Category Archives: Kenyan Election Crisis: Refugees

HOW TRIBALISM STUNTS KENYAN DEMOCRACY

From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

To be honest with my fellow Kenyans, I like the politics of Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua. She is determined to go it alone to realise her presidential ambition when other presidential aspirants go it tribal, not learning from political violence which soon took on an ethnic dimension after Kenya’s disputed 2007 elections.

The concern here of course, is no longer the stranglehold of autocrats, but the hijacking of the democratic process by tribal politics despite the fact that Kenya’s 2007-08 post-election violence revealed the extent to which tribal forces could quickly bring a country to the brink of civil war.

As some commentators have argued, the challenge to democracy in Kenya is not the prevalence of ethnic diversity, but the use of identity politics to promote narrow tribal interests. It suggests that every ethnic community should have its own territory, which reinforces ethnic competition.

Kenyan leaders often exploit tribal loyalty to advance personal gain, parochial interests, patronage, and cronyism despite the fact that tribes are not built on democratic ideas but thrive on zero-sum competition.

As a result, they are not only inimical to democratic advancement, but have also played a major role in tribal conflict across Kenya. Against the background that leaders of the different opposition parties are primarily focused on pursuing their tribal interests rather than uniting around a common political programme.

Kenyans have also been made to believe that president can only be elected when tribes unite together. They do not even know the manifesto of political parties they are voting for. This is because the opposition parties were unable to find common ground through coherent party manifestos.

The manifestos are generally issued late because much of the effort goes into building tribal alliances, even though the new constitution of Kenya seeks to address the issue of ethnicity by ensuring that a president needs broad geographical support to be elected, where a winner must receive more than half of all the votes cast in the election and least 25 percent of the votes cast in each of more than half of the country’s counties.

But tribal leaders are clever and calculating.

Party manifestos are fundamentally documents in which parties outline their principles and goals in a manner that goes beyond popular rhetoric. They arise from careful discussion, compromise, and efforts to express the core values and commitments of the party.

That is why building clear party platforms requires effective intellectual input, usually provided through think-tanks and other research institutions. Most Kenyan political parties lack such support and are generally manifestos cobbled together with little consultation.

They are not built on ideologies on a philosophy or set of principles that underlies a political programme. Most political parties in Kenya do not consist of the shared beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions that cause a certain group of people to join together and develop and advocate specific political programmes.

They are not built on such ideologies. That is why they do not aim at the good of the community which should be more important than the interests of individuals. As a result they are not founded on a belief in progress and tolerance of difference, a belief that that society should be unified and stable.

Political party should be a vehicle for citizens sharing a common political agenda in which the members, not the leaders, are the foundation and the reason for the party’s existence and not a “talking shop.” Its mission should be action-oriented: to develop policies, sell them to the electorate, and win power in elections.

Political party that members can demand more accountability from their leaders and even become party leaders themselves- make a contribution to the overall development of responsible citizenship.

Political party which is interested in the welfare of the nation, not the welfare of its own members or supporters only-based on this ideology then it becomes only a political faction whose aim is to advance the restricted interests of its members whether or not such interests promote the common good.

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

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

Kenya: Mt Elgon continues

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TRUTH JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION HEAR OF TERROR ON THE MOUNTAIN.
By Agwanda Jowi

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission continued its hearings in western Kenya today.

At Kibuk Catholic Church in Kapsokwony, Mt. Elgon, the Commission heard from divergent witnesses who narrated their perspectives and experiences of the cyclical violence on the mountain.

began to hear from witnesses in Mt Elgon a district that has experienced some of the worst episodes of violence in the country.

Mr. George Walukhu spoke of persistent harassment he attributed to joining an opposition party during former President Moi’s regime.

Ms Gladys Nanjala Obabi broke down and wept throughout her testimony. She recounted how her husband was pulled out of their home late at night by Sabaot Land Defence Force militia.

“ Young men came to our home late at night and knocked on the door. My husband declined saying it was late. The men grew in number and continued banging on the door saying they would break it down, which they did and pulled my husband out. We screamed for help but none came. I could hear him crying out for mercy and in pain. They told him to say his final prayers and killed him right there at the front of the home,” Mrs Obabi said weeping.

One of the young men then shone a torch into my face and hit her with a metal rod, knocking out four of her teeth and leaving her traumatised and in shock. She went on to tell how Police from Kopsiro came to her house took her husband’s body to Bungoma and advised her to seek medical attention.

Mrs. Obabi said she survived but was told never to return again to their farm. She said they lost, their home, cattle, and she left with the clothes on her back.

“ I am now an internally displaced person living at the Kimabole market place with my children. We have nothing. My children are not going to school and yet my father gave me an education. If I could be given just a small piece of land we could work and fend for ourselves,’ she pleaded with TJRC.

Messers George Walukhu and Jocktan Wepukhulu recounted harassment , arrest and torture during former President Moi’s regime accused of being members of the February 28th Movement which allegedly sought to destabilise the Moi regime.

“ I was extensively tortured by security officials trying to get me to admit to being a member of FERA. When we were arrested I was blindfolded with my shirt and my hands tied with my belt and thrown onto a lorry like a sack of potatoes,’ Mr. Walukhu said. He attributed his troubles to belonging to the opposition party FORD at the dawn of multiparty democracy when it was considered bordering on treason.

Mr. Mayu who also suffered unlawful detention told the hushed hearings how he had been tortured until he became impotent.

But it was 27 year old Helen Nakam’s testimony that kept the hearing riveted in horror.

A simple trip to fetch firewood in 2002 turned into a rape ordeal that left her HIV positive and led to the loss of her daughter. Ms Nakam said she was abducted by SLDF militia who accused her of disrespect.

“They said they would beat me until I told them why I was calling them janjaweed ( orginal name for SLDF ) and yet they were officers. They blindfolded me with a dripping, bloody cloth and I had to swallow blood not knowing where it came from as they walked me to Kipsis forest. The 5 men raped me and I told them ’you are hurting me and I have not done anything to you’,” Ms Nakam said.

“ They held me captive for days beating me with blows, kicks and clubs and keeping me blindfolded. One of them relieved himself into my mouth telling me to drink the water and I swallowed it. They made me go down on my knees and crawl back and forth on stones. They raped me again, all five men and I pleaded with them not to hurt me as I had done them no wrong,” she lamented in tears pouring down her face. She said she could she could hardly move as every part of her body was in pain

Ms Nakam said they would leave her and return but the last night they asked her to choose between life and death. If she wanted to live they would take her to a church in Kipsis from where she could walk home. If not they would kill her on the spot.

“They took me right to the house and told my husband they had returned his wife to him and infected her with HIV Aids.

“ My husband left me and I returned home. Soon after the baby I had been expecting died and that is my story, Ms Nakam ended her testimony.

The TJRC held a women’s forum concurrently at which those whose testimony could not be heard at the formal hearing could be given a platform to tell their story.

Most women spoke of how their husbands were taken away by SLDF despite their pleas for mercy or offers of cattle in exchange. The militia told them they did not want cattle but their husbands heads.

One woman told the session punctuated by open weeping, “ My 18 year old son was slaughtered and cut into pieces and I was forced to carry his head. The man who slaughtered my son and husband went off to drink chang’aa (illicit brew) with blood stained clothes to show that he had made a kill of her son and husband.”

The mandate of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission is to inquire into human rights violations including those committed by the state, groups or individuals. It includes but is not limited to politically motivated violence, assassinations, community displacements, settlements and evictions.

It will also inquire into major economic crimes, in particular grand corruption, historical land injustices and the illegal and irregular acquisition of land especially as these relate to conflict or violence, between 12th December 1963 to February 2008.

The Commission will receive statements from victims, witnesses, communities, interest groups, persons directly or indirectly involved in events or any other group or individual; undertake investigations and research; hold hearings and engage in activities as it determines to advance national or community reconciliation.

Parliament enacted the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Act 2008 on 24th October 2008. The Act was assented to on November 28th 2008 and the Act came into force on 9th March 2009.

The Commissioners were appointed by President Mwai Kibaki on 22nd July 2009 and sworn in on 3rd August 2009.

Commissioners are: Tecla Namachanja Wanjala ( Ag.Chair Kenya) , Gertrude Chawatama (Commissioner Zambia), Amb. Berhanu Dinka (Commissioner Ethiopia), Ahmed Sheikh Farah (Commissioner Kenya), Prof. Tom Ojienda (Commissioner Kenya), Margaret Shava (Commissioner Kenya), Prof. Ronald Slye (Commissioner USA). The Commission CEO/ Secretary is Patricia Nyaundi

Kenya: A Kibera woman walking with a bullet logged on her chest….. from 2007/8 Election gone bad…

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Folks,

These are the kind of cases PM Raila would have cared most…..instead, his focus is on corrupt money…..how fast his Agents can go plan for more money…..make strategy for money dripping into their pockets……That is the reason they are here in the USA……..Shame on PM Raila !……if this never pass his mind …… and why should this woman be walking with a bullet on her chest, when PM can afford airline ticket to fool around with a host of delegation…..?…Who is PM Raila representing in his constituent and why should people think he can be a good leader…President of Kenya ???

Ocampo should better add this to his dosier and the UN Ban Kimoon take necessary steps to build related cases instead of giving PM Raila attention…..

Women are the end victims of politicians messing with Democracy…..this must stop immediately with Legal Justice taking centre stage.

Thank you all…..!

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

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KIBERA VICTIM ON OCAMPO 6.mp4

AOC…

A SOMBRE MOOD ENGULFED KIBERA AS THE LAST THREE OF THE OCAMPO SIX MADE THEIR INITIAL APPEARANCE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL HAGUE FRIDAY AFTERNOON…

VICTIMS LIKE PAMELA AOKO FOLLOWED THE PROCEEDINGS ON TELEVSION AS THE SUSPECTS FACED CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DURING THE DEADLY POST ELECTION VIOLENCE…

AOKO WAS HIT BY A STRAY BULLET THAT WAS LODGED IN HER CHEST AS THE VIOLNCE TORE THROUGH THE SLUM…

OUR REPORTER EMILY KIMANI JOINED PAMELA AT HER KIBERA HOME AS THE THREE APPEARED BEFORE THE PRE TRIAL CHAMBER TO BE INFORMED OF CHARGES LEVELLED AGAINST THEM…

ENDS

Kenya: Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation / Armed youth keep vigil to prevent resettlement of IDPs

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Folks,

Breaking of the Law by senior Government employee, a public servant is a serious offense punishable by law and a reason to vacate public office with immediate effect.

1) A public government employee should not, according to law, run his NGO using government facilities and resources for personal gains.

2) No Public servant should make use of his or her NGO as a tool for political campaign

3) Kalonzo Musyoka is seen to be invading in the Masailand which has been lodged pending in court, overriding court rulings and ordering resettlement of IDPs on a disputed land pending in court

4) Kalonzo Musyoka is out of order, using his personal NGO to garner and lure votes for 2012 Presidential election by false manoeuvres through public utility theft, taking for a ride unsuspecting voters. This is a criminal offense and this is a criminal act which must be condemned by all.

We expect these good-for-nothing leaders do a better job of resettling IDPs and not engaging false pretense or using shoddy quick fix to gain political credit.

Such leaders are creating more problems than good, where it is seen that they are paying off their bills and stuffing and fattening their personal accounts through ill gotten public funds. Where the public end up paying accrued taxes in Loans and Credits for such activities.

It is time they must be stopped and investigated because, the public facility and utilities are plundered and mismanaged by such leaders resulting in, Public Budget deficiency, in other words, causing the budget to fall short of binding legal implementation according to the Rule of funds disbursement. For this reason, the circumstances results in havoc and continued destruction.

Kalonzo Musyoka must be told and made to honor responsibility of his actions.

The wishes of Masai Community must be respected and honored. Their livelihood is at stake and they have a right to protect their land by all means.

Thanks,

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

– – – – – – – – – – –

Armed youth keep vigil to prevent resettlement of IDPs

By Beatrice Obwocha

Armed youth are keeping vigil at the disputed Rose Farm in Mau Narok to prevent surveyors from subdividing land meant for resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons.
The youth armed with rungus, simis, bows and arrows vowed not to allow the surveyors into the land and threatened to lynch them.

Addressing the Press at the farm, representatives of villagers from Tipis accused the Government of using force to resettle IDPs there.

Kantet ole Yengo said they have vowed not to allow strangers to be resettled in the land as it belonged to their ancestors, hence it is theirs.

He said they chased away surveyors who wanted to subdivide the land last week and will not allow them in.

“This is our land and we will protect it even with our blood,’ he said.

Calls for dialogue

On Wednesday evening, a group of youth stormed the land that was bought from a British farmer, David Hampshire Rose, and chased away surveyors who were demarcating the land.

According to the villagers, the controversial land is part of the 30,000 acres taken from them by the British Government and should be returned to them. The Government has bought the land and plans to resettle over 900 IDPs on it.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Special Progmammes Minister Esther Murugi assured IDPs that they would be resettled on the land early 2011 after surveyors finish subdividing it. But Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Cornelius Korir has called for dialogue to resolve the standoff over resettlement of IDPs in parts of Rift Valley.

Bishop Korir said land was sensitive and communal dialogue should be embraced to curb recurrence of violence in future.

Cause of conflict

“People should not ignore sensitivity of land issues in Rift valley. Communities should not be ignored when it comes to resettlement to prevent eruption of violence in future,” said Korir.

Speaking at the Eldoret Catholic diocese, Korir urged Kenyans to use the festive season to build peace and reconciliation.

He told politicians to ensure the country was united before embarking on 2012 election campaigns.

Elsewhere, two MPs have urged the Government not to resettle IDPs on the controversial Mau Narok land. Fred Outa (Nyando) and Pollyns Ochieng (Nyakach) said resettlement of the IDPs on such land would cause conflict.

They cited the killing of an activist Moses ole Mpoe recently for speaking out against the planned exercise.

“We ask the Government to be cautious in its plans to settle IDPs in Mau Narok against the wishes of the local community,” said Outa.

Yesterday, the MPs told The Standard the Government needs to consult extensively with the Maasai, and listen to them on the particular land, before IDPs are resettled there.

– Additional reporting by Titus Too and Mangoa Mosota

Ocampo Six ‘legal kitty’ an insult, say IDPs

By TITUS TOO & KARANJA NJOROGE
STANDARD CORRESPONDENTS

Internally Displaced Persons in the North Rift are dismayed at efforts to raise legal fees for the Ocampo Six.

The IDPs, still languishing in camps, three years after the Grand Coalition Government was formed, are angered by the fact that they have not only failed to get justice, but have seen no real effort to resettle them.

Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi led the appeal to raise money for the now infamous Hague Six.

Kiraitu even suggested not only the rich could contribute, but ordinary Kenyans could also conribute Sh100 each.

“We cannot sustain ourselves further because we are ravaged with diseases, lack of food and shelter. For the last three years, we have lived under God’s grace,” said Ms Mary Wambui, an IDP at Yamumbi camp in Eldoret.

She said the Sh100 ordinary Kenyans are being asked to contribute is hard to come by in the camps.

“That money can sustain a family of three for three days. Those planning to raise funds for the six suspects should give priority to Kenyans like us,” adds Wambui.

She claimed ten IDPs had died at the camp in the last three years, adding that it was unfortunate the next elections were approaching while people were still in camps.
Elsewhere in Nakuru IDPs at the Pipeline camp term the move to raise legal fees for the ‘Ocampo Six’ a mockery of their predicament, adding that most leaders spearheading the fundraiser had ignored their plight.

“We have always tried to lobby the MPs to put pressure on the Government to fast track our resettlement, but the MPs have not been enthusiastic like they are now for the Ocampo Six,” says Ms Nduta Marai outside her tattered tent.

Nduta says none of the leaders has ever bothered to come up with an initiative to raise money for their resettlement.

After the Government failed to assist them, some IDPs pooled resources and bought the 14-acre farm.

“The Sh10,000 we received is the one we used to buy this piece of land. Had we relied on some leaders we could have gone to the streets to beg,” she adds.

But many leaders are undeterred in raising money to help the Ocampo Six.
Nakuru Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Samuel Maigua and Nakuru Mayor John Kitilit say it would be unfair to abandon post-election violence suspects.

“There is nothing wrong with the contributions. But if you want to assist you should not publicise it,” says Maigua.

“They(suspects) have been leading a life of opulence and they now want us to fundraise for them while they have been blind to our predicament,” Mr Nathan Waweru, who has been at the camp for two years with his family of six.

Kenya: INTERVIEW WITH MUGO IN AFTERMATH OF ICC NAMING OF KENYAN SUSPECTS

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From: Mugo Muchiri

Los Angeles, CA

December 16, 2010

INTERVIEW WITH MUGO IN AFTERMATH OF ICC NAMING OF KENYAN SUSPECTS

Q: Now that the cat’s out of the bag and Kenyans finally know the names of the six people whom ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo deems as bearing the highest responsibility for the 2007 post-election violence, what do you make of this development?

Mugo: Well to have gotten to this point as a country is simply amazing. For me it’s still unbelievable and I think I require a few more days, maybe weeks, to fully digest this whole thing.

Q: Do you think this is a positive development for the nation?

Mugo: Unquestionably so. The history of Kenya is one of a nation so full of promise but whose potential has time and again been stymied by a political class that’s essentially thrived on feeding themselves and their interests while demonstrating an almost absolute disregard for the common man. So many people – over 1300 Kenyans – lost their lives purposelessly. Over one half millions lost their homes and are living under conditions that only endangered species like the rhinos would envy. Yet on no less than three occasions, Parliament defeated efforts at establishing a local tribunal to try the perpetrators in Kenya. They kicked the can, perhaps armed with the confidence that ICC justice is always marked ‘return to sender’ until 2090. Well 2090 is here.

Q: Are you implying that Ocampo’s efforts will stop politicians and other powerful people from exploiting ordinary Kenyans?

Mugo: What I’m suggesting is that we have a system that has just taken a hit, maybe not fatal but certainly a significant blow. For the first time really, people at the top of the country are really shaken. They are seeing that ‘Untouchables’ are running scared. Uhuru Kenyatta is from one of the most powerful families in Kenya; Muthaura is at the apex of Kenya’s once vaunted civil service and a very close friend and confidant of President Mwai Kibaki; Ruto is essentially the voice of the Kalenjin people; Kosgei has never been felled by any scandal – and they are many that have been reported and are in the public domain – but has managed to maintain incredible power even under what Kenyans initially believed were two diametrically opposed administrations (Moi and Kibaki). So what do you think these examples demonstrate to the political class?

Q: Well, what do you think they demonstrate?

Mugo: Game’s over, that’s the stark lesson here. Even the President or Prime Minister cannot protect you no matter how much support, by way of votes, you may have brought them.

Q: You mentioned presidential or prime ministerial protection being powerless. How did that happen? Are we seeing the end of the Big Man syndrome in Kenya and Africa in general?

Mugo: That’s a great question. For starters, I don’t wholly believe Ocampo when he says that all he did was follow the evidence. I don’t think this is the whole story. I am convinced that if an evidence trail were to be followed, then it would have led directly to the President and the Prime Minister. I’m talking about an investigation in the mold of Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward’s efforts…..you remember the Watergate scandal that brought down Richard Nixon.

Q: On what strength do you base that thought?

Mugo: For example, it’s widely suspected that there were meetings at State House Nairobi with Mungiki members, amongst others, to plan for retaliatory attacks against ODM supporters in Naivasha and other PNU strongholds. The question then becomes, ‘Can meetings take place at State House without the Big Man’s knowledge?’ Maybe so. But my hunch is it’s improbable. Similarly, there was a lot of information about secret ODM strategy meetings prior to the 2007 election. Here, mass action was supposedly discussed and how to unleash it in the event the elections were deemed to have been rigged in their disfavor.

Q: But I don’t see anything wrong per se with mobilizing the masses to exert political pressure. I mean labor unions do that all the time, often with great success.

Mugo: That’s true, but here’s the caveat: When has mass action in a poor country not been followed by looting, destruction of property, maiming and even killing? Is it utopian to assume mass action by poor folks can be effected a la Gandhi? So the question then becomes: Did the planners of mass action really want to inflict destruction and untold suffering? Did they want to make the nation ungovernable and in the process up their bargaining position to achieve their political ends? Did they knowingly plan for destruction but couched such intentions under the guise of civil non-violent disobedience? And if so, is it reasonable to assume that they kept this a secret from their leader? Again I think it’s improbable. A strong prosecutor will tell.

Q: So you’re saying that the two Big Guys have direct responsibility for all the mayhem?

Mugo: I’m not in a position to definitively say that, but I strongly suspect they do. And I think Ocampo has the indicting evidence. He just won’t spill all the beans.

Q: Why do you think he would be hesistant to go after the ultimate causers? Isn’t that what justice is all about especially given that over 1300 died and half a million were dislodged from their homes?

Mugo: You know these things, yaani high stakes politics, is something many of us don’t understand. Especially because they’re done under the veil of secrecy. However I do have a hunch.

Q: Well what does your crystal ball tell you?

Mugo: In the larger context, what would the benefit of hauling two leaders – albeit very powerful individuals – to the Hague be? Has Liberia been substantially freed from the clutches of corruption with Charles Taylor being in the docks at the ICC? I think certain key people in the United States and the European Union knew that what’s at stake here is a system, a system that’s rotten to the core………. and that it’s that system that needs to be seriously and meaningfully reformed.

Q: OK, but where are you going with this?

Mugo: It’s called leveraging culpability. In other words, grant conditional immunity from prosecution, but make it plainly clear that such immunity collapses in the event certain parameters or benchmarks aren’t met.

Q: Like what?

Mugo: For one, the passing and promulgation of a new Constitution. I joke that somehow Massachusetts mysteriously relocated to Kenya and all stops were to be pulled to prevent a Scott Brown from taking Senator Kennedy’s ever-safe democratic seat. Think of the high-level administration officials that came to Kenya……. Johnny Carson, then Hillary Clinton, finally Joe Biden………… I mean this was America in full-throttle campaign mode over Kenya’s impending constitution vote.

Q: You’re right, it was quite a show of interest, wasn’t it? Remember Vice President Biden with his specially fortified SUVs and security detail?

Mugo: Yeah, and of course his central theme was that you’d get a whole lot more American business investment under the new Constitution, etc.

Q: You mentioned other parameters, what d’you think they were?

Mugo: The other benchmarks – and this is really critical to our discussion here – were a complete collaboration with the ICC and its Chief Prosecutor (including making public pronouncements and a Cabinet resolution to that effect) and a promise not to impede Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) in its work (you’ve seen a significant infusion of American capital hereafter).

Q: You seem to distrust the notion a Kibaki-Raila alliance could have been the vehicle for fundamental change including delivering the new Constitution. Why, especially given that both campaigned for it so fervently?

Mugo: You’re spot on. Impending doom of a shared kind…….fewer things concentrate the mind more. Again this is just a hunch but my sense is that when it became clear that they might be held directly liable if certain things weren’t accomplished, then you see a remarkable chemistry develop between the two men. This has really never happened since Kibaki’s swearing-in in 2002. Theirs has always been a tumultous relationship where interpersonal battles were often done through proxies (esp Muthaura, Orengo and Anyang Nyong’o).

Second, everyone knows that despite having enormous power to do so, Kibaki’s fight against high-level corruption has been feeble. The same is true for Raila. It’s easy to see why. Both men are super wealthy and been in government almost all their lives. Kenyans can read between the lines. How can you remove the splinter in another’s eye when……….well, you get the story.

Q: Well we’re running out of time, what are your last thoughts regarding the future of Kenya?

Mugo: I’ve moved from being cautiously optimistic to being above-averagely optimistic. When all is said and done, I think President Obama’s incumbency will have accomplished for Kenyans what the collective presidencies of the three Kenyan Heads of State couldn’t : free Kenyans from the clutches of a political class that within a span of 47 years succeeded in transforming a nation that was economically at par with Singapore, Malaysia and S. Korea to the hallowed company of Afganistan, Somalia, Bangladesh and Haiti – the 14 most corrupt nations of the planet.

Now credible efforts will be made so that the 270 billion shillings that the country is currently losing through corruption, per Treasury PS Kinyua can be directed towards useful life-supporting activities like education for our children; sustainable agriculture and employment for our youth; infrastructure development; at least 10% forest cover. Kenya will be the bright star in the family of Nations.

Q: Is there a reason you’re not fabulously optimistic?

Mugo: Yes. Two words: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. As long as we have pressure from America and the European Union, then so long will the Kenyan people have the upper hand. Power will continue to shift away from the political class to newly empowered institutions and more in the direction the people. The greatest strenght of any nation is in its collective consciousness. May Kenya rise to integrated national consciousness which will strengthen the conscience of the Kenyan people so that actions are more in accord with natural law and always upholding of human dignity.

Kenya: Ocampo names Kenya chaos suspects

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from David Mkesha

Folks,

I have heard people saying alot of stuff about the list but I think the following statement is escaping many people’s imagination. Think about it for a while before deciding who should be in or out of the list.

“Since last March, when the judges issued an authorisation, my office has been investigating post electoral violence. We collected new evidence, including testimonies, videos and documents. We are not going to discuss our evidence in the media. We will do it in court”
– Loius Moreno Ocampo.

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!!!!!

AFRICA: OCAMPO A PAINFUL THORN IN AFRICA

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BON VOYAGE washukiwa wote wa vurugu za 2008 mkavune kile mlichopanda kwa kiburi na damu ya wanyonge. Sasa kumekucha Kenya. Haki na hujuma kuchuana. Raila na Kibaki kuchuana kuhusu viongozi hao waandamizi kukamatwa na kufikishwa ICC.

Kuna kila dalili kuwa Kibaki km mteuzi wa watuhumiwa kwenye serikali yake huenda asitoe kibali kirahisi kwa hao waandamizi wakamatwe na ndiyo maana wakati rais El Bashir alipokuwa Kenya serikali ya Kibaki haikumkamata kwa sababu ilijuwafika kuwa na wao kiyama chao kinakuja [same applies to Museveni], hivyo hii ni dalili tosha kbs kuwa Kibaki hataridhia watuhumiwa hao kukamatwa na kupelekwa The Hague na hapa ndipo waziri mkuu Raila atakapoanza kupiga jaramba ya kutaka haki itendeke na maamuzi halali ya ICC yaheshimiwe kwa kutekelezwa ndani ya Kenya iliyotia sahihi kuwa mwanachama wa ICC na hapa ndipo natabiri mwanzo wa mwisho wa Raila na Kibaki kuwa kitu kimoja.

Kibaki alisaidiwa na mauaji haya kuingia ikulu na hata Raila na wote wadadisi wa mambo wanajuwa hili waziwazi, ndiyo maana Kibaki hakuwa tayari kesi hii iendeshwe nje ya Kenya kwa sababu hata yeye inawezakumfanya El Bashir wa Kenya.

Kwa upande wa Raila, yeye ana utayari wa kujitokeza mbele ya haki kama angetajwa pia kwa sababu ni mzoefu wa siasa za misukosuko ya kudai haki ya umma na yuko tayari hata kuhitilafiana na rais lijapo swala la haki kwa umma na ndiyo maana hakusita kuridhia Ruto kuachia ngazi kwenye nafasi ya uwaziri wa elimu hata pale ambapo Kibaki alipomtetea Ruto kuwa aendelee kuwepo kazini km kawaida, ndipo Raila kwa uzoefu na umahiri wake wa kisiasa akamfungulia Kibaki darasa kuwa yeye Raila hakumfukuza Ruto kama anavyodai Kibaki kuwa yeye ndiyo ana uwezo wa kikatiba kumsimamisha kazi waziri ndipo Raila akam-elimisha Kibaki kuwa, ili haki itendeke inabidi Ruto awe pembeni ili apishe uchunguzi huru wa kashfa ya fedha ktk wizara yake, lkn pia Raila ndiyo mkuu wa upainzani ktk serikali ya umoja hivyo ni bosi wa Ruto, lkn pia ktk kuteuwa mawaziri makubaliano ni kuwa lzm rais akubaliane na upande wa pili wa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa hapa ndipo Kibaki akaonekana kuwa hajui kutafsiri kanuni ambazo ndiyo nguzo za serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa.

Raila ni waziri mkuu mwenye nguvu na mvuto kuliko bosi wake, hali hii ndiyo inatatiza itifaki ya Kenya kila mara lijapo swala lenye kuhitaji uamuzi wa ngazi ya juu ya serikali. Nijuavyo Kenya, huu uamuzi wa ICC tayari ni mtaji mkubwa sana wa kisiasa kuelekea 2012 na kuwa hiki pekee ndicho kilikuwa kikwazo kilichobaki kwa Raila kutamalaki nchi ya Kenya 2012 hasa baada ya kupigana mpaka kupata katiba ambayo ni kitanzi kwa wasiopenda haki lkn mkombozi wa mnyonge, katiba ambayo imetafsiriwa kuwa hakuna Afrika nzima na lbd hata baadhi ya nchi za Ulaya ya kutolea mfano wake, hii yote ni jasho la Raila.

Niijuavyo Kenya ni kuwa tayari Kenya imeanza kampeni za 2012. Yaani tayari Raila ameishawapa katiba ambayo haikuwahi kuwepo na huenda isiwepo Afrika km siyo Kenya, pili kuzuia mishahara dhalimu ya wabunge ili kipaumbele kiwe ni maslahi ya walipa kodi, tatu swala la ICC pia ni mafanikio ya Raila, nne Raila lzm atapata support ya kimataifa endapo Kibaki hatapendezewa na speed yake kwa sbb kwa kitendo hiki cha ICC ni kuwa vinara wote wa ukabila wametokomezwa na km wamebaki basi ni wale wasio na nguvu na hivyo njia ni waaaaaaazi kwa Raila 2012, na hii ndiyo inayomnyima Kibaki usingizi kwa sababu lzm ya akina Kariuki, Ouko, Arwings Kodheks nk nayo yakawezekana ikiwa mpenzi wa wakenya ataingia ikulu 2012, lengo ni kuwa na political master plan au tuseme strategic plan ya kuiponya Kenya kabisa na makovu ya kihistoria [damu yoyote iliyomwagwa lzm siku moja itaibuka na kuongea tu].

Lkn pia Raila ana kikwazo kimoja tu cha umri kuelekea 2012 na ndiyo maana anajitahidi ili kuwa km atashindwa mpango wake wa kutaka kupigiwa mizinga 21 akiwa hai basi angalao ataingia kwenye historia ya Kenya ambayo hakuna mwanasiasa wa kizazi hiki ama kizazi cha babake ameweza ku-define Kenya mpya isipokuwa yeye mwenyewe AMOLO TINGA RAILA OGINGA ODINGA EARTHQUAKE.

Babake hayati AJUMA JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA [a star mathematician]alileta uhuru. Yeye RAILA AMOLO TINGA WICH KIDHER [ a mechanical engineer] ameleta Kenya mpya ambayo iliporwa na kufanywa mali binafsi ya mafisadi wa kisiasa na kiuchumi.

Lkn Raila ni mtu wa ajabu sana asiyetabirika kirahisi na hii tabia yake ndiyo inawapa wanasiasa wa Kenya homa za vipindi zisizopona kwa dawa yoyote, namaanisha kuwa hata Kibaki akiamua leo kumfukuza kazi [ingawa ni ngumu kwa sabau inawezazusha yale yale ya 2008 tena] yeye Raila haoni shida yoyote kwa sababu kwake hoja siyo cheo ila hoja ni kuona Kenya yenye maziwa na asali siyo tu inawezekana bali inapatikana pia kabla yeye Raila hajenda kaburini. Kibaki anatangaza kuimarisha ulinzi nchi nzima huku ICC nayo ikifanya jitihada za kuwahamishia nje ya Kenya mashahidi kwa kuhofu usalama wao, je, swali ni kwamba mbona Kibaki hakuimarisha ulinzi huo wakati ule wa vurugu zile za 2008 na badala yake leo dunia inashuhudia bosi wa polisi ambaye ni mteule wa Kibaki anasubiriwa kwa hamu kubwa kule The Hague.

Ocampo kiboko ya madhalimu wa Afrika akimalizana na Kenya na El Bashir huenda akabisha hodi Zim kukwaana na kisiki kilichomshinda UK na USA. Kweli Afrika ni kichaka cha majambazi.

BON VOYAGE washukiwa wote wa vurugu za 2008 mkavune kile mlichopanda kwa kiburi na damu za wanyonge. Tusalimieni Jean Bemba na Charles Taylor, muwaambie Afrika sasa haikaliki, mzungu amechachamaa na ICC yake, tena muwaeleze wamwaandalie nafasi bosi wa Zim km Tchangirai naye atacheza kete km za Raila na Kabila lkn wasichukue nafasi ya Hon. El Bashir ambaye huenda vikosi vya ujasusi vya Israel vikapata tenda ya kumkamata nyumbani kwake km walivyomkamata Savimbi na kumpumzisha jumla baada ya majeshi makubwa ya mataifa makubwa kushindwa.

Douglas Majwala.

Kenya: ICC names top government officials responsible for 2007 Kenyan election violence

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ICC Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo has named the six suspects most responsible for the 2007 post general election violence.
They are:
Uhuru Kenyatta
William Ruto
Francis Muthaura
Joshua Arap Sang
Henry Koskey
Mohammed Hussein Ali

KENYA: ODM LEADERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE INNOCENT

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By Agwanda Jowi

ODM chairman Henry Kosgey has exonerated the party from blame that it had a role in the post election violence that rocked the country during the last general elections.

Kosgey who is the Minister for Industrial said the party did not hold meetings at all where mass killings and destruction of property was discussed.

The Minister said that the Pentagon members within the party rank and file had even not time to discuss such issues since they were chased away by anti riot police during the turbulent times.

Kosgey said those who organized the post poll chaos should carry their own crosses at the end of the day.

He was speaking at Sega Girsl High School in Ugenya during funds drive that netted over 2 million shillings.

Kosgey said that ODM was intact adding that party differences were sign of democracy within the party.

He said leaders in the rift valley have resolved to bring leaders in the party together.

Also present was Ugenya Mp James Orengo who is the lands minister and assistant minister for education professor Ayiecho Olweny and Magerer Langat together with Fred Outa.

Kosgey defended the appointment of the new managing director of the Kenya Bureau of standards saying he was qualified.

He said the issue had taken a tribal dimension for no apparent reason.

Kosgey said 15 candidates were applied for the job with 11 being short listed.

He said the chairman of the board later came up with a list of three.

Kosgey said the final list had 8 qualifiers which ended up with five where the final man was picked.

Meanwhile Kisumu Town West Member of Parliament John Olago Aluoch has called on the ODM top command to crack the whip and discipline its members who have openly rebelled against the party.

Aluoch said remarks made by some Mps in the recent past tended to show that they are no longer ODM members.

The Mp said time has now come for ODM to put into motion its disciplinary machinery under its constitutional interpretation that the speaker may declare vacant seat of any Mp who by conduct demonstrates that he or she by intent and purposes has left the party that sponsored the said Mp to parliament.

He said drastic and decisive action must be taken now against such errant Mps.

The Mp said the rebel Mps have now made their intentions known are keen on wrecking the party from within.

He told The People Daily on phone that the speaker of the National Assembly to

Aluoch said the latest episode is the current allegations the Mps are making to the International Criminal Court over the post election violence.

He said the remarks will not tilt the operations of the ICC in the country.

Aluoch said remarks by some Mps were a clear sign that they are panicky over activities of the ICC in the country.

“It should be clearly understood that mass action was not a rallying call to kill or main or destroy property for that matter” he said.

ENDS

Kenya: Can stupidity be all this dangerous?

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From: Paul Nyandoto

Kenyans,

When I read what some ODM members of parliament are saying about the post election violence which happened in 2007-2008 elections I was shocked. for a long time I did not know that stupidity can be a lot more dangerous than even a gun in the enemies hand facing you. These Mps, especially the Chepalungu constituency Mp Mr. Isaac Kiprono Ruto really surprised me. The man is now saying that they the ODM Mps ordered for mass killings in the rift valley, Western province , nairobi and in Luo Nyanza. In Nyanza even children be shoot dead, Luos were burnt alive in Naivasha. Luos were beheaded in the central province. So according to Mr. Isaac Ruto all is because of ODM and mass calling. How did guns which were used to kill luos and luhjas in western province and nyanza went there?.

Were the ODM responsible for burning of innocent people in Eldoret church too?. Was this a planned action by ODM?. Which party is this Isaac Ruto belong?. What were his role?

Why didn`t he come out earlier to help in the investigation?
This is a man who belongs in jail until proved innocent or guilty. Are these our future leaders who want to rule Kenyans for ever amen?. ODM should have a spoke`s man or woman who speaks for the party and any Idiot who happens to have some voluntary reflex of opening mouth without thinking should not be taken seriously. Who is this Isaac Ruto now after?. Is somebody cheating him that he will be left free if he speaks rubbish and only other ODM members will be punished?.

Paul Nyandoto

Kenya: New generation being born in IDP camps

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Reports indicate that a new generation of Kenyans are being born in IDP camps, some already “celebrating” their 3rd birthdays!! The sad thing is that most die at birth or soon after given the harsh conditions in IDP camps.The child mortality rates are pathetically high. The tragedy is also that this generation will just be compounding the issues of historical injustices that have never been resolved.

A scenario will arise where some will be orphaned given the desperate and pathetic situations in camps which further reduces life expectancy of the parents. In another few years to come, we will be dealing with another explosive problem, children born in IDP camps, perhaps orphaned and if how the IDP cash is being handled is anything to go by, robbed of their right to land,compensation, truth and justice .

These will likely grown into bitter young men and women when they get to know the history of their lives, with no proper education and opportunities, they will resort to crime and vengeance against society that we have never known. Kenya will find itself dealing with crime rates only comparable to South Africa where soon after independence, most blacks found themselves disadvantaged in society where they thought independence would bring opportunities. Without good education, many found themselves disadvantaged and opportunities going to the well educated Africans, most from affluent families and the Afrikaners who were obviously well placed anyhow.

To that group, the rich Africans, the ones who had opportunities by virtue of having parents in position, business etc were not any different from the Afrikaners, the reason the crime is not targeted at the whites only as one would presume, but to the wealthy and well off or relatively well off. It is this kind of situation that we are breeding in the IDP camps. The same way, the children of MAU MAU morphed into Mungiki when they saw the sons and daughters of homeguards take over the country, land,power, and every trappings that goes with a free society, we are still living with effects of Mungiki.

We desperately need reforms that will bring sanity, reforms that will transform our society to a just, free and prosperous one, where every child born on this land has a fair chance in life and above all, where no one has the right to take these rights from another the way PEV did to these Kenyans now being born into abject poverty and a life of servitude. The more reason any anti reform agents amongst us, those with selfish stomach agenda at the expense of the good of this great nation must be shunned and exposed.

Otieno Sungu.
Juba-Southern Sudan
The Green Revolution

Kenya: Impact of Post Elections -Cops shot our dear Deputy Headmaster @ Musingu High School

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By Amenya Gibson

When we hear of Ocampo and Waki list, we feel forgiveness is the way to go, but not when your own bread winner got killed during that PEV times.

I will bring to all, for those who were in Musingu High, Western Province, of a hardworking man called Mr. Makanda, an excellent Geography Teacher, who made students understand Physical Geography like back of their hands.

He was brutally killed by a police officer just because he was excited that Raila was leading. His excitement was cut short by a police officer who just shot him over a quarrel, when they had taken a few bottles.

Behind, he left 3 children, where the first born has done well at Lugulu Girls, attaining A minus.

—
Thanks
Gibson Amenya
Enigma Consultants Kenya Limited
NHC Building, 3rd Flr
P.O Box 10017-00200, Nairobi
Email: gibson.amenya@enigma.or.ke
Email:info@enigma.or.ke
For Audit,Taxation and Business Advisory Services

Kenya: Did we learn anything from the Post Election Violence?

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Just before the 2007 elections, Peace Agents were on the sprawl with several appeals for peace and a peaceful election. Chagua Amani Zuia Noma was launched in September 2007 and the Religious leaders came up with a Peace Charter that binded Presidential candidates to Peace and peaceful conducts.

Then we went for elections and the aftermath was the kind of bloodshed and destruction the kind that we have never seen in Kenya before. As many as 1333 Kenyans were killed in the process, and property of unknown value got destroyed. Many Kenyans were rendered homeless as well.

Two years on, the process of National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation is still wanting. We are still showing tendencies that reflect that we learned nothing as a result of the Post Election Violence.

What went wrong? Did the Peace Agents get it so wrong that we could not rally the country to maintain peace immediately the results were announced? Did we have to kill each other so such mercilessly, destroy our property with complete abandon and create a massive wave of Internally Displaced Persons as such?

These are some of the challenges that we must start facing as a country and as Peace Builders. And as we do this, pertinent questions are arising; as Peace Agents, should we disclose our political orientation and leanings?

I want to invite debate on this. And I will start by declaring that Peace Builders ought to be as clear as possible about themselves. We must not lie to the public about our preferences. In the Developed World, people are so clear about their political affiliations, and this does not affect their day to day engagements.

In the USA, we have known Republicans and known Democrats, and this does not create conflict. The same applies to the UK. Political affiliation does not create conflict. Then, how come that I would want to pretend with my political affiliation in Kenya on account of being a Peace Builder?

This is the lie we lived prior to the Elections of 2007 and if we move on like this, we shall achieve very littlt peace. We will have more conflicts after each and every elections, and the 2012 one can be very messy.

At KCDN, we have been encouraging our Friends, Partners and those whom we work with to be as open as possible about their political preferences. This has worked very harmoniously for us and every time we have a team event, people come out and we work together as a team.

We are seeing people becoming more tolerant in as far as political differences are concerned and we like it. It is making us to encourage as many people as possible to start being very clear about their political leanings in a process that makes this usual. We then start looking at each other as brothers and sisters sharing the same resources but having different political preferences when elections are called. And this must not lead to conflict.

But when Peace Builders become pretenders, we are building our house on quick sand. I do not see it a problem being a KANU sympathizer. Just like I do not have a problem with any ODM, PNU, ODM-K or KADDU member. Being in a given political party is their democratic choice and that must not lead to conflict, or it must not make me pretend otherwise.

As a country, we are at cross roads, and I bet we must be bold enough to face reality in order to save Kenya.

We are launching the KCDN Peace Caravan 2010 at our offices in Komarock on 3rd March 2010 and we will visit 6 constituencies within the next 6 months. We want to invite all Peace Agents to come forward and help move the process of Peace, National Healing and Reconciliation forward by being proactive players.

Time for pretence is gone. Time for workshops is gone. It is time for action and at KCDN, we believe in action. We believe in reaching the man in the street and the woman at the next corner. Let us join hands and move this process forward and convert as many Peace Agents across Kenya as possible. Let us not discuss issues of Peace, National Healing and Reconcilaition in Boardrooms and Workshops. Let us engage people out there.

It makes very little sense to preach to the converted. People who attend workshops are people well known to each other and they have little to learn from each other. The people who need more information are out there and we must reach out to them and engage them.

It starts with you being very open about your political affiliations. Or, what do you say?

We are looking forward to your support and partnership as we address this emotive issue of Peace, National Healing and Reconciliation during the KCDN Peace Caravan 2010.

Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126,
http://kcdnkomarock swatch.blogspot. com
http://nairobieastb a.blogspot. com

Kenya: Damning Report says the country is headed into crossroads as violent gangs resurface

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DAMNING REPORT PREDICTING KENYA TO BE ON CROSS ROADS, FOLLOWING THE RESURGENCE OF POLITICALLY INSTIGATED GANG RULE AND LAWLESSNESS.

News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

A damning report paints a gloomy picture about the presence in Kenya of gangs of terrorist groups that were organized by politicians during the post-election violence, and have mutated into criminal gangs, posing a big threat to the country’s national security.

The report entitled “Kenya National Dialogue Report” is an audit report carried out between October and December last year.

Some of the gangs, says the report, have retained their old names, while others have changed identity and are now engaged in extortion, torture and destruction of properties.

The operation of these gangs, outlined in an audit commissioned by the Kofi Annan-led group, that negotiated an end to the 2007 post-election violence, are mostly concentrated in the capital city Nairobi, Nyanza and Central Provinces.

“Findings show the politically-organized armed militia is not in place in a manner similar to the early 2008 period. As argued in the past, the groups have mutated into criminal gangs or are simply idle because there are no political jobs”, the report says.

Eighteen gangs, according to the report, which has been quoted extensively by the DAILY NATION, have been identified in Kibera slums alone, a suburb of Nairobi, which experienced some of the worst atrocities during the mayhem caused by the disputed presidential election of 2007.

Another eight gangs are based in Nyanza, two others are in Mathare slums and three are in Central Kenya.

Security personnel are conversant with the operation of the groups during and after the post-election violence, in which more than 1500 people were killed, and 650 displaced from their homes.

Two years after the violence ended, Siafu youth groups is still operational in Kibera slums. This particular group was responsible for the eviction of people from their houses at the height of the violence, but two years later, its members continue to control the houses, dictating who occupies them. Members of the public, living in such houses are forced to pay rent to the group and it has been threatening to expand its illegal influence to the neighboring areas. Like the Mungiki, gangs in Kibera also control public transport on routes passing through areas they have claimed control.

Gangs preying on the transport sector include, “Yes We Can, 14 Gengerarmerie, 12Flamingos, 12 Disciples, 40 Ndugus, ODM Youths, Darajani, Jipange and Super 14.

Security sources said recent gangs like Jipange, and Yes Wee Can have not been profiled yet.

In Nairobi North, where Mathare slums are situated, the, report identified Thaai and Wailer groups, which are described as the new version of “Mungiki”.

The report is, however, silent over the recent discovery of 131,000 bullets and some guns in Narok and in other parts of the Rift Valley Province, and unexploded bombs and grenades in various parts of the country that has caused a lot of jittery in the grand coalition government.

In Nyanza, there are Nyalenda Base, the Chief Squad, Nyamasaria Massive, Kenda Kenda, Kondele Bagdad for Peace, Karamojong Boys, Saba Saba, Artur Margaryan,Kebago, Chinkororo, Sungu Sungu,Amachuma.

“It is difficult to disband illegal groups because they enjoyed the support of some political leaders and sustain themselves through criminal activities”, points out the report.

Complicity by police officers and the inability by the police force to destroy the groups were also cited as an obstacle in checking insecurity.

Community policing, often touted by the government as the vehicle to tackle crime, was labeled as a “source of insecurity for the communities”.

“Gang members”, it is noted, “demand for payment of security in poor neighborhood. And the outcome of deteriorating security has led Kenyans in some areas into accepting informal groups in the society, thereby leading to compliance and allegiance to the gangs.”

Although the gangs are concentrated in urban areas, the marginal areas have not been spared by the State laxity and the report says more than 380 people were killed in pastoral areas in 2009.

The killings were occasioned by clashes between communities competing for water and green pastures for their livestock.

In Kisii region, the Sungu Sungu outfit, which had sprung up as an efficient group, politicking the villages and flushing out criminal elements, have since turned out to be “hired killers” executing the villagers for a prize under the pretext of eliminating witches and cattle rustlers. But the truth of the matter is that many innocent and peace-loving Kenyans in this particular region have lost their precious lives on petty family jealousies, and old unsettled land disputes.

The group at first received the approval of the Provincial Administration and police authorities to work and supplement the security operations in the region. But later turned the heat on the population, killing people, and even at times setting ablaze their dwelling house, which leaves the villagers in shock.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Kenya: Displaced Persons begin 200Km March to Petition Kibaki

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Folks,

This is the way to go people…..Walk for your freedom…….where is the money Balala,
Uhuru, Kalonzo, and Ruto with others, collected for the ressettlement of IDPs?……I am
aware, there were some money Uhuru also removed from Finance Ministry without being allocated
to him by the Parliament…..Can these IDPs be treated more humanly?…..

We DEMAND to know the whereabouts of the money collected…….These IDPs people
are also Human Beings, and after collecting money, it should not take too long to
ressettle them……..It is a Criminal Offense and a Violation of Human Rights to expose
humans under conditions at which IDPs have been inhumanly treated…….

Let President Kibaki respond immediately, effectively and fairly….

Thanks,

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

Displaced persons begin 200km march to petition Kibaki

IDPs from Mawingu camp, Ol Kalou, started a trek to Nairobi to petition President Kibaki to order their immediate resettlement. [PHOTO: James Munyeki/STANDARD]

By James Munyeki

More than 10,000 internally displaced persons at Mawingu camp in Ol Kalou want President Kibaki to order their immediate resettlement.

And to achieve this, they began a protest march to the State House to deliver the message to the President.

The IDPs, including their children and the elderly, started the 200km journey to Nairobi from their camp yesterday to petition President Kibaki over the matter.

“It will not matter the number of days we will take to get to State House, but the President must now listen to our grievances since we fear the coalition government might collapse before we are resettled,” said Mr Peter Kariuki, who is leading the demonstration.

Mr Kariuki said they had withdrawn their children from schools to participate in the protest.
“We are determined to make a statement and be heard. That is why we have ensured all our children accompany us. We are tired of living in these deplorable conditions. Someone, this time the President, must listen to us,” said Kariuki.
He said since they moved to the camp two years ago, 52 people had died due to deplorable conditions.

Central PC Kiplimo Rugut said they had pleaded with IDPs to give the Government more time to resettle them. “We believe someone has been inciting them on this. We want them to understand that we are doing something about their resettlement and we are doing the best that we can. We understand the poor conditions they are living under but we are calling for their patience,” said the PC.

Mr Rugut said the Government had resettled more than 1,000 families saying plans to resettle the other 2,000 families still in the camp were under way.

By mid-day Tuesday, the IDPs had covered more than 20km on their way to Gilgil town.

Mandela would have dialogued with Mungiki

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By PROF. GEORGE LUCHIRI WAJACKOYAH

Mungiki is a Kikuyu word that literally translates into many. By definition, Mungiki means multitudes. The imagination of this politico-religious group plays the images of the poor. Many of them understand jiggers’ infestation, peasantry and abject poverty, for they live it or have experienced it.

Members of this group, which is proscribed according to government records, trace their lineage, or allegiance to the Mau Mau freedom fighters. The Mungiki owe their existence to President Jomo Kenyatta, their politicization to President Daniel Moi, and their commercialization to President Mwai Kibaki. There are feelings among Mungiki that Kenyatta short-changed their forefathers, Moi retained Mungiki when he feared Uhuru Kenyatta could lose the 2002 polls to his baptismal godfather, Kibaki, while members of the Kibaki administration are alleged to have used Mungiki for retaliatory killings during 2008 post-election violence.

Mungiki, ideologically, though not with the same name, sprouted to protest Kenyatta leadership’s marginalization of freedom fighters. The late Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, JM, as he was popularly known, was sympathetic to this group, for he did not see how peace could be sustained with a handful of people living on millions of resources, against millions living on a handful. JM desired well for the entire nation; he was widely accepted and loved in Kenya and beyond our borders. He was a champion of the poor.

Some members of this group were learned and politically astute as well, which made the government of the day fearful. This gave birth to a clampdown in Bahati, Nakuru and its environs; frequent arrests, detention without trial of their leaders, and mass propaganda, such as the Mwakenya leaflets. Some of the leaflets were manufactured by the intelligence, to subdue the Kikuyu groundswell. The intelligence coerced some KANU youth wingers into informers, to gather information on the activities of this organization. Kikuyu young men caved to that pressure and fled to Thika, Murang’a and the outskirts of Nairobi – the literal expulsion of young males was quite telling.

In debilitating despair, the next cohort of Mungiki was born. This lot grew up knowing little hope. They lived in slums with neither government order nor interests. They regularly did lowly jobs, and that is where they regrouped and started taking oaths of allegiance. Fate had brought them together, and they felt a duty towards one another, each seeking to be a brother’s keeper. At this point politicians started organizing them into micro economic activities, such as manning Matatu terminals and providing security through vigilantes. As a testimony to their role, areas protected by Mungiki experienced lots of safety, until criminals blackmailed them, and opened the floodgates of police harassments and killings of sect members. This is how the third generation of the highly manipulated Mungiki came into being.

The third contemporaries of Mungiki have been widely seen as a terror gang. Much as there is little one can say as far as their actions go, we as a society, must be patient and tolerant. We must listen to what they are telling us. This group has been widely stage-managed by mindless businessmen and politicians. The government, too, has used double standards in handling them. To some extent, some politicians want to keep them desperate and hopeless, this way; they can be easy guns for hire. Case in point is the post-election violence retaliatory killings.

Understanding Mungiki will contribute to national security intelligence, and by extension, increased safety of all Kenyans. Sending police on extra-judicial killing missions is not only illegal, but also leads to loss of valuable information; – one wayward person transformed is worth a million like ones killed.

Mungiki, if well directed, and driven by the humble vision of its founders, can tip the scales in Central Kenya politics, and also alter the way politics is played in Kenya. If their organization and loyalty get a laser-focus on the issues of poverty and governance, the ahoi will easily pull the reigns from the athomi. Visionary leadership and values that control bitterness, and strive for justice while upholding fairness, is all it will take. It is out of this realization that Mungiki morphed from a sect to politico-religious group.

Ask yourself this question; why does the government let Mungiki hold public demonstrations, if it considers it a proscribed group? The government is a mixed bag reminiscent of a brigade up against itself. The day a true regime change comes to Kenya, there will be accountability, and during that time, just like judgment day, people will carry their crosses.

Having initiated dialogue with Mungiki leadership, I have learned that the Mungiki problem can be dealt with finality. It is also crystal clear that politicians have been using the young men for their personal good. Mandela dialogued with Inkhatsa Freedom Fighters who till then, like Mungiki, were branded criminals by the system and the media. The solution rests in dialogue, not wanton slaughter by the police. There can be no moral authority in a case where the police, who should be dissuading people from unwanted conduct, demonstrate the same vile acts.

Let us all cast our eyes into the distant past, to pre- birth of the republic; the depths of history. From it we will understand what happened to the Mau Mau and their descendants, especially why they were relocated to Bahati in Nakuru.

I have understood much of Mungiki because I have probed it. In the same train of oddity, I will ride around the world, meeting Kenyans and friends of Kenya. This year, I plan to travel the world on my – Meet Kenyans world tour – where I will listen to any Kenyan with suggestions on issues affecting daily lives. My journey starts in the United States in January and February, followed by a 10-day exploration of Europe in March.

Prof. George Luchiri Wajackoyah is a presidential aspirant in Kenya’s 2012 general elections. For more information about him, check out his official campaign web site: www.glw4president.com. You can also follow him on Facebook under George Luchiri Wajackoyah or Luchiri Wajackoyah for constant campaign updates. Reach him at George@glw4president.com

The Case of Two U.S. professors Meddling with Kenyan’s Genocide Case at the Hague

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Folks,

First of all, the title of this news report is wrong……not all Americans are out to stop Ocampo….it is the known two dons, professors we read about …..which now brings very interesting questions………

Why would these Professors be interested to stop Ocampo and, Where were they at the initial stage…..Whose interest are they serving……Which category of mandate gives them access. What basis do they lay their grounds to stop Ocampo……..lastly Who invited them?

….or in who is who, Who are they hobbledehoy pompey of Kenya ? ? ? .

Who are their clients?……These two Professors are a big joker …… they have no idea how much Kenyans have suffered, they have no clue how our feet burned in dry cold winter of Washington DC, when we paraded demonstrating to bring calm – they are not even Citizens
of Kenya, their mothers were not hacked to death nor raped. What are they trying to do?

Before they go to Hague, they should stop their Mickey Mouse and Frog Hops and come clean publicly first, tell us who they are in this drama, what is their interest in the Kenya’s quagmire, lets know their Agenda, then tell us what they mean by this their going to Hague to stop Ocampo.

Regards,

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

Lawyers tell off American professors over suit

By Beauttah Omanga
The Law Society of Kenya and lawyer Paul Muite have said the move by two Americans to stop the International Criminal Court (ICC) from investigating the post-election violence will not succeed.

LSK Vice-Chairman James Mwamu and Mr Muite said it would be ridiculous for an international court to stop investigation into any alleged crime.

Mr Mwamu said: “I see that application being dismissed because the ICC Prosecutor merely wants permission to commence investigation into commission of an international crime against humanity. There is no application as yet for prosecution of anybody.”

The two lawyers said the post-election violence perpetrators wanted to derail the process at the expense of the victims who want to see justice done and impunity addressed.

Kenyan hand
Muite questioned the logic behind the two Americans’ move, saying he suspected a hidden Kenyan hand.

“On whose interest are they seeking the orders?” posed Muite, who urged local human rights bodies with their international partners to seek leave to be enjoined, as well as the post-election violence victims.

He said the victims and the human rights bodies should urgently instruct reputable lawyers to move to the ICC and file papers demanding to be party to the strange suit.

“That suit is demonic in the first place. How were the two Americans affected by the Kenyan chaos? They must also be pressed by the Kenyan human rights lawyers to reveal on whose behalf they are acting,” said Muite.

Who is behind Americans out to block ICC’s case on Kenya?

By Ben Agina
Two prominent Americans have launched a bid to block International Criminal Court from handling Kenya’s post-election violence trials.

Their suit echoes an earlier objection by a Belgian non-governmental organisation with the same aim.

The two, a lawyer and a political science professor, filed a suit on Tuesday that has raised questions as to their interest in the matter.

The International Criminal Court at the Hague. Two Americans, Prof Max Hilaire, who chairs Department of Political Sciences at Morgan State University, and a San Fransisco lawyer William Cohn, filed a suit at the Hague over the Kenya case, even though their country is not signatory to the statute that created the ICC. [PHOTO: courtesy]
They are seeking suspension of prayers by ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo for the court to take up Kenya’s case for at least 30 more days, so that they can raise their arguments. Their argument is Kenya’s case was, in legal terms, “overstretched” or “exaggerated” and does not meet ICC’s threshold for crimes against humanity. They say bringing the issue before the trial chamber (the phase where it is now) was unnecessary.

“We want to know why the case should go to The Hague since Kenya is not a failed State and efforts have already been made by the President and the Prime Minister to set up a local tribunal,” their suit document reads.

They also demand to know of “efforts to set up a local tribunal and actions of the President and the Prime Minister on the complementarity principle.”

The Americans want the ICC pre-trial judges to determine if the Kenyan situation qualifies as a “crime against humanity” or a “matter of civil unrest”.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Fraser in 2008 described the violence as falling short of genocide but rising to the level of crimes against humanity.

Earlier, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) filed an objection to restrain the ICC from intervening in Kenya.
The Brussels-based NGO claims it has global membership but Kenyan activists claimed it is linked to powerful individuals in the Cabinet.

“It is instructive that this organisation has had no known basis or track record of commenting, acting or participating on any Kenyan issues,” they said.

Though their country is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that created ICC, Prof Max Hilaire who chairs Department of Political Sciences at Morgan State University, teamed up a San Fransisco lawyer Prof William Cohn to file a suit at The Hague.

In the suit, among other seven legal issues they intend to raise, are questions on whether Kenya’s case qualifies to be taken up by ICC.
Though the two booklovers could on academic joyride or serious academic venture, locally where President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga flatly declined to formally refer the Kenyan case to ICC, it will be speculation galore.

Pre-trial judges
Documents obtained by The Standard authored by the two show they want to be amicus curiae (friends of the court) before the Pre-trial chamber. If granted the status, they want the pre-trial judges, who were appointed to weigh the admissibility of the Kenyan case, to grant a stay on the decision on Moreno-Ocampo’s motion seeking their authority to commence investigation on Kenya’s high-profile suspects.

The arguments put up by the two professors are similar to those earlier advanced by PS Foreign Affairs Thuita Mwangi in a commentary critical of ICC’s handling of Kenya’s case.

The two Americans, however, have put up a disclaimer they are not affiliated to any organisation in Kenya or have taken any partisan position with regard to the Kenyan situation or any known suspect.
Three days before Moreno-Ocampo’s arrival in Nairobi, Mwangi dispatched an opinion article to newsrooms in which he criticised the prosecutor’s mission in Kenya.

Arguing it was too early for him to intervene, the PS questioned the legitimacy of the ICC’s jurisdiction over Kenya. He argued the ICC should not override Kenya’s justice system.

End impunity
Exuding confidence in the ability of the Judiciary to handle perpetrators of post-election mayhem, Mwangi petitioned Moreno-Ocampo to give Africa an opportunity to prove to the world she is ready, willing and able to end impunity.

In their submissions to pre-trial judges dated January 11, 2010, the Professors put out believe ICC intervention would ruin the political careers of key suspects said to be the Waki Envelope.

The professors want to know from the pre-trial judges the “long-term political and social aspects” relating to the prosecutions that have a bearing on the decision to commence investigation.

Professors Hilaire and Cohn would also want to know the cumulative effect of the efforts to set up a local tribunal and actions of the President Kibaki and Prime Minister on the complementarity principle and the interest of an investigations.

If granted the amicus curiae status, the professors would also want to know the extent of and progress in investigations and prosecutions of crimes against humanity in Kenya and the effect thereof on the complementarity principle under the ICC statute.
setting precedent

They are also questioning the timing of Prosecutor Ocampo’s application to the pre-trial chambers. In their justification to the court, the Americans said the orders sought by the prosecutor were precedent setting.

“This is the very first time in the history of ICC that the prosecutor seeks authorisation. It is important that the court clearly establishes the parameters for the exercise of jurisdiction in circumstance where a state with functional judicial system has not referred a situation to the court,” said the professors.

They noted as the prosecutor’s Motion under article 15 of the rules is essentially ex-parte, (for or by one party) it may be useful for the chamber to listen to other views and submissions on the applicable legal principles.

This development comes exactly a week after Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara and human rights activists spoke of their disappointment at attempts to delay the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision on Kenya’s post-election violence case.

An international lawyer’s organisation filed an objection to the case with ICC. The activists have also raised the red flag over an alleged plot to intimidate potential witnesses of the post-poll chaos through death threats, particularly in the North Rift and in internal refugee camps.

Addressing the press on Friday, last week, Imanyara, along with rights activists Ndung’u Wainaina, Haron Ndubi and Ken Wafula, said that a Cabinet minister who feels he might be on the list of suspected perpetrators was behind the plot.

Go slowly
The minister, Mr Ndubi claimed, had been promising the witnesses land for resettlement, money, jobs, and scholarships among other inducements.

In their statement, the activists said that the minister was said to have held a meeting with officials of the internally displaced from all camps in the Rift Valley on November 25, last year. He allegedly urged them to influence other camp residents to “go slowly” in submitting their views ICC.

Americans out to stop Ocampo
International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo (left) meets with President Kibaki (center) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) at Harambee house . Photo/FILE

International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo (left) meets with President Kibaki (center) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) at Harambee house . Photo/FILE

By OLIVER MATHENGE and BERNARD NAMUNANE

Posted Thursday, January 14 2010 at 21:00

In Summary

* Two professors are questioning mandate of ICC in taking over Kenyan poll case

Two American dons have gone to the International Criminal Court seeking to stop Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo from taking over the post-election violence case.

However, the government immediately disowned their intervention and asked them to stop the uncalled for application, which could delay the ruling by the pre-trial chamber.

Professors Max Hilaire and William Cohn filed an application on Monday at The Hague asking the pre-trial chamber to suspend making a ruling for at least 30 days to allow them to raise their objections to the intentions of Mr Moreno-Ocampo to start investigating the masterminds of the post election chaos.

“May it please this honourable pre-trial chamber to stay the decision on the prosecutor’s motion pending the decision on this motion, and allow the applicants to appear as Amicus Curiae (friends of the court) and to file their brief within 30 days or within such period as the Chamber may direct,” they say in their plea to the three-judge bench tasked to hear Kenya’s case.

Professors Hilaire and Cohn, in their application, say they will question ICC’s mandate to investigate the crimes that were committed during the post-election chaos; whether the crimes committed qualify as crimes against humanity; and the clause which Mr Moreno-Ocampo used as the basis to place his case before the pre-trial chamber.

Prof Hilaire teaches at Morgan State University and Prof Cohn has practised as an attorney in California.
“This is the very first time in the history of the ICC that the prosecutor seeks authorisation under article 15. It is important that the court clearly establishes the parameters for the exercise of jurisdiction in circumstances where a state with a functional judicial system has not referred a situation to the court,” they argue.
Into any hotspot

They refer to Article 15, which details the ways the ICC Prosecutor can use to obtain permission from the pre-trial chamber to start investigations into any hotspot.

It allows the prosecutor to receive information from governments, UN agencies, NGOs and other reliable sources.

“If the prosecutor concludes that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, he or she shall submit to the Pre-Trial Chamber a request for authorisation of an investigation, together with any supporting material collected,” the article states in part.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo described the two law professors as “busy bodies” who were interfering with the process of delivering justice to the victims of the violence.

“ They should cease and desist from interfering with Kenya’s choice to submit itself to the ICC,” he said.

He said Mr Moreno-Ocampo was allowed by the President and the PM to seek the permission of the chamber to investigate the violence that rocked the country after the December 2007 elections.

“It is surprising that lawyers from countries which are not even members of the ICC are interfering with the process,” he said.

Was not involved
Attorney-General Amos Wako said he was not aware of the development and that his office was not involved.

Mr Kilonzo said the decision as to whether investigations into the post-election violence would proceed lay with The Hague.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo went before the pre-trial chamber at the end of last November seeking permission to start investigating the plotters and executors of the election violence in which 1,133 people were killed and another 650,000 uprooted from their homes.

There have been reports that the government intends to use international lawyers to challenge Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s request at The Hague.

However, government officials have denied the claims.

Why Kenyan refugees living in Uganda don’t want to return home!

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KENYA REFUGEES IN UGANDA ARE RELUCTANT TO RETURN HOME, DESPITE ASSUARANCES THAT CALM AND PEACE NOW PREVAILS.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu City.

SOME Kenyan refugees who fled to Uganda after the bloody 2007 presidential polls have made it clear that they would prefer remaining in that country, as they are much safer there than in their own country.

These Kenyans fear that history will repeat itself, come the next general election, schedule for December 2012, since key issues on land and ethnicity conflicts are not adequately being addressed.
These Kenyans have been living at the Kiryayadongo refugee settlement Camp in Masindi, in northwestern Uganda.

According to the United Nation High Commission for Refugee, 12,000 Kenyans fled to Uganda in early 2008, at the height of post election violence, following the hotly disputed presidential election results.

But soon after the signing of a peace agreement, that led to the formation of a grand coalition government, many slowly returned home.

Some 2,300 Kenyans were granted refugee status, out of whom, 400 have agreed to return home before the end of the year.

Those remaining behind have been closely following events in Kenya, especially the chest-thumping public utterances by senior politicians and heir supporters, and fear that what happened in 2008 could recur before or after the 2012 general elections.

R Peter Karanja, who is the chairman of the Kenyan community at the refugee camp, was last week quoted by the influential EASTAFRICAN weekly, as saying that decisions to return home depend largely on how much a person lost in the flare up of 2008.

Karanja said he was the campaign agent for President Mwai Kibaki, a fact that “my neighbors disliked. No matter how much money the government gives me, I will not return home because ethnicity is still an issue”, said Mr.Karanja.

Karanja added that those who had agreed to return home either did not lose much, or were petty small-scale traders, who can easily pick up their lives.

In a move to encourage voluntary repatriation, the government of Kenya is giving 467 British Sterling Pounds per each family, and the Office of the Prime Minister is toping it up with 50 British sterling pound.

The Office of the Prime Minister is also allocating each family a parcel of land measuring 50 meters by 100 meters.

But many refugees say the money is insufficient, and camp life is far better. They have access to basic medical facilities, free education for their children and “comfortable” living spaces for each family. They are also free to cultivate parcels of land provided to them.

On the other hand, those who agreed to be repatriated home are said to be still rather hesitant. Some have left there with caretakers, meaning they can return to Uganda and claim it.

Ms Rosemary Chepkwemo, a single mother from Mt Elgon district in Western Province is reported to have told an interviewer that she will not bulge either. At the time the weekly newspaper reporter arrived in the camp, her mother had traveled all along from Kenya, to persuade here to return home.

“Life back home is difficult, my husband went missing during the post election violence, and I still do not know his whereabouts. Here at the camp, my children attend school for free learning,” she added.

It has also been established that not all the Kenyan refugees in Uganda went there following the post-elections violence of 2008. Some of them are said to have gone to that country while escaping the atrocities committed by Sabaot Land Defence Force, guerrilla movement who were operating in Mt Elgon district, prior to the genera elections, and whose war claimed more than 200 lives.

The rebellion forced the Nairobi regime to dispatch a contingent of Kenya army men, who joined hands with the regular police and the General Service Unit {GSU} to eventually crush the insurgency, but only after many residents of the district had fled into the neighboring Uganda.

Hundred of the Sudanese refugees who share the camp with the Kenyans also remain reluctant about returning home Their country awaits a referendum vote, slated for 2011,that will decide the fate of the South – whether it should become an independent state, or continue to be part of the Khartoum regime. But many nationals think the exercise will breed violence.

Recently, the UNHCR conducted an Internal Survey to determine why people were unwilling to return to return to their countries. Sudanese and Kenyan nationals expressed similar sentiments.

Topping the list of concerns is security in coming elections, followed by access to education, then healthcare. Others said they would return as soon as they had harvested their crops, while a number felt the environment in Uganda was more conducive to their freedom.

Mr Antony Oba, secretary general of the Refugee Welfare Council, was quoted in the report as saying that “Some of our people are HIV positive and are on antiretroviral drugs, which the government of Uganda provides free of charge. They fear returning to Southern Sudan, they won’t get the drugs anymore.”

During the survey, the refugees were offered four options; Voluntary repatriation, local integration, but retain their refugee status; reallocation to another camp; or resettlement to a third country. The majority preferred their present location.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo..com

The fragile Coalition government of Kenya is being run by the international bullies behind the scenes, using paid hit men like Kofi Annan and Moreno Ocampo

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The fragile Coalition government of Kenya is being run by the international bullies behind the scenes, using paid hit men like Kofi Annan and Moreno Ocampo

From: Akech

My fellow country men/women;
(By the way, I do not have PhD, so be kind to my rumbling below)

While most of you are taking shots at each other over the squabble between Raila and Ruto, the fragile Coalition government of Kenya is being run by the international bullies behind the scenes using paid hit men like Kofi Annan and Moreno Ocampo.

Annan and Ocampo are paid consultants representing the interests of NATO (United States, Great Britain, and Europe) in their war against terrorism. The US has invested a lot of capital in Mwai Kibaki since that State Dinner hosted by George W. Bush at Whitehouse in his honor in 2003. Because of this relationship with Mwai Kibaki, PNU is the US, Great Britain and European Union favored ruling party in Kenya.

The Mau saga and The Hague stick were merely ploys introduced to dismantle and put ODM out of commission. It would be a miracle if the Pentagon members can manage to sort out their differences and realize that those poor Kenyans who flocked their rallies were counting on them to bring real changes in Kenya! Apparently, it does not look like the big egos will allow them to do that. I wonder whether these people are not just concerned about themselves, immediate families and their close fiends.

What is more worrisome is that there are parallels between the implosion within ODM right now and what was happening in Rwanda a few months before the 1994 genocide.

(1)US has been a staunch supporter of Paul Kagame and his Rwanda Patriotic Front since its creation by Tutsi exiles in Uganda. The leaders in the RPF army were trained and equipped by US and its European allies.

(2)A year or two prior to Rwanda genocide of 1994, there were a series of power sharing negotiations between the government of Rwanda, under President Juvenal Habyarimana and the then leader of Rwanda Patriotic Front, Paul Kagame, held in Arusha, Tanzania.

(3)During these negotiations, the Rwandan government was pressured and threatened with international sanctions by the US and his European allies to grant power sharing concessions to RPF. Habyarimana granted so many concessions to RPF that made it difficult for the president to justify to his hard line supporters that he was not handing over ruling powers to a minority ethnic group, the Tutsis, under leader Paul Kagame.

During the colonial rule and shortly after independence from the Belgians, the Tutsi minority had supreme powers over the Hutus (85%) and other tribes.

(4)The last straw came just a day before the beginning of the genocide. The hardliners in Habyarimana party were unable to standby and watch what they saw as a military coup by Paul Kagame and his Tutsis minority, through continuous pressure from US and it allies. That day, the plane carrying the Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana (Hutu), and Burundi President Cyprien Nitanyamira (Hutu), who were retuning from reconciliation meetings in Arusha, Tanzania, was brought down by a surface-to-air missile just, before its landing at Kigali Airport. The Rwanda genocide began a couple of hours later that night , April (6-7) 1994

(5)To date, the person or people responsible for the downing of the plane have never been identified. Yet there are international investigators in Rift Valley trying to talk to the locals to unearth who exactly incited the 2007 elections riot that killed 1,000 Kenyans.

Yet, US, France, Great Britain and the European Union have never seen it fit to employ their superior investigative methods to unearth who assassinated the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi on the eve of Rwanda genocide. They have left that single episode to speculations:- Could it have been the Hutu hardliners who were afraid of impending takeover of government by advancing Tutsis RPF, or was it Paul Kagame and it RPF, who wanted to take the power from the Hutus? The environment created was such that either side could have been responsible

************************************************************
(1)ODM has been vilified by international press since the beginning of 2007 Kenyan election campaigns.

(2)To make the Coalition Government work, Raila and ODM have made many concessions to accommodate PNU and have been, deliberately, assigned tasks which put this political party members at odds with each other, as well as their supporting Kenyan voters, who are now left dangling in the air. Yet, through Kofi Annan, more pressure is being exerted by the international powers and directed primarily at the Prime Minister and his team. The pressure has definitely taken its toll!

(3)Raila has become the axe man in implementing policies which only help put him in conflicts with his base supporters in Kenya, particularly, Rift Valley.

(4)The current implosion within ODM has created an atmosphere in which anyone outside ODM party members can harm either Ruto or Raila or both. Should something like this happen, some ODM supporters will be blamed for a nightmare like that!

**************************************************************
While ODM attention is directed towards the squabbles within Kenya, a barrage of NEW laws and rules of engagement in the newly re-created East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi), with dire consequences to Kenya and Kenyans are taking shape. The continuous disagreements between PNU and ODM in Kenya make it difficult for anybody to determine who is representing ODM’s views or or the views of those who gave them support at these EAC negotiations!

One thing is clear; the well known proxy warriors in East Africa and Lake Victoria regions, Paul Kagame and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, are now the alpha dogs in the EAC. These are the same well trained, battle hardened Ugandan and Rwandan proxies who have been wreaking havoc in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over a million Congolese have been killed, and a million others rotting in refugee camps!

This is the resources looting war the world is not interested talking about. Things are just getting worse with resource lootings in the Congo. New East African Community members are getting into the mineral act:

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/670830/-/qxs6gjz/-/index.html

The borders between these five EAC countries are becoming porous. One does not need a passport to go in and out of each territory! During the 2008 political turmoil in Kenya, it was rumored that Ugandan forces were seen in Western Kenya and Kisumu District, and there has been Migingo Island issue in Lake Victoria. Next time around, it will be the Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi army chaps who will be wreaking havoc in Western and Nyanza Provinces, and they will not need a permission to come in. This is already taking shape, while majority of Kenyans’ attention is focused elsewhere!

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/817786/-/py73rlz/-/index.html

Kofi Annan and Moreno Ocampo have not yet seen it fit to pay one visit to Laurent Nkunda, Paul Kagame’s right hand man, who is responsible for killing and damaging millions Congolese on behalf of multinational corporations. Nkunda is now living in Rwanda, negotiating the terms for his unconditional release.

What exactly did William Ruto do that has made Annan and Ocampo be hot on his trail? Is he worse than Kagame and Nkunda? I am not trying to minimize the deaths of 1,000 and displacement of 35,000 Kenyans during the 2007-2008 election turmoil. I am merely directing your attentions to what some members of EAC are doing in DRC, and what they may be capable of doing in Kenya should things fall apart!

REPEAT, WHILE KENYANS’ ATTENTION IS FOCUSSED ON POLITICAL TURMOILS WITHIN, THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY LAWS WITH DIRE MILITARY AND TRADE COSEQUENCES ARE BEING SHAPED BY THE RESOURCES WAR LORDS WHO ARE NOW MEMBERS OF EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY!

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/opOrEd/comment/-/434750/817950/-/bpuxnr/-/index.html

BETWEEN RAILA AND RUTO, WHO REALLY WON THIS ROUND?

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Waw what a crowd at Tononoka! As many have said, “Raila is fighting back”. However, the real question is, “Raila is fighting who back?” Iam thrilled to answer this question. In brief, Raila is fighting himself.

After working very hard to consolidate a powerhouse in the ODM, Raila embarked on a desperate move to dismantle it. First he dissolved the pentagon, then declared himself the sole party leader. Things backfired and the pentagon had to be reconstituted. Notwithstanding the damage had been done.

Then came the issue of youths rotting in jail, after the post election violence, to which Ngilu was almost kicked out softly.
Immediately after that, while the raging storm was still on, came the Hague and Ruto, followed by Ruto and the maize scandal. Ruto was not blind. He saw his friend Raila was in a position to rescue him, but instead, Raila cut off the rope that Ruto was holding on to, Raila let himslip and sink into the rot which both Raila and Ruto had created together.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. But at the same time, the person who can bring you down faster is your friend. To Ruto, Raila proved to be a betrayer, rather than a friend. Raila became a backstabber. Raila chose to realign himself with those who fought both Ruto and Raila, at the expense of those who shed their blood and lost their lives for him.

In this case, one cannot blame the son of Samoei for saying enough is enough when he met his tribesmen walking their donkeys toward the roadside where their half naked buttocks were being eaten by the mau cold.

Just why Raila concentrated on this may only be known to himself. “Was he fighting the right war or right enemy?”

In my view, these fights were completely unnecessary for Raila. He should not have initiated them. He needed Ruto as much as Ruto needed him. Ruto tried to hang in there, but the assault was too much. Respect was already lost, and Raila was not consulting Ruto on anything, including things in Ruto’s Rift Valley tuff. However Raila still needs Ruto for 2012 and by Raila constantly fighting Ruto, he is simply shooting himself in the foot.

The reason for this war has not been understood even by Raila’s closest associates. Many would prefer to keep Ruto in ODM, because it makes it easy to fight the real opposition. Just why Raila did this baffles many. Was Ruto a threat to the possibility of the son of Jaramogi being chosen the ODM presidential candidate? I doubt it, because in ODM Ruto is no match for Raila. Was Ruto threatening to dislodge Raila’s silent dog, Musalia Mudavadi? May be. Was he afraid Ruto could testify and mention him at the Hague hence Raila wanted to dissociate himself from Ruto early? Possibly. All in all, my best guess is that Raila saw a threat in Ruto, and chose to kick him out earlier rather than later.

It suffices to say that the relationship is over. This is just a rerun between Raila and Wamalwa or Raila and Kalonzo. It is going to be impossible for Raila and Ruto to come back together, or if they come together, they will still backstab each other. Like Kalonzo, Ruto is going to be the force that blocks Raila from the presidency. He has some votes. People should not forget that.

The fight they began has receded and the dust is settling a little bit. Who won and how? I still contend that Raila lost but Ruto did not gain what Raila lost. This is why.

In 2007, Raila got majority of the votes from Rift Valley. Whatever Raila does, and however he twists it, he will not get the same amount of votes from this region if he does not work with Ruto. Infact, he will get less than 30% of the votes he got last time, if Kosgey and Sirma stick with him.

The Rift Valley was the swing vote for Raila. If he cannot bag 70% of this vote, it will become near impossible to clinch the presidency, irrespective of how many people show up at Tononoka. The winning votes are not at Tononoka, they are in the Rift Valley. The coast, western and Eastern are always divided. Raila will not be a clear winner of 2012 elections, and this is what Ruto was working on, after being mistreated, and he has successfully done it.

The only lousy thing Ruto did was to join CAMPS too fast. The Kalenjins are very weary of another Kikuyu leadership, and Ruto should have known that a fight with Raila does not imply a friendship with Uhuru. The Kalenjins do not want to hear the name Kenyatta anywhere close to power, hence as soon as Ruto jumped ship, his best bet was to build a new ship without Uhuru at the top. However, incase Uhuru allows Ruto to be at the top of the ticket, Raila will have a real fight in the Rift Valley, Central and Eastern.

For the Kenyan public, these things are working in the right direction, for a brand new leadership. It is time for the storm to push the “takataka” to the sea as Raila himself said,and a complete new leader emerge. Again I say, “It is time for change”.

Dr. Barack Otieno Abonyo

Jaluo dot Kom

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Category Archives: Kenyan Election Crisis: Refugees

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