Kenya: The New Constitution is a People Mandate
Folks,
The New Constitution is People Mandated Program which commissioned the Government to facilitate its conclusiveness through the REFERENDUM PLATFORM.
Without the REFERENDUM going through, there will be no ELECTION.
There are those who support a facilitating Government Project MANDATED BY THE MAJORITY PUBLIC to be delivered to REFERENDUM for CLEARANCE by the MAJORITY VOTING "YES". And there are those who are against it the "New Constitution" from being delivered to the Public at Referendum, BECAUSE THEY FEAR LANDSLIDE SUPPORT for it by them lagging behind with their anticipated LESS VOTE COUNTS SUPPORT will not garner support to their disagreement in the opposing group, so those who do not want the Government Project succeed and be brought before the PUBLIC for CLEARANCE VOTE, fearing exposure of intimidating LOSS.
Courts Have No Mandate to Block People"s Public Program Mission of the "New Constitution" facilitated within the "Government Project". ICC too cannot intervene to stop the REFERENDUM from taking place. Election is then possible after the REFERENDUM being PASSED "YES" BY THE PUBLIC.
I therefore ask some of the "NO" Advocates, as well as those who keep dangling on the "Kadhi Court" with the "Abortion" issues to slow down. They are like those busy bodies chasing the wind. There is no amount of Law cooked or bribed from the Court, like the three Good-for-Nothing Judges who recently released statement of the "Illegality of the Kadhi Court" in the Constitution will not stop the wind of CHANGE which is blowing the "New Constitution" to the Referendum.
We all know that FEAR-FACTOR is the reason for the minority "NO" group because of the CHANGE coming with the "New Constitution" as follows:
1) Their acts of corruption and impunity is causing them un-controllable DIARRHEA
2) Their source and loopholes of looting from Kenyan Coffer will be sealed with the enforcement of New Constitution
3) Each and everyone will be entitled to Pay Taxes
4) Legal Justice will be fair for all
5) Stealing of people land including public land stolen will be recovered
6) Those who took INVESTORS MONEY pretending Public Utility and resources are individually or privately owned by them or public wealth belonged to their fathers are in to a rude shock.
7) There will be a clear-cut level playing field for business challenges and competition without discrimination
8) Good Constitutional Governance will be put in place with a functioning dependable Legal Justice Legal where cases will be concluded within a reasonable time frame
9) Security will be guaranteed to all People Public and Citizenry without discrimination
10) Unity and Love amongst Kenyans will prevail with the hope of Re-structuring a Better Kenya for all championing for an improved destiny for a better future.
11) Education will be available to all fairly without discrimination of Age or tribe or region
12) Millennium Development will finally include the marginalized and discriminated regions and Business will be an opportunity open to all Kenyans without discrimination
13) Opportunity to own Land will be accessible to all
14) Food will become plentiful enough to all with plan to store and search for more external markets
15) Public voices will be heard and treated with the concern it deserves
16) Civil Society including the Grassroots Local Community will become an immediate Government Partnership for Development and prosperity
17) People Public Mandate, Dignity and Virtue will be embodied and respected by the Legislatures, Judiciary, and the Government as the Three Arm of Governance
18) Health Education and information issues will be a provision accessible to all without discrimination
19) Women and Youth projects for development will be given prominence and recognition top on the list to jump-start the Economy
20) Protection and Boarder Security to protect Citizenry from invasion will be guaranteed
21) All land, Resources and public utilities and facilities stolen will be recovered
22) Kenyan Professionals Consultants will be engaged in both the Senior Most Government and the Ministerial Offices, not hand-picked
23) There will be hope for College graduates to get engaged and be hired by the Government
24) Environmental protection and preservation will be a responsibility for all Kenyans supervised by the Government
25) Public funding acquisition will be accountable with transparency to Public resource and facilities, offenders will be judged within the judicial courts accordingly
Non of the above itemized list above are presently recognized and not available for the People Public of Kenya presently, and I see no reason why Kenyans will not vote "YES" to Reinforce and make a Democratic Governance Work for their interest and by accommodating new system for CHANGE.
The "NO" folk should be considerate and stop dangling and floating in the air like kites attached to a thin string with no direction or, jumping like frog from to place place making croaking frustrating sounds. They should know, they are completely irrelevant but face reality for once.
Thank you people, and keep fire well lit on their bottom ! It is beginning to make some impact.
My question to those "NO" who want to stand for 2012 election, how will they be elected or go for election without election procedures and principles governing such and as well if they don't pass the "New Constitution" at the Referendum with a "YES". What do they fear? Are they not the dangling aimless balls without cover or protection. Are their eye-BALLS pooping out? Are they beginning to realize something they thought were wishful thinking ? Joseph Kipkorir, kwani, Raila amebeba shindano size gani unashikwa na bubuwazi pamoja na butterfly ......... kalia kiti sawa sawa, Raila haja beba shindano yoyote ...... yeye ni mkenya kama wengine, uwanja u wazi yeyote anae jisikia mwanamme tosha au mwanamke ajirushe uwanjani for Presidential seat, muamuzi ni kura, au vipi?? ..........
Cheers !
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Kenya AG steps up battle for kadhis’ courts
By JILLO KADIDA and PATRICK NZIOKA
Attorney General Amos Wako wants a speedy hearing of his appeal against the ruling which declared the kadhi courts illegal.
In a letter to the Registrar of the High Court, Mr Wako asked that the appeal be heard before the referendum on a new constitution scheduled for August 4.
“It will be prudent that a record of appeal be prepared and the appeal be heard before the referendum,” the AG said, “kindly but urgently supply us uncertified copies of the proceedings in this matter to enable us prepare a record of appeal”.
Administrators
The letter is signed by a Senior Principal Litigation Counsel, Mr A. O. Ombwayo. It is dated May 26.
The AG’s letter came as the government called a meeting of top provincial administrators in Nairobi from Friday.
The two-day meeting at the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) will be attended by all provincial commissioners, deputy provincial commissioners and district commissioners from across the country.
The meeting, whose agenda is still a highly guarded secret, comes a few weeks after another parley held in Mombasa for senior Administration Police officers. The APs work under the PCs and DCs.
On Thursday at the Office of the President at Harambee House, there was a meeting of top security officials, including heads of the military, police and security intelligence.
The meeting was hosted by Internal Security minister George Saitoti, but it was not clear whether it was a routine meeting or it had added significance because of the impending referendum.
Under fire
Meanwhile, the three Constitutional Court judges who delivered the controversial judgment and have continued to come under fire, were defended by lawyers who represented the church leaders in the case.
The lawyers called for an end to attacks on the Judiciary.
But opinion was divided on whether Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara was right in proposing a Motion of Censure in Parliament against judges Anyara Emukule, Roseline Wendoh and Joseph Nyamu.
Former Speaker Francis ole Kaparo said the motion was an affront on the principle of separation of powers and would undermine judicial independence.
But former Butere MP Martin Shikuku and Clerk to the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi felt the motion was in order.
The ruling seems to have split the Judiciary.
Many judges who talked to the Nation on condition of anonymity criticised their colleagues for making a ruling that opened the Judiciary to attacks on grounds that it was making political rulings.
A High Court judge said: “I don’t understand this decision. All I can say is that it is a reckless judgment.”
He asked why his colleagues gave such a ruling on a case that had been overtaken by events.
“They (the three judges) know how sensitive the issue is. This kadhi court never affected anyone apart from Muslims; this case is on Bomas Draft. How can they give a ruling on a case that has been overtaken by events?” asked the judge.
They were reacting to a decision by the three constitutional court judges, which not only declared the inclusion of kadhi courts in the constitution illegal, but also condemned use of public funds to support it.
The Judiciary has openly lobbied against a section of the proposed constitution, which will force all of them to be vetted afresh and those who do not pass muster sent home.
But speaking to Nation on Thursday, another judge said new constitution will make the Judiciary stronger, even though some judges will have to go.
Those who will survive the vetting will make for a stronger institution, he said.
Another High Court judge said they were also interested in the constitution review process and criticised attempts to derail it.
“We are interested in the constitution and any attempts by any of us to muddy the water is completely unacceptable,” said the judge.
He said the Judiciary, by its decision on the Njoya case, forced the 2005 referendum on Kenyans by refusing to liberally interpret the then section 47 of the constitution.
“It is that referendum that sowed the seed which eventually germinated into post-election violence. Any present attempt to use the same trick is going to be resisted by us.”
Independent
He said the Judiciary was slowly regaining public confidence, especially with the brave and independent rulings on election petitions, but now all that might go down the drain.
He said the ruling might be discussed at the next judges colloquium.
Another judge said it is only fair to challenge any decision that one is not happy with rather than condemn the judges for doing their work.
He said the three gave their interpretation of the law as they know it and it is wrong for the public, and especially lawyers who understand the law, to join the chorus of condemnation.
Another judge said it is wrong to condemn the entire Judiciary because of one decision by three judges.
He said as judges they cannot purport to dismiss one another’s judgments.
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--- Joseph Kipkorir wrote:
WHY IS THIS SELF-SEEKING MAN FORCING US TO VOTE ‘YES’?
He claims to be a democrat. Going by past and the recent developments in the Kenyan political field, Raila Odinga has not displayed anything close to this. His dictatorship tendencies have already been exhibited through his previous behaviour and the move he recently made against William Ruto and Charles Keter.If that is the democracy we are going to have under President Raila Odinga (God forbid), then the country is headed for Ruins. It’s worthy noting that going by his background, Raila has never been a democrat. He is a backstabber and ruined is the man who thinks he can make friends with Raila.All his life he has made it politically through oppressing, suppressing, shortchanging and taking advantage of people who help him.
After getting him deciding to support the draft constitution (through coercion by Americans-who have become his masters since Obama took over), Raila is now determined to not only push for the adoption of the constitution (which he knows that its not good for the country) but also ensure that his family and close relatives are the only beneficiaries in any political venture. Remember that after the death of Jaramogi (Raila’s father); Raila pushed his non-political brother Oburu to contest in the by-election in Bondo.its not intricate to tell that most of Raila’s relatives are the ones who occupy most parliamentary seats in Luo Nyanza after getting free nominations from Raila’s party. After the formation of the grand coalition government, Raila appointed his sister as an ambassador. He also appointed one Elkanah Odembo; a close relative to become an ambassador. He has up to date never considered people who sacrificed and campaigned for him. He has instead taken to bullying those people who helped him ascend to power. I personally worked so hard to mobilize Kenyans in Diaspora to support him when he contested for presidency in 2007 (sorry that the votes were stolen). Raila is very egotistical.
If the new constitution is passed, he is going to put his son to contest in Lang’ata .he is so self centered that he doesn’t even have the will of handing over the political mantle to other people’s children. It would have been a statesman like move if Raila at least nurtured an orphan, or son or a daughter of a peasant .After taking the political mantle from Jaramogi,he now wants to hand over to his son. Is Kenya a monarchy? It’s even known that his son, Fidel has officially joined Mungiki and has been seen walking around with Maina Njenga.as a way of adopting the Mungiki practices, Fidel no longer wears underwear. There must be a lot of things happening in this family. Do you remember the rolls of bhang that were found in Oburu Odinga’s car? The whole family seems to be converting to Mungiki!!
Raila has no moral authority to force us to us to adopt the American agenda through the new draft constitution. The constitution is a selfish tool for him to claim ownership of the review process. So far all leaders be it kibaki, raila himself, kalonzo, uhuru and Mudavadi have agreed that there are flaws in the draft. Why they want to force us to adopt it I don’t know. There must be very evil motives behind this!!!!!!! Kenyans must beware of Raila’s intentions.
When it comes to the referendum and the 2012 elections, Kenyans must make sober decisions otherwise if we vote for Raila; he will crown himself the King of Kenya and make Ida-his wife the queen and Fidel will be the prince and heir apparent. Kenya will never be a democracy again. Kenyans should also remember that Raila keeps on claiming that he has a heritage from the Nabongo Mumia; the former King of the Wanga kingdom. I will not fall prey to those tricks. I will vote _NO_.
Kenya: Is it Kadhi courts or Railaphobia is the problem ?
Kenyans,
Are we now realistic with the actions going on in Kenya today. Some have taken new constitution as a personal field to score all the early pains they had in their hearts. The green or red supporters have no basis for judging each other unless they study Kenyan history very carefully. To vote green or red without a thorough knowledge of history is on par with the carelessness of a doctor who prescribes medicine without taking time to understand the disease he is treating. Having observed my Fellow Kenyans on this new constitution debate, I have realised that our country have a lot of different elements: for example, Kenya has people who reject education, or any idea proposed, yet they are ignorant; there are also who oppose discipline(things like grabbing land), yet they are ambitious; people(politicians) who lack experience, yet they are outspoken- please do not depend on these fools. Does 24 years of being a Kenyan president makes some body experienced to be a good president?. Well if you are talking about Moi, I will definitely tell you NO,NO,NO. Moi sat on the throne for 24 years as a president without knowing what his subjects (Kenyan people) want. Is that normal?. I think it is insane.
The debate on the new constitution has also its`s healthy parts; putting Kadhi courts in a sovereign government`s constitution is not good or is it good?. The problem is not being against Muslims, or hating Islam. Muslims can practice their religion as much as the want, except let them leave the constitution alone or Kadhi courts would have existed as they do in the old constitution (10 mile coastal strip to cab the Germans, celebrities, rich people, tourists or Italians now dwelling in those areas). Those people have almost sold all the 10 mile of the coastal strip of land and are now having no place to practice kadhi courts hence they want it to be enlarged on the whole republic, what a joke?. Kenyans also have or should learn by now, that by putting people to work without adequate training destroys effectiveness and squanders enthusiasm and leads to failure. Do you agree with me that the PSC, the COE, the politicians have let Kenyans down?. We ordinary Kenyans have a bone to pick with our Mps, on the other hand the Mps also seems to have a bone to pick with each other, just like the Railaphobians. But the most important question is this; Is it already too late?.
What is important in life is this: a job which can be accomplished today should not be left for tomorrow.
Kenya lacks good leaders: The ever successful leaders are rare, and there have been very few in history. What is necessary is that leaders should have studied the art of leadership and paid attention to its rules; it is then that, with this wisdom tempered by courage and technical skill, even ordinarily talented leaders will increase our country`s chances of success. History have also shown that a competent leader can get efficient service from poor citizens, while on the contrary, an inept leader can and will demoralize the best. Kenyans are really highly educated and there are a lot of very highly talented Kenyans right now, but what do you see, where is the education skills Kenyans have gone to?. Kenyans have even invented a lot of good methods for example; how to charge even a mobile phone, how to generate energy cheaply, how to multiply fishes in the lakes we do have around, but no institutions to develop them to greater level. The behavior of Kenyans now towards this new constitution speaks a lot, it is a behaviour under the influence of unusual conditions. Studying this behavior seriously will certainly reveal Kenyans basic character: there are people who will vote yes just because Kenyans have waited for this constitution for a very long time (Moi messed us up), there some who will vote to tell the land grabbers that stealing is bad and should be punished. Some will vote for yes because the new constitution is better than the old one despite the Kadhi courts, powerful presidents, a lot of counties etc. But is this what people really wanted?. NO side are a bit pathetic, some just hate Raila, they did away with the prime ministers post but that did not hurt Raila enough, some now cling on the Kadhi courts, abortion, they do not care about a powerful president in the new constitution anymore. They do not even care about human life when talking about NO abortion. They just have a bone to pick with the draft, some have added secretly a clause, a coma, a full stop etc. but are not yet satisfied. So they just want to do away with all the billions of Kenyan shillings already spent on the draft, since Kenyans can still pay tax again and again what the hell?.
So fellow Kenyans; let us respect other people. Let us not have them do what you would not do. Vote with your brains open for the future, think what will happen tomorrow, will your vote bring good to your country or a continues pain Kenya have been feeling since independence?.
Paul Nyandoto
Kenya: The nation is accused of attempts to scuttle ICC probe
Folks,
The Referendum and ICC Probe must be completed as planned. They are part of the reason Kenya and Kenyans will see justice and stamp out corruption with impunity.
The Corrupt in Kenya are so stiff necked, they are such an obstructionist, they are dare-devil, they kill fellow human beings at will without reason, only to silence them.
We understand how much pressure they engaged the Leaders of African Union, we must light fire on their bottom so they can alight down and have a dialogue with the African People Publics who want CHANGE LIFE AND DEATH. Remember, fire will consume the LADDER FROM BELOW THEIR BOTTOM as they are stubbornly climbing higher in their corrupt quest and either they will be forced down by the pressure of fire or will climb faster in haste and jump through the higher floor level windows. Most likely, there are no options, but will have to fall with a that incurring heavy casualties, because Kenyan People Public are united and committed for CHANGE.
African Corrupt Nations have no way of getting support of Trade partnership with the rest of other European Nations for Global Social Enterpreneurship, if African Leaders are in LEAGUE with AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION where they decided to lock People African Nationals from gaining in the Global Corporate Trading Partnership, and because AFRICAN LEADERS ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF STEALING WITH THREATS OF KILLING from their Countries, WHILE THEY ARE DEALING AT PERSONAL AND PRIVATE LEVEL IN PUBLIC FUNDS AND UTILITIES in the dealing of Global Business.
This is the reason why they are blocking REFORM AGENDA from taking place. Say No to such African Leaders, Loud and Clear People !
The Leaders of African Union have equally failed the Tax-Payers People Public of Africa, and we as the People Public's Intercessors Spokes-Medium, in a united front, DEMANDS IN A CONSENSUS that the body of African Union Commission be FIRED from their being in LAXITY and failing to do what their PAY-MASTERS' mandate, demand and concerns. The African Union Representatives are seen to have enjoined and supported the interest of the Corrupt Leaders in a fields-day of easy free jamboree of looting, stealing, killings and jam-free corruption with impunity. This African Union Commission have no use for the African People Public, but an added pain and burden. The Chairman of the United Nations Mr. K-Moon must step up and hear and heed the call from African Diaspora Spokesperson.
We want him to step up and chart a Course of Action to safeguard the Interest of African People across National Boundaries, and help save Africa from Corruption and Impunity. This is the cause of POVERTY in AFRICA, we want to do away with.
We as African People, we want cure from POVERTY, so we must get to the root bottom of it and save Africa. The current fatigued and derailed mentality of African Leadership are the root cause of Africa's problems, and if they cannot deliver, they MUST QUIT ! No more extra time. They all must face LEGAL JUSTICE for their mis-conceived ideologies.
Therefore, ICC must go the route of the National Reform Agreement Agenda for Kenyans to be able to have their say at the REFERENDUM so election can be called to elect fresh THINKERS who can bring Kenya to the level of the kind of leadership they want. We all know that Kenya has been sold, and we cannot give more time to destroy Kenya completely. We want to save what can be SALVAGED, and the time is NOW. And we cannot afford to wait.
The truth that must be told is that, the K K K e.i. Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kalonzo Musyoka and former President Moi have a mission and that Kalonzo and Uhuru are in the "YES" in the day and the "NO" in the night. This is the reason Uhuru have REFUSED TO RELEASE FUNDS to provide for the REFERENDUM, and the reason why KALONZO is acting like a CHAMELEON, and why RUTO and MOI are the ring leaders spearheading for "NO". The fight is between the People Public who are the majority who want CHANGE and are the "YES" against those who do not want CHANGE are of the "NO".
So if ICC and the African Union Commission or the Umbrella body of the United Nations supports interests of the "NO" group, they should better quit those offices, because they will not be of service to the purpose of what bolstered them into existence. After-all a lot of money going to these Mission Offices and staff payments should be reversed to go back the People Public of Africa. These United Nations African Mission Offices are of no use or meaning to African Nationals since their creation, it is HARDCORE CORRUPTION AND IMPUNITY WHICH DROVE AFRICA TO POVERTY. So if they cannot join the majority, they better quit. Their services are completely irrelevant to the People Public of Africa.
Thanks,
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Kenya accused of attempts to scuttle ICC probe
BY BERNARD MOMANYI
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 – Fresh allegations have emerged that Kenya plans to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to defer investigations into the 2008 post election violence for at least one year, due to the ongoing political activities
Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara and some local human rights organisations claim the government has prepared a brief and dispatched its officials to Kampala, Uganda to meet ICC officials at the sidelines of a Rome Statute Review Conference that kicks off on Monday.
“The conference in Kampala should have been an opportunity for the Kenyan government to show its commitment. Instead of participating at the conference, we have now seen a leaked document reflecting the government’s position, which is to ask the ICC to defer investigations for at least one year,” Mr Imanyara said.
He alleged that the government was working closely with some ‘conservative African governments’ under the umbrella of the African Union to get the investigations in the Kenyan situation shelved.
“Parliament has not been informed of this, there has been no policy statement from the government on why this should be the case,” Mr Imanyara who addressed a joint press conference with officials of the International Centre for Police and Conflict (ICPC) said.
He said any attempt to undermine the ICC investigations posed a danger to the country’s future, particularly the 2012 general elections.
“That is why such attempts ought to be exposed, because we fully support the ICC investigations,” he said and termed the attempt as a scheme orchestrated by a section of government.
“This can not be a coalition government decision, it is something that is being done by some anti-reformists,” he said.
Ndung’u Wainaina of the ICPC said his organisation would do everything possible to ensure the ICC investigations are not halted.
“Accordingly, we are calling on the delegations to the ICC review conference in Kampala to dismiss with contempt it deserves, the maneuvers by the government of Kenya or the African Union to use the forum to obstruct the cause of international justice,” he said.
Mr Imanyara whose Motion on the establishment of a local tribunal is still pending in Parliament said they are also aware of the fact that there are already disagreements between the coalition parties on the proper representation at the Kampala conference.
It is understood representatives at the meeting will be drawn from the Attorney General’s office, Justice Ministry as well as coalition advisors of both President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
When he visited Kenya earlier this month, the ICC Prosecutor vowed to make Kenya an example in his investigations and subsequent prosecution of the leaders or government officials found to be most responsible for crimes committed in the country during the post election violence.
His investigators are already in the country seeking evidence to nail suspected masterminds of the deadly violence which claimed the lives of some 1500 people and displaced 500,000 more.
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Mr Ocampo has pledged to return back to Kenya in a few months to come, when he will visit areas which were worst hit by the violence, mainly in the Rift Valley Province.
Kenya: Ooh Sons of Abraham Jesus and Muhammad unite with the sons 0f Kenya Kibaki and Raila
By Macharia wa Gakuru
Kenya has many wives and whilst he has many sons and daughters two dominated his homestead. Kenya is promised by God, Nyasaye, Ngai or whatever each wife called their god, that in time, in the eastern part of Africa he is to become a great nation. His seeds will fill all the four corners of the earth and he is to be a refuge to many who will find rest and peace in his homes and with them he will rule the world. He is to become the father of promise- Eden. Kenya ever wondered how such a dream is to become true until now.
Then came a season and two sons of different mothers that dominated the Kenyan family. They are different in all their ways. They came from mothers who has different outlooks, different styles yet both sons want to make their father and family great. They both felt they are the promised sons of Kenya. Their name are Kibaki and Raila.
For almost eight years the Sons of Kenya have tried to play together but each time they play before Kenya they are rough and try to outsmart each other. Kibaki the older boy is canning and quite. He plays his cards next to his chest. His dad does not understand him. He does good things in the family but he talks very few words. He just does things in his way and lets people air their opinions. He is a sigh of liberty in Kenyas family. He keeps the rest of the family guessing. He wants to be beat Raila in all games
Raila is the loud and very active son. He is loved by his dad Kenya for being outspoken. His dad knows that he says what he means. He make a lot of mistakes but he means well. He is very organized and everyone listened to him even when he does not make sense. The children of Kenya loved him. He is a peoples man.
Suddenly there is a problem in Kenyas family. The difference in playground between the two sons of Kenya became a family issue that results in fighting each other sons included from Kenya wives. They are fighting for influence of their father- Kenya . It is a son from the family of Ghana called Kofi Annan who is to come to bring peace and reconciliation.
It now looks as though the two sons have grown wiser in their differences. They suddenly realized that they can achieve much when they work and played together and helping to organize the family of Kenya. They realized that they had the same vision and goals despite seeing things differently. Respect became part of their lives.
Kibaki open his heart more to Raila and Raila recognize that Kibaki is an elder brother so he respects him and consults him for advise. In a short time they have started to see prosperity and development in the family of Kenya. Everybody is much happier and despite a few complains they are all having enough to eat and make merry. Kenya keeps praying and giving special sacrifices to God to keep peace in his family. Then Kenya has a vision from his God.
An angel visits him in his dream. ‘Kenya’, God called ‘I want to keep my covenant with you. You will be a great nation. Good roads, Oil, honey and money will be a part of your family. But if this is to be achieved then you have to have fair rules and regulations – call it constitution to guide your people then my sons will never fight again, and if there is conflict it will be easy to settle. Set rules to resolve them. The wealth and power will be better distributed. Each of the children of Kenya will have access to land and those of your wives with few children – be it children of your wives Turkana Redille. Oromo, of Borana or pokomo they will be taken care of. These rules will take care of those of you who have taken the European way of unusual behaviors be it gay or issues of abortion.’
‘What about those of my children who worship God in different ways?’ asked Kenya
‘Because I have known you as a Christian and colonized by the English at one point these rules will be guided by English common laws which are based on Christian background. Therefore take care of minorities in all ways possible. Compromise these rules to make lives easier for everyone. If other people worship other Gods other than me do not condemn them give them room and provision for it. Protect every member of your family. Earth and all that is in it belongs to me’
Before Kenya woke up from his vision there were a few last words ‘for those of your children who live far away from Kenya and their children’s children, do not forget them. They are still Kenyans’. The angel disappeared.
The following morning Kenya gathered all in his family and shared his dream with all his family members. It was rear that Kenya called all his family members together. Just like any big family, family disagreements, internal fights and gossips were orders of the day
‘God said,’ Kenya started, ‘Let us make some rules to guide us as a dominant family. Nyasaye (God) promised that never again will there be another bloodshed in our homestead. For the sake of order even when these two die’, Kenya pointed his finger at Kibaki and Raila as everyone in the family nodded.
Raila looked at Kibaki and winked his eye – Kibaki thumbed Raila and the did a chest to chest greeting ‘Deal?’ asked Kibaki ‘ Yes deal’, replied Raila.
Kalonzo who most times tamed Raila for Kibaki was caught off guard by his big brother reaction to these new rules. As Kibaki looked behind him Kalonzo responded ‘ …… yes, yes’, hesitantly.
There was a boy who had always thought he was a leader in the Kenyan family. His name is Ruto. His mother has many children and therefore he thinks being one of the vocal ones in the family he commanded respect from his father. Therefore in the evening the same day he went to see his dad Kenya in his Boma to ask for more details regarding these new rules.
‘Dad’, asked Ruto ‘Yes my son what brings you to your dad at such an hour?’ asked Kenya. ‘You should be in bed’
Ruto replied, ‘I Love you dad as you know and you are very much aware I want to protect your land and wealth - why do you give equal rights to the children of the mothers of those who few children?. I reject your proposal dad. We need a fresh look at your proposal dad’ Ruto stormed out of the Boma angrily.
Ruto knew he has the support of a group of some of Kenya children who thinks themselves as being spiritual than anybody in Kenyan family. They are a part of Christian family believers of Jesus and the bible teachings. They are of the children of Sarah of Abraham. They are not happy that their step brother Ishmael who followed the teachings of Mohamed and Koran are well recognized by the new constitution. Both families were adopted by Kenya.
It is well after midnight and after a long night prayer ‘Kesha’ that some of the sons of Christ family decided to confront Kenya their dad
‘What brings you sons of most high God to see me deep in the night’, Asked Kenya
‘Dad its because you have protected the family of Ishmael that were born out a maid in our fathers homestead Abraham. You have protected them and ‘his local rules- Khadhi courts’ and left us the main family in the cold. You have not recognized us enough.’
Kenya looked at the sons of Christian family lead by Karanja. He is dismayed by the wisdom of people who should know better.
‘Son’, asked Kenya, ‘all I have is yours. The rules that are being made are based on your father Abraham and his God Jehovah. I have abandoned the gods of my people to worship your God despite you being adopting in our Kenyan family. Does it means then if we had a vote and my family agree with the new rules – constitution your God looses? Accommodate your young brother’s family – Mohamed and their ways. He does not affect you in any way. No system is perfect.’ Kenya banged the door and disappeared into his Boma for the night.
The next day, Kenya asked his family to vote for the new rule. Those who disagreed with their fathers proposal were in red. They ripened quickly and died but those who were in green remained so for ever. Kibaki and Raila has never been so united and Kenya became a very prosperous family thereafter.
Vote Katiba vote Kenya Mpya vote Kijani
Genesis 11:1-9 4
Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ 5The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6And the Lord said, ‘Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.’
KENYA: RUBBISHING HIGH COURT DECISION ON KADHI COURT IS A DISREGARD OF THE CONSTITUTION
It has been the talk of the town but not so official as it has displayed itself in the Kenyan constitution debate. Africans have absolute disrespect for the law. The Kenyan high court just made a decision. KADHI court is illegal and discriminatory. One would hope that Kenyans both ordinary and important would re-evaluate the courts decision and at least support the law even when it is unpopular. Oh no. that is not us. All we need is some guy telling us what is in the constitution/law and why we should all vote for it now or loose it forever. It is so urgent. All of us are going to die if we do not support the new constitution. What a rubbish/ a f.
Like they always brand us and I now concur, an African is corrupt through and through. An African does not know nor care what the f the law is. If Africans would obey the law just to a 50% level, we would be the richest/best continent in the world. Unfortunately that is not us. In the 21st century many of us cannot still investigate the truth and worse still many of us have absolutely no respect for the law.
As it played out, I could not help but cry. After the high court decision, Kibaki said " Tuendelee, nobody should divide us, lets proceed in that very same direction'. Meanwhile Raila said "This basically has confirmed what we've said ... that our courts are not independent. Our courts themselves are impediments to reform," . My goodness someone would expect something different from those who have fought for the independence of the judiciary. For the first time in my entire life have I seen the judiciary differ with the executive and those who have suffered at the hand of the executive appear to support the status quo. For the first time the judiciary had the balls to say no to the executive and instead of supporting an act of courage we vilified the judges.
Recently the supreme court in America made a decision on campaign finance that allowed organizations to spend as much as they wish to support candidates. Even though Obama, the most powerful man on earth disagreed, he did not advice that people should proceed as though the high court had not made a decision. He however, decided to go through the right channel by attempting to appeal the courts decision. While many legislatures condemned the decision, they never did anything to rubbish the decision. In fact they would risk jail time if they dare disrespect that decision. In comparison to Kenya, we are pathetic. For us the law is stupid and we are smarter than the law and yet without the law we will all perish.
We are perishing already. we are here supporting and making a vote on a constitution that the Attorney general himself did not read. I bet you many members of parliament have not read the constitution at all. The experts do not know the missing sections while the spelling errors have been discovered by one Omatata. What a mesh. I stand to accuse any intellectual who vote for this constitution because in my view, they are confirmed supporters of mediocrity.
It is time for us to demand thoroughness, the rule of law and respect for the law. The decision by the high court must be respected until it is appealed. This referendum should not continue until the high court decision is repealed. If Raila and Kibaki respect the law then we have to wait. If Kenyans respect the law then they should not proceed with the referendum. The law is an ass but the law is the common ground between me and any Kenyan citizen. Without respect for the law, we will all perish. Let the law be supreme. Do not proceed with the referendum until Amos Wako's appeal go through. THAT IS THE LAW!
Dr. Barack Otieno Abonyo
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Florida A and M University
1415 Martin Luther King Dr.
Tallahassee Fl, 32304
Tel:850-561-2553
850-339-4806
Kenya: Is Christianity losing faith in God???
Listening to most Christians argue the case against Kadhi Courts, one is left wondering whether the Christian teaching about God being able to fight our battles, take care of us and protect us is just mere good poetry in the Bible.
When as a practicing Christian I go combative over an issue where faith is concerned, do I need to go to battle over faith? I have seen even postings by some Christians about how Muslims will take over our country, that they are economically powerful, they will bribe our MPs (who are Christian) to vote in Sharia Law if we allow them an inch of Kadhi Courts in the KATIBA.
I am wondering if these are the Christians standing for their God, yet believe they cannot also rise up and be economically powerful (or at least their God cannot bless them with the same endowments), that their Christian brothers can actually be bribed to betray their religion?
Is it a case of confirming that Islam is steadfast in teaching against bribery, corruption and such to the extent that they do not fear their Muslim MPs can be bribed to vote out Kadhi Courts? Islam does not have a problem with abortion as such, confirming again that they teach morality and are comfortable with their adherents following the teachings on morality. Christians on the other hand worry about the way abortion will rise ten fold among their flock, have they lost the battle on teaching morality? Is the Christian Church still relevant or it has lost its place and time in our society?
Are we actually conceding that Christian teaching is having little effect on morality in society, and that even as we pray, we see no blessing such that it is only Muslims who are rising economically and able to tame their flock on matters of morality and we cannot?
If our Christian MPs can readily take bribes, should we blame Kadhi Courts or Muslims for that? If we are not making headway economically, is it Islam that impedes us?
Are we thus asking for equality on the basis of denying Muslims what they deserve because of our own inadequacies? I like the doctrine of Islam of being averse to profiteering, this is what has bred corruption and greed among our Christian brothers. I am reading about Islam just to get a glimpse of how they manage where our religion is failing miserably.
Otieno Sungu.
Juba-Southern Sudan.
Kenya: I yearn for Raila’s Presidency
From: JOSEPH NYONGESA
Yeah, l too thirsty for his leadership if he will make it. I do hope the torture good people went through will not be wasted. And those who seem to oppose this reform through constitution (Koigi excepted) have not suffered inhuman acts those who began this fight. I pray this man Raila takes the mantle of our beautiful country one day.
J.N.N.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Patrick Mbullo wrote:
For along time I have seen the reform battle being fought, I have also seen men stand firm or succumb to the forces against reform. One of the most admirable characters who has stood firm in this fight is The Prime Minister, Raila Amollo Odinga.
The fight for reforms is not something new to Kenya, when Jaramogi fell a part with Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1966 (we all know why), the seed for reforms was planted. Capable individuals such as Bildada Kagia, Gama Pinto, J. M Kariuki, and many others fought the fight and dared challenge the status quo, their dream and courage has kept the fire burning. After 1982 attempted coup, Raila and Many others carried the fight for reforms, some of whom were later detained without trial. Moi's Era was a nightmare for reformists and many suffered.
Despite all the intimidation, Raila has stood firm in his quest to liberate Kenyans. It is this quality in him that makes me to imagine how beautiful his presidency will be. I believe it will be a presidency full of equity and fairness in resource distribution, it will be a presidency under the pillars of truth, justice and accountability. In this presidency, corruption will be called a thing of the past. It is time for a green revolution in Kenya!
Oooh.. How I long for Raila's Presidency!
Patrick M
Kenya: of “graduate” thieves in a mat…
From: joseph nyongesa
By mat I don't mean mattress, much less a door mat. I mean our Kenyan matatus. I call them graduate thieves (or thieves who have graduated) because of the skill with which they go about their business.
They seem to be around three of four in number. This board a matatu and sit at strategic positions. Strategic position means next to the intended victim. Having done so, they commence with what brought them to Nairobi, namely pick pocketing, that is to pick from the pockets that are not their own. Having secured the contents of a few pockets, one of their number seemingly shouts to other to put on the seat belt because, “Kuna crackdown hapo mbele”. Then pandemonium breaks loose.
Passengers that is Kenyans who had not to that moment thought of seat belts are thrown into a confusion of sorts. They start scampering for seat belts and some even almost come to blows. It then emerges that only one seat belt is in proper condition-the one am using, oh how ingenious. As predicted, some passengers are so alarmed that they wish actually demand that the driver comes to a stop so they can alight. Which is understandable because who wants to spend the weekend in a police cell?
It is in this pandemonium that the graduate “ones” alight-to go celebrate the fruits of their ingenuity.
By the second stage, only a few of the original passengers remain having made up their mind for the worst and resigned themselves to it. Note that its only the second stage and the mat is three quarters empty! At the third stage, the Matatu is filled up with new passengers who will of course pay another full fare. That is where the owners of the matatu make their kill. It is then that you start hearing cries and groans. “oh my wallet! Oh my phone! Oh my Oh my….
The driver and taut are calm yet at the same trying to act surprised perhaps having known this all along. Just to set the records straight, I am a graduate but not one of the skilled "graduates".
cheers.
USA (Md), & Nigeria: ANAC Pledges Support For The “Nice Lace Project” Extends Hands To Former Members
from: anacweb
ANAC Monthly Newletter Update Visit WWW.ANACWEB.ORG For Full Story
1. ANAC Pledges Support for the Nice Lace Project and Extends an Olive Branch to all Former Members of ANAC
Largo, MD - May 27, 2010 - The ANAC Board of Trustees in its May 2010 meeting voted to support the "Nigerian Diaspora" initiative titled the "Nice Lace Project".
The Nice Lace Project is the acronym for "Nigeria Invasion of Literal Art Culture and Entertainment", as originally envisioned with the support of other Nigerian International Community organizations. ANAC Board of Trustees, at its May 2010 meeting, voted to support the goals of the Nice Lace Project. ANAC Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof. Martin Okafor appointed the national ANAC Committee Chair for the Literal Arts and Culture Committee, Mrs. Omolara Okunubi - Trustee ANAC California Chapter, as the ANAC representative to the Nice Lace Project. (For More on the Nice Lace Project please Visit www.nicelace.com)
2. The ANAC Board of Trustees voted to extend the terms of all Trustees whose terms will be expiring by the end of May 2010, as well as the term of the current elected officers, until the end of August 2010.
For Complete Story Please Visit WWW.ANACWEB.ORG
Martin Okafor
ANAC Chairman
David Ogunnaike
ANAC Vice Chairman
Colin I. Atobajeun
ANAC Sec. Gen
Peter Agho
ANAC Treasurer
CANADA & KENYA: PARENTS’ DILEMA OVER THEIR CHILDREN FACEBOOK USAGE
from People For Peace
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
Yesterday Police in British Columbia warned parents about high school parties aimed at luring girls as young as 12 into drinking and sex. RCMP in Chilliwack, east of Vancouver, told CTV British Columbia that high school boys have been using Facebook to set up what they are calling "LG Parties" – short for "Little Girl."
The boys do not only invite 12- and 13-year-old girls to come to the parties and ply them with alcohol in hopes it will lead to sexual acts according to the police report, many of these party invites are being sent via Facebook without the knowledge of the parents and teachers.
The boys use Facebbok to invite the girls because is the fastest way for word to spread among the teenage population. As one girl was quoted saying, what goes on at them is "mostly just drugs, sex and alcohol and then a lot of partying until they just drop" (a report from CTV British Columbia's Peter Grainger- May 28, 2010).
Boys give them alcohol and drugs so that they can lose sight of reality and the ability to function so that they can easily lure them to sex which according to the report girls seem to be enjoying.
While countries like Kenya Facebbok may not be of a big threat to our children, sexual exploitation of children between 12 to 16 years old along the coast and pornography is. Children as young as 9 years have already known to get access to pornography, either through computers, cell-phones.
Last week report that one primary school in Ndiwa district in South Nyanza, alone had 11 girls ages between 13 to 15 years pregnant can tell a lot. According to KBC reported (written by KNA May 16, 2010) cases of teenage pregnancies continue to rise day by day. Six of the affected girls in Ndere primary school in Kobodo division of the district have already dropped out of school while five others are still learning.
Despite the fact that area District Education Officer, Benjamin Mauko who told KNA that the Ministry of Education, the police and the provincial administration are working with the school's head teacher to ensure those responsible are brought to book, no arrest has been made since then.
The head teacher Moses Adoyo thinks if parents in the district are to work more closely with teachers they will curb the vice. Many head teachers like Adoyo had expressed similar idea, but instead pregnancies continue to increase alarmingly.
According to Mauko while confirming that when they carried out pregnancy tests eleven girls tested positive, one shocking report is that some of these girls did admit that apart from teachers most of the girls were being lured with money by their close relatives for sex.
While close relatives include cousins, uncles among others, the latest teenage pregnancy cases in Ndhiwa came hot on the heels of another one two months ago, where a 14-year-old girl gave birth to triplets. What a shame!
Yet still, Facebook is becoming more of a social nightmare, instead of network for many parents of young teens. Despite growing privacy concern most young people still use Facebook.
Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg (pictured above) at the age of 20 years-now he is 26 years and he is its chief executive. On Wednesday this week he became under heavy criticism over its privacy. Time and again, users have pushed back, complaining that some new feature or setting on the site violated their privacy.
Facebook is the fastest growing online users. It now has nearly 500 million users around the world. Despite the controversy, Facebook has raised more than $600 million since 2004. It explains why there are financial motives behind the company's moves.
This is not the first time Facebook has been accused of crossing the line over privacy issues. In 2008 and 2009 there have been similar accusations, yet still many people still use it. Out of 500 million users, 7 million live in the UK.
Apart from Facebook, parents have also the challenge of cell-phone users among their teenagers. Recent report that school administrators in Santa Fe, Texas, confiscated dozens of cell phones from students May this year after nude photos of two junior high girls began circulating is just one of such few cases.
The girls had sent the photos to their boyfriends, who forwarded them to others according to officials. This is not to mention a case in La Crosse, where a 17-year-old boy recently was charged with child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child and defamation for allegedly posting nude photos of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend on his MySpace page.
The girl had taken the pictures with her cell phone at her mother's home and e-mailed them to the boyfriend according to the authorities. It was about the same time that in Utah, a 16-year-old boy was charged with a felony for sending nude photos of himself over a cell phone to several girls.
This was again about the same time a central Ohio high school teen made a sexual cell phone video of himself and sent it to female classmates. One of the girls forward the Westerville South High School's video to at least 30 other people, while three girls ages 14 or 15 in Greensburg, Pa., were charged with disseminating child pornography for sexting their boyfriends.
Yet still, nearly one-sixth of teens who own cell phones have received nude or nearly nude images via text message from someone they know, according to a new survey on "sexting" from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. It found out that 15 percent of cell-phone-owning teens ages 12 to 17 had received nude or nearly nude photos by phone.
This is not to mention four percent of 12-year-olds reported sending sexually suggestive images by text message, while 8 percent of 17-year-olds reported texting nude or partially nude photos.
Even Yahoo which has built a collection of Web sites that serves more than 500 million people, doing business in more than 20 countries is no longer private. People can just hook your line and pass word and use it. Yet Yahoo is the No. 2 provider of search.
Yahoo came in second place after Facebook, with 490 million unique visitors, 31.8 percent of the world's Internet-connected population, and 70 billion page views. Next was Microsoft's Live.com, with 370 million unique visitors and 39 billion page views.
The most popular sites after Live.com were Wikipedia, MSN.com, Microsoft.com, Blogspot.com, Baidu.com, GG.com and Mozilla.com.
Founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo in 1994 while they were Stanford graduate students, Yahoo was at first a handmade directory of interesting Web sites. The site quickly evolved into the first and biggest Web portal. It offered pages on a range of topics, news, sports, music and so on.
It was shortly followed by Hotmail, a free web-based email service operated by Microsoft as part of its Windows Live group. It was founded by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith in 1996, formerly known as HoTMail. It was one of the first web-based e-mail for free services before it was subsequently acquired by Microsoft in 1997 for an estimated $400 million, and shortly after it was rebranded as "MSN Hotmail".
Although the current version, "Windows Live Hotmail", was officially announced in 2005 and released worldwide in 2007, like other online users Hotmail is also not a grantee for privacy.
Even the latest Gmail, a free advertising-supported webmail, POP3, and IMAP service provided by Google you cannot trust its privacy. Launched as an invitation-only beta release on April 1, 2004 and becoming available to the general public on February 7, 2007, as of December 2009[update], it Gmail had 176 million users monthly.
With an initial storage capacity offer of 1 GB per user, Gmail has not only significantly increased the webmail standard for free storage from the 2 to 4 MB its competitors offered at that time, most people are sifting from other e-mail users to Gmail given that it has search-oriented interface and a "conversation view" similar to an Internet forum.
Since the Gmail service currently provides more than 7450 MB of free storage, users can not only rent additional storage (shared between Picasa Web Albums, Google Dcks and Gmail) from 20 GB (US$5/year) to 16 TB (US$4096/year) but has also added support for SMS Messaging through its integrated Chat.
On April 3, 2010, Google announced a new two-pane layout designed specifically for the iPad. As such it advertises for mobile companies. This is because if you'd like to sign up for a Gmail address, you need to have a mobile phone that has text-messaging capabilities. So you will be forced to buy such mobiles.
The Gmail has also made it easier for those who cannot acquire mobiles since you can ask a friend if you can use his or her number to receive a code. One of the reasons it is offering this new way to sign up for Gmail is to help protect their users and combat abuse. No wonder why like Facebook some young people are slowly attracted to Gmail services. I am also on Gmail and those who want to reach me can do so at omolo.ouko@gmail.com
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
E-Mail news@ppa.or.ke
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website : www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya: Veteran Kenya broadcaster Msalame dies …. TOO MUCH, THIS MUST STOP !
Folks,
My speculative question does not come out of space, the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. Something is not right with this new trend of deathing reports people, something is seriously cooking and we need to change the way we look at these deaths reportings......"The Way of The Deading Does not seem Right".........Why now, why now people ! Tho ! let us find the reason to these too common-place sudden death which now has become toll order death in Media Reporting for those IMPORTANT PEOPLE who are in one way or the other once help senior most positions in the Government or Civil Society network. Is someone trying to hide or conceal some information they fear could be unearthed that these targeted for deading from Chest Pain. And now I am compelled to ask why Chest Pain is now toooo Common with every death we read. The Senior CID, Former MP for Mombasa Mr. Kiliku, Msalame, who will be next? Can we keep all ears and eyes telescopic MACHO !
Sad to say. ......Are these the scare tactics associated to SCUTTLE and BLOCK the Referendum from taking place? or are they meant to Silence or destroy evidence? Is this not GENOCIDE tactics and cruelty to Human Rights to enjoy sanctity of life? Can these cases be investigated so the truth be known? There are serious concern that require urgent answers......
This unfolding scenarios does not seem natural, why, when the heat to Referendum is getting stiffer by the day against the "NO", funny and sudden deaths associated to Chest Pain becomes too common-place. Can people begin to talk? We hope this trend will stop for a while so we can concentrate with extremely important issues. I am becoming uncomfortable.......Are these some of the acts put in place to destroy all evidence. Why are the Security Team not doing anything about investigating this associate Chest Pain? Is someone trying to instill fear and destroy evidence?
This........Must........Stop........NOW ! ....... WE DEMAND NVESTIGATIONS DONE IN A HURRY...
Thanks,
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
Veteran Kenya broadcaster Msalame dies
By NATION Reporter
Veteran Kenya broadcaster Tony Msalame died early Friday morning after a short illness.
Mr Msalame complained of chest pains before suddenly collapsing at his Mombasa home.
He was rushed to Pandya Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body was removed to the Pandya Mortuary.
Popular show
Mr Msalame will be remembered for his popular show, sheki legi (shake your leg) that aired at Metro FM on weekends.
He left Metro FM in 2005 to start his own radio station, Sheki FM, that broadcasts in the coastal town.
Mr Msalame's death comes a week after another long time journalist and former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation's (KBC) board of directors chairman James Kangwana passed on last Tuesday at the Langata hospital, Nairobi.
TANZANIA: NYERERE’S VISION STILL LIVES WITH US
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY JOSEPH ADERO NGALA
ARUSHA-TANZANIA
Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela acknowledges that even after former President of the Republic of Tanzania and founder Julius Kambarage Nyerere had stepped down from public office in his own country, we still benefit from his leadership and wise counsel, in pursuit of development, peace and justice not only in our countries, our region and our continent, but throughout the world.
As the Africa wise men say, when elders sit under a tree there must be a new good thing coming on the way. This happened recently in Arusha, Tanzania when a team of experts gathered for a workshop that brought a number of renowned writers, professors, lecturers and human right activists from Rwanda, Kenya Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania.
The deliberation took three days from May 6 -8 at Kibo hotel place. The workshop was convened pursuant to the East Africa Calendar of Activities covering January-June 2010. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a research Agenda for the Centre through a consultative and collaborative approach.
The think tank discussed and generated consensus amongst the participants on the general direction of the policy-oriented research; determine research topic /focal areas under three thematic areas; and determine a set of research questions for the different research topics.
The Deputy Secretary General Political Federation Hon Beatrice Kiraso in her opening remarks welcomed the participants drowned from the East African countries. In her maiden speech she informed the workshops participants that the vision of East Africa Community is to have a peaceful, secure and politically united East Africa.
She noted further that the Treaty underscores peace and security as pre-requisites to social and economic development within East Africa community and vital to the achievement of the objective of the community.
She underlined the importance and relevance of peace and stability to all the four stages of integration and emphasized that without peace and stability, all the remarkable achievements of regional integration cannot be sustained.
Kiraso informed the workshop that the overall objective of Nyerere centre for Peace Research (NCPR) is to provide the East African Community with relevant and timely research, training and information that contribute to deepening and widening of integration in areas of Peace and security, good Governance and foreign policy coordination.
She made it very clear that the centre will carry out its mandate through empirical and policy-oriented research and capacity building in key areas that will enhance deepening and widening of the East Africa Community integration in general and peace and security, good governance and common foreign policy pursuits in particular.
The author was one of the experts attending the workshops. During the discussion there were a number of debates that generated issues raised from cattle’s rustling, transport, child soldiers, prostitution, war lords, constitution reviews.
Present were among eminent professor Makumi Mwagiru, the guru of peace and security from the University of Nairobi, Professor Beregu from St Augustine University, and a well known Kenyan Professor Gilbert Khadiagala who chaired the meeting.
The Nyerere Centre for Peace Research started as a joint effort of the East African Community (EAC) and Arcadia University that provides an academic resource to the member states of EAC. Engaging in policy research and analysis, data collection and training, the centre supports decision makers, civil society organizations and the community whose aim is to build capacity and promote the peaceful settlement of conflict in the region.
The Nyerere Centre for Peace Research is located at the site of the EAC Headquarters in Arusha. Housed in the Princes Margaret of the former State House Compound (barara ya afrika Masharitiki) the centre will preserve and celebrate the heritage of this site and draw on the distinct cultures of Eastern Africa as a means to promote peace.
Julius Kabarage Nyerere was born on April 13, 1922 in Butiama, Tanganyika, to local Zanaki Chief. Nyerere Burito. At age of 12 he began his education at the Government Primary School in Musoma, walking 26 miles each day to attend classes.
He completed his schooling in a year early. He was then transferred to the Tabora Boys government Secondary School in 1943 he moved on to Makerere university for certificate in education, and then returned to Tabora to teach at St Mary’s Mission school. In 1949 he became the first Tanganyika to study in Britain when he obtained a Masters of Arts in history and economics at the University of Edinburgh.
On his return to Tanganyika, he took a teaching position at St Francis College in Dar-es-salaam, where in 1954 he developed the Tanganyika Africa national union (TANU) which grouped together nationalist factions towards an agenda of independence and self-reliance for the country.
Nyerere then entered the colonial legislative council in 1958 and in 1961.Tanganyika was granted self-governance and Nyerere was elected its Prime minister. When Tanganyika received full independence in 1962, Nyerere was elected president, a post he held until his retirement in 1985.
During his political career, Nyerere grew to become one of the most respected and beloved African leaders through his messages of peace, Unity and liberation for the Africa people. He was instrumental in the creation of the organization of Africa unity (OAU) and acted as the keystone of several liberation moments across the continent as well as the union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika to form the united republic of Tanzania. His work continued beyond his retirement, acting as the chair of the intergovernmental south centre and a mediator in Burundi. He died on October 14, 1999, in London.
The workshop was organized by Pamela Atakunda and Ethel Sirengo. At the end of the workshop the way forward was reached -that East Africa community to strengthen the human resource capacity of NCPR in order to be able to undertake the proposed research activities; resource mobilization to effectively implement the research activities; have a timeframe for the research activities and updates the existing database of research institutions and individual researchers.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
E-Mail news@ppa.or.ke
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website : www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya: South Mugirango By elections on national grid
From: Joseph Lister Nyaringo
The people of South Mugirango should avoid being dragged into succession and referendum politics when they go to the polls in June to elect their next leader after the nullification of the election of the then MP and Trade assistant minister Omingo Magara.
Voters must focus on the qualities of the candidates before they cast their votes and not be swayed by the charged political climate in the Country. After all, they’re electing an MP to address the myriad problems they face in the grassroots and not the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Despite the fact that clan politics takes centre stage during political campaigns in Gusiiland, It’s imperative for the voters to disregard it because it has thwarted civil unity in the Community. They should remember that, whether a candidate is from, Bosinange, Bogetenga or Botabori, they are all citizens of Kenya, and should be voted based on their values and character.
The MP should be a person who will articulate the people’s interests, aspirations, as well as standing up for the common good of the Abagusii and the entire nation. These are the qualities of a leader who has the desire for public service hence, to address common problems in the constituency related to: education, agriculture, the standard of living and infrastructure.
Being induced by cash handouts to influence one’s vote has robbed the Abagusii community off good leaders whom despite having the qualities to be MP are never elected because they don’t bribe the voters. If a candidate buys you a bar soap with no leadership qualities, he doesn’t deserve your vote. After all, this one time inducement should not make you spoil your vote because it can’t change your life, community or nation.
The by election has attracted countrywide attention because of the former MP’s position in ODM party and therefore, leaders like Uhuru, Ruto and the Vice President who augur presidential ambitions want to capitalize on it to expand their political network through Mr. Magara. Don’t vote because Uhuru, Kalonzo, Obure or Ongeri has said so.
You should not be influenced by self seekers who have not satisfied their own constituents. They don’t love the people of South Mugirango but want to use them as specimens in a chemical lab to settle political scores to a well known opponent in their quest for the Presidency. Cast your vote based on your conviction and conscience.
The voters need to avoid all acts of lawlessness during the campaigns. Being treated to the theatrics of a referendum and a by election, is likely to heighten political temperatures on the ground. It will be unfair to injure, insult, curse or provoke some one just because of supporting a different candidate. Upholding a democratic culture that accommodates the political views of others is the best way to go in a modern society.
Remember, you are not looking for an omniscient MP, but one who will listen to all people irrespective of their standing in life with humbleness; showing humility tamped with honest, integrity, selflessness and human love. Above all the MP you are looking should be a person who will conduct the affairs of the constituency with transparency and accountability while upholding servant leadership through dedication, hard work and commitment.
Finally, if voters in South Mugirango consider these factors before they go to the polls, they stand a good chance of electing a good Member of Parliament. These also apply to other constituencies in the Country with impending by elections like: Matuga, Juja and even Kamkunji, should a by election be declared after the awaited court ruling.
Kenya: KADHI COURTS – - MUSLIM INSTITUTIONS
From: sang kip
Millicent:
Kadhi Courts will litigate Muslim cases only. Muslims refers to members of the Islam religion. You lie when you say Kadhi Courts are not religious.
By the way no Christian is opposed to establishment of Kadhi Courts by Muslims for their religious sake but we are opposed to having it entrenched in a constitution written for a country that has diverse religious groups.
When Christians are depicted as intolerant for saying NO to Kadhi Courts in the constitution the country is misled. Christians has never and will never be intolerant to other religions. In fact it is Islam that has a rich record of intolerance. Many Christians are languishing in jails in Burma, Iran, Iraq and no one can profess Christianity openly in Saudi Arabia today. Go to Somalia today and say you are a Christian and you will never live to witness what will follow thereafter.
One Ayaan Hirsi Ali [former Muslim] in her book Nomad has exposed how Islam persecutes people of other faiths and women. We see intolerance in Jihad where religious zealots are fighting to force non-Muslims to convert to Islam. Now those Jihadists fight for a god they say is merciful. How come Allah is merciful yet his followers are brutally intolerant?!
Calling Christians intolerant is uncalled for. What Christians are saying is that all religions should be equal before the supreme law of the land. Let the Muslims have their Kadhi Courts out of the constitution. Tanzania has Kadhi Courts out of the national constitution. What is so unique in Kenya such that Kadhi Courts should be entrenched in the national constitution?
If what Christians are calling for is intolerance then the word intolerance has lost its true meaning.
Kenya: Kadhi Courts Ruling and Satanic Verses are In-House_Arrangements of the Most Powerful
Folks,
After Kibaki Meeting with former President Moi, Mr. Big "NO" Chief Obstructionist to The New Constitution, we can see the wind of change of heart blowing with activities that clearly shows. "Justice Delayed, is Justice denied" they are diverging from heading to the REFERENDUM just like Moi said, "There Will be Blood Shed at Referendum". So he mean it? Moi has authority and power to change the course of "REFERENDUM", knowing in a clear clean vote at Referendum ground, between "YES" and "NO" Moi with Cartels fear to loose.
We are all worried. WE URGENTLY NEED THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LEADERS TO STEP IN AND HELP KENYANS. THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. THERE IS FEAR EVERYWHERE AND KENYA IS HEADED TO DESTRUCTION. In Plain Language, Kenya is going to Libya, the biggest bidder and buyer.
Also, as you see the trend of things and the change of heart in Wako, something was cooking and there is only one powerful person who could have ordered the alteration to the draft constitution, and equally who is making these big changes. It is the same man with powers to appoint Attorney General and National Intelligence State Security. Neither the Attorney General nor the NISS has the power to alter anything unless ordered to do so by their appointing bosses who is KIBAKI / MOI, the one wielding power.
That same appointing boss is fooling the world that he is pro-reform while in fact both Cardinal Njue and Cannon Karanja are fully behind the NO campaign on his behalf! He too cannot and will not allow Uhuru Kenyatta to release the money for the education of the civil society on the referendum. See last statement from Kibaki at the end. It is beyond him and he leaves the matter to GOD.
Impunity is indeed fighting back hard, and Kenya is going people.
Kofi Annan Team of Eminent leaders are being shoved away, African Union are doing nothing when Kalonzo at African Union meeting recently from Iran, came back boastfully, knowing they had charted a deal to kick Gracia Machel out of the African Union as part of the Team of Kofi Annan, this is un-acceptable. People, we must engage African Union members, they are serving personal interest at Tax-Payers expense. We are paying leaders to sell us out and take us to make-shift concentration camps because East Africa has been sold completely to Libya, no wonder Kalonzo went to represent Kenya to participate in Al-Bashirs re-election. Al-Bashir is a wanted man at the ICC and this shows they have a common deal to destroy us people. Are we going to sit and watch??????
Sad to say.........
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Wako wants Kadhi court ruling quashed before referendum
By Evelyn Kwamboka
Attorney General Amos Wako wants an appeal challenging the High Court’s decision declaring Kadhi Courts unconstitutional heard before the referendum.
Wako has written to the High Court registrar seeking to be supplied with uncertified copies of the proceedings to enable him prepare the appeal.
"Kindly but urgently supply us uncertified copies of proceedings in this matter to enable us prepare a record of appeal. It will be prudent that a record of appeal be prepared and the appeal heard before the referendum," he said.
The letter is dated May 26 and signed on his behalf by Senior Principal Litigation counsel, Mr Anthony Ombwayo.
The letter comes barely 24 hours after Wako filed a notice to appeal against the controversial judgment that has generated heated debate in the country.
In the judgment, Justice Joseph Nyamu, Roselyne Wendoh and Anyara Emukule declared Kadhi Courts illegal under the current constitution.
They also declared that the financial maintenance and support of Kadhi Courts from public coffers amounts to segregation, is sectarian, discriminatory, unjust and amounts to elevation of one religion against others.
The judges ruled that entrenching Kadhi courts in the constitution is contrary to the principle of separation of State and religion. They argued that it is contrary to the universal norms and principles of liberty and freedom of religion envisaged under the constitution.
Lawyer Harun Ndubi of HAKI Focus said there is need for the AG to make an application before Court of Appeal, seeking interim orders stopping execution of the judgment.
He said this is because the declarations by the three judges have put some of the cases pending before the Kadhi Courts in limbo.
"The cases are in limbo because if Chief Justice Evan Gicheru decides not to give the courts space, it would be difficult for them to operate," he said.
Ndubi pointed out that the order on financial maintenance and support of the courts using public coffers would paralyse the courts' operations if the Judiciary stops the funding.
The Judiciary might stop the funding to avoid queries from the Auditor General’s office based on the May 24 judgment.
Kadhi Courts deals with matters of marriage, inheritance, divorce and personal status for consenting Muslims only.
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Judges in the dock over Kadhi Courts
By Athman Amran, Cyrus Ombati and Harold Ayodo
The storm ignited by a court ruling Kadhis’ Courts are illegal has put the Judiciary in the dock of public opinion and made judges subject of upcoming debate in Parliament.
It has also brought into sharp focus Justice Joseph Nyamu who was among those who wrote the High Court’s judgement for a case that started in 2004, despite his having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Already the Attorney General who is the Government Legal Advisor has filed formal notice he would appeal against the ruling that has excited the ‘No’ camp, infuriated the ‘Yes’ side and elated Churches opposed to clauses on Kadhi courts in the Proposed Constitution.
The ruling on a suit by Christian clerics who opposed inclusion of the courts in the Constitution also focused attention on the division of the High Court that deals with constitutional issues. The division is called Constitutional and Judicial Review Division. It deals with suits against the Government and issues that deal with interpretation of the law.
This is the court division, that in a judgment read by Nyamu in 2008, gave an order seeking to temporarily shield the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) under Mr Samuel Kivuitu from disbandment by a resolution of Parliament.
Formal notice
Kivuitu’s team was then under attack over the 2007 election mess and violence set off by the electoral dispute. Today, President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will hold a joint Parliamentary Group meeting to discuss the threat posed by the ruling by Justices Anyara Emukule, Roselyn Wendoh and Nyamu to the Proposed Constitution, which they officially support.
Wendoh and Emukule are members of the court division.
Raila and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka are out of the country but Kibaki is expected in the meeting at Kenyatta International Conference Centre alongside ‘Yes’ team heavyweights in Cabinet, including Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Mr Henry Kosgei, Mr Mutula Kilonzo, Mr Kiraitu Murungi and Prof George Saitoti.
Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara revealed he filed a Motion for the House to discuss the ‘conduct’ of the three Judges and review the rulings they have made before Monday’s that inclusion of Kadhis’ Courts in the Constitution discriminated against non-Islamic faiths.
"I have filed a formal notice to have the conduct of the judges discussed in the National Assembly," Imanyara revealed during a Press conference at Parliament Buildings.
Among issues Imanyara wants discussed is why the judges delayed giving judgement on the case, which was concluded over 14 months ago, and only released it this week, two months to the referendum on the Proposed Constitution.
He also urges the President to appoint a tribunal under section 62 of the Constitution to investigate the conduct of Justices Emukule, Wendoh and Nyamu.
He wants the matter discussed as soon as Parliament resumes its sittings next month. He said he would ask fellow MPs to review the "trend of judgments" made by the three judges in the past to see if they have been "unfair, biased or unpatriotic".
An MP has filed a Motion in Parliament to debate the conduct of the three judges and has urged the President to appoint a tribunal under section 62 of the Constitution to investigate the conduct of Justices Nyamu, Wendoh and Emukule.
"The Judges should explain why they chose this particular time to give the judgement. Was the intention to sway public opinion in favour of the ‘No’ camp?" Imanyara asked.
He also wants Parliament to discuss the constitutionality of Justice Nyamu’s presiding role over a judgement in a High Court when he was promoted to the Court of Appeal.
There were also reports the country’s top security chiefs are set to meet today to among other things discuss the impact of the ruling.
Sources revealed there was a general feeling among the security chiefs the judgement was weighty and had a national security implication.
Matter of security
The meeting was first scheduled for Tuesday at the Office of the President, but according to the sources it was pushed to today to allow the security chiefs "to gauge the mood of the country".
"You know what it means to touch on the Kadhi courts in this country and especially at this time of constitution-making. It is a security issue," said a senior Government official.
Among those expected at today’s meeting are Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia, Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere, Director of National Security Intelligence Service Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi and Vice-Chief of General Staff Gen Julius Karangi.
Saitoti, who is the Internal Security Minister, is also expected. The officials are expected to review the security situation and brief the President.
Imanyara argued courts are not supposed to give orders in vain and wondered why judges went ahead with their ruling with knowledge their judgement would not effect any changes in Constitution.
"All the three judges were Christians yet they sat without any Muslim judge and gave a ruling on a matter that only affects Muslims thus giving a Christian perspective," he argued.
"The proceedings were completed more than a year ago. The case was completed when Nyamu was still a High Court Judge. There was nowhere the case was listed for hearing since he was promoted," Imanyara said.
Parliament would also question the legal basis on which the judges were "questioning constitutionality of a provision in the Constitution".
"When they say a unconstitutional provision is unconstitutional, what Constitution do they have to measure against the current Constitution?" Imanyara, also a lawyer, asked.
"It was an inspired piece of political activism disguised as judicial wisdom. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land so Justice Nyamu and his two colleagues must tell us whether they have a secret Constitution that they referred to," he said.
The Constitutional and Judicial Review Division deals with suits against the Government and issues on interpretation of the law.
The judgement on ECK read by Nyamu gave orders restricting AG and Parliament from undertaking any executive or legislative process to disband the ECK.
Speaker Kenneth Marende dismissed the ruling saying the Judiciary had no powers to silence Parliament. He argued the principle of separation of powers did not allow the Judiciary to interfere with the Legislature, which has law-making capacity while Chief Justice Evan Gicheru argued the Judiciary had powers to rule on any matter.
Court of Appeal
The powers of judges sitting in the division have also been subject of decisions by the Court of Appeal — the highest court in the country. In 2006, Court of Appeal Judges Riaga Omolo, Samuel Bosire and Onyango Otieno took issue with a ruling made by Justice Nyamu, who then headed the division. They said they wanted to set the record straight on the division Nyamu called "the Constitutional Court"
They were ruling on an appeal filed against a ruling delivered by Justice Nyamu on case No1382 of 2003 involving Peter Ng’ang’a Muiruri and Credit Bank Limited. The ruling is available on the Kenya law reports website.
They said Nyamu assumed he was sitting in a court that had supervisory powers over all other courts. "Justice Nyamu’s decision was based on the mistaken belief that the Constitution created a Constitutional Court with supervisory powers over other courts," the judges said in their ruling.
They also said "the Constitutional Court" was non-existent saying the Constitution established the High Court, Magistrate, Kadhis’ and Court Martial. "It is our view that Justice Nyamu considered this issue to give him opportunity of answering his critics and popularise his view and powers of his jurisdiction," they ruled. "The law is not on his side,’’ they concluded.
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Why Africa still lags behind
By KOFI ANNAN
Posted Wednesday, May 26 2010 at 18:09
This is an important year for Africa. The World Cup is putting the continent at the centre of global attention.
Its strengths and frailties will be under greater international scrutiny than ever before. What will the story be? Our economies are proving their resilience. After major difficulties in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis, economic recovery is underway, contrasting with gloom elsewhere in the world.
The African Development Bank and IMF foresee GDP growth rates of around five per cent by the end of the year. Trade is growing too, both within Africa and with partners, including the global South. Africa–China trade has multiplied more than tenfold in the last decade.
Barely a week goes by without reports of the discovery of more oil, gas, precious minerals or other resources somewhere on the continent. The value of Africa’s resources is increasing and business activity is increasing. Climate change is drawing attention to the vast potential of its renewable energy supplies, including hydro, thermal, wind and solar power.
In short, Africa’s stock is rising. Then why are so many people still trapped in poverty? Why is progress on achievement of the Millennium Development Goals so slow and uneven? Why are so many women marginalised and disenfranchised? Why is inequality increasing? And why so much insecurity?
The good news is that access to basic services such as energy, clean water, healthcare and education has improved in many parts of the continent. But it is still denied to hundreds of millions of women, men and children. In trying to provide the answers to these difficult questions, one must be wary of generalisations.
Africa is not homogenous; it is raucously diverse. But its nations are linked by common challenges hampering human development and equitable growth — weak governance and insufficient investment in public goods and services, whether citizens’ productive capacity, infrastructure, affordable energy, health, education and agricultural productivity.
So what is holding back progress? Lack of knowledge and shortage of plans are not the problem. Good, even visionary agendas have been formulated by African leaders in every field, from regional integration to women’s empowerment. Nor, given the continent’s vast natural and human resources and the ongoing, often illicit, outflow of wealth, is lack of funds the insuperable barrier.
It is political will which is the issue, both internationally and in Africa. Internationally, there are concerns that the consensus around development has been eroded by the financial crisis. Many rich countries are keeping their promises on development assistance. But others are falling badly behind.
These shortfalls do not result from any decrease in human solidarity and sympathy. They stem more from the failure to communicate the importance of putting the needs of the least developed countries at the heart of global policies. Efforts must be stepped up to explain how these benefits, whether in providing fairer trade policies or stemming corruption, are in the self-interest of richer countries.
Mr Annan, a former UN secretary-general, is chair of the Africa Progress Panel.
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Seek God first during reform period, urges Kibaki
President Mwai Kibaki has called on Kenyans to seek God’s guidance as the country prepares to implement key reforms. Kibaki says he supports the Proposed Constitution because it gives Kenyans a chance to consolidate achievements made so far among them electoral and national cohesion. He urged Christians to show love and tolerate divergent views in order to remain a united country.
He was speaking today at Safari Park Hotel during the annual National Prayer Day organised by Parliament.
Here is Kibaki speech to the nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me, first of all, to thank the Almighty God for bringing us together for this year's National Prayer Breakfast. I also take this opportunity to commend all of you who are assembled here for answering the call to prayer.
It is my joy to note that this annual event reaffirms our heritage as a God fearing nation.
As we read in the Bible, God has promised to forgive our sins and heal our land if we humble ourselves, pray and turn from our bad ways. Let us, therefore, as a nation and as individuals, continually go before God in prayer with the intention of glorifying him, praising him for his goodness to our nation, seeking his forgiveness for our sins and asking him to bless and heal our land.
As we go before God this morning let us thank him for all the blessings he has showered on our country. Indeed, God has done great things for our country. I am glad to note that after the many challenges we have faced in recent years, we remain a united and peaceful nation with bright future prospects.
We are grateful to God that after a period of drought and food scarcity, we now have adequate rains and a bountiful harvest. We are also grateful that after dismal performance, our economy is now on the path to full recovery.
After declining to 1.6 percent in 2008, the economy improved to a real GDP growth of 2.6 percent last year. The outlook is more promising with the economy projected to grow by between 4 and 5 percent this year.
We thank God that we are also making progress in creating employment and in many other areas of national endeavor. Indeed, many development projects are taking place across the entire country. Let us all thank God for these and other blessings and acknowledge that without his sovereign grace these achievements would not have been possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we thank God for his blessings, let us also continue to seek His guidance and help in building our country. In particular, we need to pray for God's guidance at this critical moment in our national history in which we are implementing a broad reform agenda.
This reform agenda involves undertaking comprehensive constitutional and electoral reforms, tackling poverty, inequity and unemployment as well as consolidating national cohesion and unity, among other reform measures.
While reform efforts are ongoing, we thank God for the progress we have made so far. In particular, let us thank God for the progress we have made towards a new constitution. I urge Kenyans to join hands in prayers so that God can guide us in making the right decision. Above all, let us be truthful over the contents of the proposed constitution.
Our people deserve to be told the truth so that they can make informed judgment. Personally I support the proposed constitution and believe that after TWENTY years of debate it is time to give Kenyans a new constitution. A new constitution gives us the best hope of consolidating the reforms that we have embarked on.
As we seek to implement reforms with the intention of building the just and equitable society that we aspire, we must remember that our mortal efforts are in vain except God bless them.
Indeed, let us all remember the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 127 verse 1 which says: 'except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it'. I call upon Kenyans to pray to God for the wisdom and strength of character to bring about the true reforms that we need in our country.
As we continue to dialogue and implement reforms, I urge Kenyans to demonstrate a genuine sense of duty to our country in the true spirit of Christian love. I urge us all to respect each other's right of opinion and to be tolerant to alternative viewpoints. Let us address the issues facing our country from the platform of knowledge, truth and honesty. This is the only way in which we can discern the will of God and promote the common good.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In spite of the differences of opinion that may exist between us as Kenyans, we must not lose sight of the progress we have made in national reconciliation and healing.
As you are all aware, we established the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission as well as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission with a view to addressing issues of negative ethnic tendencies and the process of national reconciliation and integration. As these Commissions undertake their mandate, I remind Kenyans that we all have individual responsibility to do our utmost to build a cohesive and peaceful country. I urge Kenyans to shun those in our midst who preach ethnic hatred and want to continue to divide us.
In conclusion, I wish to appeal to Kenyans to continue praying for our country and to extend a helping hand to those among us who are in need. Let us remember those who are facing various challenges including those who have been affected by floods in various parts of our country.
It is the desire of God that we love, help and forgive one another, share the spirit of fellowship and prayer and reach out in unity to one another as One Nation One People.
Thank you and God bless you all.