date: Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 7:05 PM
from: Francis Mwangi Chege
As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced ….
the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you’ll ever experience from the comforts of home.
[visit THU,M topic page in right column for more.]
NYATIKE MP PLEADS WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE HIPPOS POPULATION IN LAKE VICTORIA.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
A member of parliament has appealed to the central government of Kenya to instruct the Kenya Wildlife Service’s {KWS to conduct what he termed as mass culling of Hippo population in Lake Victoria in order to reduce the numerous attacks by these beasts which have resulted in the deaths of fishermen.
Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga Also decried of the increased population of the dreaded Nile Crocodile in River Kuja, which has become dangerous to the people and their livestock.
The MP comment came in the wake of report that a 28 old fisherman was killed by a rogue bull of hippo.The incident occurred near Muhuru Bay.The 28 year old man whose name was given as Kennedy had gone fishing with a companion when the beast attacked and hit their fishing boat and overturned throwing the two into the deep side of the water, His companion swam to the safety, while Kennedy was thrown into the water and the beast bite him savagely killing him instantly.
His badly mutilated body was later retrieved. There has been several incidents along the shoreline of the lake which have all resulted in deaths caused by hippos stretching from Sindo beach in Suba South constituency following an alarming increased in hippo’s population. The situation now calls for mass culling in order to reduce the population of these dangerous beasts .Hippos are also destructive in a way destroying food crops causing hunger and famine to the communities living along the lake shorelines.
In another unrelated incident a woman was devoured by the Nile crocodile in River Kuja near wath Ong’er trading in north Kadem location also in Migori County.
The MP pleaded with the government to come to the rescue his constituents before more people are killed by These dangerous creature. In the case of crocodile attack the body of the woman a mother of three who had gone to the to wash her clothes in the river was retrieved after three days of search, but thebeast had cut her body into two halves and the reptiles had already swallowed the other half.
ENDS
From: Abdalah Hamis
Happy World Elephant Day, Green Monsters! The Jane Goodall Institute has released a very special message from (you guessed it!), Dr. Jane Goodall herself in honor of this very special day.
According to Goodall, approximately 96 elephants die each day at the hands of mankind, and the destruction of elephant populations is occurring at an alarming rate. In fact, it is estimated that around 35,000-50,000 African elephants die each year for the ivory trade. And the current rates at which elephants are being slaughtered are greatly exceeding pachyderm birth rates, meaning if we don’t start cleaning up our act, our planet is at risk of losing these giants.
In the words of Goodall, “If we don’t all get involved, the time’s going to come when the elephants are gone.”
Luckily, there are ways to help! Goodall recommends that her fans get involved in any way possible, big or small. One example of a way to get involved is to participate in the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. The march calls for bans on the trade of wildlife body parts and raises global awareness on wildlife trafficking. If you simply can’t attend, spreading Goodall’s message will allow you to educate the general public on elephant conservation.
Show us your celebratory spirit, and start helping our pachyderm friends!
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/a-message-from-jane-goodall-on-world-elephant-day/
Writes Leo Odera Omolo.
Newspaper reports emerging from the Kenya’s Eastern Province says that a man has died while nine others were admitted to the Embu Level Five hospital for medical treatment after the residents of Embu, Muranga and Machakos counties feasted on the carcass of a dead hippo suspected to have died of anthrax.
The body of the dead man was taken to Embu Hospital for post-Morten examination. The police boss in the region Kyford Kibaara confirmed the incident and said they were actively investigating the matter. The deceased hails from Karuku village in Mbeere Soutth within Embu County.
The police said the dead bull of hippo was found washed on the bank of Sagana River at the boundaries of Embu, Muranga and Machakos Counts and the residents scrambled for its meat which they shared. The police said they suspected the dead hippo had anthrax which might have cause its death.
The local administration has since organized for mass vaccination within the region, which started this morning at Makutano Trading Center for all the people who had ate the hippo’s meat. The police explained that the residents gave them very contradictory statements on accounts of what had happened. Most of them are suspicious and fearing prosecution if suspected of having killed the animals .Investigations are still in progress to established if the animal was killed by the residents or it was found dead by the river bank. However, the police issued a stern warning to the residents against feasting on the carcasses of dead animals whose causes of its death are unknown to them.
Some of the residents told the police that two bulls of hippo were seen fighting and one of the emerged with serious bodily injuries and died. It was after this when they moved in, skinned the animal, and scrambled for its meat which they shared with their neighbors..
THE medical Superintenant at the Embu Level Five hospital Dr gerald Nderitu was quoted by the local media as saying that the nine who were admitted at the institution for treatment were responding well and some of them would be discharged to go home within the next three or four days.
ENDS
to: “jaluo@jaluo.com”
By Agwanda Saye
A Kisumu based Civil society charged with promotion of use of alternative dispute resolution mechanism for peaceful co-existence Uhai Lake Forum Organization is now engaging youths in useful ventures as away of reducing insecurity and has also brought on board elders within the luos and Kalenjins fighting over cattle rustling.
The organization which is now based a long the volatile Kisumu and Kericho Counties has also brought on board elders from where the two communities have been fighting over cattle rustling which has resulted into seven people being injured, fifty seven houses being burnt down and five hundred households being displaced have died resulting to who works in the region to bring the elusive peace among the warring communities have now organized meetings among elders from both sides to address the insecurity situation. Tom Onyango the Co-coordinator of the organization that is being funded by Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFORD) said they have identified elders they been engaging in the past and will organize for peace meetings across the border.
“The locals say that the absence of jobs is the reason for the rice in criminal activities that has seen the rise in cattle rustling sparking conflict in the region” Onyango said. But elders in Nyakach are now calling upon the national and the county governments to create employment to the youths and offer soft loans for business start up to make them become self reliant. John Rasare, an elder from Nyakach said the national government needs to assist county governments to earmark projects that could engage the youths in the country. Rasare said that a free and secured society is for the government to invest in its youths who are believed to be the strength of every economy. The locals now want the county governments to establish a youth databank to help develop policies and services geared for young people. “Lack of job opportunities has been blamed for the youths engaging in criminal activities, including engaging in cattle rustling and the government should address the social, economic and security challenges facing the youth. “He added Onyango who led the organization to the ground that was hit with clashes further announced that they are mooting plans to establish community peace committees along the troubling Nyakach-Kericho boarder. He said that in the wake of skirmishes in the area that has led to the killings of six people, the committees should strive to incorporate the youth, women and other interested parties drawn from the border. “The conflict along the border is an issue that has taken the government along time to bring to end and should now resort to home grown solution by involving the locals themselves,” he said. Onyango said they had organized more forums within these areas and have identified peace ambassadors who will work closely with the communities to create awareness on the need to co-exist peacefully.
He also says that youths should maintain peace and learn to live with harmony with each other “As a civil society we will strive to ensure our people live peacefully and put the government on spot over the creation of more jobs for our youths,” said Onyango.
Ends.
From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Nature Conservation Trust and SANParks Announce Historic R255 Million Commitment to Combat Poaching, Conflict in Africa
Three-year effort will intensify protection of Kruger National Park’s rhino population, drawing lessons to address poaching that finances conflict in Africa
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 14, 2014/ — The Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) (http://www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org), a private foundation in the United States; the Nature Conservation Trust (NCT), a South African public benefit organization (PBO); and South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced an historic RAND 255 million (USD $23.7 million), three-year initiative to combat rhino poaching in Kruger National Park and test anti-poaching tactics that can be applied in other regions of Africa, where poaching can be a source of funding for armed groups. The announcement was made at the Rosebank office of Standard Bank, which also announced its own support for the initiative by providing favorable banking fees and interest on the funds which they will hold.
Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/hgbf.png
Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=896 (Howard G Buffett, Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF)
Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=895 (Dr Mabunda, CEO of the South African National Parks (SANParks)
The effort in Kruger will create an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) using sophisticated detection and tracking equipment and infrastructure on the ground and in the air; elite canine units and highly-trained ranger teams; and improved intelligence gathering and observation and surveillance systems. Kruger is currently home to over 40% of the world’s remaining 22,000 rhinos, the largest single population of rhinos in the world. Since January 2010, 1,383 rhinos have been poached from Kruger National Park, part of a larger assault that resulted in 2,368 rhinos poached in South Africa over the past few years. In some areas of Africa, entire populations of rhino have been eliminated.
Kruger’s poaching problem is fueled mainly by illicit criminal networks in Mozambique, South Africa, and East Asia, but evidence suggests that armed groups elsewhere in Africa derive significant funding from poaching activities. Kruger’s IPZ will also serve as a testing ground to inform targeted efforts to combat poaching in these other African regions.
“SANParks, thanks to the leadership of David Mabunda, and Kruger National Park, under the direction of General Johan Jooste, provide a unique opportunity to test new technology and new ideas within the best operating national parks system on the continent,” said NCT Chairman and HGBF CEO Howard G. Buffett. “This effort joins our foundation’s historic support for conservation with our current focus on conflict mitigation in Africa, particularly in the Great Lakes region.”
“The scale, complexity, and strategic value of this initiative is truly unprecedented for SANParks, and we believe will be transformative in our ongoing efforts to address poaching and the decimation of the rhino population in Kruger National Park,” said SANParks CEO David Mabunda. “More importantly, the lessons we hope to learn and share across SANParks and the continent will, we believe, develop new and more effective ways to combat illicit wildlife trade, particularly where it is financing armed groups.”
The Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA), led by its South African-based CEO Chris Marais, will provide advisory and advocacy support for the collaboration. NCT and HGBF have a long history of support for conservation in Africa. NCT, with 100% of its funding provided by HGBF, created the Jubatus Cheetah Reserve in 2001 and the Ukulima Research Farm in 2007, both located in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Through its direct investments and support for NCT, HGBF has, prior to this announcement, committed over RAND 485 million (USD $45 million) in South Africa for a range of
conservation and agriculture development activities including strengthening environmental governance; carnivore research in the Shashe/Limpopo Trans-Frontier Conservation region; preservation of natural resources; cheetah research and regional planning for cheetah conservation; development of agricultural strategies and production of improved seed for smallholder farmers. HGBF has committed an additional RAND 1.9 billion (USD $175 million) in support of its Africa Great Lakes Peace Initiative, which also includes funding for anti-poaching efforts designed to interrupt the capital flow to armed groups.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF).
For more information please contact:
Howard G. Buffett Foundation
Media Relations, media@hgbfoundation.org
Nature Conservation Trust
Chris Marais, lca@lcaafrica.org
South African National Parks
Rey Thakhuli, rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org
About:
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation (http://www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org) works to improve the quality of life for the world’s most impoverished and marginalized populations. It focuses on three core areas: food security, water security, and conflict mitigation. Based in Decatur, Illinois, the Foundation is led by CEO Howard G. Buffett. Mr. Buffett has been a permanent resident of South Africa since 2007. To learn more about the Foundation visit http://www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org.
The Nature Conservation Trust was established in 2000 by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation as a non-profit organization and later was converted to a public benefit organization. The Trust has two primary charitable purposes: to conserve nature, restore degraded land, and to help ensure the long term survival of cheetahs and other carnivores in situ; and to support research and improved practices in agriculture for smallholder farmers to reduce food insecurity on the African continent.
South African National Parks manages a system of parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscapes and associated cultural heritage of the country.The national parks are: Groenkloof, Kruger, Table Mountain, Marakele, Golden Gate, Camdeboo, Mountain Zebra, Addo Elephant, Garden Route National Park (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, & Wilderness), Bontebok, Agulhas, West Coast, Karoo, Namaqua, |Ai- |Ais/Richtersveld, Augrabies, Kgalagadi, Mapungubwe, Tankwa Karoo and Mokala. To learn more visit www.sanparks.org.
SOURCE
Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF)
Reports Leo Odera Omolo
Two night guards sustained grievous bodily harm during a tough fight with the hyena who sneaked into their makeshift house and snatched the carcass of a gazelle antelope which they had hunted and killed for their meal.
The incident took place in Narok North in the heart of Maasailand, not far away from the famous Maasai Mara Game reserve. The beast ventured in a makeshift house, where the guards lived, while they were asleep and snatched the carcass of an antelope.
The commotion then followed when the hyena was dragging the carcass out of the house. The guards were woken, but, it was too late because the hyena had already dragged meat into the thicket. They quickly armed themselves with bow and arrows, spears and machetes and gave chase.
Battle ensued and the guards manage to retrieve the carcass. ”We bravely followed it into the forest. The incident took place at a place called EOR-Kule in Narok district, Narok Count. The hyena did not gave up. It followed the guards and the carcass menacingly up to their s door steps, forcing them to light up a bonfire to keep the hyena at bay.. The beast then fled and disappeared in the nearby forest.
The two guards were treated of their injuries at the Narok district hospital and discharged. The senior game warded of the KENYA wildlife Service, KWS}Mr Benard Koruta, advised those who live next to the forest to be more cautious, adding that the current biting drought in the area was responsible for the rise in human-wildlife conflict.
In November last year a woman successfully fought off three hyenas which attempted to drag away her three year old son into the forest. Another Maasai woman braved a fight with a grown up male leopard which mauled her savagely last month.
And last week, two Maasai Morans were mailed by a lion they were trying to kill as part of their cultural initiation into manhood.. The two Maasai Morans are still being treated for their injuries at the Narok district hospital.
ENDS
A TERRIFIED MAASAI WOMAN WHO LOCKED HERSELF IN THE HOUSE AS THE PRIDE OF SIX LIONS FEASTED ON THE FAMILY BULL
Reports Leo Odera Omolo
A Kenyan Maasai living close to the famous and popular tourist destinarion in Kenya, the Maasai Mara is counting its losses after a pride of six adult lions and their cubs invaded their homestead and killed one fat bull.
The beasts made a break into highly fortified Manyatta home and jumped into the cattle pen,. A young housewife and her young children were asleep when the incident occurred. Her husband was away at the time of the incident leaving the family behind at home, which is located close to the Mara Game Reserve,
The lions imposed a dawn to dusk curfew and held the family hostage for close to ten hours. After accessing the cattle pen. The woman said she was terrified when she opened her door during the day break only to find the six lions and their cubs feasting on the carcase of the family bull they had killed. She quickly locked the door and could not raise the alarm fearing the beasts on hearing any commotion w could be provoked to attack her and her children, The children were still sleeping and It didn’t alert them.
The woman and her children fearing they would be terrified on seeing the lions wondering in the homesteads next to their doorstep. She stay put inside the Manyatta until the neighbors, who sensed that something was wrong in the home, came. The neighbors wondered why the family cattle were still locked inside the pen whle the herds of cattle from the neighboring home were grazing outside They came with crude weapons such as arrows and speakers and chased the lions away . The beasts escaped into the nearby thicket and disappeared in the forest and game reserve. The woman and her family were late rescued by the neighbors. Mrs Christine Nakola 43 year old mother of six children.
The neighbors might have wonders that something is a miss, because there were no human movements in the usually crowded Manyatta, while the family herds of cattle were still locked in their pen.
Ends
From: Abdalah Hamis
On November 3, 2013, The Guardian Newspaper reported that Dar es Salaam City police arrested 3 Chinese citizens in the city, and confiscated large amount of tusks on the spot.
The Embassy of People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania felt shocked at this report that 3 Chinese citizens suspected of smuggling ivory were arrested by the police and is now in contact with the Tanzania side on this issue. The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the protection of wildlife, promulgated a series of laws and regulations, and set up a National Inter-Agency CITES Enforcement Collaboration Group (NICECG) mechanism.
Chinese State Forestry Administration has set up a special armed anti-poaching team. China leads the world on severe punishment in cases of wild animal protection violation including ivory smuggling and its products. It has also actively participated in international law enforcement cooperation to crack down criminal activities on smuggling and trade of ivory and its products. In February this year, the Chinese government carried out successfully Operation COBRA, a cross-continent joint special operation to combat illegal wildlife trade together with 22 countries in Asia and Africa.
H.E. LU Youqing, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, and the Chinese Embassy strongly condemn criminal acts of killing elephants and smuggling ivory, firmly support the Tanzania government action to fight ivory smuggling by law, and are willing to actively provide help. The Chinese government and police are ready to work together with their Tanzania counterparts to crack down on criminals according to law.
Majority Chinese citizens are able to abide by local laws in Tanzania and take part in legitimate businesses. China’s national image has been severely undermined by illegal or bad behavior of quite few Chinese. Chinese Embassy in Tanzania will, as always, require all Chinese in Tanzania, and those coming to Tanzania either for tourism or on business, to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, never involve themselves in illegal activities like the ivory smuggling, make joint efforts to safeguard the good image of Chinese in Tanzania and promote the China-Tanzania friendship and cooperation.
Writes Leo ODERA Omolo In Kisumu City
HUMAN – wildlife conflict is the latest subject of discontent and complaints following the numerous incidents of the reported Hippos attack in Lake Victoria which have resulted in the death of dozens of people in the recent months.
Savage attacks by the huge amphibious animals have claimed the lives of fishermen in Bondo, Rarieda, Mbita, Suba and Nyatike sub-County of Migori County. Other deaths CAUSED BY Hippos attacks were reported from Rusinga Island also within the Homa-Bay COUNTY. These series of incidents have prompted the residents of Nyanza, particularly those living along the shorelines of lake to make an urgent appeal to the Kenya Wildlife Services {KWS} and the government to come to their rescue.
Three fishermen were killed two weeks ago in Kakisingri, near Sindo CentreThe three were sailing back to the lake and the catches haul into the water.
The three fishermen made an attempt to swim to safety, but the animals followed them biting each one of them savagely thereby leaving them fatally injured and drowning in the seep waters.
According to information reaching us,the latest incident involving of hippo attack took place last weekend at Nyang”uena beach in Central Kadem Location in Nyatike sub-County within MIGORI County. There three fishermen who were among the four who had gone into the lake to check in heir nets were attacked, in this particular incident Nahashon Abiero and Kisuge Odingo narrowly escaped death. The two, however, narrowly escaped and swam to safety while their other three colleagues escaped unhurt.
Between last year and this year, close to 12 people have perished as the result of attack by hippos. The residents of lowland locations which are lying along the shorelines of Lake Victoria are up in arms and wanted the relevant government Ministry and the KWS to scale down the hippos population.
Similar incidents have also been reported in Bondo, Rarieda and in other parts of Siaya County.
Two deaths by hippos were also reported from Rusinga Island in Mbita district.
IN Rchuonyo North district, farmers who cultivate their lad near the lake have had a lot of problems with the herds of Hippos reportedly destroying 80 per cent of their grain crops in the field.Any frantic attempt by farmers to chase these animals away from their farms have also resulted in the attacks.Hippos are known to be docile animals and not so aggressive towards human being with exception of mothers nursing their calves. Experts have pointed out that hippos in lake Victoria have turned out of late to be so aggressive due ye to the scarcity of weeds and grasses on which the animals feeds on due to excessive cultivation by farmers of the land along the lake shorelines, which has destroyed the weeds and grasses. The only lasting solution I for the KWS to move in and scale down the hippos population. These animals are currently protected by the law
Under the conservation regulations aggrieved farmers cannot be not permitted to kill them, causing the animals to starvation.
Ends.
Writes Leo Oder Omolo
Eight people were still nursing bodily injuries following the recent attack by a rogue male leopard, which had strayed into Muhoroni sub-county. The animal was first sighted at Nyaroche farm, which belonged to the former cabinet Minister the late DR.Wuilliam Odongo Omamo near Kimwani in the Songhor Valley. It had attacked and killed several goats sheep and a cow.
There it was scared away by the KWS officials who made an abortive attempt to have it trapped with food in vain.. But it evaded the trapping and run across the hilly and rocky region into a bush at a place near Got Alils where it went into hiding for some days. Got Alila is situated along the Nyando River in villages separating Kisumu and Kerixho Counties. But when the leopard resurfaced at Kapsimwi village a group of people went around trying to kill it. A police officer was among those who sustained injuries in a fight with the cunning animal as he tried to shoot it with his rifle. .7he leopard has disappeared and went into hiding at the nearby hill and rock village causing fears rgar since it was shot at and missed, the residents are now living under the fear that it could sprung back and strike anyone in sight. This fear has placed the residents of the area under dusk to dawn curfew making people not to dare go outside their houses after dark.
KWS officials believe this animal might have arrayed out of the nearby Nandi forest.AT the same time the people who live along the shorelines of Lake Victoria have of late been complaining bitterly about the alarming increases of cases of Hippo attacks and killing of fishermen Such incidents were recently reported in Bondo,Rarieda and Rusinga Island as well in Rachuonyo North district where farmed are complaining that herds of Hippos were frequently invading their farms and destroying food crops in the farms lying along the lake’s shoreline and have asked the government to look for the lasting solution as well as promptly compensate the families of who have been killed by the animals.
Ends
From: Junaid Tahir
there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from Arabia. They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, “May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem.” So he cried out to his court, “Go and get a farmer.”
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, “Bring me the doer of this miracle.”
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, “How did you make the falcon fly?”
With head bowed, the farmer said to the king, ” It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch of the tree where the bird was sitting.”
Moral :-
We are all made to fly – to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling. So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight..
Junaid Tahir
www.DailyTenMinutes.com
ETHICS:
“Justice is security for equality”
“Civility is facility for solidarity”
“Stewardship for all can be leadership for all”
“Equal opportunity for all can be prosperity for all”
“Relevant information for all can be important education for all”
“The benevolence of education is value creation for community evolution”
“Emotional intelligence is prudence of amicable discussion and cooperation”
“Education is knowledge acquisition and application not mere certification”
Thanks in advance for your
participation and cooperation!
Sincerely,
Directors.
Email: Africanhero-owner@yahoogroups.com
Here is the Mission or Vision of “Africanhero”
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Africanhero/
From: Judy Miriga
Good People !!!!
People must go and demand for the Report Card for Public Service delivery with Responsibility and Integrity where all elected leaders with public servant employee must be in compliant as a requirement. It is time for a re-call to those who have failed to measure with the Reform Accord Agreement Mandate.
Gluttonies’breeds chronic passion for adamant corruption and impunity and unless it is forced to stop, it continues to shift gears like what can be seen by NHIF with Professor Anyang Nyongo…………It is important that people establish the truth about Clinix which now has turned to Merridian. It could be possible that, public money and funds are in a flight to unknown destination; most likely the Chinese who claim ownership of Kenya, could be enjoying and swimming in the public funds.
On Checks and Balances, things might change for better. Demand for Integrity, Transparency and Accountability must be exercised thus:
1) Is someone trying to use public money to pay debts incurred for campaign funds?
2) Kenya people have a right to know what is going on with their public resources, funding, facilities and utilities and they must protest to demand for accountability for the same.
3) They must demand about why and how Migingo is in control by the Uganda Government and why the Uganda flag is hoist on the land of Migingo? People must demand for immediate removal of Uganda Police from Migingo Island
4) People must demand to know full report of the Agenda for meeting in Uganda between President Museveni, Raila and Uhuru so to ascertain they are not short-changed and as well they should be informed why Museveni had central interest for controlling Kenya while public interest is undermined
5) People must demand reason why Museveni asked Uhuru Administration to Annex Kismayu to be shared between Somalia and Uganda interest
6) Taxpayer money is used for travelling to China, people need to know if it is for the interest of Kenyans or for special interest
7) Why teachers and nurses have not been paid to-date
8) Why No action or step-down from elected Members with Government employees who are suspects or were found to have a case, have not been relieved from public service to allow thorough investigations and why cases of NHIF have not been brought to justice
9) Why Syokimau cases have not been formalized and compensations made
10) Why Calvin Burgess on Siaya Dominion is still a breach of public interest and people who were forced out of their homes have not been resettled
11) Why people are homeless and landless from being forced out of their land from Land Grabbing and IDPs have not been resettled
12) Why the budget doesn’t seem to balance with budget speech in real life
13) Why there is no running water in the homes and power is sky-rocketing above public means
14) Why Unga with other basic needs have become unaffordable and too expensive beyond means for survival
15) Why only one Unit of Police from one tribe should head the airport
16) Why employment is done under Tribal discrimination
17) Why there are no creation of jobs but growing number of Rebel Groups and thugs are causing terror with threats in the country
18) Why illegal practices like poaching, Gold, Titanium, Diamond with other rare minerals resources from Kenya with the neighboring countries like Congo and Tanzania for example; to pass through illegality with full knowledge aided by politicians; is allowed to go on, while people are mercilessly killed, slaughtered, massacred and are forced out of their dwelling places to face terror, is unacceptable.
19) Why Government system is falling apart and is completely disfunctioning, yet, Government employees are enriching themselves and money is not going to the public coffers
20) Why Politicians have ganged up and are in a conspiracy to continue to defraud the people People must call for a MASS MOVEMENT to demonstrate country-wide against injustices that continue to befall Kenyans from both the former and the present Government so all must be forced for immediate recall with accountability so to recover stolen public wealth and engage responsible leaders with integrity to lead Kenya.
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
– – – – – – – – – – –
MP and governor linked to poaching
PHOTO | GIDEON MAUNDU A KWS ranger arranges some of the 775 pieces of ivory tusks which were netted in a container by KRA officers at a private godown in Jomvu on July 3, 2013. The ivory, worth Sh29 million, was in transit to Malaysia from Uganda. NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PATRICK MAYOYO pmayoyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, August 13 2013 at 23:30
In Summary
KWS and police say they are investigating the reports linking the three to the illegal ivory trade
Two influential Coast businessmen, a central Kenya MP and a Rift Valley governor have been linked to the runaway poaching and ivory smuggling in the country.
Police officers, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Revenue Authority officials conversant with ongoing investigations said they were pursuing leads linking the three individuals to the illegal ivory trade. (READ: China reiterates pledge to end ivory smuggling)
The three are reportedly part of an international ivory smuggling ring operating in the country. They have been linked to a container full of ivory intercepted at the port of Mombasa last month.
Detectives also discovered that ivory stolen from Mombasa State House was among that in the intercepted container.
On Tuesday, another container full of ivory was intercepted in Singapore and is being shipped back to Mombasa where it reportedly originated. (READ: Kenya a ‘major route for ivory smugglers’)
Police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki promised to give a detailed statement on investigations into ivory smuggling after getting a briefing from officers handling the case at Mombasa port.
According to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), international organised crime syndicates are behind the killing of elephants and rhinos in Kenya and other African countries.
Cites says the gangs use the latest technology and have collaborators among local communities and security agencies.
Investigations have revealed that the international ring has devised ingenious ways of transporting their loot to evade detection by security agencies.
Their tricks include declaring containers ferrying the smuggled ivory as carrying either timber, fruits, electronics, tyres or other assorted goods. Most of the ivory intercepted in Asia is being traced to the ports of Dar-es-Salaam and Mombasa.
Wildlife experts and research scientists estimate that two elephants are killed per day — the highest number in recent times.
The statistics have sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists and raised fears the animals could become extinct.
KWS says there has been an upsurge in poaching in the last five years with more than 360 elephants killed last year compared to only 45 in 2007.
A recent census revealed that the country’s 35,000 elephant population had suffered a 14 per cent decline due to poaching and drought.
Clinic named in NHIF scam sues for Sh800m
PHOTO | FILE The National Hospital Insurance Fund building in Nairobi. NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PAUL JUMA pjuma@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, August 13 2013 at 23:30
In Summary
Medical centre says NHIF made it appear as having received money fraudulently
A medical clinic adversely named in the National Hospital Insurance Fund scandal has sued the agency for close to Sh1 billion.
Meridian Medical Centre filed the suit at the High Court in Nairobi, accusing the health insurer of breach of contract and reputation damage.
Meridian, which runs clinics in major towns, was among medical service providers the NHIF contracted to provide services to its members under the social health insurance scheme.
MPs raised questions about the NHIF’s decision to award contracts for treatment of civil servants under the new scheme to companies that lacked facilities in rural areas. They cited Meridian Medical Centre and Clinix.
The fund cancelled the contracts.
The clinic’s chief executive officer, Dr Peter Wambugu, said the decision by NHIF caused the publication of numerous media reports portraying the clinic as having received money from the NHIF fraudulently, that it was involved in unethical practices and that its centres were sub-standard, unregulated and uninspected.
“This façade has damaged our brand and I state herein that none of these allegations are true,” Dr Wambugu has stated in a witness statement filed in court.
The manner in which the NHIF conducted the termination caused the clinic’s reputation to be vilified in the eyes of the public, hence it was entitled to compensation for loss of business reputation and credibility, said the CEO.
The medical company wants the court to order the health insurer to pay it damages totalling to Sh814,830,341 with interest plus an unspecified amount in general damages for loss of reputation.
Court nod for KRA’s Sh127m tax demand
PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | FILE Kenya Revenue Authority headquarters at Times Tower in Nairobi. NATION MEDIA GROUP
By NATION REPORTER
Posted Tuesday, August 13 2013 at 23:30
A judge on Tuesday declined to stop the taxman from demanding Sh127 million from a pharmaceutical company.
Mr Justice David Majanja described as an abuse of the court process a constitutional petition by Beta Healthcare opposing the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) tax demand.
The firm had filed the suit at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court.
The company, which had lost a case in which it sought similar relief at the court’s Judicial Review Division, claimed in the new suit its rights and freedoms had been violated.
It filed the constitutional petition also at the Court of Appeal to try and overturn the initial High Court ruling, a matter which is still pending.
Justice Majanja said the firm was wrong in asking the High Court to deal with issues pending before the Court of Appeal.
“These proceedings are an abuse of the court process. They are hereby dismissed with costs to the respondents,” he said. He gave Beta Health 14 days to appeal.
Ivory seized in Singapore on way back
PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA Mombasa Port employees arrange some of the 638 pieces of elephant tusks for weighing after they were impounded in January. Conservationists have raised alarm over the surge in poaching. NATION MEDIA GROUP
By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted Tuesday, August 13 2013 at 23:30
A container suspected to be loaded with ivory is on its way to Mombasa after being seized in Singapore, the Kenya Wildlife Service has revealed.
The cargo, which was exported through the port of Mombasa last month, was intercepted in the Far East port courtesy of the cooperation between Kenyan security and their international counterparts, Mr Arthur Tuda, a KWS director, said.
“The container was among those seized earlier and returned to Kenya. But somehow, it had disappeared. Through our efforts and our foreign security colleagues, we intercepted it and as I speak, it is expected at Mombasa port any time,” he said.
Unconfirmed information from port sources said the container could arrive tomorrow although it was not clear which ship would bring it. Mr Tuda declined to give more information.
Poachers killed
Late July and this month, two containers of ivory were seized at the port destined for Malaysia. Several other suspected containers are still being sought, according to Kenya Revenue Authority
(KRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and KWS sources.
The KWS director said this month alone, two poachers and two KWS rangers had been gunned down as the war on poaching intensifies.
“Two of our officers including a constable and an inspector were shot dead by poachers within Kipini Conservancy area in Tana Delta as they pursued armed thugs,” he said.
China set to be world’s biggest net oil importer
PHOTO | MARK RALSTON Goods are delivered to a store in Beijing, China. The country is the biggest consumer of energy globally and is set to beat US to the top in oil imports. AFP
By AFP
Tuesday, August 13 2013 at 16:53
In Summary
Graph on EIA website shows Asian country’s net imports steadily rising, with those of the US falling
BEIJING
China is set to overtake the United States as the world’s largest net oil importer from October, according to US figures, due to a combination of rising Chinese demand and increased US production.
Next year, China’s net oil imports will exceed those of the United States on an annual basis and the gap between them will continue to widen, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.
China is already the biggest energy user in the world and the second-largest oil consumer after the United States.
Chinese demand
The shift has been driven by steady growth in Chinese demand, increased oil production in the United States, and stagnant or weakening demand in the United States market, the EIA said in a report.
A graph on the EIA’s website shows China’s net imports steadily rising, with those of the US falling at a faster rate, and says the crossover point comes in two months’ time.
Growing petroleum production in the US has been largely driven by the increasing use of sometimes controversial hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.
The technique uses huge amounts of pressurised water mixed with chemicals to crack open rock and release oil and natural gas, making the exploitation of vast shale hydrocarbon reserves economically viable.
It is changing the world’s energy market but it has been banned in other countries such as France due to environmental concerns.
US annual oil output is expected to rise 28 percent between 2011 and 2014 to nearly 13 million barrels per day, while Chinese production is forecast to grow by six per cent over the period, and will stand at just a third of US production in 2014, the EIA said.
Meanwhile, China’s liquid fuel use will increase 13 per cent over the period to more than 11 million barrels per day while United States demand hovers close to 18.7 million barrels per day.
That is below the United States’ peak consumption level of 20.8 million barrels per day in 2005, the EIA added.
China imported 26.11 million tonnes (186.5 million barrels) of crude oil last month and its exports were a mere 0.17 million tonnes, according to official Beijing figures.
The Asian country’s ascendence to the top of the world’s net oil import rankings will have profound impact, an article carried by the China Business News said on Monday.
“China and the US will no longer be pure competitors in the energy sector — China is likely to import energy in bulk from the US,” wrote commentator Li Dongchao.
Balala asked Sh80m bribe to buy house, Cortec says
Analysts have warned that Mr Balala’s action to revoke mining licences of the affected firms may cause a stand-off between the government and investors in the industry, thereby derailing activity in the mining sector. Photo/JENNIFER MUIRURI |FILE NATION MEDIA GROUP
By IMMACULATE KARAMBU ikarambu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, August 9 2013 at 20:02
In Summary
Through Mr Jacob Juma, Cortec Mining Kenya country boss, firm claims Secretary demanded the cash in exchange for the firm keeping its licence
A company whose licence was cancelled on Monday has sensationally accused Mining Secretary Najib Balala of demanding Sh80 million bribe in exchange for the firm keeping its permit.
In a letter dated July 29, this year, written by Cortec Mining Kenya to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of Kenya, the firm accuses Mr Balala of demanding the money to aid him buy a house to replace his Karen one which he is said to have sold to raise funds for campaign during the last General Election.
“On July 8, Mr Juma drove into Mr Balala’s house at 7:30pm where he found Mr Balala waiting for him as per the appointment through the commissioner of mines. At the said meeting, Mr Balala confirmed to our Jacob Juma, our Kenyan country director, that he required Sh80 million from Cortec Mining Limited to buy a house for he had sold his house in Karen to raise funds for campaign in the just concluded elections,” read part of the letter signed by Cortec managing director David Anderson.
Cortec Mining Kenya has been exploring minerals in Mrima Hills, Kwale County.
Jacob Juma is the controversial businessman associated with Erad Limited, a company that is currently held in a court battle with the National Cereals and Produce Board over a Sh600 million debt. Mr Juma has a substantive shareholding in Cortec Mining Kenya through the company’s two holding firms.
Cortec Mining Kenya is owned 70 per cent by Pacific Wildcat Resources, a publicly listed company at the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and 30 per cent by Sterling Securities, a firm registered in the United Kingdom.
On Monday, Mr Balala revoked mining licences of 42 companies on grounds that they were irregularly issued, setting the stage for possible court battles with the affected investors.
Cortec Mining Kenya, the company that is licensed to mine the over $100 billion Niobium and rare earth metal deposits at Mrima Hills in Kwale, South Coast was among the companies whose licences were cancelled.
The government, through the spokesperson of the Presidency Manoah Esipisu requested for about three days to investigate the allegations before issuing an official statement.
Meanwhile, an insider of the EACC told the Saturday Nation that the Cortec letter was indeed received at the antigraft body on July 29, and that investigations were underway, although the commission’s spokesperson noted that he could not confirm the issue yesterday being a public holiday.
In its letter, Cortec managing director David Anderson also said that the company officials met with Justin Muturi, the speaker of the National Assembly where they complained of the Sh80 million bribe demands from Mr Balala and requested him to address the matter though the responsible parliamentary committee.
National Assembly
“On the July 16, we had dinner with the speaker of the National Assembly at the Thai restaurant at the New Stanley Hotel and complained of the Sh80 million bribery demand by the mining minister and requested him to intervene in this bribery demand through the house parliamentary committee that deals with mining,” said Mr Anderson in the letter.
While canceling the 42 licences on Monday, Mr Balala also directed mining companies to give a 21-day notice to his ministry before making any public announcement on findings, in a bid to control a situation where such information may cause a rally in their share valuation at the respective bourses they are listed.
On the day Cortec announced its valuation of the rare earth metal resources at the Mrima Hills late last month, Pacific Wildcat Resources’ share which trades at the Toronto Stock Exchange gained 28 per cent.
The Pacific Wildcat Share was suspended from trading on Tuesday at the request of the company and resumed trading on Thursday where it shed 59 per cent of its value following news of licence cancellation.
Besides the bribe allegations, Cortec Mining Kenya has accused Mr Balala of having interest in awarding the mining licence for rare earth metals and niobium to Chinese investors.
In an earlier telephone interview with the Nation, Mr Balala admitted that he indeed travelled to China and met Chinese investors but dismissed the allegation that he was fronting for the investors.
“Yes I was in China recently and the president will be in China next week. Chinese are investors like any other and they have a right to do business in the country,” he said.
Though found in other countries, the market for rare earth metals, that are used in manufacturing electronic gadgets such as smartphones is about 90 per cent controlled by China.
Stand-off
Analysts have warned that Mr Balala’s action to revoke mining licences of the affected firms may cause a stand-off between the government and investors in the industry, thereby derailing activity in the mining sector.
The Kenya Chamber of Mines on Tuesday, through its chairman Adiel Gitari said that Mr Balala’s action went against the spirit of collaboration between the government and industry players.
From: Maurice Oduor
Judy,
You’re now confusing us. DECOLONIZATION means to REMOVING COLONIZATION.
According to your story, I thing you mean to say RECOLONIZATION i.e. RE-INSTUTING COLONIZATION.
Sivyo?
Courage
– – – – – – – – – – –
On Sat, Aug 10, 2013 at 9:09 AM, Judy Miriga wrote:
Good People,
Foreign Contract to Chinese Government to Stop Poaching is another way to spread Chinese Policing into the village country-side to hijack (take-over) Kenya and deny Kenyan Youths Jobs. It is another way to directly control over Kenya and the Great Lakes of East Africa. It is a system applied for quite transitioning of Uhuru-Ruto Administration handing-over power to Chinese Government to Rule and take Kenya by storm, in the process of DECOLONIZATION; which is going the Mozambique style and it must be stopped instantaneously.
Kenya with the rest of Great Lakes of East Africa are a Democratic Nation and No amount of invasion will be accepted as long as the International and UN Treaty have not been revoked. This calls for an urgent investigation of the World Bank, IMF and United Nations’ Secretary General Ban-Ki-moonby the FBI for fueling Corruption and Impunity through being part of this great conspiracy trigger. It is because, the manner at which they recommended funding for AIDs Funding to remove poverty, provide health-care, provide security, initiate job opportunities and Education in the Great Lakes of East Africa is questionable and suspicious. They instead purposely fueled extreme corruption and impunity in the Greater Region of East Africa.
Funds have been channeled through corrupt means with unclear Agreements in Partnership with the operating International NGOs on the ground who work along the Government side, where they don’t seem to transmit those funding directly to do what they were initiated for. Consequently, there are no follow-ups to determine positive effectiveness where if there is no good results from those funding, what immediate action were taken to avoid its failure???……… It was then found that, drivers of the funding disbursement have instead created and financed take-over of East Africa which is why, Migingo and Goma was taken with annexing of Port of Kismayu. We found that, the insecurity is spreading fast with fueling of thuggery, proliferation of Arms through Kismayu, Migingo and Lake Victoria. This is zeroed-in with active participation and funding of Rebel Groups thus:
Al-Qaeda, Al-shabaab, Mungiki, Pirating, drug peddling with foreign exchange money trafficking, Child Prostitution and trafficking; with more problems to include environmental pollutions, sicknesses, careless killings, forceful Land Grabbing and theft………Therefore, all these numerous accounts of injustices are unacceptable and justice must prevail……..They are all as a result of funds being channeled the wrong way without transparency and accountability, through Foreign NGOs on the Ground supposed to be providing AIDs to the Great Lakes of Africa to remove poverty, sickness and provide security and education.
Having realized that these NGOs are not doing much fast enough to aid quick killings and take-over, the UN Agencies with the Corrupt African Leaders with their network of the International Corporate Special Business Interest resolved to forcefully take-over Great Lakes of East Africa through Chinese Private Army in Kenya that was sensored by Kalonzo Musyoka and supervised by Raila and Kibaki in the Coalition Government.
This is the unfinished business Raila, Kagame with Museveni are fighting for while their paymasters standing akimbo watching them to fulfill their mission urgently……….and which is why, there is this struggle between Raila and Uhuru Government and why Museveni is the Chairman and Kagame the Secretary in this Great Lakes of East Africa who are both entrusted with the mission by heir pay masters who are the International Corporate of Special Business Interest in the Great Region of East Africa.
This is not right, it is not fair and it is not morally justified. It is a serious crime against humanity and it cannot be left to happen that way.
Therefore, Contracting Poaching Unit by Chinese must be stopped, it is not economical viable for Kenya or to any other Sovereign Nationality of Africa. It will be the beginning of World War and, Kenya with the Great Lakes of East Africa will be the battle-ground.
PETITIONING OVER CONCERNS:
These concerns must not be taken lightly by the International Community Leaders; as they provide fodder for the Third World War meant to wipe out Africans from Africa like what happened to Mozambique. It is immorally unjust to kill Africans and replace them with Chinese. It is all along known in world records that Chinese Government is the worst in Human Rights Crime, Violation and Abuse records including environment pollution. They must not be left to destroy Kenya with the rest of East Africa. I therefore petition US President Obama to lead good leaders Allys of USA to save a situation in Kenya with the rest of Great Lakes of East Africa.
Africa needs sustainable functioning development Agenda and not those of wiping out Africans through Chinese Private Army that are posing as policing poacher………..This is not what they are going for………they are going for human beings…….which is why Raila is calling the Youth Lizards (Raila led the onslaught comparing Obura to a lizard. He said according to a Nigerian parable, there was a lizard that craved recognititon. He said the lizard climbed a tree hoping people would see him). That in their cry for justified demands as per public mandate, the Youth have no rights……..They are going to exterminate human beings not Lizards in reality, and more or so, they are more interested in poaching themselves that to protect and save ……. They are interested in the big money not to preserve Africas interest………..
Wake up people, wake up and join forces to reject this mission in totallity………Let the world help to save Africans, let Africans not perish in the hands of these selfish and greedy businessmen !!!
Extremely very sad indeed………but the Truth with Justice ill set us all free……….and Peace and Liberty in pursuit for Hapiness shall prevail…………
May God Protect and Bless Africa with its people !!!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
China to help fund anti-poaching war
PHOTO | COURTESY Kenya Wildlife Service rangers on patrol. China has pledged to fund Kenya’s efforts to curb wildlife poaching. NATION MEDIA GROUP | KWS
By NATION REPORTER
Posted Friday, August 9 2013 at 23:30
China has pledged to fund Kenya’s efforts to curb wildlife poaching.
Speaking at a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Prof Judi Wakhungu, Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan said his country would give Kenya a grant, which he did not specify, to protect the elephant, rhino and other endangered species.
The pledge comes in the wake of renewed efforts by the Kenyan authorities to totally eradicate poaching.
The government has already formed a special unit to fight the menace, with China, the United States and UK among the countries funding it.
Last week, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta launched the “Hands off Elephants” campaign to spearhead the protection of elephants.
Speaking during the meeting with Prof Wakhungu, the Chinese envoy urged Kenya to strengthen wildlife conservation measures and severely punish poachers.
China’s anti-poaching laws are some of the most stringent in the world, with offenders often getting life imprisonment.
Expressing Kenya’s wish to join hands with other nations in combating illegal ivory and rhino horn trade, Prof Wakhungu praised China for its consistent measures and actions towards the enforcement of wildlife conservation laws.
The Kenya Wildlife Service says Kenya lost 384 elephants and 29 rhino to poachers last year alone. This year, 190 elephants and 34 rhinos have been killed.
Last month, a huge consignment of ivory was impounded in Mombasa.
The ivory, weighing 3.3 metric tonnes and valued at Sh65 million, was concealed in gunny sacks and declared as groundnuts bound for Malaysia.
The consignment comprised 382 whole pieces and 62 cut pieces of ivory.
The seizure came barely two months after customs officials in the United Arab Emirates seized 259 pieces of ivory shipped from Mombasa.
Ministry urges MPs to prioritise Wildlife Bill
Environment Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe flags off one of the vehicles that will be used by Inter Security Agency Anti-Poaching Unit at KWS headquarters in Nairobi August 8, 2013. The Ministry urged MPs to move with speed and pass the Wildlife Bill that seeks to tighten penalties for poachers. ANTHONY OMUYA
By JEREMIAH KIPLANG’AT jkiplangat@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, August 10 2013 at 09:57
Related Stories
Prioritise anti poaching Bill, MPs urged
Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu has urged MPs to move with speed and pass the Wildlife Bill that seeks to tighten penalties for poachers.
Prof Wakhungu said poaching had shot up since the beginning of the year hence the need for the fast enactment of the proposed law, which she said is expected to play a bigger role in preventing the vice.
“We are keen on the speedy enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill, 2013 that proposes stiffer and deterrent penalties. It has been published and tabled in Parliament but expect faster enactment,” she said Thursday in a speech read on her behalf by the ministry’s Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe during the launch of a special unit of security officers to tackle poachers.
The Bill will be read for the first time when the lawmakers return from their recess on September 17. It is expected that the proposed law will impose heftier penalties when it is enacted.
Last June, the Cabinet approved the Bill that is set to, among others, increase the fine to up to one million shillings for those found engaging in poaching.
Enhanced sentences
Mr Lesiyampe said the Ministry was lobbying for enhanced sentences for those found guilty of poaching.
“These are not ordinary criminals. They are economic saboteurs who should not be treated softly anymore. We are thinking of 15 years imprisonment or even life sentences,” he said.
The special unit comprises 121 officers drawn from Kenya Wildlife Service, Administration Police and General Service Unit. They will undergo training at the KWS centre in Manyani before being deployed to the three poaching hotspots in the country.
The hotspots are Narok, Tsavo and Isiolo.
KWS director William Kiprono said the unit will boost the fight against poaching, a menace he said, could not be addressed alone by the wildlife department.
“It is now a serious issue that KWS cannot address it alone. It is a national problem. We need everybody on board to tackle it,” Mr Kiprono said.
The formation of the unit comes a week following the launch of another campaign, Hands Off Elephants, by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
The campaign aims at pushing for tighter measures to guard against elephant poaching.
COMMENTS:
theafricanthinker
•a day ago •2 upvotes
Rot in government ministries. I’m just sick of news I’m hearing from
home these days.
There is nothing good. JKIA burnt, no one knows why.
Balala is demanding corruption from investors, no one is gonna stop him.
If police and other first responders loot victims properties, who shall we trust? If the ministry entrusted with wildlife is smuggling out wild animal parts, who should protect Kenya’s natural beauties?
Poor Kenyans have always been on the losing end!
see more
jackmuraguri@hotmail.com
•a day ago •0 upvotes
Life sentence to poachers and the confiscation of all their wealth is the only solution.
see more
Hoorayhenry
•a day ago•3 upvotes
It’s not new laws that we need, we need to let people who love & value
this great heritage look after it. We, indigenous Africans have no time for wildlife. Traditionally, we’ve always seen animals as a source of our basic needs (food clothing, shelter) period. This is my argument…. KWS under the Leakeys, was so efficient that poaching had almost completely been eradicated, & in fact the population of the ‘big five’ had increased to an extent of them starting to be a menace, & there was talk of culling elephants in Kenya. KWS is still here, now managed by us indigenous Africans, why has it become a joke? SA still have their wildlife protection intact!!!! Same reason perhaps???
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Published on Aug 9, 2013
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CORD leader Raila Odinga tells off
Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura over
leadership
Updated Friday, August 9th 2013 at 23:19 GMT +3
By RUSHDIE OUDIA
KENYA: CORD leader Raila Odinga has told off the young Turks over their plans to take over leadership in ODM.
The former PM alongside other CORD leaders, who spoke during the homecoming for Kisumu County Assembly majority leader, Samuel Ong’ou, aimed their blows at Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura who had showed his interest in the ODM Secretary General’s post.
Obura’s onslaught was brought forth using parables and straight attacks.
Raila led the onslaught comparing Obura to a lizard. He said according to a Nigerian parable, there was a lizard that craved recognititon. He said the lizard climbed a tree hoping people would see him.
“You can be old in body but young in mind and similarly you can be old in mind and young in body,” said Raila, advising the young leaders.
Funyula MP Paul Otuoma said Obura was like a young bull trying to overthrow the oldest bull in the house.
Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama also dismissed the young leaders.
“Obura does not know what he is saying and he should stop all these theatrics,” said Muthama, adding that Raila wants unity yet some people are set to destabilise ODM.
National Assembly Deputy Chief Whip, Jakoyo Midiwo told Obura to respect the older leaders.
Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ said ODMis like a church and there is no way a small priest could sit on the bishop’s seat simply because he is old.
Fears over new split as ODM bigwigs
cling on ‘one-man’
Updated Friday, August 9th 2013 at 23:50 GMT +3
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Dogeretti North MP Simba Arati (LEFT) are welcomed by ODM supporters in Dagoretti for presentation of bursaries in the constituency. [PHOTO: FILE]
By JUMA KWAYERA
KENYA: A fresh storm is simmering in the Orange Democratic Movement after the party’s top hierarchy failed to provide a definite roadmap to the eagerly anticipated National Delegates Convention.
The meeting is expected to result in radical decisions about the future of the party following a push from the rank and file for change at the top. ODM MPs demanded party leader Raila Odinga to cut lose certain officials at a meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday.
So sensitive is the issue that some of the party officials contacted either flatly declined to comment or referred all questions to newly appointed executive director Joseph Magerer Lang’at, himself facing a revolt as some members question his appointment.
At least 10 MPs are contemplating ‘technically’ defecting from ODM to underline their unhappiness. Former Roads Minister Franklin Bett says the party faces serious integrity questions in the manner it handles its affairs. In a tell-all interview with The Standard on Saturday, Bett took a swipe at the opacity in party operations that excludes majority of its members.
“I am aware they have tried to set meetings after the last Parliamentary Group meeting in June,” says Bett, who was in charge of the party’s presidential election team. “However, meeting and sharing with members is critical to the survival of this party. A clique around the party leader makes decisions. If a party avoids its members, it is doomed to fail. If they cannot find a way of accommodating all members, then the party risks being a one-man show.”
The brickbat that was clearly aimed at the party’s top brass left no doubt he shares the sentiments and frustrations younger MPs and senators have been expressing.
Jubilee is reportedly preparing a war chest to pounce on the dissenters. There have been reports of an effort to woo Western Kenya among other areas.
The latest developments represent the many twists and turns ODM has had to navigate to remain vibrant in the bicameral Parliament, despite its relatively weaker numerical strength. Some of the MPs met Raila on Wednesday evening during which they were categorical the bad eggs have to be dispensed with soon or the party risks another mass exodus as witnessed in the countdown to the March elections.
Kakamega meeting
The meeting was an attempt by Raila to calm the storm that has been building up involving mainly first-time MPs who have been calling for radical surgery to rid the party of senior officials they accuse of being responsible for the debacle suffered in the elections. The former PM’s responses to specific questions allegedly left some “frustrated”.
Raila, party secretary-general, treasurer and minority leader come from the same community, a reality those calling for disaggregation of seats to reflect the face of Kenya want changed.
The frustration of MPs from ODM political base in Nyanza coincides with a planned meeting in Kakamega this weekend to be addressed by, among others, former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende. Marende is positioning himself for chairmanship.
The realignment takes place against a backdrop of reports that pressure is piling on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair Ababu Namwamba and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma “to work with” the Jubilee government. Namwamba would not respond to our phone calls or text messages.
Hot topic
One of the MPs who attended the 5-9pm “dinner” meeting told The Standard on Saturday that the former PM remained vague on when the party would hold elections to rejuvenate it. The MP says it is unlikely the much-talked about polls will take place this year, as it had become hot topic that would split the party further.
The Serena Hotel dinner talks were attended by Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay), David Ochieng’ (Ugenya), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Jared Opiyo (Awendo), Ken Okoth (Kibra), Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul) and George Oner Ogalo (Rangwe).
We have also learned that some MPs at the meeting said a senior official in Deputy President William Ruto’s office has been tasked with recruitment of disgruntled MPs from Nyanza and Western.
Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura referred to the meeting as routine “coffee meeting” with the party leader. “There is nothing extra-ordinary. We always meet with party leader for tea,” Mr Obura explained. The first-time MP, however, acknowledged the need to rebuild and re-brand the party.
“The National Governing Council will meet soon to set a date for elections. Once the NGC sets a date for a National Delegates Convention, we shall have enough reasons to speak on the direction we want the party to take,” he says.
Another first time MP from South Nyanza, who requested anonymity, says the session at Serena was stormy, with the MPs insisting demagogues responsible for the chaotic primaries be kicked out.
In a text message after the meeting, the MP described as “hot” the debate on the role played by chairman Henry Kosgey, Secretary-General Anyang Nyong’o, Eliud Owalo and Deputy National Assembly Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo in the March 4 elections.
The MPs questioned the recruitment of Magerer. The latter could not be reached by phone. Leaders from the former Western Province are pushing for either chairmanship or secretary-general’s post. Coast too is eying one of the positions, which are currently held by Kosgey and Nyong’o.
Other than Marende, Otuoma is said to be interested in Kosgey’s post while Namwamba and party assistant executive director Nabii Namwera are lining up to replace Nyong’o. Some MPs from Western are accused of either not propagating their party’s agenda or are quietly “working” with Jubilee.
10/03/08
03:32:29 pm, by nazret.com, 220 words
Categories: Ethiopia, Somalia
Should Ethiopia annex Somalia?
File Photo: Ethiopian Troops in Somalia
Should Ethiopia annex Somalia?
Writer Donald Kipkorir argues it is time for Ethiopia and Kenya to annex Somalia, in an opinion piece published in Kenya’s, The Daily Nation, titled, “Why Kenya and Ethiopia ought to annex and divide Somalia”.
Described by the Economist magazine as ‘The world’s most utterly failed state’, Somalia is a lawless state with no functioning central government since 1991. The writer argues the country is a ‘haven for terrorists and pirates’. He goes on to say,
“Annexing Somalia is thus in our strategic interest and we must do it now as the financial meltdown continues to take away the attention of the world.
Somalia as a state exists only in world maps. It is a classic case of a failed state. It is a state dismembered into as many independent units as there are sub-clans. Its 90-strong cabinet is emblematic of the actual number of units. Somalia neighbours Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Of these, it is only Ethiopia and Kenya that have strategic interest in Somalia. Kenya and Ethiopia must and ought to dismember Somalia and divide it between themselves along the 4 degrees latitude, each taking all the land below and above the line.”
You can read the full article from Kenya’s Daily Nation.
Should Ethiopia annex Somalia? Have Your Say
168 comments
Comment from: tola [Visitor]
I think that was the plan all along i say Hell yea we should take over Somaliland and Puntland and give the rest of Somalia to Kenya and also take Eritrea back and have Djibouti join us
10/03/08 @ 15:49
Comment from: KOKEB [Visitor]
ETHIOPIA never annex somalia. It is a dirty trick of MELATAW ZOMBIE and the TPLF TEGRE morans for all this un-wanted war.
Long live the people of ETHIOPIA & SOMALIA!
DEATH to MELESE and HIS bloodY family SHABIA!
10/03/08 @ 15:49
Comment from: dereje [Visitor]
it is sad the Somalis can’t put their house in order, relatively speaking. but Ethiopia never took other people’s land in its history and should keep it that way.
10/03/08 @ 15:53
Comment from: Emperor Menelik II [Visitor]
Perfect discussion We have to do this! Somaliland and Puntland join Ethiopia. The southern Somalians (Mogadishu)are the Shertam’ Somali dirt bag illiterate donkeys, they must join Kenya.
10/03/08 @ 15:53
Comment from: Ogadenian [Visitor]
Ethiopia is not even capable of feeding itself let alone annex Somalia. Ethiopia is in Somalia with the help of Christian Nations who have a deep hatred for all Somali Muslims,beside with all the finance,weapon,air and sea support for those Christians nations still it can not control one single city.
For goodness sake lets fight each other one to one,i meant Ethiopia against Somalia only no outside help and i swear to you Ethiopia will not last a week with us Somalis.
Its always Russian,Cuban,British, etc
Who are fighting against Somalian in the name of Ethiopians,that is why we are saying this is not fair.
10/03/08 @ 15:57
Comment from: berta [Visitor]
Not annex but it is a good strategy to temporarily split Somalia in to at least pieces. one ruled by Kenya plus AU and UN, the next piece ruled by Ethiopia plus AU and UN the other piece Puntland/Djibuti plus AU and UN.
10/03/08 @ 16:11
Comment from: Tesfaye [Visitor]
We have to be realistic. Somaliland & Puntland can join Ethiopia. Djoubiti & Eritrea should be given back to Ethiopia. Then we can build our country. We can mobilise our human and material resources to the maximum. This time we have to be serious about our internal enemies. They should be hunted and eliminated. Ethiopia needs a true national leader. Those leaders who have no respect for history are either insane or agents of foreign powers. ThEY HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH.
The case of Eritrea should be also resolved. Muslim Eritrea can be given to Sudan and the christian areas including Massawa should be given to Ethiopia. This is the way to deal with people who are bandas and messeners of destruction. The eritreans are mercenaries, slaves who been waging a war of detruction by proxy.
10/03/08 @ 16:26
Comment from: kirkiri [Visitor]
Kenya and Ethiopia don’t have the capacity to annex Somalia.
Somalia is closer to annexing both countries.
The Islamic courts union/al shabab hold more territory today than when Ethiopia cowardly thought it could do something about Somalia.
20,000 Ethiopian soldiers are dead and the Somali fighters not reached their full potential. Kenya is far weaker than Ethiopia.
Dreams are so cheap. Every fool can dream.
10/03/08 @ 16:27
Comment from: Tenkir [Visitor]
This is such a stupid question for those of us Ethiopians who know Ethiopia is run by a sophisticated gov that gives away land and territory (viz Eritrea) to manage a small country effectively In fact in a series of interviews I heard woyane officials complaining Ethiopia being too big to govern. So, please tell me how on earth will Ethiopia under the leadership of woyane would annex a land? Or are you asking a philosophical question suggesting since Somalia could be equated as a problem that the gov will not hesitate to bring anything negative to our side?
10/03/08 @ 16:28
Comment from: common sense [Visitor]
Sure it sounds an outlandish idea, but it’s really not that crazy an idea.It’s actually a win win situation for both Ethiopia and Somalia.If we look past European colonists era African tribes were just living side by side with out per say having a country of their own. It was mostly the English’s policy of divide and concur that brought about all these African nations. In light of that,if we are to entertain the idea of joining part of Somalia with Ethiopia should be given serious consideration.However it has to be in a democratic fashion with something like a referendum.I’m sure a lot of Somalis would support living side by side with their Ethiopian brothers.
10/03/08 @ 16:29
Comment from: Death to Weyanes [Visitor]
This is just stupid question? First let’s give Oromia and Ogaden their independence, they don’t want be a part of Ethiopia, then we can talk the other dream you have.
10/03/08 @ 16:42
Comment from: Emperor Menelik II [Visitor]
Tesfaye =You say Muslim Eritrea (30%) should be given to Sudan and Christian Eritrea(70%) should be given to Ethiopia? Did you know Ethiopia has more Muslim population then Sudan does? Ethiopia is 55% Muslim… at the same time you want Massawa in Eritrea to be given to Ethiopia? Massawa is Muslim Afars who live there. You want Djibouti and Somaliand to join Ethiopia and they are 100% Muslim If this is going to work we can not let religion play in this at all. The only Christians in the region are the Amhara and Tigray. The rest are Muslims.
10/03/08 @ 16:44
Comment from: raee [Visitor]
Should Ethiopia annex Somalia? what a moron question? Ethiopia should start feeding, educating, providing health care etc… for its nation. Stop talking about Ethiopia as if it’s some kind of a super power country. We have been begging for food every year God knows since when.
10/03/08 @ 16:54
Comment from: danieltekle [Visitor]
You guys are crazy.
If Haile Selasie’s annexation of Eritrea in 1951 ended with a devastation in 1991, as Eritrea gained its independence, why in the world would some of you suggest it is a good idea to annex Somalia. It is not controversial to say Eritreans and Ethiopians (at least those who live on the highlands) have a great deal in common with one another. Yet 30 years of war ensued in spite of the commonality. You want to repeat history?
Moreover, Ethiopia was also listed as a part of the failed states of the world, does that mean Kenya should annex Ethiopia, NOT!!!
Let’s clean our house before we judge other failed states.
10/03/08 @ 16:57
Comment from: Monkey [Visitor]
If Ethiopia commits to annexing Somalia and by doing so gives us an outlet to the ocean, I’ll volunteer to fight anyone who tries to stop this great plan.
The guy who thought of this is a genius.
10/03/08 @ 17:02
Comment from: gimatam shabiya [Visitor]
Really excellent article i ever read in this web site.This the only way to remove terrorist from horn Africa and to help Somalian brothers. Some Shabiyas in this web site start to urinate in there trousers.
10/03/08 @ 17:03
Comment from: uwnet lemenager [Visitor]
that’s dream which will not happen for ever because the Somalians are very energetic and a hero people. if their country were peace, they would have been control the horn of Africa by their military power,but their only enemy is a drug called “chat” or “mirah” if they avoid taking the above drug, they will be one of the strongest country in the region believe it or not.
10/03/08 @ 17:13
Comment from: Dr. Ashebir [Visitor]
Anyone who knows that even our brothers the Eritreans left us in a bloody war, would not be gullible enough to accept such seductive message. Let the Somalis keep their misfortune at a distance. Let’s not inherit their misfortune, instead fight it from overflowing.
10/03/08 @ 17:14
Comment from: Thomas [Visitor]
KOKEB
Kokeb; your comments are always full of hate, but nothing else. Why? I don’t know. Here is my assumptions; I think You are one of the losers from this government. Or, you are one of Iss-Ass Dikala who wants the destruction of Ethiopia.
Just get a life and stay in your Artera’s (Asmera) affaire. Leave us Alone please. You are Full of hate. use your hate to build your useless Aretera with your father Iss-ass.
10/03/08 @ 17:22
Comment from: soma [Visitor]
SOMALIA IS AN INDEPENDENT NATION WHO ARE SHOWING THEIR STRENGTH BY DEFEATING US AND MELESE
We all should understand Somalia is an independent nation no body will annex them.
The people of Somalia are different they are different when it come to US and Ethiopia.
Even though they have big difference among themselves when it comes to enemy like Ethiopia and US they have shown their strength.
10/03/08 @ 17:23
Comment from: Ali roble [Visitor]
In this day and age,even a drunkard Negro like this scumbag has some crazy idea, of course it unlikely his pure imagination but just some copy-cuts of colonialists and his former white master, what do with Somalia.Is he got enough share from the spoils left British by annexing Somaliland area to Kenya? What about if Luo tribes and others that live in Uganda and Tanzania when hostility against Kukuyo erupts next time around? Does Tanzania and Uganda also have right to annex them. Where we gonna draw the line? Are we redraw all African borders again thereby opening Pandora’s box?I think Ethiopia has enough problems of its own. Besides, its experience over Eritrea’s Annexation in the past taught unforgettable lesson. In the meantime I think Somalis will sort out their differences if left alone to deal with it.
10/03/08 @ 17:30
Comment from: Yonas Bekele [Visitor]
Another dumb and unsustainable idea. Somalia is not just a vast land mass, it has actually people living there and they do not want to be part of Ethiopia or Kenya. And what does Ethiopia have to gain by annexing its neighbor, if not more violence and other problems? I think we should withdraw our guys and let Somalis resolve their own problems, even if that means an Islamist state taking root there. No one like that scenario but Ethiopia is paying dearly in term of lives and treasure to help a country that may be a failed state forever.
10/03/08 @ 17:37
Comment from: habeshawu [Visitor]
the best way to secure peace in east Africa is to secure our borders and leave the Somalians to solve their problems by themselves, and most importantly give the eritrean law land to Sudan and throw the hamaseins in the salty red sea and give the high land to Ethiopia.
10/03/08 @ 17:59
Comment from: M.T. [Visitor]
no
10/03/08 @ 18:05
Comment from: sintayehu [Visitor]
please so not run so fast to say something without thinking about them. Even though Ethiopia has strong army in Horn now we can not invade Somalia because that would be a shame for us.What are we trying to show let invade Somalia like the Europeans did in their time. Somalia people are love people and we have to respect that O WE ETHIOPIANS LIKE IF ANY COUNTRY INVADE ETHIOPIA? ANSWER THAT AS THE FOR SOMALIA. But we are strong and we will be strong always.That is Ethiopia
10/03/08 @ 18:36
Comment from: Passerby [Visitor]
Honestly people! And nazret!!!!
This is the most stupidest idea let alone an idea for discussion…it suggests nazret thinks Ethiopians are that stupid? Now i wonder who owns this websites and on who side the owner is on politically.
1) Ethiopia during the 77 war won and could have annexed Somaliland but chose not to.
2) Ethiopia has under her rightful and patriotic rulers a history of hands-off lands that don’t belong to us, we went after eritrea thinking we were brothers and that didn’t workout as meles ceded all to his mothers side of the family.
3) every Ethiopian should be insulted by such questions cause Ethiopians don’t have a real representative gov’t that gives a darn about the people. When a rightful gov’t that is representative of the people comes to power, the real land of Ethiopia should be up for discussion…asseb!
10/03/08 @ 18:43
Comment from: SPINX [Visitor]
Hello my Horn Africa people
Let me take you back to 1960-70,war between Somalia and Ethiopia,or allow me to say Between Somalia and Russia and Cuba,with out the direct help of the then Soviet-Union,back then,Ogaden-land which is legally Somalian land,would still be Somalian,History repeats it’s self,Ethiopia never fought any war or battle alone by it’s own,it’s always been supported by the West,starting from Haile-Selassie and the British,then Megustu and Russia,Now Meles-USA,Dear Ethiopians,don’t believe the hype Somalians never forgot their stolen land,OGADEN,and now you acually think to take over the whole Somalia,are you out of touch,or reality,or common sense,The USA,Ethiopia’s #1,ally is no more a Super Power,it is collapsing,so Meles,please don’t think over your head,first think about how if you can beat the AL-Shabad,warriors,that are really getting stronger as we speak.Meles please think positive,and get our of Somalian-KusH-Land.HAPPY-EID,Brothers/Sisters
10/03/08 @ 19:01
Comment from: mercato [Visitor]
The nonsense idea of the century I have no word to express we have lost Djibouti ,Eritrea and part of Gondar I believe this is not our government plan!
To an wise commentator
Religions issue is like playing with fire it is not good for Christians based on east Africa reality also do not forget we have enough pagan in east Africa. Can’t you see we have enough problem? With 81 tribe and many religions. Way we do not try to negotiate with Eritrea at last we have the same culture in most area also we speak the same kind of language even our prime minister is from Eritrea.
10/03/08 @ 19:17
Comment from: aste menelik II (the best of all kings and dictators) [Visitor]
I say Somalia, Djouti, and Eritrea must all be comletely and totally be in the hand of Ethiopia. No Kenya should ever take a piece of land regardless. So that it will benefit the four countries. We will be as strong as Rassia, China, India and U.S.A. Do it right away without wasting any time. It is a very good idea but who has the stomach to do what is best for Ethiopia? If Meles can do such a thing for our country, we will praise him and keep him as an emperior that he holds currently until the time of his death. But the emperior is a spoild one, he never does what is best for our coutry but the opposite. ONE ETHIOPIA, GREEN, YELLOW AND RED. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY HOME.
10/03/08 @ 19:28
Comment from: ????? Free [Member]
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Stupid nechachiba
10/03/08 @ 19:51
Comment from: EthioMan [Visitor]
Some with spinning heads spinx out of control. Ethiopia does not need to prove any battels fought and won. History will do that. Africans do not need to kill eachother over anything, not relegion not ideology, both not ours to begin with. For those who shout with the crazy annex theory… well, they are just venting. Those who claim territories of sovereign nations are as crazy as the annexers.
Somalia is an independant nation, has been for many decades. The fact there is no working govt does not lead anyone to suggets such dilusional and thoughtless means. It is poisoning otherwise lawful people and nations near by. It must be condemed for what it is. Spreading poison.
My take on this issue is, Ethiopia MUST withdraw and allow the Somali people to do what they may to themselves. If and when they cross our borders, then we will let those who claim we never beat any shiritam or shabian punk back to oblivion, come and watch. Till then, I say somalia to Somalis.
10/03/08 @ 20:02
Comment from: yahye [Visitor]
:Once Kenya and Ethiopia have sent their combined army to Somalia and declared the annexation, we will present to the world a fait accompli. ”
A mentally handicapped Negro Rambo.
10/03/08 @ 20:17
Comment from: Tegerami [Visitor]
Those of you support this idea must be out of your mind. In return, rather, ethiopia shoul leave and depart from the somali region of Ogaden, which was annexed by menilki the II a century ago. Because that is the root problem for all animosity and mistrust between these two brotherly horn of afrikaners.
If once ethiopia leaves the region, no doubt that peace will be prevailed between somalis and ethios for eternity. Anyways,we had the gut to give eritrea, the real habesha land, away by the bless of our government in our modern day history. So why we lose a courage to do so in Ogaden, non-habesha land, but somali land.
10/03/08 @ 20:23
Comment from: Sprinter [Visitor]
Ethiopia is cutting and running, what can it annex? As for the Kenya Kelinjin reporter, his suggestion of passing the buck to Ethiopia is interesting. Why did he not suggest Kenya to annex instead. Because he knows Kenyans cannot face Somalis. Kenyan soldiers are heavily equipped but in battles they defate on themselves. Anyone who lived in Northern Kenya knows that.
As for Ethiopia, its hallucination is over. It is reality checks. Its opportunistic moves are bust. What a field day we Somalis have. Its time you taste defeat. Your boys are hold up in few buildings in Mogadishu. As I write they want to desperately run away. They are afraid and terribly lonely. The bullet is their fate, either way if they say or not. They have exit strategy.
It must be horrible to be defeated by a country without a regular army. Yes, yes, your adventurism has eventually cought up with you. Allua Continua!!!
10/03/08 @ 21:07
Comment from: Gemechu [Visitor]
SPINX:
Your information on regards the war between Ethiopia and Somalia is right, but I have something to tell u.
Somalia was getting full support from Russian on the begging of the war when they invade Ethiopia. They have more than 200 tanks, MG fighter’s jet and other military hardwires. Then after Russia shifted their support to Ethiopia Somalia was supported by Egypt, USA (because of Russia Support to Ethiopia) and other Middle east countries……
The real question is, there were/are no countries in Africa who won any battle without other foreign/west countries support. We or Somalia don’t produce any weapon at the moment and because of that we always seek help from those who produce it.
When your country (Eriteria) fought for their independence they were getting supports from Egypt and other Middle East countries. So please don’t make it a big deal just because we get lots of supports from other country such as USA. No matter how much the support is you don’t wean without good fighters. Somalia invaded Ethiopia with more than 200 tanks and don’t know how to use it. Finally, they have to abandon all of their tanks for Ethiopian solders.
On recent battle with your Country Eri and Ethiopia your country did get lots of support from Egypt but they were not successful. The reason why they were not successful was luck of man power. U are 4 milon and we are 80 million. Somalia is 7-10 million and we are 80 million. You need to understand the facts. Don’t be moron! Population matters when it comes to battle and economy.
10/03/08 @ 21:56
Comment from: Training1 [Visitor]
Are these people on drugs?
They can’t control Somalia and they are thinking of annexing it?
30,000 Tigryabs,2,200 Ugandans and Burundis and thousands of Americans spying on Somalia can’t control the SOUTH. Tigryans are being dragged on the streets.
Now this guys is suggesting that we annex the whole country? Please brother. Stop taking drugs before you write.
10/03/08 @ 21:59
Comment from: ZXAmiche [Visitor]
In your dreams!
Be afraid and pray Somalinization not to haunt Ethiopia and Kenya!
10/03/08 @ 22:09
Comment from: Land of the day dreamers [Visitor]
Funny these are the same retards who comment about the unity of Ethiopia day and night
But turn around and dream of the dividing a neighboring country Somalia!!!!
I am appalled even for Nazeret to publish this kind of non sense article in the first place! But again seeing most of the contents published here day in day out and the majority of their clientele here it should not be surprising!!
Fools get down of your donkeys and think again! You could not even convince your cousins, the Orthodox Christian Eritreans to stay with you, what makes you think the Somalians can go along?
Get your house in order before your dreams of others!!!!!
10/03/08 @ 22:11
Comment from: ZXAmiche [Visitor]
lib inKirt yimegnal!
10/03/08 @ 22:18
Comment from: kitkat [Visitor]
Annex Somalia?
What you are gonna do with an empty empty empty land with the most getto people on earth?
Westerners should use it as hunting ground for wild animals?
10/03/08 @ 22:40
Comment from: Ababu [Visitor]
What a ludicrous idea!!! is there any legality of annexing a sovereign country? If so, yes. but i don’t think a failed state like Ethiopia would be able to annex a neighboring country and administer it. The only African country that played such a role was South Africa which had been mandated to admiister Namibia after the defeat of Germany in WWI. This whole idea is a wishful thinking that would mar our country to another round of instability and political complexity.
10/03/08 @ 22:51
Comment from: Wenebz [Visitor]
Ethiopia annexing who and what!? The love for aggrandizing thoughts – that is the real joke!
10/03/08 @ 23:11
Comment from: Time [Visitor]
What is his name? Kipkorir? Wow, I did not know a Kalenjin guy had the audacity to think beyond his nose!!. Does he know his uncle MOI when he was overthrown the man who saved his ass was a Somali (General Mohamoud)? All the Kalenjins went and hid themselves in their Shambas (farms) including Moi. It was Mohamoud who with few Somalis under his command took back the Statehouse and the Radio station and announced Moi is still the President.
Mohamoud took a helicopter and went to Moi’s Shamba (farm) to bring him back. The Kalenjin man (Moi) told Mohamoud ‘Please kill me in my farm. Don’t take me away’. Wow! and Wow again. A kalenjin can dare think of annexing Somalia? It is us somalis who allowed these low life neighbours who never dare look at our side the chance to even think of it. Alas, we somalis might be brave but we are stupid. This generations is definately not like our grand fathers. The year 2020 will be somalia’s year and down hill Issack Newton’s theory for Ethiopia. I guess Kenya has already started the rift more than eethiopia but what can a Kalenjin’s brain comprehend. Haven’t you seen the flying machetes? Each one of them has it in his garage and are ready to cut each other into pieces.
Having said all that, I would prefer seeing the people of Africa living in peace and prosperity rather than talking of annexing a sisterly nation. The Kalenjin boy forgot his country is at the brink of extinction.
Let me say all Afrcan countries need to re-evaluate their way forward. otherwise they will be written into the history books. Aids, Maleria, Poverty, droughts, Wars will only increase bearing in mind the scars reaources the world will be facing. I fear for Africa and he is talking of Annexing another country.
Wait until 2020 and tell me about it. Strategy and maticulous planning that covers many dimension will be the way out for Somalia. By 2020 the Alshabaab and warlords will be history and there will be enough educated somalis in western countries who will take the lead. Investing in Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture and strong social engineering will put Somalia on Track. If you remember what I said, Ethiopia will be going down hills since by then they are recovering from Meles and Tigrey Legacy if they are not mired in civil war. I just pray to God the Somalis don’t take revenge in playig a role in distabilizing Ethiopia more. That is what Meles did. If this happens I wonder who will hold together Ethiopian tribes and religions.
Somalis, we have a saying that says ” Don’t dig your brother’s grave as you might be the one that will fall into it”. Ethiopia has dug the Grave but will it be the one to fall into it? Twelve years will tell.
If you read my post please try to remember what I have posted.
Proud Somali.
NAZRET PLEASE POST IT.
10/04/08 @ 00:42
Comment from: araadom [Visitor]
Annexing Somalia-b/n Ethiopia and Kenya.
You people-why ,why you always bark when your masters in the west tell you.You daydream when your country is always called the land of famine and hunger.Do your homework clean your dirty backyard before you look into Eritrea and Somalia. For Eritrea Adois it is the land of its owners.
10/04/08 @ 01:10
Comment from: Master Mind [Visitor]
raee
Thank you.
You bunch of morons knowing your limitations and capablites should be priority, but which part of your air head have a brain to think?
Let alone annexing somalia you couldn’t take control of feeding your family, it’s too easy to open your mouth hiding your dusty head behind your $20.00 flea market PC but that is not the point…the point is know who you are, some of you idiots can not tell your own names in proper Amharic and most of you have no value of Africanism, simply a borndogs brainless idiots do you think Somalis will stand in a corner and watch you while your kimal is takin over their land?
What a stupid question???????
Nazret thank you for this rubish topic which was able to pull out these morons out of their rat hole.
10/04/08 @ 01:39
Comment from: Z-Mike [Visitor]
Although the suggestion is not a bad idea, Ethiopia should only offer Kenya 10% of Somalia’s land. Kenya did does not have the military need to stand for a fight if and when a fight (war that is0 breaks out. Kenya’s total military is estimate at about 45,000 including the police force, the navy army etc. So to suggest Kenya taking over half of Somalia is not realistic and a very dangerous suggestion by the media.
The next steps of Ethiopia should be:
1} train and build strong navy.
2) Stay in Somalia and if need get rid of the clan leaders and tell Somalis if they don’t get there act together, there wont be another nation call Somalia.
3} get rid of Sheabians along with its terrors.
4} hold a referendum in Ethiopia whether or not Eritrea becomes independent.
****Keep on building even stronger military in Ethiopia and work on stronger democratic systems. Once we do that, Ethiopia will become stronger then ever before and the world will see the strength of Ethiopia/ns.
Z-Mike
10/04/08 @ 01:51
Comment from: kitkat [Visitor]
Annex Somalia !
Yes, Please Please Annex it.
Specially for the sake of unarmed clans who are beings massacred by so called noble clans.
Please Ethiopia Annex Somalia !
10/04/08 @ 03:01
Comment from: habeshawu [Visitor]
Time,
you are full of sh*t, you keep saying 2020, did Somalia win the chance to host Olympic or what seriously be specific about your 2020 plan. you are a typical angry man with a hot balloon head just like our northern neighbors.
10/04/08 @ 03:50
Comment from: Tamrat Tamrat [Visitor]
Lets levae somalians affair to somalians. And if they tried to mess with uss like 2006, 1977, etc then will show them who we are and they strat singing cuba and russia help ethiopia. The worrest thing about the somalians is the story they creat and believ. Is it not a disgrace to discuss anexation of a nation by itself.
10/04/08 @ 04:04
Comment from: Interesting Topic [Visitor]
The writer is a good thinker of the time. But lacks the knowledge of History.
Once Hirsi Ali (a Somalian activist) said about herself that she is the 7th generation of an Immigrant came to todays Somalia. Meaning the not Habesha look like Somalians are not the original residents in todays Somalia.
Somalia never ever has been a country before the British, Italian colonization on her dividing in three. They were primitive nomadic acting and living the way their animals demanding them to do. As the Abyssinian history says, the Entire Somalia territory was under the axumite kingdom including Yemen, southern Saudi Arabia and Gulf states that many of them still looks like the Habesha people. Mogadishu means moqat and shum= the Abyssinians word. The shum/Astedader of the moqat area.
Because of spreading Islam in Africa through war and invasion, the Arabs and Iranians fought against the Abyssinians the same way the Arabs did at the time in todays Sudan against them, too. But never ever been Somalia as a state with her todays territory boundary.
Abyssinia (Ethiopia) was the oldest statehood in AFRICA/one of the world. Modern Ethiopia (small Ethiopia) is the oldest modern statehood in Africa since 1850/60+ under the leadership of the modern Ethiopian father Atse Teodros.
After the death of Zere Jacob, the powerful Queen Ellni took the Abyssinian responsibility including todays Somalia Territory. But the time was very bad to Ethiopia as the Turks and Arabs were taking vast territory in todays Sudan including the territory called Sabians (all of them were at the time Christians including eastern, northern and central Sudan). The conflict was going on actively for 400 years but started since 8/9 century. And the worst was between 11-15 in the north and eastern part of the country. In the 16 century after the queen Eleni death (1522), the Arabs saw the weakness of the kingdom and they came through the south (todays Somalia by hiring a primitive nomad converted to become Muslim and as then brainwashed blood sucker against all Christians.
The gruesome Muslim invasion against the Christian Abyssinians took 14 years (1529-1543). During this time they even reached to the centre of the Christian kingdom in Axum and burned down the Axum Tsion mariam. This shows how much human and material damaged all over the country they had caused and the country situation changed for good.
With the European help, the Arabs invasion to spread Islam through war and killing is defeated. But the Abyssinians were badly destroyed. Many have died. Others immigrated to the north to the highlands to escape. The rest became Muslims and the same times they started acting as the todays Somalian do. This is the way the Abyssinian look like Somalians became as Somalians. That is why we said Ethiopian Muslims didn’t become Muslims by choice but by force through invasion and war.
The weakness of the Abyssinians became an opportunity to the massive migration/invasion like ants for the gala migration to the southern, central and western Ethiopia. The Somalians also did the same by defeating the Adals.This way the Zemene Mesafent created and took about 300 years.
Yet, when Ethiopia regrouped and became as a nation in 1860+, there was no a single nation in Africa at the time. That is why I said, “Ethiopia is not only the oldest ancient country but also the oldest modern country, too.”
Egypt became as it is since 1922. The rest of Africa became as it is today since 1953 started from Ghana. Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and the rest of Africa is just 50+ years old. Even in the middle east countries Like Saudi Arabia became as it is today in 1906. Iraqi 1923. And other Gulf States became, as they are latter on. So, the OLF idea of Ethiopia hundreds years old is fiction, ignorant, baseless, wrong and second even if she it so, she is older than any nation in Africa and the Middle East, too. No a single African nation has a hundred years modern statehood.
When it comes to Somalia they have been a country for only 20+ years under Siadbarie. That is it. They never ever have been a country more than that. I think the habesha look like Somalians have the right to be part of Ethiopia if they want to be that way. But Ethiopia demanding them to be part of her will be a mistake. You cannot govern them because of they never been governed by themselves and they have no idea to respect it.
As the entire Kenyan cost is part of the Kenyan Somalians, Kenya will have big problem with them. If you listen Somalians individually, almost all of them like Ethiopians that any one from Africa including the Kenyans. The Somalian Immigrants that have been in Kenya will tell you their feeling about the Kenyans. While the same time those have been in Ethiopia also will tell you their appreciation and respect towards Ethiopians. Only few Jiahdists do hate Ethiopians because of religion.
Ethiopia has a big rat on her back yard and first and for most she has to deal with it. That rat is Eritrea. So, it is time to deal with the shabia rats. The have disappeared from Eritrea means all over Ethiopia will be peace and security as shabia is training all anti Ethiopian elements including the primitive Somalia Islamic terrorists, OLF and nomadic primitive ONLF.
10/04/08 @ 04:28
Comment from: Legassi Zenawi [Visitor]
Somaliland will be a free country with close ties to Ethiopia, UK, and USA, white isolated south somalia and pirate infested puntland are killing each other with their warlords and clan.
they always try to polarize and oversimplify the situation saying oh ethiopia = christian, somalia = muslim
you idiots either don’t have a clue or are primitive animals.
this is 100% about Territorial integrity of Ethiopia and 0% about religion.
u think that relgion can solve ur problem of fragmented society based on ethnic and tribal lines, YOU WRONG.
10/04/08 @ 05:10
Comment from: Legassi Zenawi [Visitor]
Ill make damn well sure that we take ONLY ASSEB and expel all NON AFAR eritrean animals/donkeys.
We will take back our ports, as Mengistu said:
“I was there [Eritrea] with 700 people, We are there only for military strategy of water [Red Sea], there’s no Oil there, no diamonds, no gold, it’s not a country, there’s no people, NOTHING”
We will be comming back for Asseb!
Ethiopia Tikdem
10/04/08 @ 05:16
Comment from: Yohannes [Visitor]
No! No! No! All so-called national boundries created by colonial masters should be dismantled. Africa must be united in order to survive in the 21st century as a viable entity. Clanish and tribal thought should be arrested. Let us think big and far into the future while educating the unlearned. Had it not been for their identity crisis, Africans could have thrived in modern global economy becuase of their untapped natural resources.
We have no one to blame now but ourselves.
Democracy is not for Africans, at least for now, for we do not have the cornerstones for it, education, self-respect, human dignity, etc. I think the primitive paternalistic dictatorship based on fatherly or may be, motherly rule would transition us to a better tomorrow. But for the current dictators….
10/04/08 @ 05:21
Comment from: dekia [Visitor]
who is giving ethiopia 100 years of more homework war again.
10/04/08 @ 07:34
Comment from: Somali [Visitor]
Kenya
– A country with the worst record of corruption in Africa since independence
– A country with the largest slums in Africa
– A country whose economy is controlled by ex-colonials and Indians and now Somalis
– A country where people a few months ago were burning/hacking and shooting each other to death – A situation that could break out again any day of the week considering all these ethnic groups are still not satisfied
– A country who’s main tourist industry is prostitution
– A country with a mindblowing aids rate – seven or eight times higher than Somalia
– A country that can’t provide water to all it’s nomadic ethnicities( funny how Djibouti was called primitive for the same reason)
This country is suppossed to solve the Somali problem? who’s going to solve KENYA’S PROBLEMS?
Ethiopia
– A country where a racist minority rules over majorities
– A country where a dozens different seccesion groups are active who want nothing to do with the country
– A country that has an inferior telecommunication system compared to Somalia
– A country with less universities in the top 100 of Africa than Somalia
– A country with a smaller GDP per capita than the failed-state Somalia( see Economist)
– A country where 15 million people every year face starvation
– A country that tap dances to every Uncle Sam tune
This country is going to solve the Somali problem? Who’s going to solve Ethiopia’s problems?
These GI JOE’s Arnold Kipkopkipko’s and Mutunga Wango’s pretending their countries are anything but slaves of America are amusing
Insha-allah by the time of his deadline 2030 Somalia will have swallowed them all
10/04/08 @ 08:03
Comment from: Mesganaw [Visitor]
Time:
A proud Somali? Proud of what?
Before the British and Italian came to scrub nomadic/primitive Somalia, there was no any form of govt since her existence. It was like a no mans land territory. It was ruled under a clan and sub clan system. After independency, Somalia was became as a nation only for less than 30 years.
Egypt was ruled by British. Libya was ruled by Italy. Algeria was ruled by France and Morocco was at last ruled by Spain. That is why there are 4 different countries despite they have the same religion and speaking the same language.
The same thing has to apply for Somalia, too. Somaliland was ruled by British. You have an Italian Somalia and Punt land. So, there must come three different nations in somalia the same way as it happened in North African and other nations, too. So you can count 2020, 2040, 2100+ as numbers are infinitive, but Somalia will not become as one nation. Canada and USA are speaking the same language and have the same religion, why they became two separate states? In the Middle East, South America and elsewhere different nations are speaking the same language and have the same religion. So, Somalia to become, as one nation because of they are speaking the same language and have the same religion is a weak, cheap and never materialise silly thinking. It is already tested for 20+ years and it didn’t work.
Why are you mad towards Ethiopia while the writer is from Kenya? Kenyans are using their arrows and machete against the Somalians calling them the primitive people in Africa.
You can cry or do what ever you like, but your Satanic wish about Ethiopia will never fulfil.
You really have no idea about Ethiopia. When the serious comes, they are one and even the air can not come between them. Accept it and learn more about the Ethiopians good side.
After all Ethiopians are the one saved Islam by giving shelter and support to Prophet Mohamed and his followers. This was the first recognised political asylum granted to any one in human history. The first person who became Muslim is an Ethiopian, Belay (Bilal). We also know what P. Mohammed said about the habesha land and people and to His followers would be conduct towards the habesha people.
But you bastard, his followers became the enemy to the prophet special friends(Habeshas). You are using his name to commit crimes by not respecting his message including towards the habesha people.
I think King Negash/the habesha people made mistakes by giving save heavens and accommodations to them and saved Islam from disappearing as it happened to other religion in human history. If they didn’t, Islam might not be here today. You can try what ever you can in the name of Mohammed against Ethiopia, but Mohammed, Jesus and God will not allow something bad happening against the habesha people. The Arabs are busy all the times against the habesha people for many centuries, but God is fighting against them in the name of the Habesha people. Their crime against the beautiful Habesha women also will be answered by God, soon. Their oil money will be the real curse towards them. You, a primitive Somalian is a slave to them. We know and you know about. Have you been in the middle East. They see you as a Mistake, servant, slave, leftover or a monkey came from the central Africa jungle.
How can you judge Ethiopia while you know nothing about yourself?
I’m talking this to you, not to other Somalians I know that are wise and respectful towards Ethiopians. Go to the Kenyans Blog and deal with them if you can how.
10/04/08 @ 10:20
Comment from: Wadani [Visitor]
If Ethiopia annexed Somalia,the dreams of Somalia will become true from the opposite way.It will be a surprising and an excitements to the Somalis that their dreams became true from their unexpected and believing their enemy of Ethiopia sides.As,ogaden peoples also,it will boost the voices we have in the federal parliaments of Ethiopia.
And it will be the end of the sources of liberator groups that used to be coming of each decades from Somalia (Mogadishu)without the Ogaden peoples consent.
Thus, it will be, a relaxing, peacefulness and a pretty ideas,if that dreams of unifications of Ethiopian and Somalia becomes true. Despite of the many causalities in the process,it will be really,a great idea and surely the rest of the region countries would be joining when they see the greatness and the prosperity reached of united countries of Addis and Mogadishu.
Nevertheless,My predictions of that early bird joining to the unions would be Asmara and the second would be Libiya even before the Djabuti joined to the unions,its Libiya of my second guess.
10/04/08 @ 10:30
Comment from: dereje [Visitor]
they say you can choose your friends but not your neighbors.
ethiopia is very unlucky to have somale and eritrea as its neighbor. ethiopias short term strategy should be to strengthen its economy and military so these bad neighbors stay off its affair and its land. in the long term ethiopia may have to take military actions to change the geography and the politics of the two menace.
10/04/08 @ 10:37
Comment from: Time [Visitor]
I have addressed this note to the editor of that article. Those like him should take heed. Africa is sick and tired of people like him.
———————————–
Dear Kir (Somali word),
What is your name again? Kipkorir? Wow, I did not know a Kalenjin guy had the audacity to think beyond his nose! Do you know your uncle MOI when he was overthrown the man who saved his sorry butt was a Somali (General-Mohamoud)? All the Kalenjins went and hid themselves in their Shambas (farms) including Moi. It was Mohamoud who with few soldiers mostly Somalis under his command took back the Statehouse and the Radio station and announced Moi is still the President.
Mohamoud took a helicopter and went to Moi’s Shamba to bring him back. The Kalenjin man (Moi) told Mohamoud ‘Please kill me in my farm. Don’t take me away’. Wow! and Wow again. A Kalenjin can dare think of annexing Somalia! It is us Somalis who allowed these low life neighbours who never dare look at our side the chance to even think of it. Alas, we Somalis might be brave but we are stupid. This generation is definately not like our grand father’s-Admission of guilt. The year 2020 will be Somalia’s year and down hill Isaac Newton’s theory for Ethiopia. I guess Kenya has already started the rift more than Ethiopia but what can a Kalenjin’s brain comprehend. Haven’t you seen the flying machetes? Each one of you has it in his garage and is ready to cut the other into pieces.
Having said all that, I would prefer seeing the people of Africa living in peace and prosperity rather than talking of annexing a sisterly nation. Kalenjin boy you forgot your country is at the brink of extinction. Let me say all African countries need to re-evaluate their way forward. Otherwise, they will be written into the history books. Aids, Malaria, Poverty, droughts, Wars will only increase bearing in mind the scarce resources the world will be facing. I fear for Africa and you are talking of annexing another country.
Wait until 2020 and tell me about it. Strategy and meticulous planning that covers many dimension will be the way out for Somalia. By 2020 the Al-shabaab and warlords will be history and there will be enough educated Somalis in western countries and back home who will take the lead. Investing in Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture and strong social engineering will put Somalia on Track. If you remember what I said, Ethiopia will be going down hills since by then they will be recovering from Meles and Tigrey Legacy if they are not mired in civil war. I just pray to God the Somalis don’t take revenge in playing a role in destabilizing Ethiopia more. That is what Meles did to Somalis. If this happens, I wonder who will hold together the Ethiopian tribes and religions. Somalis who have one religion and language have taken this long to resolve a civil war, what will you think of Kenya? this is a good perspective for a wise man.
We Somalis, have a saying that says “Don’t dig your brother’s grave as you might be the one that will fall into it”. Kenyans also say “Mchimba kisima huingia mwenyewe”. I have lived in Kenya long enough to know it upside down. You will not give me credit if I told you I am capable of formulating a strategy that will put Kenya on its knees within couple of years. I will not shout around like pumpkin head like you but be rest assured your desire was well known and it is a note well taken. Ethiopia with the help of America has already dug the grave for Somalis for many years and it is time they fall into it. As for Kenya and the likes of Kipkorir who don’t know what Somalis are, let me tell you, Somalis will not miss a sleep guarding against Kenyan invasion. The clock has started ticking two years ago and Twelve years from now will tell.
Proud Somali,
Mohamed Abass.
NAZRET PLEASE POST IT. THANKS
10/04/08 @ 10:47
Comment from: Master Mind [Visitor]
Time [Visitor]
What is a single point in all that crap?
You are recommanded to take a capule called “Vocabulary” every 8 hours before meal.
10/04/08 @ 11:07
Comment from: Tesfaye [Visitor]
Annexing Somalia is of strategic importance for Ethiopia to play the role of an ancient black civilisation. Ethiopia should take back Artra and Djoubiti. We have to do it by war if necessary. Eritrea is an ethiopian history. Those who do not want to live under Ethiopian administration are eritrean who are mercenaries. The real eritreans are ethiopians. Djubiti was taken from Ethiopia through international manipulations. Ethiopia is a might power. Unfortunaely the Zenawi group are anti-Ethiopia and are working against a centralised might power.
The Somalians have to be led. And it is only Ethiopia that could give Somalis some hope to live. The ethiopian army is still in full control in Somalia. If Ethiopia is serious, the Islamist will be destroyed with no man left. Ethiopia should wage a full scale war and annex Somalia for Ethiopia. The somalians could be chritinized and eat injera. No Islam in somalia. Somalians deserve more. Their children will go to the same schools as ethiopians. Somali girls will represent Ethiopia as ethiopians as atheletic champions.
Ethiopia is 70% christian- Orthodox Christian (60%). Islam is growing in Ethiopia but not significantly.
Wake up Ethiopians! Unite Africans under the banner of Ethiopia! Start with Somalia because Somalia needs us more!
10/04/08 @ 11:07
Comment from: visitor [Visitor]
Annexing Somalia…and what then? The problem of ethiopians is that we never learn..Last time, we annexed a country, we paid paid a huge price for it: 30 years of war and we missed a great chance to better our lives.
What i would advice all the dreamers in rags that we are, it’s to push woyannes to leave Somalia and focus on bringing health,education and food to the people they are supposed to rule :ethiopians.
10/04/08 @ 11:10
Comment from: ANNEX BRITISH EAST AFRICA AND HABASH [Visitor]
To annex Somalia mr. Kukiyo you need to
come to somali cities like Kismayo and
fight real men, Union of islamic courts/
Somali jihad movement/Somaliland National Army etc. We all know that conlonization of
of africa is finish but indeed the slaves
will never change their mindset. I am sitting today in Mombasa and looking at a Muslim /somali city and feeling home,
Kenya is a somali region and soon shall return to SOMALIYA/ we shall it return by be force or by talk, but untill then countinue with your Dreams.Because we as people
don’t talk nonsense we Somali take actions and Kenya is somali, go to any city and look for your self. while you are born slaves and only take orders, by somalis or british as in the past.We give orders. And
Todays Order to your mr Kikiyo is dream o
on my BOY>. this Text is written on behave of UNITED SOMAL EAST AFRICAN STATE (includes habashia and kenya).
thank you.
10/04/08 @ 11:11
Comment from: TEDDY [Visitor]
You mean ,annexion what a jock ,a tribal milicia army ,agazis ,blocked and harassed by bare footed children fighters ;has no means to control Somalia any longer than withdrawing or surrender .It’s sad to recognise since the evil Zenawi and his thugs took power Ethiopian Armed Forces have ceased to exist ,today the so called National Armed Forces are simply tribal based milicia forces led by illitrate TPLF bandit self apointed officers and generals .Agazis have no pride and dignity as much as the armed forces led in 1964 by Aman Adom and letter in 1977 led by Demisse Bulto ,of course the Air Force of Fanta Belay who really defeated twice Somalian invasion forces . LONG LIVE THE TRUE ETHIOPIANS !!!
10/04/08 @ 11:34
Comment from: D-barry [Visitor]
D. EAR Ogadenian please you talk sheet.I bean in ethio-somalia war 1977.When we start counter atack I saw with my eye the somalia army left behind all the Tank and weapon run like Horse 500k|meter.You know it 2 years ago it takes the heroic ethiopian army less than one week to control south Somalia.That is the fact broo.May be i have some difference with the government I still like ethiopia and the army.
10/04/08 @ 11:44
Comment from: girma yirgu [Visitor]
it is a good idea to take somalia to motherland ethiopia mokadischo means the papties city of ethiopia all ethiopian creastianity came frome thhough mmekadescha mokodischo if meles zenawi did that his name will be among the greatest of all somalia must join ethiopia as 14 provice of ethiopia
no more somalia only one ethiopia
ertrea will came by it self we must not forse them they used to be one nations
ertrea can not servive with out ethiopia please meles zenawi do that and clean your hand and make reconsilations among all ethiopians
so that your beloved childeren will with out fear of ethiopians
10/04/08 @ 11:50
Comment from: lekim [Visitor]
Only those who want Ethiopia and or Kenya to fight their dirty wars for them would advocate the annexation of Somalia. Ethiopia is a law abiding member of the world community and not a Trojan horse for imperialist pigs. Somalis can keep their banana republic.
10/04/08 @ 11:52
Comment from: Somalirealist [Visitor]
Somalia can Annex both Ethiopia and Kenya but not the vice versa.
This Kukuyu Niggar is dreaming.
Somalis own the biggest land in kenya, North Eat, NFD. SOmalis control the econmy in Kenya by taking over from the Indians. We have many politicians well placed into the system fot hat country. Muslims in Mombasa are with us. So basiccally we own Kenya.
TO Ethiopia, we own the biggest land, Oromos the majority of Ethiopia are firendly to us. 50 or more % are Muslim in Ethiopia and associate with Somalia, Eritrea is our Friend. Only Mountain people can go against us.
Above all, Somalia has the gutts to do this, without feering US and EU.
So given these facts, SOmalia can Annexx both of these countries.
However, it should not be our policy to do this.
This writer is a narrow minded fool who does not have any clue of what he is talking about about.
Somalia will think of Annexing any of its neighbours and if its neighbors start thinking so, we know how to respond with swift defeat.
10/04/08 @ 12:00
Comment from: Confussed [Visitor]
I was reading the credentials and experience of this so called the writer of this article, and come to the point of imagining the thoughts of his likes but less credentials. I guess they will imagine annexing the USA as well. All I can say is that this writer is loosing his mind and soon be a mad naked fool running around the streets begging for “Ugali”.
For those of you who applauded to his stupidest idea of all time are also thoughtless idiots. The matter of fact is that both Ethiopia and Kenya are barely making their needs let alone annexing another nation.
You all be really!
10/04/08 @ 12:32
Comment from: Seleme [Visitor]
. . . i dont agree,. . .let them live alone!. . .
10/04/08 @ 13:05
Comment from: Time [Visitor]
HERE IS THE FEEDBACK FROM THE EDITOR IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS AND MY FOLLOW UP RESPONSE:
Mohamed,
Thanks for your comments though part of them are unnecessarily vitriolic! The strand of my thesis is that if Somalia can’t fix its problems since 1960 and be able to exploit its minerals then kenya and ethiopia should do it!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Celtel Kenya
————————————
With all due respect Mr. Kipkorir, who would fix Ethiopia and Kenya’s problems? Did Kenya and Ethiopia exploit their resources? I think you are using lame excuse to bring forth your hidden agenda. Please advocate for civility and respect among the nighbouring countries. If we look at Kenya, solving the problem of Nairobi slums, disease and poverty will take years. Why don’t you concern yourself with that? It is humilating to suggest poor and backward countries like Ethiopia and Kenya should annex another African country. Why have you never talked of annexing Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, and Zaire to mention a few?
Your comment has no place in modern Africa. If you are among the peace loving Kalenjin people who are very friendly to Somalis, you would write an appology article in response to the ill thought and sinister article you titled “Annexing Somalia”.
10/04/08 @ 13:28
Comment from: el [Visitor]
Somali [Visitor]
assuming you are Somalian, where did you get your facts about Somalia’s GDP being higher than ethiopia or Somalia having more universities than ethiopia? It doesn’t actually matter whither you are somalian or Eritrean since you both have a lot in common in terms of being the only so called nations in the world with no annual budget and higher education(university) to talk about, let alone GDP . be happy you are not alone.
10/04/08 @ 13:47
Comment from: United Alem [Visitor]
I WILL POOT IT IN SHORT !…. NO NEED TO CREAT AGAIN EAST AFRICAN EVERLASTING WAR AS PALESTINE AND ISRAEL BETWEEN ETHIOPAN AND SOMALIAN!!!!!!EVEN 1000000 % WORST THAN PALESTINIAN AND ISRAEL!!!! “GOMEN/CABAGE BETEN” SANG TSHAY YOHANES
10/04/08 @ 14:07
Comment from: Tesfaye [Visitor]
Emperor minilk said if god gave him the the bless to live longer and in health, he would annex all territories along the indian ocean coastline.
When he aimed this He ignored the Eritreans(BANDAS)at the moment.
But minilik died before accomplishment.
Now Meles Zenawi look like
accomplishing what Minilk started.
10/04/08 @ 14:08
Comment from: mo [Visitor]
did i heard him say somalis have more per-capita then kenya.that says alot isn’t it? if that is the case knowing kenya has more per-capita then ethopia,they could only invade with artificially sustained armies. its a fact that we are prosprering more than you lot eventhougt we didnot have proper governemet for ages.what will happen if we have peace god knos
10/04/08 @ 14:38
Comment from: jank@mail.com [Visitor]
MY ANSWER IS SIMPLE YES!
WHY DID YOU TAKE YOU LONG!
for starter I have a fealing Somilian in Ethiopian have better life then Somilian in Somilian… Ethiopian problem is always money otherwise we are much modern people… even much better advance people then USA… we are very poor but we are not killing each or fool reason… you don’t some one telling you he will kill you because you are muslim etc etd.. or he doesn’t like because you are this or that ethnic groups… beside we are not war like people… we respect rule and law we vaule human life….
Beside on this Somilian would be better of ruled by Ethiopian under Ethiopian flag…
To make sure this become a reality we should arm all woman in Somilia give them gun to proect themselves from war lord… once we are all the woman in Somilia the man will lose their power… The man can not go around and tell the woman to sew their privet part… if they do the woman police officer will coem and take him to jail… you see if you want the woman right to be respected then you should give woman power how by giving them power meaning gun… GUN MEAN POWER IN AFRICA… if the woman misss use the gun and attack the Ethiopian army then that is their lose…
In fact armying the woman would be the best staragy even in all Arab countries… if all the woman have gun… how in hell the man will going to oppress them?
100,000 woman army will do the job to fix the men… now the warlord can’t wear the woman dress and do their drity job the woman will stop him!!!!
Eritean have woman army… some northern arab country also have woman army… if the woman feed up with this BS then they should be happy to fitght for their freedom…. if they didnot then they are have only themselves to belmeam
10/04/08 @ 14:53
Comment from: Shewarega [Visitor]
Somalia is a sovreign nation. What ever problem they have within them, including those of Somalilan/Puntland belongs to them. Having said that, I think Somalis should also stop this never ending plot of attacking and plotting against Ethiopia. We can all go to history and talk about who did what to whom. But lets just live that alone, and let us both strive to first reconstitute Somalia, and second bring about true Democratic governments in both countries. For Democratic nations do not spend their day plotting how to destabilize, or conquer their neighbors. Somalia had one chance to grab territories from Ethiopia. That was 1977 when Ethiopia was swept by revolution. But look what that brought upon Somalia. It disintegrated at its seems. And you fed and bred Meles, who was carrying a Somali passport, and you got what you deserved. He is bombing and destroying your homes. I think the bottom line is this talk of annexing Somalia is a joke. On the same token Somalis should stop this dream of grabbing land from their neighbors. The most important thing is that those who live there get a voice, and are beneficiaries of what they possess. I for one will be very happy if there is peace in Ogaden, and the oil is brought out to change the lives of those long suffering people there.
10/04/08 @ 15:26
Comment from: coolman [Member]
All of you people trumpeting for this
outrageous idea suffer from delusion of grandeur, which has proven to be the best recipe for disaster.
Thank God none of you seats at the wheel of power. What is next, Madagaskar? I think we should start with Sudan. And, with the oil money, we can buy all those fancy weapons and cash in Egypt and Libya.
Oh, Talian gudish fela, we are coming to get you too.
Peace
10/04/08 @ 15:31
Comment from: Mr Fair [Visitor]
I don’t know where Mr. Kopkirir grew up but I can see a dangerous mix of hate and ignorance.
If Southern and Central Somalia where part of Kenya, I have no doubt that withing few years, Kenya would have turned into a Somali dictatorship, Woyane style.
Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin etc. would have been just like the Gurage, Afar, Wolyta etc in Ethiopia i.e nice hard working people who have nothing to do with power struggle. In a few decades, there would probably be another Mao Mao to kick out the Somalis, or there may be Kenyan Liberation Front.
Somali Kenyans represent about 3% of the Kenyan population at the same time they control a big junk of the economy and they controlled the military to some extent. Raise that percentage to about 18% and Kenya would be in a big trouble.
What about Puntaland and Somaliland (Northern and Northwestern Somalia) being part of Ethiopia?
Here are two scenarios;
If they decide to fight occupation, then they are the ones who can organize themselves the most and they can wage a war comparable to that of Eritrea. Actually the Somalilanders (Nortwest) and the Ogadenis were historically the bulwark against the expansionist Ethiopian kings and they had the upper hand until European colonialists tied their hands(there was weapons embargo on all Somali Speaking region for more than 70 years).
If they decide to forget about Somali ethnocentrism, hold hands with their muslim brothers in the Horn, and compete for power withing Ethiopia, then the fundamentalist Ethiopian Orthodox church would be in trouble. That would have been a big boost for the humbled Ethiopian Muslims.
A short answer for the whole article would have been;
Tried it and good luck.
10/04/08 @ 16:14
Comment from: jank@mail.com [Visitor]
RE:-Somalia is a sovreign nation.
Next you will tell us they are Muslim nation.. you see sovereign nation doesn’t rap and murder their own people..
be it in Muslim be it in any law NO! country have the right to kill their own citizen… I have no marcy for those killer and murderer hiding behind Sovreign nation crap!
If they want to be respected as Sovreign ation then why are they looting the sea? if they are Msulim why are they looting at Gun point.. they are not Msulim yes they hide behind Muslim cover but what they did is not Isalam…
The old day where a sovreign nation can do any crap as they wish in their own people is gone… if you don’t trust me ask those Bosinan Msulim they got help from USA… when their own nation kill them
My point is Somilian are not a sovreign nation they break all the rule in the book be it UN rule be it Muslim rule be it devil rule be it any rule… they burn the rule and the holy book
my friend when white colonzation end the black colonzation started we Ethiopian will be the first to stop this black colonzation they like it or not..
I hope the Russian would be very happy to help us out to restore peace and law and rule in Ethiopia… it not today 20 years later Somilian will be greatful for the help we give them at their time of need…
MY question to any Ethipian would be you would not mind if the Somilian come and kick out Meles? I know you will not mind! that is why you are working with Eritrean to kick Meles therefore what is the diffrent here… if we help the Somilian people kick out the war lord…
as united with Ethiopia we are the same people think about it the federal system will sove all our proplem they can keep their port but all Somilian or Ethiopian will not need visa to come and work in Ethiopia or Somilia we use the birr and Somilaian currecy… us see we don’t want to control them we only want to be hlep that all..
From: Mugo Muchiri
Los Angeles, CA
July 1, 2013
THE MUGO REPORT – June 2013
Q: Good morning Bwana Mugo and welcome to our first meeting of the summer. It reminds us of how big our world is – doesn’t it? – when we complain about heat here in LA, even as our brothers and sisters in Kenya experience the cold chills of June-July.
Mugo: Yes, this is true. Good morning ndugu and asante for another session.
Q: Start by giving us your tip of the month?
Mugo: Sawa. Because I have a food fetish today, why don’t I share with our readers a foodie item that’s been intriguing me lately? It’s called digestive lassi. Not only is it great tasting, but as its name suggests, it’s also a potent aid to digestion. According to Maharishi Ayurveda, a lot of our health problems are largely attributable weak digestion which leads to food not being completely digested. A by-product of this feeble digestion is ama, a sticky residue that binds to some part of the body (like the joints) giving rise to discomfort, pain and ultimately disease. So here’s a simple digestive lassi recipe (for one serving) that can be easily made at home and enjoyed by the family:
-1 cup room temp water
-¼ cup fresh homemade yogurt
-a pinch of ginger, cumin, coriander and salt
Blend for one minute and drink after lunch………you’ll be sure to notice a difference in just a matter of days as your digestive juices perk up and burn all that ama away. Good luck and great health!
PRESIDENCY & GOVERNANCE
Q: Asante for that ndugu. There are good number of areas that I’d like us to touch on for this issue. But why don’t we start with governance in general, and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s style of leadership in particular. When you compare Uhuru to immediate former President Mwai Kibaki, would you concur with me that there’s a substantive change in style of leadership?
Mugo: I think it’s a little early to talk ‘substantive’, but there is an important ‘style’ difference. President Uhuru Kenyatta appears keener to engage with the different facets of Kenyan life – businesspeople, students, athletes, teachers, and so forth. I welcome this and consider it a 180-degree pivot vis-à-vis Kibaki’s style which came across as rather stoic and distant……unless, of course, you were a visiting dignitary, or perhaps had something to do with building a road.
It didn’t seem to matter to Kibaki whether folks had just lost their lives from a landslide or even the fall of poorly-built buildings, as was the case in Kiambu on a number of occasions. Moreover, I distinctly remember feeling that the president needed to go and be with the IDPs to do some hand-holding. But Kenyans failed to see a ‘feeling’ Kibaki. And if he did indeed feel something, he certainly had a curious way of showing it by not showing it. I think it’s important for a president to be seen to “feel your pain.” And this is where I see an immediate contrast with Uhuru for whom visibility seems to be an important part of his politics and diplomacy. You get the sense that he wants to be there, that he wants to be seen to care.
Q: But you think it’s too early to gauge ‘substantiveness?’
Mugo: I do. In all fairness 100 days haven’t even elapsed. As I said, Uhuru’s style is a propitious development for the presidency. But being a ‘seasoned’ Kenyan who’s now had the opportunity of seeing three presidents in motion (I was rather unsophisticated during Jomo Kenyatta’s tenure), I first wait to see how much tofu is on wananchi’s table first. The mouth follows the eyes.
Q: Meaning?
Mugo: Meaning engagement is not the end product, simply the means. When I begin to see the business of Government becoming increasingly free from corruption, then I think we can talk ‘substantive.’
PORT AS A PORTAL
Q: Let’s view some the changes that have occurred this past month through this prism. And ‘hoot, hoot!’ the Port of Mombasa is our first call. Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto view an efficient port system as being pivotal to Kenya’s economy. Are you happy with the steps the president has taken thus far?
Mugo: Yes. Remember Mombasa cannot be seen outside the context of its vast hinterland which spans Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC. Interest in Mombasa has even been expressed from some unlikely quarters. Zambia was exploring the possibility of using Mombasa as a conduit for its copper exports about 1 ½ years ago (about 95% of Dar’s capacity is consumed by Tanzania’s own imports and exports). All these partner-states have one common denominator: the centrality of Mombasa to maintaining and growing their economic vibrancy and overall wellbeing. And I think this fact dictates how far up Uhuru’s to-do list this item gets positioned. I’m happy with the noises I’ve heard so far from State House…… joyful noises, I’m sure, if you asked our neighbors.
Q: Given all the cartels at the port, do you actually see the son of Jomo taking the bull by its horns on this on?
Mugo: Clearly yes. This is no longer Uhuru the Campaigner; you’re seeing Uhuru, the Chief Executive, setting a goal (5 days for cargo to move from Mombasa to Malaba), having a plan crafted to achieve that goal, and, importantly, overseeing the necessary follow-up in order to gauge performance. I think he realizes that large bureaucracies often lose sight of the big picture, not to mention getting caught up in turf wars.
Q: What is the overall picture?
Mugo: Well I’ve partially sketched it out from the geographical point of view. Moreover, the big picture requires a foundation of gratefulness: it’s about being grateful to our neighbors for the opportunity to serve their business interests vis-a-vis ‘they-have-no-choice-but-to-go-through-us’ type of attitude (in Kiswahili slang, Uta do?). I think the president wants this ‘servant’ mentality to underlie port operations as a precursor to continuing to earn our partners’ trust. Second, it’s about understanding that Mombasa cannot operate outside the commercial axis of Dar es Salaam and – judging by the $10 billion agreement inked by Chinese President Xi Jinxing and President Jakayo Kikwete this March 2013 – Bagamoyo.
Have we been good stewards of our port endowments? Uganda certainly doesn’t think so. Why would she otherwise begin exploratory talks with Rwanda and Burundi about a railway line through their three nations and then on to Dar es Salaam, totally bypassing Kenya? They’ll continue exploring that option as long as they feel we’ve basically insensitive to their needs. I think Uhuru’s efforts should be seen in the context of securing the future of Mombasa both as a major economic hub and a crucial employment provider in the Coastal region. And I really like Michael Kamau, his point man in all this. Gichiri Ndua, the KPA MD, has an unsigned letter that would give anyone the chills.
DRUG WAR
Q: Interesting. Let’s talk a little about Nigerians and drug dealing. These guys didn’t arrive in Kenya yesterday. It’s safe to say that they’ve had significant time, resources and protections to sink their roots. The President was pretty irate about ‘sing-song’ drug conferences that turn out to be a bridge to nowhere. He ‘coughed,’ and certain folks got expelled from jurisdiction.
Mugo: Again, a superb demonstration of how the levers of presidential power can quickly turn the tide and make it ‘BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL.’ 40 drug dealers were escorted back to their country in one fell swoop, ‘’even without sweating,’’ as the Nigerians would say. Talk about a tsunami with no warning! This is ‘chamtemakuni’ policy and we need more, not less, of it.
People begin to see why elections matter; new blood brings new vitality and a new environment where old protections don’t necessarily hold. But it’s still too early to celebrate. A lot more needs to be done to rid our society of this menace. Will we see investigations to finger big-time colluders in the police and in politics? Will the ‘sensitive’ but neutered American evidence about specific senior government officials as being sponsors of the drug trade in Kenya be reverse-neutered and used to go after Mbuta dealers? This belongs to the future, hopefully Uhuru’s Kenya future.
Q: I remember there being virtually no drugs in Kenya during my teenage years. We just saw or heard about the stuff in movies. Seeing someone in high school with bhang (marijuana) was a huge deal. Let’s hope we quickly return to those days. Alright, let’s move on to wildlife and poaching. We touched on this subject last month and it doesn’t appear to be receding as a news item. Share with us some developments recently.
WILDLIFE POACHING
Mugo: Four things: first, the Cabinet approved more stringent punishments for poachers. If the Legislature moves in tandem and approves the measures, it will be a powerful signal that the matter is being given the weight it deserves. Second, global players are coming in to correct the tilt in power dynamics that have favored international wildlife trafficking networks. One that needs to be singled out for praise is the Google initiative called ‘Global Impact Awards’ which recently advanced US$ 5 million to the World Wildlife Fund for the purpose of enhancing herd tracking & management capabilities through the use of sensors, tagging collars and other digital analytics. Lastly, the Philippines recently demonstrated their resolve to be partners in the service of protecting the world’s elephants and rhinos by destroying a huge stockpile of ivory tusks in the full glare of the media and public. They didn’t write articles about sending text messages to their citizens.
I’m glad to see WWF pioneering the use of drones in a few Southeast Asian & African countries. Kenya, I suspect, will be a test case. We called for the use of drones in the fight to save the rhino and elephant here in this report some 7-8 months ago, and it’s gratifying to see this happening.
Finally, before leaving Tanzania at the end of his second visit to Africa, President Obama announced via Executive Order the setting aside of $10million to be distributed amongst several African nations – Kenya is slated to be a recipient of $3million – to boost the fight against poaching. These are small but significant steps that should boost our wildlife protective assets.
SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS
Q: I wanted to conclude by reviewing some missteps that the President and Deputy President have experienced this past month. Why not start with Ruto’s trip to several West African states at a cost of KShs. 18 million. There are some reports that the total contractual amount is a staggering KShs. 100 million! What are your thoughts?
Mugo: This issue is still murky due to lack of transparency in government dealings. It was clear that Bitange Ndemo was out to protect Ruto, perhaps hoping perhaps to line up a job as Principal Secretary for himself in the same vein. In any case, this was an unfortunate development for a government that’s trying to carve out a message of fiscal prudence. But I would wait and see if this is acknowledged – albeit not publicly – as a faux pas. Kenyans through the press should scrutinize Ruto’s future foreign travels for spending indications. Talk about the role of a free press in our democracy…..the NATION did an outstanding job on this expose!
Q: Why in the midst of the need to be fiscally prudent would President Uhuru approved the allocation of KShs 700 million for the purchase of a building to house Kibaki’s office in retirement?
Mugo: Another unfortunate development of shooting yourself in the foot and chipping away at wananchis’ trust. Remember, but for the diligence of Suba MP John Mbadi and Committee Chairman Musyimi Mutava, this sneaked-in allocation might have very well gone undetected. I’m not proud of the president on this one, especially since it was hot on the heels of his admonishment of MPs, teachers, etc. about a ballooning public sector wage bill and its threat to national development. Even the scaled down figure of some KShs. 250 million still smacks of wastefulness.
I think the principle ought to be that former presidents’ library-cum-offices be entirely privately funded. Now there’s no doubt that our constitution drinks heavily from America’s fountain. So, I argue, must our best practices. George W. Bush’s presidential library at Southern Methodist University is an illuminating example.
There are other more worthy projects. Like the 1million acre irrigation project which I admire. Or a genuine reforestation program that seriously takes a stab towards the 10% forest cover we all desire. Both would elicit broad public support; even each alone would cement an enviable legacy.
It’s important for the two leaders to realize these ‘on-the-quiet’ allocations will just make them lose credibility in the public’s eye. Recently we read about tenders to re-furnish the Deputy presidential mansion in Karen at a cost of some KShs. 100 million. Apparently the current gym facilities, the swimming pool tiles and the mansion windows are not entirely pleasing to Ruto.
Can you juxtapose that with the KShs. 10 million solar-powered water borehole that World Vision recently commissioned in Ol Makau, Namanga area, and whose direct impact was to provide water for 700 families and 1,500 animals? Now multiply that by 10 – water for 7,000 families and 15,000 herds. Do you see what I mean?
Q: Sawa. I think we stop here. Asante for a stimulating discussion. Mpake next month, ndugu.
Mugo: Asante vile vile. And happy ‘digestive lassis’ to you.
FrBy Agwanda Saye
LEADERS from Muhoroni have attributed constant cattle rustling along common border of Nyanza and the Rift valley on rampant poverty.
Led by Muhoroni Member of Parliament James Onyango K’Oyoo the leaders said youths should be empowered as one of the ways of eliminating the vice once and for all.
K’Oyoo said that use of force is not a sustainable solution to the menace which he observed requires dialogue engineered by leaders from both sides of the divide.
He was speaking over the weekend at St Joseph Koru ACK church during a funds drive where 1.5 million shillings was netted.
K’Oyoo called on leaders along the common border to hold peace talks and reconciliatory meetings as one of the ways of ending incidents of cattle rustling.
The Mp said leaders from the two common border areas will hold such talks when parliament takes a break in order to talk to youths on the need of mutual co-existence.
K’Oyoo said leaders from Tinderet, Sigowet, Soin, Ainamoi, and Kipkelion will hold the talks in order to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Outgoing Nyanza police chief Joseph Ole Tito sounded a warning to those perpetrating cattle rustling along the borders.
But K’Oyoo said the best solution was to talk to the youths and elders from both sides.
He called on the government to bail out both Miwani and Muhoroni.
“Companies can not be on receivership indefinitely” he said.
He said the government should either privatize the firms or give them to strategic investors.
Ends.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
Residents of Dago Nyahera Kogada a village which is located on the outskirt of Kisumu City were all of a sudden plunged into the mourning mood following the death of a 31 year old villager after the encounter with an eight feet long fierce African tropical Black Mamba snake,
Washington Juma Orure Kaoko31 and a father of three was resting inside his parent’s home when the children of a neighboring home raised the alarming saying they were being attacked by an aggressive serpent which had slithered into their homestead.
Orure Kaoko decided to rush to the scene, which was only 30 yards outside his parent’s home fence to the rescue of the children. His mother, however, cautioned him against confronting a an aggressive snake with stones and that he needed something better like a walking stick, but the deceased ignore the advice of his mother and rushed to the scene.
Upon entering the next home the deceased found the children who had raised the alarm were throwing stone at the snake near a fence. He too wanted to kill it with the two stones, which he had picked up at his homestead. The snake retaliated aggressively and chased them back, but as they were running while escaping the possible fatal attack, the deceased slipped and fall down to the ground.
He black mamba which was on a full flight just running on its tail with its head raised as high as six feet high while hissing loudly jumped over him fatally giving him a fatal bite to the waist, shoulder and on the head.
The deceased managed to stand on his feet, but instead of seeking help for transport to the neighbor or going straight to the hospital went to his house and lay on his bed take an afternoon zester w while the snake’s venom penetrated his destroying all the important body organs. It was the small children who went to hid at home and informe his parents how the deceased had suffered snake bite. He Was rushed to St Monica Catholic Mission hospital six kilometers away, but the doctor refused to admit him a saying he was almost as good as dead.
The deceased was the youngest brother of a prominent Kisumu business tycoon Mr Gordon Kaoko who firm known as the Gulf Fitters and contractors.
The body was immediately removed from the Kisumu District hospital morgue and take to the star hospital mortuary for preservation ending the burial arrangement.
Ends
WAS “NYANG’IDI THE HUGE SNAKE OF GOOD HOPE OR OF BAD OMEN, DISASTROUS AND NATURAL CATASTROPHE AND CALAMITY?.
Short Story By Leo Odera Omolo who traces a historical disastrous which occurred in Nyanza Province in 1940
It was in the early part of the year 940 when a mysterious creature visited some low-laying locations in Nyanza Province in what is today called Rarieda district.
A huge and excessively big snake visited Uyoma Peninsula. It slithered from the direction of Kunya in Kabudha a
The huge snake is believed to have slithered out of Lake Victoria in search of food, but it was of a snake species which has never been seen in the area and nothing in comparison with the known species as it was excessively huge and long
THe reptile is appeared to have traveled by night. Its presence in the village attracted thousands of people.
The big tree has previously been used as the venue of weekly administrative Baraza by the first colonial administrative chief of Uyoma, the late Chief Otumba Mbede. The place is called “Gunda Kotumba” it is situated next to the homestead of the former Chief’s son Nathan Ojungo Otumba, who had inherited his chieftainship, but was retired around 1927.
According to the account of some still surviving eye witnesses, the snake was which was baptized by the villagers as “Nyang’idi “was three time longer than the normal python and resembled the common python in color. Its body was so huge that the eye witnesses compared its size to that of the rear tyre of a tractor.
The reptile resembled the “African Rock python which is usually larger and longer than the common python, and even stronger. The serpent was not aggressive and posed no threat to anyone. Thousands of people came to Chianda villagfe,some of them travelling on bicycle or on foot as far as away as from Yimbo, Alego Usonga, Gem, Seme, Sakwa, Asembo and even across the narrow water way of the Nyanza Gulf { previously known as the Kavirondo Gulf} from Suba and other locations in Southern Nyanza just to come and have a glimpse of the mysterious snake.
It was being fed with two animals every day or half a dozen of chickens. The huge snake was never scared of disturbed by huge crowd that milled around the creature. The crowd brought the live animals which were given as sacrifice for feeding the creature.
The animals on which it feed on for a couple of weeks were sacrifices made by the elders and sub-clans in Uyoma. And because it was during the Second World War II, which had started in earnest in the previous year 1939, the colonial administration in Nyanza got the winds of the news and became alarmed, after the white missionaries had warned that the population in the region was just about to start worshiping the mysterious creature.
The white missionaries were also alarmed by the volume of people flocking to Uyoma the mysterious creature.
As the usual culture of the Luos, the musicians also composed songs of praise for “Nyangidi” sending the white missionaries into great panicking.
Acting under the pressure of the white missionaries, the then Nyanza Provincial Commissioner a Mr Hunter asked the Kisumu based colonial District Commissioner a Mr Winright to immediately dispatch the team of sharp-shooter Administration policemen to Uyoma to go and shoot, kill land destroy the huge snake.
When the three armed APs arrived at Chianda School, they were shown the tree under which Nyang’idi was resting after a mean of a sheep, the police men developed cold feet and refused to open fire on it saying it was a mysterious creature not worth killing and the policemen went back to Kisumu without firing even one single shot at the creature.
Some people who saw the creature included Hon Wilson Ndolo Ayah, the former MP for Kisumu Rural constituency. He had just joined lower primary classes at Chianda Primary School and was staying with his uncle the late Ex-Chief Nathan Ojungo Otumba.Mr Ayah on a telephone interview with this writer said he was among the smaller boys who collected grass and covered the body of the snake as it rested under a tree during warm hours of the afternoon. Ayah served in the Moi’s KANU government as Foreign Affairs Minister and at one time Minister for Water Development admitted that he had seen this mysterious creature before he physically saw any python. Mr Ayah is on his 85 years.
Another eye witness is Mrs Grace Deya Omoso, the daughter of the late Ex-Chief Nathan Ojungo Otumba who is now ageing abut 86.Contacted at her home near Wang’arot in SemeMrs Omoso said Nyang’idi was a harmless creature.Children could even move close to where it had recoiled under the tree and play around.
Mr Ayah said the creature left mysteriously and slithered at night and the next morning many people trailed its footprint which looked like a place where a D8 or D10 heavy earthmoving tractor had passed. It travelled toward the neighboring Asembo location and was later seen in Akado area of Seme west before it permanently disappearing in the horizon.
The following year 1941 the entire Luo-Nyanza was hit by acute shortage of food grain. The worse famine came about which was baptized Ke Ladhri or Ke-Aladhra which his the area like thunderstorm up to 1943. Many people died of hunger.
Two prominent colonial chiefs died. They were Chief Ahenda of Alego and Chief Onunga Amimo of Kano plains.
Two prominent medizinemen {Witchdoctors} also died. They were Katete Owuor {Rambo} of Rusinga Island and Abang’a |Oungu of Uyoma. A wealthy businessman on Rusinga Olunga Onyango also died.A unit of Luo soldiers mutinied in Madagascar laying down their armed and demanding to be told the reason and the cause on which they were fighting for.
The mutiny became so serious that the colonial administration ordered for A RAF war plane stationed in eastern Uganda to fly one influential Luo Chief to the Indian Ocean Island of Madagascar to go and persuade the soldier to continue with fighting. The late Mzee Paul Mboya from Karachuonyo was chosen for task. Mboya, however, failed and almost got assaulted by the rebellious Luo soldiers and was flown back. He was quickly replaced by the late Chef Muganda Opwapo of Ugenya. Chief Muganda succeeded.
It was one year after Nyangidi disappearance when the formidable anti-colonialist campaigner Coun.Daniel Ojijo Oteko, died mysteriously at a government hospital in Kisumu. Thedeath of Ojijo Oteko raised political temperature in the region as the population pointed accusing fingers to the chiefs and colonial administrators.
The sealed off casket containing the body of the late Ojijo Oteko was taken immediately to his home in Kanjira in West Karachuonyo and buried with only his wife allowed near the coffin which was buried under the supervision of security police and thousands mourners harshly dispersed.
The year after the appearance of Nyang’idi SNAKE IN Uyoma was the same when Chief Paul Mboya sent packing the late Hussein Onyango Obama, the grand father of the US Present Barack Obama and forced him out of his home at Kanyadhiang’ in Central Karachuyonyo to go to Nyang’oma Alego in Siaya.
The two had disagreed over Hussein Onyango Obama closeness to the politician the late Ojijo Oteko.The action came after Mboya who was the then the Chief of Karachuonyo had issued repeated warnings to Obama to steer clear of political activities in the erea. The two had disagreed on a trophy ,which Hussein Onyangoi bought while working in Nairobi and brought home and wished it be used on a football tournament involved inter-sub-clans, but the Chief retained the trophy to his own clan despite his team having been beaten.
People who were born at the time of the visit by the mysterious snake are now ageing about 62 and above. Most of them are found n Sakwa Bondo, Yimbo, Asembo and Uyoma and even in Karachuonyo.
Ends
Reports Leo Odera Omolo
RESIDENTS of Kokise village in Central Asembo, Location,Siaya County were on Thursday thrown into the mourning mood following an ugly incident in which a Nile crocodile grabbed and devoured a 14 year old Form Two student at Kokise Secondary School.
The boy had gone along the shore of Lake Victoria to have a bath when the reptile struck. The deceased, Bramwel Otieno, screamed hard while trying to free himself from the grip of the reptile in vain.
People working in the nearby farms along the lake shore heard Otieno’s screaming and rushed to the scene, but it was too late as the reptile had already overpowered the victim and dragged him into the deep waters.
This was the third incident within a short period of time where rogue hippo had killed two fishermen in similar fashion.
According to the area’s administrative chief, Mr Eric Okal, Otieno could have been saved had there been more people at the scene at the material time.
So far the deceased body had not been retrieved or recovered from the lake, but a search team, who included divers and policemen, were at the scene.
Siaya Governor Cornel Rassanga appealed to the officials of the Kenya Wildlife Services “KWS” to dispatch game rangers to the area to try to relocate the reptile or shoot it dead.
The governor, however, warned the residents to steer clear of the lake’s shorelines,specially at this time when it is raining heavily in the area. He declared the lake shore line the most dangerous area.
ENDS
From: Mugo Muchiri
Los Angeles, CA
April 1, 2013
THE MUGO REPORT – March 2013
Q: Habari ndugu Mugo? How’ve you been?
Mugo: Njema kabisa. Hope wewe pia?
Q: Been very well, asante. I’m glad we get another chance to look at Kenya, and to review the events of this past month. Of course foremost are the elections that occurred slightly over 3 weeks ago, on March 4, 2013. I’d also like to talk about CORD alliance’s dispute of the presidential election as well as the ensuing judical process which culminated in a unanimous ruling by Kenya’s Supreme Court, in favor of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mugo: Yep, quite a bit these past few weeks!
Q: Before we go into that, let’s start with a small, buried piece of news about water which is a pointer, in part, to why societies have elections in the first place. There was a recent commissioning of a new water borehole in the town of Ol Makau, Kajiado County. Ol Makau is near Namanga town, right at the Kenya-Tanzania border. The area experiences some pretty rough dry spells being a semi-arid area. What really struck me about this KSh 10 million World Vision sponsored development were two things: first, they didn’t announce great plans for a water project in the glare of cameras; they just did it! And second, this was completely off the grid, that is, it’s powered by solar.
Mugo: Yes, quite exciting indeed. Talk about making life more livable and less dangerous. Prior to the borehole coming on line, these pastoral residents had to walk long distances to lead their flock to water. As if that’s not enough, they’d still have to contend with predatory dangers when they finally got to a water source. It’s a hardscrubble living. So your point is spot on. Elections matter and with an 86% turnout, Kenyans showed the world what the word ‘emphatic’ is all about. For its own longevity, Government must provide basic services to all Kenyan communities, big and small.
Q: What’s the social impact of this, how many families does this provide a lifeline to?
Mugo: World Vision expects 1500 families to benefit as well as 700 animals. That’s made possible thanks to the 1 million liter holding tank. It’s quite laudable……a little step forward for the world, a large step forward for this Maasai community.
Q: Do you think we’ll see more of these developments in the near future?
Mugo: I hope so. The incoming team raised its ire against NGOs and their influence during the campaigns. So let’s see how vigorously they prosecute this notion of ‘Kenyans taking care of Kenyans.’ Service to the people is the raison d’être of any government. Hopefully, through their efforts Kenya becomes a water-secure nation soon. And by the way, these solar powered boreholes can have a regenerative impact on wildlife, not to mention the possibility of reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
Q: How so?
Mugo: Well one such illuminating example can be found at the MWABVI GAME RESERVE in Southern Malawi. What they’ve done there is to construct a borehole which, like the Ol Makau one, is solar powered and feeds about 24V directly to the pump. But instead of the water get pumped into a storage tank, it is instead directed to three or so large ponds, with each succeeding pond being at a slightly lower elevation. In other words, the first pond is higher than the second, and the second higher and so forth.
This way, when the first pond fills up, the overflow goes to the second pond and then on to the third. Now these ponds are where the wildlife comes to drink water either early in the morning or late into the evening. What I like about this model is that the weaker animals have choices; seeing an enemy at the first pond would naturally drive them to drink at the farthest one away.
The warden there says that this new situation has helped keep the animals from migrating in search of water during the dry season. He credits this more sedentary pattern to a significantly diminished human-wildlife contact.
Q: Sounds interesting. What are we looking at in terms of good old cash, how much does it cost to put this all up?
Mugo: Roughly 67,000 pounds back in 2009 when they implemented this project. The pump output is 8000 liters/day. Incidentally the rhino – both black and white – are being successfully bred at Mwabvi.
Q: Sounds like something KWS need to look at. Southern Africa is really a leader in the area of wildlife management and conservation and we can learn a lot from them, I’m sure. By the way, a buddy of mine Alex Njuguna from Long Beach, CA (via Kiambu) told me how amazing his trip to Krueger National Park in South Africa was.
Mugo: Yes, he’s one of our readers………..what’s up Alex? I haven’t been, but would love to go.
Q: Sawa. This was a real hot potato, bwana. But it appears to be cooled some, so let’s talk about the Kenyan election. WOW!!!!! Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is in. He da man! Folks now have to get used to not calling him ‘Kamwana’(young lad in Gikuyu language) and start practicing ‘His Excellency’.
Mugo: A phenomenal achievement which all Kenyans need to heartily congratulate him and his running mate for. You have to hand it to them. Their sweat equity paid off big time. They traversed the country, pleaded with wananchi, extolled the virtues of their plans and so forth. At the end of the day, Uhuru’s side carried the day.
That said, I’d caution about the tenor of your remark about title and deference. Why we seem to want to rush to glorify leaders is baffling to me especially when you consider that leadership is about service. It’s about humility and a deep sense of responsibility. It’s not about being worshipped. I love Martha Karua for repeatedly coming back to the point that these folks are just like you and me. Respect them, yes…..but please do deify them, she said. After all power is relative – both in measure and duration. Kwani is Oloo Aringo in former President Moi’s will?
Q: Sawa. Let’s talk about the Supreme Court for a minute. Is there a stone they left unturned? This was quite the impressive bench, was it not?
Mugo: Yes kabisa. The ruling was a stroke of genius and the bench’s unanimity highly commendable. Any divisions on the bench would have opened the flood gates of conjecture and all manner of suppositions. This would have been quite unhealthy for what’s most important for Kenyans: the unity of the country, the cohesion of her people. Think about the fractured bench that decided the ‘Bush vs. Gore’ case. That decision contributed to a rocky first term for the President. Only in his second term, after his decisive win, was Bush really able to earn the respect of the side that didn’t vote for him in either cycle.
The togetherness of the Mutunga bench put a full stop to what you might call ‘Orengo talk.’ Notice how he’s been quite lately? Smidgens of negativity might still be here and there, but the direction of the national conversation is decidedly forward looking – it’s about the swearing-in ceremony; it’s about saying goodbye to the ‘zero tolerance’; it’s about the immediate task of putting together a Cabinet that signals freshness, regional balance and merit; it’s about the expectations of reaping the fruits of Kenya’s first ever truly free, fair, transparent and therefore credible presidential election . This is what happens when the rule of law is in effect.
Q: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has finally conceded defeat and sent goodwill wishes to President-elect Uhuru. Does the nation owe him a debt of gratitude for being gracious in his exit?
Mugo: Yes, but I don’t know that I’d use the word ‘gracious.’ If you listened to his statement after the court ruling, there was a lingering feeling of justice denied. It was the fully-throttled concession that one would expect from a statesman; rather it was a ‘nusu-mkate’ acknowledgement. Think about Romney saying that Barack Obama was “his president now” and asking his supporters to pray for him for wisdom. With Raila, you got the feeling that he hasn’t reached a destination called Finality.
Q: And I take it that your feelings of discomfort weren’t necessarily softened by his remarks on his most recent BBC interview?
Mugo: As I said, I would have loved it if he urged all his followers to give their unqualified support to the new government. Hilary Clinton comes to mind – her unequivocal support for Obama after her loss to him was critical in unifying a somewhat splintered Democratic party. Because of her, the Democrats approached the 2008 general election as a formidable force that ultimately delivered a victory for Obama and his agenda.
Q: I just can’t get my mind around how Raila lost this election. I mean it was his for the taking. How in your view did it happen?
Mugo: It’s an excellent question and one that I think historians will grapple with for a number of years to come. The biggest blow to his ambition to succeed Kibaki, in my view, was the news of mega corruption at the PM’s office. From a personal standpoint, I know that’s where my support for Raila started withering. Vilified as he certainly was, I think Miguna Miguna will come to be regarded as a singular force that unraveled Raila’s presidential ambitions.
There seems to have been a realization in ODM that to achieve equilibrium in government, they needed to begin to ‘eat’ and partake of the benefits of their‘nusu mkate’ or half loaf. The Maize scandal, the Kazi kwa Vijana scandal, the 800million hotel, the South African, Korean, Zambia and Malibu, California connections, $5000 suits, $250 belts…..all these just deflated my support. The fact that he chose not to address these issues brazenly and thoroughly; that he instead went on a name-calling spree to discredit Miguna, that really sealed the deal for me and many Kenyans I believe. “Qui tacet consentit” is a Latin phrase which means
silence implies consent.
Q: So you don’t think that his alienation of Ruto on both the Mau and ICC issues were mainly responsible for his deflation?
Mugo: These were important aspects, yes but they could have been overcome. The 800-lb gorilla was the perceived corruption, the opaqueness and temperament of the PM’s office. In particular, the Prime Minister got distracted, or at least appeared to so.
Q: How do you mean?
Mugo: Leadership is about service to the people. Only through effective leadership can the Kingmaker in this case finally get to be crowned. The PM and his team got distracted. He became a jet-setting Executive who rather preferred being seen in Davos than in Dago’s (Dagoretti Corner). He seemed to take pleasure in hobnobbing with world personalities and forgot that Kenyans wanted to see him leading in uprooting hyacinth in Lake Victoria so that the fishermen’s activities are unhindered. How could he finish a 5-year term and not even have a fish factory in Nyanza to show for it? We wanted to see him finally settle the Nubians in Kibera rather than give excuses for why the status quo remains; we wanted to see him settle IDPs rather than explain away bottlenecks in the bureaucracy that he’s supposed to supervise.
The wananchi didn’t see the benefit of all that travel which raked up millions upon millions of shillings. The PM’s team forgot that it’s not about which league Raila plays in, but rather about whether the ordinary wananchi are getting into a better league that THEY can play in. So this distraction, in my opinion, was another dagger into the heart of Raila’s presidential ambition. An excellent communicator but alas an ineffective leader!
Q: So he wasn’t being effective, he wasn’t hitting the home runs you expected?
Mugo: That’s right, he wasn’t. And ‘liberation, reform’ rhetoric can only take you so far. The vigor, vitality and creativity needed to propel the nation forward………did Kenyans see it in the Octogenarians around Raila? Maybe if kina Ntimama, Kosgey and Gumo could get past a 30-minute briefing without dozing off, then you might be convinced. But these are some of the lessons that I hope the Uhuru-Ruto team will be mindful of and avoid as they put their team together. You want the Mugo Kibatis, the Kokubos, the Martin Oduors, etc………. you need a spirited team.
Q: Haya, let’s wrap this up now. What are your wishes for President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto?
Mugo: You know I didn’t personally support them during the campaign and my reasons were quite clear. He who has lifted or cause to be lifted a machette against ANY human being didn’t deserve leadership, let alone the top two slots in the nation. But clearly a majority of Kenyans didn’t share that sentiment.
However now that the elections and petitions are over, the least we can do is offer our support to the new government and wish the President-elect luck. I hope Kenyans of all stripes align themselves with the Jubilee Alliance manifesto.
Q: Asante Bwana Mugo. It was refreshing talking with you, and I look forward to our next conversation next month.
Mugo: Thank you too, it was joy.