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KENYA: RESIDENTS OF NDHIWA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CAMPAIGN DURING THE BY-ELECTION AND STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE USE OF HIRED POLITICAL GOONS AND CRIMINAL THUGS.

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Writes Arrum-Tidi Ogonglo In Kisumu City.

NDHIWA residents have vowed to voluntary stamp out the use of political goons for the purpose of intimidating the electorate in the area during the impending by-election to fill the vacant parliamentary seat following the untimely of the former MP for the area Joshua Orwa Ojode.

The Interim Electoral and Boundary Commission {IEBC}. The by-election is slated or September 13, 2012.

A number of political luminaries in Ndhiwa, however, have come out gun blushing and strongly condemned the use of political goon and criminal hugs in the areas.

The wholesale condemnation followed the last Monday fierce battle in Ndhiwa Town which resulted in cores of people sustaining bodily injuries

Aye-witnesses reported that the fight which involved close to 300 combatants was between the loyalist supporter of the late Joshua the three have been criss-crossing the full length and width of the expansive constituency in the company of mobile crowds and excessively drunken goons appearing in almost each and every funeral home.

One of the leading aspirants Ted Odero yesterday called upon the ODM head office to ensure that anyone whose name I associate with the use of political thuggery and promotion of acts

Speaking to this writer from his office based in the lakeside Tanzanian town of MwanzaTed Odero emphasized the need for the Ndhiwa people to maintain peace during the campaign for the by-election and called on all the aspirants to ensure they engage in gentlemen and peaceful campaign, which is devoid of the use of violence. “We would like to have a peaceful transition from the late Joshua Orwa Ojode to the new MP. We would like to do it the Ghanaian style where the dead head of state was replaced in a peaceful style without any political hustling,”

Ted Odero is one among those highly favored to clinch the seat is to face the stiffest opposition from two other populist aspirants, Jeremiah Owiti and Louis Onyango Otieno who is a cousin of the late Ojode. Louis Otieno who is a senior manager with the Microsoft Computer International in East, Southern and Central African regions based I the Kenyan capital, Nairobi

Louis Otieno who is currently on a short visit to the US could not be reached for his comment, But multiple sources within the late Ojode’s clan of Kabwayi has confided to us that the clan which I the third largest I the constituency would lie to back one of their own to succeed the ate Ojode, and that Louis Otieno is also the favorite of the ODM members who are scattered in the expansive. Otieno who has yet to declare his candidature in the by-election join the race then it will be the battle of Titans between him and the most eloquent and aggressive competitor in the name Ted Odero who is credited for his oratory and a smooth political operative

Unconfirmed report reaching us indicated that the widow of the late Orwa Ojode Mrs Mary Ojode is under the heavy pressure by the supporters of her late husband and also close family members of the late Joshua Orwa Ojode to join the race.

So far it is not clear as to whether the recent indications that there is likely to be some court l legal tussle between Mary Ojode and her brother-in-laws over the sub-division and succession saga in the late Ojode’s vast estate could have adverse effect in her popularity. So far her popularity I the vast constituency has yet to be properly assessed and evaluated.

Ojode’s widow, however, has kept the press guessing and has so ,however, have intimated to us that Mrs Ojode is in the process and considering the option of joining he race in the by-election in order to succeed her late husband. However, Mrs Mary Ojode has yet to make her intentions known publicly over the by-election issues and could not be reached for her immediate comment.

However the senior-most member of the Ojode family is the Hon Matthews Otieno Ogingo, former two terms MP for Ndhiwa who is currently said to be unwell and is receiving medical treatment in the United State of America. Ogingo was conspicuously absent during the high profile burial of the late Ojode at his Unga farm in Central Kanyamwa.

The tension charged funeral was attended by President Mwai Kibaki the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the entire cabinet, Assistant Ministers Permanent Secretaries and close to 100 MPs.

The coming weeks will witnessed intensified campaign activities as he more that a dozen aspirant would be trying to out do each other. The residents are expecting it to be conducted in a peaceful manner and have appealed to the ODM as a party to ensure that it will be devoid of political thuggery.

Ends

KENYA: SCORES OF PEOPLE INJURED FOLLOWING ODM SUPPORTER’S FIERCE BATTLE IN NDHIWA TOWN

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Reports Arrum Tidi Ogonglo In Homa – Bay Town

Scores of people were hurt following an outbreak of heavy fighting between the ODM supporters on Monday morning in Ndhiwa town.

Scant reports reaching here from Ndhiwa says the battle which involved close to 300 youths were between supporters of he former Ndhiwa MP Joshua Orwa Ojode, and those supporting a number of candidates who have declared their interest in vying forth the vacant seat in the forthcoming by-election slated for September 7,2012.

It all started when a group of party members and officials believed to be allied to a number o candidates aspiring to contest for the Ndhiwa seat during he forthcoming by-election scheduled for September 7. 2012.
One group moved to Ndhiwa town and attempted to open a new party office in the in the town. Loyalist Ojode’s supporters, however, saw no valid point in opening a new office town and insisted that all the factions within the branch could use the old office for party activities.

Dispute and serious argument ensued when each group stood its ground resulting in fierce battle. The combatant used crude weapons like rungus, jembe handles and stones. Business at the busy small rural trading center came to a halt as traders’ hurriedly closed their shops for fear of looting and scampered for safety. Market stall owners and petty traders also follow suit.

The locals blamed three unnamed would be aspirants who had launched premature campaigns in the area even long before the seat itself was declared vacant. Three unnamed aspirants have been making the rounds touring various centers addressing mobile crowds here and there.

Unconfirmed reports say 12 people sustained bodily injuries, which requires medication. Unconfirmed report says several combatants were taken into custody. This could not be confirmed immediately by either the police or members of the Provincial Administration in Ndhiwa district. It appears as if one group had preconceived plan to start the fight ad had brought weapons along with them from home, which hidden with the picnics of the town.

Joshua Orwa Ojode, the former Assistant Minister for Internal Securing together with his former boss Prof. George Saitoti and four others perished on June 10when the Police Helicopter they were flying crashed in Ngong Forest near Nairobi.

Ojode had represented he area for close to 17 years ever since 1994. Nudging by the number of people who have already declared their interest in the by – elections, all indications are that the field would be heavily crowded with even over 30 contestants join the race.

Ends

Kenya: Ndhiwa parliamentary seats declared vacant as dozen would be aspirants scramble to contest the by election

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DAGGERS ARE DRAWN FOR THE BATTLE OF NDHIWA BY-ELECTION AS MORE THAN A DOZEN OF ASPIRANTS DECLARED THEIR INTEREST AND INTENTION OF CONTESTING FOR THE VACANT SEAT.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo in Homa-Bay Town.

IMMMEDITELY after the speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende issued the writs declaring three parliamentary seats vacant, paving way for the by-elections, a good number of leading political personalities in Ndhiwa declared their intention to contest for the seat.

One Kenyan daily put the number of aspirants interested in vying or he Ndhiwa seat to 32. Whereas a former MP o the area dismissed some of the would be aspirant a simple “Gamblers”.

Tom Okello Obondo had served the constituency as an MP for only one and half years between 1992 and 1994. Then he was handed decisive defeat by the late Joshua Orwa Ojode who consigned him into a political limbo. T.O. Obondo is suspected to have influenced the publication of falsified figure of the registered voters in the area which deliberately to favored his Kanyamwa clan to have the largest number of registered voter in the region..

Ndhiwa constituency is comprised of five major clans, namely,Jo-Kabuoch, Jo-Kanyamwa, Jo-Kwabwayi, Jo-Kanyidoto and Jo-Kanyikela and also several other smaller immigrant settlers like Jo-Kaguria, Jo-Koguta, Jo-Komenya, Jo-Kajulu and o-Kadhola.

The correct figures of the registered voter’s distributions as per each clan is as follows;Kabuoch 28,000, Kanyamwa 24,000, Kwabwayi 16,000,Kanyidoto 12,000 and Kanyikela 6,000. The smaller sub-clans usually voted along their host clans. In this respect those sojourning in Kabuoch always voted along with the Jo-Kabuoch group which is the dominant clan and arguably the majority with more registered voters as per 2007 statistics.. The Kabuoch in this case, however, host more immigrants’ settlers than any other major clans.

The late Orwa Ojode, who hailed from the third largest clan Kwabwayi had managed to subdued his opponent or close to three decades, namely in1994, 1997, 2002 and 2007.

In the past elections, Ojode had always managed to overcome his rivals because he had relied on votes from Kabuoch, where his mother comes from. AT he same time a candidate fro Kabuoch could not win the seat, because the community has always produced several candidates thereby scuttling its majority voting strength at the polls. could not win the seat because this community usually put up several aspirants theeby scuttling its majority and voting strength. But now in the absence of Ora Ojode, the son of their doughter, the electorate in Kabuoch have vowed t back and support only one aspirant of their own.

Information making the round in Ndhiwa and its environs indicate that the three names have emerged and spreading within the public domain as the most favored candidates who are likely to carry the day.

They included that of the Mwanza and Kisumu based Marine expert Ted Odero who hail from Kabuoch.

Odero is an ODM operative and a smooth pollitical operator. Highly respected for his eloquency and militancy, is the man to watch. He is also connected to the ODM leader the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Another name which is featuring prominently in the area is that of the late Orwa Ojode’s cousin Louis Onyango Otieno, a top manager with the Microsoft Computer international. His father Matthew Otieno Ogingo who once served as a two terms Ndhiwa MP and is credited for having been Orwa Ojode’s political mentor. Louis Otieno hails from Ojode’s Kwbwayi clan.

The other political heavyweight in the area who is also eyeing for the seat is Jeremiah Owiti. Known to his peers as “Jero” Owiti who is working with an international NGO in Nairobi is said to be very much at home with the electorate back at home in Ndhiwa due to his massive financial contributions towards the various socio-economic projects.

Another possible contestant is Mrs Monica Amolo a perennial Ndhiwa parliamentary election loser who is always masquerading and bragging t be very close to the Odinga family. She was beaten hands down by Ojode in 2007, but later moved to court challenging the victory of Ojode the man who had garnered close to 48,000 against her 12,000 votes. The case was thrown out b the High court.

Monica Amolo was last year during the much flawed ODM grass root election named the Homa-Bay County branch treasurer through consensus and not through the poplar votes. She hail from kanyikela clan and not posing any threat to the three leading contenders for the by-election.

Obondo was elected to represent Ndhiwa of Ford Kenya ticket during the first multi-party election in 1992, but soon after winning the seat, he served only for one and half year between 1992 and 1994, but jumped over and crossed back to KANU. This is what paved the way for the late Orwa Ojode to clinch the easiest victory in 1994. Tom Okello Obondo, perhaps is arguably the most experienced politician in the region. But his popularity has waned a great deal . Obondo is a member of the Jo-Kanyamwa, the second largest clan in the constituency after the Jo-Kabuoch. However, he is betrayed by his wavering character of hoping from one political party to the other, something which has earned him the name of a “political turn-coat”.

Of late Obondo has been warming up to the ODM, but he is believed to be a member of the Nicholas Biwott’s National Vision party of Kenya.. He was in Biwott’s camp when the latter made a futile attempt to wrestle KANU national chairmanship from Uhuru Kenyatta four years ago.. The former Senior Resident magistrate Charles Oyoo Kanyangi is also said to be in the process of contesting in the by-election. He performed poorly in 2007. He hails from Kabuoch.

Also in is the business man Dennis Orero. He too lost in 2007 to the late Orwa Ojode.Obondo is seen as someone who has lost political direction and sent force

And from Kanyikela come Hannington Orata another perennial election loser in Ndhiwa.Some of those who have declared their interest in the seat are newcomers to Ndhiwa politics and will have to cope up with the fat emerging clannish politics.

At the same time the rumours making the round says that some of the would be aspirants in he Ndhiwa by-election are suspected to be armed with fake academic certificates. Others are said to be semi-iliterate individual characters who are expected not to pass through the Provincial Language Board that may be set up by the government to check on the candidates English and Kiswahili proficiency.

One or two of the aspirants gearing up to contest the impending Ndhiwa by-election are said not to have gone beyond Form One standard of education, though such persons are very active in ODM activities is the region.

The winner, however, will have a lot of difficulties trying to fit into the late Ojode’s shoe, judging from massive development that the region has realized ever since 1994. During Ojode’s tenure feeder and access roads criss-crossing the full length and width of the region were improved up to an all weather standards.

Nearly all secondary and primary schools received the power supplies under the government rural electrification programme. More dispensaries and heath centers were constructed, and Ojode had to ensure that there were adequate supplies of drugs to each of the medical facilities in the region.

The recent recarpetting the Rodi-Karungu new termac road via Mirogi, Ndhiwa, Ratang’a,Aora Chuodho, and Sori in Karungu-Bay is another milestone development.

This particular road apart fro linking the tourists to the nearby Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley is also meant to have to improve communications between the fishermen, fish traders who can now easily access market outlet in the hinterland.

Political pundits in the region have predicted that the battle for the f supremacy will be between Ted Odero, Louis Otieno and Jeremiah Owiti with other aspirants acting like curtain-raisers.

Louis Otieno, who is currently visitng the US, has yet to publicly declared his interest in the seat. But elders from the two major sub-clans of Kwabwayi which are known as Kamdar and Kasirime have resolved to back Otieno in the hope that he could be the beneficiary of the thousands of Ojode’s sympathizers from other clans across the region.

Ends

The photo is that of mr Ted Odero a marine expert who hIs declared his inteRest in the forthcoming Ndhiwa by-eletion.

Kenya: Miguna Miguna’s Statement to the Press 18 July 2012

8 Replies

from: gordon teti

Dear Miguna,

As a God’s messenger, I am obligated to convey to you, solemnly and with deep humulity, God’s message. Miguna, has sent me to tell you to repent to the Kenyan Nation, the people of Kenya and to the individuals, including the Right Honourable Prime Minister Raial Odinga that you have adulterated their names and reputation by accusing them of things that you know deeply in your heart that are not true. Brother Miguna, you and me know that you are playing politics, dirty politics to malign and derail Raila’s presidential campaign. And it is an elaborate scheme involving Raila’s political opponents who are using you. Everybody knows that this is what is happening. Kenyans are not that stupid to believe you!

Thank you for forwarding the Press Statement copy of which is attached. As you can remember, you and I were in close communication in 2006/2007 before we sharply disagreed following your letter to the then leading opposition candidate, who is the current Prime Minister the Right Honourable Raila A. Odinga. I am not going to revisit our fallout as you are privy to the details of the same. In a nutshell, you tried to destroy my character, image, standing and a long time relationship with Raila A. Odinga. I stood firm and defended and protected my character against your missile attack. I won in the end and you lost.I can confirm to you here TODAY, Wednesday, July 18, 2012 that you are not only going to lose the ongoing malicious war that you are waging against Raila A. Odinga, but you are going to pay dearly and regret for many years to come. This is a useless battle that you are fighting on behalf of PNU/G7. In your Book “Peeling Back The Mask” your character went through a complete metamorphosis in that the people who were lords of impunity and corruption just the other day before you fell out with Raila Odinga are today as clean as cotton. In your changed status mind, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Kalonzo Musyoka et al have been babtized by John the Babtist and therefore are better leaders to become President of the Republic of Kenya as opposed to Raila Odinga who was your hero yesterday. While I understand that it is humane to be angry but please pause a little bit and get angry in a smart way. This uncontrolled anger is going to consume you; it is going to destroy. That is the message from God Almighty to you!

As a God’s messenger, I am obligated to convey to you, solemnly and with deep humulity, God’s message. Miguna, has sent me to tell you to repent to the Kenyan Nation, the people of Kenya and to the individuals, including the Right Honourable Prime Minister Raial Odinga that you have adulterated their names and reputation by accusing them of things that you know deeply in your heart that are not true. Brother Miguna, you and me know that you are playing politics, dirty politics to malign and derail Raila’s presidential campaign. And it is an elaborate scheme involving Raila’s political opponents who are using you. Everybody knows that this is what is happening. Kenyans are not that stupid to believe you!

Remember that God Loves You! Repent and Ask for Forgiven!

Welcome back to Toronto and come to Church for prayers.

Gordon Teti

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Miguna Gowok
To: gordon teti
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 3:42:21 AM
Subject: Re: Miguna flies out as row rages over his memoirs

FYI

On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 3:48 AM, gordon teti wrote:

Am glad that Miguna has left Kenya. This is because speculation, which I distance myself from, has it that PNU/G7 were going to kill him and blame it on Raila for political mileage.
. . .

Statement to the Press 18 July 2012 – final.doc
30K
STATEMENT OVER THE ONGOING FURORE OVER MY BOOK,
PEELING OFF THE MASK: A QUEST FOR JUSTICE
BY MIGUNA MIGUNA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

I wish to sincerely thank the more than five hundred Kenyans and friends of Kenya of good will who attended my book launch on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. Thanks to you, it was a splendid success!

Let me also express my gratitude to thousands of people, who have sent me short text messages, emails or telephoned me to encourage me and to express their unyielding support before and after the launch.

I am issuing this statement from Toronto, Canada, where my family and I have just arrived and hope to start enjoying a much-deserved and pre-planned summer holiday. Contrary to malicious reports in the media, my family and I booked our flights on May 24, 2012. I am not sure why some people are implying that I should have sought and obtained their permission before traveling abroad. No one has a right to my family privacy.

I am particularly disturbed by fake and false media reports that I had fled into exile. Some desperate political goons for hire have even claimed that I have ‘fled from justice.’ There have been suggestions that I have fled because of law suits and potential arrest. By the time I left Kenya, I had not been served with any legal notices or law suits. In any event, neither could have prevented me from traveling.

I have earned a living practicing law for more than 15 years. Therefore, a lawsuit isn’t something I run away from. Nor would I be scared of an incompetent, misguided and delusional political announcement to the media by the director of public prosecutions that I should record a statement with the Kenya Police. Keriako Tobiko has no mandate over the International Criminal Court. Instead of issuing threats to me – someone he considers a potential witness – the Witness Protection Act compels him to provide me with protection. Threatening me over the media is a clear breach. Consequently, I will treat his politically motivated statement with the contempt it deserves.

I boarded my flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on July 16, 2012, like any other passenger. Based on media reports, the Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, also left for China almost at the same time our flight departed. Was he also fleeing into exile?

My book, Peeling Back the Mask is a political memoir. It contains my life’s narrative. It explains my background, growth, maturity, experiences, reflections and thoughts. It attempts to record history. It also tries to unmask the culture of impunity that has bedeviled our country for more than fifty years. For me, any debates, discussions and further reflections that result from the book’s publication can only deepen our thoughts, expand the democratic space, entrench the rule of law and help broaden good governance. That’s a good thing.

However, when I see ravenous mobs burn my effigy, bury a coffin symbolizing my death and threatening me, my immediate and extended family merely because I wrote a book that they perceive to be critical of their political deity even though, in all likelihood, they might not have read; it demonstrates a level of intolerance, ignorance and base loyalty to certain political personages in a manner that cannot be positive.

Chillingly, as my effigy and ‘coffin’ were being burnt and buried in a mock funeral in Nyando by Raila’s fanatics, the Prime Minister failed to see the need to restrain his supporters. He didn’t openly call for peaceful and reasoned debates as we would expect of someone claiming to be a statesman.

As a mob was holding my funeral procession, calling for my ‘deportation to Canada’, threatening my brother and his family, Raila’s intellectual groupies were unleashing a coordinated assault on my character and reputation through the media. False allegations are being dredged up in a desperate but futile attempt to bolster the ambitions and campaigns of a man whose quest for power has reached a dead end. But rather than conduct a searing self-evaluation, they want to hurl all the blame on me.

Raila Odinga is running for president. I am not. As a person who has occupied an exalted public position in our society for decades; one who has enjoyed immense privileges; and one who is seeking even more power and privileges; Raila Odinga must be audited, vetted and weighed thoroughly for his record in public life before he can be found to have satisfied the requirements for election. If he doesn’t like the audit, he must be prepared to cede ground and relinquish his political ambitions. There are no two ways around it. But he cannot intimidate, threaten or beat us into submission.

Two questions we need to ask Raila are these: (a) If his supporters and groupies can burn my effigy and mock coffin and attack me viciously in the era of the new constitution that guarantees me the right to express myself fully including in book form merely on account that I have written a book they dislike because it is critical of him; what are they capable of inflicting if Raila were to become president? (b) Are the rights Raila proudly claims he fought for only meant for his supporters and sycophants?

I wish to inform the country that when The Standard newspaper purportedly published an article titled “Miguna answers Sarah Elderkin” on or about July 17, 2012, I was in a jet somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean and couldn’t have been capable of accessing Sarah’s piece in the Daily Nation (which I have still not read, having just arrived in Toronto), and definitely didn’t have the time to write it. It’s unfortunate that The Standard newspaper published a misleading and fake article and maliciously purported it to be mine. By this statement, I would like to pout The Standard newspaper on notice that I shall take appropriate legal action against it for this false and clearly malicious publication.

Moreover, I don’t have the time, interest or the intention of arguing with Sarah over a book she has clearly not read. She answers herself at pages 496-498 of my book as well as in her article, “Keep It Real and Keep It Balanced” published in the May 19, 2011 issue of the Star newspaper in which she corroborated each and every claim I have made in Peeling Back the Mask. Readers should be aware, nonetheless, that I have more than fifty emails from Sarah confirming the runway corruption in the Prime Minister’s Office. If I was like Sarah, I would have unleashed them in defense of myself. But I am not going to bore my readers with details of the rot of and around Raila Odinga because the whole country already knows the truth.

Let me also make it clear that I do not have a Facebook account, have never used that platform to communicate and have no intentions of doing so any time soon. Consequently, purported Facebook publications bearing my name should be ignored as mischievous.

I am scheduled back to Kenya on or about August 18th, 2012, when my family holiday and publicity tour of my book ends. On arrival, I shall issue a comprehensive statement on some of the issues that have been raised in the media in recent days over my latest book and attendant political issues. Until then, I will enjoy my working holiday with my family.

Finally, let me say this: I will not be intimidated, threatened or shouted into silence by con-men, busy-bodies, hangers-on and political groupies.

The struggle against impunity will and must continue.

Thank you.

Dated July 17, 2012 at the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

from: gordon teti
date: Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 4:43 PM
subject: Fw: Miguna Miguna’s Statement to the Press 18 July 2012

gordon teti
Jul 18
to newsdesk, news, me

Muguna’s response to my communication to him. Details forwarded here below…..

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Miguna Gowok
To: gordon teti
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:20:34 AM
Subject: Re: Miguna Miguna’s Statement to the Press 18 July 2012

Could you please explain to me what crimes I have committed; who investigated, prosecuted and passed judgment on those crimes and when they did so?

My brother, I ask you to cease and desist from scandalizing my name and besmirching my character.

I do not know who you are; I have never met you and believe you, too, have never met me. Please stop threatening me.

Thank you.

Miguna
. . .

KENYA: RAILA’S FIGHT BACK OPTIONS ARE NO OPTIONS

8 Replies

From: Judy Miriga

Folks,

If Raila was a dependeble good leader, he would not have let this matter spill-over to this point. Raila was head-swell when he arrogantly send off Miguna Miguna packing. Raila did not respect the Judicial Law to allow amicable resolve between him and MM, instead what he did was to inflict more pain by pushing Miguna Miguna to the wall.

With what is at play, Raila Asked For It………and …… Raila will have to live with it…

The saying goes, “if you chase a cat and it reaches dead end and it sense danger, it will turn back and scratch you dangerously”……This is what is happening between Raila and Miguna Miguna………Even if you feel you are too powerful, it is not fair to take people for granted. It is important to be fair and feel for others dignity and virtues as well…….

There is no escape and the truth is that Raila is a material for ICC Hague inclusively Crime against Political violation and abuse, Social violation and Abuse with Economic Violaion and abuse which caused violation and abuse against human rights including those activities that pushed victims to excessive mental torture, poverty, environmental pollution, draught, pain and sufferings; the Activities include as well Crimes committed where lives were lost and many lost their dwelling places…… Raila provided cushon for Corruption, Impunity and Graft to thrive under his watch and from where he also benefited.

Enjoy your beautiful weekend……..

Cheers everybody…….

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

– – – – – – – – – – –

— On Sun, 7/15/12, mohamed warsama wrote:
From: mohamed warsama
Subject: RAILA’S FIGHT BACK OPTIONS ARE NO OPTIONS
Date: Sunday, July 15, 2012, 10:16 AM

Let us look at the four options in Raila’s fightback plan in today’s Sunday Nation:

1. Take on Miguna head-on and attack his character

COMMENT:

What can they say about his character ? He is not corrupt, that’s for sure. Intellectual arrogance is a product of being highly intelligent.

2.Encourage some of those whose character has been brought into question to sue the author

COMMENT:

No. 1 to be “encouraged” to sue is of course Raila Odinga. Will he ? Can he ? What can he say about how he acquired businesses since 2008 ? The Kisumu molasses plant ? The purported family oil deals ? His flop-flop reputation ? Can Joshua Kulei dare to sue for disclosure he gave Sh 54m to Caroli for ODM election expenses ? Nah. On the contrary, Kulei would be happy at the disclosure, for ODM can no longer lean on him for more. Claim Caroli bought Heron Court for Sh. 800m. That came from Sally Kosgei according to Miguna who simply relayed it to Raila.

3. Address some of the issues raised in the book.

COMMENT:

Let Raila address two: did he use his PM position to enrich himself ? Is he a weakling who was unable to sttand his ground against Kibaki ?

4. Ignore the book altogether and concentrate on his (Raila) campaign.

COMMENT:

The only viable but not so smart option. Silence is equated with guilt. How can Raila go stomping round the country with all these unanswered questions hanging over his head ?

Mohamed Warsama

Raila’s fightback plan amid Miguna Storm

By SUNDAY NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, July 14 2012 at 23:30

Prime Minister Raila Odinga plans to counter allegations contained in a provocative new book by his former aide in an effort to control potential damage from his acrimonious falling out with author Miguna Miguna.

ODM insiders have offered Mr Odinga several options to tackle the charges levelled against him in Peeling Back the Mask, Mr Miguna’s memoir of his time in the Prime Minister’s office. (READ: Inside Raila’s kitchen cabinet)

Some within ODM feel that Mr Odinga should tackle Mr Miguna head on. There has been talk of going after Mr Miguna’s character and offering an examination of his record, which some on the PM’s team say would undermine his authority.

This team has been calling for publicisation of some court cases Mr Miguna battled while in exile in Canada. One source within ODM, who requested anonymity because consultations are still ongoing, said: “Who is Miguna?

“How was his tenure as adviser on coalition affairs? What did he achieve? How did he get the job?

“What determined his choice of publisher? Why did he flirt with American fundamentalists like the anti-Obama right winger Jerome Corsi in seeking to publish the book? These are some of the issues we will address.”

A second option Mr Odinga has been advised to pursue would be to encourage some of those whose character has been brought into question to seek redress in the courts, both in Nairobi and London.

This is viewed as an effort to bring into doubt the authenticity of some of the claims and to demand that Mr Miguna provide evidence for his charges of corruption in the PM’s office.

In an interview with NTV before the official launch of his book on Saturday, Mr Miguna said he was ready to meet his challengers in court, where he would represent himself.

“I hear that they want to take me to court. I am a lawyer, and I will teach them some law.”

Some within Mr Odinga’s team of advisers think the PM should ignore Mr Miguna entirely, saying responding to him might be seen as validating the claims.

Speaking at the official launch of the book on Saturday, lawyer Paul Muite advised the PM not to take this course of action.

Mr Muite said the new book should not be viewed as an attack on individuals but as an effort to advance Kenya’s political culture and to introduce greater openness in public life.

He said the PM should respond to the contents of the book instead of “fence- sitting”. “Kenyans want to know the real Odinga,” Mr Muite said.

He called on Mr Odinga to offer a detailed, blow-by-blow response to Mr Miguna’s charges.

The former Kikuyu MP said in developed democracies like America, a candidate’s past is examined back to the nursery school level, something that needs to be replicated in this country.

“Was he the beneficiary of the issues we are reading in the book? We also want to hear the unfinished business of the 1982 coup,” Mr Muite said.

During the launch, a fire-spitting Mr Miguna defended his motives for writing the book, casting himself as a whistleblower who had stood against more conservative forces in the PM’s office.

He also sensationally claimed he had evidence of a senior ODM figure’s participation in planning the post-election violence.

Mr Miguna’s book has caused a sensation in political circles. It seeks to undermine Mr Odinga’s credentials as a reformist and has been latched on to by the PM’s opponents like Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and URP presidential aspirant William Ruto.

The ODM team says it intends to go on the attack this week. They hope to reveal some of the inconsistencies they say are in the book.

But a defiant Miguna on Saturday warned those around Mr Odinga to tread carefully because he claimed he has more on them.

He said he was working on a second book, including his diaries which he said revealed the role of some ODM leaders in planning the post-election violence.

Reaction to Mr Miguna’s book continued on Saturday. Nairobi lawyer PLO Lumumba confirmed meeting former World Bank country director Colin Bruce at the height of the 2008 election crisis as reported in the book but denied the meeting was about recognition of President Kibaki.

“We met to discuss modalities of peaceful reconciliation when the country was in chaos,” Mr Lumumba told the Sunday Nation.

He was reacting to a claim by Mr Miguna that the meeting was to lay down strategies on how world leaders would recognise Kibaki.

Mr Miguna claims Dr Bruce was recalled from Kenya when the meeting’s agenda leaked.

Yesterday, Mr Lumumba said those at the meeting were not “Kibaki affiliated” professionals as claimed by Mr Miguna in his book.

Kenya: The Role of Youth in Realising Devolved System of Governance

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From: amenya gibson

Dear people,

There was a popular song during Kenyatta regime which was called Rudi Mashabani.(Hope I have the title of the song right)

It seems the late Mzee knew one day Kenyans will be forced to go back to rural areas and develop them.

Now under Kibaki and Raila we have divided Kenya into 47 counties.

Now my proposal to young people you stand to gain when you start step by step something in some of these counties.

Young people the ball is in your hands and if you play it well you could see alot of opportunities flowing in your ways and this will go to great length of elevating living standards of all Kenyans.

Thus my fellow people let us engage on many opportunities that are available in those counties.

Likes of brother Otieno Sungu will be busy setting up mega chicken rearing plant and help export some of these KUKU to other nations.

I find it sad that those fish farms that were built during Hon Uhuru Kenyantta when he was finance minister through Economic Stimulus Program most of them are not functioning.

Is young people who must push for full realisation of develop system of government and help grow this economy

—
Thanks
Gibson Amenya
Level Moja Capital Solutions
Skype id amenya.gibson

—
Thanks for Supporting the National Youth Sector Alliance
To post to this group, send email to nysa1@googlegroups.com
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KENYA: THE TWO CONSTITUENCIES IN KASIPUL-KABONDO ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE FIRE WORKS DURNG THE CAMPAIGN IN THE 2013 GENERAL ELECTIONS

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Oyugis Town

The densely populated Kasipul-Kabondo is one area in the greater Southern Nyanza region which is expected to produce the real fire works during the forthcoming general elections.

The Interim Electoral and Boundary Commission {IEBC} has since sub-divided the vote rich constituency into two parliamentary electoral constituencies.

The IEBC has renamed the old constituency, naming the upper side as Kasipul-Kabondo, while the lower part has been renamed Kasipul.

The renaming of the two constituencies all located in Rachuonyo South district within the Homa-Bay County is understandably in communal, political and economic interests of the diverse clans and sub-clans living in the region.

The original Kasipul-Kabondo is one of the oldest parliamentary constituencies in the old greater Southern Nyanza region. It was created in 1962 by the then Electoral and Boundary Commission, which was appointed by the British government’s Colonial Office, and led by a British University professor Prof. Mackenzie.

Its first MP was an American trained ex-school teacher called Samuel Onyango Ayodo who was sponsored by KANU. Ayodo beat a fellow teacher John Ogweno Oindi. Ayodo was from Kabondo while Ogweno hail fro Kojwach in eastern Kasipul.

Prior to the 1963 general elections, Ayodo had served for three years as a member of the White settlers-dominated colonial Legislative Council. He was plucked out of Kisii Government African School {now Kisi High School} in 1959 by the late Tom Mboya and successfully contested in the by—election to fill the vacant Legco seat left by the jailed former member Lawrence Gerald Ouda, who had won the South Nyanza seat in 1957 and became one among the first eight African Elected Members of the Legco.Other African el3ecedLegc members were Ronald Gideon Ngala {Coast}, James Nzau Muimi {Ukambani}, Thomas joseph Mboya {Nairobi}, Benard Mate {Central}, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi {Rift Valley}, ADONIJAH Obadiah Oginga Odinga { Central Nyanza }.and Henry Masinde Muliro {North Nyanza}.

Out of the eight African elected members of Legco, Masinde Muliro was the holder of a and Bachelor of Arts University degree which he had obtained from a South African University and Benard Mater who had a master’s degree.

Ngala and Odinga both had graduated at Makereee University College in Uganda diploma certificates in teaching

Oguda was arrested and prosecuted for flimsy criminal offence of making seditious and inflammatory remarks in a public gathering at Awendo Market. He was taken all the way to Kericho where he was hurriedly arraigned before the one-eyed white man acting as resident magistrate whose name was Capt. Grey and found guilty and sentenced to 12 month.

Oguda was freed from prison in 1960 after serving and completing his jail term and made an unsuccessful effort to recapture the seat. He was handed a devastative defeat by Ayodo. Oguda by then was aligned to Jaramogi Going Odinga while Ayodo was a political associate of Tom Mboya.

But in the 1961 “Little General election” which was called by the colonial office in London and which pitied KANU and KADU after the first round the table constitutional conference held in Lancaster House, London, between February and March 1960 Oguda was in the election race against Ayodo for the same South Nyanza seat.

South Nyanza electoral area covered vast areas as Kericho and Bomet and part of Narok Counties, what is today known as Kisii and Nyamira Counties,Homa-Bay and Migori Counties.

But in the 1069 general election that was called by the founding Preident Jomo Kneyatta immediately after Mboya’s assassination, Ayodo who had been a cabinet Minister in the post-indepedence cabnet waa given a thorough beating by a fellow former school teacher James E. Mbori –Yogo.

Ayodo, however who won the seat once again, bounced back in 1974 and successfully defended his seat in 1979, but lost it to Mbori again in 1983. Mbori was re-elected in 1988.

In 1992 during the first multiparty elections in Kenya a firebrand Dr Ralph Kopiyo who contested the seat on the Oginga Odinga led Ford-Kenya party dismissed Mbori of KANU and sent him into political limbo.Kopiyo was ousted in 1997 by William Oloo Otula who lost the seat to Eng Pete Otieno Owidi in 2002, but the latter died in the midterm causing the by-election which saw Paddy Ahenda winning he controversy-ridden by election. Ahenda lost to the incumbent Joseph Oyugi Maguwanga in 2007.

In the case of the Kasipul origonaly set apart from the newly created Kasipul-Kabondo, which it shall be analyzing in the near future the contest, may be headed for clans politics for the first time in elections history of the people of Kasipul, who consider themselves as shrning one ancestral grand father,Sipul sn of Rachuonyo son of Jok.

All the previous elections in this region have always been contested on personality cult and not on clans and sub-clans and superiority in numbers.

This constituency is divided down the sub-clan line, the Jokatinda Nyar Kamine comprisng Kodera, Kotieno, Konyango, the largest, In this arrangement the Jo-Kachien from Kachien location will provide the swing votes, just in the same way s the Jo-Kojwach voters have been doing in the past eletions.

Several names, however, are being floated as the potential aspirants. Some of the people beng mentioned have aleady hit the ground in their campaign trails.

Other would be aspirants have been heard advertising their potentialities in series of articles posted to the numerous social websites and news online, but have neither foot in Kasip for the purpose of lobbying for their votes and such they have been branded paper-tigers.

They included Kisumu based wealthy business tycon Eng. Tom Awino Okoko,a Nairobi based lawyer Mr Ochilo’a.

Geographically speaking, the incumbent MP Oyugi Maguwanga will have to defense his seat in the lower Kasipul, because the new Ksipul-Kabondo boundary realignment has placed his home in the old Kasipul near Oyugis, while the boundary re-alignment has left the MP’s parents in their home which is in the newly created Kasipul-Kabondo. He hails from the minority immigrant jo-Wasweta sub-clan whose origins can be traced in predominantly Suba regions in Migori nd Mbita.

The may have he option to either defend his seat in the old Kasipul onstituency where he is living or chose to contest the election in the newly created Kasipul Kabondo where his parent and family members lives. He is however, said to be facing lean time in the lower Ksipul due to his dismal performance in the current paliament because he is among one those legislators listed as not being of high performance. the ODM is the party of choice in his region, which has the highest voters registration in 2007 toppig close to 75,000

The newly created constituency retained Kasipul-kabondo owing to the fact that several sub-clans of the indigines people of Kasipul origins such as Kakelo,Kokwanyo and Kojwach were geographically included in the new constituency grouped together with Jo-Jabondo groups to forms the new constituency now called Kasipul-Kabondo.

The men considered as being serious contenders for the seat included the Meru based businessman Ong’ondo Were, Kisumu based tycoon En. Tom A Okok, Nairobi lawyer Ochilo, Norway based Dr. Otien Mbare and the incumbent MP oyugi Maguwanga.

Among these men Dr. Mbare and Sam Kotiende are perennial election losers in the area and have contested the election before in the old Kasipul-Kabondo in previous elections. In fact they include the youthful Sam Kotiende and as such they are not newcomers to the race.

However, the election in Kasipul could be complicated following the recent emergence of a cartel of power-brokers who are known to be shuttling here and there peddling pack dreadful lies and concocted information I vain effort praying other aspirants in bad taste.

Oyugis Town is awash with extortionists and power-brokers for hire and political hireling hunting for cash hand-outs from the aspirants using menaces tactics including slenderous tactics ad crude manner of peddling information. Some of the political hirelings and goons are either found in Oyugi Town huttling between Oyugis and Nairobi in search of the campaign resources, while engaging in slanderous campaign against their perceived political enemies either real or imagined

The main trading center is Oyugis, but there are smaller trading centers such as Kadongo, Sondu, Chabera, Ober, Ringa and Sikri.The region is served by the Kisumu-sondu-Oyugis-Kisii and Migori highway.

Although agriculturally rich with god rainfall, fertile and arable land ,most land are still laying fallow sparsely cultivated with exception of Kabondo region where farmers have turned into growing the money-minting sweat potatoes, tea, maize, pineapples, bananas, vegetables and other cash and food grains for domestic consumption.

There are any immigrant sub-clansi Kasipul such as Nyakach Agoro, Nyakach Jimo, Mugusero, Kagak, Jo-Osije, Koredo, Wasare, and many other smaller sub-clans which are not indigines.

Ends

KENYA: VARSITY DEGREE REQUIREMENT PUNCTURES RAILA AND HIS ALLIES ELECTORAL AMBITIONS

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By Jowi Ratego.

A group of luo Members of parliament are presently under political quagmire after the recent passing of a bill in parliament which only University degree holders will be required to contest for parliamentary seat.

Word going round says the move making those who wants to contest for Presidency and Governorship to have a University degree is aimed at blocking the Country’s current Prime Minister Raila Odinga from contesting the Presidency as he is alleged that he does not posses any degree with many demanding to know which University he went to and whom he schooled with, surprisingly he has opted to either ignore the queries or seems to be convinced that with time the queries will go away and die natural death something unlikely as it keeps on oozing over his head.

His former adviser in the coalition whom he parted ways with unceremoniously Miguna Miguna has always demanded that as the country’s leader he should tell all and sundry his level of education something he has not deem fit to do.

The National Alliance Party of Kenya Secretary General George Onyango Oloo has on many occasions said that contrary to the beliefs of many that Raila was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, the plain truth is that Raila was a mere lab attendant who was tasked with “washing test tubes” and at no any given time was he ever a lecturer.

“If its true Raila was a lecturer and went to any University he should tell us with whom he schooled with and he lectured who, its better he restricts his ukora to the members of the luo community and not to deceive the entire Kenya populace, the parliament’s move is a good riddance and might shed some truth in regard to the entire issue” Oloo added.

As at the present moment luo MPs who are victims of the recent bill are burning their midnight oil desperately looking as to how the Supreme Court might change the said constitution something which seems unlikely.

“It will be a tall order for the supreme court to change what the parliament has decided on since it’s the law making organ of the constitution “one MP allied to the ODM party lamented arguing that some of his illiterate parliamentary colleagues who have brought all these problems bedeviling ODM party.

Just a look at the current luo Members of Parliament who do not have sound academic background and are wetting their pants as a result that a requirement of having a degree is a pre requisite for one to be in parliament;

1-Edwin Yinga – Alego Usonga

He does not posses any post secondary education and that is what made voters of Alego Usonga for long ignore him at the expense of both the oratorical Peter Oloo Aringo and lately Arthur Weya,

His acumen lies in his marriage to the family of one time PC Eliud Mahihu, he has really let down his voters who says that he is hardly found in his constituency coupled with his playing hide and seek with the said voters either in Nairobi or in Kisumu which is usually his destination upon his arrival from Nairobi under the guise of going to the constituency.

2-Washington Jakoyo Midiwo—Gem

He is in parliament courtesy of his relationship with Raila who is his cousin after having been floored in the ODM parliamentary elections by a leading prominent Nairobi Advocate Ambrose Rachier who is credited with turning around soccer within the country.

He purports to be possessing a University degree yet records shows that he did Food and Beverage at a diploma level and wasted his entire time abroad chasing thighs and skirts.

3-Fred Outa ——-Nyando

One of the most excess baggage in parliament, he hardly contributes to any issue in parliament and anytime he rises to contribute he is permanently out of order.

His academic qualifications is not known as he initially purported to be a cleric and records shows that he spent most of his time in the US taking care of the aged and massaging them at an old people rescue centre.

He is so poor in communicated English with many wondering if truly he studied in the US,

Coupled with how he fleeced rice farmers making the bedrock of his voters, Outa stares abject poverty in his eyes as he is said to have sold all his assets to influence Raila to he lp him get an ODM nomination certificate .

4-Ochieng’ Pollins Anyango “Daima”————-Nyakach

He is one of the few wealthy luo parliamentarians, he is a form four leaver but got his fortune at Kenindia Insurance Company, periodically he contributes to parliamentary debates.

He wasa manager of the said Insurance Company for alongtime

5-Joseph Oyugi Magwanga————Kasipil Kabondo

He is also a form four leaver , initially he used to split firewood at the hospital of his brother where he worked together with the current Mayor of Oyugis Omondi Fwony.

He can be said to be better than Outa as he periodically contributes to parliamentary debates.

6-John Pesa———————-Migori.

He is untrained teacher, a product of those post-independence “gumbaru learners”.

He hardly contributes to parliamentary debates and very few knows him.

7-Martin Otieno Ogindo—————Rangwe

He worked as a revenue collector for most local authorities, he has those weekly certificates accumulated as a result of attending workshops and seminars.

He purports to be an account which is not the case as he has never attended any post secondary institution.

8-Omondi Anyanga Edick————————-Nyatike

He is said to be so illiterate that he can not write his name and he thumb prints any official document.

He is one of the former YK 92 youths who was in charge of Southern Nyanza Region.

He is also an informer of the police where he is usually paid stipends for any information he delivers about his colleagues

KENYA: ODM SEC GEN PROF.NYONG’O ADMITS THAT THEIR PARTY IS MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT

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By Agwanda Saye,

ODM party Secretary General and Medical Services Minister Prof.Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has admitted that his party is no longer a superpower in parliament as quarters he purports to be anti-reforms have ganged up to frustrate the party,

Speaking in Nyakach District within Kisumu Countyduring the buriual of the late Bonface Anyango father of the area MP Pollins Ochieng’ Daima,Nyong’o said that henceforth ODM will resort to fighting its battle outside the parliament as they have noticed that fighting in parliament is in vain as they can not make numbers.

“Our party cannot sway any voting party in parliament as anti- reformists have ganged against it to oppose anything its back, we have lost considerably due to split within the party and its upon luos to make sure that we go back to our previous position” he added.

During the function ,Muhoroni MP and Education Assistant Minister Prof.Ayiecho Olweny commended the parliament for the passage of the constitution which allows only graduate degree holders to contest for parliamentary seat.

“we must have a literate parliament not an illiterate parliament where legislatures pass laws they are ignorant of then they cry wolf later” he added

USA: Ethical businesses are not privateers!

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From: Chuck Watts

Chuck Watts shared Empathy Surplus Project’s post with you.

Empathy Surplus Project
Ethical businesses are not privateers

Political Private Practice
Privatization can be pretty exciting. It’s true! Just imagine a privatizer as a guy with an eyepatch and a carpet steamer. Let’s talk about it, people!

– – – – – – – – – – –

Op-Ed Columnist
Political Private PracticeBy GAIL COLLINS
Published: June 20, 2012

I know this is not a thrilling topic. I recently wrote a book in which I tried to juice up the subject by suggesting that readers might want to imagine a privatizer as a cross between a pirate and a sanitizer — a guy with an eyepatch and a carpet steamer. This was a desperate attempt at, um, humorization. I am so ashamed.

In the dreary world of the real, privatization means turning over a government function to the private sector. It has such a long history that it’s a wonder we still have any public sector left. The Ancient Greeks did it. The Han dynasty did it. Birds do it. Bees do it. Even Harvard Ph.D.’s do it.
. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/collins-political-private-practice.html?_r=2&emc=eta1

USA, MD: ODM USA RELOADED CARAVAN – SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2012

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From: ODM USA CHAPTER

Dear Party Member,

The ODM USA CHAPTER’S reloaded caravan starts IN THE DMV area this Saturday June 23, 2012 at Fairland Regional Park
3928 Greencastle Road, Fairland, MD 20904 (See attached flier). We expect to be joined by ODM Organizing Secretary Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, MP for Kisauni Constituency. You are welcome to join and be part of the movement. All are encouraged to be in their ODM attire. Thereafter, we will participate in other planned community events including a funeral fundraiser to help Mr. Sammy Osano following the death of his son. The venue for the fundraiser is yet to be announced.

Orange Democratic Movement – A Movement of the People
ODM.pdf

Together, we’re building a great future

ODM FAMILY PICNIC & RECRUITMENT DRIVE

With Music & Food Fairland Regional Park3928 Greencastle Road, Fairland, MD 20904 On SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2012 from 1:00 pm

Join The Party With An Agenda For The People Of Kenya Register As A Member

The party that is ready to deal with issues such as ;

– Corruption
– Education
– Food Security
– Marginalization
– National Economy
– Gender Equality
– Infrustructure
– National Security
– Poverty & Disease
– Tribalism
– Unemployment

Kenya: It is being rumored that some Luo politicians MPs included had celebrated the death of Orwa Ojode to the chagrins of his family and relatives

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town

What could have been a high profile burial and solemn and tear sending off of the former Assistant Minister for the Internal Security Joshua Orwa Ojode turned chaotic and almost was marred by violence following deadly rumor that a section of Luo politicians including unnamed MPs had celebrated the sudden and tragic death of the Ndhiwa MP.

These rumors were the source of high tension that gripped the funeral home when the former Assistant Minister was laid to rest at his Unga village home in Kanyamwa Central, Ndhiwa district. The anger and sentiments of hostilities were displayed openly resulting in one MP from a neighboring constituency being totally barred fro making any speech or being introduced to the mourners. The MP had to be slipped out of the home quietly unnoticed..

Another deadly rumor had also reached the ears of Ojode’s close relatives and friend that some unnamed politicians and several MPs from Homa-Bay County had hired youths and political goons with instructions to heckle and shout at certain targeted speakers during the burial ceremony.

It was further alleged that an MP from the region was the one who had sent a secret word to the goons that had blocked the vehicle carrying the late Minister’s casket from entering his Unga village home last Friday. The goons who fought a running battle with the security men insisted that the body must be taken to Ojode’s Ratang’a parents home before being driven to his own home at Unga for an overnight stay.

The sequence of event last Friday had complicated the matter for the late Minister’ family, and this is prompted his Widow Mary Ojode to deliver such a harsh statement while eulogizing her husband.

Meanwhile sources close to the Ojode family pointed an accusing finger at the Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister Otieno Kajwng’ who is the MP for Mbita, and the Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo.

The two are blamed for having politicized the burial of the departed soul of the abrasive Ndhiwa MP for political expediency.

The two senior-most politician in the Homa-Bay County were blamed for the close breakdown I protocol, Otieno Kajwang’ is the current ODM Homa-Bay County branch chairman, while Ogindo is the vice chairman, The branch Secretary is the Karachuonyo MP Eng James K Rege who is absolved of any blame as he did not featured anywhere I the burial arrangement.

But Kajwng’ who was not in talking terms with Orwa Ojode while he was alive later emerged from nowhere to the chagrins of the family ad appointed himself the master of ceremony.

The event was a high profile burial in that it was attended by President Mwai Kibaki, the Prime Minister Rail Odinga, the Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the entire member of the cabinet, Assistant Ministers and close to 103 MPs representing various constituencies in parliament led by the Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Otiato Marende whose words of wisdom while condolensing the family of the late Ojode was like the gospel and inspired each and every mourner in attendance.

The occasion was a very special one and required high profile public relations. The noise making youths demanding forcefully to be served with food, were some of the intrigues allegedly masterminded by the anti-Ojode elements within the ODM Luo politician prompting the Ojode family to feel that party of the huge crowd that attended the funeral were not genuine mourners, but people who had gone to their home to shade the crocodiles tears.

Civic leaders led by the Mayor of Nairobi Coun Aladwa, the mayor of Mombasa, Coun Moudhir the Mayor of Kisumu, Coun Sam Okello, heads of parastatals and quasi government organizations. The presence of the Mayors from urban centers across the country were never mentioned, and the poor protocols which were haphazardly conducted by Kajwng’ was a total disappointment.

The task performed by the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Migori MP John Pesa, the Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marenda President Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga were commendable. Their word of wisdom helped a lot in calming down the highly charged situation, which ordinarily could have easily exploded into mayhem.

A number of presidential aspirants who included the Eldoret North William Ruto and the Sabatia MP Musalia Mudavadi had been targeted for booing and heckling by the excessively intoxicated and drunken goons.

Also earmarked for booing was the immediate former Rangwe MP Eng Philip Okundi, who is currently the chairman of the ODM elections board and chairman of the Communication Commission of Kenya {CCK}.

Okundi is once again in the race aspiring to be elected to the lucrative position of governor for Homa-Bay County, a position which the incumbent Rangwe MP Otieno Ogindo is also vying for.

It was originally planned that heckling of Okundi would depict him as unsuitable person for the governorship position and unpopular.

The action by noise making political hirelings had depicted members of the Luo community as most backward people. One mourner from the Kalenjin region was heard saying, ”But we thought the Luos were the most educated and civilized lots in this country. We did not expect to behave like this.”

In life, Orwa Ojode ha parted the company with the Prime Minister Raila Odinga ever since the formation of the coalition government of PNU / ODM in 2008. He has since then never shown his face to any public function conducted by he Prime Minister, and also kept low profile during the ODM grass root elections and boycotted all the party functions.

After the constitutional referendum of November 2005, in which the orange group which was led by Raila Odinga meted a sweeping victory over the Banana group supporting President Mwai Kibaki, there was a major cabinet reshuffle in which all the ministers allied to Orange Democratic Movement were including Raila Odinga wee sacked.

President Kibaki, however, surprisingly appointed Orwa Ojode to a full cabinet minister inchrge of Forestry and Wildlife. The Ndhiwa MP, however, declined the appointment in solidarity with his sacked friends including Raila Odinga.

Ojode ha served previous as an Assistant Minister for lands and Settlement and later as an assistant Minister for Education and was the chief campaigner of Raila Odinga presidential election in 2007. Prior to these events, Ojode has been very vocal and formidable defender of Raila Odinga on issues related to national importance and was expected to clinch a full cabinet portfolio, but many people were shocked when he was relegated to the Junior position of an Assistant Minister.

The situation was so much aggravated by he fact that Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who all along and prior to the 2007 general election was loyal KANU member and leader was given the flag by Raila Odinga. Otieno Kajwang’ had never worked in the government was also appointed to a full cabinet position as the Minister for Immigration and Registration of Persons. Ojode considered himself as much senior to Kajwang in terms of parliamentary experience. He entire into parliament in 1994 whereas Otieno Kajwang;’ first entered into the August House in1997.

Before his death in an helicopter crash on Sunday June 10, Ojode had confided to this writer that he was considering the option of ditching the ODM and standing and defending his Ndhiwa parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. He said he felt like leaving the ODM, because the party was full of loose talkers and people with bad gossiping attitude.

He told me that while he was attending the funeral of Mr Phelogona Okundi in Rangwe constituency, he was suddenly attacked by Dr Oburu Oginga in full view of the mourners and accused of being one among those undermining the ODM. The incident took place when the grouping including the Prime Minister had attended the burial if the former Kasipul-Kabondo MP Eng. Pete Owidi near Oyugis. He and Raila, he said drove to Awendo to witness the opening of Sugarland Hotel in Awendo town which is owned by the former Rongo Mp George Ochillo-Ayacko, and after enjoying the evening in a large group of MP and friends he and Raila drover to his palatial home at Unga in Ndhiwa for the night. But the next day, he was publicly and scathingly attacked the Bondo MP Dr Oburu Oginga, the eldest brother of Raila Odinga. He felt that there were innuendos of bad gossiping going on about him and thereafter he choose to stay away from the group and concentrated on his ministerial duties giving the ODM party a break.,

In an exclusive interview with this writer a month ago, Ojode had recalled that similar attack was mated out to the former Deputy leader of ODM and the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi when the latter turned up for the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga memorial service at the late Jaramogi Kang’o home in Bondo. In this particular function the Gem MP publicly attacked and savagely condemned Mudavadi.Ojode maintained that he believed the attack had contributed to Mudvadi’s departure fromn ODM. The unwarranted attack drove Mudavadi out of the ODM, so the ODm is full of bad gossipers and so called power-brokers

KENYA: THE WEEK THAT SAW CHOPPER CRASH

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2012

It is exactly one week today since the helicopter that killed Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode, two body guards and two pilots crashed. Many speculations leading to the crash have been said since then.

On Tuesday, June 12, 2012, Uganda newspaper, Daily Monitor in its headline reported that Al Shabaab warns of more Kenyan deaths. Uganda’s State Minister for internal affairs, Mr James Baba, described al-Shabaab’s threats and the terror group’s reported jubilation at the fatal crash as “sad and evil”.

Although the al-Qaeda-associated group did not claim direct responsibility for killing the Kenyan ministers, they threatened to “eliminate” all Kenyan leaders. “Kenyan leaders will perish through the actions of our courageous militants,” the group said in a statement released to the public.

Through a message circulated via social medium, Twitter, al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group fervently opposed to that country’s fragile Transitional Federal Government, announced its intentions following the death of the Kenyan officials on Sunday. “Their deeds affected Muslim people in this country,” the Twitter piece stated in respect to the ministers.

On Monday June 11, 2012, The Kenyan DAILY POST reports that Saitoti spoke passionately of peace in the country and war against Al Shabaab. The terror group who have the twitter handle @hsmpress have since spoken out on this issue.

The paper connected all the tweets they wrote. Here is their celebratory message. “Kenyans should know that neither would their country ever prosper nor their security improve under the heels of such men. Better off dead! The remaining invaders should be expectant that Allah will inflict His punishment by Himself upon the Kuffar or by the hands of Mujahideen He has been aggressive in his war against Islam but died the wretched death of a Kafir and now lies rotting in his coffin on his way to hell.

For the hundreds of Muslims killed & displaced by Kenya’s brutal invasion, Saitoti’s death is but a droplet of justice in a sea of oppression Saitoti played a prominent role in overseeing the abduction, torture & imprisonment of hundreds of innocent Muslims in his war against Islam.

From strafing of refugee camps in Somalia to the abdominal treatment of Muslims in Kenya, Saitoti and his likes perpetrated heinous crimes HSM welcomes the death of the evil minister upon whose authorization thousands of Muslims suffered both in Somalia and Kenya”.

Mr Saitoti the Daily Monitor rep[orts, has been among the foremost voices against terror attacks which have rocked Nairobi, and an apologetic supporter of his country’s deployment of troops to help rid southern Somalia of al-Shabaab elements. Uganda which also had deployed peacekeepers in Somalia under Amisom suffered twin terror attacks that killed at least 80 people in Kampala in July 2010.

Kenya deployed thousands of troops into Somalia in October last year, in hot pursuit of al-Shabaab militants it accused of undermining the security and economy of Kenya.

On Tuesday June 12, 2012, The DAILY POST reports that Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga dismissed claims that the helicopter crash that killed Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode, two body guards and two pilots was an accident.

Magwanga who is Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator said the deaths of Saitoti and Ojode is all about succession politics and was planned and executed by some people he declined to name.

Magwanga further questioned the circumstances that led to the accident, saying the helicopter was ranked among the best in the police service.

“If you look at the circumstances surrounding their death, it all points to foul play by certain individuals keen on 2012 succession politics and those who are supporting Mombasa Republic Council and those opposing the outlawed group ideologies,” Magwanga said, saying Prof Saitoti and Ojode were against the secessionist demands of MRC.

While Juja MP William Kabogo, Naivasha MP John Mututho, Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari and Peter Mwathi of Limuru warned the government against giving contradicting theories on the death of Saitoti, Ojode and four others, DN2, Friday, June 15, 2012 quotes Kabogo as saying’ “Kabogo who is said to own a helicopter, told parliament that as a qualified pilot, he couldn’t see how Ngong crahs could have resulted from pilot disorientation”.

Saitoti, 67 was a presidential hopeful in the forth coming general election and was president Kibaki’s confidante and a dedicated member of Party of National Unity (PNU) while Ojode was ODM MP for Ndhiwa constituency in Luo Nyanza Region.

According to Amos Kimunya, the plane was brand new, bought in 2011-the two pilots were very experienced, human error unlikely. There were no visibility problems on that day. It is unknown what happened between 8.38am and 8.42am, all communication with pilot cut off.

Kimunya made this observation on Monday, June 11, 2012 at a special cabinet meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) where he dismissed the first four causes of any plane crash (incompetency and inexperience of the pilots, human error, bad weather and the state of the air craft.)

Reports according to the government say that the weather was clear and visibility was good (actually over 8 kms), they also say that the Euro copter aircraft number 5YCDT A5350 which had only 100 hours flying time since its registration in January was in good working condition.

On the question of experience of the two pilots, Kimunya said that Nancy Gituanja had over 1166 hours and 29 minutes of flying time which according to pilots is good.

Nancy Gituanja is said to have experience with the Euro craft as she is the one who checked the chopper after it was serviced on Friday. Reports say that she flew the chopper to Voi on a test drive and confirmed it was ok.

She later parked it at the Wilson Airport Kenya Police Air wing hanger. It is said that she later went to Dumbsters restaurant with Oyugi when one of the engineers came to the restaurant and informed her that the chopper was having a problem with the lighting though it was just a minor problem.

Reports say that Gituanja was not designated to fly the chopper on Sunday as she was to attend a family gathering at Kandara. The chopper was to be flown by Capt. Kuto and Oyugi.

The chopper left Wilson Airport at exactly 8. 32 a.m. and at 8.37 the pilot communicated to control with a request to take a new frequency 118.5. Immediately a critical tracking device stopped working due to internet failure. It is also said that the pilot did not report any distress call evidence enough that there was communication breakdown.

Apart from Saitoti being the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on ICC, there have been political assassinations before. What leaves a lot to be desired is that it took some presidential candidates’ time to send condolences and when they did it looked like crocodile tears.

One wonders also why Gituanja was forced to travel even when she was not designated to fly the chopper on Sunday as she was to attend a family gathering at Kandara. The chopper was to be flown by Capt. Kuto and Oyugi. Also why a bodyguard was replaced last minute.

It is also to be recalled that George Saitoti had warned politicians against dragging President Kibaki’s name in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) debate.

In a statement, Saitoti also warned civil society and the media against making speculative comments linking the President to ICC trials.

“Such comments are unwarranted, alarming and unfounded. Kenyans should ignore them,” Saitoti was quoted to have said. Sources said Saitoti met Kibaki at Harambee House before he issued the statement at his office.

President Kibaki offered himself as a character witness in one of the cases. “President Kibaki’s name must not be misused or manipulated to make speculative inferences that there is a scheme to drag him into the ICC cases,” said Saitoti.

Saitoti seemed to have been hitting out at a section of G7 Alliance politicians who have been going around the country claiming the cases at The Hague are aimed at the President.

Saitoti’s statement on Kibaki’s alleged involvement in the violence was the second one to come from top Government officials since the international court confirmed four of the six Kenyans’ cases.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

2013 Kenya Elections: Out-of-Country Voting (OCV)-Diaspora Press Statement

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From: Comfort Mwangi
Date: Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Subject:
To: “info@mwakilishi.com” , “info@ajabuafrica.com” , harrison maina , “diasporamessengaer@yahoo.com” , “digitalnews@nation.co.ke” , “contact@diasporaspring.com” , “jaluo@jaluo.com” , “jambonews@jambonewspot.com” , “jambonewspot@gmail.com” , “ksomung2007@yahoo.com”

Please release this statement asap.
Thanks for your support.
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Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative

2013 Kenya Elections: Out-of-Country Voting (OCV)-Diaspora Press Statement

The Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative an NGO providing a platform for a global network of organizations representing Kenyans living abroad, is raising its voice and mobilizing concerted Diaspora action to secure the full implementation of the constitutional provisions allowing Kenyans living overseas to vote in the 2013 general elections. The KDDC takes the position that the spirit and letter of the constitution cannot be interpreted and applied in a manner that will have the effect of disenfranchising millions of eligible voters living in the Diaspora. This Press Statement is intended to draw the attention of the relevant authorities and concerned agencies that such violation of the democratic rights of citizens has no place in a modern democracy.

Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2012
Calling for Unequivocal Leadership Action on Out-of-Country Voting

Kenyans living in the Diaspora have welcomed with enthusiasm the constitutional provisions that will allow us to vote for the first time in Kenya’s elections. However, we are increasingly concerned about the statements attributed to a growing number of leaders indicating shifting goal posts on the prospects and preparations for the first ever Diaspora vote.

This is a call by the Kenyan Diaspora community to the nation’s leadership to act without equivocation and implement the constitutional provisions allowing out of country voting (OCV) for millions of Kenyans who stand to be disenfranchised if no action is taken.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 16, 2012 – The Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative hereby calls in one voice to the National Leadership to act with urgency to implement the constitutional provisions allowing out of country voting. Urgent action will eliminate the confusion and the possibility of disenfranchising millions of Kenyans during the forthcoming General Elections.

As a singularly important election ushering in new leadership under a new constitution, the historic significance of having every Kenyan exercising his/her democratic rights cannot be over-emphasized. Kenyans in the Diaspora are passionately anticipating exercising our constitutional rights during these historic elections. However, the Kenyan Diaspora community is becoming increasingly alarmed by the streams of political statements that continue to be made by leaders regarding the issue of Out-of-Country voting. These statements appear to be at variance with the expectation based on the constitution’s provisions that Diaspora Kenyans will vote in the March 2013 elections. The Kenya Diaspora Development collaborative is concerned that neither leaders nor the responsible institutions such as the IEBC and the CIC are taking the appropriate measures to clarify and bring this matter to a proper conclusion. It is time to stop the politics and start the development.

The constitutional provisions allowing the Kenya Diaspora to vote in the elections for the first time are clear. We consider the apparent inclination on the part of the government to truncate these provisions on the basis of logistical and administrative considerations as an attempt to deny millions of Kenyans their chance to elect leaders of their choice and to exercise their constitutional rights. We believe that the Kenya Government has the capacity to make budgetary provisions and secure the logistical support for a successful out-of-country voting. For example, the Finance Ministry recently laid out an unprecedented KShs 1.4 trillion finance bill, a clear indication that financial and logistical resources can be mobilized to ensure the Kenya Diaspora community can vote. With a proposed budget of $50 per ballot box we Kenyan’s in the Diaspora want to eliminate this expense by voting electronically and plead with the Finance Minister to allocated the savings from this exercise into other developmental budgeted items . At the same time, the Diaspora community is ready for structured consultations with national and international actors to identify and develop solutions to make the out-of-country vote a reality.

In response to the growing concerns in the Diaspora community, the Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative has passed a number of resolutions urging our national leaders and relevant institutions to take appropriate measure to address this important issue in a timely manner ahead of the elections.

We take this opportunity to communicate our recommendations to secure the attention of and proactive action by the leadership on this matter. We urge our leaders to take immediate action:

1. To unequivocally state a clear position guaranteeing that the Kenyan Diaspora community will vote in the forthcoming elections;

2. To immediately launch a Diaspora voter education and, subsequently, voter registration exercise in all key locations around the world having a significant concentration of the Kenyan Diaspora populations

3. To enlist the support of the Kenyan Diaspora community, host governments and other international institutions to help effectively leverage the logistical resources necessary for conducting the out-of-country vote.

4. To involve the Kenyan Diaspora community at every stage of planning and implementing the voting exercise including voter education, voter registration and the planning of voter centers

5. To immediately establish at the cabinet level, a joint stakeholders’ commission to develop the framework for and recommend steps towards ensuring Kenyans in the Diaspora can fully participate in the elections as electors, elections officials, and, where possible, as candidates.

6. To prepare and disseminate to the Diaspora community and to all Kenyans planned action and its implementation timeframe within the period of one month.

The Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative as a platform made up of a network of organizations representing Kenyans living in the Diaspora. KDDC continues its mission to create a climate of productive and structured dialogue between the Kenyan Diaspora community, the Kenya Government, National and International Institutions committed to the broad objective of Diaspora/GOK developmental partnership. Our goal is to nurture productive and sustainable relationships with the Kenya government and engage all members of the Diaspora community in shaping and influencing the developmental decisions that impact their lives. KDDC has representation from locations around the world where Kenyans live and work. Our membership is drawn from several of Diaspora organizations that are in conversations with us.

Contact Information:
Name: Comfort Munoru Mwangi
KDDC Chair
Website: http://kenyadiasporadev.org/
Face book: Kenya Diaspora Development Collaboration
Radio: http://kenyaprogressivevoice.org/

Kenya Diaspora Development Collaborative Press Statement

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KENYA: NDHIWA RESIDENTS EMBROILED IN TENTATIVE BEHIND THE SCENE CONSULTATIONS AND BRAINSTORMING OVER THE SEARCH FOR OJODE’S REPLACEMENT IN PARLIAMENT.

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town

The death in a chopper last Sunday has robbed the Ndhiwa constituents hardworking MPs who has turned around the hitherto most backward rural constituency into an ultra modern areas in the greater Southern Nyanza region.

Tentative plans are arrangement to have the departed soul of the abrasive MP buried at his palatial home in Unga, Kanyamwa in Ndhiwa district on Sunday. The high profile funeral is expected to attract one of the biggest gatherings in the region, which could only be in comparison to that of the world most acknowledged polygamist the late Asentus Akuku Ogwela {Dengerman} which took place in the same constituency two years ago.

While sending his heartfelt condolence to the family of Ojode, who died while serving as an Assistant Minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration, an ODM operative who is also candidate aspiring for the Senate Representative of Homa-Bay County, Hilary Ochieng’ Alila appealed to the electorates in Ndhiwa to search and vote only for a visionary leader,but not a common heckler armed with fake academic certificate.

Alila said the next parliament will have no room or politically mediocre with no proper educational background. The next Mp must emulate Ojode and ensure that all the socio-economic projects initiated by Ojode were completed in time.

Ojode set a wonderful example of dedicated services to the constituents,making Ndhiwa to be he role model of massive development in the region.

Meanwhile tentative behind the scene consultations are gong on in both Ndhiwa and Nairobi where the constituents are said to be brainstorming while searching for a possible replacement of Ojode, signifying an early campaign to start in earnest.

Several names are being fronted and floated by the residents as the possible successor o Orwa Ojode.

One of them men is the youthful graduate Jeremiah Owiti. The latter who hails from Kanyidoto location is working with an international NGO in Nairobi. He contested in the 2007, but lost to Ojode during the ODM preliminaries.

Owiti who is commonly known to his peers as “Jero” is a popular aspirant within the locality.

And he is credited for having actively involved in most of the socio-economic projects donating generously.

Another personality in Ndhiwa who is considered as the most suitable replacement for Ojode is the outspoken marine expert working in both Kisumu and Mwanza Ted Odero who hails from the populous and votes rich Kabuoch Location in Riana Division, Ndhiwa constituency.

Odero had indicated earlier that he would challenge Ojode a couple of months ago when he declared hi candidature for the Ndhiwa parliamen6ary seat. He is said to have been in good working terms with the deceased an also said to be a friend of the ODM leader Raila Odinga who I the Prime Minister.

Also considered for possible successor of Ojode is a young veterinary scientist who used to work with ILRAD in both Ethiopia an Kenya Dr Edward Rege. He is the younger step-brother to the incumbent Karachunyo MP Eng.James K Rege.

Dr Rege is Ojode’s immediate neighbor at Unga village in Ndhiwa, Kanyamawa and is credited or having contributed a lot toward cultural and sporting activities in Ndhiwa as well as financially supporting socio-economic project in the constituency.

Another name which is being floated is that of Luis Otieno, a cousin of the late Ojode. Luis is the eldest son of Matthew Otieno Ogingo who had served as a two times Ndhiwa MP. He is a senior manager with Microsoft Computer International for African region based in Nairobi.Ogingo at one time served in the Moi KANU regime as an Assistant Minister and also represented Kenya in the defunct Central Legislative Council of the defunct first East African Community in the late 1960s.{now East African Legislative Assembly}.

Ogingo and the late Ojode are cousins. Their fathers Ogingo Oteno, and the late Michael Ojode Otieno are brothers. Therefore Luis Otieno stand will earn a lot of sympathy votes from the electorate, especially from those sympathetic to the Ojode family over his tragedy and untimely death in a chopper crash.

The former Ndhiwa MP Tom Okello Obondo ho of late is said to have been warming up to the ODM party and its leadership. He is also said to be planning for a political come back. He has remained in the political limbo ever since he was defeated by Or Ojode for the same seat in 1974 after he had defected from Ford –Kenya back to KANU.

Another Nairobi based businessman whose name is also making he round and also being mentioned as a possible contestant is the flamboyant Tom Otieno Alila who is an official of the KFF representing Nyanza Province.Alila, however, has yet to indicate his interest in the vacant seat, perhaps would make his position clear after the mourning period of the late Ojode are over.

Also expected to be in the race is the perennial Ndhiwa election loser and the self-styled ODM coordinator in Nyanza Mrs Monica Amolo.She was a candidate in 2007 but lost to Ojode with a large margin of 12,000 votes against Ojode’s 48,000, She of late been facing series of accusations and allegation of bad-mouthing fellow politicians in the larger Homa-Bay County.

It is further being allege that Monica Amolo is always heard while bragging in private to be the one who having the ears of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. However, her popularity appeared to have waned and diminished in the recent past and are the lowest ebb. She hails from Kanyikela Location near Rapedhi SDA mission.

Issues which are likely to surface during the next include clan’s politics. Ndhiwa constituency is made up of several major and smaller communities, the most populous being the Jo-Kabuoch group, followed by their cousins the Jo-Kanyamwa, and other small sub-clans such as Kanyikela, Kanyidoto, Kwabwayi, Koguta, Kaguria and Komenya campaign.

There are also minor immigrant clans such as Kajulu, Kadhola and those originally migrated from the Suba communities Suba During his tenure of office which lasted for close to 16 years Orwa Ojode had neutralized all kinds of clan politics in the region and united the constituents who worked together. This is how the faster development has been achieved within the brief spell of time.

If the arithmetic and statistics of the registered voters is anything to go by, then Ted Odero stands a better chance of clinching the Ndhiwa seat, but this political scenario could only be witnessed if this time around the Kabuoch group can produce only one aspirant.

Ends

USA, DC: ODM FAMILY DAY PICNIC & RECRUITMENT

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From: Odm Usa

Dear Party Member,

Following the postponement of our annual party picnic that was to be held on June 9, 2012, we would like to inform you that the ODM Party Picnic will now be held on June 23, 2012. The attached flyer has the necessary information. Please come ready to register as a party member in readiness for the upcoming general election. Other regions have embarked on party activities including mobilizing party members and bringing awareness as to how important this coming general election will be.

Our party is counting on it’s members in the diaspora in order to achieve a resounding victory and take control of the Executive Branch of Government, Parliament and The Senate.

Use Twitter and Facebook to spread the word.

Sincerely
ODM – DC Chapter

– – – – – – – – – –

Together, we’re building a great future.

ODM FAMILY PICNIC & RECRUITMENT DRIVE With Music & Food Fairland Regional Park3928 Greencastle Road, Fairland, MD 20904 On SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2012 from 1:00 pm The party that is ready to deal with issues such as ; ??Corruption ??Education ??Food Security ??Marginalization??National Economy??Gender Equality ??Infrustructure ??National Security ??Poverty & Disease ??Tribalism ??Unemployment Together, we’re building a great future.Join The Party With An Agenda For The People Of Kenya Register As A Member

Kenya: PRESS STATEMENT: Fraud by Political Parties

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From: Okiya Omtatah Okoiti

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS

A good number of Kenyans, who have carried out searches on the IEBC Website portal at www.iiec.or.ke/rpp, have been shocked to find out that they are members of political parties they never joined or did not even know existed. Apparently, their names were fraudulently used by these political parties to comply with the requirement of the Political Parties Act, 2011, that they recruit “as members, not fewer than one thousand registered voters from each of more than half of the counties.”

Clearly, the Acting Registrar of Political Parties never verified, prior to registering the parties and issuing them with compliance certificates, that each one of the at least 24,000 people, whose names the parties presented as their members, were real members of those parties and that they willingly and freely gave their consent to be so registered, and that the information about them was accurate.

The least the Registrar was supposed to do was to verify with each one of the at least 24,000 founder members presented by political parties that each had consented to be a member of the said party. Apart from protecting the constitutionally secured fundamental rights of individuals, such verification would also prevent mischievous individuals from registering themselves or others in parties they oppose and later claiming that they were fraudulently registered so that those parties can suffer sanctions.

By failing to do that which the law requires or expects of her, the Registrar created a loophole which made it possible for unethical characters, out to register political parties or to harm other parties, to fraudulently use other people’s identities without those people’s prior knowledge or consent.

Under the Constitution, registering anybody as a member of an association of any kind without their prior knowledge and consent infringes on their right to privacy (Article 31). It also amounts to forcing or compelling a person to join an association in contravention of Article 36(2), which categorically states: “Any person shall not be compelled to join an association of any kind.”

It is also improper for the Registrar to publish names of registered party members in a website or in a publicly available register as the same can be used to victimise civil servants and other vulnerable individuals for their political preferences. In fact, it makes no sense to burden citizens by asking them to inspect and validate information that she has already used to certify parties as being compliant with the Political Parties Act, 2011. To make matters worse, not everybody will have the means to check the register and, therefore, many are likely to remain fraudulently listed without both their knowledge and consent. And this could also cause conflict when such a listed person wishes to run as an independent candidate, only to be barred for belonging to a party.

Even if some people check and remove themselves from the register, it will be too little too late since their constitutional right to privacy and the right not to be compelled to join an association of any kind will already have been contravened. All the same we call on all registered voters to verify from the website that their said rights are not being violated.

Ideally, it is the duty of the Registrar to ensure that everybody’s privacy is protected. No person should be compelled, by fraud or whatever means, to be a member of a political party. The Registrar cannot shift the burden of protecting Kenyans from herself to the public. And the duty is not on individuals to cure the injury by removing themselves from parties; the duty belongs to the State to prevent any injury. And this can only be done before, and not after the registration and resultant violation of fundamental rights.

According to Article 47(1) of the Constitution, Kenyans are entitled to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. In Article 19(3)(a), the Constitution declares that, the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights belong to each individual.

Hence, we call on Ms. Lucy Ndung’u, the Acting Registrar of Political Parties, to resign immediately for having demonstrated gross incompetence that has facilitated the said violations of the constitutionally secured fundamental rights of Kenyans. And the authorities must stop dilly-dallying and move with speed to appoint a substantive Registrar as required by the law.

Further, we also demand that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) asks the Police to thoroughly investigate the violations and immediately de-register all political parties found to have forged even a single name. Fining them Kshs. one million is inadequate and unacceptable if we desire to destroy immunity. In fact, the officials and political patrons of the parties that will be de-registered should be prosecuted and also be barred from being candidates at the coming general elections for having failed the integrity requirements of the new Kenya.

Finally, if Ms. Ndung’u does not resign and/or the IEBC does not deregister the offending political parties, we shall amend our Constitutional Petition against certain provisions of the Political Parties Act, which is pending in the High Court, for orders to that effect. We will also seek orders compelling the IEBC and the offending political parties to compensate victims to vindicate the violation of their constitutional rights by being compelled to be members of political parties.

We will spare no efforts because a river does not flow higher than its source. If we really crave integrity to our politics, then political parties, the Registrar, and the IEBC, who together are the foundation of our electoral process, must be above reproach. If we allow them to get away with the outrage, we will have planted the cancerous seeds of impunity that will kill the new democratic dispensation.

Signed on behalf of all by:
Okiya Omtatah Okoiti – 0722684777
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2012.

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

Raila is the most suitable presidential candidate judging from his tireless effort to improve the lives of Kenyans

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Homa-Bay Town.

SOME of the many presidential aspirants would only turn the country into a tribal fiefdom by balkanizing some tribes and pitting against their neighbors.

The only presidential hopeful with genuine agenda to turn this country around into a better home for every Kenyan is the Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

Odinga should be judged by his exemplary dedicated service in the trouble-ridden grand coalition government. While other Cabinet members spent their valuable time preaching tribal politics and incessantly making his work rather difficult, he has defied all the tricks in the books being place on his way to the presidency.

So many tribal alliance have been formed with no agenda for the better future for Kenyans, but simply for the purpose of blocking Raila’s path to the State House.But the ODM leader has always whither the storm and continued serving Kenyans diligently and tirelessly despite of what at times looked like high provocation and near insults directed at him by those disgruntled politicians who ganged up under the umbrella of ethnicity.

This remarks were made in Homa-Bay by the youthful ODM youth leader and coordinator in Nyanza Hilary Ochieng’Alila.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with this writer, Alila recently has launched a high profile campaign for the lucrative position of the Homa-Bay County Senate seat told more than a dozen or so presidential hopeful to change tactics and preach for the unity of all Kenyans.

They must be told that Kenyans are very much awake and keenly following their vitriols and would teach them the best lessons at the polls.”Every one will have to harvest only what he or she had sown.

“Those who are currently busy sowing the seed of discord and thriving on politics of malice will reap the fruits of their sweats. For any leader who want to be the ruler of this country it is imperative that such leaders preach only the gospel of unity and love among Kenyans. They must desist from running back to their communities and mobilizing them into tribal warriors or inciting them ageist their neighbors. Kenyans voters will in future only consider those preaching for cohesiveness and peaceful co-existence of all Kenyan communities.

“Those who have run short of ammunition with which to carry out canvassing or votes should opt out as soon as they realized that they had run short ideas and had nothing to tell Kenyans,” said Alila.

Alila reminded those who have deserted ODM in search of green pasture elsewhere to conduct” gentlemen campaign in their new political homes while exercising some amount of respect towards their former ODM colleagues.

He cited the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi who lost his Sabatia parliamentary seat in 2002 and was consigned into political limbo for close to five years only to be resuscitated politically to recover his lost seat in 2007 due to the ceaseless efforts of the ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Mudavadi was rescued from premature and forced retirement by ODM and he should be so grateful. He recovered from the shock of his dismal performance in 2002.The ODM offered him a second chance in the coalition cabinet and made him deputy leader of the party.

If there is any politician in this country who should be so thankful to Raila Odinga is none other than Musalia Mudavadi.”There are all the signs that those who have moved close to the DPM with ulterior monetary motives hoping to lay their hands in his reported unlimited campaign resources made available I abundance by the clique of anti-Raila elements within the coalition government have since disappeared in the thin air living him in loneliness,” said Alila.

He is one of the former Moi disciples who are known to have been the stumbling block against all kinds of reforms in this country.

Alila appealed to ODM members, leaders and their friends to double their effort with the view to ensure the outright decisive victory for the party in the next polls.

He urged them to strengthen the party at the grass root levels. ODM should win cleans all the civic seats in all he 47 Counties, Senate and return the largest parliamentary majority in the next general elections.

He went on,” Those placing her barriers on Raila’s path to the presidency will live to regret when they come to know that Kenyans are more intelligent voters.

Alila disclosed that it a bunch of anti-reformist who are still dreaming that he politics of impunity would return to protect their status quo who have ganged up behind the amorphous tribal alliances such as Kamatus,Gema etc.

Ends

Kenya: Karachuonyo MP wants ODM to discipline its loose talking leaders and rumor-mongers

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In KIsumu City

The Karachuonyo MP Eng. James K.Rege has strongly condemned a group of disgruntled and idle local politicians in his constituency who he has accused of manufacturing falsified and unfounded rumors about him.

Speaking to this writer via the phone from Mongolia near India where he had gone on a tour of parliamentary duties, Rege strongly refuted claims and allegation making the round inside his expansive rural constituency in Rachuonyo North district within Homa-Bay County that he is a sympathizer to the DPM Musalia Mudavadi and was not loyal to ODM

The legislator accused one of his perennial rivals in Karachuonyo political derby of being responsible for such dreadful rumors.

He called upon ODM as a party to introduce the most stringent disciplinary measures in order to deal with erratic members who engages themselves in character assassination against their fellow elected leader for political expediency.”Such stringent rule would instill discipline and restore respect and unity among her party leaders at all levels.

Rege said he wholeheartedly support the Prime Minister Raila Odinga in his presidential bid. His working relation with the ODM leader is cordial and warm.

The MP accused an unnamed politician in his constituency whom he accused of being fond of manufacturing and spreading unfounded and malicious rumors.

“This man he added is unelectable to any elective position either within the ODM hierarchy or in any constituency.” This man is a spent force, and his time for political leadership is over and gone for good.

He appealed to ODM members and followers in Karachuonyo to exercise some amount of respect to the elected leaders. Respect is two way traffic. It must reciprocate. Anybody who is hell-bent in manufacturing falsified rumors against fellow leaders is not worthy being treated as a leader.

Eng Rege reiterated that he was a loytal member of the ODM and a staunch supporter of Raila Odinga, and would not sit idle and entertain anyone preaching he gospel of despondency between him and the Prime Minister or with any other leader in this country.

He told the rumor-mongers in Karachuonyo to look for any other avenue of endearing themselves to the party leader, but not through discrediting other party members.

ODM has no room for gossipers, and therefore must also discard the loose talkers and idle talkers. As a party the ODM has a daunting task of marketing its presidential candidate for the purpose of winning the next general election and forming the government.

“We should not spend our energies and valuable times fighting each other, and yet we are surrounded by many political enemies who have ganged up against our man. We must put our act together and ensure that we succeeded in popularizing our presidential candidate,” he added.

Rege said he was very much aware that one discredited politician was on the loose roaming about in Karachuonyo feeding the electorate with pack of lies with aims of making political mileage over his rivals.”This kind of politics must be considered now as being outmoded, destructive and counter-productive.

Rege appealed to those candidates aspiring or the various elective positions within the Homa-Bay County to conduct their campaign in a rather mature manner, which is devoid of names calling. At the same time, he said, ODM members and leaders must work hard to ensure they maintained unity of purpose and work as a team.

A number of people interviewed by this writer at Kendu-Bay town and its environs, pointed an accusing finger at the former Karachuonyo MP Dr.Paul Adhu Awitias the person who fitted the description of the unnamed leader in the region who is being accused of spreading dreadful rumors against the MP.

Dr Adhu-Awiti who is currently working in the Office of the Prime Minister as political adviser to Raila Odinga could not be reached for clarification.

He defended his seat in 2007 .but lost the election to the incumbent during the ODM preliminaries.

Ends

Kenya: The government is asked to issue speakers at funeral gatherings in Nyanza with police licences

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Oyugis Town.

The popular making the round in many parts of Luo-Nyanza, especially in the greater Southern Nyanza is that the government should consider the possibility of introducing stringent rule that would require speakers at funeral gatherings to be subjected to the police licensing.

The proponent of this school of thought maintains that owing to the fact that the general election is around the corner, such a move would be most appropriate for the maintenance of law and order and would ensure that the peace and tranquility prevails during he electioneering campaign in the entire region.

The recent incidents where funeral goers were forced to scamper for their safety are testimony. Some politicians have shameless turned funeral gatherings into political platform.

Such commotions have resulted in innocent peace-loving citizens sustaining bodily injuries and such must come to an immediate end.

Unpopular aspirants vying or the various elective position are known to have been using funeral gatherings for making reckless and provocative pronouncements against their perceived opponents either real or imagined.

At the same time two senior ODM politicians in Southern Nyanza region have been warned to desist from making slanderous utterances in public gatherings which are meant to discredit the reputation and image of their perceived political enemies either real or imagined.

The two unnamed ODM leaders in the region are all candidates aspiring for the various positions of Senate, Parliament and County governorship.

The warning came as the result of numerous accusations and allegations against the two disgruntled ODM politicians in the region whose chance of winning any seat are said to be too “slim’. The two have been quoted in certain quarters as having engaged themselves in utterances considered to be provocative and bordering on character assassination.

All the aspirants vying for the various elective positions either in the County governance, parliament, senate and location Wards in the Council should guard against making sweeping and unfounded allegations against their opponent. The party should move fast and instill discipline that would require aspirants to engage themselves on the issues-based campaign as opposed to threats intimidation and uncalled for personal attacks, which are the recipe for chaos.

The kind of public gathering guidelines being asked for would compel the bereaved families to have the names of their earmarked speakers’ submitted to the police in advance. This would also require the speakers at such gatherings to account for all kinds of allegations and insinuations whenever required by police to account or heir utterances.

One of he ODM operatives in Rachuonyo South district said it had become evidence that some politicians were now roaming the entire region in search of places where there are expected huge crowds of people to the burial ceremony. Burial ceremonies should be the solemn peaceful sending off of the departing loved ones, and therefore should not be turned into political platform for electioneering campaign speeches.

One of the unnamed politician who is being accused for bad mouthing his rivals, it is being alleged to have recently branded some of the populist youthful aspirants, particularly the Nairobi businessmen, accusing them of being “drug dealers’.

The politician who is said to be eyeing the position of the County governor, is said to be too old and worn out and as such cannot offer any effective leadership to the community.

A group of youths allied to one of the contenders for the County senate seat have advised the bad mouthing politician to take a rest as he is time bar for any elective position and should vacate the field for the young and energetic aspirants for the position.

Meanwhile reports emerging from Homa-Bay say the contest for the position of Senate representative ha kicked off in earnest.

The Senate seat ha s attracted the youthful Nairobi based businessman Hilary Ochieng’ Alila who is likely to face two senior ODM politicians I the region. The two include the Immigration and Registration of Persons Minister Otieno Kajwang’ and the Internal Security Assistant Minister Joshua Orua Ojode.

Kajwang’ is the ODM Homa-Bay County branch chairman and the MP for Mbita constituency in Suba South district while Ojode is the MP for Ndhiwa.

Minister Kajwang’ has already declared his interest in the seat, while Ojode has yet to make his intention publicly known.

Both Ministers are seasoned politician who are well known to the voters in the entire Homa-Bay County, while Alila who had started his campaign as an underdog has taken the early lead owing to his effective campaign which has endeared him to the youth and women groups.

Alila has made major inroad into all the eight parliamentary constituencies, which include Kasipul-Kabondo, Kasipul, Karachuonyo, Rangwe, Homa-Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Gwassi and Mbita.

Ends