Category Archives: Elections

USA: Congratulation President Obama for the Great Victory for 4 More Years !!!

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From: Judy Miriga

On behalf of the voiceless dissadvantaged people of Greater Africa and with all the rest of Diaspora people of African discent, I wish to take this wonderful opportunity to Congratulate President Obama, The First Lady Michelle, Malia and Shasha for the hard won Victory. It is truely an owesome sweet cheer we want to share with everybody-else at this great moment……..After hard work, it is time to rejoice and give thanks to God…….It was not easy but we are pleased it ended well……Praise be to God Almighty……..

We, together with all people of African descent are truely enthusiastically proud of President Obama’s Victory and we feel greatly honored that Obama being the first African American President was able to be re-elected to complete a full 8 year term. This equally has put Kenya (land of his father) on the spot with the rest of Africa’s Pride to shine on the face of the world and awakening the good spirit of Africa’s Ancestory come alive.

Many people of African descent from all parts of the world including Kenya Prayed and Fasted for Obama’s Victory. Others including children shared and participated in ways and means they know how to express their deepest interest, concern, love, affection and committment for Obama’s re-election. It is just right to show some compasion for gratitude to one of their own; something of a natural bond one cannot resist, and is another reason the emotions are running deep which is just a normal feeling to be expected……..

Although a funny name to some people, President Obama became a household name comfortably appreciated, not only amongst the people of African descent, but to all people of the world cutting accross racial, ethnicity, tribal and class barrier; and this cannot be disputed. President Obama is truely a symbol of Love we all need. Through President Obama all our hopes becomes real and together, our loads are lightened. It is our belief that, President Obama will greately be used by God to save the world and fulfil God’s purpose for peace to the world. We trust, this will extend Unity of purpose will be fairly shared mutually for common good of all, and happiness will not only be felt in America but it will permiate accross the boarders of the world where harmony will be experienced in diversity replacing pain and sufferings and in a balanced program, all shall play by the same set of rules favorable to all……..

I take this opportunity also to thank Mitt Romney for seceding humbly and honorably with dignity. I saw a twist of refreshing cool and collected Mitt Romney. I saw a new Mitt I did not anticipate would change and transform to be whom I saw on the podium. I was totally swept and humbly moved and touched by Mitt Romney’s peaceful and calm speech. I was impressed and could not believe what I was seeing after I took a negative position against Mitt Romney for rejecting the Ohio vote return. The spirit in Romney on the podium was very comforting. May God continue to comfort him and Bless him with his family as we all move forward united under peace in harmony for the sake of better prospects for what America people stand for…….

May God re-new President Obama’s strength and give him wisdom to help move forward America with all the people of the world united at peace in a progressive agenda and that the world becomes a beautiful place, caring and sharing in harmony and being at peace with each other as we build our destiny, nurture and improve livelihood and survival for all while we all engage in protecting the environment and safeguarding nature from all manner of destruction.

Cheers everybody…..!!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

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Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
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KENYA & USA: THE FAMILY AND RELATIVES OF THE US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IN KENYA HAVE EXPRESSED HIGH HOPE THAT HE WILL EMERGE THE WINNER IN THE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 ELECTIONS.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

The on going UAS election fever appeared to has hit family members and relatives of the US President Barrack Obama back in their rural native home in Alego Kogelo,Siaya County in Western Kenya.

Family members and relatives last weekend gathered in the homestead around Malik Abong’o Obama, the US President elder brother who told newsmen that the family has been following the American presidential debate keenly I the count-down to November 6 elections.

“We have been watching how debate has been unfolding and we are sure Obama will emerge the winner in the elections,” he said during the press briefing at his Kogelo home.

Abong’o expressed confidence that his brother will emerge victorious” because his four year leadership has helped to transform America,” he said adding that the majority of US citizens supports Obama’s candidature.

Malik disclosed that the family will host a major party in their home if Obama gets re-elected for a second term.

Another close relative of the Obama, the Siaya nominated Councilor Nicholas Rajula said the once sleepy and dusty Kogelo village will be transformed into the economic hub of Siaya County if Obama wins,

IT was Nicholas Rajula who led the delegation of family members to Washington D.C during President Obama inauguration in 2009, and ever since then Kogelo Nyang’oma village and market place has witnessed rapid development activities which included two medium size hotels, an ultra modern guest house for tourists accommodations, the construction of the community center and many modern shopping premises have sprung up, water and electricity supplies, construction of new road and many other economic activities.

Rajula further disclosed that plans are underway to mount a giant TV screen in Kogelo to enable Obama relatives, supporters and admirers back home in the village to follow the US elections.

However, there was a small hitch when it was learnt that members of the press were not allowed to access the home of President Obama step grand mother Mama Sarah Obama’s home.

Her security details said a directive to barring the press from entering into the home had come fro the US Embassy in Nairobi. It bars the media interviewing the 90 year old granny.

Rajula said,”I have asked her daughter if she can allow to interview Mama Sarah Obama.but she said there is a sanctions from the US Embassy in Nairobi.

A US Embassy official had visited the Obama homestead four days earlier on a private mission for a meeting in which the press and local security officers were also locked out.

The new men and media fraternity viewed this action of barring the pres from access the grand old granny’s home as an exercise of excessive arrogance.

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USA: OBAMA’S WIN WILL DEPEND ON OHIO VOTES

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Voices of Justice for Peace
Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012

With just few hours ahead of the US presidential election, a number of Roman Catholic bishops are not only making forceful last-minute appeals to their flock to vote on Election Day, their exhortations are increasingly sounding like calls to support Republican challenger Mitt Romney over President Obama.

Daniel Jenky, the Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, ordered priests under his command to read an anti-Obama letter he wrote last Sunday, the final services before tomorrow’s election. In the letter, Jenky cautions parishioners that Obama and a majority of U.S. senators will not reconsider the mandate that would require employers, including religious groups, to provide free birth control coverage in their health care plans.

This brings us to the big question as to who actually will win the presidential election, and whether the US bishops will influence their flocks to vote for Romney instead of Obama. According to recent poll opinion, 82 percent of Catholics say they don’t think their bishops are right on contraceptives as a condition not to vote for Obama. They don’t see contraceptives as intrinsically evil.

For Obama to win however, he needs the Ohio votes. This is the State that determines the presidential winner. Ohio has provided the decisive vote in the Electoral College about 50 percent of the time.

In last opinion poll seven of the polls showed President Obama ahead, six had Mitt Romney ahead and two showed the race tied. Monday’s polls also attest that Mr. Romney has only about a 7 percent chance of winning Pennsylvania compared to Obama.

In Ohio polls projects Mr. Obama ahead by about two percentage points according to a Quinnipiac University poll (conducted in conjunction with CBS News) had Mr. Obama five percentage points ahead, but a Suffolk University poll had a tied race.

Even though Mr. Romney has made strides in improving his image among voters and has reversed Mr. Obama’s strength in 2008 among independents, the Republican now leads among independents, 47 to 40 percent, although that is narrower than in some prior polls.

Mr. Romney also has made large gains compared to the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, among men, white voters, seniors and college graduates. Mr. Obama won half the college-graduate vote in 2008, while Mr. Romney now leads among that segment, 52 to 42 percent.

Mr. Obama, for his part, managed to maintain a durable job approval rating in the WSJ/NBC News poll, at 48 percent. He also maintained a huge edge among African-American and Hispanic voters, and among women, though his eight-percentage point advantage among women is narrower than in 2008.

Mr. Obama also seemed well-positioned among the dwindling number of undecided voters, who said the last few weeks had made them look more favorably on the president than on Mr. Romney according to the poll conducted from Thursday to Saturday. A majority of voters in the poll approved of Mr. Obama’s handling of the storm’s aftermath.

In the poll, conducted Oct. 27-28 — before Hurricane Sandy struck the Eastern seaboard – 62 percent of national adults rated Obama positively and 55 percent rated Romney that way. Among registered voters, it was slightly closer: 60 percent for Obama and 56 percent for Romney.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
People for Peace in Africa
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com

Peaceful world is the greatest heritage That this generation can give to the generations To come- All of us have a role.

Kenya: Millie Odhiamnbo political future as the next Mbita MP now hangs in the balance as more credible aspirants joint the election race in the same constituency

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By Bob Ndira-Uradi

The nominated ODM MP Millie Odhiambo who is known as one of the Prime minister staunch female politicians supporters of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga will not get the Mbita parliamentary seat in a silver platter as was previously expected.

Odhiambo will now face one of the aspirants who is equally powerful and popular wit attractive track records of development to his credit.

The entryof Dr.Mark Matunga into the Mbita election race now leaves Millie Odhiambo in precarious position in which her successes in the election cannot be assured.

Announcing his entry into the Mbita election on Thursday morning this week, Dr. Matunga said in a terse statement posted to media houses that he was bowing down to the mounting pressure from the electorate who asking him to abandon his quest to become the first governor of the Homa-Bay County.

The 41 year old genius expert working for Mircosoft International Computer Company, but based in Nairobi, Kenya while covering East, Central an Southern Africa regions and is also a church minister with Phd doctorate degree in theology from an American University and clergyman hails from Wasamo sub-clan in Mfangano Island.

His campaign for the Homa-Bay County governor hit the ground two years ago and he has been t5aversng the full length and width of the County lobbying and canvassing for votes. He was considered by many people to be the leading contender for the governorship position.

However, his abrupt about-turn took place after attending a crucial elders meeting in his home turf in Mfangno Island last Friday.

The meeting which was held in his home drew hundreds of the participants from all over the Mfangano Island who resolve to request him no abandon his quest for Governor position and instead d to contest the Mbita parliamentary seat.

Millie Odhiambo hails from Rusinga Island, where she is also facing another challenge by her close cousin Phares Ogweno Ratego who is an executive with one of the NGO working closely with USAID. The two hails from Nyamuga village in Kolo sub-clan which is close to Waware Secondary School. Their homes are stone throw apart.

However, fears persist in Rusinga that the candidature of Odhiambo and her cousin Phares Ogweno Ratego would split the voters in Rusinga so their candidature could work to the advantge of Dr. Maunga, and for their own peril and disadvantage.

The fear has gripped Rusinga Island that the candidature of Odhiambo and Ratego could split the votes in the area thereby giving advantage to Dr.Matunga from the tin island of Mfangano.

Both Millie Odhianbo and dr Matunga are said to be friends for along time. Bopth had worked closely with the outgoing Mbita MP Gerald Otieno Kanjwang,’ the Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister before and thereafter the 2007general elections

The statistics of voter’s registration in Mbita constituency is pointing out that our of over 28,000, Mfangano Island has registered close to over8,000 voters followed by Rusinga Island, and Gembe comes third with close 6,000-voters wit the Lambwe valley Division coming last with the registration of 5,000 voters. .

Kajwang’ has now opted out of the race and will not be defending his seat. He has switched his attention to the contest of the Homa-Bay County Senate seat.

Two other aspirant have also sprung up from the mainland Gembe and lambwe locations.They are Caleb Orwa who hails from Gembe and Omondi Odalo who are from Lambwe area.The two are, however, considered as political novices in comparison to much experienced Millie Odhiambo and Dr Mark Matunga.

In this interesting election contest which would be pitting the two old friends fighting for one ODM ticket durng the party’s primary nomination scheduled for next month, Dr Matunga will bank on his very illustrious tack record of development in both Mfangano and Rusinga islands.

He has also participated in development activities on the mainland Mbita

Ends

KENYA: PROF AYIECHO OLUENY FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN HIS ELECTION BATTLE TO RETAIN MUHORONI SEAT AT THE NEXT YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTION AS HE FACES SERIOUS HURDLES.

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By Arrum.Tidi Ogonglo In Muhoroni Town.

The collapsing and limping sugar factories, pathetic state of access and feeder roads, poor and biased disbursement political thuggery and insecurity of CDF money, couple with bad political leadership are some of the issues which are likely to feature prominently during the during the campaign in the impending general election slated for March4,2013.

The incumbent MP for the area is Prof.Patrick Ayiecho Olueny, who is also the Education Assistant minister in the coalition government.

The MP is facing the stiffest opposition from two prominent political personalities in Muhoroni district. They included the populist Nairobi based businessman James Onyango K’Oyoo, a former IT manager with the Shell BP oil firm in Houston US, Agwenge Mbeche.

All the four white sugar manufacturing mills are located in Muhoroni constituency. They are Miwani Sugar Mills, Chemelil Sugar Company, Muhoroni Sugar Company and the Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries.

Out of the four sugar mill, two of them Miwani and Muhoroni Sugar Mills are currently under the official protective receivership with Miwani having been closed down over 12 years ago after being heavily indebted to its suppliers, workers and sugar cane farmers in its cane growing zones.

Both Muhoroni an Chemelil are still functioning, but not producing enough sugar as per their daily production capacities with Chemelil almost grounding to a halt due to many reasons, which included the alleged mismanagement of its resources, failing to pay its suppliers in time.

The Company,which a public firm is reportedly heavily indebted to the KRA, Kenya Power and Lightning Company, the workers and cane farmers.

Chemelil fired its former managing director Eng.Edwin Otieno Musebe, at Luhyia last year and replaced him with the company’s former Agricultural Manager Charles Owelle in a controversial ridden politically and tribally motivated appointment that took many stakeholder by surprise, because Owelle had on two occasions acted as the managing director in which his performance were said not to be attractive enough to warrant his appointment.

The farmers have since placed the blame at the doorstep of the Kenya Sugar Board and the parent Ministry of Agriculture which were the joint appointing authorities.

IT is only the Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Mill a privately owned firm, which is still operational, while Muhooni also is functioning, but also limping due to acute shortage of raw materials {cane} duet poor planning f cane husbandry within its cane growing zone.

The signs that Prof Ayiecho’s future s the MP for Muhoroni is gloomy surfaced during the recent funeral of the brother of the Nyando County Council chairman Samuel Onyango Ong’ou in Wang’aya location where mourner were forced to scampered for their dear lives as the ell attended burial ceremony became chaotic.

The trouble started when the populist Onyango K’Oyoo turned up triumphantly, but late at the well attended funeral accompanied by about 300 youth shouting obscene words at the MP.

The plea by the MP to the huge crowd of mourners to remain calm and remain seated were never heeded forcing the legislator to himself to fled the scene amid hails of stones and other missiles.

The MP himself had to fled during which unconfirmed report says his body guards were forced to fire gun shots to the air to scare away the life threatening situation.

At another recent function K’Oyoo made a call to the government and the Kenya Anti Corruption authority to send a team of competent auditors to carry out the forensic auditing of CDF and other government devolving funds in Muhoroni constituency.

There have been a lot of hue and cry by the electorate who blame the MP for having filled all the seats in the local CDF disbursing committee with his own political cronies and sycophants and thereby making sure that only projects which are located in areas where the MP had deceived votes during the 2007 general election got the better part of the money.

The MP who has represented Muhoroni or the last 15 years is also facing other allegations of gross interference in the work of school heads, failing to articulate the problems facing the sugar cane farmers, poor working relations with the members of the sugar cane farming fraternity in the area, who have suffered the brunt of mismanagement of sugar factories.

Other allegations, which the MP must come out clean include the alleged increase in political hooliganism and thuggery especially those witnessed during the ODM grass root elections and the 2007 genera election in which political goons were recruited and imported from outside Muhoroni and also during the Kenya Sugar Board zonal directors elections.

The electorate in the area have made it clear that the are is now ripe for a major political shake up ,and that the time for a change is long over due .They are saying the area is yawning for a new face of an MP who will work loosely with all the stakeholders, particularly the cane farmers.

Ayiecho who previously never fail to mentioned the Prime minister Raila Odinga in all his undertakings is said to be of lately rather silent and not mentioning the name of the Prime Minister as frequently as he used to pointing out the possibility of a an eminent fallout.

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KENYA: THE SCORECARDS OF SOME LUO MPS FROM NYANZA IS INDICATING THAT HALF OF THEM WILL BE SENT PACKING BY THE VOTERS ON MARCH 3, 2013.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In KisumuCity.

AS the clock is ticking much faster drawing the date for the next general elections closer by days, the heartbeat of the 21 legislators from Luo-Nyanza might also be ticking to fast following the fears that persist in many constituencies to the effect that more than half of these gentlemen would be sent packing come the March 4, 2013.

The Luo MPS are the most worried lot. Most of them seemed to be not sure whether they will make it to the next parliament or not.

Many voters in the region appeared to have coined the common biblical saying’ “You’ll harvest only the seeds that you had sowed when the harvesting time comes.

What is in the scorecards of the majority of the Luo MPs’ clearly pointing out the gloomy picture of leaders who have reached the crucial point of no return. The scorecard of most of them is pointing to the direction that hey had sowed the seeds of discord among the electorate and as such only deserved to be sent packing.

The MPs from Luo-Nyanza faces myriad of problems with accusation of failing to delver the goods, poor management of the government devolved development funds, vandalizing the CDF money and poor disbursement of the same.

In some areas the MPs are facing allegations of having formed or established their own construction companies with their spouses as the directors and managers of the firms specifically for the purpose of tapping all the CDF money through biased awarding tender and construction contracts involving CDF money to the phantom companies in which they had the economic interest in.

Other allegations goes that some of the MPs vandalized the CDF money by ensuring that their crones, most of them semi-illiterate and oldest people with no knowledge or experience in the government accounting system to mange the CDF. Other unconfirmed reports says tat prior to the 207 general elections, some of the MP had become heavily indebted to local traders, particularly those trading in hardware and wooing the voters by way of making hefty donations using such materials donating borrowed items like corrugated iron sheets, nails, roofing materials and timbers from the shops as they were canvassing for votes.

But immediately when they were sworn in as the new MPs they hatched plans devising the method of ensuring that the businessmen they owed thousands of shillings were the one awarded the tenders of supplying materials for the construction of CDF funded projects at very exorbitant prices so that the traders could recover the money owed to them by the MPs.

Our sources have informed us that such debts repayment arrangements between some MPs and the traders, immediately become the source of discontent and conflicts of interests between the MPs and government appointed CDF managers in various constituencies earning some of the CDF mangers who questioned the modalities of such arrangements to be transferred from one station to the other. Some of the disgusted CDF managers had to voluntarily request for their immediate transfers fearing about the consequences that would befall them when they books of account are finally audited by competent government auditors.

Following these conflict of interests, some constituencies remained without CDF managers for several months. Other MPs are suspected to have spent colossal amount of CDF monies in buying trucks and Lorries, which in the names of either their wives or companies which were later contracted for ferrying building materials for the construction of CDF funded projects at a higher prices above the market prices.

Some members of the Provincial Administration, especially D.Cs,D.0s and Chiefs appeared to have been compromised. In one constituency even it is even being alleged that even civic leader and chiefs as well s Dos were paid handsomely for having attended the CDF meeting, though they were doing so as members of the public service and as part of their duties as civil servant. Such sitting allowances were reported to be ranging from 4000/-.4000/- or even at the higher rate of 6000/- per person per day.

However, a number of MPs from this region are said to have used the government devolving funds, which include the CDF, School Bursary, Roads Maintenance and HIV/Aids controls fund efficiently with the seal of diligently.

It claimed that those MPS in whose constituencies the socio-economic projects which were funded by the CDF money have remained phantom and invisible are the ones who have switched and changed their status and declare they would not be defending their seats. And instead they will contest the forthcoming general elections in other elective positions in the County governance instead of their seats in parliament.

However, report emerging from various parliamentary constituencies in all the four Counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa-Bay and Migori reveals that some of the MPs have scored the highest marks, and all the indications are that they stands the better chances of being re-elected back to the next parliament.

In Migori County, the outspoken Nyatike MP Erick Omondi Anyanga is one person who is sue of recapturing his seat owing to his colorful track record of commitment to the socio-economic development of the area.

In Siaya County, the abrasive Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo has the head-start against his challenger and is expected to perform well during the next general elections. Another MP who stand the best chance of being re-elected to parliament is the Lands Minister James Aggrey Orengo [Nytieng’]. However, the legislator has switched his stand and opted to contest the Siaya Senate seat instead of defending his Ugenya seat.

Also in Siaya, Eng. Nicholas Gumbo, the MP for Rarieda, is among those MPs who are expected to sail through in the next election and possibly retain his seat.

In the same Siaya County the Finance Assistant Minister Dr Oburu Odinga has also switched and instead of defending his parliamentary seat is challenging Orengo in a bitter and controversial contest for the County Senate seat.

Following the latest political dimension and scrambles for the Siaya Senate seat, it is now apparent that Bondo and Ugenya will have new MPs after the March 4, 2013.

The region could expect another greenhorn MP as the result of the newly created Ugunja parliamentary seat. The same could be said of the millionaire Alego-Usonga MP Edwin Ochieng Yinda whose performance at the constituency level is said to have been dismal and full of lackluster below the expectation of the voters. A new face of an MP could emerged in this particular electoral area of Alego-Usonga.

In Homa-Bay County, the Karachuonyo MP Eng. James K. Rege,who is the only MP in Luo-Nyanza who had allowed the local CDF disbursing committee to have the intellectuals and professionals to be members.

The CDF committee is headed by Prof Akeyo Omolo of Maseno University as its chairman and all members are people of colorful academic background and experience, making it the only constituency in the region which has had no complaints from the public about the misuse of vandalizing of the CDF funds.

Although Rege may face opposition, but his chances of recapturing y are in the highest on card.

In Homa-By bay County, the two neighboring constituencies in Rachuonyo South district that of Kasipul and Kabondo-Kasipul wile finitely post two new MPs at the next polls. The incumbent MP for the old Kasipul-Kabondo Joseph Oyugi Magwanga appear to be heading for the exist door.

The recent sub-division of the constituency into two with the creation of Kabondo-Kasipul appeared to have worked against Magwanga, who in earlier days in Parliament had started very well scoring the highest mark for his management of CDF and other devolving funds in style and personally supervising development activities.

The creation of the new constituency and the emergence of clans politics haves hit the MP the hardest and below the belt with other allegations that he has been promoting political thuggery in Oyugis and its environs.

In the same Homa-Bay County, the Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo is likely to be one of the causalities in the greater Southern Nyanza.Ogindo whose origins is being traced in Asembo in Rarieda is not an indignant of Rangwe. He has performed poorly and failed to repair feeder and access roads traversing the constituency.

The worse road being the Oyugis-Rangwe-Rodi-Kopany. He has failed to fit into the shoes of his predecessor Eng Philip Okoth Okundi who was a high performing MP and is still being remembered by the electorate for having initiated and even completed many projects using the CDF money.

The MP is only being credited for having been a regular contributor to the debates in the House, but is reported to be not good performer at the constituency level.Roads traversing Rangwe-Sinema{Asumbi}, Rangwe-Oboke and Miranga-Marindi remained pathetic state and impassable and so is the Ndiru junction which is branching off Oyugis-Rangwe.

The residents have accused the MP for having migrate with his entire family to live permanently in Nairobi with unsubstantiated claims that he is rarely seen around the constituency.

In the neighboring Ndhiwa constituency also within Homa-Bay County the leadership vacuum created by the untimely demise of the abrasive former MP Joshua Orwa Ojode is still being felt, though the a new young and energetic MP in the name of Augustino Neto Oyugi. It is, however, too early for anyone to conduct the proper assessment of the youthful mps performance within only one month after his election victory in the controversial by-election.

In Suba region, the recent elevation of the Gwassi MP John Mbadi to the cabinet position of an Assistant minister has enhanced the chances for the re-election, though the elections always attract a large number of aspirants in this particular constituency, the cans arithmetic is expected to be in play during the impending election and Mbadi could be in the next Parliament.

Also in the same Suba region, Mbita constituency, which has been deserted by the immigration and Registration of Person Minister Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ is expected to post a new face as the next MP for the area.

Kajwang’ who is the current ODM Homa-Bay County branch will now contest the Homa-Bay County Senate seat. He has never been a high performing mp, and his dismal performance in Mbita might continue to haunt him in quest to become the first County Senator in the region.

Un Kisumu County, all the six MPs are expect to be sent home for their lukewarm performance.They included NyakachMP Polyns Ochieng’ Daima, Muhoroni MP Patrick Ayiecho Olueny, Fred Ota [Nyando, Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir [Kisumu Town East, John Olago Aluoch {Kisumu Town West and Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyonng’o [Kisum Rural}

In Migori County, the Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno could find himself in trouble if the youthful lawyer Gradus Oluoch could choose to challenge his re-election In Rongo constituency

Rongo was among the constituencies which were sub-divided into two due to it densely population with the creation of Awendo constituency.

At the same time reports emerging from Awendo indicating that the former Energy Minister George Ochillo-Ayacko has opted out of parliamentary contest. There are, however, the possibility of both Rongo and Awendo posting new faces of MPs .to parliament cannot be ruled out.

The position of the two MP from Migori remained unclear. They are the Uriri MP Cyprian Ojwang’ Omolo, and the incumbent Migori MP John Pesa. The possibility of two new faces of MPs face emerging fro thee constituencies cannot be ruled out as the incumbent are reported to be facing the stiffest challenge in their bid to be re-elected. Migori in particular will have two MP following the sub-division of the old Migori into two constituencies, namely Migori West and Migori East.

However, the coming weeks will see many changes in the campaign style, realignment of politician, aspirant for the various constituencies, in County governance and Senatorial as well as civic bodies. The ODM is the dominant party, but the orange party is known for its poor nominations system, which might end up disappointing some of the aspirants who are expected to perform well during the election proper.

Ends.

KENYA: MILLIE ODHIAMBO QUEST TO BECOME THE NEXT MBITA MP NOW HANGS IN BALANCE AS MORE CREDIBLE ASPIRANTS ENTERS THE RACE F0R THE SAME SEAT.

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Write Arrum-Tidi Ogonglo at Mbita Point

The outspoken ODM nominated MP’s quest to become the next Mbita MP now hangs in balance following the new dimension and political development which has seen more influential political personalities plunging into the race for the same seat.

The seat has now attracted four more aspirants bringing the total number of the contestant to five. Among them is Mss Odhiambo close cousin Phares Ogweno Ratego, whose home is just next to Waware Secondary School in Rusinga East Location and almost sharing the same fence with the rural home of Ms Odhiambo’s parents .The two homesteads are only separated by a distance of less than 50 yards.

But the man whose candidature has sent the shock-waves to the spinal code of other aspirants is the computer genius Dr Mark Matunga who works with the Microsoft Computer international as an educationist responsible for East, Central and Southern African regions based in Nairobi.

Dr.Matunga who has been on the campaign trail for the last two years, was previously slated to contest for the powerful and lucrative position of Homa-Bay County governor and was considered as the leading contenders. Because it is widely believed that he was doing extremely well in that race.

The new entrant into the race is a man who is equally dynamic and eloquent and a master politician. However, he shocked everyone when he just made an abrupt about turn at the weekend following what is viewed by political pundits as the result of heavy pressure on him mounted by the elders an electorate in his native home turf of Mfangano Island.

A large number of elders who gathered at his rural Mfangano home last Friday and urged him to contest the Mbita seat, saying the islanders have been marginalized for many years ever since the 8inception of the constituency in the late 1960s. Nobody from Mfangano has ever been elected to represent Mbita constituency, while several MPs have always come from the neighboring Rusinga Island.

The seat was created in 1966 following the abolition of the tri-cameral parliamentary system, which was negotiated by the Kenyan leaders and the British government at the 1962 Lancaster House constitutional conference on Kenya.

After the Senate was abolished it was decided that all the 42 Senators representing 42 district be absorbed and that new constit8encies be created in the national Assembly. The Senators were given the choice and option to decide as to on particular areas where they would like to represent in the August House.

It was during this tie when the late Senator Sellemiah Mbeo –Onyango a native of Mfangano Island who had won the Senate seat for South Nyanza during the 1963 general elections that ushered in the country political independence in June 1963hade made his cho9ice and chosen Mbita as his soft landing place. Mbeo Onyango became the first MP for the area. But he did not stay longer as he was trounced by the firebrand George Osingo Migure in 1969.

Although Senator Mbeo-Onyango was born on Mfangano Island, he had moved out and settled on the mainland at a place called Manyatta in Sakwa East Location, Migori County, near Awendo Town in the newly created Awendo district therefore the residents of this particular island therefore consider themselves as having not been allowed the opportunity to elect one of their own to represent them in parliament ever since the constituency was created.

Osingo Migure himself was later dethroned by another man from Rusinga, the late Alphonce Okuku- Ndiege, the younger brother of the late Tom Mboya, who in turn surrendered the seat to Peter C Otieno Nyakiamo from the mainland Kakisingiri in what is now Gwassi constituency. And thereafter several men from the mainland side have won the seat before it was sub-divided into two Mbita and Gwassi constituencies a couple of years ago.

There has been discontent by the residents of Mfangano whose voting strength is reported to be superior in numbers than those registe5ed on the neighboring Rusinga Island.

Also interested in the same seat are two men from the mainland Gembe and Lambwe East Location one Omondi Odalo and Caleb Orwa, though the two are considered to be most insignificant and greenhorns in Mbita politics, clan rivalries could help them garner enough votes to upset the two luminaries Matunga and Odhiambo.

Matunga, however, has a head-start due to his track record of development activities in both Mfangano and Rusinga Islands. Phares Ratego is equally has a colorful credibility duet0o his role as the leader of the Mbita Professional Caucus who have been working closely with the outgoing M Otieno Kajwang’ on matters and issue related to the development of the constituency.

Obviously Odhiambo and Ratego candidature would cause a lot of confusion, especially in Rusinga island due to their maternal relations. The two hails from a small clan called Jo-Kolo, which is a sub-clan of the larger Waware clan.

Millie Odhiambo is a member of the ODM re-loaded goup that has la8nched a formidable campaign for Raila Odinga, and she is considered close to the Odinga family and a personal friend of Mrs Ida Odinga, while Dr Matunga has been one of the think-a-tank group in ODM ever since 2007.

Ends

KENYA’S ELECTION 2013

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From: Mary Gakere

our sovereignty is shaken if our sitting president is publically humiliated —

Kenya electioneering 2013.

UN Secretary general Kofi Annan jetted into the country two weeks ago and warned against Uhuru and Ruto running for Kenya’s top post. Hot on his heels was International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda with her threats; Uhuru and Ruto will face International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings whether they become president of Kenya or not.

Kenya First.

With dark cloud of ICC hanging over our electioneering, we need to think hard as to what is the best way forward. We can ignore both Kofi Annan and ICC Chief Prosecutor and proceed to elect either William Ruto or Uhuru Kenyatta or both as Kenya’s next president and Vice-president at our peril, however, it seems prudent to think about our country first before taking that leap.

Rome Statute has no immunity for anyone, not even a sitting president and non will be available for Ruto and Uhuru. As a relatively new court, ICC will assert all its power to flex its muscle in order not to appear weak or ambivalent in the international scene. Kenya’s is, without a doubt,the most complex case for ICC yet and an opportunity for the court to gain much needed credibility as a major player in the world justice arena.

Kenya case at ICC is not going away and will be fully and completely prosecuted. The court views this as a caution against impunity in Kenya and the region. It could take years before its all over (since its inception ten years ago, the court has just concluded the first case; – Thomas Lubanga Dyilo of Demcratic Republic of Congo, senctenced , 14 years by ICC), and would be unfair for Uhuru and Ruto to take Kenyans down that road.

Uhuru/Ruto to stand down

Our people will be demoralized and our sovereignty shaken if our sitting president is humiliated publicly in a criminal trial with the whole world watching. It will appear as if Kenya and not the individual is on trial. Such a trauma will not augur well with our national psychic and we ought to avoid it.

Uhuru and Ruto must put country before their own personal ambitions. It would be a great embarrassment if we were to have a sitting President of Kenya in a witness box in Hague or locked up in jail.

It is unfortunate that these two Kenyans with huge potential for leadership in Kenya may have to stand down this time around. But wananchi and country could benefit tremediously if the two were to refocus their energy, vision and resources to another suitable, credible and honest person with integrity and good sound policies that can positively guide our country and people for the next five years.

By Njau Njembura Njoroge.

Kenya: One aspirant for Homa-Bay county governor is under pressure from the voters to switch his candidature and contest Mbita parliamentary seat

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Writes Arrum Tidi Ogonglo in Homa_Bay Town.

Pressure is building up around one of the leading aspirant for the Homa-bay County governor position to abandon his ambition and instead to switch and contest Mbita parliamentary.

Mbita is currently represented in parliament by the Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister Gerald Otieno Kajwang’a. The MP, however, had declared his interest in the Homa-Bay County Senate seat and publicly declared that he would not defend hi seat come the March 4, 2013 polls.

The outspoken nominated M Millie Odhiambo has shown interest in contesting the seat . Both Millie Odhiambo and Dr Mark Matunga were in Kajwang’’s camp during the 2007, and it widely believed that it was Dr. Matunga who played the role of a political mentor and godfather to Millie of Odhiambo.

The latest development, particular the pressure being mounted by the elders in Suba region an Mbita constituency that Dr Matunga should abandon his ambition or the governorship and switch instead to Mbita parliamentary contest has placed the computer expert in catch 22becauuse he will be pitted against someone with whom they have had a good rapport and warm working relationship for a long time.

Dr.Matunga, however, could not be reached or his immediate comment. He is said to have been summoned back to home turf of Mfangano Island be the elders and opinion shapers on Friday.

The two Matunga and Odhiambo hails from the twin islands of Mfangano and Rusinga. The inhabitants of the two islands are people of pure Suba origins an have a lot in common including family relationship, though geographically separated.

The Islanders played bigger role in Mbita constituency matters. There has been, however, some murmuring and complaints that the residents of Rusiga have had a chance of being represented by two former MPs, namely George Osingo Migure and the late Alphonce Okuku, the younger brother of Tom Mboya and have therefore shared the fruits of independence with the mainlanders from Gembe,Lambwe East and Lambwe whereas nobody from Mfangano has ever been elected to parliament ever sine the inception and creation of Mbita as a parliamentary electoral Constituency late 1960s.

The creation came about in 1966 when parliament vote unanimously to dissolve tri-cameral parliamentary system in the old Lancaster House constitution o 1962 which created a Senate and have the 42 districts. Under this new arrangement the late Senator Sellemiah Mbeo-Onyango was elected Senator for the entire South Nyanza district. When the Senate was abolished Senator Mbeo-Onyango ho had his roots in Mfangano Island, but a resident of Sakwa East Location in newly created Awendo district was absorbed in Mbita a new constituency which was then curved out of the original Lambwe constituency. The other parts of this constituency were converted into Ndhiwa constituency.

The current agitation and clamor for an islander from Mfangano to be elected the next MPs has some credence, taking into account that the population and voting strength of the residents of the two twin-islands of Rusinga and Mfangano is almost equal in numbers.

It would an equal opportunity in terms of political representation and leadership at the constituency level, and thereafter creates a precedent in which the future representation of this particular constituency will permanently be on rotation between the residents of the twin-island and the mainlanders.

The two political personalities in the name of Dr. Matunga and Millie Odhiambo are fairly educated with the latter being an advocate of the high out. Matunga, however, has a very colorful track record in terms of active participation in the development of economic infrastructure in Mbita constituency in general and in the two twins-islands in particular.

Both personalities stands a better chance of landing plum ministerial jobs in the event of ODM winning next year’s general elections, something which could of high value and beneficial to the electorate in the region. The same cod happen if Dr.Matunga could emerge the winner in the contest of the Homa-Bay County Senate seat.

As things stand, the residents of Mbita wanted to hit the bird with to stones, taking it into account that the two are all close to the Prime Minister Raila Odinga therefore their chances of sailing through the election would be of a great value to the electorate.

It is hope that this issue will be resolved amicably in time before the ODM primary nomination.

Ends

USA: Exclusive: E-voting puts vote accuracy at risk in four key states

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From: Judy Miriga

I hope this anomaly shall be rectified soon before the Election Day.

Cheers !!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

—
Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Barbara Sanders of the League of Women Voters selects a candidate during a test of an electronic voting machine in Columbia, Md., in October 2004. As Sanders voted others tallied the same votes from paper ballots to ensure the electronic equipment recorded votes properly.

Chris Gardner/AP

In Pictures: Campaign photography: the art of standing out

Exclusive: E-voting puts vote accuracy at risk in four key states

In four battleground states – Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, and Colorado – glitches in electronic-voting machines could produce erroneous tallies that would be difficult to detect and potentially impossible to correct, a Monitor analysis finds.

By Mark Clayton, Staff writer / October 25, 2012

Touch-screen electronic voting machines in at least four states pose a risk to the integrity of the 2012 presidential election, according to a Monitor analysis.

In four key battleground states – Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, and Colorado – glitches in e-voting machines could produce incorrect or incomplete tallies that would be difficult to detect and all but impossible to correct because the machines have no paper record for officials to go back and check.

While many state officials laud the accuracy of e-voting machines, mechanical and software failures are not a new problem. What makes the risk more serious this year is that polls project a close election, and e-voting problems in any of the four states in question could affect who wins the presidency.

RECOMMENDED: 3 views on whether US states should require voter ID

“No matter how unlikely it seems now, there’s a chance that this election will be so close that it could be flipped by a single voting machine problem in a single place in any one of those states,” says Edward Felten, a professor at Princeton University in New Jersey who has analyzed e-voting machine weaknesses. “To avoid that, it’s key to have a record of what the voter saw – and that means having a paper ballot or other paper record.”

Paper verification of votes has proved to be a vital backstop to ensure that voting-machine software is not corrupt and that programming errors did not affect the accuracy of electronic vote tallies. Voting machines have at times “lost” thousands of votes or even “flipped” votes from one candidate to another, and total breakdowns are not unheard of.

For example:

In 2006, some 18,000 votes were electronically “lost” by e-vote systems in a single Florida congressional race with no paper backup or ballots available to review.

In May 2011, voters in Pennsylvania’s Venango County complained that paperless electronic touch-screen machines were “flipping their choices from one party to another,” according to a report by Verified Voting, a nonprofit group in Carlsbad, Calif., that tracks voting machine use nationwide. After an inconclusive audit of election results, the county simply decided to use paper ballots counted by optical scanners in future elections.

In March, an e-voting system in Florida’s Palm Beach County experienced a “synchronization” problem in a municipal election. The election software attributed votes to the wrong contest and the wrong candidates won. Thankfully, paper ballots existed. After a court-ordered recount, results were changed and two losing candidates were declared winners.

USA: Are these guys for real?

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From: Nita and Shaunna, UltraViolet Action

Indiana Republican Senate candidate, Richard Mourdock made another offensive comment about rape last night. But Mitt Romney and top Republicans aren’t pulling their support. Enough is enough. Can you tell Mitt Romney and Republicans that if they want women’s votes they need to stop playing politics with rape?
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/307?t=2&akid=209.6000.n3fujD

Dear Readers,

st. Stop. It.

Last night, ANOTHER Republican candidate for office made ANOTHER offensive comment about rape. This time it was Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock saying pregnancies resulting from rape are what God intended.1 This is on the heels of Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s comments that women don’t get pregnant from “legitimate” rape,2 Pennsylvania Senate candidate Tom Smith saying that having children out of wedlock is basically the same thing as rape,3 and Rep. Steve King saying he has never heard of anyone getting pregnant from statutory rape.4

Add it all up and we have a very serious, disturbing problem when it comes to Republican men running for office and how they view women.

But something about Mourdock’s comment is even more disturbing: Mitt Romney just released an ad endorsing him. While he’s tepidly tried to distance himself from Mourdock today, he hasn’t pulled his endorsement and the ad is still on the air.5 And Senator John Cornyn, head of the National Republican Senate Campaign Committee, is **defending** Mourdock.6

Can you send a clear message to Mitt Romney and the Republicans about how you feel about these comments as a voter? If they want women’s votes, they need to stop supporting candidates with extreme views on rape. Mitt Romney must withdraw his endorsement of Mourdock and Republican campaign committees must stop supporting him right away.

Add your name to the petition.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/307?t=3&akid=209.6000.n3fujD

There are just 2 weeks before the election and campaign committees are really susceptible to public pressure right now. If enough of us speak out quickly and loudly, we can make a difference here. And we can make it clear to members of both parties that playing politics with rape is just flat out wrong.

This isn’t just an issue that upsets progressive women–it upsets all women.

Even Christine Todd Whitman, former Republican Governor of New Jersey and Bush EPA Administrator, is appalled and calling on Romney to strongly reject Mourdock.7

Rape is rape. It is not a political game. And we, women and men alike, deserve better from candidates of any political party.

Add your name to the petition.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/307?t=4&akid=209.6000.n3fujD

Thanks for speaking out,

–Nita, Shaunna, Kat, and Karin, the UltraViolet team

Sources:

1. “Meet The Mourdocks: The Other Republicans Pushing To Block Abortions For Rape Victims,” ThinkProgress, October 24, 2012

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. “DNC slams Romney’s Mourdock endorsement,” Politico, October 24, 2012

6. “NRSC chief Cornyn defends Mourdock after abortion comments,” The Hill, October 24, 2012

7. “Former N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman,” Politico, October 24, 2012

Kenya: Claims Against ODM Ksm malicious

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BY JEFF OTIENO.

Recent press reports claiming that Kisumu Central Parliamentary hopeful Ken Obura is allied to Uhuru Kenyattas TNA are malicious, hollow, cowardly, parochial and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible without reservations.

The maliciously propelled story alleged that Ken Obura is a TNA ally and urged Kisumu residents to stongly campaign for Uhuru and come out in their large numbers to vote for him come march polls .

For starters Ken hails from Kano Kabonyo in Kisumu East District in Kisumu County. His Father the late Obura Mirenga was once a no nonsense elected Councillor in Kisumu Municipality in the early eighties. After his graduation from Nairobi University Ken plunged to Business with some of the powerful political clique in the ODM circles.

Its from here that Ken started to develop interests in politics and has been a blue eye boy of even the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Aged 31, he has been vigorously and relentlessly pounding the terrain of the newly created constituency and even some of his opponents are now contemplating with drawing from the race but others have opted for cheap slander campaigns as away of scuttling him.

He’s slated to battle it out with former Kisumu Town West Mp Rev Ken Nyagudi, Businessman Shem Onyango Kwega, Obdul Dubai and top Accountant Bob Madanji all angling for ODM ticket in the primaries scheduled for January next year.

ENDS

Kenya: Residents of Kisumu wants the MP’s bodyguard involving in shooting drama disarmed and prosecuted as the victim is operated in hospital and the bullet removed from his body

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

RESIDENTS of Kisumu Town East constituency have appealed to the government through the police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation over the shooting drama involving the bodyguards of the area MP during a funeral church service in which a youth was shot and fatally wounded.

The victim of the shooting Julius Asero Aloo was operated at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu [formerly New Nyanza General Hospital by Dr Otieno Obondo who removed the bullet from his body.

The residents want the MP’ body disarmed and the weapon taken to ballistic experts’ together with bullet recovered from the victim’s body for trough examination by experts. This is because the MP Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir has vehemently denied that any shooting incident took place.

Residents say this was the third time the security detail of this particular MP involved in reckless shooting at a public gathering following commotions.

Similar incidents have been reported before in the same constituency, but with no report of any accidental shooting. The Resdents of Kolwa East Wad who have witnessed the past incidents, during which the MP-s bodyguards had to shoot in the air to scare the rowdy youths, have a feeling that this MP is fond of going to funeral homes accompanied by heavily armed body guards not for the purpose of condolencesing the bereaved families, but specifically with aims of intimidating his would be opponent during the forthcoming general elections and that it is time he be stopped by the Provincial and police authorities in Nyanza to stop these acts of excessive provocations

Before his accidental death in a helicopter crash on June 10th,the former Internal Security Assistant Minister the late Joshua Orwa Ojode had suggested that in future the bereaved families would be required to apply for police licenses for any funeral gathering.

The Minister suggestion came in the wake of several incidents in which mourners wee forced to fled as fighting rags between rowdy youth supporting different political camps fought each other with stones and crude weapons at times inflicting injuries to innocent funeral goers.

The resident say they would also petition the ODM leadership not to accept M Shakeel Shabbir candidature for the same seat as the MP has proved to be not fit for political leadership and is thriving on politics of gangsters and thuggery. ”The MP should be thoroughly investigated and stopped from holding any public office,” they said.

The latest shooting drama incident occurred on October 19 during the funeral church service of the late Archbishop Musa Ogana Omolo of the Adundo Hollyghost Chuchin Kolwa East Ward within Kisumu municipality. THE mp visited the church, and the locals were angered by his presence because they have made numerous appeals to the MP to help the deceased Bishop get medical treatment in Nairobi, which he said to have declined, but made to the funeral service carrying gift of sugar and maize flour meals to be used in feeding the mourners.

Outside the church the M met some rowdy youths who asked him why he had failed to fulfilled some of his election ledges of 2007.Bitter argument ensued. At this juncture the Councilor f rte area Robert Oruko Otuge, who is an aspirant for the same seat came out and asked the MP to leave the venue due to high tension and that he could come the next day during the actual burial of the Bishop.

THE man stood his ground and remained standing outside the church. His two bodyguards cocked their guns, and one called Musa menacingly pointed the gun at Con Otuge threatening to shoot.

The civic leader fearing for his life grabbed the bodyguard’s hand and the two were involved in the scuffle which drew one the bodyguards. Musa is said to have fired three times in the air to scare the youth away from possible attack on the MP. As the bodyguards and supporters tried to separate the MP and ushering him into his car where the driver had remained n the wheel, a gun rung out from suspected to have come from Musa’s weapon wounding the youth fatally in the leg.

The residents believed that the guns assigned to the M by the government were being misused and appealed to the government to withdraw such guns before the worse come, especially during this time hen the genera elections are around the corner.

Previously, the government used to withdraw licensed guns from MPs and candidates contesting in various constituencies after the shooting and killing of Mr Uhuru Nege a youth in Kitutu Chache constituency in Kisii district. In 1997.

The Kisumu resident wants the government to with draw the errand bodyguards and guns issued to candidates withdrawn during the election campaign period.

Ends

KENYA: THE POLITICAL GIANT OF NYANDO WHO FOR DECADES WAS OPERATING CLANDESTINELY AS THE KINGMAKER HAS FINALLY COME TO THE OPEN TO CLAIM KISUMU COUNTY SENATE SEAT.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

For close to the three decades he was operating covertly and clandestinely behind the scene while using his massive wealth by sponsoring parliamentary and civic candidates vying for the various elective positions in Nyando constituency.

However, the Nyando kingmaker this time around has decided to plunge himself into senatorial contest in Kisumu County Senate seat in an election has promised to be the most bruising battle ever seen in the region.

Eng. Maxwell Otieno Odongo a structural engineer-cum-lawyer by profession is the man to watch in the battle for the Kisumu County Senate seat.

The business magnate is the Managing Director of COOPA Africa Consulting Engineering, a company with its head office in Nairobi. This firm is also operating in other African countries with business contacts and operations in other parts of the world.

While operating in the same capacity with defunct Otieno Odongo and Partners Engineering, the engineer-cum-layer was for many years used his enormous resources and successful sponsored a number of candidates who clinched the Nyando parliamentary seat in the early 1970s and 1980s.

He once served as the Kisumu district branch secretary of the ruling KANU party during Mi’s era. He is believed to have been the mentor of the former Nyando M Tom Ogalo Ogada who late served as an Assistant Minister in the KANU regime. He had a helping hand in the election victory of the later peter Anyumba and the immediate former Nyando MP Eng Eric Opon Nyamunga and finally assisted the incumbent MP Fred Outa to an easy victory in the same constituency.

Otieno Odongo is also credited for having helped the late Paul Omanga win the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation Workers. Omanga died while serving as member of COTU[K} executive board and a top unionist.

The three aspirants in the contest of Kisumu County Senate seat are men of different in characters .Prof Nyong’o is a staunch supporters of the Prime Minister Raila , to be a men of class, thrift and means.

Eng Otieno Odongo is a flamboyant and outgoing man who is fond of mixing with friend and excessively generous person. He has spent millions of his money lending hands of assistance to bright students from poor families no only in Nyando home turf, but in other district and regions. He said to have single handedly sponsored some of the student in the public universities an even in overseas institutions of higher learning in foreign counties.

Eng. Otieno Odongo is credited for having established businesses and firms, which ha employed close to 500 people within the localities. He owns a large scale sugar cane arm in the Kibos/Miwani area of the Nyanza sugar belt, as well as rice milling factory in Ahero Town. Posho Mills in Ahero and MuhoroniTowns.

The business magnate is also running the Homa-Bay Tourist Hotel, which he had acquired from the KTDC some year ago together with Kisumu based prestigious Sunset Hotel, but abandon this after the deal went sour on technicality only settling the Homa-Bay facility which he has improved to a tourist class.

The engineer is also a landlord in Kisumu, Nair9obi and elsewhere. He is the proprietor of Lake Market in the middle of Kisumu City’s Central Business District {CBD] with consortium of dozens of shopping stalls and kiosks.

Having come the populous Kano clan reputed with well over 200,000registered voters well spread within three administrative districts in Kisumu County such as Nyando Muhoroni and Kisumu East districts,Otieno Odongo is expected to make an easy sail through and grab the Kisumu Senate seat.

Ocholla Ogoda is originally from Gem Rae are of lower Nyakach, but settled in the Muhoroni Settlement Scheme. He is being credited for his public oratory and excellent ability to mobilize.

He can still marshal support from his Nyakach community which is also another vote rich region within Kisumu County and members of the Nakach community living in Muhoroni district.

Prof.Nyong’o has represented Kisumu Rural constituency for close to 15 consecutive years. However, his lackluster and dismal performance both at the constituency level and at the ministerial could work to his disadvantage. Consider the poor medical supplies, lack of drugs at the government hospitals would give his rivals the best ammunition to shoot down his candidature.

A the three aspirants for the Kisumu Senate seat are resourceful men who could easily sustain the heat of the election campaign for the next five months before the polling day which is slated for Mach 4.2013.

Ends

Kenya: RAILA must change tactics and empower his trusted troop soldiers on the ground in order to regain foothold in the South Rift regions

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FOR RAILA ODINGA TO REGAIN A STRONG FOOTHOLD IN THE SOUTH RIFT THE ODM MUST CHANGE ITS TACTICS AND STEWARDSHIP INCLUDING EMPOWERING RUTO’S KNOWN POLITICAL ENEMIES IN THE REGION.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Bomet Town.

He recent series of quiet political maneuvers by the Prime Miniister Odinga such as making an overture by way of engaging the URP leader William Samoei Arap Rutoin late night behind the scene meetings could be arguably said to bear nothing significantly important like any added value to his precarious position and fast waning popularity in the South Rift and in some parts of the expansive Rift Valley Province.

Instead of such unworkable maneuvers and holding night dialogue meetings Rail Odinga should take a bold step and empower certain individual political personalities, particularly anti-Ruto elements within the vote rich Kipisigis regions covering Kericho and Bomet counties.

The ODM also must extend its wing and network into the neighboring Trans-Mara East and West districts where the Kalenjin population almost equals those of the indignant Maasais. The ODM candidate in Kiligoris constituency John Ng”eno who gave the incumbent MP Gideon Konchellah a run for his money in the 2007 general elections.

The supporters of the Eldoret North MP William Samoei Ruto in the South Rift region are viewing thee Raila Odinga’s maneuvers as portraying the picture of some one who is embroiled in a great panicking of loosing the impeding presidential election.

At the same time the few Kalenjin MPs who are still firmly in the ODM apart from the Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and the Aldai Mp Dr Sally Kosgey they lacked the ammunition and power with which they could puncture a hole in the URP euphoria which is currently sweeping the Kalenjin region like the torrential rains.

The three ODM MPs in the region include the Roads Minister Franklin Bett {Buret},Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones {Bomet} and Energy Assistant Minister Magerere Lang’at {Kipkellion} These MPs are so scared and afraid of challenging Ruto, hence they are branded by their electorate as {traitors] therefore nursing the fear of loosing their parliamentary seats to the URP candidates come the March 4,2013 polls.

The only sensible option open to Raila Odinga to regain a foothold in Kipsigis inhabited region is to empower anti-Ruto elements operating from within Kericho and Bomet Counties and outside Parliament.
The men lie Donald Ng’eny, former cabinet Minister John Arap Koech, former Sotik MP Antony Kimeto{Sotet} and the UDM leader Lt.Gen
[rtd} John Koech are capable of taming Ruto’s enormous influence in the region. What Raila Odinga and the ODM should do is to empower these people by way of providing them with ammunition with which the cold use to inflict punctures in Ruto’s popular vehicle traversing the region.
Raila’s close advisers who are arguably the few MPs fro the region that still cling to the ODM obviously lacked political dynamism and magnanimity and their steam to drive Ruto out of the South Rift, though they are aware that the entire population are not comfortable with the Eldoret North MP’s closeness to Uhuru Kenyatta.

The entire population in the South Rift believes Raila Odinga stands for the genuine reforms and his anti-impunity crusade is well taken by the voters, they are sometimes getting confused with sweet tongue deployed by URP agents, MPS and many political hirelings engaged by the party in a protracted propaganda war against Raila Odinga in the region with nobody countering such pack of dreadful lies being spread like bush fire.

The ODM must engaged the UDM on serious discussions and facilitate its activities by providing the party leaders with quick travelling means.UDM influence is well spread into the neighboring Narok North and Narok West as well as Kiligoris constituencies with the Narok County.In these areas, Raila Odinga is sill the darling of the electorate, but he only lacked the well coordinate foot solders to carry on the party flame into the heart of the population. People are left to occasionally hear the ODM gospel on how best to save this nation when Raila himself visited the region.

Raila’s other party MPs, especially those from Luo-Nyanza and KJsii regions bare buy locked in parochial issues and internally political squabbling within their localities thereby preventing them from visiting regions outside their home Province to conduct effective campaign to popularize the party and its presidential candidate.

It could be remembered that it was the Kipsigis political kingpin the late Kipkalya Kones and the Lt Gen {rtd} John koech who facilitated Rala Oding triumphant into Kipsigis region in 2007 when they defiantly hosted “Agwambo” in Kapkatet against the odds including the vehement opposition from KANU and the retired President Daniel Arap Moi. Raila entry into Kapkatet where he addressed the mammoth of crowd was the turn point.

It shifted the Kipsigis politics from KANU to the ODM. This is because Kapkatet Center fro where the late Ex-Senior Chief Cheborge Arap Tengecha had ruled the region with an iron fist for decades during the colonial era up to the early part of Kenya’s ‘s attainment of political independence in 1963 is considered s the heart of Kipsigis politics.

During Raila’s visit he was made an elder of the Kipsigis community and given the name of AraP Mibei an honour, which is specifically bestowed to the most revered to persons.

The next thing if Raila’s presidential votes had not been messed b the disbanded former Electoral Commission of Kenya”Agwambo” would have taken to a special prayer at the Tiluet Ab Kipsigis, the holy shrine in a small hill standing on the right and opposite Kericho Nakuru highway to be installed as the Laitoriat Ap Kipsigisiek [King of the Kipsigis people}. Unfortunately this did not work as planned.

The kipsigis a sub-tribe of the large Kalenjin ethnic group is the most populous community among the dozen or so Kalenjin sub-clans. The community is endowed by the most arable and fertile highland with sufficient annual rainfall making the area to be the favorite region for tea growing. This has made member of this proud community slightly more wealthier than their cousins fro the North Rift due to the sale of green leaves tea crops to the multinational tea companies and KTDA managed eight tea processing factories located in Kericho and Bomet Counties.

The community has the best brains and highest numbers of intellectuals compared to other Kalenjin sub-tribes. Its members despite of high education are always prone to political manipulations by their semi-illiterate cousins from the North Rift who took the advantage of the Moi KANU regime.

During the Moi era member of the community were used and dumped by the self-proclaimed professor of Kenya politics, particularly those who were considered to be potential for accession to the national political outlook and those who won parliamentary seat were technically forced to serve for only one parliamentary term, before being replaced by others greenhorns who were groomed by the government.

This had negative impact to the community and systematically denied its member the accession to the national politic. Level minded member of this community believes and maintained that William Ruto who is also a product and disciples of the Moi regime had the same ambition to ensure that the Kipsigis people are kept in the periphery of the mainstream of Kenya’s politics.

The majority of the Kipsigis people believes that Ruto and URP euphoria would fizzled out fast be fore the ext general election, which only five moths away, and many people would return to the ODM. This is the one single community which had fought in close to three or four tribal clashes with its neighboring communities,

The fears that persist about Ruto style of leadership is given credence by his actions while he was the Deputy leader of the ODM, which allegedly saw him deploying the Moi tactics in locking out of parliamentary race in various constituencies of those who m him he did not favor. The majority of them were rigged out during the primary nominations, which only saw his favorite aspirants winning the preliminaries
The community has lost man of its loved one and property and would like to see peace and tranquility prevailing and the time and inter-communal feuds become the matter of the past and consigned to the dustbins of history.

The vote-rich South Rift regions could raise up to 2 million votes and of course each and every presidential aspirant would like to outshine his rivals in the region so as to benefit from the he number of votes.

Ends

Kenya & USA: Obama’s family members and relatives back home in Kenya expresses confidence that he will emerge the winner in the US presidential race

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

The on going USA election fever appeared to has hit family members and relatives of the US President Barrack Obama back in their rural native home in Alego Kogelo,Siaya County in Western Kenya.

Family members and relatives last weekend gathered in the homestead around Malik Abong’o Obama, the US President elder brother who told newsmen that the family has been following the American presidential debate keenly I the count-down to November 6 elections.

“We have been watching how debate has been unfolding and we are sure Obama will emerge the winner in the elections,” he said during the press briefing at his Kogelo home.

Abong’o expressed confidence that his brother will emerge victorious” because his four year leadership has helped to transform America,” he said adding that the majority of US citizens supports Obama’s candidature.

Malik disclosed that the family will host a major party in their home if Obama gets re-elected for a second term.

Another close relative of the Obama, the Siaya nominated Councilor Nicholas Rajula said the once sleepy and dusty Kogelo village will be transformed into the economic hub of Siaya County if Obama wins,

IT was Nicholas Rajula who led the delegation of family members to Washington D.C during President Obama inauguration in 2009, and ever since then Kogelo Nyang’oma village and market place has witnessed rapid development activities which included two medium size hotels, an ultra modern guest house for tourists accommodations, the construction of the community center and many modern shopping premises have sprung up, water and electricity supplies, construction of new road and many other economic activities.

Rajula further disclosed that plans are underway to mount a giant TV screen in Kogelo to enable Obama relatives, supporters and admirers back home in the village to follow the US elections.

However, there was a small hitch when it was learnt that members of the press were not allowed to access the home of President Obama step grand mother Mama Sarah Obama’s home.

Her security details said a directive to barring the press from entering into the home had come fro the US Embassy in Nairobi. It bars the media interviewing the 90 year old granny.

Rajula said,”I have asked her daughter if she can allow to interview Mama Sarah.but she said there is a sanctions from the US Embassy in Nairobi.

A US Embassy official had visited the Obama homestead four days earlier on a private mission for a meeting in which the press and local security officers were also locked out.

The new men and media fraternity viewed this action of barring the pres from access the grand old granny’s home as an exercise of excessive arrogance.

Ends

USA: Obama fires up crowd in Virginia with ‘Romnesia’ speech

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From: Judy Miriga

Folks,

President Obama’s plan is in the Reform Act Strategic Plan projected in Obama’s Proposal Budget in both the Short and Long Term; signs of which are showing good signs. So Obama has not failed to state his future Plan, he has constantly remained people througout his campaign trail and the anyone wishing to know the truth will find them all in White House websites including the Obama Campaign website. In other words, President Obama has his second-term agenda well defined. Mitt Romney has none……

Romney is desparate running on No-Show Plan and is simply either fooling the people or trying to take people for a ride or as President Obama puts it there could be a condition of “Romnesia preventing Romney from Identifying himself with a consistancy of pattern on specific policy positions instead of romping all over the place and confusing himself even more to a point, he does not know what exactly he want to sell to the people……

It looks like the diagnosis fits well with Romnesia and most definately, Obamacare will provide the necessary support aid for such precondition symptoms………

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Martin Bashir – Obama diagnoses flip-flopping opponent with ‘Romnesia’

Published on Oct 19, 2012 by Licentiathe8th
Oct 19, 2012
The Nation’s Ari Melber, The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank, and Georgetown Prof. Michael Eric Dyson peer review “Dr.” Barack Obama’s diagnosis of his opponent with ‘Romnesia’ — where the candidate can’t remember his previous position on issues, from the economy to those pertaining to women.

Obama diagnoses challenger with ‘Romnesia’
President Obama in Fairfax, Virginia: “Romnesia”

Published on Oct 19, 2012 by BarackObamadotcom
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President Obama breaks down Mitt Romney’s case of “Romnesia.”

Martin Bashir – Obama pressing debate win, Romney MIA on campaign trail

Published on Oct 18, 2012 by Licentiathe8th
Oct 18, 2012
Georgetown Prof. Michael Eric Dyson, The Grio’s Joy Reid, and Time Magazine’s Michael Crowley discuss whether President Barack Obama’s strong debate performance can reverse his slide in the polls — and whether GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is intentionally using an old and out-of-date statistic to narrow his gap with the president among female voters.

Martin Bashir: Donald Trump’s Smell of ‘Success’ …. Stinks!!

Published on Oct 19, 2012 by politicalarticles
Leave No Obama Hater Behind; Romney Embraces ‘Bloviating Ignoramus’ and ‘Birther’ Donald Trump in Vegas: http://www.politicalarticles.net/blog/2012/05/30/leave-no-obama-hater-behind-…

Martin Bashir – Romney, conservatives practice intentional ‘act of error’ on Libya

Published on Oct 18, 2012 by Licentiathe8th
Oct 18, 2012
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, joins Martin Bashir to quash the verbal jujitsu conservatives are using in the Libya non-scandal to “prove” that the president’s phrase, “act of terror”, is significantly different from “terrorism.”

Obama: GOP nominee suffering from ‘Romnesia’

Jason Reed / Reuters
President Barack Obama stops mid-stride to greet supporters during a campaign rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Oct. 19, 2012.
By NBC’s Ali Weinberg

President Barack Obama has been hitting GOP nominee Mitt Romney for weeks over what he says is Romney’s shifting to more moderate general-election policies, but now he has a new catchphrase for it: “Romnesia.”

Speaking at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Obama turned the joke into a four-minute soliloquy, laying out what he said were all of Romney’s inconsistent positions.

“He’s changing up so much — backtracking and sidestepping. We’ve got to name this condition that he’s going through. I think … I think it’s called ‘Romnesia,'” he said as the crowd of 9,000 erupted into cheers and applause. “Now, I’m not a medical doctor but I do want to go over some of the symptoms with you. Because I want to make sure nobody else catches it.”

Given that the event was geared towards female voters — signs at the front of the stage read “Women’s Health Security” and even the invocation was centered around women’s issues — Obama first mentioned what he said were Romney’s evolving statements on workplace fairness and women’s health.

President Barack Obama speaks at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., telling supporters that Governor Mitt Romney’s plan will squeeze the middle class.

“If you say you’re for equal pay for equal work, but you keep refusing to say whether or not you’d sign a bill that protects equal pay for equal work, you might have Romnesia,” he said as the crowd laughed. “If you say women should have access to contraceptive care, but you supported legislation that would let your employers deny you contraceptive care, you might have a case of Romnesia.”

He concluded by joking that his health care plan would be able to cure anyone suffering from what ails Romney.

“And if you come down with a case of Romnesia, and you can’t seem to remember the policies that are still on your website or the promises you’ve made over the six years you’ve been running for president, here’s the good news. ‘Obamacare’ covers preexisting conditions! We can fix you up! We’ve got a cure!” he exclaimed as the audience reached a fever pitch.

Before launching into his new attack line, Obama also renewed his criticism over Romney’s economic plan, again calling it a “sketchy deal” and noting that New York Times columnist Paul Krugman called it a “snow job on the American people.”

But most of Obama’s critiques for Romney pertained specifically to women’s issues, which emerged as one of the hottest topics in Tuesday’s presidential debate.

He warned that the next president would potentially have the ability to appoint a new Supreme Court justice, raising the prospect of revisiting the landmark Roe v. Wade decision regarding abortion rights.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Two-year-old Sacha Marzett wears a homemade Obama t-shirt while waiting in line to attend a campaign rally at George Mason University campus October 19, 2012 in Fairfax, Va.

Obama also alluded to Romney’s “binders full of women” comment during the debate.

“When the next president and Congress would tip the balance of the highest court in the land in a way that turns back the clock for women and families for decades to come, you don’t want someone who needs to ask for binders of women. You don’t want that guy,” he said.

Virginia Delegate Barbara Comstock responded to the president’s remarks on behalf of the Romney campaign, saying in a statement: “Women haven’t forgotten how we’ve suffered over the last four years in the Obama economy with higher taxes, higher unemployment, and record levels of poverty. President Obama has failed to put forward a second-term agenda — and when you don’t have a plan to run on, you stoop to scare tactics.”

The president returned to the White House after his remarks, from which he’ll depart later on Friday for Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, where he’ll prepare for next Monday’s presidential debate.

Obama fires up crowd in Virginia with ‘Romnesia’ speech

By Jerry Markon, Published: October 19The Washington Post

President Obama fired up nearly 10,000 supporters in Virginia on Friday by debuting a new line of attack on Mitt Romney, accusing him of having “Romnesia” for changing his positions and trying to move to the political center.

In a speech devoted almost entirely to attacking Romney, an energized Obama smiled, joked, waved his finger and portrayed the Republican as a “throwback to the 1950s” who would restrict women’s rights, favor the wealthy and squeeze the middle class.

KENYA: ANOTHER HIGH PROFILE ASPIRANT HAS JOINED THE RACE FOR MUHORONI PARLIAMENTARY SEAT THREATENING TO UNSEAT THE EDUCATION ASSISTANT MINISTER PROF AYIECHO OLUENY

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kismu City.

The Muhoroni parliamentary contest in the next general election has received another high profile aspirant whose candidature seemed to have jolted the incumbent mp like thunderbolt.

The new entrant into Muhoroni political derby is Agwenge Mbech, the 41 year-old former IT manager with the BP Shell Oil firm in Houston Texas in the US for many years. He is the holder of a BA and Maters degrees in IT engineering technology majoring in business management discipline.

photo of Mr Agwenge Mbeche who is the latest entrant into contest for the Muhoron parliamentary seat whose incumbent is Prof/ Ayicheo Olueny. The 41 year old IT engineer has lived and worked in the USA for 17 years;

Mbeche who is commonly known in Muhoroni constituency as “Nyarombo Maler’ {meaning the cleanest sacrificing lamp} untainted with any scandals and scams, which have been bedeviling the rich sugar producing constituency one after the other for decades.

Muhoroni constituency is the home of the four white sugar factories in a district within Kisumu County in an area classified as the Nyanza Sugar Belt. Mbeche has lived and worked I the US for close to 17 years during each period of time, he used to return home in Kenya almost every year for a total of 15.He owns a large scale sugar cane in Koru within Muhoroni district where his family lived, though the family is originally hails from Kamagaga sub-clan in the North East Kano location near Ahero Rice Scheme.

What has sent shock-waves to the spine of the other contestants in the same constituency is the fact that Mbeche has been a strong supporter of the ODM in the diaspora, particularly in the US where he is known to have previously hosted the party leader and the Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Amolo Odinga during his numerous tours of the US.

Mbeche is also believed to have been the instrumental tool for the ODM fundraising in the US amongst the Kenyan living there.

Apart fro the incumbent MP Prof Ayiecho Olueny, Mbeche would be facing another equally populist aspirant in the name of the flamboyant Nairobi based businessman James Onyango K’oyoo who according to reports emerging fro the agriculturally rich constituency. This time around K’oyoo is said to have already made major inroad into the area and is expected to give the other aspirants the run for their money.

The soft-spoken and well mannered technocrat is the so of the late Mr Aloys Mbeche Oyuko who had served the City Council of Nairobi as its Deputy Treasurer for many years.

The four sugar milling factories, which re located within the Muhoroni constituency including the Miwani Sugar Mills {which is currently under the official receivership and closed down}. The Muhoroni Sugar Mills Company, which is still in operating, but also has been under the protective joint official receivership management for close to a decade.

The Chemelil Sugar Company, which is reported to be on his death-bed and on the verge of collapsing and could be the next to go burst unless the government through the Kenya Sugar Board come to its rescue.

Speaking during an exclusive, but brief interview with this writer in Kisumu City, Mbeche said that pat of his mission and desired to be the next Muhoron MP is that he wanted to empower both the youth and the women.

Mbeche said he was shocked to learn that despite the Kenyan parliament having discussed and approved the payment of the elderly people, the elders in Muhoron have yet to benefited from such payment. The same parliament has deliberated on payment to the widow whose family were marooned by the scourge of HIV/Aids deaths in the region where the epidemic is so rampant, leaving them to fend for their siblings. The widows in Muhoroni have yet to benefit from the funds, though in other areas have enjoyed he same. All these happening are due to the indebtedness and neglect of the political leadership in the area.

He said the residents of the constituency have quite often been heard saying,”We are faced with leadership crisis cross-cutting many sectors be it in corporate institutions political ,community and even religion .

He went on, “It is widely acknowledged fact that the effectiveness of the institutions of governance depend largely on the said political leadership,’ said Mbeche.

The aspirant said that he believes in good leadership that is influenced by vision, principles, beliefs and deeds as opposed to what “we normally see in our Muhoroni constituency today that a whole baggage of filth from selfishness, dishonesty, intransigence, deception, aloofness to lack ideology, hence political thuggery and vindictiveness sold to the people for a vote.

He went on, “This is what ha become of our good and rich constituency which he people must decide to vote out for progressive change. The result is for everyone to see, increase in poverty in rich constituency, high index of poverty. High index of school drop outs yet we have devolved funds from people’s taxes in the form of CDF and school bursary scheme and increased drop on socio-economic fabric that hold out families together making Muhoroni a poor shadow of itself.”

Mbeche said it is for this reasons why he s offering his candidature for Muhoroni by asking the electorate to bring in the meaningful change, adding that lack of political accountability in the utility of the public resources in Muhoroni constituency has adversely affected the socio-economic development in the area,

The aspirant said this has to increased poverty and entitlement without focus on the needs of the constituents. He said if elected the next MP fore Muhoroni he will be committed to offer the difference of leadership the constituency had been lacking for several decades.

My tenure of office an MP will adhere to fiscal discipline in the utility that greatly include the 18 devolved funds at constituency level. This means therefore that the next elected MP should offer leadership and accountability on;LATIF, CDF, Bursary,Roads Levy Fund, HIV/Aids Fund, Water Fund, Women Fund Youth Fund and man others which currently the public has seen a lot of wastage, ostentatious spending and mismanagement by the officials and the committee members put to facilitate equitable use of the fund.

Mbeche is married with three children. He has produced a wonderful personal manifesto showing how he will tackles the myriads of problems facing Muhoroni district which he said is the bastion of major food production apart from the sugar factories and sugar cane farming. But he then regretted that youth in the area have suffered the worse of unemployment due to mismanagement in the sugar mills.

Ends

USA: Kinda like Mad Men

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From: Nita and Shaunna, UltraViolet Action

Dear Readers,

Did you see the part in the debate where Mitt Romney refused to endorse equal pay protections but said that women needed to get home early to cook dinner?1

Or the part where he blamed single mothers for gun violence?2

Or when he said there weren’t enough qualified women to serve in his cabinet so he had to have his staff go out and create a “binder full of women?” (A story that actually isn’t even true.)3

Or when he lied about birth control–when the truth is that he thinks employers should be able to take contraception coverage away from women?4

Women have to know what happened at last night’s debate.

So we put together a cute infographic that just about sums it all up. Can you take a moment to share it with your friends? Studies are showing that people trust the information they get from their friends on social networks and catchy infographics like the one we created are a great way to engage your friends around information that is important for them to have.

Share this on Facebook

Not on Facebook? Share through our website.

Thanks for speaking out!

–Nita, Shaunna, Kat and Karin, the UltraViolet team

Sources:

1. Mitt Romney’s ‘binders full of women’, Washington Post, October 16, 2012

2. Stop Gun Violence: Get Married, The American Prospect, October 17, 2012

3.Mitt Romney’s Answer To Pay Equity: ‘Binders Full Of Women’ Lie And ‘Flexibility’ To Cook Dinner, Mediaite, October 17, 2012

Mind the Binder, The Phoenix, October 16, 2012

4.Romney clarifies stance on Blunt Amendment: “Of course” I’m for it, CBS News, February 29, 2012