Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 14:53:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keen Nyamwange

Former UN chief Koffi Annan said President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga have no alternative but to share power equally and must follow the spirit and letter of the agreement.

Let us back up a little: Did Annan really have to be forced to intervene again? You say Kibaki is the President of Kenya? What is Karua’s rank?

Keen Nyamwange (Obama’s Illinois for Raila — OIFR)

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Subject: Annan: Share power equally

Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 18:19:50 +0300
From: Robert Alai

http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=269#post269

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FOR A VERY PEACEFUL KENYA
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Subject: Statement by ODM on obstacles to forming a legitimate coalition government

When we were fighting for the repeal of Section 2A, our concern was that the presidency was also so bloated, and we needed to trim it down a little. This included the size of the presidential motorcade, the size of the security detail, and the obvious wastefulness that went with that office.

When Kibaki took over, the first thing we saw was the increase in the size of the presidential limousine, the increase in the number of the robo cops that guard the president, and a lot more wastefulness.

I am concerned with the persistent press coverage of what we expert with the office of the Prime Minister. The other time, it was how lavish the office will be. The next time, it was the security detail, and it was arrived that Migosi Raila Odinga will be guarded by 120 robo cops!

That was outrageous. One man cannot be guarded by that number of armed policemen, when thugs are roaming Nairobi at will.

Today, it is his car. That a custom-made car has been ordered for Hon Odinga! Is that news? It goes without say that the holder of that office, and at that, being Hon Odinga, he must get a limousine befitting his current status. After all, they are only 2 in the country; HE Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.

Pray, is someone hell bent on creating a new Odinga for us? Is someone hell bent on creating a collision course for Raila against the citizens?

Matters of security in many countries are better handled silently. Why have we never been told the number of the presidential guards, and the level of their preparedness in the event of calamity?

Why must we be told the case with Hon Raila Odinga? Or rather the office of the PM?

Is the press on a mission here? Is the press……. . Is the press…… .

This is mischievious, and The Standard, must take the necessary measures. Do not spoil for yourselves by shooting on the hip.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

March 19, 2008

The spirit in which Members of parliament moved yesterday in passing the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill and the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill is a clear manifestation of the pace of development we can realize as country through unity.

It is on that therefore that we the Nyanza Bishops join other Kenyans and International friends in thanking God and applauding Kenyan MPs who were led by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime-minister designate Hon. Raila Odinga for the historic event that now creates the Post of an executive Prime minister in the country.

As the Chairman of Church for Change and Nyanza Council of Church leaders, I on behalf of Nyanza Religious Leaders appeal to all legislators across the political divide to emulate the two leaders in embracing unity both in parliament and when out so as to show the crucial aspect of unity among Kenyans.

The mood that was experienced in parliament yesterday is what Kenyans have been yawning to see in the National assembly for the last 40 years and we pray that the same is exhibited in the tenth house when issues of national interest arose.

This spirit where MPs can disagree but maintain cordial working relationship should also be embraced by all leaders and Kenyans in various spheres including those who aspired in various elective posts in the run-up to the least general elections.

It is also our hope as religious leaders that MPs will use the same spirit they showed the world yesterday in handling the needed review of the whole constitution of Kenya so as to have a constitution and a country that is cherished by all Kenyans irrespective of our various status in the society.

As Kenyans, we are happy with the Amendment done in our national Assembly on the Constitution but it is our hope that the MPs will work with the same common interest of the country in handling the Constitution of Kenya review as had been asked by Kenyans without ethnic or any other vested interest.

We must also hail ODM pentagon member and Eldoret North MP Hon.William Ruto for the bold move he took in stepping down for his Sabatia Colleague Hon. Musalia Mudavadi to be the party’s nominee for the deputy Prime Minister’s post. We hope the PNU side will also easily pick on their nominee for their slot.

As we support the 50—-50 basis of sharing the soon to be named cabinet, it is our sincere hope that the same basis will be extended to the civil service so as to accommodate people in one accord as was the wish when our two leaders President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga signed the historic agreement about three weeks ago.

As church leaders from Nyanza, we also appeal to religious leaders across the country to move fast and reconcile their members with other communities from other regions of the country in abid to hasten the reconciliation efforts currently going on in Kenya.

Thank you and God Bless our Leaders, Kenyans and the country.

Bishop Dr Wasington Ogonyo Ngede
Chairman Power of Jesus Around the World Church & Nyanza Council of Church leaders.

Unedited by Jaluo Press.

MPS HAVE MANDATED RAILA TO FORM A GOVERNMENT AND KENYANS DON’T NEED THE MUNGIKI REGIME’S BLESSING FOR THEY ARE BOTH GREEDY AND THIRSTY FOR WORLD DONOR’S MONEY TO PUMP THEIR DRUG TRAFFICKING BUSINESS WHILE KENYANS ARE SUFFERING.

THE LOOTED PUBLIC RESOURCES IN BANKS ABROAD MUST BE WIRED TO THE CENTRAL BANK TO GIVE ODM GOVERNMENT THE POWER TO FACE SUFFERING KENYANS WITH SOMETHING IN THE COFFER. KALONZO MUST QUIT FOOLING KENYANS THAT THE COUP D’ETAT HE ORGINIZED BY KIVUITU TO SAVE HIS COMMUNITY FROM ETHNIC VIOLENCE IS THE EXCUSE TO MAKE HIM A NATIONAL LEADER.

KENYANS ABROAD WANT JOHN GITHONGO IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN KALONZO.

-opado

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Kenya’s parliament backs power-sharing deal

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080318/wl_nm/kenya_politics_dc_6

“To the victors go the spoils”. In this past election there were no victors, so power-sharing became the rule of the day in the tenth parliamentary government.

In the past, cabinet ministries have been awarded for all sorts of reasons: from tribal loyalty, to party affiliations and regional alliances. I am of the opinion that the grand coalition government should not back the past trend of appointing cabinet ministers based on the aforementioned criteria. It is spelled out in the power-sharing agreement that the cabinet posts be shared 50/50 between both PNU and ODM. Please, Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, for the first time in Kenya’s history, select the most qualified people to fill these posts. I don’t care if one tribe or region has the more than another. Appoint these people to run these ministries. For what the country has gone through and is still trying to recover from, this is not the time to award politicians with public posts based on “back door deals”, tribal loyalty and regional consideration.

For the first Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, the country needs full disclosure of the qualifications and the track record of the people you will be appointing to these cabinet positions. The qualification and experience of MPs filling these cabinets post should be posted on a public government website for all to see. In addition, you should set minimum service standards that each minister should deliver to the public in his or her ministry. The pending power-sharing agreement does not say that each 40+ Kenya tribe is entitled to a cabinet post in this administration. My hope is that the two of you will select the most qualified people from your parties who can run these ministries most efficiently so that services are properly delivered to the public.

In this new power-sharing administration, elected politicians should focus on passing legislation that can heal this country and stimulate more economic development. For the first time, Kenya’s politicians should put the interest of the public ahead of their own narrow interests. Economic and public resources in this country should not be awarded based on who holds the office of President, Prime Minister, Vice President or Cabinet Minister running a ministry. The cabinet post should not continue to be a choke point for public resource distribution where tribal, and regional bias becomes the rule for making decisions. It is sad, but true, that most politicians in this country are remembered or known for the cabinet post they hold rather than a piece of legislation they passed in the parliament. Like other Kenyans I would probably like all the cabinet ministers to hail from my tribe, but that is not realistic and ultimately unfair, which is why a merit-based cabinet selection is the best way to handle things this time. Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, I urge you to select the most qualified people to be vetted by the public, media and the non-partisan groups to fill these cabinet posts. If you select these cabinet members solely on political affiliations, tribal loyalty and regional considerations, the public and the country will continue to get the poor services from they’ve always gotten.

And if the cabinet ministers cannot be selected on their merits and qualifications alone, then your government should create 40+ ministries that will guarantee at least a cabinet post to each tribe in the country.

Orao

Story by MUTAHI NGUNYI
Publication Date: 3/18/2008

THIS IS A LETTER TO MPs. As you begin debating the two ”peace” Bills tomorrow, consider some thoughts.

For starters, the important thing in the peace deal is not the letter of the agreement; it is the spirit. Which is why you should not dismiss the ”Muthaura project” and the leaflet circulated in Parliament on Wednesday last week.

In the spirit of the ”peace deal”, you must remember that this was never a struggle between a right and a wrong. It was a struggle between two rights.

The ”Muthaura forces” are right, although they are sheepish about their claims.

Similarly, and fundamentally too, ODM is right! And this is why you must not be rushed. In fact, you have no choice but to amend the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill. Reasons?

For the full article, please see
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=119249

Sent by Joram.  

BY DICKENS WASONGA – FREELANCE JOURNALIST – KISUMU, KENYA

Tel. +254721784774

With the recent signing of an historic power-sharing deal between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, relative calm has now returned to many parts of the country.

It is true that many Kenyans were anxiously waiting to begin to settle down after the month-long violence which rocked the country following the disputed poll results.

Our political leaders from both sides of the political divide have also shown maturity and have taken commendable steps following the signing of the agreement. For the first time they seem to have realised the need to have a peaceful and united country. They must also have realised that this country is bigger than an individual and that there comes a time when the interests of the nation are greater than that of any one of us.

Whether they did so willingly or through other means may not be a matter of much concern to us now. There is a need to caution leaders to be carefull with their statements.

I want to believe that no single Kenyan would wish to see a repeat of the kind of turmoil that we just went through. While we all agree that Kenya must not go back to what we just witnessed, it is important for all of us to ask why it happened and whether it could have been avoided.

Careless statements like the one issued this week by the head of civil service and secretary to the cabinet Mr. Francis Muthaura must not be allowed since they can ignite fire amongst our people.

Every Kenyan must have learnt something from the violence. I wish people like the Muthauras of this nation also did.

If you thought your neighbour was the problem, then you can today confess whether you were indeed right. Whether you hd a godfather in the civil service did not matter much. Many realised that only evil and acts of violence are willingly and equally distributed unlike wealth.

We have taken that road before and please, Mr. Muthaura, what we want now is peace and not clarifications of facts we already have.

If you were in this country when the news of the agreement was made public and saw the way that Kenyans recieved it, then you should have known that it was what they were waiting for. Muthaura aside, I must hasten to point out that this country needs more honest and patriotic politicians than ever before.

As Kenyans, we cannot escape blame because for a long time we have allowed politics and politicians to dominate every sphere of our lives. Agreed, politics and development do go together, but can’t we now force these fellows to polish a bit and show them how we want politics and dvelopment to co-exist?

Not all of them are bad. Not every politician is waiting for the slightest opportunity to incite people to war.

However, a good number of them must style up and exercise a little control on how they play politics so that we do not plunge this country into chaos once again.

I am not suggesting that we go back to the dark old Kanu days of dictatorship where divergent opinions were not tolerated. However, Kenyans must bring sanity back into politics by rejecting people who want to preach hatred amongst us–people who do not get tired of reminding you that you are poor and jobless because you belong to a certain tribe or that some people cannot lead because they are not circumcised.

These are the people who fan ethnic haterd which, if unchecked, leads to what we just went through in the past few months. They must not get a chance to talk to us.

Some of them have made it literally impossible for other Kenyans to be able to work and earn an honest living. You cannot be employed simply because you cannot be trusted anywhere within his family tree and that is all over the country.

We have placed all our hopes and wishes upon our politicians. This must now change for I think it was a grave mistake. As citizens of this great nation, let us try another method for they have let us down many times.

We must now ensure, as Kenyans, that nobody will at any time go for his neighbour’s neck. Never again wil we feel scared simply because someone belongs to a particular community.
Politics of division must not find relevance in our midist. No MP should tell a fellow Kenyan why he or she has no job or access to things like electricity in their homes. Instead, Kenyans now expect an MP who will not only identify a problem but get a solution to it for they can nolonger find solace in blame game when the country is bleeding.

If MPs can agree to hike their pay regardless of their political affilliation then we expect them to also agree to pass laws that will serve the interests of all Kenyans at any time that such a legislation is brought to the floor of the house.

Issues that are so dear to us, such as unemployment, must also be fully addressed. We want to see all Kenyans who qualify for any position given equal consideration whenever there is an opportunity for employment.

Many people believe that many of the much talked about injustices were committed because our system of governance allowed it. There is an urgent need to strengthen our systems by creating strong institutions.

Creating such institutions calls for greater participation by our law makers. We also need to ensure that we build public confidence in these institutions and that they are allowed to operate within the provisions of the law and without external interference.

The truth is that many Kenyans have little or no faith at all in many of our institutions. This is because of the way they have been managed before. Corruption has eaten up a number of them. This is the time to put corruption in reverse gear.

Sharing responsibility goes with sharing of power.

In his article, Migosi Macharia Gaitho thinly joins in the ranks of the Muthaura’s of this world by pretending to be offering a solution while in real terms, he is protecting some tribal arithmetic.

I say this with the benefit of hindsight.

In 2003, Kenyans voted in Mwai Kibaki as our president with overwhelming mandate with a clear resolve that the fight against tribalism was one of the immediate issues to be tackled. But upon assuming office, President Mwai Kibaki packed both the Cabinet and the government with his tribal cronies.

We made noise, but then, we were promptly told that those appointed to the various positions were qualified and were thus appointed on merit. It did not then matter that all these people were from Central Province!

We were left to wonder that it was only Central Province that had mothers who could give birth to those qualified and able to be appointed on merit.

As they signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, President Mwai Kibaki And Prime Minister-designate Hon Raila Odinga, were in agreement that Kenya could not slide down the forbiden path on account of greed, where one takes all regardless of whether he won the peoples mandate or not.

They decided to forget the past and recreate a new Kenya, and all Kenyans were happy with this new arrangement which gave the two of the protagonists power and responsibility at 50-50 basis, what Condolesa Rice would call real power.

The point is real simple here; they must share power and responsibility so that we have tranquility. If the cabinet will be of 18 ministers, ODM MUST get 9. If we will have 36 Assistant Ministers, ODM MUST get 18.

If we will have 18 Permanent Secretaries, ODM MUST get 9, 30 PCs, ODM MUST get 15, 40 Ambassadors, ODM MUST get 20, and so on.

This is not subject to Muthaura, Karua or Gaitho.

ODM brings into government the rest of Kenyans, people Kibaki had slighted in his first government. And in this sharing of power and responsibility, we MUST support our two leaders who have shown us the way. We must not start creating some red herrings that will make Kenyans go back to the trenches.

It is sad that Gaitho can now proclaim for all to read that ‘we do not need a public service led by fellows whose only qualifications are that they are relatives, cronies, friends and political flunkies of the so called principals.’ This is sad coming from Macharia Gaitho.

Why, was Gaitho in Kenya in 2003 when Kibaki saddled the government  and state appointments with people whose only qualifications were that they were relatives, cronies, friends, political flunkies, and sadly, tribal mates of the president.

Do not be holier than thou when all that Kenyans want is National healing, and an equal share of the cake.

Oto Octavian

Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:23:49

How things have changed within such a short period!

Raila and Kibaki on a golf tour, smiling over a cup of chai, in a Chinese delicate ware. All the chaff -podder-pawns played to death. How far, and what a contrast, are the slums from posh Runda and Muthaiga!

I supported Raila, but, I am right now at a loss. Here is a man whom Kenyan people elected as their President, surrendering to a man who can never be trusted. Did all those who died, die for this stupid agreement, which is not even worth the paper it is written on?

The Mumbi boys here are about to die with laughter.

Mzee Jomo, played Jaramogi, Mzee Nyayo played Raila to the hilt, being given a post as the Kanu secretary general. Then came the Tosha period, a cabined post and abandonment. In all times, Raila left everything he had stood for. Just as the case is right now!

The point is this, why would Raila think that Kibaki has become an Angel that can be trusted??

There is going to be no power for Raila, the presumed post of PM is a ceremonial one, just like that of Pakistan. ( Serving at the pleasure of Kibaki.) Take a cue from Martha Karua, and Francis Muthaura-the president shall have all the power, and he shall be the one who appoints and chairs (the cabinet and the PM).

Is it not ironic, Raila, even being well educated and experienced, he still has never learnt and sadly he has refused to wake up from delusion and amnesia of believing in Kibaki’s Promises?

• MOU 2002?????

• 100 days constitution?????

• 500 000?? Jobs / year?????

• 500 000 Houses / year?????

• Fair distribution of posts?????

• Zero corruption?????

• Small Cabinet

• Not even the brazen assault of the Bomas draft, the peoples will?????

• The press and peoples freedoms using the mercenary (Armenians)?????

• Thievery of the Dec. 27, election?????

• Fast swearing at dusk?????

• Importing the Ugandan mercenary?????

• Organizing the Mungiki assaults and using the thugs to invade Luos at night, demanding rents for the Kikuyu slum lords?????

If you cannot learn from these stark glaring samples, then there shall never be a thing on Earth to teach you.

Kibaki has no intention of doing all that he has said he will do. He is buying time then he shall fire Raila and pick one of his men to replace him. Raila shall call for a street protest, which Kibaki shall call all the trained, 5000, new Mungiki, to quell the irate populace in the name of restoring order.

And if Raila persists, he shall be expedited like Mugabe Were or Ainamoi MP, David. After all, Luos have always been an easy prey. Kenyatta did it, and so did Moi. So who says Emilio cannot have his turn?! What will Luos do? Loudly scream, become hoarse and ebb away, till the next round?

What Raila should have done, as a legally-elected president, was to sustain the revolt. Keep all the schools in Western Kenya, Coast and Nairobi closed. After all, it is the future of the young Kenyans that we are fighting for. All the Kikuyu businesses should have been boycotted.

And planned a contingency measures to counter the vicious police and Mungiki.

The Uganda-Kenya highway should have been manned and closed. Transport to and from Nairobi should have been blocked.

Businesses should have been closed and interrupted. Massive civil disobedience should have been sustained. Massive arrests should have been met with all the families showing up at the detention centres and in prisons.

Mudavadi should have been overseeing Western, Nyong’o Nyanza, Ruto (?) in Rift Valley, Balala in Coast, and Raila in Central and overall coordinator.

Kibaki would have given in. Malagasy Republic did it. Georgia, Phillippines, Indonesia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, France, and Croatia. And what about India?

I will never sit down with a murderer of my people, friends or children, laugh with or even shake their hands. Nor would I forgive them. Raila, on the other hand, wend for chai with Kibaki. How dare you! His victims are not even burried! The Reconciliation and forgiveness shall suit only one group, the killers of Mboya, Ouko, Mbai, JM and all the killers who issued shoot-to-kill orders of defenceless Kenyans.

Why would you, Bwana Raila, choose contrary? What did you negotiate for those whom you saw dead in a cold mortuary floor? Did they die for that, a merely ceremonial meaningless title?

The nation reported arrests for those who set the Kikuyus in Eldoret Church ablaze. What about the Luos who were burned inside their houses, in Naivasha? What about those who were murdered by Kikuyus in the shoot-to-kill order?

Bwana Raila, please wake up.

Dr. Kipronoh Arap Ruttoh

Updated on: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Story by: EMMANUEL ONYANGO

A fresh round of push and pull looms over the interpretation of the National Accord and Reconciliation agreement signed by President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga arose yesterday, in a new development that threatens the formation of a coalition government.

Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura yesterday differed with ODM officials when he issued a press statement clarifying and interpreting the correct structure and power-sharing in the Kibaki-Raila coalition government to be formed after constitutional changes.

However, moments after Muthaura had released clarification of the new government structure, ODM issued its own interpretation of the Accord that underlined a 50 – 50 division of power in cabinet portfolios and Government appointments.

“The Accord expressly provides for a 50 – 50 power sharing formula which in other words means power sharing at the two levels of Government, that is, the cabinet and government. The Government comprises of the civil service and parastatals,” a statement read out by Amukowa Anangwe stated.

“Any statement clarifying, interpreting or explaining the content of the National Accord must be jointly released by the two principals (Kibaki and Raila) and no other person. The structure of the new Government is being worked on by the two principals.”

According to Muthaura, the Accord did not take away from President Kibaki executive powers that he is perceived to cede to Prime Minister-Designate Raila Odinga.

For the full article please see, http://www.kenyatimesonline.com/content.asp?catid=2&articleId=1775

IS PNU-ODM-KENYA BRIGADE PLAYING MISCHIEF TO KENYANS?

Gordon

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MP, Lawyers Caution Over Coalition Bills
Kenya Times Online Edition: Monday, March 10, 2008
Story by: By Times Team
A SECTION of lawyers have pointed out what they say are potential pitfalls, defects and loopholes that require tying up before the implementation of the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill, 2008, published last Friday by Attorney General Amos Wako.

The Bill, together with an accompanying constitutional Bill, are expected to be tabled for debate in Parliament tomorrow, and aims, amongst others, to legalize the creation of the post of Prime Minister and two deputies pursuant to a power-sharing agreement signed between President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Joining the lawyers in expressing misgivings about the Bill is Kilome MP John Haroun Mwau, who citing presumed contents of the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill, 2008, says, if left to pass without strengthening the inherent weaknesses, the resultant Act may contain clauses that could undermine the spirit of the Kofi Annan-led mediation efforts meant to bring about genuine power-sharing among the diverse political groups.

Mr. Mwau cites an exit clause contained in section 8, and which reads as follows: “This Act shall cease to apply upon dissolution of the Tenth Parliament, if the coalition is dissolved, or a new Constitution is enacted, whichever is the earlier.”

For the full article, please see http://www.kenyatimesonline.com/content.asp?catid=2&articleId=1746