KENYA: THE ODINGA DYNASTY THAT TUJU WANTS TO DESTROY
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
From: ouko joachim omolo
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
KISUMU-KENYA
TUESDAY, 30, 2011
The attempt by former Foreign Minister, Mr Raphael Tuju to destroy the Odinga dynasty is like the battle between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David hurls a stone from his sling with all his might, and hits Goliath in the center of his forehead. David takes his sword and cuts off his head. The underlying purpose of the story of Goliath is to show that Saul is not fit to be king, and that David is.
While politicians allied to Prime Minister Raila Odinga are crying foul over Tuju’s bid to run for presidency in 2012, arguing he has been bought by President Mwai Kibaki’s PNU party to spoil votes for Raila, Mr Tuju, who was a special advisor in the Office of the President before resigning on Sunday to join presidential race, said he wanted to prove that Kenyans could look beyond tribal inclinations.
Tuju wants to destroy once for all the divisive game of tribal politics which he says is extremely profitable to some, even as it levies a heavy cost on tribal followers. He wonders why Kenyans should die for their tribal political leaders who cannot even assist them excel in life.
The political vision and mission Tuju has is that the Luo should look beyond the Odinga dynasty for leadership. The situation of IDPs in Luo Nyanza is pathetic because they have not been compensated and nobody talks about them, yet they would still want to fight for one man come another election.
They would still want to fight because Luos have not come out from suffering under the culture of modern slavery well-orchestrated and managed by those in power. It is the politics of ‘our own’ that cannot elevate them from poverty and ignorance. Majority of jobless and hungry Luos are consistently languishing in poverty.
Speaking during the launch of his campaign at a Nairobi hotel Sunday, Tuju promised the youth job opportunities and also to unite all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background. He was particularly concerned on the issue of negative ethnicity and would make it a priority to ensure unity among all Kenyans.
But not even all the politicians allied to Raila are supporting his presidential bid. Defense Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaissery and Samburu East MP Rapheal Letimalo have distanced themselves from Raila and want Internal Security Minister Professor Prof. George Saitoti to vie for presidency in the next general election, saying that it was time to support their own to lead this country.
"It is time to support Saitoti who is our son since he has the experience in governance matters having served for a long time in government,” Nkaissery was quoted by press to have told Maasai communities during a fundraising in aid of Esokon Primary School in Transmara District of Narok County, where Prof. George Saitoti was the chief guest.
One of the reasons given by Nkaissery for ditching Raila for Saitoti who is also Kajiado Central MP, is that they supported ODM party in 2007 and were given low-key ministries, adding that his people are questioning him over the recent appointments in government which went all to Kalenjins.
Born March 30, 1959, Tuju formed the Progressive People's Party (PPP) in 2005 with a view to swaying votes away from the "orange No campaign" as opposed to Raila. When he joined Narc through the LDP, this was seen by Raila allies as an act of betrayal by his Rarieda constituents and by extension the Luo Nyanza populace of which he was a member.
But because of dynasty concept in Luos, even though Tuju is the first Luo MP to do something positive about the grinding poverty in Rarieda, Raila’s supporters viewed him as a traitor. Late Kisumu archdiocese, Fr Norbert Owino escaped death narrowly when he told Christians at Lwak church that they should appreciate what Tuju has done for them.
Fr Norbert who was to be lynched alive in 2007 presidential violence by rowdy youths from Rarieda constituency was rescued by good wishers and taken to Nyabondo parish for hiding. He had highlighted the projects done by Tuju as a 350m water project that would benefit half the constituency.
Other projects initiated by Tuju included mobile clinics with free medicine, building and commissioning Rarieda secondary school, road construction from Ndori to fish landing beaches, construction of hygienic fish landing beaches and refrigerated storage for fish, linking Women groups and SME's to available credit facilities and building houses for widows.
Rarieda Constituency is one of the rural constituencies in Luo – Nyanza. It has over 48,000 registered voters and was created after being hived out of the old and larger Bondo constituency in the middle of the 1980s. Most of Rarieda constituents live below the poverty line. This is due to minimal economic activities within the constituency of which Tuju wanted to make a thing of past tense.
This is because Tuju has made it clear that his priorities are on development, not endless politicking. No wonder why during his tenure, Tuju turned Rarieda into a model constituency in Nyanza.
Apart from the above mentioned projects, others include Aids orphans, power supply from Ndori to Luanda Kotieno through Asembo Bay and the tarmacking of Ndori – Owimbi – Luanda Otieno road. Tuju has also been effective in lobbying private sponsors from overseas to support Rarieda projects.
On his insistence, the CDF money allocated to Rarieda has been concentrated on women groups, who he is keen to empower as a way of tackling grassroots poverty. Ruma Aids orphanage is one of his pet projects that benefited from the CDF.
Though the children stay with relatives, they came to the orphanage for food where they also got assisted with fees, uniforms and vocational training. Apart from CDF, a Dutch organisation helped with the funding. The orphanage had about 306 children.
Rarieda area’s first MP was former Envoy Bob Jalang’o between 1988 – 1992, and the late Achieng Oneko 1992 – 1997 upon which Odeny Ngure took it in 1997 – 2002 paving way to Raphael Tuju. The current MP is Engineer Nicholas Gumbo.
Letters to the Editor
WHY RAILA SHOULD THINK TWICE
This is a very critical moment for Raila and his ODM partners. I would advice him together with his counterparts to have a retreat for them to succeed in the future politics. ODM losing the two seats of Kamukunji and Ikolomani is a show that Raila and his team may lose greatly in the next general election.
Ruto has been a great "friend" of Raila but their division may cause a great political harm to the ODM team. The other day I was in Luo land talking to a friend about the politics of Raila and after much discussion, it seems many people are tired with his politics. For them Raila may not make it to the State House.
By Chrispine
Nairobi, Kenya
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya: Luo Nyanza & Kibera!!
from K'Omondi J'Alego
Dear Kenyans,
I have always followed threads in these fora for quite sometime now. I have even posted a few of my own. I have also replied and commented on some threads albeit to important ones, though with a lot of caution. This is not because I lack time for the same, but it is for one reason. That some of the threads that are posted here are very retrogressive in nature and should not even be here in the first place. It is for this very reason that I have taken my time at least for the moment to say and lay bare what I think about the whole issue.
Fellow Kenyans, I have read some threads here with dismay as they are nothing other than very tribal and are always aimed at arousing some kind of tribal passion that at the end of the day, should it be left as it is, might just lead to some unspeakable occurrences in the near future.
I would wish to appeal to you all not to judge me by where I come from nor by my last name but by what I stand for. The fact that my last name is Omondi should not be reason enough to be associated with some happenings at where I come from. Being called Maina, Mwiti, Nyamao, Nthanga et al should only be used for identity purposes and not for any other reason.
These fora have been turned into some sort of judgmental dins about the people from Nyanza and by extension, residents of Kibera. I fail to understand why people from Luo Nyanza cannot be allowed to air their own views. Why do every other person believe that Luo Nyanza are following the words of one person. Don't people from Luo Nyanza have minds of their own? Can't these brothers and sisters from Luo Nyanza speak their minds?
Dear Kenyans, I am a proud son of Alego Kaluo, in Siaya District, Siaya county so to speak. I am neither a political prisoner of anyone nor am I a fanatic of any politician. Just to put the record straight, I subscribe to the ideals of ODM as a political party and I am confident about its leadership. You are free to air your own opinions about my thinking. Kenya is a free democracy anyway.
Looking at Kenya's political behavior since the reintroduction of multiparty politics, we have to agree that every community tend to follow what their leading political figures tell them. I have failed to understand why every other person quotes Luo Nyanza whenever such issues come in. During Moi's 24 year rule, the whole Kalenjin land was a KANU zone. In 2007, central Kenya was purely PNU(Kibaki), Ukambani was ODM-K(Kalonzo), Luo Nyanza was ODM(Raila) etc. We have again seen the trend now. In Central, the likelihood of it being a PNU zone is very real, read Uhuru Kenyatta, Rift Valley is all ready in UDM. What therefore is so unique about Luo Nyanza standing by RAO? Why should it bne different whn it comes to Luo Nyanza?
Cant we stand buy one of our own?
Let us all be realistic and give Luo Nyanza a break. We are very proud of our son s and daughters and we will stand by them. We cannot simply abandon them just to appease some people who think they think for us. To be always told that Luo Nyanza needs liberation is not just naive, but it is also stupid thinking and reasoning if you ask me.
Luo Nyanza have every right to stick to Raila, just like Kalenjin land have the right to stick with Ruto and so is central with Uhuru.
I don't see why every body should be shouting at the top of their voices just because some Ochieng, Otieno has aired his views.
Fellow Kenyans, Luo Nyanza are wise enough and are very educated as to know what is good for them They can think for themselves, chart their own destiny, and make their own decisions. We dont need someone to come and tell us what we need to do or what wrong we are doing. Should we need any advice, we are mature enough to ask for it. Kindly stop all this nonsense about Luo Nyanza this, Luo Nyanza that. WE ARE SICK & TIRED OT IT!!!!
WE HAVE BRAINS OF OUR OWN AND CAN THINK FOR OURSELVES!!!!!!
Good Day!!!!!!
KENYA: POST ELECTION VICTIM WHO CHEATED DEATH MARKS 25 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
from ouko joachim omolo
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
KISUMU-KENYA
MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2011
Kisumu archdiocese catholic priest, Fr Elias Ngafia yesterday celebrated his 25 years silver jubilee of priesthood. Fr Ngafia, from Gikuyu ethnic community was ordained priest for Kisumu archdiocese on August 28, 1986 together with Fr John Obala who is the current Rector of St Thomas Aquinas National Seminary, Nairobi.
Fr Ngafia escaped death in 2008 during the presidential election violence. Rowdy Luo youths armed with crude weapon wanted to kill him because of being from Gikuyu background. The violence started in Eldoret and spread to Kisumu, Kericho, Mombasa, Naivasha, Molo, Njoro, Githima village near Nakuru and in Western Kenya.
Although Naivasha had the least number of people killed, Eldoret and Kisumu topped the list, followed by Kericho, Mombasa, Molo, Njoro, Kakamega, Bungoma, Nairobi, and Nakuru.
In Kisumu the Kikuyus were the target to revenge the killing of Luos in Naivasha. It was reported that the Mungiki attacked Luos, some of whom were burnt alive in one single house. There were no Kalenjins in Naivasha so they were not the target.
The Luos in Kisumu were also revenging the killings of their colleagues in Nairobi, allegedly by the Kikuyus. The Kikuyus were on the other hand revenging on the Luos and the Kalenjins for killing their fellow Kikuyus.
It is against the background that Fr Ngafia maintains that reconciliation and healing in Kenya is not going to be simple as such as Kenyans may think. Majority of IDPs have not been settled, the families of 1,133 who were brutally killed have never been compensated.
Moi has never been charged in court of law for the deaths of innocent Kenyans his regime initiated from December 1992 elections to 2002. The families of people killed in Molo, Narok, Pokot, Londiani, Elburgon and Burnt Forest areas of the Rift Valley. These attacks were aimed primarily at the Kikuyu.
Moi has never reconciled with Luos, Luhyia and Kisii for driving away from Rift Valley. The Kalenjin Assistant Minister Kipkalia Kones had just declared Kericho District a KANU zone and stated that the Kalenjin youth in the area had declared war on the Luo community in retaliation for several Kalenjins killed in earlier violence. In the Chemichimi (the Bungoma District), the Kalenjin attacked the Luhya community.
Fr Ngafia did not only escape death their houses in Koru were burnt with all the belongings. His mother, Mrs Peres Mwihaki Wainana, 87, who died today (Monday August 29), was forced to go to stay with relatives in Nyahuru. She was terribly traumatized as the result of the violence.
Yesterday Fr Ngafia had said even if his mother was not elderly she could not come for his 25 years jubilee celebrations because of the shock of the violence. He wondered why Kikuyu community were referred to as ‘Bim en Bim’ (a baboon will remain a baboon)’, a song first sung by Owino DO Misiani and Onyi Papa. The song was perceived to be anti-Kikuyu and Kibaki government for criticising their political leadership for turning against the people who took them to power.
The song followed the December 2002 elections that brought the National Rainbow Coalition of Mwai Kibaki to power; Misiani was arrested in 2003 for releasing the song.
Between 1972 and 1974, Misiani had also problems with President Kenyatta for his composition of Kalamindi in which he talked about Kenyatta’s development policies that benefited only his Central Province and his Agikuyu community.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
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Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
To The 100 Suicide Bombers Left In Nigeria
from Yona Maro
By Abiola Olaifa
I was born to a Christian father and a Muslim mother. My mum later converted to Christianity as our cultural belief is that any religion practised by the head of the house, is the religion for the family. My mum’s conversion to Christianity was without any troubles from her kinfolk since it was believed that we serve same God. I have relations, friends and neighbours who are Muslims, we all co-habit and live in peace in the same neighbourhood, my mum’s Islamic background gave me a good knowledge of Islam and I can easily recite some of the quranic quotes. I did not for once doubt this religion as a religion of peace. We all live together in harmony, believing that we are serving the same God, but in different ways.
At Christmas, our Muslim friends and family visits my home, we have one or two Sheeps ready to go for the big Christmas celebration, we all eat, danced and partied together. Same is the case when it is time for the Muslim’s Sallah festival, we all gather in my Uncles, who already have their Rams ready for the slaughter, these are always exciting moments for us. We also enjoyed playing with and using the Rams for fights before they are slaughtered and these are great moment of excitement for us kids. We do not see ourselves as being religious enemies or opposite or unequal before God in whatsoever way. We were happy together and we often attend one Islamic lectures or the other in my uncle’s home from the Alfa’s that visit for prayers on weekends, this are equally very happy moments for us as we are sure that we will have some food to eat at the end of the prayer session.
The recent event is throwing this happy inter-religious relationship into the winds, not only I’m I getting worried about the latest developments, I am equally saddened by the appalling and heartless killings going on in Nigeria at the moment through suicide bombings. I have not been able to fathom the immediate reason for this, except accepting this as a sure sign of the end times. Does it mean that those practising Islam before are doing it the wrong way or a new version of Quran has just been invented which is very hostile to the opposite religion? If the Quran is still same one used by the Alfa’s in my uncle’s home, then we are in for a new inconceivable disaster.
The spokesperson for Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group recently claimed responsibility for the bombing of UN Building in Abuja, in a phone call to BBC. He claimed further that there are more than 100 recruits ready to carry out more suicide attacks in Nigeria, just after the country was thrown into panic on the 26th of August 2011. It broke my heart to hear that this act is being perpetrated because of God and the need to Islamise Nigeria. This group reason that killing innocent people is a sure way to achieve their aim of winning people to Islam. I beckon on these newly recruited bombers to be wary of the effect of these heinous attacks on our world and the psychic of the people, no one with his right senses will change to Islam if you continue with these activities. Violence has never been and will never be the right way.
I am confident that these killings are not for God, but purely to make political statement. It could not have been for God if you must shed human blood for sacrifice to the same God, who they ironically say also wants to save the world. I have believed based on teachings from the Alfa’s visiting my Uncle, my mother and personal discovery that God should be some humble-spirit, interested in saving the world and a comfort to those in trouble and that we pray to about our problems and he helps us through it. I am now beginning to have a change of mind, if these killers are saying they are committing all this crime in the name God and that God will make them martyrs if they are able to kill so much people, then this God must be different from the God I have previously known. This is a serious and dangerous consternation to my long held belief about Islam and I am absolutely startled.
I have many questions going on in my head that I sure need answers to; what do you aim to achieve by killing those you choose to convert. If the reason you give is to change the unbelievers to accept Islam, how would a dead person accept Islam? Must violence be the way to make your voice heard? Has God instructed you to carry out these unlawful killings or is this politically motivated? If this God makes you a Martyr as you claim, would you be happy by how many people your sect lands in hell through sudden death, since they have no time to repent of their sins. Why must you create so much fear and panic to the world to impress your views on others?
I am of the opinion that if God has ordered this killing as this suicide bombers claim and the same God is happy with what they are doing, then I do not want to be associated with this God. He must be a God with no human face and I dissociate myself from such heartless God. Also if you are perpetrating these evil acts out of the need to be made a martyr and have a place in Al-Jannah as you claim, then it’s a big shame, I equally do not want to be associated with such a materialistic religion.
I have a personal message for the over 100 suicide bombers still left in Nigeria as claimed by Boko Haram, who are ready to attack at any moment. Please stop and think for once, your next victims may be your brother or sister. Do not be deceived, you have no mansion and beautiful bride waiting for you in heaven, but hell. Sit back and think before you strike. It is not fair on the already volatile planet, there is so much panic and pain, and what joy do you get in that. I have spoken to many Muslims and confident that this killing is not Islamic, let us all hold tight and pray for these religious asinine to stop this unnecessary killings, they are not heroes at all as they believe, but criminals. The world now live in fear because of these extremist groups, let us pray for this evil acts to stop and for the perpetrators to be caught and brought to justice. Let us pray for the repose of the soul of the dead and for the peace of the world.
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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
Kenya: We Need Orie Rogo-Manduli To Join Reform Train…….Time is Out For Coalition Government
from Judy Miriga
Folks,
We have come along way and we are not going to frail or fail. Ask me how.....? It is because we struggled to achieve change. It is the change that we need so badly, and for change to change our minds and do things differently, we must unite for the cause. We must agree to disagree by putting facts as truth on the table ........... and we must agree to pass the vetting test of acceptable good conduct.
We will be wasting time going by the old ways of the corrupt, trying to sell old fashion that which do not fit in the New Constitution. It is this reason why we are only able to buy what contesting candidates have to offer in their quest for leadership.
Before that is done, we must have a vehicle for which to travel in the Federal/Majimbo County set-up ....... The Coalition Government is stalled at the station and its time is out ....... it is critical that we demand its removal before our train is able to dock in the station for take off......We had previously asked and gave countdown, that the two Principles relinquish and dissolve the Coalition Government harmoniously, but it seems they are not in a hurry to comply. They have become non-compliant, and we must seek for help Internationally at the United Nations and the world leaders before things get out of control and the Kenya becomes ungovernable.
Our vehicle is the formational structure of a National Transitional Caretaker to which we are able to incorporate non-corrupt people of good standing to challenge the offices of Public Leadership in progressive service delivery. We must engage people with notably good track records of discipline who are able to move the Country forward to achieve prosperity and success. We need people with good management skills who will provide direction to unifying social diversity with balanced Economic and Political level playing field, where all will participate fairly without discrimination or intimidation. We are at pain in concern about the insecurity, terrorism and thuggery growing out of proportion, where Kenya Police have been compromised and Armed Forces, Air Force and Navy are kept at barracks, leaving our boarders at security risk, because The Commander in Chief has compromised security of Kenya and Kenyans and is completely incompetent........
Kenya has been auctioned for less than two dollars a year, how do you equate this to being focused towards success in the Global Challenges and Competition......???
All Civil Societies, Kenyans, Friends and Sympathizers must come together in common agreement in this Forum, to foster change we all need in a Forward Strategy Plan and for Kenya to achieve the badly needed Federalism of Majimbo County Governance we so badly needed.
While the Coalition Government is brooding on off-time, it is within this week we must agree what next course of Action for Kenya in our Forward Strategy.........!!!
These few days we were deeply engaged by Irene Hurricane passing on our path. It is thanks to God, we are safe.......to those who were affected and lost lives we send Pray that God give them strength to pick pieces and move on, and condolences to Many who lost lives. It is difficult to comprehend how nature can take turn to its worse.....But it is important to observe and heed voices of Nature.....It is one of many way God speaks and in return, we appreciate, and as well, we are able to take stock and respond positively or negatively at will, taking note of what surprises nature has in store for us......For this I was out of circulation.
I hope and trust God's help to continue being active in this struggle, and hope Orie Rogo Manduli will be up and about to join with the rest of us to bring the change we all badly need.
To our Muslim brothers and sisters, we wish them all happy Idd-il-Fitri.......!!!
Lets keep on keeping on and God on our side, we will triumph......
Cheers everybody, and God Bless you all,
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
World: Investing for Sustainable Development
from Yona Maro
The purpose of this review is to assess trends in the production, implementation and impact of investment principles, with a particular focus on international development and environmental objectives. The review considers the potential of investment principles to influence sustainable development outcomes, and makes some early recommendations on how to enhance this potential. This research suggests that investors will not compromise high returns for investments with negative impacts on sustainable development.
http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16505IIED.pdf
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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
World: The Global Innovation Index 2011
from Yona Maro
This explores the transformative power of innovation. Significantly, it identifies the conditions and qualities that allow innovation to thrive, and highlights the role innovation can play in a nation’s economic and social development. A key goal of this index has been to find metrics and approaches to better capture the richness of innovation in society and go beyond the traditional measures of innovation such as the number of PhDs, research articles produced, research centers created, patents issued, and R&D expenditures.
http://www.globalinnovationindex.org/gii/GII%20COMPLETE_PRINTWEB.pdf
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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
Kenya: Yala Swamp ….. Food Security in Kenya’s Yala Swamp
from Judy Miriga
Folks,
The Local Community are stakeholders of any Development taking place in their areas.
1) Any Community Development which is bound to utilize community resources, must include shared interests of all stakeholders fairly in both short and long term.
2) Any development that which involves the community must engage all threshold of concerns and interest of the local community
3) Any development must commit sustainable Partnership in Education, job security, Health, Environmental security, Security, Social and Economic benefit to all stakeholders must be assured in both long and short-term.
4) Any sustainable development must incorporate Partnership management representation on constant reporting for transparency and accountability
5) The Government holds security of "Trust" for the interest of the Local Community Natural Wealth.
Therefore, if these were not taken into consideration at the time of negotiation, then something is wrong and it cannot claim it is producing enough food when people are going hungry. The basic interest and concern of Dominion Farm is to make profitable business not based on the Community......which was not in the initital plan, and without which conflict will be far from being resolved. The community feels they have been cheated and so they have a right to claim back their Resources possibly for fresh renegotiating or otherwise........and anything less than that the Community has all rights to stop the project of Dominion Farm until agreement is concluded.
I am made to understand that Dominion first arrived as a religious group in search for souls to rescue. In otherwords, it was a Non Profit making undertaking. It beats logics how quickly it turned to Profit making supplying international markets and abandoned its earlier agenda. in 2008 it laid off 100 employees, and recently it has a problem with Siaya Teachers Office Block. Where are the prospective agreement to protect interests of the Local community? The community does not profit from Dominion farm but are into more problems than before. This by any standard is not a profitable short or longterm objective for Siaya Community can bank on....it is not a Development Agenda that can be trusted.......This is a rip-off business to profit the Rich and the powerful.......A lot must be done to build public confidense. People must be told if Dominion are engaged on GMO Ethanol for petrol, rather for International business and not for local human consumption.....a line must be drawn. It is the Truth that shall set us free.........
This has nothing to do with US FACT FINDING TOUR IN THE SIAYA/NYANZA area......
Thank you all,
Cheers ....!!!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
From: okil@ . . .
Subject: Should FBI investigate the diaspora on theattempttokillanAmerica investor in Siaya-County?
Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011, 11:56 AM
Jakaneya,
Considering the joke called Lake Basin Development Authority, Dominion could not have been a bad idea. However, I have always worried that, looking at the plethora of local problems it has had to deal with, the legal papers regulating it, the local Council and the affected community may not have been upto speed!
Nyamodi Ochieng-Nyamogo.
From: "maurice oduor"
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:31:42 +0000
Subject: Should FBI investigate the diaspora on the attempttokillanAmerica investor in Siaya-County?
Okil,
You can be sure I'll be talking to the good Reverend Okoth today. I personally need to know more about this Dominion project.
Rev, please flash me sometimes today.
Courage,
Oduor Maurice
From: okil@ . . .
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 06:20:24 +0000
Subject: Should FBI investigate the diaspora on the attempt to kill anAmerica investor in Siaya-County?
Ndebele,
I was inclined to ignore this since I come from Alego-Usonga and I am aware of the endless intrigues involving Dominion/Siaya councillors/the local community! In the incident you are refering to, I suspect you are being unnecessarily alarmist! There may have been a violent misunderstanding, but I doubt that the area councillor would be so dim witted as to organise a murder gang against the American and still have the chutzpah to be part of the same gang! Councillor Otieno Oriaro is a lot more intelligent than that! Or are you into some cheap politics here?! Which part of Alego-Usonga do you come from?! And was this "murder" raid during the day or night?! Finally, you are without a sense of proportion and even logic; in fact you are tactlessly trying to play to the gallery! Why, tell me, would you want to involve some FBI and the diaspora?! Last time I checked, Kenya had her own sleuths and the diaspora was not part of Alego-Usonga!
Nyamodi Ochieng-Nyamogo-
From: ndebele okoth
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:33:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Should FBI investigate the diaspora on the attempt to kill an America investor in Siaya-County?
http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=22889
Kenya: Dominion Farms YALA SCHEME
from ndedavit06@ . . .
Dear all,
There has been an attempt on the life of the CEO of Dominion farms Mr Calvin Burgess and both the US Government and the Embassy have taken a very strong view on the matter. Infact the embassy dispatched its representative down to the lake region for fact finding immediately.
[ . . . ]
Nigeria: The Record of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
from Yona Maro
This 65-page report analyzes the record of the commission, Nigeria’s most important anti-corruption agency. Since the commission was established in December 2002, it has publicly challenged the longtime ironclad impunity of Nigeria’s political elite – an accomplishment without precedent in Nigeria. The agency has arraigned 30 nationally prominent political figures on corruption charges, including 15 former state governors. But many of those cases have made little progress in the courts, Human Rights Watch found, and not a single politician is serving prison time for any of these alleged crimes. The commission has secured four convictions of senior political figures, but they have faced relatively little or no prison time. Other politicians widely implicated in corruption have not been indicted.
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/08/20/corruption-trial
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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
Kenya: Tuju quits as Kibaki aide to launch bid for State House
from Tebiti Oisaboke
Ralph for Prezzie? Has he been deployed by the Mt. Kenya Mafiosos to politically dilute the Nyundo in Luo land? That is like Daudi declaring war to Goliath the warrior.
TOI
The following article has been recommended:
Tuju quits as Kibaki aide to launch bid for State House
[http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Tuju+quits+as+Kibaki+aide+to+launch+bid+for+State+House+/-/1064/1226602/-/cw0fk2/-/index.html]
Former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju has quit his job as President Kibaki’s adviser to run for State House in next year’s elections.
Mr Tuju announced on Saturday that he would launch his presidential campaign in Nairobi on Sunday.
Mr Tuju, who served in Information, Tourism and Foreign Affairs dockets during President Kibaki’s first term, told the Sunday Nation that the President had accepted his resignation as an adviser on ethnic relations
[ . . . ]
Kenya: How hospital chat saved Wako’s job
from Tebiti Oisaboke
This "gentleman" has a story and half to tell. He needs to embark on writing down his story now and get it done before the next presidential campaign elections kicks off so that his book will be a number one on the selling list if he wants to supplement his retirement benefits from Baba Jimi's administration. He has a large number of customers awaiting for his story and needs nobody to put his book in Oprah's book list. Take that advantage mwana waingo and welcome aboard to our boda-boda tax.
TOI
The following article has been recommended:
How hospital chat saved Wako?s job ()
[http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/How+hospital+chat+saved+Wakos+job+/-/1064/1226556/-/k4kv4dz/-/index.html]
Former Attorney-General Amos Wako survived 20 attempts to push him out of his prestigious State Law Office for the two decades he held the position.
He could only be asked to resign and not be fired because of constitutional protections on his office and those who wanted him out could only press the President to ask him to step down.
[ . . . ]
Kenya: Yala swamp was bought at a cost of 2 dollars per hecka per year …. Dhulma …..!!!
From: Judy Miriga
Folks,
This does not make sense ...... Dominion Farm was fronted through political corrupt special interests and it should therefore renegotiate to incorporate realistic Local community concerns and interests......The deal here was not by any standards fair.....
Cheers .....!!!!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
Siaya Women Chart Way Forward
Women from Siaya District have pledged to form working committees at various levels with a view of ensuring that women participation in peace and development is enhanced.
This was agreed at a meeting dubbed, “Women in Development” which was held at Ugunja Home Ground Resort. The meeting also noted that there is a need to develop and implement women empowerment programmes at various levels with a view of capacity building them.
The meeting comes just when the situation begins to stabilize following the post election violence which rocked the country. During the meeting, it was noted that women felt the brunt of the violence though their participation was minimal.
The meeting resolved that “women should not play a second place, but should in future take early precautionary measures for such calamities by taking the leadership.
Dominion Farms should leave YALA swamp or renogotiate
April 1, 2008 by toiyoi
According to the standard,
“The Dominion Group of Companies has threatened to close a rice farming investment in Siaya District and move to a neighbouring country.
Mr Calvin Burges, the president of the US company, said he was fed up by intimidation and extortion by politicians and residents.”
Good riddance. I think he should leave. Or renegotiate. Why?
(i) There is no worthwhile economic benefit to the people of Bondo/Siaya at all
-these people are not shareholders of Dominion, so Dominion’ s success is not their success
-Dominion’s products are for export (rice and the fish )
-purchasing of the oranges, rice and fish from the Farm is not subsidized to them (as expected)
(ii) The environment will no doubt be affected by the chemicals and pesticides Dominion uses in the farm
-who will clean up after Dominion? Dominion never cleans up, even in America ( Operating as Cimarron Pork Inc, they left a pig mess in OK, USA. In USA, Calvin Burgess builds Prisons, not rice Farms )
-the resulting adverse health on the “already poor and unhealthy people” will be multiplied
(iii) There is no technology/knowledge transfer
-as with most projects of these types in Africa, there is no useful technology and knowledge transfer to the people/kenya
-once Burgess leaves, if at all, the Bondo people won’t be able to recreate Dominion
(iv) Once Dominion’s Fish Farm succeeds, what happens to the local fishermen?
-They will be employed as factory hands in the Dominion Fish plant
-Dominion’ Fish will be cheaper than theirs (being mechanically harvested, etc), so they lose out
The people of Bondo/Siaya ( and their counterparts in Kwale ) should really favor a deal that makes them co-owners. All they need is a mere 25% of the Farm. After all, the inputs,local resource, is theirs. It is true that the technology and know-how is is Dominion’s. But what worth is that technology without the raw materials? I do not think the $$$$ people were being paid to relocate and give up control of their resources was sufficient compensation.
For those who would argue for Dominion, give me reasons why the investment is good for Siaya and Bondo residents.
Kisumu
30th November 2006
DOMINION FARM REVIVE MASSIVE COTTON
PRODUCTION IN YALA SWAMP AND NYANZA
By Leo Odera Omolo
The Dominion Farm Limited, the American owned firm which is currently involved in multibillion shillings rice project at the reclaimed wetlands in Yala Swamp in Siaya is to embark on massive cotton production.
DFL has set aside a total of 150 acres of the reclaimed land for planting cotton. It has considered the lack of sufficient qualities of cotton in the country that may be used in the manufacturing of textile products to feed into AGOA market.
This idea came when the various cotton Ginneries in Kenya have closed down and those still ginning are paying low rates for the raw materials obtained from cotton farmers.
The firm has noted that quality seed are not readily available to the farmers in large quantities and this has a major drawback for Kenya 's cotton industry where potential for cotton production in very high.
The DFL has been encouraged to go into cotton seed production, and is currently assisting or working in partnership with the nearby Ndere Cotton Ginnery to upgrade and improve its ginning capacity in order to increase cotton lint production
The previously run-down Ndere Cotton Ginnery is owned by the Siaya District Co-operative Union, but the cotton growers were at a certain point severely discouraged from growing the highly valued crop and abandons it due to delayed or non-payment by the various primary farmers co-operative societies charged with the buying cotton from local farmers.
This trend has now changed drastically since the DFL entered into cotton farming and ginning .The River Yala based firm is purchasing cotton from the farmers on cash payment. It has extended its collections to a far field like Uyoma and Sakwa,Asembo and Yimbo locations in Bondo district and also in both Karemo and Boro Divisions in Siaya district. It has employed additional support staff and workers at the Ndere Ginnery .A kilo of cotton is now fetching 20/- payable in cash money unlike the previous years when payments for cotton delivered by the farmers used to take as long as two years before the payment is effected.
This new trend is expected to encourage larger acreage if high quality cotton in the region and probably further a filed within Nyanza and Western provinces.DFL will then find a market for the cotton lint.
Lake Basin region has a high potential of cotton production .Kenya produced a lot of cotton in the 1950s,1960s,1970s, and 1980s when the cotton industry collapsed .However ,cotton remains an important cash crop in the country and particularly a crop that can boost rural income and alleviate poverty.
Nyanza and Western Provinces are well known for their past record of cotton production particularly in the districts of Busia, Bondo, Siaya, Nyando, Rachuonyo and in the greater region of Southern Nyanza .Despite this fact, Kenya has remained a net importer of cotton from the neighboring countries of Tanzania and Uganda for now close to a decade due to laxity on the parts of people in the higher authorities and policy makers.
The US government has offered a good opportunity for Kenya 's textile industry to export cotton textile into the US and yet cotton production in the country is very low.
The objective of the Dominion Farm Limited, a farm in which an American investor Mr. Calvin Burgess has invested close to Kshs 2 billion include development of profitable business and state of the art farm for the African region, poverty reduction through provision of employment and establishment of backward and forward linkages to economic development: increase of crop production for domestic consumption thereby improving food security. Provision of sustainable livelihoods for rural households and provisions of various socio-economic infrastructures in the region.
Other objectives include provision of a locally sustainable supply of cereal grains for consumption by the nation towards self-sufficiency: providing technology transfer to local agriculture and business practices and external capital investment for the government in the rehabilitation and utilization of the high potential Yala Swamp .
DFL is also involved in large scale bee-keeping and the production of top class honey, which is now being sold cheaply to the local community. The honey is laced with anti malarial Artemisia plant and sunflower oil for the protection of the consumers against malaria.
The region is prone to malaria epidemics and when this writer visited the DFL the country director Mr.Grahame Vetch had just completed the distribution of mosquito nets to the local community .A total of 8490 mosquito nets were issued freely to families living within the Yala Swamp and its environs.
About 267 mosquito nets were distributed to families living in Aduwa villages on the Yimbo side of River Yala in Usigu division Bondo district .Another 2670 nets were issued to families living in Bar Olengo villages, 2200 to villagers in Ratuoro and 950 to the Villages in Obambo area. This is part of the DFL good gestures for good community public relations exercise.
DFL has established 160 beehives at Sigulu Hills for the production of honey for which Yala Swamp and its environs have high potential .Already over 150 of these beehives are colonized. A honey processing plant has been established and the firm.
About 470 beehives have been prepared and ready for distribution to the out-growers at an affordable price of Kshs 4,000/-each and it is expected that within the next three years the production of honey at the firm will be the highest in the country.
ENDS
leooderaomolo@ . . .
The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
LUOCOME-MEDIA
Jaluo.com,
What do you say on this?
It is interesting that Dominion Foods Ltd, has given notice to quit. This is to whoever signed lease with them their terms of acquring Yala Swamp.
It is equally shocking that this company was awarded 3,700 hectares of wetland around the tributary of River Yala at a price of Kshs.1,254,782=( one million, two hundred and fifty four, seven hunred and eighty two only) per annum for 25 (twenty five year) with effect from 25-5-2004.
The agreement was signed between County councils of Siaya and Bondo on one part and Dominion Farms Ltd. on the other.
They got the land at a price of Kshs.339/15 per hectare per year or Kshs.137= per acre per year for 25 years.
This is the chapest cost of land in Kenya. Even deserts do not go for all that low.
In a country where land is very valuabe and we kill one another daily for it, why would we give our land freely to foreigners?
This land was given out at a price of USD 2 per acre! fper year or twenty five years a whole generation. This is ridiculous. They must pack up at ealiest and go.Why threaten us on our land?
There are many pepole from that area who have been displaced by internal conflict and this the time to settle them on such prime land.
Presently there is no tangible benefit from this company to the locals. There is no job creation, no infrastucture improvement nor any techniocal capacity transfer.
One wonders who negotiated such prices and for whose benefit.
This is the time for us to be sensitive to our poor by settling them on this land. We fore fathers died for independence to get our land not to give it to foreigners.
Ministry of lands and settlement should investigate such anomalies with a view to settle the internally displaced people from that area on this 3,700 hectares of land.
Felix Owaga Okatch
tel; 254-721-735489
Dominion Domination: The Scandal of Yala Swamp
03/15/2007
By Patrick Ochieng,
Director Ujamaa Center and Chris Owalla, Nyanza Social Forum.
“MPs want ActionAid to keep off”, screams the caption of a story in the East African Standard of January 3, 2006. The story is attributed to MPs Oburu Odinga and Ayiecho Olweny who claim that the NGO is inciting residents of trouble ridden Yala Swamp rice scheme in which American investor Dominion Group of Companies has been embroiled in a tussle with the community over issues of land dispossession.
The MPs vow that they will resist at all costs this bid “to frustrate economic projects in the Nyanza region” “we need organizations that bring solution to our problems and not those bent on killing our initiatives”, they continue. From this report it is now clear that this project is an initiative of Odunga Mamba, a businessman and the two MPs because they claim in the article that the government was the first to thwart the project and that they the three were ready to carry their own cross by inviting investors to turn around the economy of Nyanza. The community they claim had began to enjoy the benefits of the project.
Nyanza has always been a big issue, definitely bigger than all the three leaders and indeed all the politicians and Luo elite who have been championing the cause of this American investment. On this issue of Dominion someone needs to speak up. The truth is being smothered with such abandon and it is this that invites more questions rather than answers.
Following numerous press reports highlighting tensions between the farm and the community and a visit to the farms with a visiting group from Central America in November last year we thought we would be failing in our duty as a social activist and future leaders from the area if we did not take our time to understand the issues surrounding this mega project. So we visited the company and spent a whole day with the country Director and other staff to understand fully the operations of this project. We further spent two days with the communities of Yimbo and Alego to hear their side of the story. We were not able to speak to communities of Busia who also happen to share this ecosystem. After these encounters we posit that we must look at this Dominion coin inside out and back to front.
First Yala swamp is not a luo resource; this is a shared resource of a regional lake and is therefore a wetland that belongs to East Africa. It too is a buffer zone between land use and the lake. It is here too that the lost species of Lake Victoria are found regionally. Yala swamp covers approximately 17,500 ha. that has always been earmarked for reclamation ever since Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners made the first proposal in their study, Kenya Nile Basin Water Resources in 1954-6. Three phases of reclamation and development were identified the first of which was completed after 2,300 ha. had been reclaimed. The second phase was started but work stopped in 1970 due to lack of funds after 7km diversion canal of the Yala River had been constructed, the Lake Kanyaboli retention dyke and a feeder canal had also been put up.
Pollution
The proposed projects are bound to release different effluence and pollution to the environment. Broadly this is envisioned to be in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, invasive species, and effluent from fish factories (processing and meals), noise and pungent smell, waste discharge from machineries. This major component has not been adequately addressed.
Shrines and cultural issues
Part of the swamp has sites which have been traditionally used for spiritual purposes. This is an area that has not been taken into consideration
Social impacts
Dominion farms Ltd has promised to put and/or upgrade health facilities within the two Districts. However, the EIA undertaken by Dominion farms does not address the emergent health issues associated with population growth. The Report is also silent on water borne diseases associated with rice growing and creation of water reservoirs e.g. malaria, typhoid etc This further affects learning, food security and general development of the community. This comes highly with high drop-out, low transition and completion rates in the region; hence achievement of both EFA and Millennium development goals might not be realized.
Even as the Lake Basin development Authority (LBDA) went on to start the reclamation ecologists and zoologists argued that reclaiming the swamp would precipitate unpredictable ecological hazards. Reclamation ecologists predicted would affect the three lakes Kanyaboli, Sare and Nambeyo negatively. Papyrus the swamp’s most dominant plant would disappear, the fate of sitatunga a buck and a bird called gonolek would be unknown. The filtering effect of the swamp of pollutants from Yala River before water is discharged to the lake would be lost and the breeding and nursery grounds for fish and birds would have to go. The fish species mbiru, fulu, kamongo, okoko, nyamami, ningu, fwani, adel and ngege found in these three lakes would all disappear. The people of Siaya, Bondo and Busia who depend on the swamp would be adversely affected. These were the postulations of ecologists’ way back in 1960s to 80s, claims which led the late Hon. Peter Okondo then MP for Busia South (Bunyala) one of the most vociferous proponents of reclamation to argue that “as an economic unit, the swamp is useless; it is a danger to the economy and it takes away land. It is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, vermin and snails. The swamp should be drained to improve the ecology of the area”.
Were Okondo to wake up from his grave he would be shocked that Busia County Council has been excluded from the reclamation project handed over to Dominion since 2003. According to Bondo MP Oburu Odinga Dominion had revolutionized agriculture in the area with new farming techniques, thus improving yields from 5 to 35 bags of maize per acre with 10 bags from each acre being offered to locals. The MP further accuses ActionAid of inciting locals over ‘petty environmental concerns’. NEMA it is reported approved the company’s first environmental impact assessment and is evaluating a second one.
ActionAid is asked to table its successes in Nyanza and compare notes with Plan, Care or Sana who have completed major projects in the region.
What are these petty environmental concerns? Dominion’s EIA to be exact is a scandal. Dominion’s initial license issued in 2004 permitted the company to grow rice on 3,700 ha. leased from Siaya and Bondo County Councils. All of Dominion’s 9 projects are lumped together in the EIA submitted to NEMA each of which falls in the second schedule of the EMCA [58 (i) (4)] as projects for which an independent EIA must be undertaken. The projects therefore lack the kind of detail required before implementation. For example Dominion proposes to construct a fish processing plant, a rice mill, a feed mill, a cotton ginnery, a fuel storage and dispensing station, a dam, barrier dyke, weir and irrigation, a hydro-electric generation plant and agriculture projects for rice, maize, cotton, soya beans, sunflower, artemisia, onion etc.
All these projects need a full and independent EIA. As things stand now the company has gone full throttle to implement most of these proposals without due process. The rice for which license was issued has not even been commenced. There is no socio-economic analysis of these activities. It is in fact disturbing that the professionals who conducted the EIA were employees of LBDA who are closely linked to Dominion. The Environment Management Plan is even more scandalous. It just lists what it calls negative and positive impacts without detailing the strategies for mitigating such impacts.
One expects MPs like Oburu to explain why the company is carrying out activities on swampland beyond the leased area of 3,700 ha. How was the new land acquired? Why is Dominion implementing proposed projects without NEMA license? The EIA does not discuss the compulsory eviction and resettlement arrangements for communities that are being forced to vacate their lands for Ksh. 45, 000 per acre. The EIA report does not discuss the perimeter fence that has been put up by Dominion denying locals easy access to pasture and water. The EIA report does not capture the felling of trees for charcoal and timber by Dominion and how this might be mitigated. The land lease negotiations excluded the communities of Bondo and Siaya; this should have been highlighted in the EIA. The EIA does not capture the fact that local communities are now not allowed to farm lest they contaminate crops grown by Dominion. They now depend on crops donated by Dominion making them more food insecure.
How much area will each crop cover? How much chemicals will be used? How will Dominion deal with the high water demand for their activities? What machines will Dominion use and what will be their impact on the environment and jobs? What pests will the new crops introduce to the area? Why is Dominion retailing crops such as cabbages and onions in the local market at the expense of local vendors? Cotton will require the use of agro-chemicals. These will contaminate Yala River and Lake Victoria through run-off thereby affecting the fish export industry to the EU Market, what is the future of east African fishermen?. Is this not an issue for the EIA? Has the fisheries department permitted dominion to put cages in Lake Kanyaboli? How will the waste generated from the cages be dealt with? The quantity of water to be extracted has not been surveyed and quantified. There are many other issues around fish cages, the rice mill and the ginnery that I leave for another discussion.
On a more important note both Dominion and their EIA ignored Busia. Several fish processing plants in Kisumu are operating at less than half their capacity due to low fish supply. Why should Dominion build another one in Yala swamp? Bondo fishmeal plant less than 50 km away is having problems getting raw materials. What would be the economic viability of building another one at the swamp? LBDA’s rice milling plant in Kibos is grossly underutilized, what is the need of a new one? Ndere cotton ginnery exists; why not use it instead of building a new one?
According to the Country Director Grahame Vetch, his personal assistant Joyce Awino Opondo and the environment officer a Mr.Enos Were, Dominion will contribute massive proteins to the community; employment and a five fold salary multiplier effect for each employee. Poverty will be alleviated for at least 20% in the area and it was gratifying to the company that the market from Siaya had moved to the company’s gates. The company has 240 employees and 1000 casuals on piece rates. Beekeeping and handmade paper were other ventures the company was engaging in.
Without prejudice to part (xxii) of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Company and Siaya and Bondo County Councils on the 20th of May 2003 which provides: “this document and all related documents shall be confidential as between the parties hereto so far permitted by the laws of the Republic of Kenya and shall not be released to any other person without the first express written consent of others”, what is Ksh. 1,254,782 per annum for year 1-3 shared on an 86%: 14% basis between Siaya and Bondo Councils respectively for the gazetted area and a further Shs. 1,085,218 for the additional area for the same years on the same portion?
Can this deal with the poverty in Nyanza? And what will happen after the 45 years of this Dominion domination? Even when the Director confirms that they have put together a paper to the Ministry of Health asking them to sanction the use of diluted DDT a banned chemical worldwide to eradicate malaria should we not be worried? When pedestrians from Kadenge to Yimbo cannot use the walkway beyond 6.30pm what is that but slavery? This project stinks. The state in Kenya must stop seeing natural resources only as instruments towards the agenda of industrial growth and economic development or sources of revenue. The Yala Swamp project is an undeclared emergency for which we must all rise if we care.
Over 300 homesteads in Siaya and Bondo districts with a human population of more than 4,500 will be displaced by the dam/water reservoir that is being constructed by the Dominion Farms Limited. Many more people will be affected because river Yala and Lake Kanyaboli is their source of water and livelihood. The manner in which this exercise is being carried out violates tenets of basic human rights because affected people are not being consulted. Instead, they are being forced into selling their ancestral land at a throw-away price. Of the more than 300 homesteads 200 homesteads in Siaya have refused to sign the contract while the more than 40 individuals of the 95 homesteads in Bondo district have done so under pressure
However, we are also concern with forceful eviction of communities from there ancestral land by Dominion Farms Limited and the use of police to have members who have resisted the eviction charged in the court of law, its saddening that police have even prefers charges ranging from incitement to violence to robbery with violence, and so far police in Usenge is in the process of releasing 48 warrants of arrest to members of the community in Yimbo Bondo District in addition to already two community members whose cases is already in Bondo Law court.
ActionAid and others must be supported to expose the excesses of capital. It is on this basis that we in the civil society wish to consolidate our collective effort with like-minded institutions to champion the cause of communities that have been abandoned to their destinies by our greedy and selfish leadership.
Buhari Condemns Attack On UN Building in Nigeria
from Yona Maro
Former Head of State and Presidential Candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Friday bomb attacks at the United Nations building in Abuja in which many lives were lost and several others wounded.
He described the horrendous attack as heart rending devastation and a great challenge to the emotion. Gen Buhari sends condolences to the United Nations, the mourning people of Nigeria and the grief-stricken families who have lost beloved ones in this unfortunate incident: "It is my prayer that the Almighty will comfort all the bereaved and bring speedy recovery to all the wounded" he said.
Gen Buhari however frowned at the lazy official response that has accompanied serial challenges to security in the country.
"There has yet to be any coordinated response by the security forces in the country. It is unprofessional and incompetent for our security agencies to surrender to this omnibus Boko Haram as the only clue to every security challenge."
He said such portends serious danger to the country: "What that means that even foreign interest can enter Nigeria today and wreck havoc and issue a statement in the name of Boko Haram and we will bury our dead and life continues".
He called on those in charge of the country to seriously address all the social problems confronting the country and show focused leadership which is lacking at the moment.
‘Yinka Odumakin.
Spokesman for General Muhammadu Buhari.
--
Kwa Nafasi za Kazi kila siku www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
S.Africa: Archbishop Desmond Tutu – Time for ‘haves’ to help rebuild SA
from Yona Maro
South Africa is a spectacular country, richly endowed with natural resources, breath-taking scenery and talented, generous and diverse people. There are enough of the good things that come from God’s bounty, enough for everyone.
In the 1990s we emerged from centuries of racial conflict, dispossession and segregation to forge a democratic nation. There was no retribution sought or taken.
No land grabs, and aside from BEE policies and land restitution process, no legislated physical redistribution of wealth.
Some termed the fact that we managed to transfer power as peacefully as we did a “miracle”. That is how divided we were.
Almost overnight, we became very high achievers. In 1994, we voted in great numbers to install our beloved Madiba as president, and set about forging a new nation on a set of fundamental values and principles that underscored our dignity and common humanity.
Do you remember the reconstruction and development programme, the RDP? Signboards sprouted in townships across the land, speaking of water delivery, new electricity connections and new communities.
We could see and feel and taste ourselves rebuilding, restoring, transforming.
Then, in 1995 we won the Rugby World Cup. In 1996, we unveiled our brand new constitution and Bill of Rights with rightful pride, our Truth and Reconciliation Commission got under way, and Bafana Bafana won the African Cup of Nations. The sky was the limit, and we knew it. We were living it.
Then we sat back to bask in our glory – and have allowed ourselves to be blown a little off course. We sat back and thought all was forgiven and was on track. We had set a good and righteous course… the rest would happen organically.
Of course, much has improved over the intervening years. We have reconnected to the world, on the sports fields, culturally, academically and economically. We have hosted rugby, cricket and the finest soccer world cup in history. Our government has built nearly 3 million homes and given them away to poor people. Millions more people have access to water, sewerage, electricity, roads, medical facilities and schools.
But the quality of life for many of the people who occupy these homes, who have benefited from a new electricity or water connection, or attend a new clinic or school, has insufficiently improved. Crime is rampant, babies are dying of preventable diseases, children are going to sleep on empty stomachs, and the standard of education at many of our schools is worrisome, indeed.
On the one hand, millions of people continue to lead poor quality lives, while on the other, we are a society of fantastic wines and restaurants, and expensive tastes in automobiles, wrist watches and real estate. Those who can afford it, have access to the best medical care in the world, and among the best schools.
As we have sat back and basked, we have become an increasingly skewed society, a society of more inequality instead of less. That is the first point I raised in my remarks at a book launch in Stellenbosch last week. The old haves continue to have, and they have been joined by some new haves. But most of our people remain have-nots. And, most of them are black.
The second point related to simple social values that we seem to have lost. In the old days, for example, no matter how poor we were, we kept our communities tidy. Today, there is litter all over the place. Why? Why do we drive so selfishly and recklessly, that we boast among the highest road accident rates in the world? Why is it necessary to exacerbate property crimes by torturing and killing the victims? Why do we brutalise our women to the extent we do? Why, when our unions go on strike, do they trash the streets and traumatise the people?
Are these all purely functions of poverty? I would say, no. Poverty does not make us callous and uncaring.
We are a deeply wounded people, all of us, black and white together. Some are crippled by poverty and shame, others by shame and guilt. We tend to respond with self-justification or indifference, when we should be responding with compassion and love.
Perhaps some of us are guilty of hoping that the euphoria of the 1990s would be sufficient to blow away our deep societal memories – scars – of generations of divisiveness, mistrust, fear, enforced impoverishment and legislated indignity. But the truth is, no human being emerges from such a furnace unmoved by the heat – just ask the people of Germany how difficult it has been to find one another after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and they were all more or less the same colour, spoke the same language and had been divided for less than 50 years.
As a society, we are guilty of taking each other for granted. In particular, I think richer South Africans are failing their poorer brothers and sisters. I think richer South Africans have failed to acknowledge the pain and the patience of poorer South Africans, who have for too long endured what pretty much amounts to a continuation of the socio-economic status quo that prevailed before the political change. And I think white South Africans have failed to acknowledge or respond to the magnanimity expressed in black South Africans’ willingness to forgive in the 1990s, to reconcile, to heal.
We speak about ubuntu, while failing to believe that we really are dependent on each other – not the government – to create the world we all want, a world in which we live and prosper together as the one family that we are.
Of course, the government could help very significantly. And I have suggested that one of the ways it could demonstrate it cares would be for cabinet ministers to sell their expensive cars.
But surely, we (the people) cannot just continue to sit back and blame the government for all of our woes. Yes, we pay our taxes and have every right to demand good and clean governance. But should we not all be alarmed by the widening wealth gap in our country? What does this mean for our children? At what point does the chasm grow so wide that the elastic band snaps?
We cannot ignore the fact that the overwhelming number of poor people in our country are black. Sure, we have some very wealthy black business people these days, but it is equally a fact that our stock exchange remains overwhelmingly in white hands. Most of our country’s productive land remains in white hands. Most white people stay in suburbs, while most black people continue to stay in inferior townships, informal settlements, or underdeveloped rural areas. Surely this is not sustainable?
In 1998, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission compiled a set of recommendations to set down strong roots for the united nation we sought to become. Among the recommendations, as a form or reparation, was the creation of a wealth tax. At the time, the vast majority of people who would have fallen into the “wealthy” category were white, and a number of our white brothers and sisters were very supportive of the idea as a vehicle for the “haves” to demonstrate their support for our new, better society. Thus was the idea of a tax for whites, as a form of reparation raised.
What a magnificent gesture it would be, now, in the context of a global financial recession and widening wealth gap at home, were relatively wealthy South Africans to contribute to a central fund aiming to contribute to the national effort to uplift the poor. This could, in particular, create a mechanism for those individuals and companies who acquired their wealth during the years of apartheid, to pay one-off reparations.
This fund could be collected by the Receiver of Revenue, as a percentage of individual and/or company income tax. Or, perhaps, given the perceived levels of corruption in government, the people would be more confident were the fund administered privately. It could be statutory or it could be voluntary.
Imagine if a group of eminent South African bankers and business people came together with a plan for the administration of a national wealth fund – to be managed by captains of industry, not government. I have no doubt there are many South Africans who would want to contribute generously.
Imagine if we were creative enough to establish a system in which companies and individuals could receive formal recognition for contributing to such a fund to re-build our society? Where contributions could perhaps even be taken into consideration in BBBEE scorecards.
The value of the exercise extends way beyond the physical exchange of cash. It is a gesture in restoration and reconciliation; a vehicle to assuage pent-up guilt, to share, to show that we care; an opportunity to lay another brick in our road to a better society.
We are a generous people imbued with extraordinary magnanimity. We have basked in the glory of our 1990s achievements for too long. - The Star
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Kwa Nafasi za Kazi kila siku www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa
Kenya: The Youth Formations Survey is Now Online
from Emmanuel Dennis (NVK-Youth)
Dear Friends,
Many of you have been asking to participate in the survey that we have Launched in the 25 Counties. We have customized an online survey questionnaire that only takes less than 5 minutes to complete. All you need to do is click on the answer that suits you.
Kindly click on the Facebook link below to participate in the survey survey here http://apps.facebook.com/nysasurvey/
The results for the survey can be viewed instantly via the following link.
http://eziki.tv/NYSAQ/result.php?surv=1
Thank you for taking your time to respond to our survey.
ED
..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
National Youth Sector Alliance
3rd Floor, Revlon Professional Plaza
Biashara Street, City Center
P.O. Box 8799, 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +254722619005
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
Website: www.thegreenteams.org, www.yeskenya.org
dateFri, Aug 26, 2011 at 12:43 PM
1. Gender
Female 19.4% (6)
Male 80.6% (25)
Votes: 31
2. Age
18-21 0% (0)
22-25 25.8% (8)
26-30 25.8% (8)
31-35 48.4% (15)
Other 0% (0)
Votes: 31
3. What is your perception of the devolved system of government?
Good 79.3% (23)
Fair 20.7% (6)
Not Good 0% (0)
Votes: 29
4. What are the key opportunities that the government can tap into that would empower the youth?
Economic 79.3% (23)
Social 0% (0)
Political/Leadership 20.7% (6)
Votes: 29
5. Do you belong to any online Social Media Network or group? (Facebook, Googlegroup, Yahoogroup, Ning)
YES 100% (29)
No 0% (0)
Votes: 29
6. IF YES How many of the groups do you belong to?
1-3 44.8% (13)
3-5 24.1% (7)
5-7 6.9% (2)
7-10 24.1% (7)
I Answered NO Above 0% (0)
Votes: 29
7. What is the nature of the social media network?
Social 86.2% (25)
Economic 3.4% (1)
Political 6.9% (2)
Other 3.4% (1)
Votes: 29
8. Are there Youth Formations towards the next general election?
Yes 81.5% (22)
No 18.5% (5)
Votes: 27
9. If YES how are they being mobilized and formed?
Youth 44.4% (12)
Political Leaders 33.3% (9)
Community/Religious Leaders 3.7% (1)
I answered No Above 18.5% (5)
Votes: 27
10. What is the nature of this youth formations?
Legally Registered 30.8% (8)
Not Registered 38.5% (10)
Illegal/Outlawed 0% (0)
Political 30.8% (8)
Religious 0% (0)
Votes: 26
11. Looking at the political atmosphere in the area do you think that there will be violence towards and after the elections?
Yes 23.1% (6)
No 57.7% (15)
I don't Know 19.2% (5)
Votes: 26
12. IF YES Would a Conflict Prevention/Mitigation Program be suitable at this time?
Yes 56.5% (13)
No 4.3% (1)
I Answered NO Above 39.1% (9)
Votes: 23
13. Are there any civic / voter education activities/program in county that are targeting the next general elections?
Yes 21.7% (5)
No 56.5% (13)
I don't Know 21.7% (5)
Votes: 23
14. What is the level of the involvement of the youth in civic voter education?
High 9.1% (2)
Medium 22.7% (5)
Low 63.6% (14)
None 4.5% (1)
Votes: 22
15. How do you rate the performance of the Government in terms of service delivery?
Good 9.1% (2)
Fair 63.6% (14)
Poor 27.3% (6)
Votes: 22
16. How do you rate the performance of the Community Leaders in terms of service delivery?
Good 9.1% (2)
Fair 40.9% (9)
Poor 50% (11)
Votes: 22
17. How do you rate the performance of the Youth Leaders in terms of service delivery?
Good 13.6% (3)
Fair 63.6% (14)
Poor 22.7% (5)
Votes: 22
18. Do youth in the area participate in governance structures (District - CDF, Security, LATF, LASDAP, Development Committees), or (Waki Commission, TJRC, Committee of Experts, IIBRC, TJRC), or any other commissions? hearings or work or processes?
Yes 40.9% (9)
No 59.1% (13)
Votes: 22
KENYA: CATHOLIC BISHOPS CHALLENGED ON EVANGELIZATION THROUGH MEDIA
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
from ouko joachim omolo
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
MOMBASA-KENYA
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011
TAKE-1
Catholic priests in Mombasa archdiocese have called on bishops to use media as the tool for evangelization. The priests who recommended the call as one of the way forward during the just concluded workshop on land and water security in Mtwapa Mombasa facilitated by People for Peace in Africa, Frs Ken Thesing and Joseph Healey of the Maryknoll Society said the catholic bishops should learn from their fellow protestants, evangelical and Muslims who use the media as the tool for evangelization.
The priests said either bishop in charge of communication or any delegated bishop should use TVs, Radios and print media to tell people of Kenya and the world of issues touching the country, especially on famine, forthcoming elections, and Lenten campaigns. The priests wondered why the bishops have never issued a statement on famine and increased numbers of refugees and IDPs in the country.
The workshop which was officially opened by Mombasa Archbishop Boniface Lele on Wednesday brought the priests representing all six deaneries. Bishop Lele wished these workshops could be extended to other dioceses since land and water has been a major issue affecting Kenyans, especially the voiceless in the society. He thanked the Maryknoll society in Kenya for a good work they have done and still do in Kenya.
The archdiocese of Mombasa covers four countries, namely, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta. One of the challenges facing the diocese is the resettlement of squatters. There is also the issue of ten-mile coastal strip covering 1128 parcels of land in over 80,000 hectares in Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi, this is not to mention Malindi, Tana River and Lamu districts.
There is also the problem of the absentee landlords. It is estimated that absentee landlords own over 77,753.02 hectares of land. They include:
Mombasa District: 301 hectares;
Malindi District: 234.17 hectares;
Kwale District: 75,982.4 hectares;
Kilifi District: 1235.85 hectares;
Tana River District: unspecified;
Lamu District: unspecified;
Comprehensive data is still being compiled to verify the true status of ownership of private parcels of land by absentee landlords.
Just like other parts of Kenya, the land grabbing in Mombasa remains one of the major issues. Investigation reveals that the Mombasa Municipal Council is being used by powerful individuals and businessmen to reposes properties and land belonging to investors situated at prime or poshy locations within Mombasa region.
The Minister for Lands James Orengo has said Coastal Land issues must be resolved once and for all. Orengo who recently made a three-day tour of Mombasa, Kwale, Malindi and Garsen said this when he met Coastal Lands Staff in Mombasa and Kwale.
The Minister said that the Land Sector was under deep public scrutiny and focus, and that the officers must be diligent in land transactions. The Minister said the New Constitution propagated for a shift in Land Administration and that stakeholders were already calling for the urgent establishment of the National Land Commission.
“The Importance of Physical Planning and its impact in the future of the Coastal region cannot be over-emphasized with regard to Land Management and Administration”, the Minister was quoted by press as telling the officers at a meeting at the Mombasa District Lands Office.
The Minister said the Department of Physical Planning must henceforth interrogate plans to determine if they were in conflict with approved developments. “The flagrant use of the Land Titles Act has encouraged Survey activities to be carried out without planning, leading to the current untenable development in parts of Mombasa”. “Any Title that is proved to be fraudulently acquired will be revoked”, he emphasized.
Orengo appealed to the Provincial Administration to desist from evicting the squatters from the land pending determination of the land ownership. “Any evictions must be done in a humane manner and proper consultations must be done before evictions”, the Minsiter said at the Bangladesh Slums recently.
Mombasa boarders Kilifi District to the North, Kwale District to the South and West and the Indian Ocean to the East. It is divided into four administrative divisions namely Changamwe, Island Likoni and Kisauni. High population densities are found in Island division and along major highways such as Mombasa – Lungalunga in Likoni division, Mombasa – Nairobi in Changamwe Division and Mombasa – Malindi in Kisauni division. The outskirts of the district are sparsely populated. Division wise, Kisauni lead in population followed by Changamwe, Island and Likoni in that order. The population was projected to increase to 920,313 in 2008 from 665,018 in 1999.
The unemployment population stood at 189,246 during the 1999 population census and is continuing to increase by day as the population continues to increase with people moving from upcountry to look for employment.
Like the other districts in the province, poverty has not spared the district either, it contributes 1.45 percent of the national poverty with 217,402 people (about 38.32 percent) living in absolute poverty and a depency ratio of 100:55- the number is expected to increase rapidly as the pace of urbanization accelerates and population increases.
The immediate causes of poverty in the district include:
• Landlessness
• High and increasing costs of living
• Inaccessibility to credit facilities
• Lack of technical entrepreneurial skills
• Unemployment i.e. low incomes among others.
Unlike Protestants, evangelicals and Muslims, Catholic Church has not been very aggressive on evangelization through media. Currently the church has as it main national FM Radio station-Wuamini but this is limited only to people around Nairobi and its neighbours.
Apart from Radio Amani 88.3FM, a leading Swahili Radio Station in Nakuru catholic diocese, Radio Akicha, a Catholic Radio Station that aims at bringing “light” in all dimensions of life in Turkana-99.5fm, Radio Maria-a Catholic Diocese of Murang'a, other diocese are still slow in beginning radio stations.
Letters to the editor
ABSURD FOR THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TO OBJECT THE PROCESS OF ELEVATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TO NATIONAL SCHOOLS
The Catholic Church in Kenya has always been in the forefront opposing the government for changes that are very necessary for progress in the country. The other day we saw the church opposing the new constitution then later the appointment of Dr Willy Mutunga and Nancy Baraza as head of TJC and assistant respectively.
Few weeks ago after the ministry of education proposing to elevate 89 provincial schools to national level, the church is again against this process. What is the matter with the KEC? The writer is a catholic but he thinks there are moments when we just have to close our ears and ignore the church sentiments. This is a church with pastors who are educated to the highest level such that they should appreciate the endeavor the government is making to elevate some schools to national level.
Bishop Crowly, the chair of the commission of education, argued that elevating schools will deny poor students chances in such schools. Strictly speaking his argument does not hold water. In any case how many schools are provincial? And how many are national? The obvious is that provincial schools are more than national schools. Therefore, the wisdom of the government I suppose is to compete with the large number of students who are qualifying for national schools but are unable to be admitted due to congestion as a result of their small number.
This is a very sensible reason that any critical mind can ‘foresee’. So the KEC have no authority to dimisfy such a noble of the government. Secondly, the KEC is not absolute in whatever stand they will be making. Moreover this is not a moral issue that they can claim, according to their teaching that the church cannot err. Well, I appreciate the concern of the KEC but they should go slowly on some matters and think deeply about them before coming to a conclusion. Therefore I urge them to have a retreat and revise their stand on this critical issue.
Concerned Catholic-Nairobi-Kenya
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org
Kenya: Dominion Farms YALA SCHEME
from ndedavit06@ . . .
Dear all,
There has been an attempt on the life of the CEO of Dominion farms Mr Calvin Burgess and both the US Government and the Embassy have taken a very strong view on the matter. Infact the embassy dispatched its representative down to the lake region for fact finding immediately.
The attempt was made by a small group of villagers led by a local councillor who has become notorious of threatening the investor regularly. The villagers were armed with "pangas " (aka Machettes) to the tooth and made a double attempt to kill him but thanks God he was in a good 4x4 that saved the day.
Facts:
1. last month Calvin and Dominion farm organised a free medical services that saw hundreds of locals including those from the attacking village go through life changing surgeries in Siaya District hospital.
2.A youth center is due for completion that will admit over 4000 (four thousands pupils) a time for vocational training and spiritual fulfilment, HIV and AIDs awareness training for all the youth regardless of tribe, area of origin etc.
3. Dominion rice is currently the cheapest and the best in quality in the whole country and helping solve the hunger situation in the region.
QUESTION TO THE FORUM MEMBERS:
a). Where is the local MP of this Alego - Kadenge area and what is his role in promoting local development if investors will be attacked in this manner.
b). When will the Alego people embrace development and walk away from traditional beliefs.
c). Why hasn't these community provided their so called Sons and Daughters to Dominion for employment when they are fully aware that their unemployed youth have no competencies suitable enough to fulfill the required minimum for the vacancies at the farm that they so desire to fill in?
d). WHAT next Kenya Luos? will we kill every developer simply because we becaome envious?
e). Where were these councillors when Lake basin failed the project repeatedly and why did they not protest so vigorously (or is a success story such a hindrance to this community).
LUOS and Alego- Kadenge-Usonga community TALK!! the forum is open for you to put up a convincing argument for your village.
Vitalis Ndeda