Category Archives: Joram Ragem

When April Fools Day, & Good Friday Sandwitch Our Beloved County – Kenya.

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Hear Ye,

Tomorrow, or today, depending on where you are, it will be March 31st. This is the day The ICC, gives it’s ruling on Kenya’s PEV perpetrators. It is obvious they chose this day. Like computerized programing, the release of their decision on this day was planned so as not to bias the Kenyan MP during the constitution making process. On this, The ICC was assuming the Kenyan MP was civilized enough to debate honestly and deliberate without self preservation to deliver the constitution to Wanjiku. Buy releasing their decision on this day, Only my 10th great grandfather Ragem knows exactly what what ramifications it’s effect will be. What I know however, is that Kenya will be changed. My opinion is that it will never be business as usual in the political sphere.

It’s a promise, day after tomorrow, or after today, depending on where you are it will be April 1st. At this time, or as my kin would say, “e seche go go go,” the Kenyan MP will conclude deliberation on The Draft Constitution. No, no, no. This, my friends, will NOT be an April fool’s joke. Regardless of their decision, the constitution making process at Bunge will end because it was pre-programed to move forward. Because we killed each other when Kibaki stole the election, the process was programed like an electronic clock, and so its just a matter of time.

A while back, I had a dream, that Kenyans will in future be able to run for office and be elected in constituencies where they do not necessarily belong to the dominant tribe. This of course is a dream I desire to see, yet many of us may not do so in our generation. I also wrote and predicted that because we killed each other after the last election, we might have just gone through a rebirth, or revolution like those famous in the history books regarding the nations considered mature in politics or great in establishment. Surely, this will pleasantly prove prophet Mutahi Nguyi a liar, since he predicts that our is still ahead.

What is not a dream, is a fulfilment of a desire we’ve all longed for. That the Kenyan politicians would see an end to campaign based on “it was your turn to eat the last time, now it is our turn.” and rather begin real campaign based on issues. On this, I say our beloved politicians will be able to see beyond tribe effective this Friday, and we will see alliances shift again as campaigns unite those otherwise thought of as foes. Yes, issues, and not tribe will take center stage na hiyo ni maendeleo!

I say unto you, it is not without reason that this week ends with us celebrating Good Friday. My 10th great grandfather Ragem says thus “God, whether you appeal to him through Bahaula, Christ, Muhammad, Budha na kadhalika, will make this Friday will be good! It will be the beginning of the end.”

And so I say, it may be the beginning of the end of ICC, or Ocampo, or Anan, or PEV perpetrators or Old Constitution, or Kibaki, or the customary Kenyan politician, or AG, or High Court Judge, or Councillor.

Whatever end it brings, may the week break as promised, this Friday.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Mama ToTo

What if Raila & Kibaki are in Ocampo’s sealed Envelope?

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Friends,

Few who actually read my notes know my motto: To lay matters bare, there has to be an unusual way of looking at issues, don’t you think?

And in the same spirit I ask.
Hypothecially, what if Raila & Kibaki are among the prominent Kenyans whose names were given to the ICC Judges today?

I ask you, Ocampo indicted Slobodan Miloševi?, Radovan Karadži?, Félicien Kabuga, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, a sitting president among others, what will he not do to our principals?
Raila and Kibaki

I ask you again, when the crocodile eat their own eggs, what will they not do to the flesh of a frog?

It follows therefore that we must think out of the box. That we must ask ourselves the ‘what if’ questions and come up with viable answers to our complicated hypothetical.

My hypothesis is that if the principals are in the Ocampo’s sealed envelope to the Judges, Raila would step down, but Kibaki wouldn’t. Because of this, the ICC may not reach and arrest others who also bear the greatest responsibility. How could he, when the duly sworn will claim that Kenya is a sovereign state?

On the other hand, my 10th great grandfather Ragem’s thesis is that anyone mentioned adversely should step aside, face the ICC squarely and if proven innocent, can rejoin active politics again.

However, the reality is that this situation is about Kenya. And Kenya being a land of Nguachi, whose Capital is Nairobbery, the City in the sun, and of plaster and stone. It is God’s country ‘ya kitu kidogo’ of ‘Eeee ndonege matubo bau!’

Kenya is still a country where we believe there is no way a wife can abuse a husband, or that rape cannot occur in a marriage, and when it occurs outside marriage, it was someones’ fault, or that the principals are above the law. That because whatever happened, happened, or that because the arm of the law is not long enough, Ocampo should leave us alone. After all we are in the middle of creating a new constitution and a new voters register, and his actions will interfere with our noble work.

People, I ask again, have you thought really hard about what will happen to our political landscape when Ocampo’s list is made public? The worst to imagine is that Kalonzo Musyoka could become caretaker president, considering he was # 3 in those elections and is also the VP! The best to imagine is that we could go to early elections and vote for Hebron Mosomi or Mark Mutunga, or George Luchiri Wajackoyah or Omondi Bunde, even though we still do not havew a voters register or new constitution!

Really, because we have this impunity syndrome, I do not see clearly what impact Ocampo’s action will have on our political landscape. My thinking is that it is just a front for US and other interested Nations, through UN to ensure that we complete Agenda IV to avoid the occurrence of another dark period in our Nation’s history.

However, in the very unlikely event all mentioned adversely including the principals agree step down, I, and not my 10th great grandfather Ragem, urge you to consider a vote for Omondi Bunde. He is a fisherman who has never hurt a fly or stole a pence.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Kenya: Tonight, Conspiracy Theories Run Through My Mind.

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Ever since Jaramogi said ‘Not yet Uhuru’ and Jomo became our first, I saw with my very eyes the Fundamentalists who believed that leadership was theirs by right. Conveniently they succeeded in keeping away the hopefuls from the fountain of leadership. There was detention without trial and assassination of the hopeful or those suspected to say the least.

When Jomo died, these Fundamentalists actually attempted to disbar Arap from ascending to power. It was through the act of wazalendo that Arap was given leadership albeit for 90 days. In those 90 days, the professor of politics asserted himself by coalescing with the minorities to permanently foil the plan of the Fundamentalists. And for twenty six years he ruled. After tasting the sweetness of power, a new breed of Fundamentalism was evolved. To hold on to there was more detention without trial and assassination of the hopeful or those suspected to say the least. There was also a coup de tat within the ranks.

I digress. Just who Killed Mboya, JM, Ouko, or Muge? I do not know, though I buy into the conspiracy theories. How they were killed is of more particular curiosity for me especially now. In my opinion, they were killed by the Fundamentalist who did not want to imagine ever relinquishing power to the Hopefuls.

My observation is that, contrary to the belief that the Hopefuls and the Fundamentalists have always been rivals, it is the different era of Fundamentalists who are sworn enemies, while the Hopefuls play to their whims as they think they are close to real power.

Read my lips, it took coalescing with the Hopefuls to allow Arap to ascend to power, which was jealously guarded by the original Fundamentalists. The Hopefuls were forced again to coalesce with the original Fundamentalists to end Arap’s 26 years rule and bring down the era of the Neo-Fundamentalists.

What happened about Dec 28th 2007, was an obvious fight between the two extremes of Fundamentalism whilst the Hopefuls were oblivious. This fight is still going on as we watch and bury it’s victims.

As a caution, I would just like to warn that key lieutenants can now be eliminated as it has happened in the past. We know who will be blamed having gathered patsy but significant circumstantial evidence even before any assassinations occur.

Please let all be very careful.

Bishop MugeBishop Muge

Jomo & MboyaJomo & Mboya

JM KariukiJM Kariuki

Robert OukoRobert Ouko

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

My 10 New Quick Predications About Politics In Kenya

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Kenyans,
It is that time again of the season and my 10th great grandfather Ragem has appeared to me with the following message;
“No Life can escape being blown about, by the winds of change and chance. And although you never know all the steps, you must learn to join the dance. My son, I empower you to reveal.”

And therefore straight to my predictions I go:

1. PNU affiliated MPs will table a motion to change standing orders and allow the president to appoint leader of Government business. ODM affiliated MPs will lose in opposing the motion to be voted on, but when the vote is done, the motion will not pass.

2. Contrary to current political temperatures, Ruto and Raila will remain in ODM, remain friends and learn to trust each other again.

3. Ocampo’s request to open investigations at the ICC will not be granted due to the evidence not reaching the thresh hold for such cases. Kiplagat will resign as the TJRC. Nothing will happen to the perpetrators of the PEV.

4. The Zamba Kitonga Team will complete its rewriting of the Draft Constitution, and hand it over to Parliament this Thursday. Parliament will pass the draft and okay it for the Referendum. At the referendum the yeas will have it.

5. Once the new constitution is gazetted, a new political dispensation will emerge. In fact it is already taking shape. Watch these characters very closely. Ababu Namwamba, Abdikadir Mohamed, Peter Kenneth, George Luchiri Wajackoyah, Omondi ‘Bunde’ Karoli, Heb Mosomi, Miguna Miguna, Nicholas Oyoo Ochieng, Amason Kingi & Jane Munga. These are our new young Turks. Watch them very closely.

6. As for our old guard, only Raila Odinga, Kalembe Ndile, William Ruto, Danson Buya Mungatana, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kalonzo Musyoka, Henry Kosgey, James Orengo, Charity Ngilu, Omingo Magara, Amos Kimunya, Musalia Mudavadi will remain relevant to the presidential race and surprisingly will be competing against the young Turks.

7. The National Accord & the Grand Coalition Government will collapse before the end of this year.

8. There will be a period of uncertainty and power vacuum following the collapse of the Grand Coalition Government. Once again speaker of the House, Kenneth Marende will save the day by acting as head of Government for 60 days. Contrary to the desire of his kitchen cabinet, Kibaki will not heed the call to run again for the presidency. Lucy will give the press conference.

9. Kenya is headed for a period of conspiracy theories between now and the time the Grand Coalition Government collapses. I could explain more here but desist to avoid creating panic in the nation.

10. Again there will be no outright winner in the next elections due to many alliances formed with no candidate getting 50% + 1 vote, leading to a run off of the top two candidates. There will be neither chaos nor violence however. When the dust settles, we will get a president who is of no surprise at all to many, and yet one who was thought of by the extremists as an impossible improbable possibility.

Now be careful not to call me mad, for when you visit Mathari, you see those inside the fence yelling at you with those words.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Kenya: Joram responds to Kumekucha’s Tribalist Article

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http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-have-big-pms-motorcade-but-do-i-say.html

Chris,

I agreed with your sentiments until you attacked the Nilotes and became tribalistic.

I thought the election of 44th President of the United States and Raila as the Prime Minister of Kenya by non-Nilotes ended this tribalistic big stereotype paint brush tendency.

Am I also hearing you saying that: -Luhyas are not leaders but shamba boys, housewives and watchmen? That Kikuyus are murderes, thieves and prostitutes? Kambas are only good in bed? That coast people are dumb and only know how to drink ‘kahawa thungu?’ That Kelenjins are not leaders but cattle rustlers?

If your point was that Raila blundered, and ended there, that would have been a fair criticism.

He did not do it because he is a Luo.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative

LIT TO OK CHWER REM

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Today at 8:25am
By Carol Rehema

LIT TO OK CHWER REMO
We live at a time when the future looks so gloomy; the site of “skeleton-looking”, diarrhoearing and vomiting. Patients in
hospitals are “bare-faced” testimony.Subjectively,the future lest squarely.One personal
decision, the rate at which we are losing dear Kenyans in this menace, A.I.D.S. is alarming! It is painful yes but bleeds not.

LIT TO OK CHWER REMO
Piny obiro mayore.Ochomo dhano tielo apar gi ariyo, tip! Ogoyi nyonga, tew!!Kar ruakruok to lonyruok; kapok okendruok to ipimruok.Tiegni marach otho e wich; resruok nowuog kune? Osiepewa mabeyo osenindo; wedewa ma wageno osedhi;moko bende ni e yo.Viwanja opong’o miere;mayatima wanatafuta pekoe;gates are being closed down..Eee…ma kuyo matamre kod nono jowadwa!! Chuny dhano kudo…koro ogik.

LIT TO OK CHWER REMO
Dhano wuotho opoklo nono;maiti mapok olandi.Ng’ama di sungre ni ler kendo ngima korie piny jowadwa,mmmhh!!!Iwacho mag dhogi itieko;..’gola uru oko,tera uru oko’Kuenda msalani kila wakati,kwani huyu mtu hachoki? ‘Wek mulo kanyo’ ;kwani wewe ni yai ukiguzwa unavunjika ama wewe ni moto wachoma? Chuny min oae joka ma! Irianori ariana.wachni lich mama ka masira ma pok olandi nyikwa Ramogi! Dhano chunye ler alera.Ka kun to dong’ de okun;ka ringo de oringi to odoko ni aywer ok we gunde.Mwandu ilunyo pep!!! Dhok itieko e kul,iuso nyaka loo ni ithiedho jatuo to ngimame medo mana bedo marach.Giko to kwingli!! Gima kare en ni dher ariemba inyiedho to/ka ing’iyo oko…nikech wuongi kadek pore apoya ma ipuk chak tendeng’!

LIT TO OK CHWER REMO
Kenya piny matin kendo manyako ma silili wito kachuoge motegno.Yawuot Ramogi maroteke dhiyo e bwo lowo rumo.Olembe mabeyo yamo turo;yiende motegno tur rumo.Ayaki rego ka poda,wabiro tuombo kanye?Dere mukore rumo,wabiro keno kamanade?Solro ma pilepile oromowa;kunyo pilepile oolowa.Kata ket mana kunyri kendi nikech joasungu ne owacho ni we should let the dead bury themselves.Saruru tieko ni ogik! Opao olo lowo ni chuth!…ayaki ni kodwa,wan bende wan kode.Ngimani en mari mondo irite!!!!!

Sembe im dak tinde pim gi nyamin?…makata ndalogi ka igloo kodhi; ochuti gi andiwa tinde owe ikomo serena gi seredo.Kata kar kunyo sirni funde kunyo foundation;kata ka ng’ato goyo dala to iting’o tado? Igedo kod kite….lokruok onego obedie, yawa!!! Yawa!!…there should be change!!!!!!Kaluwore gi kit piny,tero anyora tieko miere;tho mana ka apaka ma luwo bang’ apaka wadgi,jomatindo ne luwo bang’ joma oti.Ma manade ma nyithindo dhi rumoni?Jowadwa,winjo wach loyo bor im gi mit!!

LIT TO OK CHWER REMO
Rem malietni wagolo kune? Nyuanndruok makama ni oa kanye?Chakre kar ang’o ma ojende odonje terruok anyora kama!? Chakre kar ang’o ma mon odak makata chwo!? Chakre kar ang’o ma mine obet kod chuo e ute math!? BAYO ALANDA NOKEL AJIEMA ;BOLRUOK E AJUOGA MAR AJUOKE;ywak to ok yath!!!!!!!!

We’ve built Kenya in many years, yesterday we allowed it to destroy.

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I am still in shock about what is happening in Kenya. I am sitting here and remember how after the 2007 elections, the PEV disabled me through depression. I could not work, I could not watch TV. I could not eat. I could not make love to my wife or spend time with the children. I lost interest in everything. I was useless. And to quench the urge to find out whether Kenya would overcome the political crisis, I got addicted to the Internet. Since then, the truth is that I have never been the same again. Though the progress made the reasoning by the progressives and moderate minded politicians has since cured me of my depression and addiction. Or have they.

What happened yesterday was catastrophic. I was left remembering the words of one decorated GSU soldire whose words stood high over the burning and smoking tire fire, over the souls of the lost brothers and sisters after we sent them prematurely to Jehanam, Ahera, Mbinguni, Heaven, Hell or Purgatory. He said, “Wajameni, hii Kenya yetu tumeinjenga kwa mda murefu, munataka tuiharibu in one nday?”

I was looking forward to returning to Nairobi in 2 or 3 months to campaign for the passing of the new constitution. Now it appears I will be coming there as soon as Thursday.

To Raila, I do not want to say “I told you so!” Yet I just wonder how you miscalculated this one. I mean, the trend was as obvious and as predictable as a rainbow is a promise after rain. Kibaki cheated you on MoU, He stole the 2007 elections, He refused to honor the National Accord. Then as my nemesis Dr Abonyo and friend Mutahi Ngunyi warned over and over with a loudspeaker herein the Internet, Kibaki hoodwinked you regarding the Mau issue as he orchestrated a hatred and bout between you and the very people who denied him victory in 2007, as he lured you with trying the PEV suspects at The Hague. Oh my goodness, despite all the obvious signs, you failed to see how Kibaki was donning a sheep-skin and feeding you grass to fatten you, and then adding firewood to your fire-fight with Ruto, while sharpening the knife to slaughter you when you would be ready to be eaten? For in the eyes your opponent, it was not Ruto who denied him victory, it has always been you and none other.

In pursuing corruption, attempting to save the environment, seeking to bequeath unto our descendants a better constitution, and risking your political career and your supporters’ peace, you have just been handed what I consider the opposite of a Nobel Prize. Ridicule and humiliation. Well, here is the good news. Though you have a bloody nose, and may have lost your balance yourself, you are down now, but not out for the count. At least not yet.

Before elections, the people were with you. Your opponents rigged the elections and the people stood with you until the National Accord was crafted. While you managed to get it embedded in the constitution, your opponents refused to honor it even after you graciously agreed to give up the right to the full loaf of bread you rightly won. The people stuck with you. Now you face rebellion within your ranks, your opponents have removed the camouflage and shown you their brutal Brutus dagger, albeit before they actually plunge it on your chest.

Yes, the people are still with you, Agwambo. Though this may be your last chance, my 10th great grandfather Ragem says thus: “The curse of Jaramogi is not genetic, therfeore it shall not befall you.”

So fight Raila, fight harder for Kenyans. Be strong and the wiser. Do not compromise your Pan Africansim. You promised you were prepared to pay the price rather that compromise your values. Unfortunately for many a brave person like you and those who seek to do right, the ending has often been sorrowful. But we thank God for your good health and the freedoms you have brought and will fight to safeguard them for you, for ourselves and our children.

To Kibaki & Moi, not I, but my 10th great grandfather Ragem says thus: Though your silence and aloofness is your best weapon, your vindictiveness is your curse. Clinging to power begets only violence, and your the kitchen cabinet that misadvises you is reminded that, the fly that likes the copse follows it to the grave.

And because I am basically Ruto’s age mate, I have the right to address him directly. I say: Well done. I like your guts. Since 2007, I am not a tribalist anymore and would vote for you in 2012. You have power you know, and power corrupts absolutely. Your power has corrupted all and sundry like radioactive material does to the environment. Anan will try, but he will not touch you. Ocampo & Hague will not touch you. You have outwitted Raila already and he has successfully turned you from a villain to a hero. He has made you who you are. In fact I see you saying that you killed because you were ordered by Raila in order to wiggle out of Hague in case you are in the envelope. With this resume’ what difficulty will cooperation with KKK pose? If I petition to give you an honorary PhD, or Oslo for a Nobel Prize, it will be for successfully wallowing in the miasma of power, politics & corruption.

To Kenyans, Not I but my 10th great grandfather say thus: It all depends on who blinks last, only then will the opponent’s laugh last the longest and sing the lyrics of fait accompli.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Am I A Polygamist Or A Valentine?

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This being Valentines’ Day, I would like to clarify some issues.

So welcome to this press conference. I want to state something that I want you to hold dear and permanently in your heart.

You know, and I know, and everyone knows that I am married and have only two wives. And everyone in Kenya and my friends on facebook should know it, but hush about it because I do not want Uncle San (US) to know. But I keep getting flowers and kisses and strange comments from other women and men alike.

I want to make it very clear that I have only two dear wives, Cheruto & Olga. I do not have any other, neither is none other my valentine, nor I theirs. And anybody who knows me, and knows my family and knows how I live, know that I have only have two wives and this is acceoptable in my culture. Unless their primary purpose is to seek to become my third Valentine, no one except Cheruto & Olga should send me flowers, kisses or call me names like ‘polygamist’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘honey’ or ‘dear’ all of which cause aspersions or diversions from the reality of normal life. For I ain’t gay or a polygamist in a true sense of the word. I will explain this shortly.

So Ladies and Gentlemen I decided to make it public and to appeal to you the public to listen to what I say. And not to continue sending me flowers, kisses or call me names like ‘polygamist’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘honey’ or ‘dear’ for this does not help anyone else have a genuine ‘Valentine.’

I have also had to say that I have only 5 children. Jakwath & Hawi by Cheruto, and Odhis, Oketch & Ninah by Olga and her late husband who died of this mongrel HIV. I love them all very much, and they are my genuine ‘Valentine’. But how did I get here?

You see, I lost all my 5 siblings of HIV too. Cheruto, Jakwath, Hawi & I live and have all decided to stay permanently in the US but would love you to pass the dual citizenship clause in the new constitution. In so doing, I am a cursed son of my father. My father who is in his late seventies rightly worried about my house in Gem, Lundha becoming ‘Gunda’ or an empty shell. So last Thanksgiving while visiting our ancestral land, my father sought and introduced me to Olga. He wanted me to marry a local lady whose children would inherit our ancestral land. At first I was vehemently opposed to this idea until Cheruto begged me to do it. You all know that Cheruto and I want more Children and are currently not contended whith the two plus the adopted three.

Olga was also opposed to this idea initially, but after I wooed her and proposed to her, in a traditional marriage, I ‘adopted’ her as an asexual wife. You may not understand how badly I wanted to help her live with Aids and not necessarily die from it. I also wanted Odhis, Oketch & Ninah to have a good life and education and most of all, call me a father again. In doing what I never planned or until then had thought of as uncouthed or repugnant, I lived true to my traditions. My father cleansed off the curse he had heaped upon me, because he will now bequeath Odhis, Oketch & Ninah with our ancestral home and land.

So there you have it. You now know everything and I do not have to repeat it. But in case you do not know, just ask Cheruto or I. We will tell you. But seriously, it is not possible for me to go on and on repeating the same thing when some people keep sending me flowers, kisses or call me names like ‘polygamist’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘honey’ or ‘dear.’ You know that that is Uongo and it is without the truth.
All I would like to appeal to you on this Valentine’s Day is to listen to what I say, and to think the right things and channel the right feelings to the right person. Send flowers alright, but to your loved one or to a single person whom you’ve been admiring and had no courage to ask. Verily I say unto you, many women are not married because they’ve not been asked. Don’t give up or take short cuts or alternative routes like sending fellow men flowers! This can lead to abnormal behaviour and will not save humankind.

Now I got into this very foul mood, after reading some statements today from some fella which gave stories and others calling me names like ‘Jadoho.’ I do not want to repeat, but I want to say quite frankly anyone bent on that course will see me in court or wherever they will see me, and we shall deal with him. (LOL) No other way, no other way whatsoever. For the reason that there’s no genuine purpose for people who are not my valentines wanting to continue sending me flowers, kisses or call me names like ‘polygamist’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘honey’ or ‘dear,’ I do not have such lies around my self.

So Ladies & Gentlemen, ask any questions you may have, I will be happy to reply to you. Ask now or never. Lest I too feel tormented the way Lucy felt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlTW8mjirs

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Lift Every Voice & Sing, Kenya is Born Again.

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The year was 1900 and Johnson was a school principal in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. He was asked to speak at an Abraham Lincoln birthday celebration, but instead of speaking he decided to write a poem. With time running short, plans changed again and James asked his brother, music teacher J. Rosamond Johnson, to help him write a song. And it became a popular selection for church choirs — a tradition that continues today. The song ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ came to be known as the black national anthem.

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/liftvoice/

Today, I exude happiness and tears salvation flow freely down my chicks as I internalize his truth and it dawns on me that one Mohamed Abdikadir and the Parliamentary Select Committee might have just begot Kenya a second Uhuru.

In mine eyes they have already redeemed themselves and given Kenya hope of a rebirth. One clause in their report published widely in local media indicate that they have resolved unanimously that Parliament and the executive will be separate in the new constitution.

As if working immediately under this arrangement, they completely extricated themselves from the two principles, faced the equation squarely and midwifed amendments in the draft constitution which I want to beat Mutahi Ngunyi, Kumekucha and others in saying is the best I have seem.

Did it need to come only after our allies withdrew funding for important projects. Really, in consideration of the journey it has taken us to reach this far, what took so long? All this time, we Wanjiku has been a slave of the politicians. Or perhaps under their spell. Today, the politicians agreed to call the bluff. Today, I think Wanjiku got her emancipation.

And so, tonight my fellow Kenyans, I want not to say more, but instead, I dedicate to us the words of James Weldon Johnson which I have found fitting our plight so perfectly. Johnson referred to his song as the “Negro National Hymn.” I say let’s make it an international anthem. Watch this, hear and read the lyrics below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyS3HPInHtI

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered;
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.

Mohamed Abdikadir

James W Johnson

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

YOUR BIRTHDAY MESSAGES & THE YELLOW TRIANGULAR FLAG

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Dear Friends & Family.

It’s January 20th again, only this time it’s 46 years since I was born in Nairobi.

I am humbled by your outpouring happy birthday wishes for me. Hoping that by now you all know that I am of Bahá’í Faith, I thank God through his last messeger Bahá’u’lláh for your friendship.

I feel empowered to tell a real life a story. To wit:

One day, when I was just but a lad, I was a Cub in the Kenya Boyscout Troupe. My father, Ndinya, had struggled and for the first time, bought me the beautiful uniforms I had only imagined. Actually, he did not buy them as I later learnt. My mother Esther gave the money from her Chang’aa peddling kitty. She just did not want me to know how she was able to afford them, lest I bragged about her in school and the City Kanjo (Askaris) or Ogul Mama (Police) busted her.

And so, on this particular week, I made it to all marching practices in preparation to make it with my troupe to Uhuru Park for the parade that would march past Mzee Jomo Kenyatta during the celebration of one of Kenya’s National Holidays.

It was not to be, or so I thought. Mr. PatricK Shaw, the Nairobi-Crime Buster was the Boy Scout Patron then and he insisted that I had not attained the height to participate in the March-Past-Parade. Instead he ordered that I curry the little yellow triangular flag. You see, whoever carried this flag was obliged to stand right in front of the presidential dias to cue the Drum Major to yelp, “Eeeyes Right!” in order for the troupe to look at the president. The GSU, the Fanya Fujo Uone, The Navy, The Airforce and even the K9 contigent had thier own yellow triangular flag bearer. There, infront on Jomo, I stood with them, shoulder to shoulder.

It was hot and I had not a penny for water. Yet there was this ice-cream hawker who would not even look my way without me having a sumuni in my hand.

On this day, there were about thirty to fifty thousand wanainchi spectators at the Uhuru Park hill, jam-packed and anxious to see Jomo deliver his speech and even haul some insults at some of us in his mother tongue. As we waited patiently for our troups to arrive, all hell broke loose. whooosh! A swam of African killer-bees appeared from nowhere. There was a stampede, much worse than that of the wildebeest when the leader of the pack decides to jump into the Grometi River to cross over to the Maasai Mara.

The strong trampled on the weak. Everyone in the crowd attempted to flee to freedom. You see, some believed there was something occurring, something scary, something to do with life and death, like a coup de tat. Some people did not know what had happened and died without ever knowing. I saw dead people. Many were taken to the national hospital, named after the very president they had gone to listen to.

It all happened so quickly. I was left standing. Transfixed! Perhaps because I was too frightened to move, but mostly because Mr. Patrick Shaw had warned against fidgeting when you were at ‘Attention’ and currying the yellow triangular flag for the troupe. I was scared of Mr. Patric Shaw you see. I had never seen a white man up close, and I mean a big fat white man. You’d be scared of him too if you remember him. He killed Arudhi of the Gor Mahia fame. Really, was it not him who also shot dead Wakinyonga? He was a sharp shooter. He never missed and meant business.

Yet there was no reason to simply stand there. The President was whisked away meddlesome worries that it was an assassination attempt, and Daniel arap Moi was left begging wanainchi wakae hivyo hivyo.

Then my eyes stumbled on the ice-cream cart. It was alone! The hawker had run away. I was so thirsty, I could spit cotton. Several years later, at the Trafalgar Square in London, Nelson Mandela was to say “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Make Poverty History. Make History in 2005. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation. Let your greatness blossom.” He must have been talking of what went on in my mind as I looked at that ice-cream cart.

I commandeered the ice-cream cart. I ate Ice cream after ice-cream as I peddled the dry ice cart to my Muthurwa neighborhood. I made sure every child had an ice-cream in their hand. It was great. My Mother had gone to look for me at the Casualty Department at KNH. I regretted that when she got back home, my buddies & I had finished all the Sony Sugary stuff.

And so my friends here and in facebook, as you shower me with so many birthday wishes, I am reminded of the plenty ice-cream I once had. To this day, I keep asking whether I deserved the treat. I also wonder whether I deserve your friendship, and I am humbled that you regard me as such.

http://www.facebook.com/Joragem
http://joragem.blogspot.com/

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

BREAKING NEWS: JISAIDIYE – KENYA SELF HELP GROUP IS LAUNCHED ON FACEBOOK

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My Fellow Kenyans ,

I am Joram Ragem. OMONDI BUNDE campaign director.

I want to thank you for your unwavering support.

As we move this campaign forward, I would like to ask your indulgence one more time in joining a group that is Omondi Bunde’s vision of empowering ourselves. Unlike many who wait to get to Bunge then begin to loot, Omondi Bunde and his idea of JISAIDIYE – KENYA SELF HELP group is a demonstration of a simple man at work.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=223652194649

The formal invitation has been sent out already, and if you have not received it, please cut and paste the link above, or simply click it to join and show your support for this real fisher of man and also to help our fellow countrymen and women. To join Omondi Bunde’s campaign, please click here: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=313745325062&ref=ts

Very Truly Yours,

Joram Ragem II, Esq.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relat

Surely Why Was There No Luo At The new KANU Event.

5 Replies
Jokenya,
What has happened? What is Raila going to do?
I am going to call a spade a spade. I support the Prime Minister in all he is doing. I will campaign and vote for him come 2010, 2011 or 2012.
There are a significant number of people who are not happy with Raila for taking on Mau. These people voted for Raila for president though he ended up being PM. They asked Kibaki to relinquish 50% of power and share it as per the accord. They have criticised Kibaki for being a less active, reactive president and for staying quiet when issues are afflicting Kenyan citizen. They defended Raila when it was insinuated that Raila is a dictator, that he is ruthless, that he would revenge against his former enemies if and when he would get power.
Now Raila is doing his job as PM very well. Instead of giving him an A for effort, and A for results, they are asking why he is leading from the front. They are asking why this had to be Raila’s job, yet they wanted him to lead from the front in the first place. They are asking why Raila is hell bent on ending historical injustices, corruption and impunity. All they want to see is Raila helping his own people and not necessarily solving the bigger Kenyan issues.
They are saying, Raila has been PM of Kenya for almost 2 years and Obama the leader of the free world for almost 1 year. Both have 3 years (God willing) to finish their first term. Are their supporters contended with the way things are playing out for 2012? Are we putting all our eggs in one basket? By the election of the two, we hoped to bring Kenyans and the whole world on level footing, but will that be the end?
How come I did not see any of these so called politicians in the Mau Fundraising popularly know as the New KANU launch? Look, we are able to ask politicians from other places to join us to pull together and they do, we need to nature some young Luo politicians from our side to begin joining the opposition and be contended with that? Women, where are you? Why must you always be lead? Whay is there no prominent female Luo politician in the opposition?
Earlier, I predicted that Raila will be the first Ceremonial President of Kenya and that the first executive Prime Minister will come from Central Province. I have received a lot of skepticism and inquiries as to who this person is.
I asked my 10th great grandfather Ragem, who this person is. He gave me clues and described this person in deeds, character and coded messages. Now I am done deciphering this and I am happy to announce the arrival of the first female Kenyan Executive Prime Minister, Rt Hon Martha Karua, from Gichugu.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

W H E R E X + M A I N A N J E N G A = M U N G I K I

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From: Joram Ragem
Date: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 6:33 AM

It’s Tuesday, October 27 in Kenya.

A few points to keep in mind about this whole thing, but first a few questions.

Why is Maina Njenga able to attract so many youths to give him fundamental support? What is it that makes him be able to do this, and yet he is not healing the sick or making the blind see? How is he able to explain his newly acquired riches albeit his ordinary Kenyan status? What is his political influence now and in the run up to and after 2007 election? Is Maina Njenga in the Waki envelope? Why was he released and why now? Does it matter that Maina Njenga is now saved, and was his salvation the reason for acquittal? Finally, what is the X in the above equation?

These are hard questions that can only be answered in a Tribunal or The Hague. Wako has failed and so has Gicheru. Kibaki tried by killing Mungiki without justice but has he now made peace with Mungiki by proxy. Now reliable intelligence is indicating that powerful politicians paid protection money to Maina Njenga, and they are in fact unable to stop doing it, even in the face of pending unresolved PEV cases that smell of Mungiki.
Now Maina Njenga is out of jail, a free and saved man. But is he really? How safe is he? Is the government offering Maina Njenga protection literally and metaphorically by paying him to stay saved and silent? Or in addition to claiming salvation, will he be diagnosed with Amnesia as a side effect of jail time served?

Can the Kenyan media direct, examine and cross examine Maina Njenga under oath?

The snail may try, but it cannot cast away it’s shell. Someday however, the commoner will discover that only salt, not money, not power, and certainly not what people do for fear of losing power, that can get the snail out of it’s shell. Only then, shall the truth lay bear. The question is how long will it take? Until then, impunity will reigh supreme.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)
– – –
Subject: W H E R E X + M A I N A N J E N G A = M U N G I K I

P I N Y

2 Replies

From: Joram Ragem
Date: 2009/10/8

Sewe-Oloo Laurence October 8 at 3:43am
Wuoda
Nyakwar Merwa

Tem ahinya iduogi dala mondo ilose kata mana odi. Biye Osechamo odi kabisa. Ochiegni gore piny, osechako tuch kochiko tie dero.
Or siling mia 400 mondo ongad ni lum. Chiegi koth
goyo…wuodhe bende ok ber. Mano wachni

Nyathini nyocha edmasta ochwado moriembo nikech skul pis.

Owadu ma Agola nyocha punda Jokogwel okayo. Pesa ma iterego
osiptal onge, en gi rem ma ok pim.

Kech emachiemo, koro tem anena mondo iparwa iornwa gimoro,
minu kech nego.

Koyo ng’eny negowa gi meru. Ongeti mane nyaminu
okelonwa cha ne oti higini
ariyo mokalo.

Meru gombo neni ahinya.

Dau wang’e ramo malich, tem ibi nene kapok olokore
mwofu

Tem mondo ibi iyuagie wuonegi ma osetho. Ikri maber mondo
ichwe ine kama ne oikie wayu ma Adongo. Pesa ma wadokgodo e liel otamowa.

En an chwor minu,

Babani.

Then the response:

Baba barupi ayudo,an ema kech nega Nairobi ka.Nyaka nekwal
kuch Raila pok ayudo kibarua.Oand mandas manyocha achako kibira ka kageno ni anyalo yudoe gimoro sani dhano oolore tee ma kauso mandas ariyo to akwano kaka ajahawi. Jaoda matin,Min Otieno to kaka ne amiyo siling mia ariyo ni odhi owar mafuta dwe makalo, pok oduogo! an weche mon oola! Nyis japounj machuado nyathinano ni sani wan gi free primary edukeson ma kochako ochwado nyathina kendo to wang`ni Annan gi Okampo emane thegwa kode! Punda jokogwelno dwa ng`iyo marach, tokatakamano ang`o mane Agola nyathiwa laro gi punda?

Nyis Auma nyathiwa onyis chuore mangudi cha ni uonge onget,pok onywomonwa kata nyathi diel to nyaminwa to koro osedak go higni
apar,onged kalara kik uyie makata koyo negou! Liete mangeny mikwanogo to kayiem,ywago joma otho norumo chon gi lala.

An woudi ming`eyo cha.

Okoth

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)
– – –
Subject: P I N Y

Bull Fighting Is Animal Cruelty

1 Reply

From: Joram Ragem
Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Bull Fighting Is Animal Cruelty

Ingwe,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q8w36ua6is

To my Ingwe friends, I wish to respectfully inform you that Bull-fighting is Animal Cruelty disguised as keeping tradition. FGM is inhuman and those practicing it have resolved to change. MC may save humanity in the face of HIV and those not practicing it have resolved to embrace it. Mau occupation is a calamity by humans and those doing it have resolved to stop. Election Rigging is a crime on humanity, so is Impunity and those facilitation it must change. And now my 10th great grandfather Ragem says thus, “You too Engweans have a tradition to drop, however hard,” or what sayest thee?

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Ragem’s Response to Kumekucha Saturday Post.

2 Replies

From: Joram Ragem
Date: Sat, Sep 26, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Subject: Ragem’s Response to Kumekucha Saturday Post.

Ragem’s Response to Kumekucha Saturday Post. http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/2009/09/beware-of-fat-selfish-spin-doctors-who.html

Chris, Dr. Abonyo or whatever your true name is.

Once you were about to come out of the closet and declare your interest to gunner for the biggest political price in Kenya – the presidency. What happened? Is it because your reverse psychology has not worked to weaken your needelessly feared opponents?

Really, I am not happy with Raila’s way of politics presently though his non-confrontational approach is bearing fruit. I would’ve rather Raila antagonized Kibaki, and even decline sharing power. My approval rating would have been 100% if sat with the opposition. But Raila, though you view him as geriatric already, is smarter than you and me. There is a new way of doing politics and you want Raila to stagnate in the old ways.

Even Obama whom we both admire is on record as to willing to sit and negotiate with Korea, Iran and Venezuaela.

So, what is really wrong in Railas’ picture with Obama’s appearing in the Kenyan press?

When Kibaki had stolen the election (and I am sure you agree this fact) and was fighting for legitimacy, by appearing in the AU session in Ethiopia, I am sure it was fair game to you, right?

Again why would a photo opportunity to help bestowe Prime Minister Raila’s legitimacy on the world poster board? Let me tell you something Chris.

I am a Raila supporter (currently my approval rating for him is at 55%) and am critic as well. You ask what the purpose of that photo opportunity and it’s subsequent publicatiion in the Daily Nation and The Standard was for. Well, I will tell you in simple terms.

Raila was telling the world and especially the peace loving Kenyan’s that “Musibabaike Kenya. I am not in the Waki envelope. Can’t you see? Obama cannot risk posing with me and risk tainting his reputation, and Moreso, ruin his chances in the next election. I was vetted and found clean already, tho!”

Chris, sometimes before you post, test your hypothesis by looking at matters the unusual way, will you?

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Raila & Ida Meet Barack & Michelle

3 Replies

From: Joram Ragem
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Subject: Raila & Ida Meet Barack & Michelle

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?
id=1144024805&cid=4&ttl=Raila%20meets%20US%20President,%20and%20
speak%20on%20governance

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

B R E A K I N G – N E W S – ICC To Arrest Kenya Violence Masterminds & Try them Outside Kenya.

2 Replies

From: Joram Ragem
Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Subject: B R E A K I N G – N E W S – ICC To Arrest Kenya Violence Masterminds & Try them Outside Kenya.

September, 23rd 2009
By Joram Ragem, Esq.

The information below is reliably true. You can take it to the bank and cash it.

Reliable sources at the ICC, and confirmed by both PNU and ODM insiders indicate that a deal has been reached with the Kenya Government.

The alleged perpetrators of crimes against humanity will be sought and arrested by locally hired investigators who may be retired police officers under the direction of International Police (INTERPOL). This will be done without undue interference of local politicians or security forces, be they police, CID, provincial administration, or military.

On inquiring whether this will be interference with Kenya’s sovereignty as an independent nation, our source indicate that unless the government was hostile to the arrest of her citizen despite being a signatory to ICC, this issue comes to naught.

Kenya’s Constitutional and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo has signalled to ICC that having reached a stalemate in setting up a local tribunal before September 30th, the ICC was free, not only to conduct and complete investigations but to indite, issue arrest warrants and execute them without further delays.

Will the ICC be able to apprehend suspects locally while tribal gangs, public or private bodyguards surrounds them? Our Source referred us to how the arrest are made of Nazi War criminals who are arrested with the cooperation of local police.

Due to risk of invasion to liberate suspects, our source reliably informs us that the trial location will not be done on any immediate Kenya’s neighbors, but The Special Court for Kenya as it will be known by the ICC will sit on an African signatory country already agreed upon. However, this will be confirmed when Ocampo meets Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki & Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Obviously, this news will cause immediate impact on the political landscape in Kenya and the ramifications will affect both sides of the coalition.

If this report does not come out as reported herein, put your money against my 10th great grandfather Ragem, Otonglo for Otonglo, Ndururu for Ndururu, Hela for Hela. I tell you, Kenya as we knew it ended when the election was stolen.

You heard it from me first, and may Bahá’u’lláh or “The Glory of God” be upon the innocent people of Kenya.

End———————————-

Joram Ragem,wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

I N D E E D, – S M O K I N – W A N J A L A – A I N ‘ T – S M O K I N G – J A N JA or N J A G A! Lol!

1 Reply

I N D E E D, – S M O K I N – W A N J A L A – A I N ‘ T – S M O K I N G – J A N JA or N J A G A! Lol!

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/660088/-/unc97r/-/index.html

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)
– – –
From: Joram Ragem
Date: Fri, Sep 18, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Subject: I N D E E D, – S M O K I N – W A N J A L A – A I N ‘ T – S M O K I N G – J A N JA or N J A G A! Lol!

L E T – T H Y – P E O P L E – L I V E choke!

1 Reply

From: Joram Ragem
Date: Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Subject: L E T – T H Y – P E O P L E – L I V E choke!

This was the moment when the first batch of the more than a million Kibera residents left shanties they have called homes for decades and breathed new life as they strolled into modern stone houses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pzHpOO9Szg

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

Thursday, 17th September 2009

Nairobi, Kenya

By Joe Kiarie and Kenfrey Kiberenge

When a seemingly intoxicated young man jumped precariously over a ditch and marshalled his colleagues to demolish a rickety shanty in Kibera’s Soweto East village, he unwittingly made history.

The move marked the beginning of the end for one of Africa’s largest slums as a new decent era finally dawned on residents, yesterday.

But the move also injected the cold breath of reality into thousands of landlords, who have benefited from renting out the shanties since the 1970s.

They watched in disbelief as hired youth wiped out their sources of income, and they were not even allowed to pick the debris they craved.

Month of suspense

The day was the climax of over a month of suspense, with the exodus to the Promised Land baptised ‘paradise’ having been postponed several times since Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is the area MP, was not available to oversee the move.

But he was finally available yesterday, and thousands of residents of Soweto village anxiously chatted their way to dawn, having packed their belongings days before.

And they were in the dreamland early yesterday morning when tens of Double M shuttles and National Youth Service lorries were packed along the main entrance to the village, ready to ferry them to paradise.

Dozens of armed police officers were also on standby to oversee the exodus and suppress any resistance.

“Kwaheri Soweto, nitakumiss. (Bye bye Soweto, I will miss you),” chanted an ecstatic Bernice Amollo, as she lifted a dusty cupboard onto a lorry. She has lived in Kibera for 15 years.
And not even Government officials wanted to be left out of the history-making exodus.

Housing Minister Soita Shitanda and his assistant Margaret Wanjiru drove in at 10.30am and joined in the operation. The residents watched in incomprehension as the two leaders hopped over stinking trenches carrying household belongings that they ceremoniously loaded onto the waiting trucks.

Then came the awaited moment and Raila arrived at 11am. He made his way up a wooden staircase into a one-storey shanty.

Minutes later, he walked out, a stool firmly in his grip.

Shitanda followed, a cooking stove in his right hand. And before the crowd could absorb the unfolding drama, Raila had flagged one National Youth Service lorry, as waves of ‘bye Soweto’ rent the air.

The lucky families clung onto their belongings as they waited to be handed the keys to their new homes.

A taste of units

To them, even listening to speeches did not mean much than first savouring the taste of water from the taps and using the toilets in some of the housing units.

This has for years been deemed luxury to them, but after the long wait, their dream had materialised.
The wishes of a section of Kibera residents had ultimately turned into horses, and riding them is what they are doing now.