Category Archives: Finance

World: Conflict, Security and Development: World Development Report 2011

From: Yona Maro

The World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development examines the changing nature of violence in the 21st century, and underlines the negative impact of repeated cycles of violence on a country or region’s development prospects. Preventing violence and building peaceful states that respond to the aspirations of their citizens requires strong leadership and concerted national and international efforts. The Report is based on new research, case studies and extensive consultations with leaders and development practitioners throughout the world.

This is the flagship annual report of the World Bank. The website provides the report in various languages and formats, and links to other related resources/

http://wdr2011.worldbank.org/

Kenya: Coalition partners in row over travel costs for 40 MPs (Sunday nation 17th April)

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From: Rose Kagwiria

ODM leaders claim that the 40-plus MPs who accompanied the Ocampo Six used public funds to defray the cost of their travel and accommodation.

But even as the coalition rivals dig in for battle, interviews by the Sunday Nation with some of those who travelled indicate that two of the suspects, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, as well as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, covered a good part of the expenses.

His rivals

ODM politicians close to Prime Minister Raila Odinga are accusing the government of funding the trip in solidarity with the PM’s rivals, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.

Jakoyo Midiwo, the party’s chief whip, has even asked the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate where the funds came from.

“There are MPs who left this country using public coffers and must pay that money back to the people. They must give us that money so that we can use it to resettle the IDPs. That is arrogance, theft and plunder,” he said in Parliament.

“I want to encourage the director and the institution of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure that MPs who went to The Hague explain to Kenyans whether they used public funds or not. I am not talking about the Ocampo Six. We have no problem with that.”

Another member of the party has lined up a question on the matter demanding that the ministry of Finance explain to Parliament whether the government paid the travel expenses of the MPs.

Beach party

Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu also wants the government to explain to the House who paid for a beach party hosted for the MPs and their supporters by Kenya’s envoy to The Netherlands, Prof Ruthie Rono, at the conclusion of the court appearances.

In his inquiry, Mr Chanzu wanted to know whether the money spent between April 6 and 10 came from the Treasury.

But most of the MPs who travelled to The Hague have dismissed the claims, saying they footed all their bills.

The highest-end return economy ticket to Amsterdam costs Sh148,000; most MPs say they paid Sh60,000 on accommodation for three days.

Mr Musyoka’s spokesman Kaplich Barsito confirmed that the VP contributed to the travel expenses, but the details he offered were sketchy.

“The Vice-President acted in solidarity with our brothers even as we continue with efforts to ensure that the cases are handled at home,” he said, declining further comment.

The travel expenses were pooled in a basket dubbed “Hague Kitty”.

Dozens of the travelling MPs were seen at a bank near Parliament Buildings where they each exchanged Sh100,000, which sources indicated came from the kitty, for euros.

Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri says he paid for his own ticket but cancelled the trip to prepare the homecoming party.

“I had paid everything from my own pocket, and I believe that is what my colleagues did,” he told the Sunday Nation.

“They want to follow some leaders, and I am told some are paid as much as Sh20,000 to attend rallies. Someone wants to use their energy and communication skills.”

Preaching peace

On their return last Monday, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, who are accused of sponsoring the 2008 violence, said they would crisscross the country preaching peace and reconciliation and pushing for the return of displaced families.

“We are speaking from deep within our hearts,” Mr Ruto said.

Their rivals have challenged them to translate this rhetoric into genuine peace at the grassroots, especially in the violence-hit Rift Valley.

Hundreds of victims who were uprooted from their farms and businesses are still too nervous to return because of silent hostilities. Some of them are still stuck in what the government calls “satellite camps” — makeshift structures near their farms.

Others live in rented houses in trading centres near their former homes. From there they tend to their farms but have not set up permanent homes, citing insecurity.

It is hoped that the Kenyatta-Ruto political alliance will see an end to the hostilities between their communities. However, the continued existence of IDPs living in deplorable conditions has raised questions about how genuine are the alliance and camaraderie between the two leaders.

And now the ODM wing allied to Mr Odinga has sponsored a motion through Malindi MP Gideon Mung’aro that takes the two to task. The motion seeks parliamentary endorsement for the government to resettle all the victims in their “original homes, farms and businesses”.

The motion reads in part: “Acknowledging with appreciation recent efforts by various leaders to foster national peace, unity and reconciliation, including through public forums and prayer meetings, appreciating especially assurances by the said leaders that through their unity and efforts communities in hitherto troubled areas have now been reconciled and ready to co-exist in peace and harmony, this House urges the government to facilitate the immediate return of all internally displaced persons to their original homes, farms and business premises from which they were displaced during the post-election violence.”

Heritage minister William ole Ntimama, the ODM MP for Narok North, was the first to ask why victims of the violence could not be helped to return to their homes in the light of the latest developments on the political scene.

He triggered debate recently in Parliament by asking why the “new-found friendship and brotherhood” between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, and which has President Kibaki’s blessings, was yet to bear fruit at the grassroots.

“If we were honest enough and had no hypocrisy, if people were allowed to return to their shambas, dukas, hotels and garages, we would have dealt with 80 per cent of IDPs,” he said.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Coalition+partners+in+row+over+travel+costs+for+40+MPs+/-/1064/1145830/-/b0p6tiz/-/

China & Africa: BRICS demand global monetary shake-up, greater influence

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Folks,

Ubiro yie……More surprises awaits in the offing…..!

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

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HSBC Gets CBK’s Operation Nod
Peter Kiragu

8 April 2011

CHINESE banking giant HSBC has been licensed to open a representaive office in Kenya, the Central Bank announced yesterday. It is the third international bank to be granted authority by CBK to operate a representative office in Kenya. Others are the HDFC Bank of India in June 2008 and Nedbank of South Africa in June 2010. CBK said it is also processing a fourth application from a South African bank.

The office will undertake marketing and liaison services and is restricted from mobilising deposits from the public unlike fully fledged bank branches or subsidiaries of international banks “The increased interest in Kenya by international banks is testament to the growing stature of the country as a premier regional financial services hub,” said a statement from CBK.
BRICS demand global monetary shake-up, greater influence

Reuters – (L-R) India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev, China’s …
By Abhijit Neogy and Alexei Anishchuk Abhijit Neogy And Alexei Anishchuk – Thu Apr 14, 7:32 am ET

SANYA, China (Reuters) – The BRICS group of emerging-market powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar and for a louder voice in international financial institutions.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa also called for stronger regulation of commodity derivatives to dampen excessive volatility in food and energy prices, which they said posed new risks for the recovery of the world economy.
Meeting on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, they said the recent financial crisis had exposed the inadequacies of the current monetary order, which has the dollar as its linchpin.

What was needed, they said in a statement, was “a broad-based international reserve currency system providing stability and certainty” — thinly veiled criticism of what the BRICS see as Washington’s neglect of its global monetary responsibilities.
The BRICS are worried that America’s large trade and budget deficits will eventually debase the dollar. They also begrudge the financial and political privileges that come with being the leading reserve currency.

“The world economy is undergoing profound and complex changes,” Chinese President Hu Jintao said. “The era demands that the BRICS countries strengthen dialogue and cooperation.”

In another dig at the dollar, the development banks of the five BRICS nations agreed to establish mutual credit lines denominated in their local currencies, not the U.S. currency.
The head of China Development Bank (CDB), Chen Yuan, said he was prepared to lend up to 10 billion yuan to fellow BRICS, and his Russian counterpart said he was looking to borrow the yuan equivalent of at least $500 million via CDB.

“We think this will undoubtedly broaden the opportunities for Russian companies to diversify their loans,” Vladimir Dmitriev, the chairman of VEB, Russia’s state development bank, told reporters.

ALL DOWN TO THE BRICS

The call by the BRICS for a new monetary order are not new.

But, coming hours before a meeting in Washington of finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrial nations, the traditional power brokers of the world economy, Thursday’s communique showed the growing confidence of emerging markets.

Burdened by heavy debt, the United States, the euro zone and Japan are struggling to shake off the lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis. Rich countries will grow 2.4 percent this year and 2.6 percent in 2012, the International Monetary fund forecast this week.

By contrast, less well-off countries have emerged relatively unscathed. The IMF is forecasting that emerging and developing countries will grow 6.5 percent both this year and next.

“The quality and the durability of the global economic recovery process depends to a great measure on how the BRICS economies perform,” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

The leaders reviewed the global role of the Special Drawing Right, the IMF’s accounting unit and reserve asset, which some experts believe could grow into a partial substitute for the dollar.

But they stepped around the issue of whether the yuan should join the SDR, saying only that they welcomed discussion of the composition of the SDR’s basket of currencies.
A member-country official said the group was split on whether China’s currency, which cannot be freely exchanged except for trade and investment purposes, met the criteria for being part of the SDR.

“There is a need for a broad-basing of the international monetary system. The SDR is an instrument to do that, but we still have no unanimity on the inclusion of the Chinese currency in the SDR as of now,” said the official, who declined to be identified.
The SDR now comprises the dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound.
“India has said that the SDR is an accounting mechanism used by the IMF, and countries such as Brazil have also said that this (the yuan) should be convertible first,” he added.
Though keen on a more diverse global monetary order, Beijing has given no indication that it is ready to make the yuan freely tradable or to dismantle capital controls as the price for the prestige of being part of the SDR.

BROAD-BRUSH TREATMENT

Emerging economies have already won more say in the way the IMF is run, but the BRICS leaders said they were still under-represented.

“We … agreed on the need for the reform of international financial institutions in order to promote a just economic order,” South African President Jacob Zuma said.
On the hot topic of capital flows, the BRICS called “for more attention” to the risks posed by massive cross-border flows of money but went no further.

The group said the world economy, of which its members make up nearly a fifth, still faced headwinds.

“The developments in west Asia and north Africa, and the aftermath of the huge tragedy that befell Japan, have introduced fresh uncertainties in the global recovery process,” Singh said.

Swings in commodity prices are also a prime area of concern for the BRICS. China is the world’s biggest importer of many commodities; the other BRICS members are major exporters of natural resources.

China hopes the group will be able to agree on a common stance on commodity price fluctuations at the G20 summit in the French city of Cannes in November.
The main aim of the BRICS is to forge a common emerging-market negotiating stance on issues from climate change to world trade and to act as a counterweight to the West in settings such as the Group of 20 forum of advanced and developing economies.
The BRICS caucus is a work in progress. Thursday’s brief meeting, held under tight security at a beach-front hotel, was only its third summit and the first to include South Africa.

The group brings together five countries that, though frequently united in their disinclination to do the West’s bidding, are a political and economic mosaic.
“Our economic potential, political influence and our development prospects as an alliance are exceptional,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.

(Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard, Zhou Xin and Ray Colitt in Sanya and Chris Buckley in Beijing; Writing by Alan Wheatley; Editing by Ken Wills and Dean Yates)

China launches “charm” campaign to clean up its image

04/04/2011 13:18
CHINA

Beijing is betting on cultural and arts exchange to present itself as a peaceful power. However, the world sees the arrests of dissidents and media censorship. A survey for the BBC shows a growing popular displeasure towards China, especially in the West.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – China has launched a “charm” campaign, promoting cultural exchanges abroad to boost its image as a peaceful power. However, a worldwide survey indicates that more than 50 per cent of people view with growing apprehension Beijing’s economic growth and policies.
China is aware that its persecution of human rights activists (see the detention Liu Xiaobo) and the widespread corruption among Communist leaders have generated “bad” publicity. However, as its economy grows, so does its ambition to be a world power and for this reason it wants to be seen favourably abroad.

Wu Fan, editor of US-based magazine China Affairs, said that China prefers cultural and arts exchanges, especially at school and university levels, because it certainly cannot promote itself by highlighting its corruption, lack of democracy, and poor human and economic rights record. For this reason, the Chinese government has set up 600 Confucius Institutes, with exchange programmes and language courses, and more.
A recent survey for the British Broadcasting Corporation World Service, among more than 28,000 people in 27 countries, shows that as China’s economy grew so did its negative image over a similar survey conducted in 2005.

Across all countries polled, an average of 50 per cent expressed a positive view of China’s economic power, whilst 33 per cent were negative. However, negative views of China’s growing economic power rose—and are now in the majority—in the US, France, Canada, Germany and Italy.

Negative views are also the result of growing economic frictions among these nations at a time of low economic growth, with each trying to protect its domestic industry against the invasion of Chinese products.

In Africa, views are more favourable, especially in Nigeria (82 per cent) and Kenya (77 per cent). In fact, for analysts, Africans are more likely to see China as a great source of development aid. However, even here, people are increasingly aware that China’s involvement in the continent is limited to buying energy and raw materials, and paying them with infrastructures built by Chinese companies.

Chinese firms open mines and exploit African workers as much as they do Chinese workers. They also flood local markets with Chinese-made goods, stifling the nascent local manufacturing sector.

The same trend is visible in many other developing nations where Chinese economic growth is seen as positive overall.

Negative attitudes are confirmed by a question about trading practices. Those saying China is unfair were above 50 per cent in Japan, South Korea, Germany and Italy. In the US, the figure was 45 per cent, compared with 24 per cent saying that it was fair.

As part of its charm offensive, Beijing has organised special courses for Communist Party leaders on how to project an image of efficiency, courtesy and fairness with foreign media.
Experts note however that actions speak louder than words. They point to the fact that, in February and March, police arrested foreign journalists covering street protests in Beijing and Shanghai.

It also goes without saying that the charm campaign applies abroad, not at home.
Hu Ping, editor of the US-based online magazine Beijing Spring, told Radio Free Asia that China was hoping to increase censorship, especially on the Internet, and extend its control over public opinion, eliminating all forms of dissent.

USA: Folks, It is Celebration Time Until Oclock … All Are Invited…..Cheers … !

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forwarded by: Judy Miriga

……Folks,

It is Celebration Time Until Oclock … All Are Invited…..Cheers … !

http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

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From: David Plouffe, The White House
Subject: Did you see President Obama’s speech?

Good afternoon?,
Yesterday, President Obama laid out a comprehensive and balanced framework to cut the nation’s deficit by $4 trillion over the next twelve years while still making the investments needed to win the future. He also described the underlying values that guide his approach, including the role that government should play and the shared responsibility Americans have to one another.
The video of the President’s speech is worth watching, but it’s 40 minutes long, so we’ve also summed up the main points in a graphic. You can see both the video and the graphic here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/winning-the-future/fiscal-framework?utm_source=email107&utm_medium=image&utm_campaign=fiscal

President Obama’s framework has four key parts:

– Budget Cuts. Last week, President Obama worked with Democrats and Republicans on a budget compromise that represents the largest spending cut in our history. The President’s approach builds on that compromise and will save us $770 billion over twelve years.
– Security Spending. Working with Secretary of Defense Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, we will cut $400 billion by 2023 out of defense spending by eliminating waste and inefficiencies while ensuring that our troops have the resources they need to protect our national security.
– Health Care Costs. The President’s approach to reforming Medicare and Medicaid keeps our commitments to seniors, people with disabilities, and children while reducing health care spending. These reforms will help us save $480 billion by 2023 and an additional $1 trillion in the decade after that.
– Tax Reform. The President called for closing loopholes and letting the Bush era high income tax cuts — which we simply cannot afford — expire. The President is also calling on Congress to reform the individual tax code so that it is fair and simple so the amount of taxes you pay isn’t determined by what kind of accountant you can afford. Those savings would be devoted to reducing tax rates and the deficit.

The President’s approach also calls for something that we don’t see enough of in Washington — accountability. If this approach isn’t on target by 2014, the President is proposing a “debt failsafe” trigger that would require across the board spending cuts, including spending in the tax code.
Now, you may have also heard about a plan from Republicans in the House of Representatives that will cut the deficit by about the same amount.
But there’s an important difference between the two approaches.
The Republican plan places the burden of debt reduction on those that can least afford it — people like seniors and lower income Americans. Their plan slashes investments in areas like clean energy investment and education funding. It ends Medicare as we know it and doubles health care costs for seniors in order to pay for an average tax cut of $200,000 for millionaires and billionaires.
The President’s plan protects the middle class, defends our commitments to seniors, and makes the smart investments we need to create good jobs and grow our economy. It’s based on the idea that, as a nation, we have a responsibility to come together to provide a basic measure of security and dignity for all Americans.
The President has laid out his framework, but there is clearly much work ahead. As the recent compromise in the face of a government shutdown taught us, Republicans and Democrats can sit down and work through these issues to find common ground.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted on our progress.
Sincerely,
David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
P.S. Tomorrow I’m going to send you another way to understand how your personal taxpayer dollars are spent in Washington. Hint: the President mentioned it in his State of the Union Address.

World: Why The Public Society Must Get Involved in National Government Budgeting

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Folks,

Why The Public Society Must Get Involved in National Government Budgeting:

Government Budgeting is a way to plan expenditure and managing resources. It is a way to figure out how much to spend at a certain period of time, so to avoid overspending and getting into financial difficulties or Economic Crisis, by spending beyond ones limitation.

Considering that, A social enterprise recognizes social problem and uses its local skills and principles to solve social objectives, it is equally wise to promote those talents and skills for growth and prosperity of the community through Local welfare programs.

An effective budgeting plans for needs for balanced Purchases, and offering savings in the form of Government Security Bonds that which is able to generate more money by trading in bonds and securities, and also cut back on increase Earnings and allow the budget to be Flexible.

There are some expenses that are fixed which include salaries for example and also there are unknown expenses which are placed on invariables none fixed expenditures.

In facing Budget Reality, every dollar must be accountable for to avoid wiggle room for corruption and theft.

Yearly Budget is important as it helps reducing expenditure on categories of expenses that are irrelevant and thus reduces expenses and therefore cuts spending on less urgent items in order to save the money on more productive priority matters.

Averting Civil War Amongst The World’s Public Citizens:

We as general public of the World’s Civil Society, Individually, must engage in the acts of formation and transforming the World’s economic developments and activities that are able to benefit both the International market and those of the International Citizens welfare in the local communities as it springs from bottom-up. Our individualistic commitment is able to determine stability for our future by influencing major stock markets around the Emerging Markets around the world. Our commitment to curbing illegal activities is able to safeguard and protect Global Financial imbalances and Economic Crisis and Collapse. Global Trading partnership opportunity is able to sustain International Public Citizens from unscrupulous Business community and from grounding into poverty situation.

Our actions are able to help avert serious Civil War from taking place Globally and get rid of Economic Debts which are created by Politicians. We must firmly instill discipline behaviors through accountability and demanding Responsibility from Leaders. This act of Public commitment in managing Government affairs is able to rescue the Government from billions of Loan bailout and put People Public in a path of sustainability for prosperity.

Geographically, it is significant in the past that, each Country’s unique Social, Political and Economic Events helped shape specific views and people’s attitudes towards protecting their community interests, the event which modeled and shaped their future. An example of America becoming a Super Power……An example of the old generation of African Local Community getting united to protect and safeguard their interest which forced out Colonial Masters from their unscrupulousness.

These beliefs are formed when survival and future of the people as public is threatened by Special Interest Business Corporate Groups.

As they plan to grow in their capacity, prosperity and statute, people Citizens of the world must also grow through being united for a cause in a shared responsibility through Social Activity networking. It is from here we are able to negotiate and influence our lifelong values and success through working out our Community priorities we set under Welfare Community Social Programs and through Workers Union.

We must encourage Popular Participation to focus and develop individual talents and skills that are able to transform and shape a better future destiny. The colonial policies and the corrupt practices of the International Corporate Business Community in the Emerging Markets must be regulated through the International Treaty Agreement to protect the Public Society from “Intelligence Property Thieving”, from survival rip-off and over-taxing the community from accessing jobs and other social amenities and basic needs.

The United People Public Citizens of the World are able to shape Chinese interests from messing the world and throwing the world to looming devastating Civil War and transformed it into a Peaceful world full of Love and tranquility. The world where Challenges and Competition abounds on a security risk-free environment, in a welcoming shared conducive platform.

Education and Health needs are fundamentally important as Cultural Revolution also takes shape and creates opportunity for progress and prosperity prospects. It is therefore important that we engage skills and talents that are able to provide the best Management practices that are vitally necessary for all business success, expansion and growth, and by making availability booster and improve attraction of those skills and talents to match growth and progress in their respective areas.

Generating Employment:

A good balanced Budget is able to create Job Opportunity to reduce risk of long-term unemployment and increase Middle-Class stability through self-sustainable small and skilled individual jobs or services, contracted by the Government to the Public. This is able to help people own decent employment for themselves and also improve their productivity with positiveness better than when they are employed.

Strengthening Social Welfare/Community Protection through Diversity Networking

Potential Social Welfare Partnership between Regions and Countries is able to extend social activities such as Sports, Music or other Arts of Culture and Traditions that are able to generate income through Social Entertainments Activities and competition. This helps with nurturing harmonious partnership relationship that generates Peace, Reconciles relationship and Reconstructs the broken unity.

This participative activities helps to strengthen Social Security System, develop an inbuilt mechanism and stabilizes welfare and the Social Local Community Development Agenda, that which is able to address the social impact of any Social crisis and alleviate poverty within the Region or Community. This arrangement also helps with reinforcing Democracy through Popular Participation appropriately and assist the most vulnerable within the community as well as network for better prospects and growth.

This sector can be financially productive, but require good capital to make it successful and potentially sustainable.

The Budget for Social Welfare programs must also be included in the Government Budget under variables.

International Workers Union and Labour Law Standardization:

It is important to respect and observe rules and regulations for Workers Unionized groups that represents, supports and negotiate workers interests while at the same time must observe International Labour Laws Treaty as enshrined in the International ILO Conventions and Recommendations……this is because, it contributes to improve diverse opinion and culture with Traditional interests of social dialogue to better improve lives, as well as programs that can help and build recovery and prevent communication barrier between an employer and an employee and as well negotiate for better improved terms and conditions for workers.

The Agreement policy also calls for watchful fundamental principles for workers rights at work with environmental policy protection….It also helps with discrimination in employment, child labour and the right to freedom of speech and association.

Social dialogue is crucial and important as it offers collective bargaining networking mechanism for reducing social tensions in times such as from settling down from Civil war, natural calamity, hardship or crisis. A facility for Reconciliation, Welfare Hall for meeting and activities for Reconstruction or recreation centre comes very handy in such case scenario. Designing policies to fit needs for national priorities is fundamentally important for Socializing and keeping fit for health purposes. It is a strong base for building consensus and commitment for participation and physical work-out to overcome stress or crisis and sustain recovery fast from boredom.

Globalization International Treaty Policy:

Engaging in International Cooperation networking and partnership helps with shared opportunity for prosperity and growth and ultimately offers conducive environment for shaping discipline without discrimination. This set up helps with building a stronger and more consistent supervisory regulatory framework so all stakeholders interests are equally protected and as well provides room for fair economic enterprise interaction for better prospects to all.

Things to Be Concerned About:

Problem of Africa is an accumulative problem for the American ordinary Citizens. If the International Corporate Business Community finally take hold to settle in their Commissioned Chinese invasion to Africa through corrupt African Leaders, both Africa and America is doomed. Presently it is not a hidden agenda that China is building their Economic Power and they have the zeal to out-do America and take over as super power. It is our politicians misplaced priorities that is putting both Africa and America along with those of the world into jeopardy.

If today Chinese/Asia business community and their interests decides to relocate and move away from America, they will get away with accumulative potential interest of public money of the Citizens of America, denying the American Citizens decent middle-class livelihood and they will be walking away with the biggest capital of financial and economic capability to unscrupulously and illegally invest in Africa. It will be a big blow if American Public Community interests are short-changed and are not covered or met in the Legislative Budgeting, under Government Social Program Agenda to protect their Public social welfare and investments in future prospects for survival on an improved optimistic destiny.

If today, America is hit with inability to access energy for lighting and power or water, or food, the lack of these fundamental needs can easily cause multitude unprecedented number of deaths, which could have been avoided if Community Welfare engagement in protecting values, concerns and interest are put in place for consideration at par with the International Corporate Business community budgeting in the Government programs. This are the reasons we elect leaders to protect both Public Citizen interests as well as those of the International Corporate Business Community so there is a balance of Share Interests.

How can a Society remain strong even under threat of the International Corporate Business Community relocating, running away with public money to invest elsewhere, if the Civil Society and poor Public Community are not given the opportunity to stabilize in Economic Growth under Middle-class growth through self-sufficiency under Social Development Agenda for sustainability….?

But when leaders who are elected to protect public interest instead are financed by the International Corporate Business Community, what they do if elected, they will represent interests of those who sponsor them into public office.

What to do in such cases, is to strike a common Global Public Citizen Interest Unity of Purpose to safeguard such incidences of illegal International Corporate Business Interests.

People of the World, to have a job without lasting security protection does not guarantee the ability to escape from poverty situation whether in Africa or in America. The Special Interest International Corporate Business community are placing slow and uneven progress through politicians they sponsor, aiming at reducing poor population through poverty and unhealthy situations from lack of HealthCare and the mostly needed Social Welfare through manipulating The Government Budget.

In observing these maneuvers over the years, I came to RETHINK, ways and means to curtail and improve this situation to an improved Global networking in order to retool our Economic engagement programs and participate in Social Policies Legislative enactment in order to achieve our American Dream in a shared Partnership Plan of Action, so in improving Global Jobs, we reduce risky illegal activities that are the biggest Security risk posing our shared interest for survival.

Presently, these risks can be noticed in our fragmented divisions to protect vested interests, we are engaged in non-sustainable confrontational issues and we are divided from a United Spirit to achieve. Presently, the highly educated professionals have no access to job opportunity as they are regarded as over “qualified” and those with Wisdom are treated at “backward old mentality”. To succeed, it is this monster we must begin to kill so we are able to move forward. It can be killed if we are Socially United under Welfare Community Development Agenda.

Lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investments and under-budget-utilization deprive and limit us from achieving the Growth and Prosperity we so badly need. It erodes the basic Social Fundamentals and Contract achievable in a Democratic Society operation required for shared progress. We must not let ourselves denied the opportunity for Social Networking in the Unity of Purpose, when these Chinese and Asian community are knead into their Social Cultural Business Growth and prosperity.

There must be some form of International Legal Protection Act and facility which represents both ways interests, and this can only be functional if Popular Participation of the Global Public Community Unite for common Interest values and stamp against irresponsibility, corruption and unscrupulousness of those who think they are above the law and cannot be stopped from their illegal activities.

World people, we have United Nations Institutions we can streamline for effective service deliver and put in place fixtures necessary to serve as intended, so we are able to utilize these facilities for security of the Global Public Community, Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction in a shared Unity of Purpose and for sustainability of Economic prosperity and Social Development and in order to meet our Millennium Development Goals.

Popular Participation Engagement Networking at the Global Public Community Citizen will promote Cultural Diversity which will transcend to promote Social Development Agenda through Sustainable Job Creations that which will factor in poverty reduction, respect and observing Human Rights obligations and principles that which protects Workers Union on a path to progress and prosperity…….and thereby AVERT CIVIL WARS with other unnecessary and destructive conflicts of interest.

We, the People, Citizen of the world, must stop repetitive cycles of violence that has contributed heavily to misery and hate in our midst in this beautiful world’s Planet.

We Must be United to Pursue the American Dream people…….

We can do better, for we were created for Unity in Love…….

God Bless us all !

Cheers !

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

USA: Surprises Awaits A Government Shut-Down….

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Folks,

Government shutdown is just about to take effect at midnight. The battle has turned from policy issue to social concerns held firmly by the Republicans and Tea Partiers, which has taken a centre stage celebrated by the leader John A. Boehner, making the matter seem more complex. This excitement might be short-lived when reality begin to dawn.

As Quoted by Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate majority leader, said Thursday, that, “The only things — I repeat, the only things — holding up an agreement are two of their so-called social issues: women’s health and clean air.”

Speaker John A. Boehner begged to differ, saying that Democrats and Republicans were far apart in every way. After a meeting on Thursday at the White House, Mr. Boehner said, “When I see what the White House has to offer today, it’s really just more of the same.” In other words he stopped leading from the center to finalize a deal, but engages in tearing the budget deal far apart from concluding it.

Unforeseen Danger Looming

This Debate is headed to the direction of Government Shutting Down and it has generated steam from DC Residence who are giving warnings that in the event of the shut down, the government Trash collection will not work and DC Residence will post Boehner’s Street Address where all DC Residence will deliver their trash at Boehner’s door.

You can imagine that happening because of poor leadership Boehner and Tea Partiers will have resolved to. Shutting the Government simply from non-policy legislative write up issues, a conspiracy which will eventually be overturned over to personality issues, a blame game on the President that he failed to offer leadership in passing the Budget will hold no water.

There is no strong Country in the world without a Government Regulatory and monitoring system put in place to safeguard its citizen. This is where the security and interests of citizen are protected from business community rip-offs. Business lack of discipline and carelessness were the primary reason of Economic Crisis and Collapse and they were not able to steady the Country except the strong and timely Leadership in the Government saved the situation. It was the Government that bailed them out from Public Taxpayers money.

Many people are already asking why the budget was not passed last year. People forget there were more important matters that needed more special attention to save the country from Economic Collapse. These were grave concerns which required President Obama and Financial team to give undivided attention. This is because it blanketed unemployment situation which had to be matched-up concurrently in order to be stabilized and balance to steady the economy. This the President did gracefully to the satisfaction of American people, amidst firestorm critics engulfing Obama along with sharp piercing arrows aimed at him to break him up.

President Obama is as human as all of us, he is not some sort of robot, even what we know of machines, they patch-up and give way if overloaded with too much non-emergency factors as it were at that time or with too much frequencies…..In other-words, every human being and electronics or machines works just fine in perfect condition, with minimum loads. Considering also that he also needed time to study specific areas of Social funding which require clear ways for Government substantives regulatory methods to avoid unnecessary duplication to target groups. He definitely could not do all these in a hurry in a muddle, if America has to remain Economically Stable and with service deliveries.

Social programs are fundamentally wider in scope as they are the backbone life-line of any healthy society. If not tackled with carefully Plan of Action, with clear focus Forward Agenda, existence and stability of middle-class remain gloomy wish such, unionists, Non-Governmental groups, Civil Society and generally the welfare of the community’s society remain in a messed up confused cluster which in many instances fail to deliver as per the program funding requests.

With a well structured plan incorporated in the Budget, it is possible to have a fulfilling budget needs fairly, effectively and sustainably.

This is where John Boehner and Paul Ryan could have put in their efforts more in their social write-up for the policy legislation than direct this most powerful Nation into a Death Threat of a Conspiracy to a Looming Government Shut-down. These are irresponsible high-stake consequences of stage-managing a “Budget Defeat” to gain political mileage for purposes of a Government Shut-down. This is why they were elected to bring these matters for discussion on the floor for debate so they are made a policy legislation by the year 2011 budget. The suspension of the budget is just rightly placed for 2011 budget after debate. But how do you shut the Government with non-legislative issues or concern or write ups……and issues of abortion, technically, should not be factors to close the Government now … these are not logical Legislative matters precisely to cause a Government shut down……

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

ICC & KENYA: ICC MAY FREEZE OCAMPO SIX ASSETS

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From: Lee Makwiny

End of days?

—
Being a Luo is a calling (J. Nyongesa), a lifestyle (Kuria Mwangi) a responsibility (Maurice Courage), and now with Gor Mahia (Sirkal), it’s a HIGHER CALLING(Otieno Sungu)

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ICC MAY FREEZE OCAMPO SIX ASSETS

Monday, 04 April 2011 00:02

BY FRANCIS MUREITHI AND PAUL ILADO

International Criminal Court agents have been tracing and profiling the assets owned by the Ocampo Six ahead of their appearance in court this week.

The agents have profiled investments valued at Sh20 billion reportedly owned by one of the suspects even as they draw up detailed lists and verify information provided by other suspects.

The assets probe, which started months ago, officially started on March 8 after the pre-trial chamber judges issued summons.”We have a deadline to trace these assets and investments both in Kenya and abroad. So far the bulk of the assets we have traced belong to one suspect and his family. All this information will be handed over to the relevant arm of the court so that if the court wants these assets and bank accounts frozen, then they know where they are,” said an agents who cannot be identified because he is not authorised to speak to reporters.

The ICC is believed to have hired different asset-tracing firms to keep track of the money that two of the six suspects have been moving around in their attempt to conceal the cash.

Families and relatives of some of the suspects are said to have become increasingly agitated as fears grow of the possibility of ICC ordering a freeze on their assets or accounts.

Wanted by ICC are deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and radio journalist Joshua Sang’.

One of the suspects has in the past few months transferred millions in cash and assets to his lawyer who is supposed to hold them in trust. An offshore firm registered in the Cayman Islands is also reported to have taken up his shares in a well known insurance business.

A second suspect has sold assets valued at Sh10 billion, including hundreds of hectares of land and a food processing business.”In one of the companies known to belong to the suspect’s family, the shareholding was transferred last week on Wednesday to one of the partners who is very close to the family,” the agent said. A number of top law firms in the city are reportedly involved in the transfers.

Under the Rome Statute, once a suspect has been summoned or a warrant of arrest issued, the ICC judges have powers to issue orders freezing the assets and accounts of any suspect at the request of the chief prosecutor.

Article 57 (e) provides that ICC seizure of a suspect’s assets or accounts is done as a “protective” measure in case a suspect is convicted and fined and if cash is needed to compensate victims.

Once the suspect is tried and convicted, the judges can issue an order for transfer of such assets into the Victims’ Trust Fund for disbursement to victims as reparations. But if the suspect is found innocent, the court must lift the freeze order.

Articles 57 (e) and 58 sets out how the court can issue a warrant while Article 93 compels the government to assist the court in “the identification, tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.

It is not immediately clear if the government has helped the ICC, but the Star established ICC representatives have met senior officers at the Attorney General’s office to discuss asset tracing.

In January, the ICC wrote to the Cabinet sub-committee on ICC chaired by Internal Security minister George Saitoti, requesting for support in tracing, freezing or seizure of property of the Ocampo Six when the Pre-Trial Chamber judges issue summons.

In the letter, the ICC stated the procedure of tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets for the purpose of eventual forfeiture and compensation to the victims of the violence.

Under the International Crimes Act (2008), the government is bound to cooperate with the ICC regarding tracing and seizure of assets owned by ICC suspects.

Article 106 (a) and (b) of the Act states that where the ICC requests assistance in identifying, tracing and freezing, or seizing, any property for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, the Attorney General shall only give authority for the request to proceed only if he is satisfied the request relates to an international crime and the property is or may be located in Kenya.

Article 130 (1) of the provides that “any money or property, including the proceeds of sale of property, recovered as a result of the enforcement under this Part of an order of the ICC shall be transferred to the ICC”.

MPs supported the passage of International Crimes Bill when it was brought to the House by Amos Wako at the end of 2008 with President Kibaki signing it into law immediately it was approved by MPs. By that time, majority of MPs were pushing for Hague trials as opposed to a local tribunal. It is this Act that effectively domesticated the Rome Statute.

ICC has already frozen the assets and accounts of Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba who is on trial for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The decision to freeze his assets was taken by the court three days after he was arrested in Brussels, Belgium, following issuance of a warrant of arrest. The former DRC vice-president was arrested on May 24, 2008 while his trial started in November last year after the court rejected his application that the trial be dropped.

After Bemba’s accounts were frozen, he complained he could not raise money for his defence and applied to the ICC to meet the cost. The application was rejected and the court re-opened one of Bemba’s account held in a bank in Portugal so he could pay his lawyers and support his family.

An estimated $6 million (Sh480 million) assets belonging to former Liberian President Charles Taylor held in ten countries in Europe were frozen after a United Nations-backed special war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone started prosecuting him for war crimes. The then Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone Stephen Rapp announced that once there is proof that the money belongs to Taylor, the Special Court will bill him for his legal defence currently offered free. The UN Security Council is also pressurising the Liberian government to freeze Taylor’s assets in Liberia.

Kenya: Impact of Hon Kalonzo shuttle diplomacy on weakening of the shilling

3 Replies

From: amenya gibson

Dear Kenyans

As our vice president Hon Kalonzo tries his best to protect the Ocampo Six something that will make majority of Kenyans suffer is market information about our Shilling

The efforts that central Bank of Kenya has tried to make our shilling strong is gradual being eroded and this could be linked to shuttle diplomacy that has now gained fever pitch.

It wont be possible for all veto powers to accept Kenyan deferral more so with current upheavals in Arab World.
This sentiments has led to investors dumping Kenyan shilling
Another possibility why the shilling is getting weaker is because the government could be printing money to enable the Kalonzo in his shuttle mission.

—
Thanks
Gibson Amenya
Kenya Young Greens

Tanzania: gold exports from nation has surpassed tourism as number one foreign exchange earner

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

The Central Bank of Tanzania has reported that the country’s revenue from gold exports is up by 19 per cent.

The bank says this in its monthly review from the year ending December 2010.The rise is attributed to increased output as well as global market prices.

Gold exports earned the country USD 1,467.3 million, up from USD 1,076 billion in 2009,as the commodity continued to outperform tourism as the biggest foreign exchange earner.

Tanzania, Africa’s fourth largest gold producer, depends mainly on tourism, mining and agriculture, and is increasingly attracting investors interests in telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, financial services and transport sectors.

Gold dominated Tanzania’s export earnings, accounting for 39.8 per cent of total goods, followed manufactured goods at 26.1 per cent.

According to the report, the prices of gold in the world market rose from USD 972.7 per troy ounce recorded in 2009 to an average of USD 1,244.7 per troy ounce in December 2010.

Financial analysts are now optimistic that the country will achieve its targeted economic growth of 7.2 per cent this year {2011} from an estimated 7 per cent last year.

The positive outlook on the economy is however, being tainted by inflationary fears. It s feared that rising food and fuel prices coupled with chronic energy shortage will push inflation rate to double digit level this year.

The country’s year on year inflation rate was up for the third successive month to 6.4 per cent in January from 5.6 per cent in December, last year according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Improved performance of non-traditional exports, the Bank Notes, was largely contributed by gold and manufactured goods lie papers, fertilizers and plastics.

Non-traditional exports rose from USD 2,446.1 million recorded in early January 2009 to USD 3,128.5 million. The value of manufactured goods, according to the BOT report was USD 693.9 million, being 90.3 per cent higher than the volume recorded in 2009.This development was largely associated with increased demand fro neighboring countries following recovery from global financial crisis.

The bank’s report shows rising value of traditional exports of about USD 558.9 million which is 16 per cent higher than the value recorded in 2009.This rise is attributed to both export volume and unit prices of tobacco and cashew nuts.

The increase in the export of tobacco was largely due to improved quality following proper farming practices coupled with accessibility of agricultural inputs.

In the semi autonomous Isles of Zanzibar, adds the bank’s report, export performance for goods and services for the year 2010 dropped from USD127.6 million posted in 2009 to US 120.1 million. This outcome was mainly on account of the decline in clove and manufactured goods exports.

Clove export decline from USD 14.6 million to 7.5 million, while manufactured goods exports declined from USD 5.0 million to USD 3.4 million.

ENDS

KENYA: RAILA ODINGA BROTHER SAYS GOVERNMENT IS “SILLY” TO ELEVATE HIGH SCHOOL TO NATIONAL STATUS.

4 Replies

By Agwanda Jowi

AN ASSISTANT Minister for Finance who is also the MP for Bondo constituency Hon. Oburu Odinga has objected the government plans to make Maranda High School a national school.

Oburu says that Maranda High School should just remain a provincial school to cater for the needs of students from the region.

He says the government should identify another school to promote to national level noting that Maranda is a community school which should not be taken national.

Maranda High School was identified in Siaya County besides another school to be upgraded to become a national school to cater for more high performers in the country.

Oburu also took the opportunity to congratulate students, teachers and parents for their dedication to ensure the school post excellent results in the just released KCSE 2010 national examinations.

Speaking in Kisumu, Oburu says he channeled the economic stimulus package to Maranda High School to make it a centre of excellence in the constituency thus no need to make it a national school.

The assistant minister says the Sh. 30 million stimulus package will be used to revamp the infrastructure in the school and give it a face lift.

He says that those who criticized his move to identify Maranda to benefit from the package should now see what a school Maranda is in the map of Kenya.

Oburu called upon his Bondo constituents to support him in his endeavor to ensure Maranda High School remains at top and eventually becomes number one nationally.

He says that Maranda will now onwards not compete provincial schools but will be in the league of national schools like Alliance.

Ends.

Kenya: Prominent contractor want to be deputy governor in Homa-Bay County

4 Replies

Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

A communication expert who is now an enterprising building contractor in Nyanza and Western Provinces has declared his interest in contesting for the position of deputy governor in the Homa-Bay County comes the year 2012.sting.

Jeremiah Achilla-Gogo, aged 50 years was born in a political house of the late Joseph Gogo Ochok who in the late 1950 was one of the founder of the defunct South Nyanza District Political Association {SINDAPA} and served as the association’s secretary general from its inception to the timer it was dissolved at the birth of KANU in 1960.

The late Ochok also contested Karachuonyo parliamentary seat in 1963 as the official KANU candidate, but lost to the late Elijah Omolo-Agar who had vied for the seat as an independent candidate.

Gogo said politics was in his blood, and that is why he has decided to contest for the less crowded position of the deputy governor.

Photo of Mr Jeremiah Achilla Gogo who wants to contest for deputy governor in Homa-Bay County

Gogo decried the falling standard of education in Luo-Nyanza, saying if elected he will work hand in hand with his other colleagues and officials from the Ministry of Education working in the field to ensure that the education standard in the region is restored to its former.

He also blamed the current legislators in the 10th parliament for not having adequately supervised the utilization of government revolving funds such as CDF in the best interest of the rural community.

The government has pumped millions of shillings through the CDF to assist the population living in the rural areas to spur development of essential service providing such as dispensaries, health centers, primary and secondary schools and other infrastructure in rural areas, but the fund has not been put into proper use.

Gogo said Homa-Bay County has a lot to offer to its residents, and there is an open avenue for raising the money it needs through taxation of the abundance natural resources, fishing, tourism and farming. People must be sensitized to redouble their effort in farming as one way of promoting wealthy and eradicating the poverty.”This one of the most important task the leaders should be involved.

He appealed to the electorate to vote wisely and make sure they elect only development conscious leaders with excellent past track-record of active participation in development activities and not sweet-talkers.

Gogo is a staunch member of ODM whose father was very close to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the old Nyanza political derby of the 1960s and 1970s.
He said if given a chance to serve as the deputy governor by the electorate he will work hard with other elected leaders to improve the lives of fishermen, groundnut and cotton farmers in the regions laying low along the shoreline of Lake Victoria.

And he will also work hard to promote tourism in the region as well as look for investors to open up exploration of minerals.

Ends

Kenya: Kibaki should Say Raila TOSHA for 2012

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Kenyans,

We can see today that under this Kibaki`s rule the leaders have no compassion or respect for those they are supposed to serve. They are treating the Kenyan people miserably in order to satisfy their own desires, then some have the gall to ask for their names to be eliminated from the ICC. They still ask for Kibaki´s help when they find themselves in trouble. These leaders including Kibaki should just say these words: `We have done things that are wrong, and we have failed to obey the constitution. because of this, we have made Kenyan population mad, we have separated ourselves from the Kenyan laws. So there is nobody to blame a part from ourselves. ` So Me Kibaki the present Kenyan president, I have decided to declare he Raila Amolo Odinga today TOSHA. This is not a pay back or favor to what he did to me in 2002, but it is the right thing to do in order for our country to have a good person who will implement the new constitution Kenyans are now badly in need of.`

The truth is this: it will be impossible for Uhuru Kenyatta to rule Kenya, believe me or not. It will be also impossible for Ruto to rule Kenya in 2012. So why can`t Kenyans face the truth?. Why wasting time with these convicts?. Another thing is this; the mission VP Kalonza has taken has made his ways to be a Kenyan president impossible: I just do not know why Kibaki used him that badly, unless they wanted to discredit him to the international community.

What Kenyans must accept or will have to accept is this; If Kalonzo or Ruto or Uhuru Kenyatta arise to be Kenyan president in 2012 then Kenya will be a Chinese colony believe it or not. These guys have nothing to say in Washington, neither will they have anything to say in London or EU nations, neither will they have anything to say in Canada or Australia, so they will be left with only one option: SURVIVAL UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES and that is being a Chinese colony for support. Do not forget that EU or USA buy Kenyan goods more than China. Fools will see by their own eyes, but remedy is needed for Kenya not to be colonized again. Zimbabwe tried to be a Chinese colony and their currency dropped to zero: Kenya is more connected to the west that if it tries to go 100% Chinese we shall see hell in currency or economy drop. Just ask Zimbabweans if you do not believe it, EU is not going to leave the six Ocampo want to go free and with USA and Britain ready to vitto the request made by Kenya. Guys; we are in red hot soup. Investors will think 100 times before they invest in Kenya until Ocampo get his victims.

Paul Nyandoto

Switzerland & Egypt: Switzerland confiscates Mubarak`s Assets

1 Reply

From: Paul Nyandoto

Guys,

Dictatorship in Africa has been a thorn for a long time. African leaders are sinking this glorious continent. They exploit it when they are in power, send almost all money they can lay their hands on outside Africa to build other countries and now when they are kicked out they do not consume that money. So what is the point of stealing from your people to enrich Europe?.

We hope this time Switzerland will take a bold step and return back Egyptian`s money Mubarak stole and banked in their country. This should be a lesson also to Kenyan thieves, they might not use those money they are banking outside Kenya. So please bring that money back to develop Kenya. Africans are left behind in development, people are dying from hunger and poverty while their money is resting in European banks. The same money Europe give Africans back in terms of loans. What a mess has Africans got into?. Do poor Africans deserve all these?.

Paul Nyandoto

– – – – – – – – – – –

From: sospeter gichane

BUT,

Whats the difference btn Switzerland and Mubarak? They have kept his money all though just to freeze it when he is cornered. That’s hypocrisy directly made in EU. Why did they not refuse to keep his monies in the first place? And then they freeze it so that even Egyptians cant access it until…………………………

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Bureeeeeeeeee Kabisaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Kenya: Government blamed for lack of proper supervision of its funds for rural projects

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

LACK of transparency and accountability as well laxity on the part of the Provincial Administration in conducting thorough supervision in collaboration with the relevant ministries in all the development projects being undertaken under the Economic Stimulus Programs is the major source of discontent and conflicts of interests between the local communities and officials.

Politicians are also blamed for using the stimulus funds recently released by the Treasury for targeted projects for arms twisting to win back the support of the communities which did not vote for them in the 2007 general election.

The politicians, according to sources on the ground were also working together with a cabal of businessmen in having their own cut from the project money. A number of pseudo building construction firms are said to have been hastily registered by a cartel of unpatriotic businessmen for the express purpose of taping the resources availed by the government under the stimulus programs.

Owing to these loopholes millions of shilling allocated by the Treasury for stimulus programs could be drained into the dustbins by the cunning cabal of businessmen and the brief-case contractors working on lucrative commissions allegedly paid out by pseudo businessmen who had hired them to act on their behalf using their easily obtained contract registration licenses.

Discontent and conflict of interest is everywhere, particularly inside Luo-Nyanza. The loophole in supervision of the construction work has reportedly opened the door for massive looting of the government revolving funds, meant to develop and improve the lives of the rural communities.

Some of the projects earmarked include the up-grading of certain schools put up by the community on the spirit of self-help, dispensaries and health centers and other economic projects, which are so essential to the lives of the rural population.

There is big-tug-of-war between the ministry officials on the ground, the MPs and the local committee charged with the responsibility of supervising the development of the projects under the stimulus programs.

A case in point is the on-going hullabaloo in the controversial Kshs 20 million shillings St Rita Secondary School in Sidho West, Nyando district in the Kisumu County. The school is the brainchild of the local committee. When the government allocated it the fund, a 14 men local committee was picked up by the community to supervise the construction work and manage the fund. The committee was supposed to work in close collaboration with the office of the local district education office, which is based at Chemelil Roundabout at Awasi, the local MP and all the stakeholders.

But this is not the case. The Muhoroni MP Prof.Ayiecho Oluweny having realized that his local cronies in local political derby were not included, is alleged to have conspired with the lady education office wh0se name was given as Mrs Sika, who eventually sidelined the local committee in the project supervision.

The problem had started during the issuance of the tender documents. A local construction firm which headed by a credible engineer with vast knowledge in construction work was the first to purchase the paid up tender document for Kshs 3000 not refundable. But it was the last to be issued with tender document, and only after intensive intervention and lobbying by third parties. The document reached Kango Construction only four hours before the tender was due to be opened.

Kang’o Construction is credible construction firm which has carried out many construction work in various projects worth millions both inside Kenya and even in Botswana. It is owned by Eng.Mark Nyambogo Malo, who also happened to e a member of the Sidho West Community in Ombei where the St Rita Secondary Schools is currently under construction, and was more qualified having been a member of the same community. It submitted the second lowest tender.

Another construction firm, which was hastily registered under the name of Odampo International with no past experience of building construction work, appeared to have been in the in minds of other stakeholders outside Sidho community. The firm is said to belong to a young man working as a driver of one Dr Hezron M.C. Obewa, a social worker who is also runs a health facility called Ogra Foundation, said to be enjoying the financial backing of the British government, who is also it is being alleged to be a close associate of the Muhoroni MP.Olweny.

It appeared that the driver was merely used as a conduit by the interested parties to secure the contract through the tender, though it is duly registered with the Ministry of Works, but the real power behind the business are different people. And the local community has since called upon the KACC to conduct a thorough investigation which should include the inspection of the material used on the project if they are tallying with specification contained therein the tender document.

According to a report appearing the last week edition of the WEEKLY CITIZEN, when reminded of the anomaly, the MPO for the area who is at the centre if the controversy Prof Olweny, is alleged to have said that nothing will happen to him because the Prime Minister Raila Odinga would come to his help.

Other reports says close to Kshsn 9 million has already been spent on the project, but the work is suspected to be shady and sub-standard, with the roofing of the class rooms and other building done using 30 gauge iron sheets as opposed to gauge 28 which were specified in the tender.

The local committee after being sidelined from their own project now cries foul,. Alleging that the lady education officer has even seized the cheque books, and she is now the one issuing cheques for the payments of the construction work, which is said to be under the supervision of the Ministry of Works.

The fear persists that the shady work done on the project’s buildings could turn out to be dangerous to users of the buildings. The work is incomplete, and the head teachers last week admitted the first 28 Form One students, which were only temporarily sent to other nearby schools pending the completion of the buildings.

Those involved in the scam are said to be panicking after the WEEKLY CITIZEN exposed and the Muhoroni MP is said to have threatened the weekly newspaper with a ligation case to be filed before a court of law for the defamation of character. But the chairman of the community based board of governors Mr Shadrack Ngere is reported to have flatly refused to sign certain documents.

Tjis particular incident of gross interference into the government funded project is just an example of many other similar scandals involved the government funds including CDF which is the most vandalized. The locals says it is of no use for the government offering to assist them in developed their own community initiated project, for only a cabal of interested profiteers to take over the control of the fund and sideline them. They suspect that part of the Kshs 20 million could be siphoned through use of poor materials and kickbacks unless they were also involved in the supervision of the work.

They want the DC. Nyando to prevail upon the lady education officer to hand over the books of account of their project to the selected committee. The Officer is said to have even seized the key for the o school mailbox fueling the rumor and suspicion that the intention is to keep the board members in the darkness so that could not see the bank reports detailing the withdrawals the transactions, and this is perhaps done with the express knowledge of the area MP.

Mr Odampo the contractor, Eng.Mark Nyambogo Malo and the MP Prof Olweny could not be reached for comments as was Dr Obewa. But the Sidho community is up in arms calling for KACC and other relevant government investigative teams to move into the school construction site for the purpose of verifying the material being used, the standard of work and experience of the construction engineers on the site.

Reports making the round in Kisumu and its environs says the young journalist working for the WEEKLY. A Mr.Wasonga had alleged that he had been threatened by unknown people for his role in the newspaper report, illustrating the degree of panicking among those masterminds of the alleged scam.

Ends

Kenya: LEGAL FEES FOR HAGUE SUSPECTS? “impunity fightingback”

3 Replies

from MR.FRANCIS MWANGI MUTHAKA MUTHAKA

It’s high time that Kenyans of Goodwill should take to the streets to demonstrate over what I would call impunity “fighting back” in Kenya .The reason why taxpayers money should be used to defend any individual named in the Ocampo list is a big joke, no one give a single satisfactory reason as to why this criminals deserves this instead I propose that if found guilty by the ICC, their wealth should be used to compensate those who suffered in PEV, I do respect Kalonzo for being a politician who se record have not been tainted during his time in the office but I was dumbstruck by his latest stance over this issue, no wonder his haters dubbed him watermelon during the referendum campaign, his best position could have been his usual no/yes phenomenon for that matter, to play it safe.

Regards.

MUTHAKA .FM

KENYA: PRESS STATEMENT ON THE 4.6 BILLION FOR ICC SUSPECTS-18TH January 2011

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from otieno sungu

It is disconcerting to hear that the Government is contemplating spending 4.6 billion on suspects of PEV. This is against the backdrop of unsettled IDPs dotting the country. This irony of situations is further aggravated by the fact that while the suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty, there is also the possibility of some actually being proved guilty as charged.

In view of this, wouldn’t it be a travesty of justice to spend tax payer’s money to defend the 6 with such possibility while hundreds of their perceived and possible victims still sleep in the cold, have no food, property and whose children do not even attend decent schooling?

Vugu Vugu Mashinani strongly opposes this move by Government. The Ocampo 6 must find ways of defending themselves and the ICC should be responsible for compensating those it accused wrongly. In law, if one is not able to afford legal representation, the institution should avail one to such accused, in this case, the ICC has a moral responsibility of ensuring the accused get due legal representation just as they are able to accord witnesses protection. Not all witness accounts will be acceptable and admissible in which case the ICC will have wasted money on such witnesses.

In similar vein, not all accused will be indicted hence the need to ensure they have proper legal representation for justice not only to be done but also to be seen to be done.

We call upon the government of Kenya to avert protest which may culminate into civil unrest especially when reports of Kenyans dying of hunger have already begun emerging. Just recently, Tunisians have revolted against an insensitive government due to widespread social problems amidst mismanagement of the country’s national resources. This is stack similarity to what the GOK seems to be trying, warped prioritizing of resources for the comfort of a few while neglecting the masses.

We urge all Kenyans to be vigilant and prepared to reject any such arrangements which will further burden us and deny us ample resources to address pressing national needs. It is the civic duty of all Kenyans to safeguard our national resources, including our taxes from misappropriation and abuse.

We must also watch out for leaders propagating such abuses of our taxes with a view of dislodging them from power when the right time comes.

Otieno Sungu.

Chairman,

VuguVugu Mashinani.

Email: Chair@vuguvugumashinani.or.ke

info@vuguvugumashinani.or.ke

Website: www.vuguvugumashinani.or.ke

Tel: +254 734 980 012

Kenya: Why Waste Ksh 4.7 Billion??

1 Reply

Hi All.

I read with dismay the fact that the government is planning to spend *Ksh. 4.7 B* to defend the ‘Ocampo 6’

Lets get facts straight:

1. The actions of these people and their accomplices almost brought the country to its knees (imagine if our currency would be more useless than Zimbabwe $)

2. There are IDPs still suffering, ailing and dying – these people might never live the lives they knew before the ‘Ocampo 6’ activities

3.These are the same guys who’ve run down the economy, looted state wealth and have made (or yet yo make it) to the KACC criminal files!

4. There are listless other things we can say about them ( & accomplices)

My prescription is

1. These people are political/economic criminals who this time graduated to commit crime against humanity and got caught!

2. The Kenyan government should stop embarrassing itself by engaging in a flurry of diplomatic activities to help accused criminals escape justice!!

3. They should foot their own bills (or do harambees like some poor Kenyans did to go study overseas), keep the receipts well and if proven not guilty then petition for reimbursement……if guilty, then well you can be perusing thru the receipts in your cell and count the cost of crime!!!

How about that???

—
Dr. Robert Nyanga MD, MPH

Kenya: Dr Mark Matunga is viewed as the newly born Tom Mboya of Suba region

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

This could be the case of coincident. But what is emerging from a small Luo-Abasuba community of Southern Nyanza, is that members of this sub-tribe are seeing another politician of the late Tom Mboya’s stature, who is emerging forty years down the line after the latter’s death in 1969.

It is indeed a coincident, because the man refered to as the new Tom Mboya, especially by the Suba people who are residents of the twin islands of Rusinga and Mfangano, was born four years after Mboya’s violent death in the hails of bullets from an assassin gun in a Nairobi street on July 5, 1969.

To the mainlanders, particularly the youth, his political dynamism and magnanimity has taken them by surprise, sending shock waves to the spinal cords of his would be opponents across the vast County.

He is the shrewdest politician to have come to the picture in recent years after the late Mboya, in the greater Southern Nyanza, and a man to watch.

Dr Mark Matunga, though himself of a Suba origin, has no blood relationship to the late charismatic and dynamic politician, but carries a lot of similarity to Mboya’s character and actions.

According to local residents of the twin Islands, the 36 year old computer genius, who is working with the Microsoft Computer International, fits into Mboya’s shoes very well. He is also armed with an extra degree in theology and he is an ordained church minister.

He hails from one of the smallest Wasamo sub-clans in Mfangano Island, one of the areas previously perceived to be one of the remotest and backward parts of the region. But the youthful expert has single-handedly turned the Island into a hub of serious development activities of its infrastructure.

Mboya also hailed from a small sub-clan called Wayubu on Rusinga Island. But he had grudgingly developed the island and left it on a firm footing at the time of his death in 1969 at only 39 years of age.

Dr Matunga has declared his interest in the covenanted seat of Homa-Bay County governor come the year 2012.

But the soft-spoken youthful politician has taken the Homa-Bay County region with the thud and storm, due to his mobilization and organizational ability, coupled with oratory and eloquence in public address, which is unmatched by anyone else in Luo-Nnyanza.

Dr Matunga only returned home five years ago from the United States, where he was educated and had worked for sometime. But within that brief period of time, he had single-handedly initiated and found sources for the funds do the construction of the all weather ring road around Mfangano Island. He made history when he invited the then Road Minister Simeon Nyachae to commission the new road, and for the first time hired a ferry which took aboard it three motor vehicles, the first to have landed on the island. These vehicles are still traversing the Island.

His other action was the sourcing of a powerful generator, which is now supplying power to the schools, individuals homes, dispensaries, trading centers, fish landing beaches, and trading centers on the Island. The power generation capicity is said to be so large as to be in excess of the demand by the islanders. Plans are now a foot to have its power lines connected to the national grid.

Matunga has built a dynamic political network, in that he has mobilized hundreds of youths who are drumming up his support in far places like Kendu-Bay, Nyangweso, Oyugis, Rangwe, Rodi Kopany, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Mbita and Orian. These youths say they are seeing in Dr Matunga a chance for a better future. They have formed choruses and songs of praise to “Bwana Computer” and the “Governor” everywhere he goes. Opinion says that Dr Matunga’s stronghold is Oyugis Town in Rachuonyo South district.

The newly created Homa-Bay County stretches from Kabondo down to Mfangano and Gwassi, covering six parliamentary constituencies, of Mbita, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Kasipul-Kabondo,Gwasi and Karachuonyo. It is likely that the region could harvest two more parliamentary constituencies under the controversial boundaries adjustment by the defunct Andrew Ligale Interim Independent Boundaries Commission. The expected seat could represent Kasipul-Kabndo and Homa-Bay Town, as well as another for Awendo, which was hived from the existing Rongo.

Other contestants for the same governor’s seat include the immediate former Rangwe MP Eng. Phillip Okoth Okundi, the incumbent Rangwe MP George Otieno Ogindo, and Opiata Ogada. The name of a former Kenyan diplomat, who had served as an Ambassador to India and Namibia, Lazarus Ombaye Amayo, is also being floated from the other quarters. But Amayo has yet to confirm his commitment to the contest. Also a senior KRA officer Mr Isaiya Ogwe, who is also an hotelier, is also being mentioned.

The recent announcement by Dr, Matunga, that he has secured investment to resuscitate the Cotton Industry by building new cotton ginneries at the cost of Kshs 300 million, has boosted his chances over his rivals. His aggressive plan, to have the menace of water hyacinth mechanically removed from the shorelines of Lake Victoria, is another source of political mileage over his opponents.

In Suba region, Matrunga is commonly called ”Bwana Maendeleo”. He has lent a hand of support to desperate students from poor families and his generosity also extended to the less fortunate members of the society.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Uganda & Norway: The two countries are in agreement to sink USD Billions on SMEs

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

THE high business mortality rates amongst small-and- medium enterprises (SMEs) could be checked if individual entrepreneurs pooled savings and investments, Juma Kisaame, the dfcu Bank managing director, has advised.

Kisaame and Kjell endorse the new $10m credit facility agreement in Kampala last week

Kisaame, an expert on SME financing, said many of the problems that plague SMEs could be addressed by what he called the “economies of association.”

“When you come together, you do not only pool funds, but you also pool skills, competencies and talents, which give the group advantages such as access to credit, discounts, better supplier terms and better interest rates,” he said.

He noted that working as a group enhances accountability and governance, which are key to the survival of businesses.

Kisaame was speaking last week at the signing of a $10m (about sh22b) credit line between dfcu Bank and the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (NORFUND).

The eight-year facility is aimed at strengthening the bank’s ability to fund long-term projects like commercial mortgages, home loans, leases and SME loans.

It brings to $16m the total credit extended to the bank by NORFUND.

Roland Kjell, the NORFUND managing director, said the funding allows dfcu to make the much-needed intervention in supporting SMEs with affordable access to medium to long-term credit.

“Supporting entrepreneurial individuals or entities to create sustainable business, translates into ripple effects such as savings mobilisation, job-creation and value-addition, which is the only way of stimulating business growth and sustainable development,” he said.

Kisaame said SMEs presented an incredible growth opportunity for the bank.

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EAC has run short of funds forcing some of its important economic projects to stall

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

REPORTS emerging from the Northern Tanzanian City of Arusha have painted gloomy picture indicating that the East African Community {EAC} is facing its “worst financial squeeze “in recent history.

This is said to be as the result of its five partner states drag their feet on remitting their annual financial contributions. Fears that some of the community’s earmarked projects and programs may soon be grounded to an abrupt halt due to lack of funds is on the card.

The halting of the flow of contributions has constrained many crucial activities of the EAC executive arms, including the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement {EPA}with the European Union {EU}.

The latest report on the status of partner states contributions before the EAC Finance and Administration Committee held at the secretariat in Arusha on November 17-20 points a worrying picture.

Documents leaked to the press last week shows that the EAC has so far barely received 42 per cent of the member country contributions dues.

Analysis says the issue was likely to feature prominently as the main agenda at the EAC Head of State summit this week. The EAC Heads of States Summit this time around will be held at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in located in the outskirt of ArushaTown.

As at November 3,2010, only USD 25,988,192 budget out of the total USD 61,496,740 budget to be footed by the EAC, leaving an outstanding amount of USD 35,508,548.

According to the breakdown, the EAC member countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi were supposed to pay USD 12,299,348 each.

Uganda leads the pack with a remittance record of 70 per cent, has already paid a total of USD 9,192,890 leaving an outstanding of USD 3,105,458.

This is followed by Kenya, which has remitted 50 per cent by paying a total of USD 6,138,838 As it stands now, Kenya owes the regional body a total of USD 6,160,510 in arrears.

Rwanda has also honored its financial commitment to the EAC by 50 per cent. The record indicated that Rwanda has so far remitted about USD 6,148,674, remaining with an outstanding balance of amounting to USD 6,150,674.

Tanzania, which is the host of the EAC headquarters, is lagging behind in its payment. It has only paid 30 per cent. According to the report Dar has an outstanding amount of money which stands at a USD 8,669,775 after remitting barely USD 3,669,573 out of the total USD 12,299,348.

Burundi’s case is even worse, because it has only managed to pay 7 per cent of its financial commitment to the regional economic bloc. In real terms, Burundi has only paid USD 838,217 leaving an outstanding amount of USD 11,461,131.

A source at the Arusha-based secretariat of the EAC has said that the EAC is in dire need of funds to undertake its day to day activities as the five partner states have failed to remit their contributions in time.

In October this year, the EAC secretary General Ambassador Juma V. Mwapachuhad said that a new financial mechanism was needed for projects and programs of the EAC to run smoothly.

Due to the slow of contributions from the partner states as well as from the donors and development partners, Mr Mwapachu has told the EAC Council of Ministers that many earmarked projects and programs undertaken by the Community have stalled.

Noting that slow release of funds has constrained the activities of the regional organization, Mwapachu said that the period between July and September every year was the most difficult because member governments started their fiscal year at the same time.

“Being the beginning of the financial year of the partner states, the flow of funds to the EAC is normally slow and with it, EAC’s programs and activities are significantly slowed down” he added.

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