Category Archives: Political Party

Kenya: odm officials give a stern warning to KANU moles in Karachuyonyo and Homa-Bay County

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

AN ODM official, Mr. Jack Nduri, said yesterday party loyalty and track records of individual candidates on reform agenda would be used when clearing aspirants for various leadership slots.

Nduri who is the chairman of ODM in Karachuonyo urged party members to properly screen the history of those aspiring for key positions of leadership before settling on their preferred candidates.

Speaking at Kendu Bay town where he addressed hundreds of feasting Muslims, Nduri said former Kanu hardliners who viciously resisted reforms during Moi era were already scheming to take over leadership positions in Luo land.

A visibly angry Nduri said Homa Bay County had the highest infestation by the Kanu moles. Noting that the same individuals had lifted the culture of dishing out cash hand outs to poor people and using harambees as major platforms to show their might, Nduri said only leaders with viable policies and are supportive of ODM will be elected.

“We shall not allow our electorate to be hoodwinked into electing people just because they are moneyed and capable of dishing out cash to the less fortunate. We need issue based campaigns and viable vision that can turn around the economy of this region and reduce widespread poverty, “said Nduri. He said the radical move will save the party the embarrassment such as the one ODM found itself in when Eldoret North MP, William Ruto and his allies suddenly changed their loyalty.

Nduri who is also a member of the party’s National Governing Council said some of those with Kanu links have neither joined ODM officially nor denounced their membership of the former ruling party.

He said matters of party loyalty were not negotiable and would be strictly adhered to when clearing candidates for party primaries.

Nduri said he would ensure the party constitution is fully adhered to in order to give party leader Raila Odinga easy time when he ascends to power.

Nduri urged the youth to ignore those planning to bribe them to fluke their ways into leadership saying the same people had fanned poverty spread and unemployment.

He said it was high time the youth and women came up to contest elective positions offered by the constitution noting that leadership should not be gambled with by allowing those who have had an opportunity and mismanaged other institutions to “give us a false start” at the county level.

He said he would be in the front line in ensuring that inept and corrupt leaders are not elected to positions of leadership.

Nduri said he was in the process of reorganizing ODM leadership in Karachuonyo and other constituencies in Homa Bay County in consultation with relevant ODM leadership in the region to wake up to the fact that the party was under invasion.

ENDS.

Kenya: Tuju’s declaration for presidential bid has a mixed reception in Luo-Nyanza

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TUJU’S PRESIDENTIAL BID HAS ELICITED A LOT OF CONTROVERSY INSIDE LUO-NYANZA AS OTHER VIEW IT AS A PROJECT OF THE MT.KENYA POLITICIANS TO DERAIL RAILA’S AMBITION OTHERS VIEW IT AS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY ACTION.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

Although the announcement by the former Foreign Affairs Minister Raphael Tuju that he has joined the race for presidential bid in the impending general election scheduled for next year has generated a lot of controversy inside Luo-Nyanza it did not come as s surprise.

Tuju only pre-emptied a master secretive plan which has been in the drawing board being hatched by politicians and MPs from the greater Southern Nyanza region who have been heard in various circles as saying that time was ripe for the Luos to create a new political nerves of power instead of continuing following the Odinga blindly with no end result.

The Prime Minister stands accused of favoring his blood relatives in all the government appointments which had fall on his hand during the whole duration of the coalition government, and worse of all is his pulling out of his own sister Dr Wenwa Akinyi out of a plum university job as professor so that she could serve as Kenya’s charge as a consulate in California, US.the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries from Siaya County in totally ignoring the Southern Nyanza region were given as some of the degrading example of based leadership.

Tuju’s announcement came in the wake of the behind the scene close door meeting among politicians in the larger Southern Nyanza region, where Raila Odinga usual harvesting votes on man-to-man and 100.per cent. But it came to the point of senior government appointment in the Prime minister’s mind Southern Nyanza does not exist.

The Luos, mostly the supporters of the ODM have vilified the former Rarieda MP as fronting for some invisible forces with intent to derail the presidential bid of Raila Odinga.

Level minded Luos, however, disagreed with the contention that his candidature is meant to weaken the Prime Minister’s political clout in Luoland. Other were heard saying that Tuju’s action is the most appropriate and timely move.

“We have heard a lot of the empty rhetoric’s by Raila sycophants that whoever has diverse opinion is branded as an agent of Mt. Kenya or traitor. We have been hearing this kind of this kind of insinuation for close to four decades. If Raila feels it is only those related to the Odinga are the one who are fit to hold senior government positions at the expense of the entire community, then he should seek the votes from his relatives and leave us in peace to vote for whoever we think deserves our vote. We have welcomed Tuju’s candidature.

One MP who did not want his name to appear in any publication retorted, “ We have heard that Raila is fronting for his junior sister Ruth Adhiambo Odinga to be the MP for Kisumu Town Central and his son Fidel Raila is to contest a parliamentary seat in either Muhoroni or in one of the constituencies in Nairobi City. If there is any iota of truth about ht plans then “Agwambo” lost the political direction and needs counseling,” he added.

Tuju joins the race with a colorful background of massive achievement of development, which ha remained unequalled in Luo-Nyanza. Within only five years period of time which he represented Raried constituency and served in the cabinet, he had succeeded in establishing a massive water supply project worth billion of shillings with the help of Kenya’s development partners. He has also succeeded in promoting he hitherto obscure Madiany health Centre in Central Uyoma location to be an ultra modern rural hospital with mobile theatre and mobile maternity wing. Several primary and secondary schools in Rarieda were elevated to ultra modern institutions of higher learning.

Tuju is a level minded politician who does not believes in sycophancy and political patronage. He lost his Rarieda parliamentary seat in 2007 after a heated exchange with Raila Odinga over the latter’s dictatorial tendencies and the much thawed ODM nomination system which is shrouded with claims and allegations of bribery.

But the ODM favorite candidate who contested and won the Rarieda parliamentary seat has failed to measure up or fit into Tuju’s shoes in terms of progress. A development activity within the constituency has become stagnant with claims of the misuse of CDF and other government devolving funds.

Tuju lost his set in 2007 at the time when he had drastically changed the face of Rarieda constituencies to a role model of other constituencies in the region. His latest move to contest the presidency will definitely cause a lot of problem to the ODM general and Raila Odinga in particular because Tuju had a large number of silent admirers across the region and sympathizers in his Bondo home turf.

Tuju supporter across this region have called for creation of the level playing ground and that every aspirant contesting any elective set be it presidency, Senate, parliament and even County representatives be given equal opportunity to sell their policy without any hindrance.

Tuju is credited for having initiated the construction of the Ndori-Luanda Kotieno that is linking mainland Rarieda and Mbita across the Nyanza Gulf for the two twin island of Mfangano and Rusinga Island. The road has since cut into short traveling between Kisumu and Mbita.

Ends

KENYA: THE ODINGA DYNASTY THAT TUJU WANTS TO DESTROY

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From: ouko joachim omolo

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
KISUMU-KENYA
TUESDAY, 30, 2011

The attempt by former Foreign Minister, Mr Raphael Tuju to destroy the Odinga dynasty is like the battle between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David hurls a stone from his sling with all his might, and hits Goliath in the center of his forehead. David takes his sword and cuts off his head. The underlying purpose of the story of Goliath is to show that Saul is not fit to be king, and that David is.

While politicians allied to Prime Minister Raila Odinga are crying foul over Tuju’s bid to run for presidency in 2012, arguing he has been bought by President Mwai Kibaki’s PNU party to spoil votes for Raila, Mr Tuju, who was a special advisor in the Office of the President before resigning on Sunday to join presidential race, said he wanted to prove that Kenyans could look beyond tribal inclinations.

Tuju wants to destroy once for all the divisive game of tribal politics which he says is extremely profitable to some, even as it levies a heavy cost on tribal followers. He wonders why Kenyans should die for their tribal political leaders who cannot even assist them excel in life.

The political vision and mission Tuju has is that the Luo should look beyond the Odinga dynasty for leadership. The situation of IDPs in Luo Nyanza is pathetic because they have not been compensated and nobody talks about them, yet they would still want to fight for one man come another election.

They would still want to fight because Luos have not come out from suffering under the culture of modern slavery well-orchestrated and managed by those in power. It is the politics of ‘our own’ that cannot elevate them from poverty and ignorance. Majority of jobless and hungry Luos are consistently languishing in poverty.

Speaking during the launch of his campaign at a Nairobi hotel Sunday, Tuju promised the youth job opportunities and also to unite all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background. He was particularly concerned on the issue of negative ethnicity and would make it a priority to ensure unity among all Kenyans.

But not even all the politicians allied to Raila are supporting his presidential bid. Defense Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaissery and Samburu East MP Rapheal Letimalo have distanced themselves from Raila and want Internal Security Minister Professor Prof. George Saitoti to vie for presidency in the next general election, saying that it was time to support their own to lead this country.

“It is time to support Saitoti who is our son since he has the experience in governance matters having served for a long time in government,” Nkaissery was quoted by press to have told Maasai communities during a fundraising in aid of Esokon Primary School in Transmara District of Narok County, where Prof. George Saitoti was the chief guest.

One of the reasons given by Nkaissery for ditching Raila for Saitoti who is also Kajiado Central MP, is that they supported ODM party in 2007 and were given low-key ministries, adding that his people are questioning him over the recent appointments in government which went all to Kalenjins.

Born March 30, 1959, Tuju formed the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in 2005 with a view to swaying votes away from the “orange No campaign” as opposed to Raila. When he joined Narc through the LDP, this was seen by Raila allies as an act of betrayal by his Rarieda constituents and by extension the Luo Nyanza populace of which he was a member.

But because of dynasty concept in Luos, even though Tuju is the first Luo MP to do something positive about the grinding poverty in Rarieda, Raila’s supporters viewed him as a traitor. Late Kisumu archdiocese, Fr Norbert Owino escaped death narrowly when he told Christians at Lwak church that they should appreciate what Tuju has done for them.

Fr Norbert who was to be lynched alive in 2007 presidential violence by rowdy youths from Rarieda constituency was rescued by good wishers and taken to Nyabondo parish for hiding. He had highlighted the projects done by Tuju as a 350m water project that would benefit half the constituency.

Other projects initiated by Tuju included mobile clinics with free medicine, building and commissioning Rarieda secondary school, road construction from Ndori to fish landing beaches, construction of hygienic fish landing beaches and refrigerated storage for fish, linking Women groups and SME’s to available credit facilities and building houses for widows.

Rarieda Constituency is one of the rural constituencies in Luo – Nyanza. It has over 48,000 registered voters and was created after being hived out of the old and larger Bondo constituency in the middle of the 1980s. Most of Rarieda constituents live below the poverty line. This is due to minimal economic activities within the constituency of which Tuju wanted to make a thing of past tense.

This is because Tuju has made it clear that his priorities are on development, not endless politicking. No wonder why during his tenure, Tuju turned Rarieda into a model constituency in Nyanza.

Apart from the above mentioned projects, others include Aids orphans, power supply from Ndori to Luanda Kotieno through Asembo Bay and the tarmacking of Ndori – Owimbi – Luanda Otieno road. Tuju has also been effective in lobbying private sponsors from overseas to support Rarieda projects.

On his insistence, the CDF money allocated to Rarieda has been concentrated on women groups, who he is keen to empower as a way of tackling grassroots poverty. Ruma Aids orphanage is one of his pet projects that benefited from the CDF.

Though the children stay with relatives, they came to the orphanage for food where they also got assisted with fees, uniforms and vocational training. Apart from CDF, a Dutch organisation helped with the funding. The orphanage had about 306 children.

Rarieda area’s first MP was former Envoy Bob Jalang’o between 1988 – 1992, and the late Achieng Oneko 1992 – 1997 upon which Odeny Ngure took it in 1997 – 2002 paving way to Raphael Tuju. The current MP is Engineer Nicholas Gumbo.

Letters to the Editor

WHY RAILA SHOULD THINK TWICE

This is a very critical moment for Raila and his ODM partners. I would advice him together with his counterparts to have a retreat for them to succeed in the future politics. ODM losing the two seats of Kamukunji and Ikolomani is a show that Raila and his team may lose greatly in the next general election.

Ruto has been a great “friend” of Raila but their division may cause a great political harm to the ODM team. The other day I was in Luo land talking to a friend about the politics of Raila and after much discussion, it seems many people are tired with his politics. For them Raila may not make it to the State House.

By Chrispine

Nairobi, Kenya

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
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00800, Westlands
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Kenya: Luo Nyanza & Kibera!!

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from K’Omondi J’Alego

Dear Kenyans,

I have always followed threads in these fora for quite sometime now. I have even posted a few of my own. I have also replied and commented on some threads albeit to important ones, though with a lot of caution. This is not because I lack time for the same, but it is for one reason. That some of the threads that are posted here are very retrogressive in nature and should not even be here in the first place. It is for this very reason that I have taken my time at least for the moment to say and lay bare what I think about the whole issue.

Fellow Kenyans, I have read some threads here with dismay as they are nothing other than very tribal and are always aimed at arousing some kind of tribal passion that at the end of the day, should it be left as it is, might just lead to some unspeakable occurrences in the near future.

I would wish to appeal to you all not to judge me by where I come from nor by my last name but by what I stand for. The fact that my last name is Omondi should not be reason enough to be associated with some happenings at where I come from. Being called Maina, Mwiti, Nyamao, Nthanga et al should only be used for identity purposes and not for any other reason.

These fora have been turned into some sort of judgmental dins about the people from Nyanza and by extension, residents of Kibera. I fail to understand why people from Luo Nyanza cannot be allowed to air their own views. Why do every other person believe that Luo Nyanza are following the words of one person. Don’t people from Luo Nyanza have minds of their own? Can’t these brothers and sisters from Luo Nyanza speak their minds?

Dear Kenyans, I am a proud son of Alego Kaluo, in Siaya District, Siaya county so to speak. I am neither a political prisoner of anyone nor am I a fanatic of any politician. Just to put the record straight, I subscribe to the ideals of ODM as a political party and I am confident about its leadership. You are free to air your own opinions about my thinking. Kenya is a free democracy anyway.

Looking at Kenya’s political behavior since the reintroduction of multiparty politics, we have to agree that every community tend to follow what their leading political figures tell them. I have failed to understand why every other person quotes Luo Nyanza whenever such issues come in. During Moi’s 24 year rule, the whole Kalenjin land was a KANU zone. In 2007, central Kenya was purely PNU(Kibaki), Ukambani was ODM-K(Kalonzo), Luo Nyanza was ODM(Raila) etc. We have again seen the trend now. In Central, the likelihood of it being a PNU zone is very real, read Uhuru Kenyatta, Rift Valley is all ready in UDM. What therefore is so unique about Luo Nyanza standing by RAO? Why should it bne different whn it comes to Luo Nyanza?

Cant we stand buy one of our own?
Let us all be realistic and give Luo Nyanza a break. We are very proud of our son s and daughters and we will stand by them. We cannot simply abandon them just to appease some people who think they think for us. To be always told that Luo Nyanza needs liberation is not just naive, but it is also stupid thinking and reasoning if you ask me.

Luo Nyanza have every right to stick to Raila, just like Kalenjin land have the right to stick with Ruto and so is central with Uhuru.
I don’t see why every body should be shouting at the top of their voices just because some Ochieng, Otieno has aired his views.

Fellow Kenyans, Luo Nyanza are wise enough and are very educated as to know what is good for them They can think for themselves, chart their own destiny, and make their own decisions. We dont need someone to come and tell us what we need to do or what wrong we are doing. Should we need any advice, we are mature enough to ask for it. Kindly stop all this nonsense about Luo Nyanza this, Luo Nyanza that. WE ARE SICK & TIRED OT IT!!!!

WE HAVE BRAINS OF OUR OWN AND CAN THINK FOR OURSELVES!!!!!!

Good Day!!!!!!

KENYA: LITMUS TEST FOR RAILA AS PNU WINS KAMUKUNJI

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Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
from ouko joachim omolo

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAKURU-KENYA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

It is a litmus test for Prime Minister Raila Odinga and ODM as PNU on Thursday evening retained the Kamukunji seat after its candidate Yusuf Hassan garnered 19,030 votes to win the by-election, defeating his ODM candidate, Ibrahim Ahmed who came second with 15,476 votes in an election which saw a low turn-out and a clash of party agents.

This is not the first time ODM has been defeated. Dr Bony Khalwale defeated ODM candidate by-election few months ago, a move that became a big surprise to several ODM politicians who thought that whoever Raila said tosha would make it to parliament.

Khalwale argued that that a victory for the ODM candidate would mean that the Luhya vote was done and dusted for Mr Odinga’s 2012 presidential bid. In fact Khalwale and Hassan victories imply that that several tosha’s of Raila candidates may not make it to parliament.

That explains clearly Khalwale’s remarks that after his victory, it was high time the PM realised there were other power bases in Western Kenya beyond Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and that he needed to consider them all.

It also confirms the remarks by Kaddu leader Cyrus Jirongo that the outcome of Khalwale underlined the fact that voters are opposed to tribally incline political parties.
“ODM’s candidate managed an almost 50:50 sharing of the vote. It is a wake up call to join a party with a national outlook or be seen as the community that never learns from the past,” Mr Jirongo argued.

“If Dr Khalwale’s association with Eugene Wamalwa’s presidency was as popular as they think, then ODM candidate would have not lost by a slim margin of 3,000. This is a worrying sign that we are already splitting our votes, he added.”

Jirongo argued further that when Wamalwa Kijana ran for the presidency in 1997 on a Ford Kenya ticket, he failed miserably, but when he joined a party with a national outlook, Narc, in 2002, people voted for him overwhelmingly.

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa was also right when he argued that the New Ford Kenya’s victories in Ikolomani Constituency and Kimilili North Ward have dealt a blow to ODM and Mr Odinga’s presidential ambitions.

In summary this is how the Kamukunji results were: Mr Brian Weke of Narc Kenya was third with 4,064 votes. Agano Party’s David Waihiga garnered 367 votes, while Mr Geoffrey Muthini of TIP got 317 votes. Ms Muthoni Kihara of GNU took 248 votes against Ford People’s Daniel Omao who had 205 votes. Kenya Social Congress’s James Matagaro was last with only 36 votes.

ODM conceded defeat, with Housing assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru describing the elections as free and fair as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka saluting Mr Hassan’s win, saying that it was a signal that a united PNU alliance would be a force in next year’s General Election.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission chairman Issack Hassan said that the by-election was conducted well. There are 128,562 registered voters in the constituency.

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Kenya: Former aide to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mr Miguna Miguna shifts allegiance to William Ruto after he was shown the door

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from gordon teti

By API
The move by Miguna Miguna? Not good for Prime Minister Raila Odinga, but good for William Ruto! ODM’s never-ending crisis continues.

Suspended and Bitter. Miguna takes a step. That of revenge against ODM and his former boss Raila Odinga. He now will shift allegiance to Suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto’s camp. This is the camp opposed to Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s rise to the presidency.

This will be a blow to Raila Odinga and ODM, if reports from our observers is confirmed. Now that it is emerging that Miguna will join Ruto because he angered by the way the PM’s office has treated him, especially quoting PM’s PS and Member of Parliament Jakoyo Midiwo as his nightmare, this is one way by him to revenge in the maximum. A revenge that will hurt the PM in a big way if not contained immediately.

Midiwo has come out accusing Miguna for having travelled to the Hague (ICC)in April when the case against Ruto and the other 5 was on for the first time. Midiwo says Miguna should not have travelled abroad at that time. Looking at the way Midiwo looks at things, it seems he is of the opinion that Miguna had grown horns at the Prime Minister’s office, pushing everbody else around because he was close to the PM.

Moving to Ruto camp will most definitely damage ODM. Miguna has a lot of valuable information on the way his former boss and the people running the ODM secretariat thing strategy-wise and this will help the Ruto camp in the move to box ODM into a corner.

Analysts API has spoken to say it was the wrong time to suspend Miguna now when the party is struggling with its image. If the divisions in the party widens, that will damage it and reduce its popularity. This may curtail Raila’s chances for big things come 2012 presidential elections.

The wise thing to do in this case is for ODM to bring Miguna back to the fold before he starts damaging the for the party. The danger in sacking an advisor is the fact that such people know how their boss thinks and in anger they may expose everything potraying the boss as a non-thinker even if it is not true.

Miguna will not go quietly considering the way he has been vocal during his tenure at the Prime Minister’s office.

Source: http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/kenya-former-aide-to-prime-minister-raila-odinga-mr-miguna-miguna-shifts-allegiance-to-william-ruto-after-he-was-shown-the-door/

KENYA: RACE FOR NAIROBI GOVERNOR SEAT TURNS MURKY

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BY: JEFF OTIENO.

The titanic battle for Nairobi Governor seat has dramatically turned nasty following early this weeks revelation that a centre associated with one of the aspirants has been given a fourteen days notice to close down or risk being pulled down.

EK centre as it is popularly known is situated in posh and leafy Kileleshwa area of Nairobi and is a launching pad for Mumias Sugar C.E.O Dr. Evans Kidero operating all round the clock with a full secretariat in readiness for next year debacle.

The centre was early this week ordered to close down on grounds that they have not applied for a change of user to operate as it operates now by the Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia – who is also another hopeful for the seat.

Allies of Kidero are reading mischief in the whole thing arguing that it’s full of vendetta, parochial and is doomed to fail because they have been given a license by the same council legitimizing their operations.

A source privy to Kisias modus operandi confirmed to this writer that Kisia is blaming those in the EK centre for violating the council by laws yet some of them worked in the council as commissioners when it was disbanded by the former president Moi regime.

Though Kisia is yet to constitute a campaign structure keen observers will agree that as the town clerk of Nairobi he has of late been criss crossing the city suburbs under the pretext of launching or supervising council services, a move which has really catapulted his bid temporarily.

Some critics are however quick to argue that Kisia is more of an ivory tower kind of candidate who hardly mingles with the down trodden but prefer posh and secluded places dinning and wining with the high and the mighty doing round table campaign theories which have never worked world over.

Dr. Evans Kidero will rely on his humility, charisma and managerial skills which he exhibited in the Nation media group, Smith clime Beecham and now the leading miller Mumias sugar which is unrivalled and a show case to many.

With the new dispensation Nairobi is set to control billions of shillings and a manager of rare caliber is needed to shepherd its operations with vibrance.

Other contestants are a wealthy are a wealthy Nairobi business man Jimna Mbaru and former MP Dick Wathika. The duo are also said to be doing their strategies well and have hired both local and foreign consultants before they hit the road.

Dr Kidero and Kisia will battle it out under the O.D.M flagship according to sources privy to their strategies even though they have not disclosed, while Mbaru and Wathika will rely on another vessel to propel them

END

ICC & Kenya: Ocampo publishes the detailed account of charges awaiting for Ruto,Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang

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Forwarded By Leo Odera Omolo

The fates of Mr. William Ruto and Mr Henry Kosgey at their September 1 confirmation hearing at The Hague hinges on how they fight off charges that they commanded, financed and armed an unnamed Kalenjin terror network.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will be arguing that Ruto and Kosgey, the MPs for Eldoret North and Tinderet respectively, held at least nine meetings at which the post-election violence was designed, and that the planning began in 2005.

Mr Joshua Arap Sang of Kass FM, the third suspect in the joint case with the two former ministers, will also face charges that he sat in meetings where the attacks were planned, and gave the coded orders in his broadcast programmes for the terror visited on Party of National Unity (PNU) sympathisers in various parts of the Rift Valley to commence.

In the Document Containing Charges (DCC) filed by Moreno-Ocampo Monday, he claims that the two MPs and Sang hatched a plot to punish and expel PNU supporters from specified areas in the North Rift region under a ‘common plan’ which had military command structure, logistical approach, and precision in execution.

The MPs were accused of financially supporting the attacks because they were allegedly the direct perpetrators of the heinous crimes. Ocampo also claimed part of the money Kosgey and Ruto raised was used to buy grenades.

“Ruto was crowned Kalenjin leader, which gave him the authority to decide on matters affecting the Kalenjin community,” said Moreno-Ocampo. He claimed given Ruto’s position as the Kalenjin leader, and Kosgey’s authority as his subordinate, the former oversaw attacks throughout the Rift Valley, while the latter oversaw attacks that were executed in Nandi District.

Violence reinforced

He also hints the violence was reinforced with support of other Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MPs, whose party Kosgey was the chairman and Ruto one of the two deputy leaders.

“In December 2007, other ODM affiliated MPs participated in planning and financially supported the Post Elections Violence (PEV) attacks or otherwise attacks, or otherwise participated in preparatory meetings and even attacks in the Uasin Gishu and Nandi Districts,” argued Moreno-Ocampo.

He said Ruto was the single most authoritative ODM figure in the Rift Valley and therefore used existing structures and roles in Kalenjin society to create the network.

The ICC Prosecutor claimed authority was subordinated only to Ruto, but Kosgey acted in his absence. “Five commanders responded directly to Ruto or to Kosgey in his absence and they both ensured members of the network understood and believed in the common plan,” read the charges.

The network is said to have had a military component consisting of former members of Kenya’s military and police. This is the cadre, the Prosecutor will be arguing, advised Ruto on logistical issues, obtained weapons, identified financial resources and mobilized those who were to commit the crimes.

Military structure

It is further claimed that in 2006 and 2007 the network also had a military structure that included three “Commanders” or “Generals”, all of whom reported to either Ruto or Kosgey.

“The Commanders were responsible for specific geographic areas in the North Rift, including the greater Eldoret area, Turbo town and Kapsabet town, the Central Rift area including Nandi Hills town, and the South Rift Area,” Moreno-Ocampo went on.

Ruto is claimed to have been the head of the Military Component and below him the three Commanders led in hierarchical order in their respective geographical areas. Each hierarchy contained a horizontal layer of subordinates and direct perpetrators.

Moreno-Ocampo further submitted that the two MPs controlled the alleged crimes by operating as the ‘hubs’ of the organisation.

They are further accused of obtaining information from groups in Rift Valley and sharing plans and information from group to group regarding targeted locations and reporting overall progress of the common plan.

Moreno-Ocampo further contends that Ruto and Kosgey garnered supporters to create the network, provided money and weapons to their subordinates and established a localised level of subordinates who were responsible for specific geographical areas.

Apart from establishing a functioning command structure; they also were accused of using events and specific language on Kass FM under the command of Sang to communicate with subordinates and direct perpetrators.

They also provided weapons, training; and imposed order by threatening punishment in case of insubordination. That meant there was near automatic compliance with Ruto and Kosgey’s instructions, he concluded.

Ruto, Kosgey and Sang and others are said to have ensured near compliance with their instructions by indoctrinating network perpetrators to accept and agree with the common plan by referring to PNU supporters in a derogatory manner.

They also allegedly ensured compliance by training direct perpetrators and creating localised coordination structures headed by local subordinates who ensured compliance in their respective areas.

Loyalty was also earned through paying subordinates and direct perpetrators; and instilling in the subordinates and direct perpetrators a fear of punishment if they did not participate.

“Ruto and Kosgey were mutually aware and mutually accepted that implementing their common plan might result in the realisation of the crimes charged,” said Moreno-Ocampo.

He further argued that they intended to commit the crimes charged, or were aware that crimes would occur in the ordinary course of events.

“As the leaders of the Network and architects of the common plan, which called for the commission of the crimes alleged, they had full knowledge that their actions would cause the crimes to occur as they did,” said Moreno-Ocampo..

Preparatory meetings

He said the two MPs forged the common plan, and held preparatory meetings and events to plan and organise the attacks. Moreno-Ocampo will be telling the court Ruto’s awareness and knowledge was demonstrated by his anti-PNU rhetoric at meetings and rallies, inciting anti-PNU sentiment among the perpetrators.

Ruto statements to the network’s perpetrators were allegedly made to attack PNU supporters and expel them from their land, killing them if necessary.

“Ruto’s awareness and knowledge is through the requests to recruit ex-soldiers who were already trained,” said Ocampo.

He claims Kosgey’s awareness and knowledge was demonstrated through his meeting with Ruto to organise and plan for the expulsion of PNU supporters from the area. He also allegedly used derogatory language, directed at PNU supporters and used network perpetrators in advocating for the eviction of PNU supporters from the Rift Valley.

The Tinderet MP allegedly participated in plans for deployment, attacks and logistical arrangements by which reinforcements were co-ordinated between Uasin Gishu and Nandi districts. “Kosgey’s statement that financial assistance would be provided for, weapons, bows and arrows, transportation and food, or for use for bribes,” is cited as proof that he was aware of the pending crimes.

Ocampo said the awareness and knowledge of subordinates and direct perpetrators were demonstrated by their full integration into the Network, their attendance at meetings with Ruto and Kosgey where they received information regarding the planning, organisation, and logistics of the attacks.

Ruto and Kosgey, he will be arguing, should be held liable because of their commitment to listening to Kass FM radio which functioned as a communication tool for the network; and their provision of logistical assistance and or support for the attacks.

Widespread or systematic attack against members of the civilian population, within the specified areas are said to have taken place from December 30, 2007 through January 31, 2008.

Network perpetrators are said to have been responsible for nine attacks in different parts of the region while targeting PNU supporters.

“The direct perpetrators implemented the Network’s policy of attacking the PNU supporters to punish and permanently expel them from the Rift Valley by systematically inflicting fear, killing, looting, burning or otherwise destroying their property,” claims Moreno-Ocampo. He said their express purpose was to force PNU supporters in Rift Valley out using whatever means necessary, including the commission of crimes.

Uasin Gishu and Nandi Districts are said to have suffered the most with approximately 230 deaths recorded. The media, including Sang who served as a broadcaster on KASS FM, allegedly furthered the network’s organisational policy, both prior and during the attacks.

Broadcast propaganda

“Prior to the attacks, Kass FM broadcast propaganda against PNU supporters, broadcast the locations of preparatory meetings and events, and organised fundraising events that financed the attacks,” claimed Moreno-Ocampo.

He further alleged that at the preparatory meetings, the network designated specific persons to call into Sang’s programme and spread the network’s views.

“After the presidential election results were announced, Sang called on perpetrators to begin the attacks and broadcast coded language signaling that PNU supporters were to be attacked; and broadcast the locations where the attacks were to take place,” claimed Moreno-Ocampo.

He said that apart from Kass FM, financial support for the network was received from Ruto, Kosgey, ODM supporters, supporting organisations and businessmen.

“The financial component raised funds to compensate attendees at preparatory meetings, purchase weapons, purchase materials to make traditional weapons and to sustain attacks,” read the charges.

Tribal elders allegedly participated by supporting, planning, coordinating and conducting blessings all of which contributed to the attacks.

Ends

Kenya: Kipsigis leaders are pleased with the statement by Nyatike MP on the need to maintain peace and harmony among the neighboring communities

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

KIPSIGIS leaders have praised the Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga for his recent call that the Luos and Kipsigis neighboring communities should continue living in peace and harmony.

Speaking in Kericho Town the leaders appealed to MPs from the neighboring communities to emulate Nyatike MP and preach only the gospel of peace and love among Kenyans of diverse ethnic background. The MPs the leaders said, must refrain from making inflammatory utterances in public place and gathering which could fuel communal hatred.

Pastor Hezron Cheruiyot of the Methodist Church in Chilchila Division within Kipkellion constituency and Councilor Nicholas Tum of Kericho Municipality said they were pleased with Nyatike MP statement that the differences between the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto were personal and therefore must not be used to incite the Kalenjin and the Luos into hatred and hostility.

“Elected leaders must guard their tanks against making provocative utterances that could be construed by the general public that could cause confusion and misunderstandings among the neighboring communities. The Kipsigis and the Luos share the common border between Nyanza and Rift Valley and have lived harmoniously from the time immemorial and should be allowed to continue living and working together in the interest of the country.

Pastor Cheruiyot said he regretted an incident in Kericho Town in which an MP from Luo-Nyanza who had accompanied the Prime Minister Raila Odinga was heckled and shouted down and forced to cut short his speech when he made some incoherent utterances which did not pleased the audience who were mainly the Kipsigis people.

Leaders should always weigh their words before making public utterance. Those who have nothing in their mind to say before the multi ethnic audiences should shut up,”said the pastor.

Councilor Nicholas Tum of Kericho Municipality said ODM was still very strong in the South Rift despite of claims by ODM rebel Kalenjin MPs allied to the Eldoret North MP William Ruto that the community in the region has ditched the party.

Tum said some of the MPs representing various constituencies in Kipsigisland who are allied to William Ruto are in for a big shock come the next polls. Those who are persistently attacking the party leader Raila Oodinga whenever they opened their mouths will lose their seats comes the next polls. That is the reason why a good number of the incumbent MPs are scrambling for the two seats allocate for the region in the Senate.

Coun. Tum appealed to the ODM supreme leader Raila Odinga to pick the Road Minister Franklin Bett as his running-mate during the next general election.

He said owing to Bett’s steadfast and unswerving loyalty to the party and his contribution, he would be good bait for votes catching in the South Rift if picked as Raila’s running-mate.

Tum cautioning members of the Kipsigis community against making hasty decision of joining UDM saying that party is still embroiled in prolonged and protracted legal tussle before the court over its leadership. If the community is fooled about with propaganda to abandon ODM, it will be sidelined by the next government which will consign the community to the political periphery.

At the same time survey conducted by this writer in both Kericho and Bomet Counties indicated that members of the Kipsigis community, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups are slowly drifting back to KANU.The Kipsigis is the most populous Kalenjin sub-tribe with more than 1.3 million voters.

The community occupied the fertile region in the highlands southwest of the Rift Valley a region which is agriculturally rich with sufficient annual rainfall which is conducive for tea and coffee growing.

In the year 2007, this community voted for the ODM on man-to-man and gave the party MPS in all the eight constituencies of Kipkellion, Ainamoi, Belgut, Buret, Konoin, Chepalungu, Bomet and Sotik. The region gave the party’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga almost 100 per cent. It also handed the ODM an overwhelming victory in the neighboring Kuresoi constituency in Molo district and another constituency in Rongai where members of the community are the majority of the inhabitants.

However, due to what is seemingly to be irreconcilable differences between the party leader Raila Odinga and his deputy William Ruto the party’s influence I the region is drastically reduced. If the ODM could managed to recruit credible new leaders and support their candidature in the election in all the constituencies, this time around there will be 10 electoral areas after the creation of two extra constituencies in Sigowet in Blgut and Chilchila in Kipkellion, it could still garner enough vote to enable it win at least between five and six seats in Parliament.. Similar percentage could be retained in civic wards within the two Counties.

The party which is likely to slash in the flesh of the ODM is KANU and not UDM. The party of independence could perform well in Kipsigisland if it will back the Vice President Stephen Kalonzo musyoka.

The common saying in the region is that the Vic President who had served in the KANU government under the retired President Daniel Arap Moi for a long time and only ditched the party in 2002 has since maintained a guarded tank and has never publicly issued any statement that is viewed as derogatory and despising Moi in similar in similar fashion like other former KANU luminaries have done.

Members of the Kipsigis community are, however, worried about political instability and endless internal wrangling in KANU pitting the party national chairman Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and other leaders like his deputy Gideon Moi and the secretary-general Nck Salatt.

The community is not comfortable with the idea of having another Kikuyu president after Mwai Kibaki, and if there is no solution on sight within the ODM within the next three months, they switch their support to Kalonzo Musyoka.This is because of the hurdles facing William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta in connection with pending criminal cases with the ICC causes looming large on their path..

Ends

KENYA: IT WAS A SHOW OF STRENGTH AND POPULARITY CONTEST BETWEEN RAILA AND RUTO AS THE TWO MADE VOTE HUNTING FORAYS IN THE SOUTH RIFT AND NYANZA.

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo.

Last weekend witnessed one of the biggest political contests between the two warring factions of the ODM who took their campaigns and votes hunting deep into the South Rift and some parts of Nyanza Province.

The Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is the party leader, toured the Kericho County where he addressed a series of meeting and also commissioned the Nakuru-Kericho-Kisumu road now under the construction, before winding up the tour at the Moi Garden, which is located outside the D.C’s Office in Kericho Town. Moi’s Garden is the nerve center of Kipsigis politics.

Raila’s party’s de-facto deputy leader, the Eldoret MP William Ruto and his entourage snaked into the region from Nairobi by road and addressed crowds at the various stops-over before crown it up with a public rally at Chebilat border town.

Chebilat is a border town which is shared between the Kipsigis on the Sotik district within the Rift Valley Province and the Kisiis living in Borabu district of Nyanza Province.

This is the area which felt the heat of the post election violence of 2008 as the Kipsigis supporter of the ODM descended on property worth millions of shillings owned by the industries Abagusii traders including schools buildings were torched and burnt into ashes.

The region has ever since remained the flash-point of seemingly endless cattle rustlings which on occasions have resulted into death of innocent citizens on both sides of the common border. .A platoon of the crack paramilitary police, the General Service Units are station along the borders of the two districts as well as police Anti-Stock Theft Unit.

Interestingly, Ruto was drumming for the two communities, the Abagusii and the Kipsigis to join and vote for the United Democratic Movement {UDM} a party which is still embroiled in legal tussles before the court over its ownership.

The Prime Minister also had a closed door meeting with civic leaders in the Kericho County and the representative of the Mau Forest evictees.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Road Minister and Buret MP Franklin Bett who has, since departure of Ruto, become Raila’s point man in the South Rift region, the Kipkellion MP Magerere Lang’at who is an Assistant Minister for Energy, The Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Koneswho is also the Bomet MP, the Sotik MP Dr. Joyce Laboso, the former Deputy Chef of the General Staff Lt.Gen [rtd} John Arap Koech.

Gen Koech is still the de-facto leader of the UDM until the court rules otherwise in a court case filed by a group of Rift Valley politicians led by Ruto who staged a bloodless coup against him lat year and claimed to have overturned the UDM party leadership and thereafter Ruto declared himself the party leader.

Ruto had in his entourage the former Mugirango South MP Omingo Magara, Belgut MP Charles Keter, Konoin MP Dr Julius Kones and other leaders most of the new aspirants routing for various parliamentary seats within the Gusii region.

And while Raila flew back to Nairobi on the same day, Ruto continued with his votes hunting deep into Gusii land and later criss-crossed the region into greater Southern Nyanza where he addressed members of the public at the various stops-over in Rongo, Awendo, Uriri, and Migori before addressing another crowd in Kuria. All these areas are considered as Raila’s strong hold and under the ODM unshaken influence.

A check on the ground indicated that contrary to a claim by MP allied to William Ruto that the entire Kalenjin region was safe in the hands of the Eldoret North MP there is a sharp division of loyalties to the two ODM luminaries turned arch-rivals. Raila is the most favorite man for the next presidency, while Ruto’s ambition for the presidency is being treated as a big joke.

Ruto seemed to have made a big blunder by trying to sell to the Kipsigis voters several presidential hopefuls without giving the community a clear direction as to which among the members of the so-called D7 alliance was his favorite.

These inconsistency include his remark that he would work with the Gatund Gatundu South MP Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, and at the same time telling the electorate in Western Province that he was for the Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa while on the other hand he has been quoted as saying he would support the Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency.

These inconsistencies have been sending confusing signals to the populous Kipsigis community, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group, which previously had eight MPs In the tenth Parlament, and this time round would vote for ten MPs following the recent creation of Sigowet constituency slashed out of the existing Belgut and the sub-division of Kipkellion into two parliamentary constituencies. The community has another safe seat in Kuresoi constituency in the neighboring Molo district.

Despite of his relatively successful tour of the Kipsigis region, Raila Odinga is being stabbed at the back in his Nyanza home turf with wide-spread claims and allegation that “Agwambo” is preaching water, but drinking wine in relations to the creation of democratic space.

Raila is being accused of being responsible for the stalled Mayoral election in Kisumu City, which is the nerve center of politics in Luo-Nyanza of allegedly coercing the civic leaders within Kisumu Municipality to re-elect unpopular Mayor Sam Okello as opposed to the wishes of the majority of the City’s residents and Councilors alike.

Claims about lack of democratic space in areas under the ODM influence were echoed at the weekend by the former chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Ker Meshack Riaga Ogalo who locked horns with the Kasipul-Kabondo MP Oyugi Maguwanga during a funeral gathering I the Rachuonyo South district at the weekend.

Raila urged the community to open its door and allow every presidential aspirant to come around and sell his policy to the electorate unhindered.

He said Ruto-led UDM party should be allowed to sell its policies in the Luo-Nyanza region so that the community can have a free choice of political parties to choose from other than th dominant ODM

Raila, however, categorically and vehemently denied having personal links with UDM or Ruto at the same time issuing threat of filling legal suit against those making such claims.

His remarks provoked sharp reaction from the area MP Oyugi Maguwanga who was also present at the gathering. He told Raila in his face to stop interfering with ODM activities in the region, advising him to continue selling the policy of the UDM instead. He accused Riaga of being an agent of the UDM in the region.

The stalled Mayoral election in Kisumu City is causing a lot of jittery by the residents towards the ODM and could cost Raila some substantial votes among his Luo supporters, particularly those with moderate views who feels the civic leaders should be left alone to elect a mayor of their own choice. Even staunch supporters of the Prime Minister were heard expressing sentiments of disapproval of his involvement while political detractors viewed the action as part of Raila’s excessive arrogance and dictatorial tendency.

Other were heard saying that Raila should go out and campaign for his presidential ambition and leave the field free for competitive political among the elected Councilors. Moreover, the embattled and outgoing Mayor Okello was never elected in any ward within Kisumu City, but was brought from Mombasa the other day and nominated by Raila to the Council. He has never been an ODM activist, but a perennial KANU parliamentary election loser in Muhoroni constituency.

Within Kericho County the Prime Minister in his quest to regain popularity among the members of the Kipsigis community appeared to have picked u a team of youthful and energetic men and woman who hell-bent to dismantle Ruto influence in the area.

Ruto’s weaknesses, they claim, is his insistance that he was about to leave the ODM, but cowardly remained in the party for now close to two years. His handing around in ODM without making a bold decision and quitting the party altogether has weakened his case among the residents of the South Rift, an area which is also covering Bomet County and party of the Trans-Mara district.

Legally, Ruto is still the de-facto ODM leader, though he has made it publicly clear that he was in the UDM. “ If he has quit the ODM and join the UDM he did so without consulting us. It is indeed his democratic right to quit the ODM and join any party of his choice a an individual, but he had no right claiming that we are with him in that party because we were not consulted,” said Joseph Chepkwony Belgut politician in Kericho town.

A Kericho Municipal Councilor Nicholas Tum hailed the Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his political dynamism and magnanimity, saying he was pleased that the Kipsigis people have now realized that they were being fed with empty political slogans and propaganda aimed at maligning the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Tum attended all the Raila’s meeting during his last week’s our of the Kericho County said the committee to over see the settlement of Mau Forest evictee should be chaired by Minister for Roads Franklin Bett. The Committee must be free of politicization and from being used as a propaganda tools to malign those perceived to be allied to Raila.

Among the presidential aspirants who toured most part of Western Kenya at the weekend Ms Martha Karua, was the most successful. Her tour drew a large number of enthusiastic supporters who cheered him widely in Migori and Siaya Towns.

The iron Lady cut across the region with clear message that Kenya was yawning for a genuine change and that anti-reformist politicians should be voted out of leadership in 2012.

Karua instant popularity in Nyanza came about as a result of her consistency in parliamentary debates on issues of national importance as one of the few “Voices of Reasons in the August House”. In some places Karua heard supporter shouting the loudest tat she should disband Narc Kenya and team up with “Agwambo” in the next elections.

Ends

Kenya: Blame Siaya Council Elections on Raila – Oduya, Maurice where are you!

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From: Judy Miriga

Maurice,

Following what Okinda and others have commented, we look forward that you charge directly on the ODM Officials in defense of Mrs. Elizabeth Owino. She truely and rightly won fairly and squarely ……. and let her not be intimidated and robbed off her victory…….

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

– – – – – – – – – – –

— On Wed, 7/13/11, jt okinda wrote:

I happen to come from siaya and know both the outgoing council chairman and mama Elizabeth. It was a big shame for those of us who profess democracy and are national officials of odm for our party to be associated with such filth! As I have said before, it is the right of the voter to vote for a man/woman of his/her choice no matter the preference of some of us. Voters always have second chances if they vote in a wrong person. What happened in Siaya is of criminal nature. I called the D.C. and expressed the same sentiments that those who broke the law be taken to court without any further delay. Mama Elizabeth is a respected grandmother to be subjected to barbaric action by those who have no respect for free choice. I condemned it in the strongest terms possible.

I demand that ODM leadership come out and state their position on violence against women. It is not time to be indifference when our party members are culprits on matters of violence! It is such image that I intend to erase from ODM once elected party secretary general.

OKINDA JT

From: maurice oduor

Nyamodi,

Give me a brief synopsis of what happened.

From: okil@ . . .

Maurice,

I feel what needs to happen is for party h/q to put their foot down and give the lady a chance, which she deserves! Your MP, Jim Orengo, can be of assistance if you can reach him!

Regards.

Nyamodi Ochieng-Nyamogo.

From: “maurice oduor”

Nyamodi,

Is there anything we can do to ensure a fair result? May be the people on the ground can tell us what kind of help they need. Is it possible to get the contacts of the people on the ground?

Courage

From: Nyamodi Ochieng Nyamogo

Maurice,

I was on the phone, yesterday, with Councillor Oriaro, of Boro West Ward, and i gathered that this was the answer, by the sitting County Council Chairman Aggrey Oduor Onyango and his goons, to his being defeated to the Chair by a lady Councillor from Ugenya! Beats crude sense how we wind up with chaps like that as Chairmen of our civic bodies! Also speaks volumes as to how ready, and willing, we are to embrace the new Constitutional dispensation with respect to women empowerment!!!

Regards.

Nyamodi Ochieng-Nyamogo.

ARE KENYA MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TOO BROKE TO PAY TAXES?

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By Agwanda Jowi

Those who have paid taxes we have used the word: TAX PAID

Those who have refused to pay taxes we have used the word: NO

– – – – – – – – – – –

Parliamentarian’s name
Representative for:
Belongs to:
TAX Paid

OR

NO?

Benjamin Kipkirui Langat
Ainamoi
ODM
NO

Sally Jemngetich Kosgei
Aldai
ODM
NO

Edwin Ochieng Yinda
Alego/Usonga
ODM
NO

Ojaamongson, Sospeter Odeke
Amagoro
ODM
NO

Benedict Fondo Gunda
Bahari
ODM
NO

Sammy Silas Komen Mwaita
Baringo Central
ODM
NO

Asman Abongotum Kamama
Baringo East
PNU
NO

William C. Kipkiror
Baringo North
ODM
NO

Charles Cheruiyot Keter
Belgut
ODM
NO

Christopher Mogere Obure
Bobasi
ODM
NO

Simon Ogari
Bomachoge
ODM
NO

Beatrice Cherono Kones
Bomet
ODM
NO

Charles Onyancha
Bonchari
ODM
NO

Oginga, Oburu
Bondo
ODM
NO

Namwamba Ababu
Budalangi
ODM
NO

Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester
Bumula
PNU
NO

Abdi Nasir Nuh
Bura
ODM-K
NO

Frankilin Bett
Buret
ODM
NO

Oparanya, Wycliffe Ambetsa
Butere
ODM
NO

Alfred Bwire Odhiambo
Butula
ODM
NO

Gitobu Imanyara
Central Imenti
CCU
NO

Kajembe, Ramathan Seif
Changamwe
ODM
NO

Isaac Kiprono Rutto
Chepalungu
ODM
NO

Joshua Serem Kutuny
Cherangany
ODM
NO

Beth Wambui Mugo
Dagoretti
PNU
NO

Bare Aden Duale
Dujis
ODM
NO

Moses K. Lessonet
Eldama Ravine
ODM
NO

Margaret Jepkoech Kamar
Eldoret East
ODM
NO

Ruto, Samoei William K.
Eldoret North
ODM
NO

Peris Chepchumba
Eldoret South
ODM
NO

Assistant Minister

Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu
Embakasi
PNU
PAID

Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat
Emgwen
ODM
NO

Wilber Ottichilo Khasilwa
Emuhaya
ODM
NO

Sugow, Ahmed Aden
Fafi
KANU
NO

Paul Otuoma Nyongesa
Funyula
ODM
NO

Mutava Muyimi
Gachoka
PNU
PAID

Dhadho Gaddae Goghana
Galole
ODM
NO

Francis S. K. Baya
Ganze
KADU-A
NO

Mungatana, Danson Buya
Garsen
NARC-K
NO

Kenneth, Peter
Gatanga
PNU
NO

Clement Kungu Waibara
Gatundu North
PICK
NO

Kenyatta Uhuru
Gatundu South
KANU
NO

Midiwo, Washington Jakoyo
Gem
ODM
NO

Karua, Martha Wangari
Gichugu
PNU
NO

Peter Njoroge Baiya
Githunguri
SAFINA
NO

John Mbadi Ngóngó
Gwasi
ODM
NO

Khaniri, George Munyasa
Hamisi
ODM
NO

Ntoitha M”Mithiaru
Igembe North
PNU
NO

Frankilin Mithika Linturi
Igembe South
KANU
NO

Haji YusufMohammed
Ijara
KANU
NO

Dr Khalwale
Ikolomani
New Ford K
NO

Kuti,Mohammed. Abdi
Isiolo North
NARC-K
NO

Abdul Bahari Ali
Isiolo South
KANU
NO

William Kabogo Gitau
Juja
NARC-KENYA
NO

Poghisio, Samuel Losuron
Kacheliba
ODM-K
NO

Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka
Kaiti
ODM-K
NO

Nkaisserry, Joseph Kasaine
Kajiado Central
ODM
NO

Saitoti, George
Kajiado North
PNU
NO

Samuel Kazungu Kambi
Kaloleni
PNU
NO

Vacant
Kamukunji
VACANT
NO

James Maina Kamau
Kandara
PNU
NO

Alfred Khan’gati
Kanduyi
ODM
NO

Michuki, John Njoroge
Kangema
PNU
NO

Johnson Nduya Muthama
Kangundo
ODM-K
PAID

Julius Recha Murgor
Kapenguria
ODM
NO

James G. Kwanya Rege
Karachuonyo
ODM
NO

Elizabeth Ongoro
Kasarani
ODM
NO

Joseph Oyugi Magwanga
Kasipul-Kabondo
ODM
NO

Wavinya Ndeti
Kathiani
CCU
NO

Chepkitony, Lucas Kipkosgei
Keiyo North
ODM
NO

Jackson Kiplagat Kiptanui
Keiyo South
ODM
NO

Evans Bulimo Akula
Khwisero
ODM
NO

Stanley Munga Githunguri
Kiambaa
KANU
NO

Philip Kyalo Kaloki
Kibwezi
ODM-K
NO

Nemesyus Warugongo
Kieni
PNU
NO

Jamleck Irungu Kamau
Kigumo
PNU
NO

Barnabas Muturi C. Mwangi
Kiharu
PNU
NO

Lewis Nguyai Nganga
Kikuyu
PNU
NO

Gideon Sitelu Konchela
Kilgoris
PNU
NO

John Harun Mwau
Kilome
PICK
NO

David Eseli Simiyu
Kimilili
FORD-K
NO

Rai, Samuel Gonzi
Kinango
FORD-P
NO

David Mwaniki Ngugi
Kinangop
SISI KWA SISI
NO

Kimunya, Amos Muhinga
Kipipiri
PNU
NO

Kiprono Langat J. Magerer
Kipkelion
ODM
NO

Joseph Gitari
Kirinyaga Central
PNU
NO

Hassan Ali Joho
Kisauni
ODM
NO

Nyong’o, Peter Anyang’
Kisumu Rural
ODM
NO

Shabbir Ahmed Shakeel Ahmed
Kisumu Town East
ODM
NO

John Olago Aluoch
Kisumu Town West
ODM
NO

Ngilu, Charity Kaluki
Kitui Central
NARC
NO

Isaac Mulatya Muoki
Kitui South
ODM-K
NO

Charles Mutisya Nyamai
Kitui West
NARC
NO

Richard Momoima Onyonka
Kitutu Chache
PDP
NO

Walter Enock Nyambati Osebe
Kitutu Masaba
N LP
NO

Julius Kipyegon Kones
Konoin
ODM
NO

Zakayo Kipkemoi Cheruiyot
Kuresoi
ODM
NO

Machage Wilfred Gisuka
Kuria
DP
NO

Wekesa, Noah Muhalangángá
Kwanza
PNU
NO

Maalim Farah
Lagdera
ODM
NO

Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi
Laikipia East
PNU
NO

Ndiritu Muriithi
Laikipia West
PNU
NO

Joseph Lekuton
Laisamis
KANU
NO

Abu Mohamed Chiaba
Lamu East
PNU
NO

Twaha, Yasin Fahim
Lamu West
NARC-K
NO

Prime Minister

Odinga, Raila Amolo
Langata
ODM
PAID

David Njuguna Kiburi Mwaura
Lari
PPK
NO

Mwalimu Masudi Mwahima
Likoni
ODM
NO

Peter Mungai Mwathi
Limuru
FORD-P
NO

Judah Katoo Metito
Loitokitok
NARC-K
NO

Khwa Shakhalaga Jirogo
Lugari
KADDU
NO

Atanas Manyala Keya
Lurambi
ODM
NO

Victor Kioko Munyaka
Machakos Town
ODM-K
NO

Amason Kingi Jeffah
Magarini
ODM
NO

Gidion Kioko Mbuvi
Makadara
NARC-KENYA
NO

Peter L.N. Kiilu
Makueni
ODM-K
NO

Shitanda, Peter Soita
Malava
NEW FORD-KENYA
NO

Maitha Gideon Mungáro
Malindi
ODM
NO

Hussein Mohamed Abdikadir
Mandera Central
SAFINA
NO

Mohamed Hussein Ali
Mandera East
ODM
NO

Mohamed, Muhamud Maalim
Mandera West
ODM
NO

Emilio Mureithi Kathuri
Manyatta
DP
NO

Mbau, Elias Peter
Maragwa
PNU
NO

Kilimo, Linah Jebi
Marakwet East
KENDA
NO

Boaz Kipchumba Kaino
Marakwet West
ODM
NO

Mbai, Benson Itwiku
Masinga
ODM-K
NO

Clement Muchiri Wambugu
Mathioya
PNU
NO

Empraim Mwangi Maina
Mathira
SAFINA
NO

Chirau Ali Mwakwere
Matuga
PNU
NO

Were, David Aoko
Matungu
ODM
NO

Kajwang’, Gerald Otieno
Mbita
ODM
NO

Mutula Kilonzo
Mbooni
ODM-K
NO

John Pesa Dache
Migori
ODM
NO

Hellen Jepkemoi Sambili
Mogotio
UDM
NO

Joseph Nganga Kiuna
Molo
PNU
NO

David K. Koech
Mosop
ODM
NO

Mohamud Mohamed Ali
Moyale
ODM
NO

Omar Mbwana Zonga
Msambweni
ODM
NO

Fred Chesebe Kapondi
Mt. Elgon
ODM
NO

Olweny, Patrick Ayiecho
Muhoroni
ODM
NO

Kabando Wa Kabando
Mukurweini
SAFINA
NO

Benjamin Jomo Washiali
Mumias
ODM
NO

Kilonzo, Julias Kiema
Mutito
ODM-K
NO

Balala,MohammedNajib
Mvita
ODM
NO

Daniel Mutua Muoki
Mwala
ODM-K
NO

Andrew Calist Mwatela
Mwatate
ODM
NO

Peter Njuguna Gitau
Mwea
PNU
NO

Vice President

Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo
Mwingi North
ODM-K
PAID

Musila, David
Mwingi South
ODM-K
NO

John Michael Njenga Mututho
Naivasha
KANU
NO

Lee Maiyani Kinyanjui
Nakuru Town
PNU
NO

Okemo, Chrysanthus
Nambale
ODM
NO

Ntimama, William Ronkorua Ole
Narok North
ODM
NO

Nkoidila Ole Lankas
Narok South
ODM
NO

Jeremiah Ngayu Kioni
Ndaragwa
PNU
NO

Joshua Orwa Ojode
Ndhiwa
ODM
NO

Githae Robinson Njeru
Ndia
PNU
NO

Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki
Nithi
KANU
NO

Francis Chachu Ganya
North Horr
ODM
NO

Silas Muriuki Ruteere
North Imenti
MAZINGIRA
NO

Wilfred Moriasi Ombui
North Mugirango/Borabu
KANU
NO

Pollyins Ochieng Anyango
Nyakach
ODM
NO

Fredrick Otieno Outa
Nyando
ODM
NO

Robert Onsare Monda
Nyaribari Chache
NARC
NO

Samson Kegengo Ongeri
Nyaribari Masaba
KANU
NO

Peter Edick Omondi Anyanga
Nyatike
ODM
NO

Esther Murugi Mathenge
Nyeri Town
PNU
NO

Erastus Kihara Mureithi
Ol’ Kalau
PNU
NO

President Kibaki, Mwai
Othaya
PNU
PAID

Martin Otieno Ogindo
Rangwe
ODM
NO

Nicholas O. Gumbo
Rarieda
ODM
NO

Luka Kipkorir Kigen
Rongai
ODM
NO

Dalmas Angango Otieno
Rongo
ODM
NO

Cecily Mutitu Mbarire
Runyenjes
PNU
NO

Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi
Sabatia
ODM
NO

Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa
Saboti
PNU
NO

Hussein Tarry Sasura
Saku
ODM-K
NO

Raphael Lakalei Letimalo
Samburu East
ODM
NO

Lesirma, Simeon Saimanga
Samburu West
ODM
NO

Justus Kizito Mugali
Shinyalu
ODM
NO

Lenny Maxwell Kivuti
Siakago
SAFINA
NO

Wilson Mwotiny Litole
Sigor
ODM
NO

Wetangula, Moses Makisa
Sirisia
PNU
NO

Joyce Cherono Laboso
Sotik
ODM
NO

Murungi, Kiraitu
South Imenti
PNU
NO

Manson Nyamweya
South Mugirango
FORD-PEOPLE
NO

Margaret Wanjiru Kariuki
Starehe
ODM
NO

Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie
Subukia
PNU
NO

Shaban, Naomi Namsi
Taveta
KANU
NO

Francis Thombe Nyammo
Tetu
PNU
NO

Alex Muthengi Mburi Mwiru
Tharaka
PNU
NO

Munya Peter Gatirau
Tigania East
PNU
NO

Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi
Tigania West
PNU
NO

Kosgey, Henry Kiprono
Tinderet
ODM
NO

Ethuro, David Ethuro
Turkana Central
PNU
NO

Munyes, John Kiyonga
Turkana North
PNU
NO

Josephat Nanok Koli
Turkana South
ODM
NO

Aggrey James Orengo
Ugenya
ODM
NO

Cyprian Ojwang Omollo
Uriri
ODM
NO

Yusufu Kifuma Chanzu
Vihiga
ODM
NO

Danson Mwazo Mwakulegwa
Voi
ODM
NO

Ibrabim Elmi Mohamed
Wajir East
ODM
NO

Hussein GabbowMohammed
Wajir North
ODM
NO

Mahamud Muhumed Sirat
Wajir South
ODM-K
NO

Adan Keynan Wehliye
Wajir West
KANU
NO

Wekesa B.A. Sambu
Webuye
ODM
NO

James Ondicho Gesami
West Mugirango
ODM
NO

Gumo, Fredrick Omulo
Westlands
ODM
NO

Thomas Luhindi Mwadeghu
Wundanyi
ODM
NO

Kilonzo Charles Mutavi
Yatta
ODM-K
NO

Yakub Mohammad Dor
Nominated
ODM
NO

Nyamweya George Omari
Nominated
PNU
NO

Abdalla Amina Ali
Nominated
KANU
NO

END.

Kenya: Speach by Architect Okinda JT at the ODM Youth 2012 National Convention

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From: odhiambo okecth

From: jt okinda

INTRA PARTY DEMOCRACY. WHERE ARE WE?

It was great being invited to contribute my piece by those of you who believe that the country is greater than any one of us. As young people, you have decided rightly that you need a sustainable political vehicle with which to ferry your ideas to the next level.With the promulgation of the new constitution, the country is experiencing unprecedented political awareness than has been experienced before. This is because the constitution is built at the altar of people friendly institutions of governance. Political parties by their own nature are instruments of democratic governance. It is imperative that all political parties in Kenya practices intra party democracy.Democracy requires periodical elections. The constitution spells out that all members of a given political party are entitled to participate in such elections without fear or favor. The rider is that elections must be by secret ballot. Any party elections not conducted as per the constitutions can easily be annulled by the court. To build our parties, we must be ready to accept the principal of mutual respect for all those who choose to be members of the party. People make free choices when it comes to party membership. It is important that those choices are respected even at the time of discourse even where difference of opinion surfaces. As members of ODM, we must admit that at some point, rain started beating us. This is the best way to confront the beast that has made our party headline news since the last election circle. The starting point is the party nomination of 2007. Orange was riding high on opinion polls before our nomination of 2007. Our match to take over the leadership of this country was unstoppable.Come the 2007 nominations, we goofed! Members of the high table, notably nicknamed Pentagon, decided to disrespect the party constitution by giving themselves direct nomination. Party members who had political ambitions but hailed from constituencies where Pentagon members had awarded themselves direct nomination decided to take a walk to other parties. This was the beginning of our declining popularity. Other occupants of the high table such as the party national chairman, the party national secretary general all claimed a price of direct nomination. It was disheartening to our members who had shown interest on some of these seats to have been denied the basic fundamental right to participate in the nomination process. There are several cases where people had paid the kshs.100, 000 nomination fees which were never refunded! This amounted to daylight robbery!Bickering as ODM family started just during and after nomination of party candidates. Members of the so called Pentagon worsened the situation by influencing the nomination of their cronies in regions they purportedly controlled. The whole nomination process was a farce! This gave the party bad publicity to the extent that the party youth literally broke into party offices, beating up party staff and destroying party properties as part of the protest. The nomination fallout gave our opponents plenty of ammunitions to throwaround. Our defecting members dissatisfied with the nomination also swelled their ranks. We must never allow this to happen again.The rigging of the national Presidential Election at the end of 2007 brought the ODM family together as they protested the election outcome. As the country moved to power sharing deals between the two contending parties, ordinary members were once again forgotten. The leadership had gotten their half bread and the members became irrelevant as the bread was being shared among the political elite! At the sharing high table
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there was no difference between ODM and PNU. All were greedy for the slice! Four years down the line, no tangible engagement with the voting party membership has been felt. The relevance of party members is now starting to be felt as we approach another election circle and votes are needed for the full loaf!Politics in my view, should not just be for the capture of power for the elite to grow richer, but should be for the general good of the entire population. Political parties should create mechanism of being at tandem with their supporters. Apart from the existence of physical structures that provides office spaces, there must be well harnessed human resource to manage the offices. Relevant communications gadgets such as computers, internet connectivity, printers and other writing materials should be part of the office infrastructure. In addition to all these, a functioning library to disseminate party and other relevant state information must be within reach.Information is power. The party must use its spread to transmit development information to the people. People want to know how to access bursary funds, youth enterprise funds, women enterprise funds, constituency development funds and other funds from state and private actors. The party that cares will ensure that the general membership has the information needed to access these funds. Apart from providing data banks at the branch offices for the funds, the branch/sub branch secretariat will be available to assist party members in filling up relevant application forms and making a follow up for disbursement.The party branches can effectively be used to promote development agenda for the locality. Information on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, horticulture, green house agriculture, agro forestry, crafts development can be transmitted to the people by the branch officials guided by professionally qualified branch executive. Such level of involvement will make the party relevant all year around.By directly engaging with members on development issues, the party will consistently be recruiting new members. It is through improved membership that revenue for running party affairs can be raised. Our relevance as a party of posterity can only be felt if we consistently show our commitment to the economic empowerment of our people. The best way to confront our national weakness such as corruption, negative ethnicity is through civic education conducted by the party.In order for our party to be positioned for 2012 leadership of this great country, credible party elections must be conducted. Building confidence among our members will greatly enhance our image as a party of reform. The leadership must allow the election process to be as free as possible and in tandem with the constitution. This time around leaders must come from the grassroots membership of party rank and file. Any attempt at imposing leaders will force all reformists to move away from ODM and seek another political vehicle to carry the reform agenda through.By deciding for elections, ODM is again leading from the front. After the enactment of the new constitution, it is imperative that all political parties create internal structures in conformity with the supreme laws. Most parties have been used to filling party positions through selective processes. This is no longer tenable as the new supreme law is very categorical that democratic elections must be held to fill party position. Elections have to be by secret ballot. Election by acclamation is no longer an option.
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As we wait for our party elections come July, it is imperative that we focus on how best to manage the process so that the resulting officials meets the threshold of gender and regionalism.The newly adopted party constitutions create 27 party offices. With 47 counties, it will not be possible to create room for officials in all the 47 counties. The party must therefore work out modalities of ensuring that all the formerly crafted 8 provinces and interest groups are represented at top decision making organ of the party.Regional balancing might look undemocratic to some, but it is unavoidable if the spirit of the new constitution is to prevail. In order to ensure that democracy prevails at the National Delegates Conference, various contenders of party offices are expected to create alliances across all the provinces. As a contender for Secretary General’s post at the national level, it is my contention that as a party, the interest of the youth must be at the centre of our policy based on Social Democracy as has been expounded on several of our policy papers. Job and wealth creation is at the core of solving numerous challenges facing our youth.You cannot create jobs without creating wealth. Wealth creation must also not be an end in itself but we must spread this wealth around to meet the needs of our youth. Our youth do not expect a free bite. They would like to work and earn a descent wage for work done. Negotiating institutions for wealth distribution such as Central Organization of Trade Unions must be empowered to genuinely represent workers on such negotiations. Compromising workers interest at the altar of underhand deals must be criminalized.The party on its part must create linkages between our youth and various state actors formed to empower the youth socially and economically. Bodies such as the Youth Enterprise Funds must be made to serve the youth diligently. Contrary actions must fall under criminality as it is sabotage against state interest which is likely to compromise state security.Sports bodies such as FKL and others must be made transparent and answerable to the Kenyan youth. Currently such bodies are lead by people on their twilight years. This should never be the case. The party must sponsor legislation which will ensure that age becomes a factor to allow for transition of management of sports from the old generation to our youth.As a party of reform, our Women must be empowered to contribute their full potential to the economy. This can only be achieved through genuine implementation of affirmative action endorsed by the Kenyan people when they voted for the new constitution. Our mothers, sisters, aunties and wives are not subordinate to anybody! They are fully fledged human beings with full rights under the new constitution. As a party of reform, we must bring out a leadership outfit which will ensure positions rotate between the sexes. Where a Woman is to be elected Party Chairman, a man must be her deputy and vice versa.As with Youth programs, Women programs must be made known to our women through a well structured information super highway. Information technology is no longer a choice; it is a must knowledge for the modern citizen. Our party must develop the IT department which will enable our members to have access to information at all times.
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All branches must have branch offices with executive officers recruited through structured manner and paid salary by the party. The party leader in his address to the delegates last year, indicated that he will personally visit the regions and open these new orange houses. With the new party offices and the installation of computers and internets, membership data will be available at the branch offices for the purpose of proper coordination.The new look ODM strives to promote work culture to our Kenyan people. It will be expecting impossible for the party to promise salaried employment to all able bodied Kenyans. Self initiative and the spirit of enterproniaship is the way to go. The party must strive to create enabling environment for business to prosper. While the world sings free market, this is piped dream for those who have no start-up point. The people must be educated and assisted to venture into business.Corruption is a culture which kills business. As a party the new look ODM must at all times fight the culture of corruption and patronage. Impunity is no longer an option. Those guilty of corruption must dance the music of corruption while serving their terms in our jails. KACC commission must deliver or they themselves answer to abuse of office charges.As we prepare our party for a new start, those who contributed their part during the second liberation must note that they are fully appreciated. This of course does not mean a right to hold offices where their performance can no longer meet our expectation. They should therefore gracefully give room to the new actors to move our country forward.Architect OKINDA JT

Kenya: When Raila came face to face with placard waving youths demanding that he keep off Kisumu Mayoral election

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

For the first time in his long and rewarding political career, the Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga last Saturday came face to face with placard displaying youth in Kisumu City protesting against his involvement in the mayoral election.

The youths were protesting against the re-election of Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello whose tenure comes to an end on July first. The embattled Mayor had accompanied the Prime Minister t the School’s function which was held at Nyamasaria Primary School within Kisumu Municipality.

A group of 17 Councilors allied to Okello’s rival Odhiambo Oyolo who is the Town’s Planning Committee were notably absent at the function.

The group skipped the function and were reported to have gone underground in their hideout believes to be somewhere in Entebbe City in Uganda to strategize how to dislodge Okello, The Kisumu Mayoral election is slated for July 1st.

One of the placards reads “Raila we love as a democrat, but Mayor Okello must go home”. We support Coun. Odhiambo Oyolo {Soldier} for Mayor.

More noisy and unprintable words displayed in placards unfolded at the nearby Oyile Market when the Prime Minister asked Mayor Okello to address the residents.

Raila criticized the move by a group of civic leaders opposed to Mayor Okello for displaying the placards at the function saying they were hired to disparage the mayor. “

“What can a new Mayor achieve in one year? We don’t want politician when some people hide somewhere in attempt to win the mayoral election”.

Raila’s remarks were viewed as veiled attack against a group of 17 Kisumu Municipal Councilors who are said to have gone underground, reportedly hiding in the Ugandan City of Entebbe to strategizing about how to win the Mayoral elections.

The previous weekend a group of elders led by Ker Willis Otondi the chairman of the Luo Council of Elders accompanied Mayor Okello to Raila’s residence in the posh Milimani estate and pleaded with the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure the status quo remained unchanged at the Kisumu Town Hall.

But Raila who initially appeared to be neutral referred the Otondi and Okello team to the ODM party branch chairman Dave Okwatch to convene the meeting and have the matter resolved.

The two camps later on Tuesday the previous week, but no deal was struck any consensus reached. And the branch chairman Dave Okwatch later stated that his office would remain neutral on the issue of Mayoral election to enhance democracy.

Other sources confided to us that the group opposed to Mayor Okello had ignore the ODM reconciliation effort and was determined to ensure the Mayor was ousted on July 1st at all costs.

Mayor Okello has recently come under scathing criticism over his style of leadership with allegation that he has become one of the most expensive Mayors. His critics are citing his frequent trips overseas and in the region at the expense of the Council and the rampant sales of the town’s land plots.

The Mayor’s critics says that the impending administration of Kisumu County would run into trouble because it will have no land to offer to the new potential investors.

Other accusations being level against Okello include excessive arrogance and having presided over the Council which had gone into rampant sale of the Council Houses and land spaces in Town..

During the Nyamasaria meeting last Saturday, two Kisumu MPs John Olago Aluoch {Kisumu Town West} and Shakil Ahmed Shabir { Kisumu Town East}who were also present steered clear of the Mayoral election.

At the time when Mayor Okelo was brought to Kisumu and hastily nominated to the Council by he ODM on Raila instruction he was said to be an industrialist operating in the Coastal town of Mombasa and that his being the mayor of Kisumu would be an asset to the town because his presence will attract more investors. But throughout his tenure of office no tangible investment has come up in Kisumu.

Okello was previously a staunch KANU member a leader and perennial election loser in Muhoroni constituency on KANU ticket,but only switched to the ODM after losing the Muhoroni parliamentary seat to the incumbent Prof.Patrick Ayiecho Olueny.

Ends

KENYA: RAILA REJECTS KISUMU MAYOR PLEA.

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By Chak Rachar

An attempt by the outgoing Kisumu Mayor Sam Okello to have Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene and “help him be re-elected” for another term was flatly rejected by Raila who told him straight in his face that he must face his opponents.

In a move interpreted by many that Okello is out of Raila’s favor and he is on his out of Kisumu politics by Raila telling him to face his opponents was like giving him a political rope to hang him with it.

One of the politicians who was present at the said meeting which took place last Saturday in the morning at Raila’s Kisumu residence said that Mayor Okello was accompanied by the factional Luo Council of Elders leader Opiyo Otondi, Councillors Ben Muga , Isaiah Onyango and perennial Kisumu Parliamentary aspirant Shem Oeyo Onyango Kwega .

“When Raila gave them his ear, Ker Otondi was the first to speak saying that he had brought “his son” (Mayor Okello) to him so that he compels Councilors opposed to him during the 1st July mayoral elections to be coerced by Raila to have them re-elect Okello”an insider during g the said meeting said.

He further added that Otondi pleaded with Raila so that the status –quo remains the way it is presently with Okello being the Mayor and Coucillor Soja Oyollo who is his opponent just retaining his Chairmanship of the planning committee.

Okelo also told Raila to help him with ODM youths so that they could reign terror during the elections day so that by the time the elections would be called, he would have organized himself better.

“Raila told them that he was against violence in Kisumu presently as the town was trying to re-invent himself for investors to be wooed and further told Okello that the said status quo he wanted could only be possible if the councilors were united the source further said.

“Find away how you can lure the Councilors presently with Oyolo Soja because the law requires that eventually the elections will be done, Kwega call a meeting between the Councilors and Okello and see if the can some sort of agreement” Raila instructed Kwega.

The group left dejected and were heard murmuring wondering why Raila could not call the said meeting him like he did when he brought Okello the first time.

The said meeting of the ODM party took place and a resolution was reached that Mayor Okello was to eventually face his opponents in the forthcoming elections as he was told that Raila presently was more than a Luo leader.

By the time we went to press, Lord Oyollo as he is popularly known was said to be having eighteen Councilors against Okello’s eleven and he is presently with them in Kampala Uganda strategizing how to win the elections.

ENDS

KENYA: RAILA AND HIS KEY OPPONENTS MET IN A FACE – TO – FACE- ENCOUNTER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NDHIWA DURING BURIAL OF OJODE’S FATHER AS HUGE CROWDS WATCHED IN DISBELIEF

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RAILA AND HIS KEY OPPONENTS MET IN A FACE — TO – FACE- ENCOUNTER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NDHIWA DURING BURIAL OF OJODE’S FATHER AS HUGE CROWDS WATCHED IN DISBELIEF

Reports By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

The weekend high profile funeral of the father of the Assistant mister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration Joshua Orwa Ojode was a blessing in disguise in the true sense of the word.

Mzee Michael Ojode Otieno a highly respected community leader was laid to rest at his Ratang’a home in Central Kwabway Location, in Nyarongi Division, Ndhiwa district. Hs son Orwa Ojode acted as the master of ceremony and ushered the VIP and other dignitaries.

While addressing the mammoth crowd that had turned up to give Ojode’s father a heroic send off, President Kibaki, was wildly cheered by the huge crowd when he made an impromptu announcement of new plan to improve the key link road in the greater Southern Nyanza.

The President told the cheering mourners that the government would construct Opapo –Magina Pala and Oria road which is traversing Ndhiwa constituency, parts of Rongo, Awendo and Uriri constituencies. He also disclosed that plans are a foot to construct Migori-Muhuru Bay road and also another key road that is linking Mbita and Magunga in both Mbita and Gwassi districts. The roads mentioned covered several parliamentary constituencies of Migori, Nyatike, Ronmgo, Awendo, Uriri, Ndhiwa, Gwassi and Mbita and therefore are s vital for economic activities and access to the markets by farmers and fishermen alike.

President Kibaki also made a light touch about the two controversial fishing islands of Migingo and Ugingo reiterating his earlier statement that the two islands are part and parcel of Kenya, but he was rather diplomatically when he said there was no need for the two friendly sister countries to engage in unfruitful quarrelling over the small islands, something which could easily be sorted out amicably.

The most interesting feature of the event was the presence at the function of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga who met his key opponents on a face-to-face encounter for the past time.

Raila’s key rivals were the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and the Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and to a lesser extent the Internal Security Minister Prof Goerge Saitoti who is also being rumored to be eyeing the presidency.

The three are, together with other presidential hopeful under the auspices of the so-called G7, who are known to be jointly strategizing to floor Raila Odinga in the 2012 general elections.

Thousands of people had travelled from all over the Luo-Nyanza when it became known by Saturday evening that the two principals together with other political luminaries would be in attendance at Mzee Ojode’s funeral.

In their addresses, however, the rival political camps steered clear of the politics of succession only dwelling in more calls for national unity and cohesion to spur the faster development and economic growth.

It is a real show of national solidarity as the rivals mingled and easily interacted with each other and at time engaged in hearty chatting at the VIP dais in full view of the crowd.

Other members of the G7 present at the function were Samuel Pogisio, MP Cyrus Jirongo, former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara.William Ruto, Eugne Wamalwa, William Kabogo, Simeon Lersima, Ferdinand Waititu, Kambi Kazungu and Jamleck Kamau.

Those in attendance from the OIDM side include Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, Land Minister James Aggrey Orengo, Finance Assistant Minister Dr.Oburu Odinga, Assistant Foreign Minister Richard Onyonka, Education Assitant Minister Prof. Ayiecho Olueny, Goerge Otieno Ogindo ) Rangwe), John Mbadi {Gwassi}, Edwin Ochieng Yinda {Alego-Usonga},Yusuf Chanzu {Vihiga},James Gesami {Nyaribari Chache} Millie Odhiambo {Nominated} and Fred Outa {Nyando},

Some of the local MPs were later heard complaining that they were not given due attention and respect as leaders

One man who stole the show was Uhuru Kenyatta who instantly became the darling of the crowd earning the longest applause and cheers from the mourners. Many people seemed to having keen interest in seeing Mr. Kenyatta who appeared to be the darling of the crowd as the Gatundu South MP exchanged hearty greeting with almost everybody who came his way becoming instant center of attraction.

Raila Odinga heaped a lot of praise to President Kibaki and his style of leadership, which he said, had seen the country moving much faster in terms of development. He has changed the development tempo from the previous regime where people were forced to kneel down before the President while begging for development.

He told the crowd that the government has instituted a Ministerial team comprising of the Internal Security Minister Saitoti, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, Lands and Acting Foreign Minister James Orengo to resume talks with their Ugandan counterparts on the status of the two fishing islands in Lake Victoria which are currently in dispute between Kenya and Uganda.

Two Minister from Luo-Nyanza praised President Kibaki’s development record, and Otieno Kajwang’ of the Immigration dwelt on the new major roads linking districts headquarters in the region, which are being constructed a fresh or in the process of being constructed as some of the example of massive development being experienced in the region.

Orengo pleaded with President Kibaki to restrain his PNU leaders from publicly vilifying the Prime Minister Odinga, adding, ” We in ODM , we respect you as the President of the Republic of Kenyan and the Commander In-Chie of the Armed Forces, and at no time have we talked ill of you in public.

The PNU MPs should reciprocate and show respect to the Prime Minister as an important coalition government partner.

Ojode thanked the President Kibaki for ordering the tarmac king Opapo-Magina-Pala road and for upgrading Mirogi Boys Secondary School to be the constituent college of the Maseno University.

The funeral gathering rekindled the old spirit of unity with which Kenyans fought the mighty British forces and won their political independence after many years of blood-letting struggle. Politics were set aside as the leaders in attendance showed the true spirit of being true Kenyans and a united team.

Ends

leoodera@yahoo.com

Kenya: ANOTHER US based high profile Kenyan is eyeing the newly created Awendo Parliamentary seat

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By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu

ANOTHER us based Kenya with the most attractive profile has declared his interest in contesting a parliamentary seat in the newly created Awendo constituency in Awendo district.

Reuben O Oduwo, who before moving to the US had served as the deputy principal and the principal at the various secondary schools in Rachuonyo and Nyando districts.

Oduwo who is well known to his peers as “Jomo Oduwo”hail from Waware sub-location in Sakwa East Location, Awendo district within the Migori County. In his message for declaration of intention to contest the seat, which is hived out of the old Rongo constituency, Oduwo said that the tome for electing mediocre into high offices such as Parliament or Senate are long gone.

Kenya can only move forward under the new constitution if the electorate could be wise enough and choose wisely to make sure that the right people were elected to the house, especially those with broad knowledge of legislative system, interpretation and their implications.

Oduwo holds a Mater’s Degree in biology {Aquatic and Conservation} at the University of Nebraska at Omaha post-graduate, and a certificate in geographic and Information Science. He studied for a diploma in science education at the Kenya Science Teachers College, a certificate in environmental education at the Moi University, Eldoret in Kenya.

Oduwo is the former Principal of Magunga Secondary School in Nyando district and also worked as the deputy principal Hum Girls Secondary School in Kisumu district and later at Atela Mixed Secondary School in Kasipul-Kabondo in Rachuonyo South district.

A son of the Awendo based business magnate the late Mzee Joash Oduwo Owino whose rural home situated near Ranen Market in Sakwa East Location

He said Awendo is agriculturally rich area, which is producing a lot of maize, sugar cane, tobacco and other cash crops therefore the region’s potentiality in contributing to rapid economic growth f the region need to be addressed by the relevant government ministries.

Oduwo pledged to fight for the down trodden cane farmers in Awendo and its environs who have suffered a great deal in the hands of the Awendo based SONYSUGAR company including undue delays in paying the cane farmers their dues, poor harvesting plans and system.

He also said that he would spearhead the privatization of SONYSUGAR and press the demand that the farmers get 45 per cent of the share equity.

The region, said Oduwo is prone to crime waves, and that he would work closely with the provincial Administration and police authorities to ensure that crime rate in the region is reduced drastically and pave the way for faster development. He would also work hard to create peaceful atmosphere and cordial relations among the people of different ethnicity living in the region like the Kisii, Luos, Kuria and the Maasais.

He will thrive to develop economically important infrastructure such as good roads to enable the farmer to access market places for their farm crops, construction of new bridges for easy cross through feeder and access roads. Improvement of the education standard, providing the residents with more well stocked health center and dispensaries.

Ends

leodera@yahoo.com

KENYA: BODY GUARD DREW A GUN AFTER AN MP ATTACKED RAILA AT A FUNERAL 6/6/11

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Report By Our Reporter

Barely a week after one of the ODM national delegate Julias Okinda refused to apologized over the remarks he made during the vernacular radio talk show aired by Ramogi FM radio,an ODM Mp was forced to cut short his speech over the weekend during a burial function in his constituency after he scathingly attacked the Party leader the Rt. Hon.Raila Amollo Odinga.

Hon.Joseph Oyugi Magwanga of Kasipul Kabondo in Homabay county differed with his party leader on the mode of election to be used during the yet to be announced ODM party grassroot elections.Addressing the people in Kodera location in Kasipul within the Homabay county during the launch of the “Green Kenya Initiative” the ODM party leader the Rt.Hon. Raila Odinga said that the ODM party will allow members to use their identity cards and the voters cards to elect their officials at the sub-location level, a fact that seemed to have offended the area member of parliament who felt that the party membership cards should also be a requirement for one to vote during the exercise.

At the funeral in Kachieng’ Sub-location in East Kamagak Location in his constituency Magwanga said the party leader is very much ignorant of the situation on the ground and that he as the party “patron” in the constituency has ruled the party leader out of order and that the party leader is free to impose such rules elsewhere and not in his territory.It was at that moment that the are youth leader Ayoo Mrefu confronted him as the crowd cheer him up and demanded from the Mp to apologize to the party members for publicly abusing their leader Raila.The ever adamant MP who operate an underworld political terror gang refused to oblige instead he ordered his terror squad to swing into action.His bodyguard swiftly drew a gun threatening to shoot at the crowd that had started to surge forward. Sensing danger the MP’s youths frogmarch him to his vehicle.

Magwanga has all along refused to give out party membership cards to those he perceived to be his opponents.His undemocratic actions prompted other party luminaries from the constituency to carry out a parallel party recruitment membership drive to popularize the party in the region.The team that was led by ODM covenant member Charles Ong’ondo Were,aspirant Samwel Ochillo and Young Orange Democratic Movement Volunteers co-coordinators Aguko Mayora and Omondi Otore bought thousands of cards from the party head office and were registering members without discrimination.

The action by these ODM members angered Magwanga and at one point during one of the Party Executive Council/ PG meeting at Orange House he confronted the party National Election Board Chairperson and the party secretariat for undermining him by issuing the party cards to other people from his constituency without his permission. He went too personal and worn the party Election Board Chairperson that he is soon banning him from setting foot into his constituency.A week before the Orange House incident Magwanga had circulated a short message to several persons from Homabay county implicating the party electoral Board chairperson as a PNU mole planted in ODM.

Weather the party Headquarter will take disciplinary action against the Mp Joseph Magwanga and ODM National Delegate JT.Okinda for their gross misconduct remain the decisions of the party disciplinary committee.

Ends

Kenya: Biwott’s causing ripples in Luo-Nyanza by garnering many more votes in the civic by-elections

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The National Vision Party of Kenya has sent signals to he leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement {ODM} in Luo-Nyanza that it would not be a pushover comes the next general elections.

The party which is associated with the former powerful cabinet minister Nicholas Kiprono Biwott pulled a surprise in two civic by-elections held in the region in the recent past.

In the first civic by-election was held in Rusinga East Ward in Mbita district, in the Homa-Bay County where Okuku Miregi of the Vision Party of Kenya gave Enos Nyagwalla Odindo of ODM a run for his money. The two battle it out tin he by-election with ODM squeezing a narrow Victoria of a small margin of only ten votes.

Miregi has since moved to court to challenge the election of Odindo saying he was robbed of victory by the returning officer. He claimed he had won the by-election by a reasonable margin, but he was deliberately robbed of his victory and rigged out.

The second by-election was held two week ago in Gem constituency currently represent in Parliament by the abrasive legislator Jakoyo Midiwo who is also the party’s Chief Whip In Parliament.

Here the NVP candidate performed miracle garnering close to 736 votes against ODM candidate who again squeezed a narrow victory with less than 200votes polluting 900 votes.

It is a miracle and believable how the NVP could garner such large number of votes in region where many believed the ODM is invisible and in Raila Amolo Odinga’s backyard of Luo Nyanza.

Political pundits now say that had Biwott himself actively participated in the by election campaign by visiting he region and addressed one of two campaign meetings things could have worked differently. In the Mbita by election, Biwott had sent his torch bearer in the South Rift Bishop Daniel Tanui a former MP for Kipkellion MP who addressed a series of meetings in Rusinga Island.

In Kericho and Bomet Counties people who had briefly trooped back to the United Democratic Movement, when they heard that William Ruto the MP for Eldoret South Nyanza had taken over he party from the team that was headed by Lt. Gen {rtd} John Koech are said to have made a quick-about turn when they got the wind that Gen Koech had moved to the court and challenged the take over have now turn back to National Vision Party.

It has also been noted that the majority of the Kipsigis people did not approve Ruto’s political association with Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. They want Ruto to go it alone and have a shot at the presidency or else they will vote for Raila Odinga instead of Kenyatta.

Uhuru however, is being crucified for the mistakes which were made nearly four decades ago by his late father the late President Jomo Kenyatta whom the community is accusing for having settled thousands of his Kikuyu tribesmen in the places the Kipsigis people consider as their ancestral land like Molo Elburgon, Njoro, Kuresoi, Londiani, Burnt Forest, Rongai, Subukia, Nandi Hills, and other places in total disregard of the plight of the indignant people who previously owned those places before the arrival of the white men.

The Kipsigis believes and maintains that the late Kenyatta’s biased decision in settling only the Kikuyus on the former White Island after the departure of the white settlers at around independence is the major cause of frequent blood land clashes in the Rift Valley and as such they wouldn’t like seeing another Kenyatta occupying State House.

They claimed the biased decision in allocating land for the Kikuyu families in total disregard to other landless Kenyans from other communities and sparked tribal animosities and enmities in the region which has witnessed bloody clashes resulting in the loss of lives.

The influence of NVP is reported to be spreading like bushfire in the South Rift region and has extended into the nearby districts of Trans-Mara Eat and Trans-Mara west.

Biwott’s party had sponsored a candidate in the South Mugirango by-election who performed poorly, but thereafter the party strength in the Kisii region is said to have moved from strength to strength.

It is only he time will tell, but those ignoring the Vision party must do so at their own peril taking into account up-turn it has penetrated its clout in the hitherto close-nit Luo-Nyanza.

Ends

Kenya: Invitation of Dick Morris by ODM….

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from Judy Miriga

Folks,

It is not fair to Kenyans if PM Raila will have to import conflicting non-compartible interests who understands little of Public Mandates into Kenya……just because he does not trust his voters, will definately boomerung ….. …..take it from me….!

This is a well planned sell-out idiological drama that which is expected to serve special interest of Status Quo ….and it must be curtailed……PM Raila does not understand what public wants……..or, are these maneuvres expected to lock out Public Society members of Kenya from excersising their fundamental Rightful potential mandate…..??

If this is true, PM Raila must urgently be stopped from continued muddling of waters in aiding to send Kenya to extinct in oblivion……

Why would these leaders be in such a hurry to destroy Kenya …. What has gone so wrong….??

Did they have to compromise this much to a point of brain dysfunctioning…????

Is the Reform for Change a heart-breaking shock….? that, to relinquish power for Devolution to Federalism (Majimbo), transparency and accountability becomes such a burden and so complicated, and by putting Corruption and Impunity at bay becomes an uphill struggle……. a difficult bitter pill to swallow….., that trusting those you took oath to protect does not add up in their calculus,

People,,,…….where is the Leadership headed to?…….This looks like a Conspiracy.. The best thing is we need and DEMAND an urgent explanation……..

May our Good God help us all…..!

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

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From: mohamed warsama
Subject: ODM Should Be Careful On Choosing American PR Man For 2012

As an outsider, I have simple, honest advice to ODM.

It is that it should not make the mistake of recruiting another Dick Morrison type from the USA to handle its PR in 2012.

True enough, Dick is now a leading American analyst for Newsmax, the top American online news magazine.

But the fellow was fired from the Bill Clinton campaign because he had an unusual fetish of nibbling a woman’s toes during sex. The least the ODM can do, if it must have an American PR man, is to have a guy who can nibble a woman in the right place !

I hope Omwenga, JM and Obonya played no part in the choice of Morrison in 2007 ! Besides, the guy is now fiercely anti-Obama, a cousin of Raila.

Mohamed Warsama

– – –
Dick Morris (born November 28, 1947) is an American political author and commentator who previously worked as a pollster, political campaign consultant, and general political consultant.

A longtime friend and advisor to Bill Clinton during his time as Governor of Arkansas, Morris became a political adviser to the White House after Clinton was elected president in 1992. Morris encouraged Clinton to pursue third way policies of triangulation that combined traditional Republican and Democratic proposals, rhetoric, and issues to achieve maximum political gain and popularity. He worked as a Republican strategist before joining the Clinton administration, where he helped Clinton recover from the 1994 midterm elections by convincing the [Democrat] President to adopt Republican policies. [1]

The president consulted Morris in secret beginning in 1994.[2] Clinton’s communications director George Stephanopoulos has said that “Over the course of the first nine months of 1995, no single person had more power over the president”.[3]
. . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Morris