From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Kenyans were surprised yesterday when Uhuru Kenyatta appeared on second presidential debate when his party, TNA had sent a letter to the Presidential Debate Steering Committee explaining why Uhuru could not attend the second debate.

The party had cited bias and failure of the moderators to ask other candidates other than Uhuru hard questions. The party claimed moderato Linus Kaikai had a bone to chew with their candidate and that he had been coached on how to set the stage for direct attacks on Uhuru. Kenya’s first-ever Presidential Debate took place on 11th February, 2013.

The party claimed it was profoundly unprofessional and tasteless for Kaikai to use the ICC indictments as a platform for allowing the other candidates to ride roughshod over Uhuru without equally raising questions related to their suitability and competency.

The argument was based on the fact that if Kaikai had genuine intentions of exposing the weaknesses of all the candidates in the debate, then he would have dredged into the shady past of candidates like the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Raila Odinga, Hon Peter Kenneth, Paul Muite, Hon Martha Karua and Hon Musalia Mudavadi, and former PS John ole Kiyiapi, all of whom are burdened by varying degrees of either graft allegations or issues of moral probity.

They wondered why Kakai did not probe Odinga over his alleged role in several multi-billion shilling instances of grand corruption; most notably the Triton, Maize, and Kazi Kwa Vijana scandals that have blighted the Prime Minister’s Office for a number of years.

In addition, the two moderators failed to put Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on the spot for his alleged role in the complex Goldenberg Scandal when he served as Finance Minister.

Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua was not grilled on her dubious role in the South Ngariama Ranch and allegations of moral impropriety, all hard issues in the public domain.

Peter Kenneth was not questioned on his suspected role in scandals involving the Kenya Re-Insurance Corporation and the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) when he was the head of the two institutions.

And James ole Kiyiapi was not questioned on his suspect role in the Education Fund scandal while Paul Muite was not taken to task on allegations that the Goldenberg Scandal chief architect Kamlesh Pattni paid him KSh20 million.

Pattni made the allegations, complete with facsimiles of the cheques involved, and a senior business associate of Muite’s confirmed that the cheques were indeed banked in their firm’s account.

The party alluded that perhaps the choice of Kaikai as Moderator was not a well-thought-out decision by the organizers. This moderator has previously and publicly displayed a soft spot for the Prime Minister.

Kaikai they claimed is known to have expressed interest in seeking a parliamentary seat in Narok on an ODM ticket in the 2007 elections, but was reportedly talked out of his ambitions and promised the post of Director of Communications in a Raila Presidency.

The party further claimed that some of the organizers were keen to use the Debate to further their own political agendas and support their favoured candidates.. For example, Samuel K. Macharia, the proprietor of Royal Media Services (RMS) – which contributed one of the moderators – has openly opposed Kenyatta’s candidature and aligned his broadcasting empire to bolstering Odinga’s campaigns.

They claimed Macharia was recently appointed head of CORD’s so-called Summit, becoming the first media owner in Kenya to participate directly in the affairs of a political formation.

The second debate was intended to cover economy, land and international relations. KTN’s Joe Ageyo and Citizen TV’s Uduak Amimo were slated to moderate. The first debate covered governance, social services, health and education, security and resource management.

Kenyatta has maintained that the ICC charges shouldn’t affect the election and has dismissed potential sanctions that could come from cautious foreign governments by claiming that the economy will survive on trade with neighbouring countries and the Chinese.

But even if sanctions were to be imposed on Kenyans, the fact that elections in Kenya are tribally based, Uhuru will still have votes from his fellow tribes, and with William Ruto as his running mate, Kenyatta will have strong support from both Central Province and the Rift Valley.

The two communities would not mind whether Uhuru’s government will reform land, efficient use of government land, a reverse in the pattern of fragmentation, with smallholder farmers on private land, and whether to establish individual land rights for those on community land or not. What they want is ‘our own has made it’.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992 Prime Minister Raila Odinga has not met a tough rebellion like the one he did in Homa Bay County on Wednesday, after irate youths heckled and booed him as he told his supporters in dholuo to vote for ODM candidates only and ignore other affiliates.

He has not met tough hostility because since 1992 Nyanza has traditionally rallied behind political parties led by the Odinga family, and any politician who introduced or came with a different party risked being whisked.

With Wednesday rebellion there are signs that the political dynasty that has controlled Nyanza for decades could lose its iron grip due to the discord brought about by political intrigues within the Cord alliance.

This time along Luo Nyanza voters were pouring their anger on Raila Odinga for allowing his ODM party to give direct nomination to political aspirants they did not prefer. The voters felt they were robbed of victory by issuing certificates to many of the candidates who have served for long in parliament without any development at all.

Because this mess has never been cleansed, there is high possibility that a wind of political change is likely to sweep through Nyanza by voters rejecting the old and corrupt gurus in ODM were imposed to them.

Even though the angry crowds told the PM off and vowed to reject any ODM candidate who was given direct nomination in the whole Nyanza region, he still insisted that they must vote only ODM candidates in March 4th general elections.

Those who the voters allege were defeated but given ODM certificates include Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang for Senate seat for Homabay County, instead of Hillary Alila who the voters say won the nomination.

Kajwang received the ticket after hotly disputed party primaries that led to Alila defecting to People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This is not the first time voters have claimed Kajwang had been rigged in.

In 2007 when Sammy Wakiaga a civil servant and a prominent Nairobi based businessman was heading for a landslide election victory over Kajwang’ in Mbita constituency on an ODM ticket, Raila Odinga had prevailed upon Wakiaga to step down for Kajwang and wait for other job opening up in the event of the ODM forming the government. Wakiaga has since then kept a low profile in politics.

Voters don’t want Kajwang’ because when he was MP for Mbita he did very little in terms of development. Kajwang won the Mbita seat during the first multi-party election in 1992, and has repeatedly successfully defended his seat ever since.

He had a lackluster performance and poor track record of development. That is why when he announced his ambition that he was going to become the Senate representative of the Homa-Bay County he could not augur well with the entire County’s voters.

Homa-Bay County covers Gwassi, Mbita, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Homa-Bay Town, Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo/ Kasipul. Kasipul and Kabondo constituencies in particular may not vote for him because of their belief that he was the one used by Raila Odinga to spear-head the controversial ousting of the influential Ker Meshack Riaga Ogalo, from the mantle and leadership of the moribund Luo Council of Elders from his office.

The violence which broke out in Rodi Kopany in the evening occurred when supporters of Peter Opondo Kaluma complained over allegations that immediate former Rangwe Mp Martin Ogindo was awarded ODM nomination certificate yet he never won the election. Voters were already tired with Ogindo and thought it was time for him to give chance for a new comer, only to learn later that he was rigged in.

While Alila’s candidature has drawn large support, especially from the youths and women who see him as a visionary leader and not power-hungry, in Siaya County voters are very angry that their preference candidate William Oduol was denied ODM certificate after winning nomination.

Mr Oduol faced Mr Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga in the primaries but the two were later disqualified by ODM over alleged confusion during the exercise. Oduol was robbed of victory and has since defected to the little known National Agenda Party and will face ODM’s nominee, Cornel Rasanga Amoth who was imposed to Siaya voters.

In Muhoroni the music is the same, where assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny is facing his perennial opponent, James Onyango K’Oyoo, who moved to Omingo Magara’s PDP after being denied the ODM certificate.

According to Muhoroni voters it is a fact that K’Oyoo beat Mr Olweny by a landslide during the ODM nominations but he was robbed of victory. He will have a sweet revenge on March 4,” when voters are likely to vote for him instead of ODM candidate.

In Kasipul is the same problem, where outgoing MP Oyugi Magwanga is a worried man after his main opponent; Charles Ongondo defected to Kalembe Ndile’s Tip party. Kasipul voters maintain Ongondo was robbed victory and they are likely to vote him against Magwanga.

Similar resistance is also expected in Gem, Nyando, Kisumu and in Rongo, where Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno is facing a tough battle from his main opponents, Gradus Oluoch and Paul Abuor. Mr Oluoch is vying on Wiper while Abuor settled on Tip.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Raila Amolo Odinga

For the vast majority of Kenyans, Raila Amolo Odinga is likely to become the 4th president of the Republic of Kenya come March 4th presidential elections. This is because he is the most experienced of all the presidential candidates seeking to succeed President Mwai Kibaki. Opinion polls have all the times put him as the frontrunner to be the 4th president of Kenya.

Many Kenyans see him not only as a reformer who has continuously propagated for democracy and good governance, but also very courageous man who dared Moi when no one could open his mouth. He was instrumental in bringing to an end the KANU government which Kenyans have suffered under for decades.

Kenyans value him, not only because he was the major force behind the election of kibaki and NARC government into power in 2002 when he declared the famous kibaki tosha slogan, but also instrumental in the passing of the new constitution which promises many good things for the ordinary Kenyans.

That is why to the vast majority of Kenyans it is only Raila who can implement the new constitution as he always promised in his campaigns. That could also explain why his party has more national outlook as compared to other political parties.

Among his promises include creating employment for about three million Kenyans aged between 15 and 29 years who are in low quality, vulnerable jobs that pay almost nothing. One million have no jobs at all. Close to two million do not even look for a job.

Raila wants to make sure the country creates a million good jobs annually so that his government can employ the 800,000 young Kenyans joining the labour market-Making sure that all young Kenyans have adequate nutrition in their early childhood, enjoy good health, and receive quality education. With this, they will build human capital, which will make them attractive to prospective employers.

Raila will also institute cash transfer for all mothers in need of help for the first 1,000 days, on condition that they look after the child well. He will also extend help to poor schools and raise the quality of learning by ensuring better and more committed teachers implementing a relevant curriculum.

While he is intending to call on youth for to create the “Kenyan Peace Corps”, he will be asking young Kenyans waiting to enter university or looking for jobs after graduating to teach in primary schools throughout the country. This will also encourage social cohesion and create jobs.

Kenyans also believe that it is only Raila’s government that will attract investors locally and abroad, focused on expansion of our energy base and development of renewable energy sources of geothermal, solar and wind. The huge involvement being France, Germany, Japan, European Union, United States, Spain, Belgium, China, India, Korea and others in funding geothermal, wind, hydro and coal power development is largely a result of my intense lobbying.

He is the only president who is in the best position to stand shoulder to shoulder with top global leaders, sit with them one on one, and reach agreement on strategic political and economic issues for the benefit of Africans and Kenyans.

He ahs also promised that his government will intend to deepen investment in infrastructure with focus on roads, rail, mobile telephony, energy and ICT. He also wants to expand investment in food security through irrigated agriculture, subsidies for farmers and research.

He also wants to expand poverty reduction measures and make our health care work for the poor and the rich alike. I will push vigorously for the establishment of a national health insurance scheme. He will cut wasteful government spending; expand the revenue base by closing loopholes and lowering tax rates, intending to encourage much more efficient use of donor money. Today, about a third of donor money is currently not utilised.

Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta

The fact that Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta enjoys a massive support from his central province backyard and his Kikuyu ethnic group, no doubt for sure that he stands a chance to be neck to neck to Raila, a fact that Raila has acknowledged.

Like Raila, this is not the first time Uhuru is standing. His first short at the presidency was in 2002 when he ran against Mwai Kibaki of national rainbow coalition (NARC). He came second with over 1.5 million votes separating him and the opposition candidate, Mwai Kibaki.

There is also no doubt that because Uhuru has joined with William Ruto, he will enjoy Kalenjin and Kikuyu voting bloc- An Uhuru- Ruto alliance where the former is the president and the later his running mate may see Uhuru win the presidency at the expense of Raila.

While few Kikuyus can vote for other ethnic groups, generally the Kikuyus don’t vote for anyone other than their own. This may also boast Uhuru’s chances of being president. This is a data collected over the years, a trend that has been observed is that whenever elections are held, Kikuyus only vote for their own and not a candidate from another community.

The only obstacle for Uhuru is The Hague factor, and the fact that Martha Karua, Peter Keneth and Paul Muite factor, both of whom are kikuyu and are also in the race to be kenya’s president and this may mean dividing the Kikuyu votes into four parts which means all of them losing ground on the race to be the country’s president.

Some Kalenjins may also decline to vote for Uhuru, not only because the Kalenjins and Kikuyus have never been strange bedfellows, but because Ruto disappointed them by becoming Uhuru’s running mate. All along the Kalenjin communities opted for Ruto to become president.

In the last election when the post election violence broke out they took machetes and pangas against one another while each killed and evicted the other from their backyard and for this reason it is very unlikely for the Kalenjin voters to support Uhuru Kenyatta and same is true for the Kikuyus supporting William Ruto. It is some Kalenjin voters may say; better the devil you know (Raila) than the angel you don’t know (Uhuru).

As former Thika County Council chairman, Francis Wakahia once siad: “Tukuenda ruuri rucoke mukaro na nowe tu ungihota” (we want the river to return to its original course and Uhuru is the only person capable of doing this). (Standards, January 28, 2002), it creates doubts as whether Uhuru will work for the benefit of all Kenyans as stipulated in his Jubilee manifesto.

Martha Karua

While Narc-Kenya presidential hopeful Martha Karua is lauded by Kenyans as courageous, a woman who stands by what she says, like Raila Kenyans believe that she can implement the constitution.

She is the only few among the candidates who can clean the mess by past governments. She has always been on the side of the poor Kenyans, lamenting that the poor had no rights while the rich were favoured everywhere and even got jobs where they did not meet qualifications.

These are the injustices that for sure her government will address. If given chance she will spearhead the fight against discrimination and make sure that all Kenyans have equal chances.

Musalia Mudavadi

Even though Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has not been popular among Kenyans, the fact that former president Daniel arap Moi declared his support to presidency will make him to loose more votes. Kenyans were already tired with Moi having ruined Kenya for 24 years he was on power. His support may be taken by few Kelenjins, especially his Tugen community.

Kenyans know that Mudavadi is not the “champion of the devolved government system as he claims. He is not even the best person to implement the Constitution. For that reason he will not impact the lives and livelihoods of more than 40 million Kenyans.

Paul Muite

While it could be true that Paul Muite has vigorously and consistently fought in the second liberation of this country which was all about bringing change that is in line with the vision and obligations of our forefathers where the country guarantees each and every citizen security, social and economic justice, food security, and development of the youth, health and education, the fact that in 1992 when he was the Vice of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga as Ford-Kenya he told Kikuyu communities to vote for Keneth Matiba for presidency instead of Jaramogi disqualifies him as a reformer.

This contradicts his vision to catapult Kenya from being a third world country economically and socially into being a 2nd or 1st World Country by removing high-level corruption, return billions of stolen public funds stashed abroad and implement economic and social policies focusing on the majority, this is achievable; it is not a pipe dream.

Muite claims he will be able to bring back looted money since 1963. Although very little has changed including during Kibaki’s presidency, being tribalistitly oriented makes it impossible to fulfill this promise.

Peter Kenneth

I fully agree with Eagle Coalition presidential candidate Peter Kenneth Kenyans should choose leaders in the March 4 elections based on their past record. His argument that his competitors in the presidential race have nothing to show for the years they were in government is genuinely correct.

I also agree with him that some of these presidential aspirants have not shunned tribal and that they are tainted leaders. Record has shown that as MP of Gatanga Kenneth is probably the only presidential hopeful that has used Constituency Development Fund (CDF) transparently to develop hid constituency.

So when he says that his government would improve security, healthcare, education and boost food security if elected Kenyans will agree with him. His government would further develop industries for job creation, improve agriculture and ensure economic growth.

James ole Kiyiapi

For Prof ole Kiyiapi, since Kenyans have not known him in public, his promise that if elected president his government would focus on food security, healthcare, education, employment and security may not be enough reason for Kenyans to vote for him.

Abduba Dida

Like ole Kiyiapi, Alliance for Real Change presidential aspirant Mohammed Abduba Dida is not well known to the public. He became known when he presented his papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and was cleared to vie for presidency.

His promise that if elected president his government would uproot toxic leadership that has brought suffering to Kenyans may not convince voters. He also picked little known 29 years old Joshua Odongo as his running mate.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

ODM nominated Homa Bay County Governor Mr Cyprian Otieno Awiti has picked Mr Hannington Orata as his running mate. According to information he has just posted on his Facebook wall, Awiti has picked Orata following his promise during campaigns.

Awiti promised the people of homa Bay County that he would pick his running mate from Ndhiwa Constituency for the sake of balancing. “ I have Kept that promise and I am proud to announce that I have picked Mr. Hannington Orata as my running mate” Awiti says on his Facebook wall.

He says Mr. Orata has a rich experience in the management of public affairs having worked as a chief finance officer at the Kenya anti corruption commission and in the same position at the Kenya pipeline Company.

Mr. Orata he says is an accountant by profession and has substantial experience in financial management gained during his stint in the banking industry for over ten years. Join me in welcoming Mr.Orata to the Team.

Mr Orata hails from Kanyikela and was one of the aspirants for Ndhiwa MP By-election. He lost to Augustino Neto.

Although speculations went rounding suggesting that Awiti could pickTom Obondo who also lost ODM nomination for Ndhiwa By-election, the fact that he remained the political turncoat who once abandoned the then popular Ford-Kenya to rejoin the then powerful Kanu for his own personal gain could be viewed as an obstacle on his part.

Obondo’s effort to explain to Ndhiwa voters that political circumstances forced his defection to Kanu in 1994 for an effort to bring government-funded development projects to the people of Ndhiwa at the time could not convince voters either.

Ndhiwa constituency is made up of five major clans which include Kanyamwa with around 28,000 registered voters; Kabuoch with 24,000 voters; Kwabwai with 16,000 voters; Kanyidoto with 12,000 voters; and Kanyikela with 5,500 voters.

Although they live together harmoniously and share the same language and culture, the fact that five clans have exhibited fierce rivalry on the political arena since the country’s independence, some clans may not welcome well the appointment of Orata as running mate.

The late Ojodeh, who hailed from the Kwabwai clan with around 16,000 registered voters -was able to survive all those terms because he was a tough political player who somehow always managed to cobble together a winning formula by attracting a good proportion of support from the other four clans.

Among those who eyed the Ndhiwa parliamentary seat and provided stiff opposition to Tom Obondo include Manasseh Kidew, Monica Amolo, Neto Oyugi, Owiti Jera, Oyoo Kanyangi (a former magistrate), J.M. Ojuang’, Mireje Onyando, Hannington Orata, Beatrice Ogola and Dr Martin Owino among others.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002