investigator, Mr.Vincent Odwar, false information that he had sacrificed the lives of 70 people in ritual killings, including his own son by the name Nelson Ojede, to the evil spirits, a matter which was later thoroughly investigated and found to be false.

The magistrate ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Central Prison in Lira, and said he needed time to study the file before the case could open for hearing, in a date to be set in April this year.

Angella plea for court bail was rejected by the magistrate, who said he needed time to study all the facts related to the charge before considering bail application.

According to the facts presented to the court, Angella had told the BBC reporter, Mr. Tim Whewell, that he had sacrificed 70 people, including his own son in the 1980s and 1990s, when he was still an active witchdoctor and traditional healer.
The BBC documentary, which was shot in Northern Uganda, was aired last month.

The claim by the accused during the BBC broadcast attracted public attention, leading the police anti-human sacrifice unit in Uganda to swing into action, and start investigating those claims.

The BBC documentary also showed a group of traditional healers re-enacting how they kill their victim in ritual murders.
Angella allegedly claimed that he was paid cash money, to the tune of Ushs 200,000 by the BBC agent, and a promised a hefty donation for a community based project in his home village, run by community organization.

Godwin Tumugumye a, a senior police officer, said they were also looking for the BBC correspondent who had conducted the interview with Angella for questioning.

The story was also highlighted by the state-owned NEWVISION.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Kenya:Tribute to Comrade Ng’ang’a Thiong’o

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Release Political Prisoner’s (RPP) Tribute to Comrade Ng’ang’a Thiong’o
From: Robert Alai.

It is not easy to write a tribute for a true comrade, a revolutionary, an environmentalist, a peoples’ advocate, a principled politician, a global citizen, an intellectual and creative thinker like Ng’ang’a Thiong’o. The Release Political Prisoners Social Movement is deeply saddened by his demise. We shall dearly lose his commitment and dedication to a course, for a better, well managed and administered Kenya, Africa and the world, where all can be happy and feel accommodated and accepted.

Ng’anga’ the revolutionary
Thiong’o, a former political prisoner who also underwent the torturous Nyayo House experiences, believed and we lost him still holding the same beliefs that another Kenya was and still is, truly possible. Even when he was on his bed, writhing in pain, he kept on asking why are Kenyans dying of treatable diseases after 46 years of independence? Why are the poor always the ones being laid on the corridors of the hospitals and why are those who were speaking of change since 1990s not concerned with the basics of live like access and affordable HEALTH CARE, education, water, food, shelter and clothing?

Thiong’o was very clear in his mind that the system Kenya has held since independence will always impoverish even those who think and keep on thinking that they were rich and hence will keep on managing the downtrodden. He held the strong view that Kenya and Kenyans shall always prosper if we all see humanity and the people in the ways we manage the public affairs.

Ng’ang’a being who he was, he combined very conservative disciplines with activism and advocacy, a very rare blend indeed. He could be seen in street activism in ties, chatting and singing with the commoners, and some went asking “who is this so smartly dressed yet chatting hard anti-government slogan?” He must be very different then!

Ng’ang’a the bold and visionary leader
When things got tough and he saw there was no other way out, he could quickly make calls and ask for meetings. The RPP Social Movement will recall the 2005-2007 debacles when Thiong’o offered and steered the organisation as the Chairperson, from almost total closure to some stability. This was due to his exemplary leadership and strength of conviction that we did it before; we can always do it better.

Thiong’o was a leader for all and especially those who needed empowerment. He was always concerned of what the RPP and other activists were doing about the squatters, the small scale business people and informal traders (hawkers), the evictees, the IDPs, the arrested and confined, the persons with disabilities, the albinos, the indigenous communities, the marginalized, the poor, the dropouts, the jobless, disempowered women, the heroes and heroines of our country. He never forgot the history on the struggle for independence and those who died for it.

All activists and human rights defenders will always remember him and the courageous socialist speech he made during the burial of the celebrated true liberator, Honourable Bildad Kaggia at Maragwa (RIP)!, before the who was who in the dais, including the highest office in the country, and he went on to ask “why were those who had ignored and defied Kaggia’s wisdom, in all his live there? He called everyone by their names to the surprise of all but to celebration of those who have stood by the peoples discourse.

Ng’ang’a the anti-tribal crusader
Thiong’o kept on advising the RPP fraternity and all activists and defenders of people’s rights that tribalism and ethnicity had no space in Kenya and those who leaned to the same ideology will always be doomed to fail and cause turmoil in the country.

He held deep conviction that it was because of tribalism and ethnicity that massive corruption and mismanagement of public affairs was thrive in Kenya, impunity escalated, mediocrity ruled us, ignorance and illiteracy was thriving, lack of access to services like education and health had increased among many other vices. Thiong’o’s predicaments’ have always been real to the Kenya we see today. He believed in transformative change that we should all yearn for.

He always advised that we teach our children’s values and principles around humanity, nationhood, neighborliness, culture and mother tongues and learning of other community’s languages to deal with tribalism and ethnic bigotry.

A big loss really!!
As RPP Social Movement, we have really lost a Kenyan leader, a human rights defender and an activist, a people’s advocate, a green environmentalist, a principled politician, a teacher on societal transformation, a global citizen and an open minded person always willing to learn on any aspect in people’s lives.

May You Rest in Peace Comrade, with the spirits of TRUE KENYAN, AFRICAN AND WORLD LIBERATORS!

Ni yale yale mambo ya ukoloni; ukoloni mkongwe, ukoloni mamboleo……tuyakatae!!!

ALUTA CONTINUA……………

KENYA: KIBAKI`S SPEECH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE ABSENCE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN GRAFT WAR.

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Dear Sir/Madam,

Quite conspicuous in an otherwise bipartisanship speech by President Kibaki during the official opening of the fourth session of the tenth parliament was the statement “We must not politicize or personalize the fight against corruption.” It is this statement that has had experts differ sharply as to the precise meaning of these words.

Much as I may want to believe that the President was rebuking those implicated in graft for seeking protection in their ethnic turfs in order to avoid taking political responsibility for their acts of commission and omission, I am also cognizant of the fact that this statement may in itself be a direct admission by the president of his drooling inability to tackle the snowballing corruption in the country. His much touted hands- off approach that had him hitherto heavily criticized may have apparently become a safe haven to his erstwhile political foes now turned bosom allies.

But perhaps a more convincing explanation would be that the president deliberately directed flak at the Prime Minister that was carefully designed to keep him off balance. This would not be strange. It is an undeniable fact that president Kibaki has never gotten over the 2007 sour grapes. It would therefore not be improbable were he to make it his sole preoccupation to torpedo the PM`s 2012 presidential ambitions knowing too well that revenge is a dish best served cold.

Why for instance, would a president whose seven years presidency has been punctuated by stunning inaction and dead silence in fighting graft suddenly find the voice to denounce the PM`s suspension of the Ministers implicated in graft followed hot on the heels with a fiery speech in parliament whose unmistakable intention was to lambast the PM? This could only be a testament to the fact that the President is least interested in converting his rhetoric on graft into action and that his sole obsession is to render the PM kaput politically. He would therefore not hesitate to pursue partisan interests in the guise of bipartisanship if only to spite the PM.

In order to forestall the PM`s ambitions, the president’s wild card, is apparently the triple “K” alliance that has the potential to offer a formidable challenge to the PM. On the face of it, this loaded statement could thus be nothing more than the ranting of a president whose intention is to protect this brood irrespective of whether it may be composed of those who are vile or corrupt to the core.

What could make it even more appealing to the President is the fact that some among this brood are more than willing to be used as stepping stones to the coveted presidency as long as they are assured that their muck will be evenly sheltered from the prying eyes of the public. Perhaps that could be the reason why the President wishes that the fight against graft remains as obscure as possible. It could also explain the rapturous foot thumping by a section of the legislators following the president’s unfortunate statement.

But as they glide and grin in this muck, perhaps the overriding question in the minds of many, is at what cost to the nation are those nursing such machinations willing to go in milking this country dry? I am sure that the President is not oblivious to the fact that it is this stance that is responsible for the suffering of the sea of humanity in this country. It is because of this that I beseech the president to let the will of the nation triumph.

TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA.
http://twitter.com/tomefrancis

Inflationary situation likely to be on the rise in Tanzania following crop failure

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INFLATION DIGITS LIKELY TO BE ON THE RISE IN TANZANIA DUE TO FAILURE IN FOOD GRAIN PRODUCTION.

Economic Report By Leo Odera Omolo

TANZANIA is now forecasting low food production, far from previous projections, following crop destruction by heavy rains in 18 regions early this year.

The drop in food production could have a negative impact on inflation rate. It could affect the government’s effort to lower it to single-digit levels in the next fiscal year.

Tanzania was in the 2008/2009 season expected to harvest 11.3 million metric tones of maize, which would be an increase of 600,000 tones, from 10.9 million tones in 2008/2009 fiscal year. But late rains have diminished all hopes of reaching that target.

Most of the regions, including its grain producing regions classified as “Big Five” in the country, have also been experiencing floods. These have caused peasants crops in Morogoro and Dodoma and even several commercial farms to be wiped out.

The influential Nairobi weekly, the EASTAFRICAN last week quoted the country’s Director of Food Security in the Ministry of Agriculture, John Mgodo, as saying that it is too early to issue forecasts, but that the matter is being monitored closely.

But given the situation on the ground, with most of the major regions affected, a high number of people displaced and cut-off road communication, the production might go down by over 20 per cent. Food prices is the major component, which influences the calculations of the inflation rate to determine its down or upward trend.

Bank of Tanzania Governor, Prof. Bemo Ndulu, was also quoted as saying that food is the main culprit that increases the rate of inflation, accounting for over 8.0 per cent out of 12.2 per cent at last December rate.

Ndulu said that increasing food production is the only way to arrest the double-digit inflation figure, which is on the rise.

To do away with food prices “dominance when calculating inflation”, the National Bureau of Statistics {NBS} is set to revise its way of calculating the rate from arithmetic to geometric.

That way, the eight averages will be the change on base of prices, the casket of goods and services, and weight in general.

The director of Policy and Research Confederation of Tanzania Industries, Hussein Kamote, said in a recent interview that by using the geometric system, the inflation figure will decline.

The new method is expected to reduce the influence of high food prices and bring down inflation rates.

Food makes upto 55.9 per cent of the basket of goods and services used to measure inflation.

Grain reserve stocks under the National Food Reserve Agency as per last October amounted to 107,177 tones of maize, while sorghum represented a decrease of 22 per cent from 110,278 tones at the end of the proceeding month. It was 64 per cent lower than stocks of the previous October.

The decline in the stocks was on account of sale of grain to the government for distributions to regions and districts with food deficit.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Tanzania Youths, What Kind of Leaders Tomorrow?

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Tanzania’s future is uncertain. Even more unclear is the identity of the leaders who will steer the nation in the coming decade. Will dynastic politics continue to define electoral trends? Do businessmen make the best politicians? The question we don’t ask and deliberate on today is what Tanzania leadership will look like in coming years.

To be honest, I think the future leadership in Tanzania will not be too different than what it is today. Unfortunately, the bulk of today’s leadership in Tanzania is dishonest, eccentric, illogical, corrupt from top to bottom, dictatorial in essence, ego-centric and self-serving; to say the least. The future leadership, if at all we can call it so, will be following the footsteps of today’s leaders and will be no different than their predecessors. Much has been written in recent years about new, changing and emergent security issues around the globe. From terrorism to diseases and other chemical and biological threats to the recurrence of ethno-nationalism, security in the contemporary world is a different beast than even a decade ago.

Moreover, this process of evolution will likely continue to change in the years to come. These changes have had distinct impacts on the ways individuals perceive threats to their security and how they act to make themselves feel more secure. But even though much attention has been paid to the ways security (and the ways we cope with challenges to security) is changing, little, if any, attention has been paid to the ways the next generation of citizens and decision-makers perceive current and future security challenges. These analyses will inform discussion about how perceptions of leadership will (or are changing) as the next generation comes of age.

Exploring further in perspective, there was a time in Tanzania when armed robbery, kidnapping, malicious killing of another were all seen as an evil act so unheard of, the society would arise when these acts are conducted. However what we have today is stark opposite of yesteryears, where it appears there is an evidential conclusion to be drawn that certain persons are in competition to out-do the other in the conduct of these crimes. At the time Kidnapping became visible as a result of the restiveness in Tarime, it spread like an epidemic or business for profit in other parts of the country . The political citizens cashed in on this unholy trade as a means to settle political scores. The malicious unlawful killing of another human being in the name of ethnic cleansing, terrorism, political supremacy, police brutality, State sponsored homicides etc are all signs of decay in national conscience. The good neighbour principles are as gone as the 18th centuries, what we are now left with is NO FAITH, NO JUSTICE.

Leaders, especially in times like these, are people who can inspire the public, change their opinions and attitudes, rather than working against popular opinion or inciting a bloody revolution. Tanzania needs a leader who understands Tanzania’s tailored needs. Text book solutions cannot be implemented directly; neither will trial and error work as Tanzania is a country with a complex set of problems. The leader, who understands her specific needs, would be able to steer the country out of the current dark situation. The question that came to my mind when for an example, during the hay-days running up to the 2005 elections, The CHADEMA presidential candidate Mbowe was said to not be a “politician” because he has not been playing “politics” before. Why must all the leaders Present/future of the country be from the political sector? What about leaders in business, entrepreneurship, technology, science, health, education, rural development, urban development, human rights, legal reforms? Who says only a politician will be able to lead Tanzania? About time we define leadership in Tanzania more broadly to really reflect the diverse country and economy that we need to steer and put political leadership where it belongs –

Harold Pinter (Nobel Laureate) wrote and I concur “The majority of politicians, on the evidence available to us, are interested not in truth but in power and in the maintenance of that power. To maintain that power it is essential that people remain in ignorance, that they live in ignorance of the truth, even the truth of their own lives. What surrounds us therefore is a vast tapestry of lies, upon which we feed”.

As long as we remain ignorant and keep feeding on lies, tomorrow’s Tanzania is not going to be any different. It is more likely to be worse. Who is going to tackle the enormous problems facing the country? You name the problem, Tanzania got it.

1 Education. Literacy rate is abysmal after years.

2 Poverty. Tanzania had always been living on handouts from abroad.

3 Tanzania has many resources which are either not tapped or being misused.

4 Employment. The larger the unemployment, greater the problems we shall have.

5 Infrastructure. Tanzania has not improved on the colonial infrastructure.

6 Law and Order. I don’t have to enlarge on the mess Tanzania is in.

7 Politics. Tanzania eventually has ‘democracy’, but the way the politicians are acting it may not last very long.

These are only a few of the problems that need urgent attention. Some of these issues can be resolved with the presence of an Independent and fair judiciary. The logo UHURU NA UMOJA is just on the coat of arms and has no bearing on our lives, there is no Unity, Faith is fragmented, Peace is war, and Progress is nonexistent. That any of tomorrows’ leaders (we groom now) is capable of reviving Tanzania is extremely doubtful.

Sane societies would be spending time and resources educating their youths about the fundamental principles of life in a democracy, thereby exposing them to successful role models as well as strengthening their self-esteem and confidence whilst providing educational experiences in the field of civic rights which encourages social involvement and bridging cultural diversities and promoting the Tanzanian Cause with nurtured Tanzanian Spirit. However, Tanzania lacks this, the various governments over the years have rather created directly or passively a more confused and disorganized Tanzania, through their selfish lame visions, uncaring attitudes and unrealistic set targets and goals. Thereby promoting a culture of lameness / laziness, unintelligent citizenry, uncompetitive workforce, uninspiring students who cannot compete in the 21st century world of technology either because they lack the educational incentives needed for such or their lecturers are outdated/falling behind the development in teaching skills and modernized teaching tools, or the universities closed down due to one avoidable strike or the other, the effect of these has given birth to what we know as extension of secondary schools in the name of Private Universities. Tanzania cannot cope like this, her place among the comity of nations is fast depreciating, and the pride of self assumed Giant Of East is now known to be giant in size and not in substance. Folks would rather live in the Ant of Africa where basic human dignity and sense of self worth is enriched, than live in a Giant form that has no sense of belonging.

Tanzania has issues arising from the older citizens commission and omission, little wonder why a peep into the Tanzania’s future look so glue and dome. With the mindless rigging of elections, the ecliptic and incompetent persons like NEC Chair supervising elections that would propel change with accountability, to the Attorney General of Fraud, who as the chief law officer of the nation should be the driving force promoting rule of law, where all men are equal before the law, instead he is the driver of ruse of law with sole intent to satisfy his personal wants and selfish interests. This dark future incorporates the bunch of looters, maimers, killers, oppressors, and egotist nature of our political leaders from Governors, to Ministers down to Local govt chairpersons, sundry of political appointees and CO. We can agree that Tanzania youths are learning the tricks of their seniors.

A nation that wants to prosper must take into account the impact of the omission or the veracity of the commission of those that are saddle with the policy direction of that nation and the effects of their action(s) or Inactions on the citizenry present or unborn. A disturbing situation is in the offing where today’s youths see in open, the quantum display of arrogance and total disregard for public perception and opinions as seen in case of Dr J Kikwete his Kitchen Cabinets and the host of men/women in the National Assembly, the teaching is that they will be learning and perfecting the precedence set by these leaders in negativity. These learning’s and precedents have a revolving effects; the irony is these same manipulators of the already sad constitution will be the first set of people that will complain when next generation of leaders replay their “movie”.

Let us recall the days of Komandoo Salmin Amour and the third term debate. Had our legislators done the right thing as at that time, by amending other sections of the wholly flawed 1995 constitution, we may have taken care of the present Karume macabre. Instead they threw the baby with the bath water away, thereby pushing the days of rain further. Today these same people, who were in position of authority; who by act of omission or commission pushed the rain to another day are the same people today crying the rain has destroyed their homes, should they have done the necessary amendment needed the rain would have been averted prima facie.

To put this clearer, has Tanzanian leaders try to find out how countries like United Kingdom, Israel and co that do not have written constitution have managed to survive over the years with sound political, socio-cultural, technological and economical growth? The answer lies in the Rule of law, good neighbour principle, conventions / precedents and common sense. In these countries many people fear the crime not because of the punitive measures, but because it betrays morals and contradicts the good neighbour principle. These morals have been inculcated into them by the exemplary lives of their parents and neighbours (distance and close), they also know that the law is respecter of no man, as everyman will be answerable to his/her conducts. Unlike Tanzanian where the judiciary is compromised, induced or lame. Little wonders why many people prefer to bear the brunt than seek Justice Solutions.

In conclusion
Future leadership formed out of the present Tanzania where bigmanism, tribalism, , godfatherism, nepotism, lootry, total disrespect for known laws, judicial protection of the elites, security for the elites, outright subvention of the constitution, barefaced displace of political egotism, inequality before the law, miscarriage of justices to suit a personal interest, glorification of bizarreness, pacification of corruption, awarding national prestige on known criminals and persons of questionable character, presidential wining and dining with corrupt friends and associates, oppression and intimidating of the poor masses, outright rigging / imposition of candidates for elections, financial inducement of opposition, settling of unmerited political friends with appointments and contracts, issuing of contracts without due process / inflation of the contract sum to satisfy personal interest, and so on; will not only Sudanised Tanzania, but also will HaitigateTanzania. In my view a dual combination of Sudan and Haiti for one country will be equal to unfortunate element of Devil’s Sex Toy.
It is in my sanity to remind us all that “A future not reflected upon whilst it is day, corrections made when it is possible and visible will only beget a future full of chaos, uncertainties, backwardness and vices”.

I am sure the founders of Tanzania didn’t plan for the Tanzania today. It is now left to those who have the conscience to act according their faith. The worrying of my mind and thinking of my brain are hereby written.

—
Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultant

KENYA: THE PRESIDENT’S RIDICULE OF THE PM DOES NOT HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

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THE PRESIDENT’S RIDICULE OF THE PM DOES NOT HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
By MIGUNA MIGUNA, FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Now we know: Latest opinion polls show that 72% of Kenyans believe that the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, is fully committed to the fight against corruption and impunity. Only 28% of Kenyans support President Kibaki’s cynical view that the fight is being “politicized and personalized.” That is very encouraging news, coming, as it did; just moments after the President stood in Parliament and tried to ridicule the PM.

Kenyans have overwhelmingly rejected the notion that suspending cabinet ministers and senior public servants in order to allow for credible investigations amounts to “personal vendetta,” “settling scores” or “politicization” of the fight against corruption.

To effectively fight corruption, it is imperative that individuals suspected of involvement must be identified, singled-out, investigated and if found culpable, prosecuted. That process, inevitably, demands courage and commitment. Kenyans agree that the PM has demonstrated courage and commitment on this issue; just like he has done on the restoration of the Mau.

Although the President stated that “his” government (notice how he has refused to internalize the fact that it is a grand coalition Government) “was” committed to the fight against corruption, he failed to specify concrete actions that such a “fight” demands. Effective fight against corruption cannot be achieved through mere utterances. To fight and conquer corruption, the Government must get rid of those credibly suspected of graft; those already charged or being prosecuted; and those named in the various public reports of commissions, inquiries and audits.

PNU and KKK politicians are demanding that the PM should take political responsibility and step aside concerning the maize scandal because he chairs the cabinet sub-committee on agriculture and purportedly chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on maize importation. What is amazing, however, is how both the media and those politicians have failed to notice that the cabinet was also involved, and the cabinet’s chair is President Kibaki. If they are honest, why aren’t they demanding that the President, who chaired the cabinet meeting that either “approved” or “noted” – depending on whose version one is inclined to believe – the request for the importation, single-sourcing of Afgri Ltd, Euro World Ltd and Senwes, and the increment of the price from $430 to $455 per metric tone for non-GMO maize, should also resign?

We must also demand an explanation why the Finance Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, his Permanent Secretary, Joseph Kinyua, and the Minister for Special Programs, Naomi Shaban – all members of the Ad Hoc Committee – were not suspended, are not being adversely mentioned, and no one is asking for their resignation in relation to their ministries’ involvements. In fact, Kinyua was a more significant member of the Ad Hoc Committee than the PM’s Chief of Staff, Caroli Omomdi. Yet, ironically, the PM, who is not mentioned in the PWC’s Report is suddenly a target for “further inquiry” by John Mututho’s Agriculture Parliamentary Committee.

According to the PWC Report, Agriculture minister William Ruto, Livestock minister Mohammed Kuti, Northern Kenya Development minister Mohamed Elmi and numerous MPs irregularly wrote letters for allocation of maize by the NCPB to third parties or to themselves. The PWC report also implicate various NCPB directors, appointed by Ruto, but none of whom have been suspended, dismissed or charged.

To the extent that we should be committed to constructing a just and equitable country governed by the rule of law and constitutionalism, I agree with the President that the war against corruption must be fought justly and impartially. However, I disagree with the President’s emphasis on talking rather than acting. I also disagree with the President’s attempt to ridicule the PM’s decisive action against two cabinet ministers who are implicated by the PWC report. Publicly ridiculing the PM is not a sign of statesmanship; it is partisan political posturing.

Kenyans are waiting for prosecutions of, long jail terms for and recovery from known perpetrators of (a) the Sh 56.3 billion Anglo Leasing scandal; (b) the 2007 Ken Ren fraud; (c) public theft and looting contained in the Kroll report; (d) the irregular transfer of 10% of Telkom (K) Ltd shares in Safaricom to Mobitelea Ventures; (e) the Sh 70 billion Goldenberg rip-off; (f) the irregular and fraudulent payment of Sh 72 million of public funds to six lawyers in Feb 2006 for a 5-day court appearance; (g) the 2008 Line 4 Pipeline and Triton thefts; and (h) the 2001 KPLC scandal relating to the “treated wood poles” at Minstry of Energy.

And, of course, these must be in tandem with investigations, prosecutions, incarcerations and recoveries in the maize scum and the Ndug’u Land Report.

If no decisive action is taken on these and other cases, then it would matter not how many public proclamations the President makes. Finally, Kenyans’ demand for the professionalization, independence and ethical judiciary cannot be achieved when the President still issues orders to them to speed up trials. In view of the foregoing, the PSC draft constitution would make matters worse because the Presidency envisaged is more powerful than the Egyptian Pharaoh!
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The writer is the Prime Minister’s Adviser, Coalition Affairs, and Joint Secretary to the Permanent Committee on the Management of Grand Coalition Affairs. He is a Barrister, Solicitor and Advocate of the High Court. The opinions expressed are his own.

ODM disowns malicious propaganda article and asks security intelligence agency to investigate and find its author

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ODM PLEADS WITH KENYA’S NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF A SLANDEROUS DOCUMENT IN CIRCULATION AND FIND ITS AUTHORS.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

THE Orange Democratic Movement {ODM}, which is one of the principal partners in the ruling coalition government has written to the country’s national security intelligence services, requesting it to investigate the source and authors of a malicious document currently in circulation in Nairobi and elsewhere .

The document, authored by unknown people, purporting it to have been written by the ODM party strategists “Think Tank”, claims among other things, that the ODM intends to force fresh elections by February next year.

It is addressed to “The Command Team”, and calls on the Prime Minister Raila Odinga to quit his position and be a candidate for the intended elections, with the campaign to start immediately.

“Captain has to switch from being PM to being a candidate. Elections must be held between December 2010 and February 2011.
“Executive Prime Minister to run the government, while Hon Orengo is to ensure our people at CoE have appropriate clauses in the Draft Constitution”, read the letter in part.

Written in crude English, the letter further outlines strategies for ODM to employ new tactics to capture votes from various regions of the country as well as how it would raise campaign funds.

Political pundits were quick in dismissing the letter as the work of disgruntled youths bent on scavenging on election campaign resources, which usually dries up soon after the elections, leaving them unemployed and with no dependable source of income.

But the ODM’s Secretary-General, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o sharply reacted, and wants the National Security Intelligence Services to investigate the source and authors of the document.

Prof. Nyong’o, who is also the Minister for Medical Services, while addressing newsmen at the Orange House, ODM headquarters, blamed the coalition partner PNU for the document, saying from its contents it can only serve the interest of the PNU and its sympathizers.

The Minister went on to state that such documents are meant to create political despondency and instability, and regretted that their authors are yet to learn from the tragic lessons and experience of Kenyans, following the disputed presidential elections results of 2007.

“As a body in charge of intelligence gatherings and security, I am requesting you to investigate the source of this document and put a stop to such shenanigans aimed at sowing seeds of discord and hatred among Kenyans”, Nyong’o said.
But the PNU, which is the other partner in the government, immediately dismissed its coalition partner, charging that the ODM is merely looking for a way out of the government.

PNU’s vice chairman, George Nyamweya, said a similar document targeting his party was in circulation prior to the 2007 general elections, and asked the ODM to simply disown it if it was not authentic.

The mystery document claims ODM is plotting to pull out of the coalition government to force elections.

The on-going ODM and PNU wrangles have caused confusion and impacted negatively on the government. Religious leaders and civil society groups have asked the two to resolve their differences amicably.

ODM last week instructed its Ministers in the coalition government to boycott cabinet meetings until the crisis surrounding the suspension of Agriculture Minister William Ruto and Education Minister Prof. Sam Ongeri is resolved.

But three of its Ministers later made an announcement asking their colleagues not to boycott cabinet meetings, saying the instructions issue by the party was “null and void”.

Kenyan politicians are fond of authoring anonymous documents, and clandestinely circulating them to the public, whenever such politicians are under heavy pressure, as the results of nagging critical issues.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

My 10 New Quick Predications About Politics In Kenya

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Kenyans,
It is that time again of the season and my 10th great grandfather Ragem has appeared to me with the following message;
“No Life can escape being blown about, by the winds of change and chance. And although you never know all the steps, you must learn to join the dance. My son, I empower you to reveal.”

And therefore straight to my predictions I go:

1. PNU affiliated MPs will table a motion to change standing orders and allow the president to appoint leader of Government business. ODM affiliated MPs will lose in opposing the motion to be voted on, but when the vote is done, the motion will not pass.

2. Contrary to current political temperatures, Ruto and Raila will remain in ODM, remain friends and learn to trust each other again.

3. Ocampo’s request to open investigations at the ICC will not be granted due to the evidence not reaching the thresh hold for such cases. Kiplagat will resign as the TJRC. Nothing will happen to the perpetrators of the PEV.

4. The Zamba Kitonga Team will complete its rewriting of the Draft Constitution, and hand it over to Parliament this Thursday. Parliament will pass the draft and okay it for the Referendum. At the referendum the yeas will have it.

5. Once the new constitution is gazetted, a new political dispensation will emerge. In fact it is already taking shape. Watch these characters very closely. Ababu Namwamba, Abdikadir Mohamed, Peter Kenneth, George Luchiri Wajackoyah, Omondi ‘Bunde’ Karoli, Heb Mosomi, Miguna Miguna, Nicholas Oyoo Ochieng, Amason Kingi & Jane Munga. These are our new young Turks. Watch them very closely.

6. As for our old guard, only Raila Odinga, Kalembe Ndile, William Ruto, Danson Buya Mungatana, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kalonzo Musyoka, Henry Kosgey, James Orengo, Charity Ngilu, Omingo Magara, Amos Kimunya, Musalia Mudavadi will remain relevant to the presidential race and surprisingly will be competing against the young Turks.

7. The National Accord & the Grand Coalition Government will collapse before the end of this year.

8. There will be a period of uncertainty and power vacuum following the collapse of the Grand Coalition Government. Once again speaker of the House, Kenneth Marende will save the day by acting as head of Government for 60 days. Contrary to the desire of his kitchen cabinet, Kibaki will not heed the call to run again for the presidency. Lucy will give the press conference.

9. Kenya is headed for a period of conspiracy theories between now and the time the Grand Coalition Government collapses. I could explain more here but desist to avoid creating panic in the nation.

10. Again there will be no outright winner in the next elections due to many alliances formed with no candidate getting 50% + 1 vote, leading to a run off of the top two candidates. There will be neither chaos nor violence however. When the dust settles, we will get a president who is of no surprise at all to many, and yet one who was thought of by the extremists as an impossible improbable possibility.

Now be careful not to call me mad, for when you visit Mathari, you see those inside the fence yelling at you with those words.

—
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?)

Ugandan government and CBS radio Station are in court, each demanding for compensation

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UGANDAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BUGANDA CBS RADIO MOVE TO THE HIGH COURT, EACH DEMANDING TO BE COMPENSATED FOR RIOTS, VIOLENCE AND DAMAGES TO PROPERTIES.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

The Ugandan government, through its Attorney General, has moved to the High Court in Kampala and filed counter claims against the CBS, Buganda Radio station, which it closed down in September last year, blaming it for having incited the population to riot.

The government now wants CBS, the Buganda kingdom radio mouthpiece, to pay compensation for inciting the public to rise against the lawful authority.

The paper filed by the Attorney General’s chambers on February 12, however, did not state the specific figure of the amount of money the government is demanding from the banned radio station.

In a counter-claim, the Attorney General said CBS should pay the government an “aggravated damages for inconveniences caused as a result of {SBS} unwarranted acts”.

The AG, according to the state owned NEWVISION, was responding to a legal suit by CBS staff, seeking damages from the government for closing down the radio station, and depriving them of their livelihood.

An earlier tough condition, set by the government for the CBs to meet, before it is reconsidered for re-opening, which included among other things, the withdrawal of all the court cases filed against the government by its workers, seemed to have hit the rocks. On Wednesday last week, a High Court Judge, Vincent Zehurikize adjourned the case to April 20, and requested lawyers for both sides to try and find an amicable solution for settlement out of court.

The state in its counter claims says, “CBS repeatedly allowed or permitted its broadcasting license to be used for mobilizing and inciting the public to commit violence, and to rebel against lawful authority.”

Referring to the September riots in several parts of Buganda, the Attorney General accused CBS of “sowing seeds of hatred and preaching social cohesion by promoting ethnic prejudice, which culminated into lawlessness and eruption and escalation of violence.”

The violence, according to the AG resulted into disruption of business, the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
He described the suit against the government by the CBS employees as “Frivolous and vexatious “, adding that it should be dismissed with the costs.

Defending the government’s decision in closing down of the CBS radio station, the AG said since September 2007, the station had repeatedly violated the Electronic Media Act and other laws by airing inflammatory statements against the government.

The AG noted that although there had been numerous complaints, the CBS radio station refused to comply with the laid down regulations.

“CBS has on many occasions admitted to being in breach of the standard broadcasting, but has not done much to ensure compliance by its staff.”

The AG defended the actions of the Broadcasting Council of Uganda, saying it was carrying out its obligations to enforce standards which apply to all broadcasters.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Kenya: New Tactics thugs are using to mug unsuspecting people

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From: Collins Odhiambo

Hi.
This could happen to anyone just as it happened to these people.
A friend had to go through this.

Yeterday afternoon I went through an experience, I would not wish any other person to go through. My younger brother was mugged at Baricho road, just behind the Nakumatt Uhuru highway Supermarket, at around 12 noon, by thugs who were pretending to be athletes jogging along that road. They stole his phone too, and used the same to call my elder brother, who incidentally had just parted with the younger one about 30 minutes earlier, and headed to Upper Hill.

The thugs scrolled through this stolen phone and noticed that the last call made was from his brother as he had saved it as brother. They called my elder brother, claiming to be policemen from Langata station and that my younger brother had been hit by a vehicle and had died instantly, and that they were on their way to City Morgue to drop his body there, so they wanted my elder brother to link up with them at a point along Uhuru Highway , near Bunyala Road, where they had parked their vehicle with the remains of my brother before proceeding to city mortury. (Please note..the notorious spot where the KQ pilot was mugged ).

Since they spoke with a lot of confidence, just like the police do, my brother could not suspected anything. So my bother called me and a few other people. We linked up so worried and sorrowful and with a lot of grieve ,knowing that that’s where everyone of us will pass through some day . We gathered at a point in Upper Hill to figure out our next move; either to go to the accident site and confirm or to join the said police where they had told my elder brother to meet them or just plan on the next move to take.

Just by sheer luck and God’s grace, and indeed a good coincidence, even before we could think of going to view the body and confirm as they had said, I got a call from a simu ya jamii number and it was my younger brother whom we had been told had been killed by the car accident. He said he was safe and that the muggers only took his phone .He was calling to inform us just in case we call and we don’t get him on his phone, we know he is just fine.

As you can imagine this was a huge relieve that not only confirmed that he was fine and alive but also that it was a planned plot by the muggers that somebody goes to the said Bunyala junction and of course get mugged or who knows…

I thought of the many other people who would be tricked this way and I thought we could play it safe by letting lots of people get to know of this trick being played in Nairobi. Anyone could easily fall for this trap and the more we forward this, the more people will know and avoid such tricks.

I also learnt some few lessons:

* Avoid saving in your phone books names as brother, sister, mom ,dad, wife, husband and the like. It gives them an edge should you loose your phone.

* Never rush to meet any stranger telling you to meet them, especially in risky places which you could easily identify as a risky.

* Always memorize at least two most important numbers which you can call from any other phone should something like this get hold of you.

* Always try and get means to alert people who are close to you once you loose your phone.

* Ensure to call atleast the two numbers and alert them that your phone is stolen and that you are safe incase such calls come their way.
* Finally do not resist if confronted by thugs. Especially if you are alone they might end up hurting you.

* Please forward to your friends too.

Tanzania: My Tax; My Vote; My Rights!

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Humans have anger as character trait. We are naturally stoked to anger either in defense of self, values, and dear ones; or even in defense of vanity or prejudice. Anger however creates a momentary blindness of the senses. The acts stemming out of anger can be catastrophic, to the victim as well as the victor.

We are angrier with respects to the idea of the self: my tribe, my religion, my area; and even my girl friend! (A property of some sort in certain cultures) I was cajoled into anger by the conduct of certain private school operators: they sent back my child on the first day of resumption of school: their reason being that I did not pay the new term’s school fees while the child was on vacation.

Following the line of my reasoning above, I got angry because my sense of dignity was shattered when my child was humiliated with a sack from school because his father did not pay school fees ‘when they were not due’! I know, from the operators’ point of view, it was pay before service.

It is not of interest to the reader what course of action I took: whether the case is now at Supreme Court awaiting judgment or not. Of interest is the fact that the primary anger against private school operators metamorphosed into secondary anger against the government that collects and eats our taxes.
Black men and women cannot claim any credit for the installation of Western- type of State and its governance system in their areas. The system was imposed as a result of the colonial, and resource exploitation relationships. That system introduced public schooling in order to produce those literate enough to run the bureaucracy necessary for modern governance. I am able to communicate with the reader in English language due to the influence of such publicly-funded education.

The public treasury was funded from taxes: both on citizens and on the cash crops that were sold in international markets. Later, crude oil achieved the dominance it has now over the funding of all the activities of Tanzania’s three-tiers of governments.

However, I, like numerous other citizens, have lost the benefits of being good citizens like our fathers enjoyed. My education, up to university level, was not a burden on my father. In real fact, while in the university, my then state government was paying me allowances for three meals a day; plus a hefty chunk to finance my clothing and other needs.

Today, if you cannot pay for your child, the colossal university registration fee, then he or she must simply accept that university education is beyond their reach. Going from Mwanza to Kigoma, enroute to Shinyanga recently, I saw the level of the dilapidation of the road network. As usual, as a citizen, you cannot ask why you are left to your own designs on things over which you have no control.

Many Tanzanians have lost their lives either due to accidents on pothole-ridden roads, or were slain by hired assassins, or killed by armed robbers; or are simply victims of elite politics- as is the case with the recurring religious and tribal conflicts. In all the aforementioned, neither the payment of tax, nor the casting of vote, will ensure for me a fairly equitable wellbeing.

Tanzanians believe that politicians can and do come to power whether they are voted into office or not. Political parties do not easily lose elections; what it means is that they are Lords unto the society they govern, because the security apparatus is rigged against the citizens: they should quell any disturbance no matter the source of its provocation; and in many cases, Courts are simply mazes, into which election petitions lose their steam and zeal; and ultimately fizzle out!

Tax payers should really have a say as to the use of their taxes. If they do not, then the tax collector is simply a robber. Even where the State relies on Minerals , like Tanzania, and many other Mineral-producing countries, the resource ought to be a collective commonwealth, rather than the exclusive preserve of the few in power.

It is not idealism to hold elected officials accountable for the use of resources. If they are not accountable, then they definitely are thieves. Tanzanians are however so much divided by ethnicity and religion, such that the marauding political, and sometimes military class, succeed in getting them to fight each other, while the society of robbers eat their loot unmolested.

My quandary: my vote does not guarantee me good governance; my tax does not ensure for me public services, in the form of public education, infrastructure, and security. So brothers and sisters, what should I do?

Yona Fares Maro
Dar es salaam
Tanzania

—
Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultant

DP, UGANDA’S OLDEST POLITICAL PARTY HOLDS ITS ANNUAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE

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UGANDA’S OLDEST POLITICAL PARTY, THE DP HOLDS ITS ANNUAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE AND CHOSES NORBERT MAO AS ITS NEW PRESIDENT GENERAL.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

THE democratic Party of Uganda {DP],the oldest political party in Uganda last Saturday held its annual delegates conference in Mbale Town.

The 1,500 strong delegates elected the 43 year old Norbert Mao from Gulu district as the party’s President General. Mao, a firebrand MP, beat his rival, the flamboyant and long serving Kampala Mayor, Nasser Sabaggala, by 387 votes margin.

The conference was held amid tight security, following the boycott by a section of members of the party’s National Executive Council.

Mao polled 708 votes, more than double his rival Sebaggala’s 321 votes of the 1,380 voting delegates, despite the Mayor having conducted an elaborate and expensive campaign. Sebaggala is believed to have footed the hotel accommodation bills and transport expenses for most of the delegates who stayed at Mt .Elgon Hotel, Mbale, the venue of the elections.

This now bring to an end, the previous belief that DP, which has the largest Catholic following in Uganda, was a Baganda party. All the previous leaders ever since the days of the late Benedict Kiwanuka, the founder President, have always come from Buganda region. Norbert Mao is the first person to break the jinx as he hails from Gulu in the North.

Established in 1954, DP has never ruled Uganda, except for a brief period between 1961 and 1962, when its founder President, Benedict Kiwanuka was a Prime Minister in an interim self-government that ushered in independence in October 1962. Kiwanuka’s DP was later defeated in the independence elections by a combined UPC/Kabaka Yekka coalition, which saw the late Apollo Miton Obote being sworn in as the first Executive Prime Minister, with the Kabaka of Buganda kingdom, the late Sir Edward Mutesa as the ceremonial President.

The returning officer, Peter Polly Mukibi declared nine votes spoiled and invalidated, while the rest of the delegates, estimated to be about 1,500, abstained from voting for some unknown reasons.

The DP conference was held amid protests by some members of the national executive council who claimed that the convener, Matia Nsubuga, is illegally holding the post of the party’s secretary general. The matter, the group argued, is before a court of law in Kampala.

After his election, Mao declared, “Today is the turning point. No more running around in circles because we have chosen a direction for the party.”

“The torch has been passed onto a new generation, born after Uganda’s independence. The ball is in our court and we are ready to propel the party to a leadership standard that Uganda needs in this modern world”.

Mao received a standing ovation, with jubilant delegates shouting “Obama, Obama, Mao and DP egumire {DP is strong}” .The shouting about Obama, the US President, meaning the time for change.”

Mao, 43, replaces John Ssebaana Kizito, 77. He will steer up DP together with equally youthful Mohamed Baswele Kazaala, the Mayor of Jinja Town, who was elected unopposed as the deputy national Vice Chairman.

Ssebaana sounded relieved to hand over the party leadership to a young and energetic leader. “I now formally announce the end of my national executive council duties, and hand over powers to the new leadership headed by Norbert Mao”, he proclaimed.

“All those who have been calling themselves chairmen and deputy secretary general are no more”. This was in reference those members of the executive council who had boycotted the election and stayed away.

“Mao is now the leader and official spokesperson of DP. I urge you all to become friends of each other and work together as a team, ahead of 2011”. Uganda goes to the poll in March next year.

Mao will be deputized by Masaka Municipality MP, John Baptist Kawanga, while Mayor Kazaala’s deputy is Evelyn Walimbwa.
The DP also picked up regional vice presidents as follow: Kawempe South MP, Ssebuliba Mutumba {Central Region}, Imam Mukumbi {Western Region}, Yusuf Mutembule {Eastern Region} and Santos Alima {Northern Regionb}.

Nsubuga was elected the party’s secretary-general unopposed. His deputy is Vincent Mayanja, an international journalist.
Other members on the national executive council are MP Issa Kakungwe {Treasurer], Agnes Mayanja {Deputy Treasurer], Mareku Lathemnoi {Publicity], and Kenneth Paul Kakande [deputy Publicity]. All are MPs.

Fred Mukasa Mbila, whose bid for the vice presidency post failed on a legality, secured the position of the party national legal adviser. Another Kampala lawyer, a former chairman of the Central Division branch, Charles Sserunjogi, is the new DP National Organising Secretary, with Suleiman Kadandal as his assistant organizing secretary.

Maxencia Takilambule trounced Kampala deputy Mayor, Florence Namayonga for the post of Women leader by 31 votes. Catherine Atim is the deputy Women leader, while Mary Goretti Wanyere is the secretary for women affairs.

Brenda Nabukenya was elected the youth leader, Moses Bigiriwa her his deputy, while Sam Mujizi Mulindwa is the youth secretary.

The voting exercises kicked-off at mid-day on Saturday, and went on throughout the night, ending on Sunday morning at 6.AM.

The moment the results were announced, the jubilant supporters carried Mr. Mao shoulder high, and danced while chanting party slogans, and shouts of “Mao our new Obama”.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

KENYA: HACKNEYED POLITICIANS ARE LOOSENING OUR CITIZENSHIP TIES AND UNDERMINING OUR PATRIOTISM

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Dear Sir/Madam,

Is it possible for one to profess love for one’s country and in the same vein hate its citizens with unlimited passion? Absurd as it may sound yet this is the paradox that is increasingly defining the relationship between the electorate and the many diabolical politicians. They are so stone cold to the fact the contempt with which they hold this country is threatening to loosen the ties of citizenship and greatly undermine our patriotism.

Hackneyed politicians are furiously and callously driving the country to a precipice. Sample this; honorable Zakayo Cheruiyot, is overheard in a political rally spewing incendiary remarks to the effect that “the Kalenjins will assist the police in apprehending those who will throw stones.” He only stops short of stating why and when this “turbulence” will take place. Yet the Government has not found it necessary to question him over his “prophetic message.”

In another related incident, honorable George Thuo alongside a section of the central Kenya legislators are overheard trashing the prospective meeting between the Prime Minister and President Mwai Kibaki. With such theatrics, the public is left wondering as to who exactly stands to gain if the high political temperatures are sustained in this country.

Curiously, the same legislators have been heard elsewhere opining that those currently fighting graft are engaged in a diversionary tactics to scuttle the constitution making process even though there isn’t any iota of evidence to remotely suggest an interconnectedness between the fight against corruption and the constitution making process.

As the above scenarios play out, the country is now being subjected to the conjecture that conspiracy theories to discredit targeted political personalities and political parties have started being manufactured. I have a hunch that the public will be fed to more and more of this political conspiracies.

From the above incidents, one does not need to be a professor of politics to be able to tell that unconscionable politicians are deliberately orchestrating a political disorientation. This political disorientation is a perfect smokescreen for this cabal to throw a protective ring around those implicated in graft. Secondly, they hope to use it as a reason enough to disembark from the Grand Coalition Government (GCG) and hope that President Kibaki will have the carte blanche to invite renegade ODM Legislators to form a Government of National Unity (GNU).

Such reasoning is childish because the GCG is not about an individual as these Legislators seem to think. GCG was conveniently put in place to accommodate the disenchantment of a larger part of the electorate arising out of a flawed electoral process. That is why the National Accord and Reconciliation Act succinctly states that no side of the two political parties (ODM and PNU) can realistically govern without the other. Neither can PNU nor ODM undergo a mutation to become an acceptable ruling party outside the GCG. It therefore follows that any attempt at prematurely disembarking from this political structure must inevitably give rise to a general election failure to which another politically instigated blood letting will be ushered in. This is the chilling reality that must be accepted by these conniving politicians.

Political leaders must therefore come to their senses and begin to appreciate the fact that the citizenship of this country needs and craves for better leadership. Such leadership cannot be demonstrated through their criss- crossing the country to hold political rallies with a view to spreading vile disinformation with overwhelming rhetorical force nor in manufacturing targeted political conspiracies.

TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA.
http://twitter.com/tomefrancis

Kenya: Joram responds to Kumekucha’s Tribalist Article

1 Reply

http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-have-big-pms-motorcade-but-do-i-say.html

Chris,

I agreed with your sentiments until you attacked the Nilotes and became tribalistic.

I thought the election of 44th President of the United States and Raila as the Prime Minister of Kenya by non-Nilotes ended this tribalistic big stereotype paint brush tendency.

Am I also hearing you saying that: -Luhyas are not leaders but shamba boys, housewives and watchmen? That Kikuyus are murderes, thieves and prostitutes? Kambas are only good in bed? That coast people are dumb and only know how to drink ‘kahawa thungu?’ That Kelenjins are not leaders but cattle rustlers?

If your point was that Raila blundered, and ended there, that would have been a fair criticism.

He did not do it because he is a Luo.

—
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

Kaka anene

5 Replies

An H.E.O. MAKIRI, ok an jasiasa, to ahero mana golo pacha e gik matimore.

Jokanyaanam, ti bende ase neno mogundho. E ndalo loch ker Moi, nee wan kod
bishop Kipsang Muge, nee en jal mohero adiera kaka nee en ng`at Ruoth
Jehova. Omiyo nee ok giwinjre kod ker. Chieng` moro nee owacho ni obiro dhi
e piny Okondo, mi Okondo nee omiye notice ni ka odhi kuro to ok nodog thurgi
ka ongima, jabishop nee owuok mar dhi limo jo Nyasaye modak thurgi Okondo to
adier nee ok odwogo ka ongima kaka ker bende nee ok giwinjre go, nee owach
ni Okondo ema nee onege.

E kinde ni bende wiya dwoka chien ema omiyo aparo wachno. Koro jokanyaanam
nitie otego ma ose tegi machielo ni jakom. Otege kod joka BIMBE. Ung`eyo
maber gima nee otimore bang` yiero mokadho, ji mang`eny nee otho e kanisa
Eldoret. Kata mana sani joka bimbe dwaro wuod holo okak (W Ruto) kaka di
tiek ngimane to jakom ema nyocha oume. Koro majogi gole kuom jakomni, ang`o
mabiro timore? Mit dipoka jogi ditiek ngimane? To kagi tieke, mit ka yuak di
kel kuom jakom kaka nee mar Okondo gi Bishop Muge?

Yawa kony uru wachni mapiyo kaka nyalore mondo gima chalo kama kik geng` ni
jakom chopo e olemo.

Ker Riaga O. kod jodongo duto gi Bishobe duto mag joka nyaanam bende uneno
ma? luong uru jakom ubed godo piny ulos kode mondo gidog gibed e achiel kod
bwana RUTO WILLIAM.