KENYA: PILLARS OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
From: Faulu Suba
Just like a 3 legged stool, the economy of a community has 3 pillars namely:
GOVERNMENT, FIRMS (BUSINESS) and HOUSEHOLDS.
Government provides regulatory framework for peaceful coexistence and infrastructure; firms harness available resources to produce goods and services for both the government and households; and the households provide labor, entrepreurship, knowledge and markets for the firms.
When a community solely, rely on one pillar namely the government and politicians as the sole source of development, it is like siting on a one legged stool and THE ECONOMY OF THAT COMMUNITY WILL SIMPLY NOT STAND.
It is a high time, we raised the pillars of business and functional households for the local economy to pick up. A functional household is that which in addition to consumption is productively engaged and knowledgeable enough to harness resources through entrepreneurship. Such a household uses its income to save for hard times, invest in firms and lastly consume responsibly.
These guys throwing 8 cents at people in the hope of getting in to elective positions should instead invest their money in tourist hotels in the beaches, fish cooling plants and other enterprises which can employ thousands and create a critical mass of functional households that would sustain our economy.
KENYA: WORKSHOP ON LAND AND WATER SECURITY
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
WUNDANYI-TAITA TAVETA
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011
TAKE-3
Workshop on land and water security entered its third day yesterday here at Taita Taveta County in Mombasa Catholic Archdiocese with challenges on the implementations of the new constitution with some participants wondering why Kenyans voted for it overwhelmingly despite the fact that some church leaders told their flocks to vote against it.
Some participants were even concerned why the very church leaders who rejected the constitution and called the meeting to condemn one single man for wearing stud on his ear cannot do the same for over 10 million Kenyans who die of hunger.
Church leaders fear they would be blamed if they don’t condemn things that touch on morality that is why they were afraid if they did not reject the constitution because of abortion or condemn Dr Willy Mutinga for wearing the studs, which to them meant that he was either homosexual or advocating for it they would be blamed.
Those who die of hunger or still live in IDPs camps is not of a great concern to church leaders because they don’t touch on morality and therefore don’t see any need to call for meeting to push on the government to ensure that no body is dying because of hunger when they are able to feed them.
Kenyans overwhelmingly and peacefully voted "YES" for a new constitution as opposed to some Church leaders who commanded their flocks to vote “NO”. ‘YES’ got 5,954,767- representing 67.25 percent of the total votes while “NO” got 2,687,193- representing 30.25 percent.
Kenyans and for that matter, the vast majority of Christians went against their church leaders’ command and voted “YES” because they generally agreed that the proposed constitution, while not perfect, is a huge improvement over the old constitution, a colonial-era document that gives almost total power to the President and leaves out any mention that the government serves at the behest of Kenya's citizens.
They voted “YES” because Kenya’s new constitution is not only designed to re-distribute political power away from the capital, Nairobi, to 47 newly created counties (the devolution of powers), but also the land issue. It explains why numerous groups played a pivotal role in delivering this historically critical outcome, including established groups such as the Kenya Land Alliance.
Other groups included the Center for Land Economy, Women’s Right Movements, the Green Belt Movement, and newer groups such as the young women’s advocacy group Warembo ni Yes (an outgrowth of Bunge la Mwananchi—Women’s Social Movement).
Warembo ni Yes used new technologies such as mobile phones, Facebook, Twitters and the Internet, and more traditional methods such as community forums to amplify the voices of their constituency. In the process, innovative female leaders emerged to advance women’s rights.
Women were to vote overwhelmingly for the new constitution because it guarantees that they will fill at least one-third of elected and appointed government posts, land and property inheritance. Under Kenya's previous law, inheritance was governed by customary law, often preventing women from inheriting property from their parents or laying claim to joint assets when their husbands' died.
A new Bill of Rights also provides that all marriages shall be registered under an Act of Parliament. This means that even customary law marriages will be certified, protecting women's interests in disputes between a widow and her in-laws over property. Currently, in the case of customary marriage it is the in-laws who attest to the existence of the union since they are the ones who oversee the traditional wedding.
In the new dispensation, all marriages will be officially registered. Women will also be protected from claims by other women who turn up following a man's death, claiming to have been married to the same man under customary law and demanding a share of his estate - a common occurrence.
Historically land has been the centre for controversy in Kenya especially the issue of women being denied the right to own or inherit land. There are numerous cases where women are disinherited of land and new law seeks to change this as stated in the following articles Article 60:
(1) Land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable, and in accordance with the following principles-
(f) Elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property in land: Article 68 Enact legislation (vi) To protect the dependants of deceased persons holding interests in any land; and water.
The new law defines community land as ancestral land and lands traditionally occupied by hunter –gatherer communities or lawfully held as trust land by the county governments. The new law entrenches provisions that protect culture and traditional lifestyles of indigenous people.
“The constitution shall protect indigenous communities that have retained and maintained a traditional lifestyle and livelihoods based on hunter- gatherer economy or pastoral persons and communities, whether they’re nomadic or settled community because of its relative geographical isolation who have experienced only marginal participation in social and economic life of Kenya as a whole.
That is why a day after Kenyans voted to accept a new constitution women across the country spoke about their hopes and expectations. Formerly women have been robbed of their financial contributions to matrimonial assets.
Men for example could just wake up one morning and sale the house they had bought together with his wife without her consent. This cannot happen now because the new constitution provides for the elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property.
This is indeed a very historic moment for the women of this country who have for years battled with their in-laws in succession cases. Formerly in the case of customary marriage it is the in-laws who attest to the existence of the union since they are the ones who oversee the traditional wedding.
The new constitution also grants health budgets for counties, making health care services more available in rural areas. It will ensure that there will be better deployment of health workers in all parts of the country, better nutrition and provision of health services. This will enable more women to deliver in hospitals and a sharp improvement of family planning services.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya: Kenyans for Kenya
From: Chris Olola
Is it true that our Government, GoK, CANNOT and will NEVER find or attempt to seek a long lasting solution to this deplorable situation that has continued each day to claim lives of our people in the North? http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000039809&cid=4. Could someone in the Government please tell us what the GoK is doing about this (and in many other regions of the country)? Absurd!
Chris
Rebuttal on the Article “New Requirements for Travelers to USA”
From: Tebiti Oisaboke
HE Ambassador Demob
Your apology has been accepted though its too little and too late for the damage had already been done. Once destructive messages of this nature gets in the public domain, they spread like wildfire and retracting them really doesn't help much because the US Dept of Justice through its Nrb-Kenya embassy has already got the contents of the message. It will involve lots of explanations to clarify this message which are normally painstaking. Its a good gesture though which needs to be complimented but the manner in which it was delivered was poor and unacceptable in modern day Kenya. We don't need to spill our beans in public, it hurts the poor man more than it does the elite and well to do your Excellence.
TOI
===============
On July 9 2011, an article, “New Requirements for Travelers to USA” written by Chris Wamalwa (in USA) appeared in the Kenya based, “The East African Standard”. The same article has been subsequently, carried on in social networks like Mwakilishi.com, Diaspora Messenger, among others. As a result, Kenyans of goodwill have written or called the Embassy, seeking clarifications on the contents of the said article.
Consequently, Kenya Embassy in Washington D.C. wishes to take the earliest opportunity to convey our sincere apologies for what appeared in the article. Under all intent and purpose, the article totally misrepresents His Excellency the Ambassador’s initial communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was to explore possible ways of briefing Kenyans wishing to travel to USA.
Having interacted with Kenyans in the USA, clearly, majority of them are doing great in many aspects (socially, economically, etc) and there is no question about that. Maybe a small fraction is grappling to make ends meet. Many, irrespective of how well they are doing, have shared their experiences about their early lives in America, citing how long it took them to settle down, if they have. On a day to day basis, the Embassy receives many concerns about some of the challenges and difficulties that some Kenyans are going through; ranging from unemployment, drug addiction, to social distress, among others. Listening keenly, it emerges that most of them did not know what to expect on coming to America.
It is on the basis that there is no sufficient information to Kenyans travelling to the USA (and other parts of the world), as students, immigrants etc, that the Kenya Embassy in Washington deemed it necessary to initiate a conversation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the need to provide useful information to would-be travellers in order to mitigate some of the challenges that arise when Kenyans arrive in the USA. Secondly, some orientation of Kenyans before they migrate to any parts of the world would enable government to capture requisite data that is critical for national planning, especially in the current dispensation where the government expects tangible participation of the Diaspora in national development. Indisputably, therefore, it is the responsibility of the Kenya Government to promote and protect the interests of all Kenyans abroad. And so, the goal of the Kenya Embassy in Washington is to ensure the welfare of Kenyans in the USA.
Undoubtedly, the spirit of the article in The East African Standard does not capture at all, the well intended proposition of the Embassy; that is, to adequately prepare Kenyans migrating to the US. This is highly regretted and the Embassy would like to sincerely apologize for any misunderstandings that this may have caused.
Kenya Embassy
Washington D.C.
July 12 2011
--- On Tue, 7/12/11, Tebiti Oisaboke wrote:
From: Tebiti Oisaboke
Subject: Do we need to make it any harder than already is to secure a visa from Nairobi?
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 3:40 PM
This is not a solution Ambassador Odembo. Prior to me coming to the Western world in search of education, I attended a two day orientation organized at the American Cultural and Educational Center behind Nat'l Bank of Kenya building in the summer of 1986. This was only to enlighten us on what to expect upon arrival in the western hemisphere but didn't give us survival tactics. We had to figure them out by ourselves. Our speakers were people from the American Embassy, Nrb-Kenya, some returning Kenyans who had schooled, lived, and worked in America. All they told us was about cultural shock something which was reinforced again during my first quarter's freshman class. The more we give hints that we cannot make it in America, the more we give the Americans a leverages to tighten visa rules. Besides the economical recession is just a temporary thing and will soon go away. Its not only Kenyans who are affected, but the native/indignant American citizens too. We are trying to run away from corruption, nepotism, impunity, clanism, marginalization, insecurity, unemployment sailing way over 100%, starvation, epidemics, lack of education because all the cash donated to educate our kids by foreigners has been stolen and many many other social issues which we the commoners have to deal with on our daily lives.
When Kenyans come to America, its a last resort. If we all had economical resources, why would we come here for? What you should advice Baba Jimi's administration is to find ways to create employment, distribute the Nat'l cake equally, provide security, water, healthcare, infrastructure, to all and not just a few chosen ones. End nepotism, corruption, impunity and above all, justice to all Kenyans including those who murdered Mercy C. Keino, Sam Wamboi, Dr. Ouko etc; and you will see Kenyans not outsourcing themselves due to economical hardships.
I have just learnt that you will be touring America's south this weekend and I'm looking forward to talk more with you about this issue. I don't want to pre-empty myself right now.
Welcome
TOI
In harry
--- On Tue, 7/12/11, Kennedy Gisemba wrote:
From: Kennedy Gisemba
Subject: Do we need to make it any harder than already is to secure a visa from Nairobi?
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 12:22 PM
From the East African Standard
By Chris Wamalwa in USA
Kenyans planning to travel to USA may soon be required to prove that they have basic knowledge of how life ‘actually’ is in America before they are issued with travel visas.
Proof, to be in the form of some kind of ‘certificate of induction’ issued after attending Basic Information sessions conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be part of a retinue of requirements that must be presented to the US Embassy in Nairobi as part of qualifying documents when one is seeking to travel to America.
Currently, one has to show proof that they are financially able to sustain their stay in the USA without becoming a ‘public charge’. For those going to study, they must present financial bank statements from their sponsors either in Kenya or in the USA.
The move that is bound to be received with mixed reactions by a public that is wary of the many complications around visa applications for traveling abroad, is being spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in the USA, more specifically Ambassador Elkanah Odembo.
Odembo who first proposed the requirement through a letter he sent to his Permanent Secretary in Nairobi, says the move is aimed at protecting the safety and integrity of Kenyans migrating to the USA. In the recent past, the Kenyan embassy in the DC has been inundated by calls and letters from Kenyans living in the USA seeking help for all manner of problems.
"We are seeing too much suffering on the part of some Kenyans who came to this country with scanty information about how life actually is. We think part of the solution to this problem can be tackled when someone is still in Kenya and that is why we are proposing this initiative," Odembo said in an exclusive interview with The Standard.
He says proper information for those going to America is very key in helping them prepare financially and psychologically for the life they are bound to find there.
Odembo, who was himself once a Diaspora student in the USA, said the embassy is in the process of developing a manual containing basic information about America. This will be part of the literature that will be given to those intending to travel to the USA for whatever reasons but especially for those choosing to study in America.
"When we came to America to study long time ago, this was part of the requirements. We had to prove that we knew what we were going to do in America. Of late, this is not happening," he said, adding that the manual is a necessity and will contain not just the do’s and don’ts but also basic information
about important contacts and help centers managed by the Diaspora in the USA.
Odembo said he was working closely with the newly appointed USA ambassador to Kenya, Scott Gration, whom he described as someone who is very ‘conversant’ with these issues.
If approved and implemented by the Kenya government, this will be one of the measures aimed at tackling some of the immense challenges that the Diaspora is currently facing in the face of changing fortunes for USA, following the September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks in New York and the collapse of the financial markets.
Many Kenyans living in the USA have not only lost their jobs in the recent past but also their homes and investments as a result of the economic recession.
Some of the measures aimed at checking illegal immigrants to the USA include tightening rules for foreign students.
Many foreign students can’t find jobs within the campuses and if they drop some classes to find work to supplement their upkeep, their student visas are revoked.
Frustrations arising out of this have led to increased social ills such as domestic violence, suicides and drug and alcohol abuse.
Hardest hit are those who are migrating on the lottery visa commonly known as Green Card. Many are staying for months on end and sometimes years without finding employment
Good Policy and Practice in HIV and AIDS and Education
from Yona Maro
This booklet is the sixth in a series of publications that addresses key themes of UNESCO's work on HIV and AIDS and the education sector. It synthesizes lessons learned, activities, case studies, policies, and practices in HIV-related pre-service teacher education and training. The guide focuses on the key role pre-service teacher training has in preparing future teachers to deliver effective sexuality education and HIV prevention education to children and young people in education institutions.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001916/191608e.pdf
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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
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ICT4D and the Human Development and Capability Approach: The Potentials of Information and Communication Technology
from Yona Maro
This study frames a review of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) within the human development and capabilities approach. Looking at the basic dimensions of human development, which make up the core measurement of its achievements: health, education and a income, and additionally at the dimensions of participation and empowerment, a survey of research and evidence seeks to evaluate whether or not ICTs have demonstrated positive outcomes for these dimensions of human development and more broadly to the practice of its approach. The paper reviews the literature and research conducted in these dimensions in order to establish a sense of the scope and potential that ICTs have for human development.
By doing so, the paper seeks to assess whether or not the use of ICTs is pertinent to the human development of the poor, and if so, which are documented cases and outcomes that can perhaps be replicated in differing development contexts. The paper also seeks to answer questions on the role of government policy and investment in ICTs as keys to their success in development and whether or not ICTs should be emphasized at all in poor countries.
http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2010/papers/HDRP_2010_37.pdf
--
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USA: President Obama’s Statement on Debt Negotiations
from Judy Miriga
Folks,
When faced with Nationational Debt deficit crisis, urgency to fix the problem to safeguard Public Option Interests, would be an immediate think one would do. Any good leader has a responsibility to show stewardship to overcome the crisis urgently and by all means, will avoid political side-shows. It is such a time fate would take supreme conditionality effort to join forces in a shared sacrifice for common good of all to avoid a disaster or unite against a common enemy or destruction.
It is absolutely ridiculous to note that some would instead take such opportunities to engage in blackmailing stints those of self interest in defeating unity of purpose, for which is the backbone of America's power and stability................Wisdom is calling people...........! It is in such engagement that maturity in Responsibility and Integrity is demonstrated by those put in position of Responsibility, elected to serve Public Interests. It is also in such maneuvres that the world, as well as the enemies position themselves to take advantage in competition and challenges to out-do each other...........and it is here, we are able to sieve and separate "The Wheat from the Chaff" for the security and good of this owesome Great Nation.......!
Love is the greatest and perfect commandment for survival in unity of purpose, and without LOVE, it is hard to please God and achieve Blessings for sustainability.........for it is, in Giving that we Receive .......... People......! ...and, It is in sharing that we are able to grow in strength.
Americans, friends and sympathizers will not let America to fail because of vested special Interests........United we are strong, divided we fall..........An Intelligent wise man or woman will know when to end politiking and begin serious deliberations to avoid looming danger.......
Cheers !
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
From: The White House
Subject: BREAKING: President Obama's Statement on Debt Negotiations
Date: Friday, July 29, 2011, 2:41 PM
Friday, July 29, 2011
This morning President Obama delivered a statement once again calling on Congress to compromise to avoid defaulting on the Nation’s debt and calling on the American people to make their voices heard in this debate.
Read the President’s statement:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/29/president-obama-calls-american-people-make-their-voices-heard?utm_source=email124&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=deficit
Good morning, everybody. I want to speak about the ongoing and increasingly urgent efforts to avoid default and reduce our deficit.
Right now, the House of Representatives is still trying to pass a bill that a majority of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have already said they won’t vote for. It’s a plan that would force us to re-live this crisis in just a few short months, holding our economy captive to Washington politics once again. In other words, it does not solve the problem, and it has no chance of becoming law.
What’s clear now is that any solution to avoid default must be bipartisan. It must have the support of both parties that were sent here to represent the American people -– not just one faction. It will have to have the support of both the House and the Senate. And there are multiple ways to resolve this problem. Senator Reid, a Democrat, has introduced a plan in the Senate that contains cuts agreed upon by both parties. Senator McConnell, a Republican, offered a solution that could get us through this. There are plenty of modifications we can make to either of these plans in order to get them passed through both the House and the Senate and would allow me to sign them into law. And today I urge Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to find common ground on a plan that can get support -- that can get support from both parties in the House –- a plan that I can sign by Tuesday.
Now, keep in mind, this is not a situation where the two parties are miles apart. We’re in rough agreement about how much spending can be cut responsibly as a first step toward reducing our deficit. We agree on a process where the next step is a debate in the coming months on tax reform and entitlement reform –- and I’m ready and willing to have that debate. And if we need to put in place some kind of enforcement mechanism to hold us all accountable for making these reforms, I’ll support that too if it’s done in a smart and balanced way.
So there are plenty of ways out of this mess. But we are almost out of time. We need to reach a compromise by Tuesday so that our country will have the ability to pay its bills on time, as we always have -- bills that include monthly Social Security checks, veterans’ benefits and the government contracts we’ve signed with thousands of businesses. Keep in mind, if we don’t do that, if we don’t come to an agreement, we could lose our country’s AAA credit rating, not because we didn’t have the capacity to pay our bills -- we do -- but because we didn’t have a AAA political system to match our AAA credit rating.
And make no mistake -– for those who say they oppose tax increases on anyone, a lower credit rating would result potentially in a tax increase on everyone in the form of higher interest rates on their mortgages, their car loans, their credit cards. And that’s inexcusable.
There are a lot of crises in the world that we can’t always predict or avoid -– hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, terrorist attacks. This isn’t one of those crises. The power to solve this is in our hands. And on a day when we’ve been reminded how fragile the economy already is, this is one burden we can lift ourselves. We can end it with a simple vote –- a vote that Democrats and Republicans have been taking for decades, a vote that the leaders in Congress have taken for decades.
It’s not a vote that allows Congress to spend more money. Raising the debt ceiling simply gives our country the ability to pay the bills that Congress has already racked up. I want to emphasize that. The debt ceiling does not determine how much more money we can spend, it simply authorizes us to pay the bills we already have racked up. It gives the United States of America the ability to keep its word.
Now, on Monday night, I asked the American people to make their voice heard in this debate, and the response was overwhelming. So please, to all the American people, keep it up. If you want to see a bipartisan compromise -– a bill that can pass both houses of Congress and that I can sign -- let your members of Congress know. Make a phone call. Send an email. Tweet. Keep the pressure on Washington, and we can get past this.
And for my part, our administration will be continuing to work with Democrats and Republicans all weekend long until we find a solution. The time for putting party first is over. The time for compromise on behalf of the American people is now. And I am confident that we can solve this problem. I’m confident that we will solve this problem. For all the intrigue and all the drama that’s taking place on Capitol Hill right now, I’m confident that common sense and cooler heads will prevail.
But as I said earlier, we are now running out of time. It’s important for everybody to step up and show the leadership that the American people expect.
Thank you.
disarmed the nation's top Republican
By JAY NEWTON-SMALL | Time.com –
House Speaker John Boehner failed to muster enough GOP votes to pass his plan to raise the debt limit on Thursday night, throwing into question the fate of Boehner's proposal as well as that of his speakership. Republican leaders must now rewrite the legislation in order to attract more conservatives as they try to pass a revised version on Friday. But considerable damage has been done. Boehner's negotiating stance in the ongoing effort to trim deficits and raise the debt ceiling by next Tuesday's deadline is hobbled; any credibility he had in claiming that his restive members could get behind a consensus debt deal has vanished. The Speaker has gone lame.
The House was expected to vote Thursday evening on Boehner's legislation, which would raise the debt ceiling through the end of 2011 in exchange for $917 billion in spending cuts and the creation of a special committee to find more savings that would accompany a second debt-ceiling vote in January. It looked as if Boehner would have the votes early Thursday, but by 5 p.m., Republican leaders announced that the vote would be postponed. As hours slipped by, dozens of reporters congregated outside the Speaker's offices on the second floor of the Capitol. The sun set. Pizzas and sodas were brought in. (See "Unable to Rally Support, House GOP Postpones Key Debt Vote.")
House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy met with Republicans who were leaning against voting for the legislation. Freshmen Reps. Mick Mulvaney, Tim Scott, Jeff Duncan and Trey Gowdy were among those pressured to change their votes. "I'm going to go pray for the leadership because I'm still a no," Mulvaney said, emerging from McCarthy's office. Rumors swirled: They were down two votes, then four, then 10. At 10:20 p.m., McCarthy left the Speaker's office and tersely informed reporters that there would be "no vote tonight."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had already declared the House Republican plan dead on arrival in the Senate. But House leaders worked to push the measure through because, as they told their members, it would give them greater leverage in negotiations with the Senate and, perhaps more importantly, their own credibility as dealmakers was on the line. Boehner hoped to force the Senate - and President Obama - to take his version of the debt bill. The Speaker was crafting legislation with Reid until last weekend, but the two split over whether to raise the debt ceiling through 2012 in one vote, as Democrats wanted, or to try for a second debt limit hike in six months. Reid and Obama argued that holding another tortured debt ceiling debate in January, on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, would be politically unwise and economically dangerous.
But after he split with Reid, Boehner was left with a bill that was too far to the left for the ideological purists in his conference. Conservatives balked at $18 billion in Pell Grants for low-income students that Boehner had included to lure Democratic votes. They were also disappointed that the bill only called for $917 billion in cuts. Their preferred legislation - a conservative dream bill known as Cut, Cap and Balance that passed the House earlier in July on a near party-line vote - would've halved the projected $7.1 trillion federal 10-year deficit by next year. That bill died in the Senate.
In a highly embarrassing development, Boehner must now move his bill to the right in order to secure enough votes from his own party. The Speaker's failure exposes an uncomfortable reality for the GOP: A final debt ceiling compromise will likely require a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans to pass the House, and the outspoken conservative wing of the party will not be on board. That could embolden Democrats to seek a more favorable deal, and it leaves Senate Republicans like Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with a weaker hand to negotiate. (See the top 10 government showdowns.)
Boehner won the speakership last November when Republicans swept into power on a Tea Party tide of discontent. From the outset, it was unclear whether Boehner would be able to keep his unruly freshmen class in line. He surprised the skeptics when he managed to unite most of them behind a 2011 budget deal, which achieved $38.5 billion in cuts - far less than the $100 billion the newcomers had demanded. But many freshmen felt betrayed when a Congressional Budget Office score later found that many of those cuts were gimmicks that amounted to less than $400 million in net savings.
In the months since, Boehner has wrestled with his freshmen. He tried twice to pass legislation in limited support of President Obama's action with NATO in Libya. Both bills failed. He was forced to yank a bipartisan patent bill - a version of which passed the Senate 95-5 - before it was voted down in the House. It took a month of heavy whipping to convince enough of his herd to pass the bill.
Thursday's failure was partly a tactical error on Boehner's part. When he took office, he said he would be unlike other modern Speakers. He wanted to give the power back to the rank-and-file. Instead of twisting arms, Boehner believed in education. He prided himself on the being the opposite of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican called "the Hammer" for his heavy handed - and at times ethically questionable - whipping tactics. Boehner tried to open the process up, allowing the minority to put forward amendments and re-empowering committees. "When we took the majority we promised to end the practice of forcing substantial bills through the House in the dark of night," a GOP leadership aide said late Thursday, "and we take that pledge seriously."
It was Newt Gingrich in the 1990s who began to consolidate power in the Speaker's office. That trend peaked with Nancy Pelosi, who was one of the most powerful Speakers in a generation. Members could hardly hold a press conference without her blessing, let alone win plum committee assignments or pass legislation. Boehner often mocked Pelosi for not allowing amendments, and for her use of frivolous post office naming votes to lure members to the floor where she could whip them. (See "Does the Debt Ceiling Make Deficits Worse?")
Though heavy handed, Pelosi's tactics worked. She pushed through health care reform in the House after Reid lost his 60-vote super majority in the Senate. More than a few reporters who covered health care remarked how similar Thursday night's drama was to the final health care reform vote, albeit with vastly different outcomes. Both votes could have cost the Speakers their jobs; in Pelosi's case, for overreach, and in Boehner's, for failing to grasp far enough. During the final push on Boehner's debt bill this week, the Speaker did finally crack the whip, telling his conference on Wednesday to "Get your ass in line." But it was too little too late. Boehner's "leadership is clearly at stake," Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican and the 2008 GOP presidential nominee, said on Thursday night.
Boehner may have made strategic miscalculations as well. Democrats pushed hard to include a debt ceiling increase in the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts last December. Republicans resisted, sensing that debt and deficits would be winning issues for them in the Tea Party-infused 112th Congress. But every attempt by Boehner, who has a legacy of reaching across the aisle to produce No Child Left Behind and sweeping pension reform legislation with the late Senator Teddy Kennedy, to craft a grand bargain of more than $4 trillion in deficit reduction with President Obama has been stymied by protests from his own flock.
So, what comes next? "We have faith that the Senate will reach a compromise that a majority of the folks in the House and a majority of folks in the Senate can support," White House press secretary Jay Carney said on MSNBC late Thursday night. "And that is what the American people want." Reid has been waiting in the wings to either craft a compromise with Boehner and McConnell, or pass his own version of deficit reduction legislation. But it's clear now that Speaker Boehner will need Democratic votes to get any compromise through the House. And that leaves the Republican leader with two options: abandon Tea Party freshmen and form a coalition between his most moderate members and 150+ Dems, or potentially allow the last best hope for a debt ceiling deal to fail in his chamber, with nothing but market panic left to make his members reconsider. Either would be a bruising choice for the embattled Speaker
Kenya: 40-year-old Form 1″
from Tebiti Oisaboke
Mama Kerubo 25 and a mother of five from Nyambiri Mixed SDA Secondary School, Nyamira County in Gusii Highlands, can surely borrow a leaf from Mama Wanjiru Weru 40 and a mother of three and who also a freshman at State House Girls, Nrb-Kenya. By the time Mama Kerubo approaches 40, she will be a med student at Kenyatta. She surely can use all the support she can get Ps. Birai to achieve her goals. Education has no age limit. Here in America I have taken history classes with 75 year old veterans who fought during the second world war. When in class, the instructor doesn't have to say anything because these folks can teach him more history about the war than he has read in the history books. Mama Kerubo and Wa Weru could be very resourceful to their classmates.
TOI
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40-year-old Form 1
http://www.ntv.co.ke
A 40-year-old mother of three is spending the night in boarding school for the first time, as a form one student. And as if to lend credence to the adage life begins at 40, Mercy Wanjiru Weru, who has reported at Kenya High School today, is savouring the chance to pursue her dream career. But such cases of mature students enrolling in ordinary schools, is increasingly being viewed as an indictment of the government- run adult education programme. Francis Mutegi explores this matter further.
Freedom on the Net 2011
from Yona Maro
In order to illuminate the emerging threats to internet freedom and identify areas of opportunity, Freedom House created a unique methodology to assess the full range of elements that comprise digital media freedom. This report examines internet freedom in 37 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. The study’s findings indicate that the threats to internet freedom are growing and have become more diverse. Cyber attacks, politically-motivated censorship, and government control over internet infrastructure have emerged as especially prominent threats.
http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/FotN/FOTN2011.pdf
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KENYA: LAND AND WATER SECURITY IN MOMBASA ARCHDIOCESE
from ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY DAVID KOBIA SIMON
WUNDANYI-TAITATA TAVETA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011
TAKE-2
Coast province is rated as one of the very sensitive regions in Kenya as far as the issue of land is concerned. According to government sources, Coast Province – in which the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa is located, has the highest number of landless people in the country.
Coastal land was previously owned by the Persians Arab Sultans and British. It was only much later handed over to the Government of Kenya. The squatter problem escalated due to rising populations, increased demand for land, and the non restriction of land ownership in the country. A presidential directive to regularize Coastal squatters on Government land was first issued in 1978. Since then, there have been concerted efforts to establish regional settlement schemes.
From the period of colonialism, Kenya has been grappling with the land question which subsequent government regimes have been unable to or unwilling to resolve. The land question has manifested itself in many ways including fragmentation, breakdown in land administration, disparities in land ownership and poverty.
This has resulted in environmental, social, economic and political problems including deterioration in land quality, squatting and landlessness, disinheritance of some groups and individuals, urban squalor, underutilization and abandonment of agricultural land, tenure insecurity and conflict.
In its pastoral and development mission, the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa virtually covers 9 administrative districts of the province and makes day to day interactions with huge populations seriously affected by land problems in the region. Many people in this region remain landless (and squatters) yet it is a critical asset to the economic, social and cultural development.
In Taveta deanery for instance, it was estimated that close to 40 percent of the population in Taveta district comprises of squatters found in clusters of close to 100 households in different parts of the large-scale farms some of which have been in dispute for a long period of time.
This has significantly contributed to increased levels of poverty and its subsequent effects in many sections of the community. The nature of colonial and neo colonial experience in coast can only be understood through the contradictory and multiple functions and conflicts that land generates.
The prevailing situation in the 10 mile Coastal strip is that land occupied by the indigenous Kenyans are still held under communal customary tenure as most of the land have not been adjudicated to determine the individual land rights. Areas which have been adjudicated under the Land Titles Act, have legal individual tenure except that most of the Landlords are absentee landlords.
It is estimated that absentee landlords at the coast own over 77, 753. 02 hectares of land in the deaneries covered by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, it is estimated that absentee landlords own a total of 77, 519 hectares. Squatters who believe they have the right of ownership as they have lived in these localities from time immemorial occupy these parcels.
Even though the Government has recently acquired a few of the farms and converted them to settlement schemes, such as Mtondia Roka and Shimba Hills, land tenure issues at the coast still remains one of the most sensitive issues as locals feel they were cheated at the time of adjudication in 1908. The land occupied by the indigenous Kenyans were not adjudicated as private property, but were alienated as crown land.
Although agriculture is the highest income in Kenya, many people in coast province are virtually denied the chance to practice it because they literally have no piece of land that they can legally claim as theirs. In extreme cases, it has even led to lose of lives.
The most urbanised part of Coast Province is the Mombasa metropolitan area. For example the overall growth of population in the Nyali-Bamburi-Shanzu area has resulted in rapid urbanisation. Large numbers of people seeking employment opportunities are moving into the area between the main road and the beach, as well as the surrounding areas.
Roads and other infrastructure development are not keeping pace with increasing development in the north coast, causing severe shortages of potable water and power. Moreover, hotels continue to develop in plots landward of the original beach hotels and are beginning to encroach on existing residential areas.
This situation is complicated by an unpredictable influx and temporary settlement of refugees, creating huge demands on the meagre public facilities and degradation of the local environment. Although there is a land use plan for the area, administered by the Municipal Council of Mombasa, development has not adhered to the plan.
Increasing commercial and residential development, urbanisation pressures and uncontrolled land use changes have placed a significant strain on existing services and infrastructure in the area. Trends suggest increasing growth of many sectors within the area, all of which will exacerbate the public service and infrastructure problems already being experienced.
The Kenya coast however, has played an important role for over 2,000 years in East Africa when merchants sailed from Arabia in search of gold, spices, ivory and other goods. Dating back to the seventh century, Arabs settled on the coast, and built trading centres and settlements along it.
The Portuguese had established trading posts along the coast since 1498 but were driven out in 1790 by the Arabs. Although many settlements have retained prominent facets of Arab culture, the coastal area has progressively integrated the distinct races of African, Asian, European and Arab people.
Because of its long history of human activity, Kenya's coast has an estimated 70 significant historical sites and monuments. Out of these, 58 have been designated as National Monuments and Reserves.
These historical sites and monuments include isolated ruins of houses, mosques, tombs, townships - example, Gede Ruins - and fortified areas such as Fort Jesus. They also include monuments like the Vasco da Gama pillar at Malindi, and urban areas of historical and architectural importance, such as Mombasa Old Town.
Kenya's coastline has about 53,000 hectares of mangroves in nine species, occuring mostly in creeks, bays and estuaries. Some villages still exploit mangroves for their wood both for commercial sale and subsistence use.
Depending on the size class, mangroves are harvested for their wood both for commercial sale and subsistence use. Mangrove wood can be used for building purposes, firewood or making charcoal.
A significant proportion of coast province land is contained in national parks, especially at Malindi, Watamu, Mpunguti and Kisite. Tsavo is the oldest, best known and largest. The 13,686 km2 of Tsavo in the province takes up a large chunk (about 66 percent) of Taita District and a small portion of Tana River District. This has resulted in acute land shortage in Taita, with a high population concentration in the Voi-Wundanyi corridor and another one in Taveta.
The coastal areas contain important coastal lowland forests which support a high diversity of flora and fauna. These resources are important parts of the coastal ecosystem and also provide additional tourist destinations. The Kaya Forests of the Kenya coast are relic patches of the once very extensive lowland forest of East Africa.
Today these forests are protected as sacred places and are still historically used by Mijikenda elders for prayer purposes and other ceremonies. These forests are being protected by the National Museums of Kenya as Forest Reserves, especially in the Kwale and Kilifi districts. However, many of these Kayas have been thinned out and are in danger of being lost completely.
The Miji Kenda, the dominant African tribe of the coast apart from the Taita, initially settled by the seashore. They were gradually pushed further inland to pave the way for Arab settlements. The term Miji Kenda describes the settlement pattern, which was based on the nine sub tribes of the people. They settled in nine fortress villages, one for each of their tribes. Inside the fortress villages, which were located in forests with only one exit, crop farming thrived.
The Kenya Coast was recently engulfed in violence emanating from Likoni (Mombasa District) and spreading to Kwale District. This violence lasted about two months, claiming the lives of many and shattering an important sector of Kenya's economy.
The attackers raided the predominantly Luo slum of Maweni in Kongowea, Mombasa. Ujamaa and Shika Adabu villages were also invaded. This called for the scouring of the Simuani caves, Kaya Waa and Kaya Bombo forests where 10 members of the gang were arrested by Administration police and General Service Unit personnel.
Over the next few days, as the violence moved on north to Mtwapa, and the death toll increased, people continued taking refuge at the Likoni Catholic Church where the Kenya Red Cross Society extended aid. Some of the 69 suspects already arrested started appearing in court.
A Mombasa politician Emmanuel Karisa Maitha was in 1997 arrested in connection with the violence as bloodshed spilled over to Kwale in the South and Kilifi District in the North. By this time, the pressure exerted on the government by opposition leaders, lobby groups and religious leaders was so great that a high level security meeting was held to draw up new strategies to counter the violence.
The violence continued as is depicted by a stampede at the church when unknown people lobbed stones into the area. By then, the death toll had risen to 36 and destruction of property continued as 400 waterfront kiosks were brought down to ashes in Malindi. By 20/8/97, the number of suspects in police custody stood at 309 including Mr. Omar Masumbuko (East African Standard August 21st 1997).
David is a Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa coordinator
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
What is Your Mission as a Kenyan in 2012
from barack abonyo
We shall not wink untill our mission on this planet is achieved. There is a reason why every man and woman is born. For us it is such a time as this that we have the opportunity to free our communities from the bondage of perpetual poverty. Do not count yourself less of a man or woman. Every man and woman is given the same measure of faith to achieve his fullest potential on this planet. What matters is how you use it. The time is right and ripe.
Dr. Barack Otieno Abonyo for Governor of Kisumu county
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: WHY PHILLIP KISIA CANNOT BE NAIROBI GOVERNOR
from Ford Wilson
Another question, why do they have more than enough vehicles and askaris to arrest and charge hawkers, people who buy from the hawkers, those who board or alight from matatus at non-designated points, those who cross roads while talking on mobile phones…… Yet we don’t see enough vehicles to collect garbage, we see poor drainage systems everywhere, no maintenance of city council estate houses…… (by the way, when was the last time houses in Kariakor, Huruma, Kariobangi South, Shaurimoyo, Bahati, Mbotela, Maringo, na hizo mitaa zingine …. last painted or repaired? Why have their walls been turned into boards for advertisements? Kisia anajua hio? For sure, HE CANT GET MY VOTE!!!
Regards,
Ford Wilson ...
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From: otieno sungu
Oto, My simple question to Kisia is, can Kanjo guarantee security for motorists after collecting a handsome KSH 140/= for parking, if not, why? Is it right to charge for no services? Why re council askaris quick to clamp vehicles, tow etc yet we am yet to hear cases where they have arrested vandals of such incidents? To me, like many, Kisia is a failure, nothing much has improved from City Hall. We need total overhaul, not cosmetic changes to cheat us.
Sungu.
From: odhiambo okecth
My Friend Dick,
I truly sympathize with Chairman Sungu.
If I were to take his analogy, I would look at the bigger picture. We all live in Kenya, yet, the people we elected under the watch of one Emilio who is His Excellency, have planned successful raids to our Treasury and the Central Bank with complete abandon.
They have planned Anglo- Leasing, Maize Scandals, Oil Scandals and all under Emilio's watch. Does it erode the many gains Emilio has seen Kenya through?
Isolated incidences of vandalism cannot be used to sum the credentials of Philip Kisia.
Go to the Police Force; in as much as the police have a constant presence, we still have isolated cases of burglery. Does it dim the performance of our friend Mr. Itere?
Go to the reforms taking place in our Prisons; we still have isolated cases of break-outs. Does it dim the credentials of Mr. Osugo?
We must all learn to appreciate that even Jesus the Holy Christ was crucified by jo-Rarieda when He came visiting, yet, He is the Son of God.
Do I need to defend Kisia? No. The good that he has done far out weighs the isolated cases of vandalism. If anything, I would blame the Police and not Kisia.
Ama Wuod Rarieda?
Oto
From: Dickens Mitawia
Askofu, How can you say such a thing about me? You see, Oto is my friend. And we allknow that he is Kisia's friend, after all he has been assisting Kisia with issues to do with environmental conservation and cleanliness as well as evaluation of Kisia's and hisofficers' performance within City Hall. At the same time, Sungu is not only my friend. We are related. And Sungu is also a buddyto Oto. It therefore follows that Sungu and I are friends to Kisia by virtue of the osmosisenabled by Oto. ....are you getting my drift why Oto has to say something?
From: Kuria-Mwangi
Oto:
Uko wapi? I think Mitawia is laying traps for you here. If I were you, I would assume I never saw his comments. Hapa iko mtego wa panya. On Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM, Dickens Mitawia wrote: Oto, What do you have to say? I know you and Kisia have an un-dying love forthis city and you have worked very hard to bring sanity in our Nairobi. Whyis Sungu peeing on the credentials of your friend with abandon in thismanner? Say something Oto.
Dickens Mitawia.
From: otieno sungu
I hear from the grapevine that one Phillip Kisia wants to run for Nairobi Governor. I want to posit here, like always that this is a failed man who will run Nairobi County down. In this new dispensation, we need innovative leaders who deliver service to the people. Today, I have just met 2 miserable Kenyans whose car side mirrors have been vandalized near the National Archives parking area. It happened to me just a few days ago at the same sport. Vandals are plying their trade right in front of city council askaris who only succeed in harassing innocent traders and extorting bribes. In the short conversation we had, they lamented what The City Council charges parking for. While there is an army of parking attendants to collect parking fees diligently, another army to clamp cars whose owner have not paid up, another moving round in unworthy death traps in the name of "break downs" towing away any double parked cars and those parked in non designated areas( all these very noble indeed) one wonders at what mercy cars are left after The council collects Ksh. 140/= parking charge. This is a fraud that Kisia can only perfect once he becomes Governor, collection of levies of non delivery of services.Parking fees should come with security as package, otherwise what "service" do they offer for the Ksh.140/= besides the space? Take the jams in Nairobi, while the council askaris are keen on drivers who jump zebra crossings and red lights, pedestrians violate the simple traffic rules with abandon causing untold traffic snarl ups, something which requires a simple enforcement of the stop light signs for both motorists and pedestrians for order to prevail. Yet Kisia in his wildest dreams imagines that he can preside over a whole County when he cannot even manage a simple Council. These are the kind of failed leaders we must reject, those who offer lip service for our hard earned taxes.
Otieno Sungu.
Vugu Vugu
Mashinani.Tel: 0729294743.
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HOME INTERNAL MEMO
FROM: FATHER
TO: ALL DEPENDANTS, RELATIVES & AUNTY
CC: MOTHER
DATE: TODAY
ECONOMIC SITUATION AND GROUND RULES
Due to the current economic situation, all domestic rules and regulations have been revised as below and under no circumstance is any violation going to be accepted.
1. The Kitchen and all pantries are declared Restricted Zones. Entry and/or passage shall require express permission from myself upon submission of written request.
2. Breakfast is banned. This matter cannot be discussed!
3. Such food items as rice, chicken, butter, jam, eggs, bread and milk are Restricted. Anyone intending to eat any of such foodstuffs must write to me in triplicate, with three days notice, giving justifications backed by a qualified dietician's report.
4. Watering with hoses is banned. Further, only food-giving plants shall be watered. No lawns or flowers shall receive water. For internal decoration, only plastic and dry-flower arrangements shall permitted.
5. Bathing in the morning is limited to 5 litres of water per day per person while bathing in the evening is banned unless there are medical reasons.
6. All security lights should be removed with immediate effect. All dependants shall abide by an all-night guard-duty roster I shall make available shortly.
7. No dependant shall entertain friends indoors, far less attempt to offer food, drinks or even music. Those who want their guests to listen to music shall sing for them.
8. No one is allowed to talk to officials from police, Council or Court Bailiffs; doing so shall carry an instantaneous penalty of ejection from the house.
9. Anybody who breaks a glass, furniture or any other property in the house, shall immediately have to seek temporary employment somewhere to earn money to replace such broken item(s).
10. All visitors intending to spend a night/week or more shall apply in triplicate and give two months notice, with an endorsement from their town Mayor, Village Headman or Church Priest, giving convincing reasons why they can't stay at their homes. Failure to do this shall result in their being turned away, at the gate, upon arrival.
THESE RULES ARE BINDING AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY DISCUSSION WHATSOEVER!!!
Signed: DADY COLLINS Chairman of Home Affairs
KENYA: LAND AND WATER SECURITY IN TAITA TAVETA COUNTY
From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
WUNDANYI-TAITA TAVETA
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011
TAKE-1
From July 24- 28 2011 myself (Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ,) Fr Ken Thesing, Maryknoll, Mr Joseph Adero Ngala, People for Peace in Africa are conducting workshop on land and water security in Taita Taveta County, Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
Taita Taveta Country is one of the forty seven counties of Kenya, located in the Coast Province of that country. It lies approximately 200 km northwest of Mombasa and 360 km southeast of Nairobi city. It covers an area of 16,975 km2. of which a bulk 62 percent or 11,100 km2. is within Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks.
Historically, about 86 per cent of Taita Taveta County was grabbed by the colonial government which carved out 62 percent of it and converted it into the two national parks while the remaining land was given freely to European war veterans for sisal estates and subsequent governments of Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki, the Taita Taveta community was therefore displaced and rendered landless.
According to the latest census results, the county has a population of 284,657. These, however have to squeeze within 4,000 square kilometers for settlement and farming as the rest of the land is occupied by ranches, rocks and wetland.
The remaining 5,876 km2 is occupied by ranches, sisal estates, water bodies such as Lakes Chala and Jipe in Taveta and mzima springs, and the hilltop forests which occupy less than 100 km2. or approximately 10 km² out of 587.5 km².
The County has approximately 25 ranches. The main land use in ranche is cattle grazing. The three operating sisal estates of the district are the Teita Sisal Estate, Voi Sisal Estate and Taveta Sisal Estate.
There are 48 forests which have survived on hill tops in the district of which 28 are gazetted and are under government protection and management. They range in size from small 500 square metres with a few remnant trees to modestly vast 2 square kilometres indigenous and exotic forest mountains.
Land grabbing has become one of the major issues in this County. The large scale farmers who are wealthy Kenyans have continued grabbing land in this county. The land owned by the Kenyatta family alone in Taita Taveta farm is 74,000 acres. This is not to mention 50, 000 acres currently under Mrs Beth Mugo, Minister for Public Health and niece of the first President.
Former Assistant Minister for Roads and Public Works Basil Criticos who has been accused of one of the land grabbers in Taita Taveta was sacked by Moi. Mr Criticos had complained about the squatters who occupied his land. Several hundred families had moved on to his farm and a neighbouring farm, beaten up security personnel, and burnt sisal crops.
It is not clear why land in Taita Taveta has been known for its crisis. Historical background could give some hints. Historically the land was not occupied not until the Taita people migrated to Kenya through Tanzania. They migrated to Kenya in five groups each settling at different places of the present Taita Taveta County in Kenya.
While settling in these areas the Taita speaking people interacted with other communities or tribes particularly the Taveta, the Pare of Tanzania, the Borana, the Wakamba and the Maasai. Since then about 20 percent alone are from Western Kenya.
Others who settled in the area include the Falasha (Jewish) that settled in Taita Hills after conflicts in the Ethiopia or settled at the area during some migration south. Today there are sub groups or subtribes of Taita.
They can be divided into Wadawida, who traditionally lived around the Dawida, the Wasagalla who lived around the Saghalla, and the Wakasighau who lived around the Kasighau massif of the Taita Hills.
The Saghalla people speak Kisaghala which is much closer to the Kigiriama or mijikenda (nine tribes who speak almost same language). The Kasighau are closer to the Pare and Chagga of Tanzania but are Taita speaking people.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya & Rwanda: Approved AKR Constitution
from Association KenyansinRwanda
Dear All,
Kindly find attached a copy of the constitutition which was approved by members on 16th July 2011. Please read the document especially if you want to serve AKR in a official capacity because it is our fall back when things are not clear.
The election were set to 6th August. The procedures will be clarified by the newly formed elections committee according to the new constitution.
Thanks
John Kamwengu
Acting Chair
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ASSOCIATION OF KENYANS IN RWANDA (AKR)
CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS
June 2011
Notes on this Constitution
Included:
Clear guidelines about what happens when an Executive Committee is not operating properly.
Clear guidelines about responsibilities of the Executive Committee .
Clear guidelines about duties and responsibilities of the officers of exc com.
Changes in the compostion of the executive committee.
Clear guidelines on membership , dues and cessation of membership.
ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
1. Name, Mission Statement, Vision, Purpose, and Objectives
2. Jurisdiction
3. Membership
4. Officers/Executive Committee of Directors
5. Financial Provisions
6. Meetings
7. Bylaws
ARTICLES OF THE BYLAWS
I. Membership
II. Executive Committee
III. The Executive Committee
IV. Election of the Executive Committee
V. Authority
VI. Meetings
VII. Financial Provisions
VIII. Committees
IX. Bylaw Amendments
X. Termination
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1: NAME, MISSION STATEMENT, VISION, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Association of Kenyans in Rwanda(AKR), hereafter referred to as AKR. AKR shall be a non-profit community based organization.
Section 2: Mission Statement
The mission of AKR is to encourage and foster successful participation and integration of the Kenyans in Rwanda in the educational, social, political, civic, and economic activities of Rwanda. AKR is a welcoming and integrating organization, and will strive to provide the tangible and intangible social infrastructures that are needed to settle and motivate new migrants of Kenyan descent in Rwanda temporarily or permanently.
Section 3: Vision
AKR envisions a society in which all individuals of Kenyan descent, have equitable opportunities to realise their full potential and to participate meaningfully in the building of their careers and personal growth during their stay in Rwanda.
Section 4: Purpose
AKR’s purpose is to provide services to its members and to network with all levels of business, government and with other organizations for the benefit of its members and the community at large.
Section 5: Objectives
To partner with government departments, public and private organizations and agencies in attracting, settling, integrating, and retaining Kenyans in Rwanda.
To support the provision of services that encourage education, social services, civic, political and economic participation of the Kenyan community.
To collaborate with government departments and agencies, public and private organizations and agencies to reduce barriers that hinder the full participation of Kenyans in the development of Rwanda.
To encourage and to promote the participation of people of Kenyan descent in the building of Rwanda through cultural, educational, political and social network and activities.
To generate and maintain a comprehensive database of Kenyan Diaspora that will serve as a resource base for members, organizations, and the general public.
To sustain a collaborative and cooperative relationship with public and private agencies.
ARTICLE 2: JURISDICTION
Section 1: Scope of Opération
The activities of AKR are to be carried on within Rwanda or within such geographical area as the Executive Committee may from time to time define.
AKR office shall be in Kigali.
Section 2: Registered Office
The registered office of AKR shall be
C/O Kenya High Commission Kenya
P.O. Box 6159
KIGALI-RWANDA
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP
Categories of Membership
Membership will be of three classes; Regular, Corporate and Honorary
ARTICLE 4: OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS
AKR shall be governed by an Executive Committee of elected members. The governing committee shall be known as The Executive Committee
ARTICLE 5: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Section 1: Budget
A detailed budget approved by the Executive Committee shall be presented to the general membership for ratification one month after the AGM.
Section 2: Liability
AKR is not responsible for personal liability or property damage that occurs during the Association activities.
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
Regular general membership meetings will be held every month.
ARTICLE 7: BYLAWS
AKR may adopt such bylaws as it deems necessary, and may amend them or set them aside by majority vote of those present and voting with the provision that no such bylaw may contravene this constitution.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Class of Membership
Membership in AKR shall be open to individuals or groups of Kenyan descent as stated in the constitution Article 1. (2) (3) (4) (5) and subscribe to these bylaws.
Membership will be of three classes, Regular, Honorary and Corporate, as stated in the Article 3 of the constitution.
Section 2: Definition of Membership
Regular Membership:
Regular membership is limited to individuals of Kenyan descent and the non-Kenyan spouses and dependents of Kenyan immigrants.
Regular Members in good standing may vote, participate in all general membership activities and join committees.
Regular Members who meet requirements may hold any position on the Executive Committee.
A regular member will maintain membership by attending at least 60% of the general meetings , paying annual membership fee and being fully paid up in all contributions.
Membership will be renewable annually at the AGM.
Honorary Membership:
An individual, not a member of AKR Association, having performed outstanding service for the community of AKR , upon whom this association desires to confer special distinction.
A past member of the association currently not resident in Rwanda whom the executive committee may bestow upon this membership. This member shall not pay monthly subscription fees but may attend meetings and vote on resolutions but shall not be entitled to vie for any office.
Corporate Membership:
Corporate Membership will be extended to:
Groups: registered organizations that meet conditions set in Article I, Section 1 (a) of AKR’s bylaws.
Corporations: Any registered businesses that have met the conditions for corporate membership.
All applications or recommendations for Corporate Membership in AKR shall be submitted to the Executive Committee and approved by a simple majority of members of the Executive Committee .
Corporate Members cannot vote and shall not hold any position on the Executive Committee.
Section 3: Membership Obligations
Every Member is expected to pay annual dues and levies to remain in good standing.
Members should actively participate in AKR events.
Section 4: Dues
Membership dues for Regular and Corporate classes will be set by the Executive Committee and are approved by the community at an annual general meeting of AKR.
All Regular and Corporate Members must complete a membership application form and pay the prescribed dues.
In special cases membership dues for a Regular member may be waived by the Executive Committee. An application for fee waiver must be made to the Executive Committee for consideration.
Section 5: Cessation of Membership
Membership of AKR shall cease if a member fails to pay annual registration fees payable in a year.
Membership of AKR shall cease if a member submits in writing a resignation letter to the Executive Committee (voluntary resignation).
Membership can be revoked on the recommendation of 2/3 of members .
Resignation or revoked membership does not provide relief to any financial obligations the member may owe to AKR prior to cessation of membership.
ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of a maximum of 9 and a minimum 7 elected members.
The entire Executive Committee shall be elected at the AGM
Only members who have paid the full amount of the monthly and annual subscription fees and attended at least 60% of the monthly meetings are electable.
Members of the Executive Committee are volunteers and shall receive no financial compensation from AKR. However they shall be entitled to refunds for all expenses incurred as indicated in a budget approved by members.
If any member of the Executive Committee, for any reason desires to serve AKR in a paid position, he/she must first resign from the Executive Committee , second meet the requirements of the paid position, third compete with external and internal candidates for the paid position.
Section 2: The Executive Committee Membership
Each elected official of the Executive Committee shall serve for a period of one year and shall be eligible for re-election for not more than two consecutive terms.
No vacancy in the The Executive Committee shall be filled by appointment.
In the situation where the entire The Executive Committee is recalled, the functions of the The Executive Committee shall be automatically transferred to a caretaker committee appointed by the Kenya High Commission.
The caretaker committee shall call an AGM for the election of a new The Executive Committee within a period of six weeks from the date of the dissolution of the Executive Committee.
Section 3: Composition of The Executive Committee
The composition of the Executive Committee shall reflect the diversity of AKR and should endeavour to include men, women, youth and minorities whenever possible.
The Executive Committee must be duly elected Regular Members and shall include the Chair of the Executive Committee, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Organising Secretary/ Public Relations Officer, Vice Treasurer, Secretary and 3 regional representatives.
Section 4: Recall of Executive Committee members
Any member of the Executive Committee, who is found to be lacking in his/her performance of the assigned duties shall be removed by majority of votes of the members in good standing at a special meeting of AKR called for that purpose.
In order to recall an Executive Committee member, a meeting must be called through a petition signed by at least 60 regular members in good standing.
Recall will be by majority vote of the regular members in good standing who are present.
The recalled Executive Committee member must return all records, documents or assets of AKR in their possession.
Resignation or recall does not provide relief to any financial obligations the Executive Committee member may owe to AKR prior to cessation of membership.
ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: The Chair of The Executive Committee
Presides as chairperson of all General and all Executive Committee meetings.
Functions as the joint official representative of AKR.
Is authorized to affix his or her signature to contracts, obligations and correspondence pertaining to AKR and its policies.
In consultation with the Executive Committee can establish and approve special committees.
Shall serve as an ex-officio advisory member of all committees.
Represent the Association in any related activities that cover the interests of AKR members.
May delegate an existing Executive Committee member to represent the Chair of the Executive Committee if the Vice-Chair is unable to serve in a designated capacity.
Directs and liaises with all paid staff members.
Negotiates with businesses on behalf of AKR.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 2: The Vice Chair
In the event of the absence or inability of the Chair of the Executive Committee to serve or function in any of his/her assigned duties, the Vice- Chair shall act in the place of and with the authority and duties of the Chair of the Executive Committee .
Assumes other responsibilities delegated by the Chair of the Executive Committee .
Shall act as the secretary of the corporate chapter of AKR and shall record and note details of all meetings of the Corporate Chapter of AKR.
Section 3 The Organising Secretary and Public Relations Officer
Shall gather, maintain and or disseminate relevant data and information that would benefit AKR and its members, the public and the local community.
Shall identify and solicit eminent individuals and bodies in both private and public sectors for AKR’s activities.
Shall have access to the complete record of all AKR members and shall open and maintain a line of communication with all categories of members.
Shall develop communication and marketing strategies for AKR, work in close consultation with the Chair and other Executive Committee members to promote AKR activities within and outside the community.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 4: Treasurer
Shall receive safeguard, and account for funds and other assets in accordance with policies and procedures established by AKR’s Executive Committee and Membership.
Is responsible for all financial records and accounts of AKR.
Pays all bills and obligations approved for payment by the Executive Committee of Directors.
Keeps a true account of all transactions of AKR.
Presents a full financial report at each Executive Committee and Membership meeting.
Arranges for an annual audit of the Association’s receipts and expenditures at the end of the fiscal year.
Maintains a record for member’s dues.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 5: Secretary
Keeps accurate minutes of all Membership and Executive Committee meetings.
Shall distribute copies of the Executive Committee minutes to all Executive Committee members prior to next Executive Committee meeting.
Serves as custodian of the minutes and any other records pertaining to AKR
Has responsibility for necessary Executive Committee correspondence.
Keeps membership records up to date and maintains a mailing list of all members, including name, email address, postal and home address, and telephone number.
Shall submit a written report to the Executive Committee before every community meeting.
Section 6: Vice Treasurer
Shall assist the treasurer in his/her duties.
Shall assist the secretary in data entry and validation of membership lists.
Shall collect all monies due from members on behalf of the Treasurer.
Shall keep a single receipt book to be used for collection of membership fees.
Shall assist the treasurer to collect debts and monies owed to the association.
Section 7 : Regional Representative (3)
The association will have 3 regional representatives from the East, West and South provinces. The regional representatives will be appointed by the in- coming executive committee at the AGM. (The incoming chair shall name them as part of his team should he win office.)
Shall represent AKR in the various regions away from Kigali.
Shall collect monies owed to the association from members.
Shall register new members in their respective regions
Shall chair regional meetings of the Association.
Shall attend all meetings of the executive committee and vote on matters arising in meetings.
Shall assist the organising secretary to take minutes at General Meetings of members where the organising secretary may be busy on other matters.
ARTICLE IV: ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: Nomination
There shall be a nominating / election committee formed on the last Saturday of April of each year.
The committee shall facilitate the election of a new Executive Committee.
Terms of reference for the nominating/election committee shall be recommended by Executive Committee and approved at the meeting forming the committee.
The nominating election committee shall consist of three members in good standing plus a legal officer from the Kenya High Commission.
Shall prepare a slate of officers for the AGM.
Members shall propose a list of officers to the nominating committee for presentation at the AGM.
The nominating committee shall serve as the elections committee at the AGM.
Section 2: Date of elections
The AGM (Election will be at AGM) will be held in the 3rd week of June of each year except for this transitional period of July 2011.
The Executive Committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting (AGM) by secret ballot of all members in good standing present.
Voice vote may not be used to accept a slate as presented.
There will be no nominations from the floor.
Early voting will not be allowed.
Section 3: Elections AGM
Observers will be appointed at the AGM for the voting process.
The voting shall be handled by a credible auditing firm.
The candidate receiving the largest number of votes for each position shall be declared elected by the Nomination/Election Committee.
Rules of Order will be the standard for all elections and meetings.
ARTICLE V: AUTHORITY
Section 1: Authority
The authority of this organization is vested in the members. The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the membership.
Section 2: Authority to make and execute
The Chair of the Executive Committee shall have the authority to make and execute on behalf of AKR, any deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument relating to real and personal property of AKR.
The Executive Committee will have three signatories for its account, The Chair, The Secretary and the Treasurer. All transactions will be signed by the Chair and Treasurer while the Secretary will sign in case of a temporary absence of either the Chair or Treasurer .
Section 3: Meetings of the Executive Committee
The meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held at least monthly.
The Executive Committee shall set the date of their meetings.
Meetings of the AKR Executive Committee of Directors shall be held at least monthly to discuss and conduct routine AKR business.
A quorum to conduct business is 50% of AKR’s Executive Committee.
The Chair of the Executive Committee may call special meetings of the Executive Committee when necessary to discuss and vote on special matters.
Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair, when a written request is received for such a meeting that states the purpose of the meeting and is signed by five (5) Regular Members or by written or oral notice to the Chair from three members of the Executive Committee.
In a situation where the Executive Committee is unable to meet due to lack of quorum for two consecutive scheduled meetings the Organising Secretary is required to call a general meeting of AKR members to resolve the problem through recall or election.
Section 5: Minutes
Minutes of AKR’s Committees and Executive Committee shall be kept as a public document
The Secretary shall keep records of all Executive Committee and general meetings.
Section 6: Notice of Meetings
The Executive Committee members shall be notified at least two (2) working days prior to their meetings.
Section 7: Communication to AKR Members
All official written communication and correspondence to other organisations shall be sent out by the Chair of the association.
All email communication to members shall be sent out by the Organising Secretary .
All sms communication to members shall be sent out by the Organising Secretary
Procedure of communication by email.
Any member of the executive committee shall be able to originate a message to members. This message shall be drafted by the originating party and sent out to all members of the executive committee. The Organising Secretary shall wait for an ‘okay’ response from at least 4 of the seven members of the executive committee one of which will be the chair of the committee .
Any message that will not be approved by the chair of the association shall not be valid to be sent out to members.
Procedure for communication by SMS
Any member of the Executive Commitee shall be able to originate an SMS message to all members. This SMS shall be drafted by the originating party then sent to all members of the executive committee. The Organising Secretary shall wait for an ‘Okay’ response from the Chairman and three other members of the committee before sending the SMS to the general members.
Section 8: Executive Committee Vacancy
If any office in the executive committee shall fall vacant, then this is the order in which the vacancies shall be filled until the next general election .
In the event that the office of the Chair shall fall vacant, then Vice Chair shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Vice Chair, shall fall vacant, the Organising Secretary & PRO shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Organising Secretary &PRO shall fall vacant, the Secretary shall automatically succeed.
In the event that the office of the Treasurer shall fall vacant, the Vice Treasurer shall shall automatically succeed.
In absence of both the Treasurer and Vice Treasurer, a by election shall be held within one month to fill the position of treasurer.
For a vacancy in any other position the executive committee shall fill the position from among their ranks.
If the office of the Chair, Vice Chair and Organising Secretary shall fall vacant within the course of the AKR year, then a by election shall be held to fill those positions.
If more than 50% of the offices fall vacant in the course of the AKR year then the remaining Executive Committee shall call for a by election to fill the vacancies.
Voting will be by secret ballot. The voting process will follow the same process as employed in an AGM
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1: General membership meetings
AKR’s general membership shall hold monthly meetings at a time and place designated by AKR’s Executive Committee .
The Executive Committee may call special meetings when it is deemed necessary.
The Executive Committee may also call a special meeting when it has received a written request for such a meeting that states the purpose of the meeting and is signed by twelve Regular Members.
Section 2: Committee meetings
The chair of a committee or program may set up and conduct meetings as necessary to carry out the routine activities of AKR for special projects or standing committee activities.
ARTICLE VII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Section 1: Dues
Dues will be set by the Executive Committee and will run from 1st July to June 30th the following year.
Regular and Corporate Members shall pay annual dues in the amount fixed by the Executive Committee.
All members Coroproate and General shall pay the annual fees and the monthly membership fees in order to remain in good standing.
Section 2: Donations
Donations or grants may be received with the approval of the Executive Committee .
Section 3: Budgeted funds
Each year, the Executive Committee shall set a detailed draft annual budget one month after election .
The annual budget must be presented and ratified by the general membership each year.
Any decision to spend any money in excess of the budgeted amount or a re-allocation, must be approved by the Executive Committee .
Section 4: Audits
An audit firm shall be competitively sourced by the executive team one month after election to audit the association’s books for a period of one year. The term of the audit firm will be renewable depending on the view general membership presented at the AGM.
Audits shall be conducted the professional firm that is competitively; at least twice a year (December) and towards the end of the financial year (April ). The results of the audit shall be presented in the subsequent general meeting or when the general assembly deems necessary.
Section 5: Income
All monies received by AKR and its activities shall be deposited in the name of AKR in an insured banking facility.
Donations or grants may be received with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 6: Funds Disbursement
The persons authorized to disburse funds are the Treasurer, the Chair and the Secretary who are designated as signatories to AKR’s bank account.
Checks drawn against AKR’s account shall be valid only when signed by any two of the authorized persons.
Charitable donations can be made by AKR. Such donation requests will be researched and a proposal for the donation be presented to the Executive Committee for approval.
ARTICLE VIII – SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1: Committees
Establishment of Committees:
Special Committees may be established for the purpose of carrying out the routine activities of AKR and shall be created by the Chair of the association. These committees shall be dissolved by the appointing authority or on the lapse of the authority’s tenure of office.
General duties of Committee Chairs:
Shall coordinate the activities of their committee.
Shall be responsible for preparing a budget and financial statement for any events or activities their committee stages once the event is complete.
Shall prepare an annual report for the Association, Executive Committee and committee files.
Section 2: Committee Records
The Executive Committee members of each committee shall maintain complete records of past and present activity of that committee.
Each Executive Committee member shall submit the records of the committee on to the Executive Committee Secretary, who will safeguard the records for future use.
ARTICLE IX: BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments
These bylaws may only be amended at any regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose by a vote of the majority of the regular members present, provided that the membership has been given five days notice in writing of the proposed amendment.
The proposed amendments will be brought via the Executive Committee who will be responsible for circulating copies of the proposed Bylaw change to the membership.
Proposed bylaw amendments must be presented at a General Meeting of AKR in a manner that allows for discussion.
ARTICLE X – TERMINATION
Section 1: Dissolution of Executive Committee
In the event the Association is dissolved, the Officers of the Executive Committee then in office shall continue until all affairs of the Association have been officially terminated.
After settling all liabilities of AKR, any remaining assets/funds will be given to an organisation with similar goal and objectives.
Joy In The Morning
from: HUMPHREY MBOGO
Joy In The Morning—Dennis Fisher
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. —Psalm 30:5
Angie could not see through the fogged-up windows in her car. Inadvertently, she pulled out in front of a truck. The accident caused such damage to her brain that she could no longer speak or take care of herself.
Over the years, I have been amazed at the resiliency of Angie’s parents. Recently I asked them, “How have you managed to get through this experience?” Her father thoughtfully responded, “In all honesty, the only way we have been able to do this is by drawing close to God. He gives us the strength we need to help us through.”
Angie’s mother agreed and added that around the time of the accident their grieving was so deep that they wondered if they would ever have joy again. As they both leaned upon God, they experienced countless unexpected provisions for the physical and spiritual care of Angie and their entire family. Although Angie may never regain her ability to speak, she now responds to them with wide smiles and this gives them joy. Her parents’ favorite verse continues to be: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).
Have you experienced extreme sorrow? There is the promise of future joy amid your tears as you lean upon our loving Lord.
New mercies every morning,
Grace for every day,
New hope for every trial,
And courage all the way.
Leave your sorrows with Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows.”
NIGERIA: ISLAMIC BANKING WILL BREAK-UP NATION
By NAIWU OSAHON
The events of September 11 in the US, heightened fundamentalist vs. modernist tension around the world, forcing the non-Muslim world to struggle to make sense of an obviously puzzling, medieval mindset centering on holy war or jihad as a religious duty. The critical questions non-Muslims and many Muslims themselves are trying to find answers to include: what went wrong with the Middle East encounter with modernity? Why has Reformation, similar to that of Christianity, not occurred with Islam, and whether religion, particularly Islam, is only conducive to conflict and hatred even among Muslims themselves. There is no Islamic country in the world today not suffering from severe civil strife, which they export around the globe, with developing countries as their most vulnerable victims. It is for this reason that all the constitutions drafted by the founding fathers of Nigeria and the military, insisted on Nigeria being a secular state.
Security agencies in the US, predicted some years back, that Nigeria would break-up on religious grounds by the year 2020. Because of the secular nature of the Nigerian constitution, many Nigerians, mostly from the south, accused the US agencies of being alarmist and mischievous, but happenings in the country since 1985 particularly, suggest that the prediction could happen sooner than 2020. The disturbing thing is that while those working for the break up of the country are not slowing down on their efforts, the Nigerians in leadership positions to do something about the grave threat to national cohesion and survival are unworried about the whole thing and doing nothing. It is like, everyone has given up and just waiting for Nigeria’s break-up.
The Arab world has for a long time been pursuing an agenda to Arabize and colonize Nigeria, failing which they would settle for the break-up of the country along the religious line of Islam vs., non-Islam. The Arab world wants a Somali or Sudan situation in Nigeria, preferring the Somali scenario if they cannot control Nigeria because as they claim, Nigeria is too large. What they mean by too large is that Nigeria’s influence in Africa is creating a clog in their efforts at Arabizing all of Africa. Ghadaffi confirmed Arab’s plan for Nigeria when he announced without diplomatic finesse of any sort in March 2010, during a very difficult political period in Nigeria, that Nigeria should break into two on the religious basis of Islam versus Christians or North versus South.
Arab’s interference in Nigeria’s affairs got a boost when her military President Babangida (1985 to 1993), smuggled Nigeria into the full membership of the Organization of Islamic countries (OIC), without respect for Nigeria’s secular law and without carrying along or informing or discussing the move at his Supreme Military Council, the highest decision making organ of government at the time. Babangida’s deputy at the time, Admiral Ubitu Ukiwe, leaked the slight to the council, and the illegality of the move, to the public, and was promptly eased out of the government. Nigeria is not an Islamic country, if anything she is secular by her constitutional provisions and yet Nigeria remains a member of the OIC even now and becomes active in it when a Northern President is in power.
Ghadaffi was the arrow head of the Arab world’s Arabization policy in Africa. Ghadaffi after forcibly annexing the Auzon Strip from Chad, sponsored destabilization in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mali, Cote d’ Ivoire, Niger, etc in pursuance of the Arabization of Africa policy, laced with inordinate imperial personal ambition. In 1998, his strategy got a fillip with the founding of his community of Sahel-Savannah States (CEN – SAD), which he was hoping to use to control the envisaged African Union (AU.) The CEN – SAD, at the moment, ropes in 25 African states from West, East, and Central Africa, and includes Senegal, Cote d’Ivore, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Comoro Islands etc. Most of these unsuspecting African countries were stable until they joined CEN – SAD.
Abacha, whose military government grabbed power after Babangida’s regime, had agreed to smuggle Nigeria into the CEN-SAD in 1998, but died before he could actualize the move. Ghadaffi, in flagrant defiance of a UN embargo on flights in and out of Libya, invaded Nigeria with his planes carrying 1,000 members of his rag-tag army, plus 500 journalists, and strategically occupied the Kano airport and his other reception facilities, with the connivance of his host, Abacha, in 1997. The purpose was to launch a jihad or at least precipitate a serious schism between the predominantly Moslem north of the country and the Christian and animist south. Nigeria proved too sophisticated to be so cheaply destabilized so Ghadaffi settled for an accommodation to come to the aid of Abacha who was ready to plunge Nigeria into chaos at the time to become President for life in the mould of President Nassir of Egypt. The deal was finally sealed during Abacha’s overnight strategizing meeting with Ghadaffi in Chad just before Abacha died mysteriously in office frolicking with Muslim Indian prostitutes. With Nigeria returning to the semblance of civilian leadership in 1999, the Arab world decided to use ‘Sharia’ to dismember Nigeria. Pakistan, Libya and Saudi Arabia, to name a few countries, pumped substantial funds into the coffers of Governor Yerima’s Zamfara state, the first of Nigeria’s Sharia states, to start the process of Islamizing, (or at least to trigger mayhem and civil war), in Nigeria as in the Sudan. Obasanjo, the President of Nigeria at the time, ignored Zamfara’s illegal action and it soon began to engulfed other northern states smitten with Arab supremacy. Interestingly, Arabs call Blacks and Africans abeed, (meaning slaves, their slaves), and treat all Blacks as such.
Governor Bunu Sheriff of Borno state, one of the ‘Sharia’ states, encouraged the setting up of an Islamic fundamentalist sect, known as Boko Haram in his state. The sect is opposed to everything Western whether in education, commerce or other ways of doing things, and is determined to overthrow regimes operating such agendas at the state and national levels by violent means. There has been a series of skirmishes in Nigeria from that time, in the guise of Islamic fundamentalists such as the desert Al-Qaedas from Algeria and Mali, the Boko Haram sect and imported jihadists from the neighbouring countries of Niger and Chad, sacking whole Nigerian villages at night or burning down police stations and killing law enforcement officers in broad day light in Brono, Benue, Plateau and other neighbouring states. Yerima of Zamfara state, who is now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, recently married and is sleeping with the baby wife aged ten years, and we are told not to scream because his action is ‘Sharia’ compliant.
Yar’Adua, on becoming president of Nigeria in 2007, became active in OIC any time he could escape from bouts of his ailment. He smuggled Nigeria into a Muslim group of Islamic countries, an off-shoot of the OIC, camouflaged as Developing Countries (D8), to conceal its religious platform and agenda. All members of the D8 are Muslim countries except Nigeria. They include Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh etc., with absolutely nothing to offer Nigeria that ought to be aspiring to join the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
To instigate a jihad, Iran tried to smuggle a shipment of 13 container loads of war arsenals, including rockets and rocket launchers, to their agents in Nigeria by mid 2010 when Nigeria was at a leadership crisis breaking point. President Yar’Adua was already brain dead in a Saudi Arabian hospital as guest of the Saudi monarch at the time, but the fact was concealed from Nigerians to prevent the handing over of government business to Yar’Adua’s deputy. Yar’Adua’s wife was ruling the country by proxy with the national security adviser, top-most military leadership and most of the federal cabinet members supporting her and taking instructions from her. Her Attorney General, who appeared to have no legal education what-so-ever and was interpreting the Nigerian Constitution like a five year old kid, was claiming that Yar’Adua could rule the country from Mongolia indefinitely, and that Nigerians have no right to enquire into the president’s mental state of health or any other. According to the counterfeit Attorney General, the president cannot be replaced by his deputy. The deputy must continue to take instructions from his boss, in other words, from his proxy, Madam President.
Saudi Arabia connived with the family of Yar’Adua and the leadership of the Nigerian army at the time, a General of Northern Nigerian extraction, to smuggle Yar’Adua back into Nigeria like a thief in the night. The Nigerian security system was severely breached and troops were moved from the North to secure strategic locations at the nation’s capital Abuja, including the seat of power, for the clandestine incidence. In the morning, they ransacked the Acting President’s office to intimidate him and tried to stage a coup by laying in wait for the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, to occupy the President’s seat so as to be arrested by them for usurping the seat of the President who had returned in the night to the country.
The Iranian cargo of death was already awaiting clearance at Nigeria’s Apapa ports then, and was to have come in handy for the destabilization of the country but for the patience and security astuteness of Yar’Adua’s Deputy President, who had been sworn in as Acting President by the authority of a National Assembly emergency law, invoking the ‘doctrine of necessity.’ For damage control measures and to distract the Nigerian Security Agencies, the Iranian Prime Minister while attending the Developing Countries (D8) meeting in Abuja in late July 2010, pledged solidarity with Nigeria’s plan for nuclear technology acquisition for peaceful use. And in the heat of the commotion over the arms import, Iran, a backward football country, offered to play a friendly football match with Nigeria in mid November 2010, with all expenses paid by Iran.
Jonathan’s attempt to contest for the presidency of Nigeria in the April 2011 general elections was marked by ugly scheming to scuttle his efforts by a gang led by Babangida and Atiku, pushing Northern and Islamic agendas in the guise of the zoning of leadership. Jonathan trounced them at the pools and was sworn in to serve his own term in office on May 29, 2011, but his zoning scar appears to have compromised him, resulting in the promotion of narrow-minded, sectoral distortions in our body polity as exemplified by the greedy regional hijack of the presidency and speakership positions in the National Assembly.
To take advantage of the seeming weakness in the presidency, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who had been training personnel secretly for some time, to set up a parallel Central Bank to the national one, for Islamic banking in Nigeria, and had initialled damaging ‘Sharia’ agreements to the structure of our secular system and democracy, began pushing for the establishment of Islamic banking as the panacea for solving Nigeria’s economic ills. In other words, after he had sold Nigeria’s sovereignty to the OIC and the Islamic world, he was deceiving the nation that the Islamic bank had nothing to do with ‘Sharia’ laws, and that people opposing its berthing in Nigeria were only being sentimental. To the shock of the nation, the documents he had initialled with the Islamic bank’s agents confirmed his deceit, and came to light at his meeting on July 20, 2011, with the House of Representative members.
Only an Al-Qaeda agent or a mischief maker would lie so blatantly to try to grievously inflict religious tension, division and intolerance on his own country. Imposition of ‘Sharia’ laws at the national level to promote separate functions, products, services and queues for Muslim men and Muslim women on the one hand and them and non-Muslims on the other, and Arab laws against our national laws to forbid trading in alcohol, tobacco or other such moral fixations, as if we are an occupied country, is the surest and fastest recipe to disintegration in a secular country like Nigeria. A country which is already a melting pot of bitter non-native religious rivalries and acrimonies, and where the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, with the active support of Maghreb’s Al’-Qaida sects from neighbouring countries, is now throwing bombs daily, killing dozens of innocent people in public places and sacking churches and police stations to precipitate a jihad. The timing to introduce the bank in Nigeria is not only extremely troubling; it is an affront to the collective ambition and acumen of a people struggling desperately to evolve a common destiny.
The Islamic ‘do good,’ or interest free bank, as is being touted by Sanusi, is an irresistible bait in a poverty stricken, alien mentally and religiously enslaved society like Nigeria. But deceiving a people by calling a tiger a sheep, does not make the tiger a sheep. The truth of the matter is that the Islamic bank makes profits by Muslim names. It charges interest by non-conventional formats and names, to remain in business. The bank’s debtors end up paying higher interests by whatever Arab names called, than what operates in conventional banks, because the Islamic bank becomes a fortune sharing part-owner of the businesses of its loans, until the loans are liquidated.
Sanusi says, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is financing some Fadama II projects in two Northern and one Eastern states. Well, that is true, and Ya’Adua got us into that trap. What the IDB provided as aid, is on average N140 million (less than a million dollars), per state. Can’t the nearly half a trillion naira stolen by Mrs Ibru and the other Nigerian banks’ executives have taken care of that, instead of exposing us as a country so cheaply to the ridicule of being aided with pittance all in the effort of deviously imposing Sharia banking to Nigeria?
The Islamic bank has not impacted positively on the lives of Arabs’ indigenous poor who are the derelict Black original owners of all Arab countries, including Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan etc., which is why we have South Sudan now, with Darfur in toe. Sanusi says there is Islamic banking in Britain. Britain is not a secular country, Nigeria is. Britain has the resources, sufficiently sophisticated intelligence gathering mechanism, intimidating security efficiency and might, to quickly isolate their small Muslim population and nip whatever threats they pose in the bud.
Why do we keep pursuing things that divide rather than unite us as a people? If Sanusi is allowed to breach our secularism so contemptuously with his Islamic bank, how do we stop a future governor of the CBN from Bayelsa, licensing Egbesu bank; Igbo CBN governor, Amadioha bank; Edo CBN governor, Ogun or Olokun bank; Yoruba CBN governor, Sango bank; Christian CBN governor, Vatican or Jerusalem bank or does Sanusi expect to hold on to the CBN governorship post for eternity?
Civilization is hurtling away on a supersonic train and we are not on the train. We are on the side walk in an exciting new age of Barack Obama, unlimited possibilities, robust inclusiveness and collective responsibilities for decision making for our common future, regardless of gender, race or tribe, hanging on to some stupid, mundane, outmoded, barbaric, demonic pre-occupations, as if our lives still depend on our selfish, exploitative, self-centred past masters who abandoned us naked on the by-lane of wretched existence. When are we going to get on the moving train and contribute something of our own to human caucus and progress, outside of our Arabic and Caucasian influences and mind control?
President Jonathan must stop the Islamic banking from being set up in Nigeria right away and remove Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for lying to the nation about his Islamic bank intentions, because otherwise we would not have one Nigeria by the year 2020.
NAIWU OSAHON Hon. Khu Mkuu (Leader) World Pan-African Movement); Ameer Spiritual (Spiritual Prince) of the African race; MSc. (Salford); Dip.M.S; G.I.P.M; Dip.I.A (Liv.); D. Inst. M; G. Inst. M; G.I.W.M; A.M.N.I.M. Poet, Author of the magnum opus: ‘The end of knowledge’. One of the world’s leading authors of children’s books; Awarded; key to the city of Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Honourary Councilmanship, Memphis City Council; Honourary Citizenship, County of Shelby; Honourary Commissionership, County of Shelby, Tennessee; and a silver shield trophy by Morehouse College, USA, for activities to unite and uplift the African race. Naiwu Osahon, Sage: New World Order, renowned author, philosopher of science, mystique, leader of the world Pan-African Movement. All members of this group and of the African race are entitled to free e-copies of the following documents among others and are invited to apply for them.