Category Archives: Leo Odera Omolo

Kenya: Minister Kosgey’s car was ordered out of Mbita ferry to pave the way for mrs Ida Odinga’s vehicle

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

AN ugly incident occurred at Luanda Kotieno beach last Sunday in which the vehicle of the Minister for Agriculture DR Sally Kosgey was ordered pulled out of a ferry destined for Mbita point to give room for the limousine carrying Mrs Ida Raila and two other vehicles carrying her entourage and security personnel.

Both Mrs Odinga and Dr.Kosgey were heading to Rusinga Island across the Nyanza Gulf to attend the burial of Mrs Damaris Auma Odhiambo, the mother of the ODM nominated MP Ms Millie Odhiambo.

Dr Kosgey had come to the Luanda Kotieno in time to enable her to board the 12 noon ferry. The ferry had already cruised in the water for about 600 yards when Mrs Odinga and her entourage pull up at the jetty. She phoned the Ferry manager asking for the vessels to be returned ashore, but the manager Mr Jamali appeared to have been somehow reluctant to obey the order arguing that doing o would disappoint his passengers. But he succumbed to the pressure after the Mbita D.C. phoned him and ordered to turn the vessel back.

He obliged and upon coming ashore it was discovered that Mrs Odinga had two other cars, which included the one ferrying her security details. The situation developed into a very ugly one when three other vehicle including the one which belonged to Dr.Kosgey were pulled out. The manager frantically argued that one of Mrs Odinga’s car be left behind so that he could return for it to allow the Minister car to be taken across, but Mrs Odinga could not hear of this.

The Minister despite an assurance that the ferry would return for her and her vehicle appeared o have been disappointed because he had driven all along from Eldoret to Lund Kotieno about 160 kilometer for the purpose of attending the burial of the mother of her parliamentary colleague.

The incident has been condemned roundly by several Nyanza leaders who felt the treatment meted out to Dr. Kosgey portrayed the highest degree of excessive arrogance on part of Mrs Odinga.and the Mbita D.C. A solution could have been found in which Mrs Odinga and her security details taken aboard and one of her vehicle could have been left behind to allow Dr Kosgey to attend, and the ferry could have come back for the vehicle left on ashore.

Jamal said he was disappointed and pleaded with the Provincial Administration always to make early arrangement for the transportation of VIPs and the one bigger and one smaller one. The bigger ferry could carry up to six or even eight vehicles while the smaller one could only carry four vehicles.

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

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENDS.

Kenya: 9 Houses belonging to suspected criminal elements torched to ashes by angry villagers in Uriri

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Awendo Town

Nine dwelling houses belonging to people suspected to be involved in series of criminal activities in Uriri were torched and burnt to ashes by the enraged villagers.

The angry villages had joined the administration police in manhunt for people suspected to be thieves who have been terrorizing the villagers.

The incident occurred at Rombe Village, Central Kanyamkago, Uriri district within Migori County. The area D.C. George Kiplagat confirmed the incident, but blamed the local for not willing to come forward and give evidence in courts whenever the criminal characters are nabbed and taken to court by the police.

The D.C. told the residents that the only sensible way of eliminating crimes in the area is for the people to volunteer to give evidence whenever the suspects are arraigned in courts. So far there is a lot of laxity by the residents in helping the government stamp out crimes in the area.

Of late reports emerging from Uriri district says there is outbreak of series of burglaries in the villages by organized gang of criminals who invade home of wealthy farmers and traders and robbing them money and other valuables and at the same time hurting them after subjecting the victim to beating in the attacks.

“It is up to the residents to co-operate with the administration so that criminal’s hideout could be traced and those arrested suspect arraigned in courts. Once they have appear in court the villagers who knew something related to their heinous activities should come forward and give evidence against them before the courts.

In the latest incident the villager mobilized and armed themselves with crude weapons, raided the dwelling homes of the people suspected to be engaged in criminal activities to flush them out. The villagers were accompanied by police who managed to arrest a number of suspect. One suspect who is said to have had a rifle and fired in the air to scare the villager pursuing him was also cornered disarmed and arrested.

The worse hit is Ong’ora Kamireri and Obuongo Otwagi areas in Kanyamkago North Rapogi Division. Also affected are villages with Rapogi Trading Center and its environs. The well coordinated attack by band of criminal has become the nightly routine and residents have lost property worth thousands of shilling in the raids by thugs who raided their homes at night.

The thugs are suspected to be residing in the small village known as Kakiremba near Awendo town while other come from Jiw Dendi slum in Awendo Town.And the administration sources say the night patrol by police lone cannot resolved the situation unless the public themselves take an active part in identifying the suspected criminals and also volunteer information to the police

These marauding bands of thugs have life difficult for the villagers. The residents have appealed to the government to lunch massive hunt for illegal firearm in both Mgori and Uriri district. Two weeks ago criminal thugs shot and killed a young entrepreneur known by the name of Jack who run a chin of public joints and a night club in Migori town. The incident sparked off public protest through the street demonstration, which saw Migori town sealed off and its major roads closed for the better part the day.

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Kenyan women up in arms against the change of the new constitution and insist in getting near a third of the total parliamentary seats

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Powerful group of women leaders and MPs vowed at the weekend to fight any attempt by the cabinet and their male colleagues in parliament to alter a clause entrenched in the new constitution that gives them one third of the total parliamentary seats to the bitter ends.

The women MPs and the lobby groups said they will fight to retain the status quo as entrenched in the new Republican constitution.

The women who include Mrs Ida Odinga, the wife of the Prime Miister Raila Odinga, Rachel Shebesh {Nominated} Dr Joyce Laboso {Sotik},Beatrice Kones {Bomet},Monica Amolo the ODSM regional organizer in Nyanza, Millie Odhiambo {Nominated} said the gains made so far by women should not be reversed.

Addressing thousands of mourners at Kolo village, Waware sub-location Rusinga East, Mbita district within Homa-Bay County during the tearful send off of the late Mrs Damaris Odhiambo, a retired former social workers with he defunct County Council of Southern Nyanza. The deceased was he mother of Millie Odhiambo the ODM nominated MP. the group said they will consider the second proposal by the cabinet on the formula to attain the one third seats in the National Assembly, but will not agree to it if contravene the clause in the new constitution which gave the woman the right to have one third of the total parliamentary seats.

They said they wants special seats designed for the women, apart the competitive seats that will see them battle with the men t the ballot boxes.

“The new constitution is the best thing that has ever happened to the Kenyan women and we are prepared to take head on even our own MPs from ODM on this issue. The constitution must be followed to the letter,” said Millie Odhiambo.

Dr Laboso said she beg to differ her men parliamentary colleagues over the issue, adding “We are not prepared to relinquish our gains and go back to the old dark days,said Dr. laboso.

Mrs Monica Amoko gave an electrifying address that move the crowd onto their feet when she asked the MPs to take a note the requirement to amend the new constitution, but if they want to have it changed they must call for a fresh referendum to amend the clause thy feels favors women.

Shebesh declared a war in parliament to safeguard the women’s gains in the new constitution saying they will not relent to the pressure.

At the same time she promised a protracted battle in Parliament to ensure the women safeguard their gains in the new constitution.

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

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

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Kenya: Funeral of the mother of an ODM marred by political jostling and confrontation in Rusinga Island

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Mbita Town.

WHAT could have been a solemn and tearful sending off of a highly respected woman who had served her people diligently in her life time was turned into an ODM public rally and marred by heated confrontation between the dozens of aspirants for the various elective positions within the County, parliament and Senate.

This was during the burial last Sunday of the late Mrs Damaris Auma Odhimbo at Kolo village, Rusinga Island East Location, Mbita district. Mrs Odhiambo was the wife of a prominent politician the late Harrison Midiang’a Odhimbo Opiyo a former member of the defunct Nyanza Regional Assembly and prominent KANU leader in the larger South Nyanza district.

She was the mother of the ODM nominated MP Millie Odhiambo. The late Mrs Odhiambo who served for a long time as a social worker with the former County Council of the larger South Nyanza district, although she had earlier trained as a nurse at the Kendu SDA Mission Hospital {Gendia} as a nurse. She is survived by five daughters and three sons. One of her sons is a Nairobi lawyer Dan Odhiambo.

In attendance were dignitaries who include Mrs Ida Odinga, the wife of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Immigration Minister Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ who was the political host and acted as the master of ceremony COTU {K} Secretary General Francis Atwoli, The Lanbds Minister James Aggrey Orengo,Assistant Ministers Beatrice Kones,Elizabeth Ongoro,MPS Eng James Rege {Karachuonyo}, Ababu Namwamba {Budalangi} Oyugi Maguwanga {Kasipul Kabondo}, Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh, Dr Joyce Laboso {Sotik}, Martin Ogindo (Rangwe},the CEO of the Kenya Literature Bureau Mrs Eve Obara, who is also the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake representative in Nyanza.

Also in attendance was the ODM Director of Elections Board Eng. Phillip Okundi, several aspirants for County governor Dr Mark Matunga, William Oloo Otula, .

Minister Otieno Kajwang’, however, was faulted for having failed to recognize the presence of a dozens of members of the Suba Council of Elders led by their chairman Apollo Okeyo Omuga. The group had travelled from distance places like Suna Migori, Nyatike, Mfangano, Lambwe Valley. The master of ceremony ignored local community leaders from Rusinga and Mfangano islands and instead spent time introducing some politically non-entities who turned out only for making sycophantic outbursts for the purpose of attracting hand outs from politicians and those who were described as “ bunch” of hero worshippers.”

In his brief, but moving address Atwoli pleaded with the politician to help him make achievements for the workers. He made it categorically clear that he would not contest any political office, but want to dedicate his energy and strength to the service of Kenyan workers, further saying that this would be his last mission and he would not seek for another term of office.

One of the leading contenders for the position of governor Dr Mark Matunga told his opponent for the same seat who were present and who included the former MP for Rangwe Eng.Phillip Okundi that they should expect a bruising battle for the seat, which he was sure for certain that he would beat them all at the polls with comfortable majority of votes.

Another aspirant Opiata Odero who is a close relative of the Odhiambos and a resident of Rusinga island only made a traditional war-cry and sat down amid prolonged laughter made a war cry and sat down.

Prior to the funeral ceremony, there was evidence of jostling for power as to who is suitable to contest the Mbita seat in the next general election as Otieno Kajwang’ his decided to move a high notch to contest the Homa-Bay Senate seat. The strong jostling was between the supporters and relatives of the two local politicians Millie Odhimbo and Phares Ogweno Ratego an executive with an NGO in Nairobi who has declared his interest in contesting the same seat.

Millie Odhiambo and Ratego hails from one village called {Kolo} and have close blood relationship while their homes are situated only 100 yards apart, and the jostling almost marred the funeral ceremony, but the situation was saved when Ratego steered clear of making any speech at the tension parked funeral ceremony. Supporters of Ratego insisted that Millie Odhiambo is married to a Zimbabwean husband therefore she is a foreigner in Mbita and that Zimbabwe is her home turf and that even in Zimbabwe there is also a parliament and she should go and contest for a seat in Zimbabwe Parliament instead of Mbita. Due to tension that prevailed, Rtego was prevailed upon by elders to keep away from making any speech at the gathering which he obeyed, though he was present.

In her summary of the event, Millie Odhambo who was full of uncalled fore self-glorification styling herself as “Amillo Geza Geza Nyar Rusinga” heaped a lot of praise to a Nairobi businessman Sammy Wakiaga who he said had contributed immensely towards her mother’s funeral expenses and thanked him whole heatedly.

Wakiaga got another showering praise from Obilo Opiyo the brother of Odhiambo Opiyo and brother in-law of deceased who said the Nairobi businessman had donated to him as a person Kshs 30,000 to assist him take care of hundreds of guests and funeral attendance and expressed the family gratitude.

The Lands Minister James Orengo told the mourners that it was time for President Mwai Kibaki to endorse the candidature of Raila Odinga as his successor the same way Ral had endorsed him in 2002. The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, said the Minister had also endorsed President Kenyatta’s leadership in the early 1961, it was therefore as a good gesture of appreciation of the Kikuyu his time to keep the field open for Raila’s presidential bid.

The Minister said that as far as political situation I the country stands today, if Kibaki endorses Raila for the presidency, the country would be peaceful and the transition would be very smooth. Kibaki has already declared that he will not endorse anybody for the next presidency, but Orengo argued that this would not augur well with his legacy of ten years presidency, smooth.

Former Information Minister Raphael Tuju who has declared his bid for the presidency came under scathing criticism. Orengo said Tuju is heading for a failure and will not make it to anywhere. “If I personally failed to tame Raila when I stood for the presidency in 2002 against him, I expect Tuju to perform much poorly..

Some former and present civic leaders in South Nyanza, who of lately have become politician for hire, attacked Tuju saying he had been sent to spoil the field for “Agwambo” but their utterances carried no weight and were ignored as they are known to have perfected in the art of political sycophancy ready to be hired by anyone with money to go and vilify his opponents.

They argued that according to Luo tradition virtue and cultural value, a woman is not suppose to go to a front line in a war.-in her home of birth because she transformed by the virtue of her marital status to be a foreigner and an outsider.

Mrs Odhiambo funeral attracted thousands of grim faced mourners who included members of her family from Kanyada Kanyabala near Homa-Bay the family of her husband, friends and relatives

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Kenya: Two brothers-in-laws in a bruising battle for the same position of Kericho County Governor

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

A Russian trained international economist has joined the race for the powerful position of Kericho County governor,

And for the second time in a decade, the contest for the Kericho governorship will feature two brothers-in-law. The first time was in 2002 when the incumbent MP Charles Keter dethroned his brother in-law Charles Kirui in the contest for the Belgut parliamentary seat. Kirui was then serving as the Finance Assistant Minister in the KANU regime headed by the retired President Daniel Arap Moi.

This time around the younger step-brother of Charles Kirui is vying for the powerful position of Kericho County governor against Charles Keter who is married from the Kirui’s family.

Joel Kipng’etich Kirui a top economist trained in Russian and an entrepreneur with much wider international business connection is to contest the governor seat. His brother in-law Charles Keter, who is the incumbent MP or the larger Belgut has also declared his interest in vying for the same position.

Mr Joel Kipng’etich Kirui whois contesing the Kericho County governor position in 2012.

Announcing his candidature in Kericho Town Joel Kirui disclosed that this time around there will be an unusual contest for the governorship of Kericho County, He will team up with another high profile and a technocrat from Roret Division in Bureti district Prof. David Rotich who has shown interest in vying for the position of the deputy governor.

Our new team and with combined most illustrious academic background of two of us will make Kericho County the most vibrant given the region’s buoyant economic strength. Rotich is a professor of electronic engineering and IT.”We have what it takes to be the best brains in the region, which could meet the challenges offered by the County governance,” said Kirui.

The Russian trained top economist is well known in the international business circles. He runs a chain of businesses in Kericho and London. He is also a prominent farmer in Kipkellion constituency where he stood for the parliamentary contest in 2007 and was declared the winner during the preliminary party nominations, but owing to the much thawed ODM nomination system, he says he was rigged out on the alleged instructions of a powerful politician in he Rift Valley who by then had lot of political clout within the party.

He has three homes, one in his Kipkellion farm, the other one at his family home turf at Kibeneti and his palatial home in Chebown, next to the main Kericho-Sotik-Kisii main road.

Kirui was born at Kibeneti area of South Western of Kericho in a well known political family. His father David Arap Cheboss was a pioneer farmer who ventured into modern farming method as early as in the 1940s. His father was also among he eldest crop of politician in Kipsigis land who contested the civic election in what was known as African Local Native Council {ALNC},which was later transformed into the African District Council {ADC} and in later day County Council of Kipsigis.

His father Arap Cheboss represented the Belgut Ward, and is being credited for having helped in establishing many schools as well as having assisted many young Kipsigis boys and girls in their quest for higher education.

It is his opinion that the position of the County Governors would be more suitable for high profile professionals and not politicians. “It is the professionals who could turn the Counties around and make them vibrant institutions of good governance. The politician would loot the Counties to the ground making the institutions not viable for the economic development and growth.

He told this writer that Kericho being one of the richest regions in the country could serve as role model to other regions, but only if its County governance would be placed in the hands of the most qualified individual personalities

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Kenya: The Best Impact; The Nyeri Clean Up Campaign

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from odhiambo okecth

Friends,

The Nyeri Clean Up Campaign is the best Campaign we have had since we launched The Monthly Nationwide Clean Up Campaign in as far as creating the desired impact.

We were at the Lower Bus Park and as you can see from the enclosed photos, the Trenches were in real bad shape, what General Kombo would call real shit. His Worship the Mayor Cllr Edward N Muteru was the first to plough in the shit and all of us followed suit. In real time, we had removed all the shit and the Trenches remained real clean.

This is what we have been saying; We Can Do It and A Clean Kenya is possible.

The Monthly Nationwide Clean Up Campaign would like to sincerely thank all those who made this possible;

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Edward N Muteru
Cllr Molly Njogu- Chair Environment Department at the Municipal Council of Nyeri
Dr SK Muthinji- Provincial Director of Public Health and Sanitation
Mr. Peter Kimondo- the PHO Municipal Council of Nyeri
Mr. Samson Miano- the Deputy District Health Officer
Mr. bernard Musembi The DPHO Municipal Council of Nyeri
Ms Mary Gitonga- Area Chief
and the many people who turned up to move with us to the Trenches.
We are also very appreciative of our dedicated Friends, men and women who have ensured that we can move, talk, eat, plan and sleep as we mobilize Kenyans to join in The Monthly Nationwide Clean Up Campaign;

Mr. John Omondi Ogutu Kshs 3,000.00
Mr. Hezbon Omondi Kshs 650.00
Dr Otieno Edwin S Kshs 1,000.00
Mr. John Kamau Kshs 2,500.00
Mr. Richard Mogoko Kshs 10,000.00
Dr Robert Ayisi Ksjs 2,500.00
Hon Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o Kshs 5,000.00
Mr. Daniel Mogeni- Rotaract Clubs- Kshs 1,000.00
Mr. Elijah Agevi Kshs 1,000.00
Ann Kshs 2,000.00
Ms Juliet Mwaniki- Special Needs Kshs 2,150.00

We at KCDN -www.kcdnkenya.org firmly believe that we the People of Kenya can help Clean Kenya.

This is a campaign for Kenya by Kenyans. Let us make it huge success……

If it is to be, it is up to me. A Clean Kenya Starts With me. A Peaceful Kenya is my Responsibility.

Disclaimer; The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign is about us Kenyans. It involves all Kenyans from the various regions, religious persuasions, political thinking and we do not discriminate against any Kenyans nor any region.

Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Nairobi
Nationwide Coordinator – Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
National Coordinator- Friends of KNH Maternity Unit
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126
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Tanzania plans to establish ten new airports to ease air travels in the country

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

INFORMATION emerging from Dar Es Salaam says Tanzania has envisaged plan of establishing and upgrading ten regional airports countrywide at USD 67.5 million infrastructure project set to kick off before the end of the year 2012.

The project will also feature the completion of the modernization of Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam to enable it to handle more than 30 planes per hour, up from the current 11 planes an hour beginning July 2012.

Transport Minister Omar Nundo was quoted last week as saying the airports will be built in Kigoma and Tabora regions in the western parts of the country. In Rukwa and Mbeya regions in the Southern highlands, Mafia district {Coastal},Msalato {Dodoma},Singida,Mwanza, Arusha and Bukoba [Kagera}.

“Construction of the airports will improve infrastructure helping the aviation industry meet the increased demand,” said the Minister.

Despite the existing tourist attractions such as the world famous Serengeti National Game Park, Mt Kilimanjaro and the sea resort of Zanzibar,Tanzania has not hit tourism target due to poor infrastructure and other failures. For example, 794 tourists visited Tanzania in 2010 against a one million tourist target, although earning increased by 11 per cent during the period to USD 1.28 billion.

This has seen mining industry overtake tourism as the main country’s foreign exchange earner. Officials said the initial plan was completed last year, while the feasibility study has been presented to the World Bank for approval.

Construction of Songea International Airport in Mbeya region is currently going on and is on course to be completed in December this year.

The Tanzania Airport Authority has completed feasibility and design for Msato Airport in Dodoma.The government has kicked off a compensation plan for the residents who will be affected by the project.

Finance Minister Mustafa Mkulo was also quoted in the local media as saying that the government was involved in serious discussion with its development partners as well as the Arab Bank for African Development and African Development Bank for a USD 105 million loan for the construction of Msalato International Airport.

The government has set aside USD 650 in the 2011-2012 budgets for the same project. Terminal 1 and 11 at the Julius Nyerere international Airport are currently 12 million passengers a year, but are now handling up to 1.5 million passengers. This should help ease congestion at the airport. The two terminals were designed to handle 1.2 million passengers a year, but are now handling up to 1.5 million passengers.

Upon completion of terminal 111 within the same area, Julius Nyerere International Airport will have the capacity to handle seven million passengers a year.

According to Airport’s masterplan, it will be he largest hub in the region, partly symbolized by TAA’s plan to launch an ambitious export processing zone project to stimulate manufacturing and production of value – added goods, boost exports, and aid in the financing of airport maintenance and upgrading.

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Kenya: Raila tells the Luos to venture into small businesses and free themselves economically and also to humble themselves towards their neighbors

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

FOR the first time the Prime Minister Raila Odinga was brave enough to tell his Luo supporters to discard the culture of begging for handouts and that instead they should venture into small trade and commercial enterprises so as to empower themselves economically.

Speaking before mammoth crowd during the emotional burial of a prominent educationist the late Samson Ojwang’ at Osasa village Kakangutu Location, Kabondo Constituency in Rachuonyo South district within Homa-Bay County Odinga said they should emulate the Jewish Community. A Jew will never beg anything for free thing, but would always borrow money from his friends, relatives and neighbors to venture into a small business enterprise, even if it is too small like a shoe cobbler. But once his business prospers, a Jew would always quickly refund the money advance to him.

Youths in the region, he said, should consider starting small enterprises and other income generating activities instead of pursuing the bad habit of {Gonywa} loosely meaning “Free us”

Gonywa habit and culture promote idleness and laxity and should be discarded at all cost.”Let every able bodied men and women work and by so doing they would be able to free themselves from the scourge of abject poverty.

He also advised the Luos to change their attitude of arrogance to cohesiveness with their neighbor.”Wherever I go Kenyans have always told me on my face that I am good, but once I become the President of the Republic of Kenya my Luoloose tank Luo people will cause havoc to their Kenyans neighbors. You should adjust you culture an be humble to your neighbours,”he said

The Prime Minister moved the crowd when he narrated the history of a world renown business magnate Mr.Hilton, who is today the owner of the globally spread chains of five star hotels. Id Hilton had started a simple as cobbler. The man is to-day a living example of hard work and determination wh9ch pays.

The late Ojwang’ a renowned teacher died at the age of 84. He was the father of a Nairobi and Nyanza prominent businessman –cum- politician Hebert Ojwang’ who at one time was the Prime Minister Personal Assistant, but voluntarily left the job to venture into business And also a prominent Nairobi lawyer Nesbit Ojwang’

The Prime Minister coined his now famous story of the cat and a group of disgruntled mousses who met and decided that they should tie a bell at the end tail of the cat so that they will be able to monitor its movement. But when it came the time of tying the bell now one was ready to be brave enough o accomplish the task. He likened those unnamed politicians who had ganged up against his presidential ambition like cat and mice.

Earlier the former Karachuonyo MP Dr Mrs Phoebe Asiyo had raised the political temperature when she argued that it was wrong for the cabinet to propose changes in the new constitution in a section which says that 30 per cent of the electable MP should be women. He said the women leaders were not happy with that decision.

Asiyo’s sentiments were backed by the Sotik MP Dr Joyce Laboso and Mrs Ida Odinga in their addresses.

Speakers after speakers who included MPs John Olango Aluoch {Kisumu Town West}, John Pesa {Migori } and the host Joseph Oyugi Maguwanga who acted as the master of ceremony scathingly criticized leaders whose names are associated with the outlawed “Mungiki” terrorists.

The late Ojawng” left behind his wife Mama Ruth Adhiambo Ojwang’, two sons and three daughters. He was eulogized as as a man of high integrity and principles whose wisdom has helped many youths access better education and good life

The Prime Minister and his wife presence at the funeral together was rare phenomenon signifying their closeness to the family of the Ojwang’s.

But local political pundits were quick in making intelligent guesswork that it was an outright endorsement of Herbert Ojwang’ who is vying for the newly created Kabondo parliamentary seat. The same pundits viewed the move as an outright campaign to give Hebert Ojwang political mileage over a dozen of other aspirants who have already declared their interests in the seat..

Most of the aspirants for the seat which was created from he larger Kasipul-0Kabondo constituency. Among hem is the incumbent Ojugi Maguwanga, the former MP Dr Ralph Kopiyo,. Prof Otieno Muga former director oaf Medical Services and a dozen of others.

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Kenya: Suba Elders declared their unswerving for Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in 2012

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Mbita Town

The recent launch of Suba Council of Elders brings glad tidings to the Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga.

Suba elders who have been largely under shadow of Luo Council of Elders as a sub-set recently coroneted their own “ker” Mzee Apollo Okeyo Omuga of Rusinga Island.

In a colourful ceremony that was attended by thousands of Suba People including Elders from Meru, Maasai, Luyia, Kikuyu, and Luos among others, the Suba elders resolved to continue their unwavering support of Raila Odinga and encouraged other communities of Kenya, some of whom were present at the function to support Raila.

The coronation was done by Hon. Peter Nyakiamo on the heartland of the Suba Community, Mfangano Island, at a Abasuba Peace Museum on August 12th, 2011.

The Suba community are Bantus, with an estimated population of about 500,000 spread across Nyanza and western Region. In Nyanza, you find the Subas in Mbita and Gwassi constituencies where they form over 90% of the population in the two constituencies.

They are also found in Nyatike and Migori constituencies where they form over 40% of combined population.

Unknown to many, prominent sons of Suba include the late freedom Fighter, and independence hero Tom Mboya, the late Senator Mbeo Onyango, Hon. Osingo Migure, Hon. Peter Nyakiamo, Hon. Zadock Syongo, renown educationist, Mrs. Roseline Onyuka, Hon. Millie Odhiambo, Hon. Josephine Sinyo, prolific writer, Philip Ochieng, Prof. Edward Oyugi Akong’o, Prof. Fredrick Onyango former VC of Maseno university, and many other emerging leaders such as Caroli Omondi, Sam Wakiaga and a Microsoft Executive Dr. Mark Matunga and this reporter {Leo Odera Omolo},Prof Okello Ayot of Kenyatta University, Prof.Walgio Ogweno Orwa of Bondo UniversityDr Obiero Ong’ang’a the executive Directr of OSENALA,Prof Erick Otieno of Maseno University and many others.

Even though the launch of suba council of elders event was purely cultural, it quickly generated political content where many viewed it as a huge part of Luo community edging away.

The fear was that this critical block of Subas would weaken Raila bedrock support from Nyanza. The leader in the middle of this is Dr. Mark

When asked why he was allowing the Suba elders to come out of the luo shadows, Matunga noted “ Subas are Bantus, and Luos are Nilotes, and it was important for the Suba to appreciate and enjoy their full identity even though they have fully and amicably integrated with the Luos” Matunga’s aide said, adding that “ there has not been any conflict between the Subas and Luos and I do not foresee any manner of conflict”.

The extent of Suba Luo integration and intermarriage is so deed and now for so long that the sense of cohesion is very, very strong. This is to an extent that the new generation of Suba do not even know that they are Subas let alone speak the language” he noted. “it would be unthinkable that that scoping Suba identity would in this new Constitutional dispensation would create any sort of conflict” asserted Matunga…

Matunga went farther on to say, “those who view the Launch of Suba Elders as minus to Raila are dangerous peddlers of lies, and should not be allowed to cheat Kenyans… if anything, inauguration of Suba Elders depicts Raila not as a leader of Luos only but a national leader who has achieved exemplary cohesion and integration among the Luos and Subas, and is indeed a leader to be trusted to bring Kenyans of many tribes together to peacefully co-exist” he added “ as a matter of fact, recent history indicate that Raila’ solid support even by voting record is from Suba region, and that will not change in life or in death” asserted Matunga.

The notion that Subas are running away from Raila now emerges to be lies being propagated but competitors of Matunga for the County Governorship. This is because the Subas have resolved to rally support behind Dr.

Mark Matunga for top county seat. And the launch of Suba Council of Elders was simply being viewed as to seal support of the Matunga, a phenomena that would spell doom for many aspirants.

It turns out that only Matunga from among the pack has generated bedrock support from his backyard who are the Subas for that matter. Many Subas especially the elders view Dr. Mark Matunga as their new TJ. Mboya. In a very short span of time, Matunga has initiated several development projects in the area only compared to what Mboya could do.

During his speech at the inauguration for Suba Council of Elders, Dr. Matunga struck an emotionally captivate code saying that “ Tom Mboya died at the age of 39 with many unfinished business… if elected as governor of Homabay County, I will be 39 years old, and my job will be to pick up from Mboya left finish the development work that he left unfinished” noted Matunga.

When you listen to Matunga speak, it helps understand why not only the Suba people would support him, but many across Homabay County.

The Elders feel that for a very long time, they have finally found a leader who will bring about development.

A point of unity that came out very strongly during the Launch of Suba council of elders was the focus on Raila for presidency and Matunga for Governor.

The elders feel that dealing with county and national aspects on the political front will enable them emerge more united than if they allowed themselves to deal with parliamentary and local politics. Apparently the same is the posture that young professionals from Suba have adopted, but went further to add Obama to win second term bid.

The newly installed Suba elder Mr. Apollo Okeyo, encourage many members to register to the council and help promote peace co-existent among the Subas and other communities. Mr. Okeyo vowed to woo other communities to to support Raila, and he noted that in addition to core activities of Suba Council of Elders in Suba, the group will travel to other parts of the country to visit other communities to drum up support for Raila. He said that the Elders would support their sons and daughters to go for County

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Eritrea & Uganda: PRESIDENT AFWERKI CONCLUDES THREE DAYS STATE VISIT TO UGANDA DURING WHICH TIME HE HELD SERIOUS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MUSEENI.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki has concluded his 3-day State visit to Uganda.

The Eritrean head of state has recently came under scathing criticism by regional leaders over his alleged logistic support for Al-Qaeda backed al-shaban Islamist terrorist in Somalia.

Afwerli’s visit to Uganda has some significantly positive political dimension after the recent meeting of Igad held in Addis Ababa expressed concern over his alleged indulgence in terrorist activities in Somalia.

Among those regional leader who had expressed concern was President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, who is considered to be a moderate and reserved in his handling of crucial diplomtic issues.

Afwerki did not attend the Igad consultative meeting, though Eritrea is a member

President Afewerki, who was in the country at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni, held bilateral talks with his host during which the two leaders discussed bilateral issues between Uganda and Eritrea centering on regional peace and security, trade and bilateral cooperation, among others.

The Eritrean leader also visited a number of industrial establishments in Kampala that included Quality Chemicals which manufactures anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), the Dairy Corporation and Roofings Limited that specializes in the manufacture of building and roofing materials.

President Afewerki was seen off at State House Entebbe by President Museveni.

Others were minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, state minister for Regional Co-operation, Asumani Kiyingi and senior Government and Security officials.

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Kenya & Uganda: Tension remained high on the disputed Migingo Island despite assurances by both Kenya and Uganda authorities that the issue will be resolved soon.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Sori-Karungu Bay.

Tension has eased out on Migingo and the twin islands of Ugingo in Lake Victoria following the announcement by in both Nairobi and Kampala that top security chiefs are scheduled to me in the Uganda capital on Monday to discuss security matters.

A contingent of Kenyan administration policemen landed on Migingo last Monday raising tension as it appeared that he move caught heir Ugandan counterparts unaware or their impending arrival or it was a case of total breakdown in communication between the Ugandan marine policemen who have been manning the island ever since 2004 and their bosses in Kampala.

Unconfirmed reports says some of the Ugandan policemen on seeing their Kenyan counterparts motor boat approaching the island had cocked heir guns in readiness to open for ,but were reportedly restrained by seniors.

After surveying Migingo, the Kenyan security personnel fond the island too congested and could no find enough space to erect tents. They moved on Ugingo Island which is only 100 meters away and pinched their tents.

It is also untrue that Kenyan policemen were frisked of their firearms and disarmed by Ugandan counterparts as was reported by a section of the press. The two groups did not come into direct contact and therefore no confrontation of any sorts took place.

It was the question of accommodation for the Kenyan policemen on he densely populated Migingo that forced them to set their camp at the nearby Ugingo, which is situated only 100 meters away, with enough space for accommodation for 40 or more Kenyans.

On Thursday news came over various FM vernacular stations that the Kenyan Police Commissioner Matthews Iteere will travel to the Uganda capital, Kampala where he will meet his counter part Maj-Generl Sale Kayhihura to discuss and fine tune f the logistics of joint patrolling work by the two sides.

The deployment of Kenyan security personnel o the disputed island was among he resolution passed at a special committee meeting held in Nairobi last month which was attended by Kenyan and Ugandan Ministers.

Kenyan fishermen and traders living on the island said the move was most welcome. They praised President Kibaki and his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni and urged the two to find a quick solution so that tension between the two countries could be fizzled out.

Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga told this writer the patience of his people was running out. The two countries should work out the mode of taxation and levies paid by fishermen and those involved in fish trade. The two governments must agree on as to who should receive taxes and levies on fish catches currently enjoyed by Uganda.

Nyatike constituency has the largest shoreline stretching from Lak-Nyiero on the border of Nyatike and Gwassi districts through Sori to Luanda, Ndiwa, Angugo on to Muhuru-Bay on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. It is a distance of about 50 kilometers. Most of the Kenyan fishermen living on Migingo hail from Nyatike and the area legislator has a strong belief that a last solution would be found.

The fishermen, however, have expressed fears that Uganda appeared to be content on holding on the twin islands for their economic viability.

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Kenya: The battle for Kericho County governor heats up with all big guns in the region eyeing the same job

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

The most interesting political scenario expected during the forthcoming general election will be the character of people contesting for the lucrative position of governor in the rich tea land region of Kericho.

Kericho County is located in the heart of Kipsigis sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group. This is the region which produces close to 75 per cent of all the tea produced in Kenya.

The region is agriculturally rich and produces other cash crops such as coffee, cut-flowers, maize, vegetables, bananas, pyrethrum, English potatoes, coffee, beans and vibrant dairy industries.

Kericho district previously had three parliamentary seats, but Parliament has since endorsed the new extra parliamentary seats which were proposed by the disbanded Boundaries Commission which was led by the former Vihiga MP Andrew Ligale.

In the new et up under the new constitutional dispensation, two more parliamentary constituencies are to be created in Sigowet in the Southwest of Kericho Town formerly part of the older Belgut constituency. The new constituency will cover areas like Soliat, Kibeneti, Sondu, Sigowet, Kapsarok and all the areas bordering Nyando and Nyakach districts in Nyanza.

The incumbent MP is Charles Keter who has represented the area for two terms ever since he dethroned his brother –in-law Charles Kirui a former Finance Minister in 2002. Keter is married to Kirui’s younger sister

The second seat will be based at KIpkellion West covering areas like Chilchila, Kunyak, Koru and Fort-Tennan in areas bordering Nyando district. The larger Kipkellion parliamentary constituency is currently represented in parliament by the truthful politician Magerer Lang’at who is an Assistant Minister for Energy.

The big guns said to be rearing to go for the position of the county governor included the former Minister for Water Development Eng. Kipng’eno Arap Ng’eny, who was once a one term Ainamoi MP and a former Postmaster General during the reign of the retired President Daniel Arap moi.

Also said to be in the race is Joel Kiru the youthful politician-cum-businessman. Kirui is the younger brother of the former Finance Assistant Miister Charles Krui.He hails from Kibeneti and he is an accountant by profession. He has vast business interest in London and Kericho as well as farm in Kipkellion.

Other are the incumbent Belgut MP Charles Keter, Jonah Keter a former manager with Cateress Levy Trustee, and member of the Tea Board of Kenya.Dr Paul Chepkwony, a senior lecturer at the Moi University, Eldoret who hails from Chepng’obop in Kapcheptororiet in upper part of the Ainamoi constituency,

Also vying for the governorship is the Kericho based business magnate Sammy Chepkwony formerly an accountant with the Brooke Bond Tea Company. He runs chains of businesses in Kericho as well as large tea plantation near Tea Research Foundation of Kenya. He is also the chairman of the Tea Reserch Foundation and also chairman of Kericho town Water and Sanitation Company. {KEWASCO}.

Judging from the big names involved, the battle for the Kericho County governorship promises to be the most bruising and the most difficult to predict the winner. All the personalities involved in this race are people of substantial means and well known characters to the electorate, and therefore only the ballot box will decide who will occupy the most powerful seat in the County after the next year’s elections.

Kericho County politics always rotate around tea farming, the prices of raw green leaves offered to the small-scale farmers by millers, who includes the multinational tea companies and the KTDA.

Also the contentious issue of the allocation of the promised land to the small Talai community {Laibons}living in oblivion state on a piece of Kericho Municipality land where they settled in congestion after returning from Gwassi in the greater Southern Nyanza where they were exiled by the British colonialists in 1934. They were allowed back to rejoin their cousins and relatives in 1962 only after a motion was moved in the colonial Legislative Council by the former Legco Member for Kipsigis the late Dr. Taaitta Araap Towett was accepted by the government. Numbering about 6,000 the Talai were later to be scattered around when those from Nandi were settled in Kapsisiywo in North Nandi district.

Others bought land and settled in the various settlement schemes scattered in the North Rift and South Rift. But about 200 families have remained unsettled ever since 1962 living in small land plots which belong to the Kericho Municiplity in the outskirt of Kericho town ever since 1962 with promises of the past KANU regimes after one another unfulfilled.

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Kenya: politicians in Kenya told to stick to issues in their campaign for higher offices but must weigh their words

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu City.

Kenyan politicians, especially those aspiring or the presidency of this country must address issues affecting Kenyan people and at the same avoid making utterances meant to antagonize their perceived opponents whether real or imaginary.

The leaders have also been told to weigh their words whenever they addressed their supporters, and leaned to tell the truth about what is happening in heir surroundings.

They must desist from telling lies for the purpose of getting political mileage over their opponents.

These views and sentiments were expressed by Hilary Ochieng Alila, the ODM youth coordinator in Nyanza, Kenyan have natured up politically and only leaders who speaks the truth deserve to be vote in for any elective position either within the County, Senate and in the national assembly.

Speaking by phone from Johannesburg, South Africa where he had gone on business mission, Alila faulted the rebel ODM MPs under the leadership of the Eldoret North Willaim Ruto have gone solo trying hard to rubbish the reputation of he Prime Minister Raila Odinga. “Even other presidential contenders have lost their heads and spent their valuable time only dwelling on the name of Raila Odinga while heaping on him all kinds of falsehood and malicious accusations.”

Kenyans is watching the on going political scenario in. Those thriving on feeding the Kenyan population with all sorts of pack of lies will pay heavy penalty for their crimes when Kenyan goes out to vote for their chosen leaders and lawmakers.

He appealed to youths in Nyanza to engage them on income generating occupation instead of roaming about for handouts. ”People must work had to free themselves from the scourge of abject poverty.

Alila who is contesting the Homa-Bay County Senate seat wished his opponents well, but at the same time urged them to speak on issues and to avoid bad mouthing others. ”They should tell the electorate what are their development agendas.

He thanked President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga for what he termed as excellent work done on Kenyan roads. Good rural feeder and access roads playing an important in the improvement and mean quick growth of any given region.

In Nyanza, he praised the government for having considered and implemented the construction of Katito-Kendu-Bay, Homa-Bay road. The construction work n Homa-Bay is another milestone of development because the road would be used for dual purpose of transporting farm produce and fish destined to the market in the hinterland. The government has also extended its hand by recarpeting the Rodi-Kopany -Sori road. Rongo-Homa-Bay road is among he many already completed, under the construction and earmarked for the future construction. Good roads for any region mean booming trade and commercial activities.

He said the white-collar jobs are no more; he would embark in supporting more day secondary schools. This is to ensure that by he year 2030 every Kenya Primary School has a secondary school wing to make his or her own contributions towards all the envisaged development of school as planned.

He said, however, that he was not happy with the pace and speeds which the government has put in place the development of cotton seed-cake for animal feeds.

Those politician who are fond of making reckless speech risk sparking off tribal madness and mayhem similar to the 2007 and 2007 post election violence. Kenyans must come out in their true color and vehemently oppose the politics of hate. ”Let them preach only the gospel of love and unity.

All leaders must adopt the true spirit of cohesiveness in the spirit of Unity.

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Kenya: NYATIKE residents enthusiastically received the news about Kenyan policemen having been deployed on Migingo Island

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town.

The news that a contingent of administration policemen has been dispatched to the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria brought a sigh of joy and enthusiasm

The first bunch of policemen boarded a motor boat that ferried to the Migingo Island at Muhuru-Bay pier. The policemen were given a warm ending off by an enthusiastic crowd.

The Nyatike abrasive MP Edick Omondi Anyanga thanked the two principals in the coalition government President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the tireless effort to ensure the safety of Kenyans living, fishing and operating their business and trade on the two islands of Migingo and Ugingo, adding that the move was long over due. However late it is, the move is viewed by the local population as an assurance on the part of the government that it was genuinely concerned and cared for the welfare of its citizens who for close to four year have been subjected to slavery through the occupation of their country by foreign forces.

The MP said Migingo Island is not an important asset for the people of Nyatike alone, but the whole of Kenya taking into account that the area is now the major source fish catches in the lake. The fish in turn is fetching the country millions of shillings in foreign exchange.

The fishing industry, said the MP played a pivotal role in providing the youths with employment and has become an integral part of the nation’s economic growth and development. Uganda’s seizure of the two island and unilaterally posting their revenue and security personnel to man the two islands in Lake Victoria was an act of high provocation,” he added.

It was good news to the local residents that Kenyan security personnel will now be deployed to man the disputed islands jointly with their Ugandan counterparts. But the numbers of Kenyan policemen will supersedes those of their Ugandan counterparts whose strength has remained at 30 mainly marine policemen.

A team of security back will be stationed on the mainland at Muhuru Bay only a few kilometer from the Kenyan-Tanzanian border for rapid deployment in the eventuality of chaos erupting on any of the important islands, of Migingo and Ugingo have now turned out to be the key and fertile fishing ground on the lake with abundance fish catches.

This is part of the agreement reached in a recent meeting held last month in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi and attended by cabinet ministers from Kenya and Uganda.

Nyatike D.C.Allan Machari confirmed that the police officers were moving to the disputed island as part of the Nairobi agreement by the two sister states of Kenya and Uganda. The Kenyan officers, he said, will be there to ensure “our people are safe.

The D.C. however, declined to confirm the numbers of Kenyan policemen are deployed on Migingo, only saying that the Kenyan security personnel will be slightly more than their Ugandan counterparts and the two teams will work together until the survey work to determine the ownership of the island is complete and determined by the two governments.

Geographically, the two disputed islands are too close to the Kenya mainland in Nyatike district and from time immemorial, only Kenyan were fishing on Migingo and its environs, but only about four years when it was the recent discovery that the area is rich in fish, particularly the highly prized and economically important Nile perch is found there in abundance when it saw the great influx of Ugandans, Tanzanians, Somalis, Kikuyus,Kisiis and other groups arrived for the purpose of scrambling for fish.

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Kenya: It is time for Ruto to mature up and abandon teenage and students politics

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

I am wholeheartedly in agreement with the sentiments expressed by a number of Kalenjin Ministers and MPs over the weekend when they told the Eldoret North MP William Ruto to carry his cross and at the same time stop cheating the people that it was Raila Odinga who told the ICC to prosecute him at the Hague.

The most interesting statement was the one issued by the Sotik MP Dr Joyce Laboso who accused William Ruto of insincerity who revealed that he {Ruto} had earlier insisted on the case being heard at The Hague,

The MP made these remarks at Kaplelei Secondary School in her Sotik constituency during a fund raising meeting. She further revealed that Ruto on one occasion invited hr for lunch and lobbied her to vote against local tribunal.

The MP had accompanied the Road Minister Franklin Bett who was the chief guest at the fund drive in the company of Kipkellion MP Magerer Lang’at who is an Assistant Minister for Energy and Mrs Beatrice Kones also an Assistant Minister for home Affairs

It is true that Ruto had lobbied for his case to be heard at The Hague, then how comes the person now tell members of the public pack of lies about the Prime Minister? Laboso’s revelation of Ruto’s behind the scene campaign against the government plan for the proposal of establishment of a local tribunal to hear the cases of all those accused of causing mayhem during the post-election violence.

The sentiments expressed by these Kipsigis leaders at he weekend has revealed he degree of political intrigues within Ruto’s G-7 camp

And of course Ruto like any other Kenyans has the right to stand and contest for the highest office on the land because that is his democratic rights. But he should stop being so petty and seeking for the presidency by riding on the back of Raila Odinga. He should use his own credibility to convince the Kenyan electorate hat he was mature enough to be the President and not an activist. He must therefore stop using Raila as a punching bag.

If I may quote the Road Minister Franklin Bett who said,” I am disheartened when I hear Ruto cheating that it was Raila Odinga who told the ICC to prosecute at The Hague.”

These remarks that Raila had betrayed Ruto have since become monotonous and notorious sentiments of defeatist. Kenyan politicians are fond of whipping tribal emotions once they failed to display the picture of political magnanimity and dynamic enough to capture a place in he national outlook. This kind of cheap politics is the recipe to chaos and distasteful situation.

In this context, I must say that I have a lot of respect to Hon Martha Karua another presidential aspirant who whenever she had a chance to address Kenyans, she is always talking a lo t of sense which has endeared her to many silent Kenyans, Even her contribution in the August House are full of political maturity and high quality of political leadership.

A time Ruto speaks as if he is addressing he kindergarten children and not people of high integrity and who are capable of analyzing his utterance and the making judgment whether he is a serious contender for the presidency or just. Kenyan people have come of age, and Hon Ruto ought to have known this political reality.

With new constitution in hand Kenyan needs to come out of the bondage of mediocre leaders who goes around polluting the atmosphere with empty political slogans and propaganda. I am glad that Rala Odinga has matured up and transformed himself from radicalism to a statesman.

On one occasion after the Prime Minister had responded to the KRA call that MPs and Minister pay taxes, Ruto came out and made blunder criticizing the Prime Minister for having queued at the KRA offices along with he Wananchi, What is wrong with that? When did Ruto qualified to teach Kenyans about how to behave? If it is anything to go by, it was he Ruto who should learn how to be consistent with his words.

On one hand it was Ruto who is on record crying over the spilt milk when he recently wrote to President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga asking to know his ministerial fate. On the other t is the same Ruto who is bragging that he does not care of being sacked because he had left his Ministerial position long ago.

On one hand it is the same Ruto who goes o Western Province and Tell the Luhyias how he was wiling to stand down for Eugene Wamalwa to become he next president. On the other hand it is the same Ruto who had been heard campaigning for Uhuru Kenyatta and the next day is out for the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

It is indeed true that the majority of Kalenjin people voted for Raila Odinga in the year 2007.But is also imperative for one to know that the Kalenjins are not the exclusive property of Ruto nor is that community is for sale!!.It is even wrong for Ruto to brag or assume that he is the one who is speaking for the entire Kalenjin ethnic group. Even the Kalenjins voted for Raila in average 99 or 100 per cent, this does not entail the Prime Minister to be either enslaved or be taken hostage for political ransom.

ENDS

Kenya: Fears that many species of fish will be extinction in Lake Victoria by the year 2048

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

Fish stocks in Lake Victoria are being plundered at an alarming rate and it has been revealed by experts that by the year 2048 there would be a major loss of fish resources in the lake.

These were the views of the Co-coordinator of the African for the Construction Resolution of Dispute {ACCORD} Tanzania Donald Kasongi who called for urgent steps to be take to save the remaining fish species in the lake.

A recent study by Accord Tanzania that the economically prized Nile Perch stocks went down from 750,000 tones in 2005 to 337,000 tones in 2008,Tilapia stocks also dropped from 27,000 051 tones to 24,811 tones in 2010.

“There is increasing fish and environmental pollution in Lake Victoria. If it is not managed well, there will be over-fishing depletion of resources and loss of socio-economic benefits, ”said Kasongi.

The Lake Victoria Basin has an estimated population of slightly over 30 million, and under the East African Cooperation Treaty, the Lake Victoria basin has been categorized as an economic growth zone.

Available investment opportunities include agriculture and livestock, trade and commerce, fishing mining, wildlife and tourism. Others are hydropower generation, infrastructure development, human resources development, industries, research and technology.

Meanwhile Lake Victoria Basin Commission plans to establish a reliable rescue service to reduce the number of accidental deaths in the lake.

The rescue service is part of the USD 20 million meant for Maritime Commission for Safety on Lake Victoria project and will be established in collaboration with the East African Community member states of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

“‘Despite numerous benefits like and income we are generating from Lake Victoria fishing, we are also losing around 5,000 people a year in marine accidents,” said the new Executive Secretary of the Lake Basin Commission Dr Christian Kanangire.

Abrupt change of weather, poor communication, unreliable rescue services, overloading and malfunctioning vessels are among, the reasons behind the increased.

Dr Kanangire said the project funded by the African Development Bank {AfDB}, will see the maritime rescue coordination centre put in place in the Lakeside City of Mwanza, Tanzania.

There will be 16 other centers across the Africa’s largest water marsh and mobile communication coverage will be extended up to 80 kilometers of fishing zones.

Dr Kanangire the Commission was in tentative talks with Turkish investors over investment in Lake Victoria marine transport.

The project is expected to improve security in the lake as well as provide affordable communications to communities living on the numerous fishing islands within the lake.

A pre-investment study has been concluded with the support from the AfDB and the International Telecommunication Union.

On pollution, the Executive Secretary expressed concern over the possible extinction of species fish due to industrial wastes. Studies indicate that pollution and environmental degradation have led to the extinction of more than 100 fish species in the past four decades.

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Uganda invites Afwewrki for talks of the alleged his support for terrorists in Somalia

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MUSEVENI HAS INVITED THE ERITREAN HEAD OF STATE AFWERKI FOR DISCUSSIONS OVER CLAIMS BY REGIONAL LEADERS ABOUT HIS ALLEGED LOGISTIC SUPPORT FOR TERRORISTS

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

News emerging from the Ugandan capital, Kampala says that Uganda has invited Eritrea’s leader, President Isaias Afewerki, accused by the West of stoking Somalia’s Islamist rebellion and destabilising the East African region, to a state visit next week, State House said.

Eritrea rejoined the East African bloc IGAD last month, four years after it walked out on the body in protest at arch-foe Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia to oust an Islamist administration the United States said had ties to al Qaeda.

“Eritrea is one of the strategically vital countries to the stability of the region, especially in the Horn of Africa and the wider global agenda,” State House said in a statement late on Thursday.

A U.N. Monitoring Group report on Somalia and Eritrea said in late July that Asmara was bankrolling al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants in Somalia. Al Shabaab claimed they were behind a twin suicide bomb attack on the Ugandan capital, Kampala, last year.

Horn of Africa experts say that Isaias has become increasingly diplomatically isolated. Leader of one of the world’s most secretive states, Isaias makes few state visits.

The U.N. has imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea, as well as a travel ban and an asset freeze on Eritrean political and military leaders who it says are violating an arms embargo on Somalia.

Asmara denies the charges, and accuses the United States and neighbouring Ethiopia of “irresponsible interference”.

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Kenya: Sugar cane farmers wants the government to speed up privatization in the industry

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The 351,000 strong members of the Kenya Sugar Cane Growers Association {KESGA} have appealed to the government to speed up the privatization process within the sugar industry.

The Association’s Chief Executive Officer Francis Waswa Mungo charged that cartels of sugar barons are known to be secretly sabotaging the planned privatization of the state-owned sugar mills.

And as the result KESGA has petitioned the two principals of the coalition government President Mwai Kibaki and the Prim Minister Raila Odinga urging them to fast track the privatization process.

Speaking in Kisumu Mungo said only privatization would led to the reduction in the cost of sugar production in the country which is the highest. There cannot be another extension,” we can no longer bend the rules and government must implement the privatization of Nzoia, Sony,Chemelil, Miwani and Muhoroni sugar companies.

The exercise he said would eventually benefit 10 million people in Nyanza, Western and in the lower parts of the Rift Valley regions.“ The people have been exploited and ignored in the past.”

He accused the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Dr.Romano Koome and the Kenya Sugar Board for dragging their feet over the question privatization of state owned sugar companies.

“As a matter of fact and utmost urgency, the two principals in the government should fire PS Koome and put in place a substantive CEO at the KSB to have the process move forward quickly,” he suggested.

He said KESGA which a membership sugar cane growers, will strongly resist attempt by the cartel of sugar barons, certain powerful politicians and millers to derail the privatization aimed at reducing the cost of sugar production from the present Kshs 60,000 per tone down to about Kshs 30,000 per tone.

The Kesga CEO took issues with local sugar millers for underpaying farmers while spending lavishly in advertisements about their ready made sugar products.

Mungo alleged that powerful cartel with intent on sabotaging the economies of Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley regions by arms twisting the privatization and were planning a looting spree in the sugar mills to bring about the collapse to frustrate cane farmers so that the President and the Prime Minister take a painful decision of dumping them out of government now.

He said that in the present state owned sugar mills were over staffed by unqualified relatives of top managers, politicians and all the management pondered to the whims of powerful politicians. But when privatized the mill will operate with optimum staff level adopt better technology and increase efficiency.

He demanded that the farmers who have been ignored by the government and its agencies be consulted on the issue of privatization because they are the suppliers of raw material which the millers thrives on.

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