Category Archives: Kenya

Kenya: Peace meeting between Kipsigis and Kisiis rubbished as William Ruto’s political gimmicks and presidential votes shunting

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisii Town.

The much highlighted last Monday peace and reconciliation meeting between the two warring communities of Kipsigis of the South Rift and the Kisiis of Nyanza Province was nothing but simple presidential votes hunting political gimmicks of the Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

A cross section of the Abagusii people interviewed here have faulted the leaders who participated at the so-called peace meeting held at Chebilat border town and reportedly attended by 17 MPs from the two communities.

They accused the participants for having made no mention about who were the aggressors and further more the hundred of Abagusii people who are still languishing in the Internally Displaced Persons {IDP} and living under a very squalid conditions.

The participant made no mention how the Abagusii people who lost millions of shillings in terms of the their torched dwelling homes, farms, properties and domesticated animals in areas like Kuresoi, Olenguruane,Molo,Burny Forest,Uasin Gishu,Trans-Mara, Trans-Nzoia and Kipkellion.

The leaders who took part in bogus and phantom meetings have also been faulted for not having mentioned the fate of the Abagusii people who were forced out of their legally acquired land and property in two previous tribal skirmishes launched by the Kalenjin warriors in 1992/1993, and also in 1996/1997.

The situation is even worsened by the participation of William Ruto, the Eldoret North MP and a man who is currently facing criminal charges at the International Criminal Court of Justice {ICC} at the Hague for his alleged offences of human right violation including forcing people out of their homes making the IDPs to live in a squalid conditions in make shift camps.

Ruto’s participation in the search for lasting peace between the two communities look like not genuine exercise, but pure case of political miscalculation and underestimation of the intelligence of the Abagusii people who have suffered the brunt of communal violence each time there is an elections ever sine 1990s.

One Kisii town resident who requested for his anonymity gave example of close to 200 people who have perished in he recent year as the result of cattle rustling between heavily armed Pokots, the Marakwets, the Tugens and Turkanas of the North Rift, an area which are located next door to William Ruto’s Uasin Gishu district home, but for which the MP has never made any attempt to reconcile the warring communities.

Ruto whose styles of political leadership is shrouded by mysteries and intrigues and miscalculation has made no effort to broker the peace between the warring communities of the North Rift region where he lives

Moreover cattle’s rustling between the Kipsigis and their neighbor is century’s old phenomenon ever since the day’s of the War of the Mogoren and Abbosi areas, these tribal wars pitting the two neighboring communities which inflicted permanent scars and enmities took place long before the arrival of the white men in this country.

The tribal skirmishes between the two communities had continued in earnest even long after the Colonial authorities had established their administration headquarters in Kisii and in Kericho towns in around 1906

The two administrative bridgeheads by the British expedition forces came at the time when the border between Kisiis and the Kipsigis was drawn around the hills near Mokomoni and Mosobeti in North Mugirango and also near Gesima in Kitutu East and around Nyamasibi in Nyaribari Masaba near Keroka.

The colonial authorities forced the Kipsigis people out of these areas and created space to accommodate the white settlers for large scale farming in dairy cattle and later tea and coffee bushes and renamed the area Sotik highlands.

But in 1962, the Colonial Office appointed a British Professor Mackenzie who headed a Boundary Commission in Kenya and whose Commission had come up with the finding that the areas in question belong t the bagusii people. This was due to lack of effective representation by the Kipsigis community. The area member of the Colonial Legislative Council was then the late Dr. taita Araap Toweett who was not bothered and did not appeared before this commissions, whereas theKisii leaders of those days led by the late John Kebaso, James Paul Nyamweya, Lawrence George Sagini, Johnson Keragori, Samson Nyambati, Johnson Nyandigisi and Washington Ondicho with the help of two powerful and influential chiefs Musa Nyandusi {Manwar wuod Ayacko} of Nyaribari and Zakiah Angwenyi {Ogoro}effectively represented Abagusii community in all the Mackenzie Commission’s public hearing meetings held in Kisii an Kericho towns.

Finally the Macknzie Commission handed the areas now called Borabu district in an area previously known as North Mugirango Location back to the Kisii and its rightful original owners, and when the white settlers stated moving out of their farms at the time of independence in 19673 the Abagusii with the help of colonial authorities moved into the area which were created as new settlement scheme covering KIjauri, Nyansiongo, Chebilat and on hilltops areas over looking the Sotik Highland tea estates and factories. And the contentious new boundaries were drawn fresh. It had pushed the Kipsigis miles away beyond Ndanai River and Sotik town. Then the industrious and mostly densely populate Kisii people moved into the new settlement scheme in their thousands. These are the historical crux of the truth about the continued hostilities between the Kipsigis and the Abagusii people and unless the proponent and advocate of the peace looked into these deeply rooted grievances and avoiding cheap populist political gimmicks like the ones spearheaded by the likes of Ruto the solution into the tribal hatred will be far from being brought to an end.

He hostilities between the Kisiis and the Kipsgis ceased only in he late 1920s after the Colonial authorities had appointed two chiefs in Bomet and Buret locations who had the mixed blood of Kisiis and Kipsigis. These were Sgt Kenduiywo Arap Balliach {Sotik / Bomet and Cheborge Arap Tengecha in Buret in an agriculturally rich area hitherto known as Location three while Sotik was known as Location Four. The two chief who were members of the Kapecherek sub-clans meaning people with the mixture blood of Kisiis / Kipsigis meaning the Kisiis who were assimilated and naturalized by the Kipsigis.

The two Chiefs ruled the region with an iron fists and brought cattle rustling and all form of hostilities between the two communities to an immediate end. And thereafter the two communities had lived together in peace and harmony, though were scattered reports of isolated and sporadic incidences of cattle rustling here and there, but not on full scale conflagration as it happened in 2007/2007.

This he added, I because the meager and sparsely of the votes in this particular region where the loss of human lives has been so enormous. But Ruto is cleverly and cunningly showing interests in the votes rich Kipsigis and Abagusii communities. This is purely a cheap and simple political gimmicks and part of Ruto wide scheme hatched mainly for the votes canvassing in this region. It is bound to fail no matter how he deployed the sugar-coated language unless the wronged Kisiis people are adequately compensated, given back their land and property seized by he Kalenjins in the rift Valley, he added.

It was, however, encouraging to note that MPs from across the political divide and inter party who lines participated in the deliberations, but it is also imperative to know that from the presence of Prof Sam K Ongeri, all other MPs like Richard Onyonka, Dr Julius Kones, Joyce Laboso, Monda, Isaac Ruto, and even William Ruto himself, are all of them too young and lacked the sufficient information an knowledge about the historical background of the deeply rooted Kisii-Kipsigis enmities.

These political novices need to carry out proper consultations and research before jumping cheaply onto William Rutoi’s votes catching bandwagon.

Ends

Kenya: Peace and reconciliation initiative rubbished as Ruto’s presidential votes hunting gimmicks

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Commentary by Leo Odera Omolo In Kisii Town.

The much highlighted last Monday peace and reconciliation meeting between the two warring communities of Kipsigis of the South Rift and the Kisiis of Nyanza Province was nothing but simple presidential votes hunting political gimmicks of the Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Across section of h Abagusii people interviewed here have faulted the leaders who participated at the so-called peace meeting held at Chebilat border town and reportedly attended by 17 MPs from the two communities.

They accused the participants for having made no mention about who were the aggressors and further more the hundred of Abagusii people who are still languishing in the Internally Displaced Persons {IDP} and living under a very squalid conditions.

The participant made no mention how the Abagusii people who lost millions of shillings in terms of the their torched dwelling homes, farms, properties and domesticated animals in areas like Kuresoi, Olenguruane,Molo, Burny Forest, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Mara, Trans-Nzoia and Kipkellion.

The leaders who took part in bogus and phantom meetings have also bee faulted for not having mentioned the fate of the Abagusii people who were forced out of their legally acquired land and property in two previous tribal skirmishes launched by the Kalenjin warriors in 1992/1993, and also in 1996/1997.

The situation is even worsened by the participation of William Ruto, the Eldoret North MP and a man who is currently facing criminal charges at the International Criminal Court of Justice {ICC} at the Hague for his alleged offences of human right violation including forcing people out of their homes making the IDPs to live in a squalid conditions in make shift camps.

Ruto’s participation in the search for lasting peace between the two communities look like not genuine exercise, but pure case of political miscalculation and underestimation of the intelligence of the Abagusii people who have suffered the brunt of communal violence each time there is an elections ever sine 1990s.

One Kisii town resident who requested for his anonymity gave example of close to 200 people who have perished in the recent year as the result of cattle rustling between heavily armed Pokots, the Marakwets, the Tugens and Turkanas of the North Rift, an area which are located next door to William Ruto’s Uasin Gishu district home, but for which the MP has never made any attempt to reconcile the warring communities.

Ruto whose styles of political leadership is shrouded by mysteries and intrigues and miscalculation has made no effort to broker the peace between the warring communities of the North Rift region where he lives

Moreover cattle’s rustling between the Kipsigis and their neighbor is century’s old phenomenon ever since the day’s of the War of the Mogoren and Abbosi areas, these tribal wars pitting the two neighboring communities which inflicted permanent scars and enmities took place long before the arrival of the white men in this country.

The tribal skirmishes between the two communities had continued in earnest even long after the Colonial authorities had established their administration headquarters in Kisii and in Kericho towns in around 1906

The two administrative bridgeheads by the British expedition forces came at the time when the border between Kisiis and the Kipsigis was drawn around the hills near Mokomoni an Mosobeti in North Mugirango and also near Gesima in Kitutu East and around Nyamasibi in Nyaribari Masaba near Keroka.

The colonial authorities forced the Kipsigis people out of these areas and created space to accommodate the white settlers for large scale farming in dairy cattle and later tea and coffee bushes and renamed the area Sotik highlands.

But in 1962, the Colonial Office appointed a British Professor Mackenzie who heaed a Boundary Commission in Kenya and whose Commission had come up with the finding that the areas in question belong t the bagusii people. This was due to lack of effective representation by the Kipsigis community. Th area member of the ColonialLegislative Council was then the late Dr. taita Araap Toweett who was not bothered and did not appeared before this commissions, whereas the Kisii leaders of those days led by the late John Kebaso, James Paul Nyamweya, Lawrence George Sagini, Johnson Keragori, Samson Nyambati, Johnson Nyandigisi and Washington Ondicho with the help of two powerful and influential chiefs Musa Nyandusi{Manwar wuod Ayacko} of Nyaribari and Zakiah Angwenyi {Ogoro} effectively represented Abagusii community in all the Mackenzie Commission’s public hearing meetings.held in Kisii an Kericho towns.

Finally the Macknzie Commission handed the areas now called Borabu district in an area previously known as North Mugirango Location back to the Kisii and its rightful original owners, and when the white settlers stated moving out of their farms at the time of independence in 19673 the Abagusii with the help of colonial authorities moved into the area which were created as new settlement scheme covering KIjauri, Nyansiongo, Chebilat and on hilltops areas over looking the Sotik Highland tea estates and factories. And the contentious new boundaries were drawn fresh. It had pushed the Kipsigis miles away beyond Ndanai River and Sotik town. Then the industrious and mostly densely populate Kisii people moved into the new settlement scheme in their thousands. These are the historical crux of the truth about the continued hostilities between the Kipsigis and the Abagusii people and unless the proponent and advocate of the peace looked into these deeply rooted grievances and avoiding cheap populist political gimmicks like the ones spearheaded by the likes of Ruto the solution into the tribal hatred will be far from being brought to an end.

He hostilities between the Kisiis and the Kipsgis ceased only in he late 1920s after the Colonial authorities had appointed two chiefs in Bomet and Buret locations who had the mixed blood of Kisiis and Kipsigis. These were Sgt Kenduiywo Arap Balliach {Sotik / Bomet and Cheborge Arap Tengecha in Buret in an agriculturally rich area hitherto known as Location three while Sotik was known as Location Four. The two chief who were members of the Kapecherek sub-clans meaning people with the mixture blood of Kisiis / Kipsigis meaning the Kisiis who were assimilated and naturalized by the Kipsigis.

The two Chiefs ruled the region with an iron fists and brought cattle rustling and all form of hostilities between the two communities to an immediate end. And thereafter the two communities had lived together in peace and harmony, though were scattered reports of isolated and sporadic incidences of cattle rustling her an there, but not on full scale conflagration as it happened in 2007/2007.

This he added, I because the meager and sparsely of the votes in this particular region where the loss of human lives has been so enormous. But Ruto is cleverly and cunningly showing interests in the votes rich Kipsigis and Abagusii communities. This is purely a cheap and simple political gimmicks and part o Ruto wide scheme hatched mainly for the votes canvassing in this region/ It is bound to fail no matter how he deployed the sugar-coated language unless the wronged Kisiis people are adequately compensated, given back their land and property seized by he Kalenjins in the rift Valley, he added.

It was, however, encouraging to note that MPs from across the political divide and inter party who lines participated in the deliberations, but it is also imperative to know that from the presence of Prof Sam K Ongeri all other MPs like Richard Onyonka,Dr Julius Kones,Joyce Laboso,Monda,Isaac Ruto and even William Ruto himself are all of them too young and lacked the sufficient information an knowledge about the historical background of the deeply rooted Kisii-Kipsigis enmities.

These political novices need to carry out proper consultations and research before jumping cheaply onto William Rutoi’s votes catching bandwagon.

Ends

KENYA: THE BATTLE FOR GOVERNORS WHO WILL BE CONTROLLING THE ECONOMIC RESOURCES IN THE FOUR COUNTIES INSIDE LUO-NYANZA HAS KICKED OFF IN EARNEST

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News Analysis By Ndira-Uradi In Kisumu City

WHAT is increasingly taking the center stage in the impending general election slated for next year is the battle for the four lucrative and powerful positions of the County governors under the new constitutional dispensation.

Those aspiring for the four positions of governor in the four counties, namely Migori,Siaya,Homa-Bay and Kisumu have already hit the ground.

The potential aspirants for the four seats have of late been seen criss crossing the full length and width of their respective counties while canvassing for votes, though the election is still twelve months away, an indication that the impending battle for the four slots within the county governance will be the toughest ever seen in this region.

And as the situation stands the battle for the control of the mineral rich Migori County is promising to be the most grueling he judging from the list of the individual personalities who have already shown keen interests in the seat.

Led by the administrative genius Kisumu Town Clerk Christopher Odhiambo Rusana who hails from Suna West location within Migori district, the race also involved other high profile political giants and heavyweights in the region it will also involved much experienced and seasoned politicians.

Rusana, however, has the best and most attractive track record couple with experience gained mostly in the in-service and numerous local; an overseas training in local government administration and management. He has served in the local authorities for close to sixteen years since coming out fresh from the University of Nairobi.

Rusana will face it off with one of the region’s political giant in the name of Prof.Edward Oyugi Akong’along time political associate and confidant of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. His unswerving loyalty to Jaramogi at one time landed him into detention camp and later into voluntary exile to a foreign country in Europe after his failure to secure back his teaching job at the University of Nairobi after upon his release out of the detention camp where he was detained together with another radical politician in the name of George Moseti Anyona, the former Kitutu Masaba MP.

Prof Oyugi Akong’o who also hail from the Osingo Group, but is a resident of Wasweta West in Suba West Division of Migori district like his credible rival Rusana.

The two will face formidable opposition from Sammy Onyango, a chief account with a private firm of accountants and auditing in Nairobi. Onyango hails from Otacho area of Central Sakwa within Awendo district.

Also in the race is the youthful, industrious and populist Eng.Mrk Nyamita who hails from Central Kanyamkago location Rapogi Division within Uriri district. Nyamita is a senior manager with the Airtel Kenya.

Also in the race and busy campaigning is the administrator of Ojele Hospital one of the most flourishing medical faculties in Migori Town Joseph Ngao Ojele. Ojele belonged to Karungu sub-clan of the Jokonyango group in Nyatike constituency.

Migori County is covering five parliamentary constituencies, namely Kuria, Migori, Nyatike, Uriri and Rongo. However, following he recommendation of the disbanded Andraw Ligale Interim Boundaries Commission, the region could see three more electoral constituencies following the sub-division of Kuria, Rongo and Migori constituencies.

The number of aspirants for the governorship could be swelling up in the next few months with the possibility of two new aspirants emerging from the Kuria community.

This an area which is minerals rich, and also full sugarcane and tobacco growing and longest shoreline of Lake Victoria making it rich in fishing an fish trade. Migori Town which is expected to be the headquarters of the new County is only about 20 kilometers from the common Kenya Tanzania borders making the area a fertile ground for intra trade between the two countries.

Migori has minerals such as gold, nickels and copper. Part of the region has the most fertile and arable for all kind of cash crops and domestic food grains.

Reports emerging our of the neighboring Homa-Bay County says a dagger is drawn between the three leading contenders who included the immediate former Rangwe MP Eng Phillip Okoth Okundi who hails from Kochia West in Rangwe, the former Country Director of Marie Stoppie Clinics Cyprian Otieno Awiti from East Karachuonyo in the North Rachuonyo district and an executive with the Microsoft International Computer firm Dr Mark Matunga from Mfangano Island in Mbita district.

Others in the race include Prof Joseph Akeyo Omolo from Wagwe in Central Karachuonyo.The incumbent Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo. Rumors is a wash in Homa-Bay and its environs that the former Kenya’s High Commissioner to India and Namibia and a one time Trade Assistant Minister Lazarus Ombaye Amayo might join the race for the same position within the county governance. But Amayo who hails from West Karachuoyo is a still a public servant and has yet to make his position clear over these claims and unconfirmed reports.

Homay-Bay County, perhaps the biggest run through six parliamentary constituencies, namely Mbita, Gwassi, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuonyo an Kasipul-Kabondo.But there is the likelihood that the number of constituencies will be increased to seven with the sub-divisions which were recommended by the defunct Andraw Legale Boundaries Commission for the creation of two more new extra seats one for Homa-Bay and another on in Kasipul-Kabondo.

So far the cut-throat battle is expected to be between Cyprian Awiti and Dr Mark Matunga with Okundi likely to play the third position, perhaps owing to his advanced age. The popular saying is that the position of governor would be the most challenging and Okundi is considered too old and tired and need t take a leave from active politics. It will be a taxing one which requires energetic person ready to serve the public for long hours a day.

It will b an up-hill task for Prof Akeyo to beat Awiti within the vote reach two districts Rachuonyo.Akeyo the professor of mathematics at the Maseno University, however is credited for having handle the volatile Karachuonyo constituency CDF fund to the satisfaction of the electorate as its local CDF chairman responsible for disbursing millions of shillings to the needy socio-economic projects.

The arrival of Amayo for the same race, however, this political scenario would hurt Awiti chances more than anyone else, though the two Rachuonyo districts have registered more voters compared to four other constituencies so if the voting pattern could turn into clans, then a man from the two Rachuonyo districts will have his way through the polls.

Meanwhile another region where the battle for the governor position has elicited a lot of controversies is Kisumu County. Its area of jurisdiction include Nyakach ,Muhoroni, Nyando,Kisumu Town East,Kisumu Town West and Kisumu Rural parliamentary constituencies.

There will be one more extra parliamentary constituency as the result of the recommendation by the Legale Commission or readjustment and realignment of both Kisumu Rural and Kisumu Town West constituencies with the creation of a new Seme or Kombewa constituency or the residents of Seme locations and the Kisumu Town West which has created a new electoral area between the two existing constituencies laying west and north of Kisumu Town.

Those who have already declared their candidature to contest for the governor sea include the abrasive Sales and Marketing Director of Mumias Sugar Company Peter Hongo.He is an indignant man from the Jo-Kisumo group. He is said to be a head of the pack which included Ruth Adhiambo Odinga the sister of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is a sales executive with Odinga family business flagship Spectre International, which is managing the Kisumu Molasses plant, Jack Ranguma a former received manager of Muhoroni Sugar Company and the KRA, He hails from West Kano Kbura.And also in the race is Simon Ogendo an insurance executive in Nairobi who is also the son f the former Kisumu Mayor the late Ogendo Von Ponge. He hails from Kolwa Nyamasaria within the Kisumu Town East constituency. Others who are said to be eyeing for the governor position include the one time Minister for Water Development and Kisumu Town Clerk Ojwang’K’ómbudo. He hail from Lower Nyakach

The majority of he rsidents of the sugarcane and rice growing Kisumu County are I favor of the Mumias sugar man who they said as all what it takes to be the best qualification and reputation for the governor’s job. Hongo is poplar with youth and women.

Raila’ sister Ruth Adhiambo is treated as an outsider and being dismissed of being bullies and excessively arrogance to b consider or any elective position within the county governance.

O the Siaya side the ace for the County governor has yet to gain momentum, although the names of Joe Donde the former Gem MP and financial genius is frequently being mentioned as the most suitable person for the job. Other names include that of the immediate former Alego-Usonga MP Sammy Weya, and the Bondo MP and Finance Assistant Minister Dr Oburu Oginga.

Dr Odinga is a trained economist, and although rumors making the round sys he might also opt for the Siaya Senate representative seat. His performance as the MP for Bondo has elevated his personality, especially his handling of the devolving government funds including the CDF has made Oburu to score the highest marks among the current crops of Luo MPs. At the constituency level Dr Oginga has come out of his late father’s shadow and proved himself of a good leader.

Ends

Kenya: News from Dr. Barack Abonyo

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from: Dr. Barack Abonyo For Kisumu Governor 2012

Dear Friends:

For some time I have been looking for an appropriate word to be grateful to all those who have chosen selflessly to support our quest to deal with poverty in Kisumu County. However, I have ended up with the same common words I could have said a long time ago. “THANK YOU COMRADES FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART”.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barack Abonyo
Dr. Barack Abonyo For Governor

– – – – – – – – – –

The Fight Is Bigger Than We

What we are fighting against is bigger than what one would describe as running for office. It can simply be defined as fighting a demon that almost stopped me and many of you from gaining our potential. As many now know, I am an Associate Professor of Pharmacology in a University in the United States.

If only the Save the Children fund did not come for my rescue, I would have never gotten a chance to be recognized by American Physiological Society and International Innovation Magazine among other achievements. Worse still, I may have never had a chance to help any child, educate many students in my field, contribute to the field of science and technology and now work on a variety of philanthropic and social initiatives in my country. Simply put, mine would have been a wasted brain. To tell you the true, this happens every day in Kenya and it is getting worse. Many brains are wasted and not only brains, many lives are lost. The reason for this is senseless poverty. And if one can think through it, poverty is perpetuated, it does not just appear.

It is our responsibility to stop the perpetual life cycle of poverty in Kisumu. No one will do it for us. We together as a people we must decide enough is enough.

Dr. Barack Abonyo Grassroot Campaign

Dr. Barack Abonyo grassroots campaign is about alleviating poverty, creating social justice, empowering ordinary people in Kisumu to embrace democracy and vote their voice. Its foundation is not of money, but one of compassion for the people.

We are creating a pathway to democracy, from the bottom up by working with constituencies to identify with their specific issues and developing targeted sustainable strategies.

We will produce messages that are responsive to the concerns of the people in Kisumu County and be mindfully demonstrative in every aspect of our grassroots campaign. We want to be known as the people who care about the issues in Kisumu and come together to create viable solutions.

Dr. Barack Abonyo For Governor

“Changing Kenya, One Leader At A Time”

Kenya should pull its forces out of Somalia and only protect its borders

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo.

It is now close to one month ever since the government and military bosses plus strategists made a big blunder and sent our young men and women to fight to perhaps end the menace of the Islamists terrorists members of the al-qaeda backed Al-Shabaab.

The decision was made in hasty way following the terrorists’ raids into Kenya’s coastal region of Lamu where the al-shababs had succeeded in kidnapping two tourists,

Off course I am not trying to play down the importance of tourist industry in this country and its significance contribution to the country’s economy. However such decision should have been taken long ago. But we waited for too long and only came out with half-hearted action when the lives of two eccentric old foreign families came under attack.

May be our government acted at the behest of a third party, which could be one foreign power, but our big men in Nairobi did not foresaw the enormous costs of such military incursion in an ungovernable neighboring territory, its costs in terms of man power and equipments, and see to it that such military operations does not augur well with our permanently ailing national economy cannot sustain military operation in a foreign land.

It has since degenerated into nightmarish, and what other military experts have since described as “Never Win War”, Kenya’s porous frontiers {borders} makes it nearly impossible for our forces to whip out the Al-Shabaab. Already there are signs that members of the Al-Shabaab who have been routed out of their hideout inside Somalia have sneaked back into Kenya and were not operating behind our military lines, planting land mines blasting our military vehicles and killing our policemen inside Kenya.

The Al-Shabaab outfit appeared to have infiltrated deep into Kenya territory perhaps with help and assistance of Kenyan community of Somalis origin living in the North East Province. Some members of Al-Shabaab could even be operating inside Kenya. And the war in Somalia is almost turning nasty and bloody urban guerrilla warfare.

It could have been wise for Kenyan military strategists to launch a massive security dragnet within our borders and ensure that no unidentified foreign infiltrators were allowed into the country and even keep our border close should the need be arise instead of sending our young men to go and fight a phantom war.

Given their ability to infiltrate, the Al-Shabaab could make our country bleed to death. So far our country has already suffered casualties in terms unspecified loss of men, military aircraft and very expensive equipment. It is a war without justified causes and we are not even sure of what our country is aiming at to achieve in this expensive exercise.

The militarily much mightier nation like the United States of America once dispatched a contingent f its military team to Somalia. But quickly pulled out after bloodbath in Mogadishu and left the country in huff. One may be left to wonder if a militarily dwarf country like Kenya could succeed where the American have failed. It is pipe dream t think so.

Kenya has nothing at stake in Somaia. The government should pull our dedicated and patriotic soldiers and only engaged them in massive border patrolling so that they can the terrorist at bay and stop them from infiltrating into our country.

We should learn good lessons from other African nations. Each an every year these countries meet at an annual forum of the African Union{AU} always made pledges to send their troops to be part of the peace-keeping force in Somalia, but none of the promises has ever been fulfilled.

Another issue which I should like to draw the attention of Kenyans about is the rapidly increasing influence of people of Somali origins in key positions decision making within the government and quasi-government organization such as parastatals, public commissions as well as in the military and security system. And yet these people re well known to be of questionable loyalties ever since they waged the bloody Shifta War of the early 1960s and thereafter independence in 1963.he government should think twice before placing the Somalis in position of trust in its system.

The fact that Al-Shabaab could sneak easily into Kenya and plant landmines and bombs in Somalis inhabited towns like Wajir,Garrisa, Lagdera and other places in the North East Province is a clear testimony.

The people of Somalis origins belonged to one tribe and speak the same language, but could not agree on the kin of government they want in their own country, making the Horn of Africa nation become ungovernable state. How do we trust people to be meaning well for Kenya and its people? The Somalis are people of short tempers that is why they butchering each other. Most o their wars re based on clannish disagreement based on petty and insignificant issues.

I have been carefully watching some of the arguments put up on various issues of national importance in this country and I can predict it with much accuracy that the likely wood of Somalis importing their culture of political insanity which is full of temperamental and lousiness agitations, we may not be far away from, joining the kind of political instability we are now witnessing in Somalia.

To crown it all, I say Kenya should free from the influence of Somalis at bay if it want to survive.

”Long Live Kenya”

Ends

BEREAVEMENT!!!

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from AKR|Association of Kenyans Living in Rwanda

Dear Fellow Kenyan,

Please join me in consoling one of our members, Malach Musotsi, who lost his Dear Mum last week. For further details, please contact Ann or Malach on the phone numbers given on the email below.

Carol.

– – – – – – – – – – –

From: Anne Osendi

Fellow Kenyans,

Please join us prayer as we support and encourage our brother Malach Musotsi whose mother passed away yesterday,15/12/2011 while undergoing treatment in Kenya.

Currently, no committee has been put in place but we welcome your support and contribution .Please contact Anne Osendi (0788309502) Or Malach (+254726465289)

Thank you,

Anne Osendi

Accounts Coordinator | i engineering Rwanda

t +250 788 309502 | m +250 788 309502 |
www.ieng-group.com

*global picture. local insights

KENYA: THE FOURTH WEEK THAT WAS WITH FATHER OMOLO AT HOME

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From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
BONDO-SIAYA COUNTY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2011

Today is fourth and last Sunday of Advent- I celebrated two masses at Bondo Township Parish. Just as the Jews have been longing for Jesus the saviour who would get rid of corrupt and exploitive leaders, my message today as Kenyans are preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections was that Kenyans must be prepared to get rid of leaders who for many years have not only been corrupt but also exploitive.

In Bond Constituency for example, despite the fact of CDF funds which would be used to build dumps to store water, the problem of water here is pathetic-you can imagine the whole District Hospital is run without water-this is only an example of many other constituencies that many of the leaders, some of whom have been recycled years after years have never minded about their electorates.

Since I have been on my holiday at home, the fourth week now I have practically travelled far and wide in Luo Nyanza and interacted with opinion leaders about the politics, what many have been tired of is the tradition where a leader is pointed for them.

If he is a leader from Bondo, Gem, Mbita, Ugenya, Muhoroni,-name them, they must be recycled despite the fact that people are tired with them. The vast majority in Luo Nyanza want such type of politics be buried once and for all.

Another concern I learnt from people, is that it was time for Luo people to accept other leaders from different parties other than ODM. It makes Luo people to look a fool, for example to stone former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Raphael Tuju simply because he is of a different party and that he is challenging Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the president.

In 2007 Tuju was not only re-elected as Member of Parliament for Rarieda, but even water projects he initiated for the people in the region were destroyed, simply because he ditched PM party ODM to Kibaki’s PNU party-even the house he had built for widows were burnt.

Some historians and political experts argue that Luo people cannot allow leaders who come with strange party because Joka Omolo, Joka Owiny, Joka Okech, Joka Ojok, Jo Padhola, each had a leader whom they were to obey and follow.

All these groups came from South Sudan and settled first in Kenya at Emanyulia, where Prime Minister Raila Odinga claims his ancestral root came from. It was from here they later called themselves Abamanyulia.

PM’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga whose Kowak clan is one of largest clans in Luo land, extending to Rorya district in Mara region, northwest Tanzania claimed to have been anointed Luo leader is the reason why the Luo communities believe that if Raila does not anoint any leader, even when he was not developed minded that leader must be elected-and recycled.

The major clans of Kowak comprise of Kakibira, Kachiemo, Kotho, Kamot, Kanyaguti and Kanyagak. Other clans include the Saramba clan, the Rucho clan, and the Awuor clan. That explains why when Jaramogi passed on in 1994, there was feverish activity to succeed him and who did that is his eldest son, Assistant Finance Minister, Dr Oburu Odinga as the MP for Bondo Constituency.

That may also explain why when Jaramogi Oginga Odinga died and Michael Wamalwa Kijana succeeded him as FORD-Kenya chairman, Raila challenged him for the party leadership. The elections were marred by controversy after which Raila resigned from FORD-Kenya to join the National development Party (NDP).

It is against the background that political experts argue that when Raila Odinga first ran for president in 1997 and in a merger with KANU in 2001 and was made the minister for energy in the Moi government, he was hopeful that Moi would nominate him to be his successor and when it did not go as he thought, he turned against the Moi team to form the Rainbow Coalition that eventually became part of the winning NARC coalition.

It is also why in the NARC government when he served as the minister for roads he eventually walked out of government when President Mwai Kibaki did not keep his side of the infamous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

It is also to be noted that when multiparty politics was introduced in Kenya in 1992, Jaramogi Odinga differed with Kenneth Matiba over leadership for the original Ford party. There were outbreaks of violence, especially in Lang’ata constituency, where Raila hoped to be selected as Ford’s parliamentary candidate against intense opposition from Kimani Rugendo.

There were also several serious clashes in Kibera, the constituency’s largest shanty town. One of the clashes left an Odinga supporter dead, and during the Ford primaries, a supporter of Rugendo was stabbed to death when he tried to run off with some ballot papers.

When Ford split to Ford-Kenya and there was elections for official members, elections that Raila lost in Thika, on March 19, 1994, it resulted in violence. There are other examples. But the point is that it was time Luo people destroyed this tradition.

One fact however, remains that Raila still commands a very loyal crowd behind him. He is enjoying good support from many regions in Kenya even though he faces a hard fight in the Central region despite the fact that two of his sons have married from there.

Political experts see the move for these marriages as Raila’s strategy of an attempt to appease the Kikuyu community and their wealth in voting power. The first born Fidel Castro Odinga married Veronica Shiro Ng’ng’a ahead of 2007 presidential elections.

Raila Junior also married Yvonne Wambui Kibukosya this year prior to next year presidential elections. Yvone is the great-grand daughter to Peter Kibukosya, a patriotic Kenyan who helped in writing the national anthem.

Retired President Moi, Moi’s former aide Joshua Kulei, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Central Bank Governor Njuguna Ndungu, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, several Cabinet ministers, and MPs attended the wedding.

Another fact is that of late Raila has also come under severest criticism for having failed to recognize the existence of the Luo-Abasuba community inside Luo-Nyanza. The Abasuba are Bantus who were coined into Luo communities to make them behave as if they were Luos but not. They feel they have been marginalized.

The criticism emerged after meeting at Sindo trading center in Kaksingiri Location, Gwassi constituency within Homa-Bay County where the Suba Council of Elders led by their chairman Mzee Apollo Okeyo Omuga who said it was time Raila Odinga accepted and acknowledged- recognized the existence of the Suba community.

The Suba elders accused the Prime Minister of trying to antagonize the Suba people with the aim and objective of marginalize them and hence his distortion of the community’s history in every funeral gathering as witnessed in the recent past as reported by veteran journalist Leo Odera Omolo.

The issue here is not only the Abasuba people who feel marginalized-in fact the entire South Nyanza people feel the same, especially when Raila was being accused for having allegedly favoured his relatives and friends as well as the financial heavyweight luos in the recent cabinet appointment to the grand coalition government, leaving out South Nyanza equally attended to.

All those who have been favoured are from Siaya and Kisumu Counties respectively. They include Caroli omondi, a former banker and a lawyer- Appointed the administration permanent secretary in the office of the prime minister.

Prof Jacquiline oduol, although married to Raila Odinga’s uncle in kaka sub-clan, she hails from Siaya County. Dr Oburu Odinga, Raila’s brother also comes from Siaya, James Orengo and Phillip Onyango, all from Siaya as well as Dr Nyikal.

Although in South Nyanza Dalmas Otieno and Gerald Otieno Kajwang are full ministers whereas Orua Ojode is Assistant Minister, this according to Luo people of South Nyanza is an insult.

If it is true in what is reported in one of the gutter newspapers that Mbadi and Ojode are contemplating to join Tuju’s support for presidency then it explains well how South Nyanza leaders are fed up with Raila’s leadership.

It explains further why Ojode’s wooes is said to have culminated from his disagreement with Raila’s elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, the MP for Bondo, who at one time attacked Ojode publicly during a funeral gathering in Kanjita village West Karachuonyo in Rachuonyo district- South Nyanza.

It was during the burial of the late Mama Phoebe Rege, the step mother of the Karachuonyo MP Eng James Rege, when Oburu from the blue moon burst into scathing criticism of Ojode before a large crowd of mourners who also included his brother Raila who did not utter a word.

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Kenya: We needed Kibaki & Raila to Reform Kenya! NOT TRUE…..VICE VERSA IS TRUE

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from Elijah Kombo

This is a terrible lie! Its a lie to say that its Raila and Kibaki who steered Kenya towards the reform path. I will reserve my remarks on Raila since his record speaks clear. He has been an oppositionist all through and for the last few years in power – he has demonstrated gross inefficiency and lack of self-confidence. He has been tagging people along his reform path. But however, he has played a significant role in the reform process…destroyed the Moi rulership and one party rule etc

However, Kibai has done nothing significant. Let me twist this a little bit in another way. The Mount Kenya Mafia withheld capital and swindled funds out of the country, stacked them in foreign accounts. They made Moi rulership hell of time. The economy was on its knee. From central ban to commercial banks, insurance companies to biug corporation – they ensured that state coffers were empty and the semi-literate President self declared Professor couldnt contain the inflation. The crunch began in Kenya long ago before the global one started! It was all the rich, famous and elite class mostly fdrom Mt Kenya that controlled Kenya’s economy for ages. Moi had only to obey and repay them back – Uhuru Project!

When the Uhuru Project failed, the Mt Kenya mafia was divided – whether to support Mwai ibaki or vote Raila. The first round was without hitch since the wealth and status quo will still remain within the boundaries of the Mt Kenya and its invasion of other territorries. The second round was with a terrible hitch and glitch. Elections were stolen while we watched on out sets that Raila won the elections. Mt Kenya mafia stole the elections to maintain the status quo.

Now here is a good story. The funds that were stacked in foreign accounts were now brought back to Kenya to paint the Kibaki Administration as efficient and pro-development. Economic intelligent reports indicate that some of these funds invested in China, Turkey, Sudan and UAE is what has made significant but little progress on the economy.,Basically, part of the money that is being used now are proceeds/profits ffrom the funds that have stayed in foreign accounts.

On the other angle, if Raila was to win Presidency – the mafia would have also withheld funds for his administration to fail and fall with economic shudder. Kenyans should praise Kibaki for he has made the rich class to invest and thus recoupo the funds they stole and stashed in foreign accounts for some progress, however little. Raila Odinga is having hell of time trying to convince the mafia that he can protect their status quo if he becomes the next President. He will have to have a balance and ensure he keeps the mafia’s top strategists to ensure that the next administration doesnt touch, reveal and dispose their ill got wealth at the dispense of 40 million plus Kenyans.

Its therefore not judicious to conclude that Kenyans needed Kibaki and Raila to reform KENYA. But Kenyans needed these two men to keep the status quo as we slowly progress to full political and economical freedom.

Kombo Elijah

– – – – – – – – – – –

— On Thu, 12/15/11, Evans MACHERA wrote:
Subject: We needed Kibaki & Raila to Reform Kenya!

The current constitution was passed by Kenyans after the PM and the President joined hands to reform the country.This is after false engagements on the issue of reforms that saw the bungled elections of 2007.

Suppose Raila went to petition the courts for irregularities of 2007 presidential results,could we have had;-

1.The current constitution at hand!
2.The changes towards reform such as in the judiciary and police among other institutions.
3.The current recruitment processes that even parliament can say NO to nominees ( case of graft tzars).

Now,where are the presidential candidates who will exhibit political will for real implementation of the constitution after application for the administration of the country!

In spite of being prisoners of “their men”,we needed Kibaki and Raila to trigger the real reforms that kenya has been yearning for.

One is hyper (Raila),while the other has a gentlemanly mien ( Kibaki).

One is none assuming(Raila),the other can assume to the extent of ignoring (Kibaki).

Both can decide to agree and join. hands from where we are able to move.

Without the two,the reform agenda could have been a pipe dream.Fate had it that in 2007,we were to encounter a process that engages kenya to a real change.

Evans MACHERA.

KENYA: WHY CRUCIFY HASSAN FOR THE OBVIOUS?

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From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
BONDO-SIAYA COUNTY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 20111

Dr Mzalendo Kibunja, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman is taking Kenya back to dark ages during Jomo Kenyatta and dictator arap Moi regimes where fear was the order of the day resulting into a culture of fear in national life.

Kibunja is proposing that Facebook and Twitter users in Kenya who post material passing as hate speech and incitement to violence could be arrested and charged in court of law.

Such laws cannot be allowed in Kenya that is why in 2003 when the US tried to force Kenya to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill aimed at combating terrorism in the East African nation it was opposed by parliamentary committee.

Their decision coincided with hundreds of protestors taking to the streets of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to voice their opposition to the Suppression of Terrorism Bill. A statement from the Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs Committee said that the proposed bill “threatens to tear apart the very fabric of one nation and could offer fertile ground for inter-religious animosity and suspicion”.

The bill would allow the police to arrest and search property without authority from the courts, and allows investigators to detain suspected terrorists for 36 hours without allowing them contact to the outside world.

The bill had generated heated public debate and strong criticism, with the main opposition party, Kenya Africa National Union (Kanu) and a number of MPs from the ruling Narc coalition describing it as foreign and unworkable in Kenya.

Legal experts and human rights groups in Kenya dismissed the bill as an absurd imitation of the US Patriot Act 2001, the South African Terrorism Bill 2002 and Britain’s Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

Dr Kibunjia proposed that he would work with the police on monitoring materials posted on Facebook and Twitter by individuals and organisations.

Although according to Kibunja the monitoring would be intense as Kenya approach the next general election, much of the post-election violence was over land disputes between rival ethnic groups, and unless the constitution would set up a land commission to manage public and community land, post election violence is there to stay in Kenya.

According to Kibunja the Commission was not only working with CID officers from the cyber crime unit on the matter and that the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and other stakeholders would also be involved but also they have already written to owners of facebook asking them to cooperate with NCIC in handling the issue to the extent of shutting down some of the accounts operated.

Dr Kibunja has already tested his proposition on the human rights commissioner Hassan Omar’s recent published article which he claims is laced with incitement, tribalism and hate speech.

The article, titled “What do Kibaki men know or what are they planning” and which was published on November 27 in the Sunday Standard, has sparked sharp reactions from members of the Kikuyu community who claim that the rights crusader is unfairly targeting their community.

By Kibaki men Hassan refers to tribal and regional appointments where Muchemi Wanjuki is appointed as Solicitor General, Deputy Solicitor General, Muthoni Kimani, Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u, Deputy registrar-general, F M Ng’ang’a, and Registrar General Bernice Gachegu.

In Internal Security Permanent secretary, Mra Kimemia is from Kibaki ethnic community, others include CID Director – Ndegwa Muhoro, AP Commandant – K. Mbugua, Commissioner of Police Matthew Iteere, GSU boss Munga Nyale, Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe, NSC – Peace and Conflict Management Mr. S.K. Maina, Government Printer: Andrew Rukaria, and Senior Director Administration/Internal Security: E. Mutea.

Hassan is also opposed to the appointments of the Finance Ministry where Minister is Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is from his ethnic group, Permanent Secretary – Joseph Kinyua -Pensions secretary – Anne Mugo, ERD director – Kenneth Mwangi D/Finance secretary – Mwirichia, Controller and Auditor – General; Priscilla Njeri Komora.

Others include Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Prof. Ndungu, Dep. Governor – John Gikonyo, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General; Michael Waweru, Board Secretary: Mrs Ngang’a, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Investigation and Enforcement: Mr Joseph Nduati, Deputy Commissioner, Investigation and Enforcement: Mr Namu Nguru, Deputy Commissioner, Administration: Mr Karimi and Deputy Commissioner Procurement: Ms Murichu.

Commissioner for customs services: Mrs. Wambui Namu, Senior Deputy Commissioner (Customs): Ms Githinji, Deputy Commissioner, Finance- Ms Wachira, Commissioner Domestic Taxes (LTO)-Mr Njiraini, Deputy Commissioner: Mrs Mwangi, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Finance: Mrs King’ori. Senior Assistant Commissioner, Security: Major Kariuki, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Southern Region: Wagachira and Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement; Joseph Nduati.

Kenya Airports Authority MD, Stephen Gichuki, General Manager Finance; John Thumbi, General Manager Marketing and Business Development; Lucy Mbugua, General Manager Information and Communication, Technology; Anthony Wachira, General Manager Security Services; Stanley Mutungi, Head of Corporate Communications / PA to the MD: Dominic Ngigi, Head of Procurement and Logistics: Allan Muturi.

Kenya Ports Authority, Gichiri Ndua- MD, in the Ministry of Industrialization: Assistant Minister: Nderitu Muriithi, Chairman of the National Standards Council, Karanja Thiong’o, Permanent Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, Chairman of the Board: Eng. Geoffrey Ng’ang’a Mang’uriu.

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer; Joseph K Njoroge, Company Secretary; Laurencia K Njagi, Chief Manager, Energy Transmission; Sammy Muita Chief Manager, Commercial Services; Rosemary K Gitonga, Chief Manager, Distribution; Benson Muriithi, Chief Manager, Planning, Research and Performance Monitoring; Eng. Raphael Mwaura.

Kenya Petroleum Refineries: General Manager: John Mruttu, Finance Manager: Reuben Ndinya, Human Resource Manager: Martin Wahome and Engineering Manager: Charles Nguyai.

Tribalism according to Hassan cannibalises our society and we must fight it at all coast. The Kibaki regime he says exploits this state of affairs. That is why to deal with ethnicity, a sustained, courageous, open, and painful discussion must ensue with firm and decisive interventions.

Despite the fact that Kibaki knows clearly that the above mentioned positions are taken by people from his ethnic community and region, he was not a shamed yet again to recently appoint Chief of Defence Forces, General Julius Karangi, the Commandant of the Administration Police, Kinuthia Mbugua, the Director General of the National Security Intelligence Service Michael Gichangi, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Ndegwa Muhoro are all Kikuyu community.

Although the Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere is a Meru, the fact that he comes from his region makes it ethnical. Hassan argues that even though article 241 (4) of the Constitution expressly states the composition of the command of the Defence Forces shall reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya, Kibaki’s act is against both the spirit and letter of the new Constitution.

To express this concern therefore, according to Hassan is neither hate speech nor advocating tribalism. That is why the demand by Sports Assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando, his Public works counterpart Mwangi Kiunjuri and MPs Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa) and John Mututho of Naivasha that he should resign is uncalled for.

The MPs all from the Kikuyu community claimed that Omar authored an article which was published in the Sunday Standard last weekend which they said bordered on hate speech and incitements against their Kikuyu community.

The Kikuyu law makers, who were speaking at Parliament Buildings, said such articles and other inflammatory remarks by various leaders led to the 2007/08 post election violence that left over 1,300 Kenyans dead.

It is against the background that MP Wilfred Machage and co-accused for hate speech were set free. During their campaign against the draft constitution, they were widely quoted as saying that some communities in the volatile Rift Valley could be evicted if it is passed in a referendum on 4 August 2010.

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KENYA: RONG RESIDENTS CALLS FOR KIBAKI AND RAILA TO SUSPEND MINISTER DALMAS OTIENO TO FACILITATE THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS OVER POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY

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Reports Ndira-Uradi In Rongo Town.

Residents of Rongo district have sent a passionate appeal to the two principals in the coalition government urging the to effect the immediate suspension of the Minister for Public Service Dalmas Otieno in order to facilitate thorough investigations over last weekend politically related violence deaths of five people.

The residents said they were unhappy with the directions the ongoing investigations over latest political violence was taking The incident resulted in the death of five hired goons at Kitere Village in Kamagambo South location, Rongo within Migori County.

So far the Minister has yet to issue any comment either absolving himself from the heinous crime committed by political goons, suspected to have been hired by closely connected to him, nor has he come out and condemned he acts of political thuggery within his backyard.

Investigators have been busy picking he wrong people, particularly those perceived to be his potential opponents and parliamentary aspirants for 2012 and taking them into custody. Whereas the culprits, suspected to have hired half a dozen of vehicles which ferried the goons to the venue of the meeting organized by the Minister’s opponent, are walking scot-free.

“This is not the first time goons, suspected to be operating at the instruction of politicians allied to he Minister, unleashed violence to innocent people within Rongo town and its environs. In the last incident the goons had beaten delegates who had gathered in the town to deliberate on ODM elections matters and violently dispersed them.

Some of the delegates ended up being hospitalized, but the attackers, who appeared to be immune and enjoying patronage of someone higher, left the scene of crime unmolested. The police and the Administration police were seen protecting them. Some of the delegates were fished out of Matatus and beaten up senselessly.

Last Sunday, however, those who masterminded a plan and hatched the plot to unleash violence on peaceful people in the name of politics got it wrong in that they dispatched the hired goons to go and attack, beat up and maim innocent people in the remote village of Kitere. The goons and their master would have foreseen the danger of attacking people in their rural homes, and the possibility of the villagers turning heir weapons on them.

“Moreover the raider were hired from distant places like Ndhiwa,Rangwe and Oyugis who had no idea about the land train around the place wee they were assigned to carry out their heinous actions of disrupting an dispersing the so-called unlawful ODM meeting. And even if the meeting organized by a faction opposed to their man was not lawfully convened [MW1] , it could have been wise for the goons and their masters to seek for the police assistance and help. However the same action could have amounted gross violation of the freedom of speech and that of association which are all well entrenched in the new constitutional dispensation.”

Meanwhile the newly elected ODM Migori County branch John M Magaiwa has called for peace and tolerance among the political leaders in the region.” leaders should respect each other and adopt the spirit of tolerating one another irrespective of their diverse opinions. He said the death of the five youths has robbed the ODM of the five votes it needs so dearly.

Magaiwa added that Rongo incident had painted Migori County in wrong footing. We must strive to correct the bad impression created by the last week murder if the youths in Rongo,” he said adding that the cold blooded killings were the act of big shame. Which all the sane leaders in the must be condemned unreservedly and which must not be allowed to reoccur again.

Across sections of Rongo residents interviewed agreed in principles that the area MP Dalmas Otieno and his overzealous supporters should be held responsible for the death of the hired political goons.

They want members of both Provincial Administration and police authorities’ in Rongo behave professionally when discharging their duties and they should not allow themselves to be compromised.

Speculations and rumor making the round within Rongo say some the victims had mobile phones containing vital information and SMS messages and MPESA money transfers sent to them by some known characters.

The residents are up demanding that the police should surrender all the mobile phone handset, found on the bodies of the dead goons, be handed over to the experts for thorough examination and analysis which could reveal the names and numbers of those who had sent them the money and for what purpose.

The Miiste Otieno could not be reached for his immediate comment about the last weekend’s violent orgies, and that the mounting pressure that he should steps aside to enable proper investigations to be carried out within view to establish the truth abut who was responsible for the violence at Kitere which left five people dead scores hospitalized after the brutal machetes and panga attacks

During the constitutional campaign for the constitutional referendum one man, an aide to the Uriri MP Cyprian Ojwang’Omolo, was stoned to death. The group of hired goons were sent to disrupt with intention to dispersing a meeting organized at Sibuoche about 15 kilometers away from Rapogi Trading Center. There, Another similar meeting was going on with several MPs in attendance. There were protests that the rally had been called by the faction of leaders opposed to the area MP. The incident was in similar fashion in the Kitere blood bath incident. The attackers had purchased new pangas and hoes handles, rungus and sticks.

Instead of the police pursuing the attackers, who were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the villagers who sent them to their heels,and detaining the vehicle they had hired for the job, the police tuned on the conveners of the meeting whom they arrested.

The on-going investigations about Kitere’s mayhem ae being conducted in biased and unprofessional manner that it only targeted the victims instead of the aggressors and planners of the bloody incidents. They want those found to be responsible for financing it to be disqualified from contesting any elective point in the 2012 general election on the party’s ticket.

Ends

Kibet : Ruto is fighting for ODM (UDM)

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from Lee Makwiny

Kuria Mwangi, I am heading into hiding. I want to ask Omwenga and Maurice to follow me into hiding. Can you ask Kibet and the renowned lawyer to read this and comment:

************************************

Eldoret North MP William Ruto has come out fighting following a move by two Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members to expel him from the party.

Mr Ruto and four other MPs have filed a preliminary objection to a petition by Mpuru Aburi and Kepher Odongo seeking orders to expel them from the party over their public declaration that they had quit ODM and joined another party.

Mr Ruto, MPs Charles Keter (Belgut), Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany) and Aden Duale (Dujis) submitted that the petition is premature since what they are asking for can only be determined after the next General Election.

Through lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, the legislators said that the provisions of Article 103 of the Constitution are suspended until the final announcement of all the results of the first Parliament to be held under the Constitution.

Article 103(e) states that a person ceases to be an MP if he resigns from the party which elected him to Parliament or is deemed to have resigned from that party.

The petitioners argue that the five legislators are in Parliament in contravention of Article 103 of the Constitution and Section 17(4) of the Political Parties Act.

The two submitted the five MPs have through public declarations and activities indicated that they quit ODM and have joined the United Democratic Movement.

They added that according to the Political Parties Act, a person who, while a member of a political party forms another, joins in the formation or as a member of another, publicly advocates for the formation of another political party loses membership in their original party.

Mr Ruto is an ODM deputy leader while Mr Duale is one of the party’s vice-chairpersons.

In their objection to the application, the MPs contend that the first election under the Constitution has not been held hence the claims by Mr Aburi and Mr Odongo are moot and that the petition should be dismissed.

“All the substantive reliefs sought by the petitioners are not available by operation of the Constitution since they will only come into effect after the elections,” said Kilukumi.

Mr Kilukumi added that the Political Parties Act relied upon by the petitioners was repealed with effect from November 1 and therefore cannot be the bedrock of the petition.

He submitted that the repealed section enacted in pursuant to Article 103 of the Constitution came long after the petition was filed in July hence cannot apply in the current case.

Justice Mumbi Ngugi will rule on the preliminary objection on March 20, 2012.

Source: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Ruto++four+MPs+fight+ODM+expulsion+/-/1064/1289206/-/8rspjp/-/index.html

—

THE THIRD WEEK THAT WAS WITH FATHER OMOLO AT HOME

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From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
BONDO-SIAYA COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

This week I will comment on the news that made the headline recently on Mr Gordon Oyoo, a polygamist from Rabuor Village, Kisumu County whose Msanda Holy Ghost Church in East Africa with its headquarters in Butere has no problem with polygamist members.

One of the reasons given is that polygamy discourages promiscuity and guards against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/Aids. Oyoo is only 54 with 15 children out of which 10 are in primary school, four in nursery, and his last-born child is yet to begin going to school.

Although the church follows African tradition where polygamy is not a sin, the Msanda Holy Ghost Church in East Africa teachings state that one can be polygamous but cannot marry additional women once you become a church elder.

According to the church’s Bishop Tom Oraga, his church allows polygamy marriages, not only because it is African tradition but because the Bible is not against polygamy, citing Paul in the Bible who even though later on was against polygamy, but had 21 wives.

Most of the men mentioned in the Bible he says had many wives, including Solomon, the son of King David and later King of Israel who had 700 wives and 300 concubines, arguing that monogamy is only Western concept.

Oyoo who is a freelance photographer at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground is not alone. The practice of polygamy is legal in Kenya, and such unions are fully recognized by the courts under customary law.

However, the debate as to whether the civil marriage can be legalized to allow polygamy is still pending in parliament due to political and religious resistance. Re-introduced in early March 2009, “Marriage Bill 2007”, which would effectively legalize civil polygamous marriage in Kenya.

It explains why, while Kenyans were struggling to do away with colonial rule in the country, they wanted to be free from everything that was Western. Among the things they wanted to do away with was the Western concept on religion.

The first breakaway church from the colonial was Nomiya Luo church founded by John Owalo. Owalo had just left the Church of England to become a Muslim; he later left Islam to join catholic mission on his return to Nyanza from Mombasa where he was working as a house servant. It was in Nyanza that he abandoned Catholicism to found Nomiya church in 1907. Nomiya in Luo means, “I was given”.

It then followed by Dini ya Roho (Holy Ghost Church) founded in Maragoli location in October 1927 by Jakobo Buluku and Daniel Sande after they had broken away from the American friends’ mission at Kaimosi. Buluku and Sande preached against foreign religious leadership and advocated the expulsion from Kenya of the American missionaries.

The African Israel church was the third one founded in 1940 in Nyangori location near Kisumu by Kivuli. He broke away from Pentecostal assembly and preached the expulsion of foreign missionaries, advocating leadership of the church by Africa Christians.

The foruth African independent church was Dini ya Msambwa founded by Elijah Masinde- So called Dini ya Msambwa because it adapted to African tradition, cultures and customs. The kingdom of Africa he said had been ruined by the British Empire.

The British accused him of preaching politics and wanted him being arrested and charged in court of law for misleading people. The more the British stopped him from preaching the more he had many followers. His sect became so popular, spreading all over Western Province and between the Kalenjin and some parts of Uganda.

The fifth African Independent church was founded by Bildad Kaggia of Central province. Kaggia had just come from military service in Middle East and Europe in the Second World War. He founded an independent church because he was embittered by racial discrimination and inequality between Europeans and Africans in the British forces.

Kaggia claimed that the greatest bondage on Africans was the foreign religions. His aim was to liberate Africans from such bondages. He broke away from church missionary society (CMS). The church spread fast in Central Province and Ukambani.

Some Luos who were working on the sisal estates near Kandara were also converted and later spread the church in Nyanza province on their way home. It was with this in mind that some Pan Africanism charismatic leaders abandon their Christian names in 1940’s to 1960’s.Christian names were termed as Euro-Heraic.

The first Vice President of Kenya, Mzee Jaramogi Oginga Odinga had to change his Adonija Oginga name to Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga. Johnston Kenyatta to Jomo Kenyatta, Emilio Mwai to Mwai Kibaki, James Ngugi to Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Francis Kwame to Kwame Nkuruma among others.

The problem of foreign religions was not only a Kenyan problem. It was indeed entire African problem. It explains why Kabaka Mwanga II was not pleased in the manner foreign religions were brought to Africa. He saw such religions as a threat to African values and cultures.

Although polygamy is forbidden in statutory marriages, it is allowed in Muslim and customary marriages, as such according to Muslims God does not condemn polygamy, never calls polygamy adultery, wickedness or a fleshly perversion.

It is against the background that Catholic Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania),

Polycarp Pengo argues that celibacy in the form demanded of the Roman Catholic priest, namely, a life-long abstinence from marriage, is probably foreign to all human cultures.

It explains why from the social point of view, priestly celibacy seems to find even less backing from the surrounding human cultures. That is why in realizing that celibacy is unnatural to African culture, advocates of inculturation are proposing total elimination of priestly celibacy in the Church of Africa- introduction and acceptance of traditionally accepted marriages for priests.

It explains further, why in African culture, priestly celibacy considered from the religious point of view presents a theological problem just opposite to that of the Manicheans. Unlike the Manichaean dualist who wants to realize his own salvation by liberating the spirit from bodily imprisonment by abstaining from procreation, the African traditionalist in his religious faith believes that he can avoid having his life end up in a meaningless existence after his death by continuing to live in his children.

It is against the background that the African traditional believer holds that a person who dies without begetting any children has no chance for a happy meaningful life beyond the grave. Thus failure to procreate is equivalent to failure to attain salvation in the life after death. That is because humanity is through procreation.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

Kenya: Corruption in the Land Sector

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from Yona Maro

This joint Transparency International and FAO Working Paper draws attention on corruption in land tenure and administration. Unprecedented pressures on land have been created as new areas are cultivated, taken over by expanding urban centres or are abandoned due to degradation, climate change and conflict. These developments have strained the rules, processes and institutions that determine which land resources are used, by whom, for how long and under what conditions. As evident around the globe, where land governance is deficient, high levels of corruption often flourish. Weak land governance tends to be characterized by low levels of transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Under such a system, land distribution is unequal, tenure is insecure, and natural resources are poorly managed. As a consequence, social stability, investment, broad-based economic growth and sustainable development are undermined.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/am943e/am943e00.pdf
—
East Africa Jobs www.kazibongo.blogspot.com

Jobs in Tanzania www.utumishitz.blogspot.com

Kenya: Ruto dream to fit into Moi’s shoes is being scuttled by the residents of the South Rift

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

IF the Eldoret North MP William Samoei Ruto’s pipe dream of stepping into the shoes of the retire President Daniel Arap Moi by anointing himself as the newly crowned political kingpin of the three million plus Kalenjin community is anything to go by the idea has tumbled down and has become cropper.

Ruto and his UDM party is facing myriads of problems and some of the serious hurdles to clear before he realizes his pipe dreams.

The MP and those allied to him are facing total rejection in some regions of the expansive rift Vally Province where the Kalenjins community forms 75 per cent of the total population, particularly the vote rich Kipsigis region in the South Rift.

This Kipsigis is a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjn ethnic groups. It is the most populous single community which boost close to 1.5 million registered voters in the region and forms 55 per cent of the close to eleven sub-tribes of the entire Kalenjin groups. This when it is put into comparison with the votes from the other sub-tribes, particularly the Nandis which is rivaling the Kipsigis, and William Ruto’s own sub-tribe that can only manage to produce slightly over 600,00 votes In Nandi North,Nandi South, Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia.

In the 2007 general elections, the Kipsigis votes clocked one million marks. The community voted for nine members of parliament in eight rural constituencies within the two counties of Kericho and Bomet.

It captured one extra parliamentary seat in diaspora, namely in Kuresoi, in Molo district which was won by the former powerful Internal Security and Provincial Administration Permanent Secretary Zakayo K.Cheruiyot.

The Kipisigis voters almost extended their gains into the nearby Trans-Mara district in Maasailand where the incumbent MP Brigadier {rtd} Gideon Konchellah nearly succumbed to a defeat by a Kipsigis aspirant.

The community members form close to 45 per cent of the voters in this particular constituency due to massive settlement by Kalenjin ever since 1961 and whose numbers are almost equaling that of the indignant Maasais.

Economically the Kipsigis people blessed and endowed with fertile and arable land with the sufficient annual rainfall are the richest compare to members of the other Kalenjin sub-tribes. The average earning of each family in Kipsigisl and has improved tremendously in the recent years and remained the highest due to money accrued from the sales of green tea leaves.

The leading money minting cash cops is grown in abundance by small-scale farmers in the regions which boost close to twelve green tea manufacturing plants owned by the Kenya Tea Development Authority {KTDA} Kapkatet, Mogogosyek,Chemamul.Litein,Tegat, Kapkoros.Toror,Girgaga,Kobel,Kapset Borok and Chelel There are two more, but privately owned tea factories on at Kab9anga.

There are four privately owned tea factories which include Kaisugu Tea Company, which is owned by the family of the retire President Daniel Arap Moi and Mau Forest Tea factory which is owned by Kasang’wan conglomerate company owned Kipsigis farmers and traders.

The community Iist also involved in massive milk production, producing a lot of English potatoes for sales in the nearby towns of Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, HomBay, Siaya,Mbota, Usenge, Keroka, Oyugis, Kendu-Bay, Ahero, Nakuru and Naivasha minting millions of shillings and other places and many other cash crops.

This community has a strong voting strength in other constituencies such as Rongai,Tinderet, Aldai,Narok North and Narok West as well as Nakuru Town and Naivasha constituencies. All its votes went into the basket of the Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement {ODM}.

However, immediately and soon after disagreeing with Odinga over the Prime Minster’ handling of the Mau Forest eviction saga and the unrealistic claims that the Prime Minister was responsible for his impending criminal charges before the International Criminal Curt of Justice{ICC} at the Hague, William Ruto had launched full scale war of attrition against the ODM leader in a wrong footing assumption that these allegations would win the hearts of the Kalenjin people who had voted for the ODM party on a man t man in 2007 so that the community could ditch the ODM.

His plans and schemes worked well, but only temporarily. However, the political tides changed its course in the region immediately Ruto and his allies launched the plot of pushing out the former UDM chairman, the highly respected Kipsigis man for deputy SGS Let. Gen.{rtd} John Arap Koech

He made a gross miscalculation of trying to push Koech out of the UDM so that he could preserve the party and use it as a ladder for his future soft landing when his seemingly irreconcilable disagreement intensified. He had used the retired and perennial parliamentary election loser in Buret constituency and former National chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers {KNUT} Joseph Arap Chirchir and made hi the new chairman of UDM.

Ruto father mad another political blunder when he tried to short-change Chirchir by trying to bungling him out of the held of the UDM leadership in preference to the former National Assembly House Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo whom he thought could be more useful and help make a major inroad into the Maasai community in which he had been kept at bay by the ODM leaders headed by the Minister for ulture and National Heritage William Ole Ntimama +

Ruto single handed brought on board Ole Kaparo a respected Maasai leader after realizing that he could not penetrate the Maasailand due to the presence of the ageing William Ole Ntimama the MP for the Narok North constituency, who is the de-facto leader of the Maasai who had chosen to stuck with the ODM.

The Kipsigis people read malice in Ruto’s move and took a firm stand in rejecting his political machinations. Moreover, they are arguing that Ruto has never been mandated by the party NEC to make any changes in policy including the appointments at the UDM secretariat as he is considered as a friend of the party only and not its leader.

Another blow which has struck the Eldoret North MP below the belt is his recent unlawful move in cancelling the UDM elections held in Kericho Bomet in the presence of the de facto leader Joseph Chirchr after his supporters led by he MP were locked out of the election venue which were held at the posh Tea Hotel and conducted by the party’s deputy National Organising and Publicity Secretary Justice Kemei in the presence of the National Chairman Joseph Chirchir.

The National chairman of the UDM Chichir has since defiantly ordered for the reinstatement of those elected in Kericho County despite the cancellation of the elections by Ruto.

This move has put the Eldoret North MP in an awkward position in the party, a position which could only be resolved by grass root and national elections. Chirchir is working in cohort with the party’s Secretary General Martin Ole Kamwaro himself a Maasai.

The Kipsigis politician maintains that Ruto has no respect for their own elected leaders. He recently made a blunder when he told a public rally in he region that the Kipkellion MP who is the Energy Assistant Minister was never elected to parliament in a democratic manner and that the MP was the product of the massive rigging of the 2007 general elections.

These utterances have caused high degree of annoyance among the level mined Kipsigis leaders.They has vowed to ditch UDM and return to ODM en mess.

Ends

Kenya: Rongo Residents call for a full scale inquiry into political killing of six people last Saturday

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Rongo Town.

RESIDENTS of Rongo and Awendo districts have called upon the government as a matter of uttermost urgency to institute a commission of inquiry to publicly inquire and establish the root cause of the last Saturday mayhem in the area which claimed the lives of several people and left more injured.

They appealed to the government to ensure that police officers serving in the region were neutral and not politically biased hen it one to handling volatile situation like the one which occurred at Kitere in North Kanyajuok sub-Location,Kamagambo South, Rongo district in Migori County.

They blamed the police for having helped the owners of the motor vehicles used by the attackers pull them out of the scene of the crime, before proper investigations were launched to established who had hired the vehicles which ferried the raiders to the scene of the crime.

The purpose of pulling the disabled vehicle out of the scene of the crime with the help and assistance of the police, they claimed was meant to conceal the crime.

Late in the afternoon of last Saturday a group of ODM leaders an members had converged into Kitere Center, a small shopping center located close to the Moi University Rongo Campus to deliberate and strategize how they would approach the campaigns for the area’s ODM sub-branch election scheduled for next month, and also to open and paint the party office with its colors.

The ODM elections which were held in the same sub-location two weeks ago were among those nullified by the party’s headquarter and a fresh repeat of the elections called for January 10, 2012.

As the group sat down in serious discussions and having refreshments of soft drinks, six vehicles comprising of two Nissan Matatus, two salon cars and two pick-up vans full of occupants pulled up at the venue of the meeting. At first the conveners of the meeting thought they were ODM members who had come to join them in the meeting.

But this was not the case. All of a sudden, the passengers merged out of these vehicles brandishing pangas, rungus, sticks and other crud weapon and ordered those conducting the meting to disperse at once or l they be dispersed forcefully. And the hell broke out as those in the meeting resisted and refused to obey the dispersing order arguing that the men were not policemen and as such were not mandate to disperse anybody.

Those at the meeting grabbed soda bottles and used them to defend themselves. They hit the attackers with the bottles. Some of the attackers hit the ground dropping their machetes {pangas} which their opponents picked up and used in hacking some of the to death. Three of the attackers were killed on the spot.

Outnumbers as the villagers joined in the fray some of the attackers took their heels and fled into the nearby sugar plantations, but were hotly pursued resulting in father deaths and injuries.

The people at the meeting raised the alarm and the villagers came to their rescue armed with all sorts of crude weapons and the mayhem broke loose. Sensing the dangers the attackers fled in all directions by foot leaving their vehicles behind. Chairs tables and public address system were destroyed.

It has been established that some of the youths ferried in the vehicles were hired from outside Rongo district. One of the victims who died in the blood birth was an ODM youth called Onjiko Asianje came all along from Gem Asumbi in Rangwe constituency a distance of about 20 kilometers away from the scene of the crime.

Tension remain high in the area with increased police presence patrolling areas around Kitere and its environs and also along the Rongo-Awendo Migori Highway even by Monday afternoon. Score of ODM leaders and supporters in Kitere area who became the instant suspects were rounded up and taken into police custody for questioning.

One of the leading contenders for the Rongo Parliamentary seat in the 2012 general elections Joseph Ong’ondo Ng’ani called upon the government and local politicians. He also accused the police in the area as being biased and siding with unnamed politician who is suspected to be responsible for the numerous acts of violence.

Ng’ani said the police should preformed their duties without bias or siding with one side of the warring groups as it has been established in the case of the last Saturday incident whereby the police arrested only local leaders they found at the scene, but did not bothered to investigate and trace the root cause of the violence.

Rongo is an area which is prone to political violence. In 2007 several people lost their lives during the hotly contested election campaign which pitted the immediate former MP for the area George Ochillo Ayacko and the incumbent Dalmas Otieno who is the Minister for Public Service.

The residents have appealed to the ODM leader the Prime Minister Raila Odinga to take a tough stance and ensure that any politician whether a cabinet Minister or not who is guilty of fuelling political violence be expelled and barred from contesting any public elective office during the forthcoming general elections.

The latest massacre of six people in Rongo with close to ten other sustaining serious wounds came about as the result of the much flawed ODM grass root elections in the area, which was evidently manipulated by the sitting MPs. Several people who are perceived to be eyeing for various elective positions in the impending general elections were deliberately locked out of the ODM elections. Others were branded traitors or being moles of PNU and G& alliance without an iota proof laid bearer against them.

Other stakeholders have appealed to the area MP Dalmas Otieno to come out clean and exonerate himself from the chaos being witnessed in Rongo. A couple of months ago ODM officials who had converged at a venue in Rongo town were violently dispersed by youths suspected to be the supports of Dalmas Otieno. One of them was beaten savagely and had to be hospitalized in a Kisii hospital for a couple of days. The beating took place in Rongo town in full view of the forces of law reinforcement, but the policemen did not take any actions.

The two Rongo political giants and arch-rivals Dalmas Otieno and his nemeses George Ochillo-Ayacko could not be reached for their immediate comments.

Ends

KENYA: FOUR PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD IN POLITICALLY INSTIGATED VIOLENCE IN RONGO FOLLOWING THE ODM DISPUTED ELECTIONS

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Reports Ndira-Uradi In Awendo Town.

FOUR people were hacked to death while scores of others were seriously injured at Kitere in Kamagambo South Location, Rongo district within Migori County following the recently flawed much ODM grass root elections.

Scores of people who sustained serious injuries were hospitalized; while others believed to have suffered serious bodily wounds inflicted by machetes {pangas} escaped and run into the nearby sugar cane plantations.

Several suspects who are believe to have masterminded the bloody confrontation between the two groups were taken into police custody for questioning while tension remain high in the area next to Moi University College, Kitere Campus.

The incident took place in late Saturday afternoon. The combatants groups are believed to belong into two rival political camps vehemently opposed to each other, one such groups are reported to be rotating around the Minister for Public Services Dalmas Otieno who is the area MP, while the other group comprises the potential parliamentary aspirants for the 2012 elections in both Rongo and Awendo constituencies.

During the recently concluded but much flawed ODM grass root election the two groups opposed to each other had emerged and held two parallel elections in Kitre sub-branch of the ODM party. And the Saturday’s bloody confrontation between the officials of the two parallel sub-branches came about when one group had grouped at Kitere ready to open a new sub-branch office.

Unconfirmed reports say the attackers who suffered heavy causalities were suspected to be the supporters of the Minister Otieno’s camp. They went to the site in futile attempt to disrupt and disperse those who had planned to open the sub-branch ODM office in Kitere.

The police had difficult time to control and restore law and orders. By the time of writing this report, the bodies of the victims were still lying at the scene uncollected.

Several politically related deaths were also reported in Rongo during the 2007 general elections.

So far the ODM elections board chairman Eng Phillip Okundi had nullified the elections in this particular sub-branch and ordered for a repeat of the exercise. It was haphazardly conducted producing two sets of parallel sub-branches, and the party supporters placed the blame on the supporters of Dalmas Otieno and the gross interference into the party matters by members of the Provincial Administration in the area.

A week earlier before the party grass root elections in Rongo and Awendo district the Minister had convene an urgent meting held in Rongo Town where the mode of the impending elections were discussed in detailed accounts.

Selectively invited delegates from the ten administrative locations in both Rongo and Awendo district numbering about 400 people mainly known supporters of Dalmas Otieno were in attendance and it was later rumored that strategic plans on how to lock out those suspected to be allied to the new parliamentary aspirants were allege deliberated on.

The ODM sub-branch election had been scheduled for Kitere, and close to 300 delegates had already gathered at the venue ready for the elections when the Location chief and an assistant chief appeared at Kitere and made an announcement that the election venue had been changed abruptly and was switched to a new venue at Rakwaro Center about seven kilometers away.

This abrupt change of venue made it impossible for the delegates to walk and rush to the new venue due to lack of quick means of transport. Those who had their own vehicle rushed to Rakwaro while the rest made it to the new venue by foot, and the time they reached the new polls center, the elections had been long held and completed by Dalmas Otieno’s. Other delegates reused to travel to the new venue and organized for a parallel election at the old venue,.

The situation was even worse at Kuja where the district branch elections were held the following day when several delegates were locked out and sent packing.

The party members and leader who felt short changed at Kuja and locked out of Migori Teachers Training College for the County branch elections then moved to court and obtained an injunctions order, but the election officials refused to accept the court papers and defiantly went on with the election at the County branch which was conducted on consensus basis not by secret balloting a stipulated by the ODM constitution.

All these political manipulations are what breed the last Saturday death orgies at Kitere when those who felt wronged through political machinations resorted to to act of bloody violence, which claimed the lives of innocent people at Kitere, The death toll figure is expected to be on the higher sides when those who run into sugar plantations with serious bodily wounds an those hospitalized are accounted for.

The violence prone Rongo politics is gravitating between the Minister Otieno on one side and his perennial arrival the former cabinet Minister George Ochillo Ayacko on the other side.

Ends

Kenya: Mama Lucy Kibaki on Syokimau, Mugo Kibaki Syokimau, Kimunya Syokimau = Moi’s unfinished Business

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From: Judy Miriga

Folks,

In Summary,

Since Mama Lucy Kibaki is on Syokimau, Mugo Kibaki on Vision 2030 on Syokimau, Kimunya on Syokimau = Raila is Vision 2030 Advocacy %age Commission Agent = Corruption = Land Grabbing = Moi’s unfinished Business……..Business as usual, the reason “Birds of the Same Feather” associate with the International unscrupulous Corporate Business of Special Interest Cartels with Indians and Chinese as Facilitating Business Commission Investor Agent……..Why, Coalition Government in the leadership of Kibaki and Raila is irrelevant to Public Interest as is in the New Constitution, and is why they are busy manipulating the New Constitution, the change we all want ……….and so it is why we must work harder united for a cause to achieve a complete revolution to gain the change we all want which will be based on Common Interest of all on mutual Partnership Agenda, based in a shared Development Program of Give and Take, to protect and secure Public Wealth ……….people!!!…….Wake up and Connect the dots people!!!!….

And…….we must see that, Justice must come to pass …….it is now or never…….Sad to say the least…….

Thank you all,

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

– – – – – – – – – – –
——Forwarded—

Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital on the spotlight

Uploaded by ktntvkenya on Nov 10, 2011

The doctor’s strike at Kenyatta National hospital has drawn attention to the sad state of healthcare in the country. Thousands of patients were left stranded at East Africa’s largest referral hospital as another major facility in kayole remained empty. Two months after it opened its doors, mama lucy kibaki hospital is yet to begin admitting patients thanks to a lack of basic facilities and an alleged procurement scandal.

Syokimau probe

Uploaded by K24TV on Nov 23, 2011

Transport minister Amos Kimunya’s personal assistant gave verbal

instruction from the minister to demolish residential houses in Syokimau.

Kibaki Speaks On Syokimau Demolitions

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 29, 2011

President Mwai Kibaki has warned investors and Kenyans at large against falling prey to conmen and fraudsters, especially when dealing with land transactions. In an apparent reference to the vicious land ownership tussle in Syokimau, which led to demolitions of houses and which is subject to a probe by a joint committee of parliament, the President nonetheless promised that the Government would uphold respect for private property as long as it was legally acquired. Meanwhile, the Syokimau demolitions probe continued Tuesday with both the lands and local government ministries asserting that the controversial piece of land belonged to the Kenya Airports Authority and lay within Nairobi County. Evelyn Wambui reports.

Syokimau Demolition Probe revelations.flv

Uploaded by ktntvkenya on Nov 30, 2011

Officials at the Lands Ministry created fake documents to help the conmen selling public land in Nairobi’s Syokimau area. Lands commissioner Zablon Mabea made this confessionWednesday adding that the culprits could not be caught because they had stolen the file they created. Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee investigating recent demolitions in the city, Mabea said one land-buying company paid the ministry of lands 3.1 million shillings in premiums. The lands boss, however, insisted documents used in the land deals were fake.

Syokimau Demolition Probe revelations.flv

Uploaded by ktntvkenya on Nov 30, 2011

Officials at the Lands Ministry created fake documents to help the conmen selling public land in Nairobi’s Syokimau area. Lands commissioner Zablon Mabea made this confessionWednesday adding that the culprits could not be caught because they had stolen the file they created. Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee investigating recent demolitions in the city, Mabea said one land-buying company paid the ministry of lands 3.1 million shillings in premiums. The lands boss, however, insisted documents used in the land deals were fake.

Mugo Kibati -Syokimau railway station

Uploaded by parallelmedia1 on Jul 25, 2011

Mugo Kibati -Syokimau railway station

Syokimau Commuter Rail Station

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Jul 18, 2011

A modern commuter railway station being constructed at Syokimau in Embakasi is expected to be completed by the end of this year, as plans to turnaround Kenya’s urban transport system begin taking shape. Already 60% of the project which will ease traffic flow on major highways has been completed and the government is now in the process of acquiring additional land to put up a car park for motorists who will leave their cars at the station and board a train to the city. And as Denis Otieno reports the project will include the construction of a 2 storey terminal building, boarding and disembarking ramps for passengers as well as an interchange facility for public service vehicles dropping and picking passengers at the station.

Commuter Train 2030 Plan

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Aug 16, 2010

The Kenya Railways Corporation is expected to embark on the construction of a new metropolitan railway network in just a matter of weeks. The Vision 2030 secretariat which is co-ordinating the implementation of the projects under the economic blueprint confirmed that the ground breaking ceremony for phase one of the project will be conducted next month. The new railway which will run on a high speed standard gauge railway and completely new coaches will originate from the current Nairobi railway station and terminate at a new station to be built in Embakasi.

Commuter Train 2030 Plan

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Aug 16, 2010

The Kenya Railways Corporation is expected to embark on the construction of a new metropolitan railway network in just a matter of weeks. The Vision 2030 secretariat which is co-ordinating the implementation of the projects under the economic blueprint confirmed that the ground breaking ceremony for phase one of the project will be conducted next month. The new railway which will run on a high speed standard gauge railway and completely new coaches will originate from the current Nairobi railway station and terminate at a new station to be built in Embakasi.

Syokimau Demolitions losses

Uploaded by ktntvkenya on Nov 14, 2011

no description available

Mama, cry loud, God will revenge? soon. Raila you’re the PM now, on the line of presidential candidte, you can’t even protect your people? how will you promise to protect them in the future?Is this the promised land, where people cry. The promised land “New Earth” which Jesus promised to bring, no sorrow , no pain,no crying like this. Don’t cheat Kenyans.
calesh02 2 weeks ago

Syokimau Demolitions Enter Day 2

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 13, 2011

Government bulldozers continued flattening houses in Syokimau for the second consecutive day. Over 200 housing units within a 3KM radius from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have been earmarked for demolition, an exercise carried out under tight security by both the regular and administration police officers. And as Sheila Sendeyo reports, controversy surrounds the demolitions with residents claiming that they have genuine documents proving ownership of the land, which they say were issued to them by the government.

Syokimau land saga… Grow up GOK

Uploaded by MrMujama on Nov 15, 2011

GOK screwed planning i support syokimau residents

Who Owns Syokimau Land?

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 15, 2011

WHO’S FOOLING WHO?: KAA presents Syokimau title deed. Over 5000 other people also hold titles.So whose land is this?

Why let us build homes then demolish them?

Uploaded by capitalfmkenya on Nov 14, 2011

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2011/11/why-let-us-build-homes-then-demolish-…

Heated Debate Over Syokimau Demolitions

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 15, 2011

STORM OVER SYOKIMAU: MPs demand answers from the govt. Orengo: the title deeds are forged.

Syokimau Demolitions

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 17, 2011

Lands Minister James Orengo, Transport Minister Amos Kimunya and Attorney General Professor Githu Muigai are among five cabinet members set to appear before a joint parliamentary committee, Monday, to be grilled over the controversial Syokimau demolitions. The special committee led by Gachoka Member of Parliament, Mutava Musyimi will seek to unearth the reasons behind the demolitions that saw more than 200 families displaced after their homes were flattened. This, even as 15 structures housing members of the Maasai community in Kapani, Embakasi, were demolished yesterday. but, as Willis Raburu reports, the Kenya airports authority says it continued with the demolition exercise as it was only served with the order yesterday afternoon. KAA says it will abide by the court order.

Syokimau Demolitions

Uploaded by kenyacitizentv on Nov 12, 2011

Scores of residents in Syokimau area have been left homeless after bulldozers flattened their houses worth millions of shillings off Mombasa Road in Nairobi under the supervision of armed administration and regular police officers. According to Kenya Airports Authority, the houses sit in the corridor flight path, which poses a great risk to the safety of planes as well as the lives of the dwellers. Sally Mbilu reports on a demolition riddled with controversy as residents claim that the land dispute was in court and they had not been issued with any eviction notice, amid claims by the Kenya Airports Authority to the contrary.

Syokimau Demo

Uploaded by K24TV on Nov 18, 2011

Mlolongo area residents protest over the on going Syokimau demolitions.

Notes On Voluntary Dealings In Land Titles And Deeds

1. Sale, mortgage, lease, special power of attorney and trusts are examples of voluntary dealings. They are entered voluntarily by the parties. Unlike an involuntary dealings, the owner doesn’t want the transaction to be registered. The owner wouldn’t want his property be subject of an attachment, adverse claim or notice of lis pendens.
2. Registration is the necessary act for the transaction to bind third parties.
3. Actual knowledge is equivalent to registration. Registration is to give notice. If the person knows about the transaction, it is deemed that the transaction has been registered.
4. Registration should be done in the correct registry. If it is a titled property, there is a separate book for titled property. If it is a dealing with unregistered property, there is a different book for unregistered land. If you register in a different book, there is no registration that is valid as against third persons.
5. The constructive notice mentioned in PD1959 is conclusive.
6. There is a distinction with regard voluntary and involuntary dealings with the effectivity of registration. With involuntary dealings, once there is entry in the day book and paid the needed fees and taxes, the RD issues the new title and cancels the old one. Once there is compliance, the transaction is considered
registered. With voluntary dealings, entry in the day book is insufficient.
7. Mere entry in the day book/primary book is sufficient. It is often times that owners don’t want to surrender their owner’s duplicate.
8. Carry-over of encumbrances. Suppose that you purchase property and there was prior mortgages and notice of lis pendens. These encumbrances will be carried over to the new certificate issued to the buyer.
9. Can you sell only a portion of your property? You can have it annotated. But if the buyer would like a separate title, then he should submit a subdivision plan, there should be a technical description. The old title would be cancelled and a new title issued covering the portion sold.
10. Basically the procedure of registration for voluntary dealings can be categorized into two—if it is an absolute sale or mortgage. If it is a sale, the deed of sale and title should be submitted. There should also be proof of payment of real estate taxes as well as registration fees and documentary stamp taxes. With that, the Registry of Deeds shall make the corresponding entry that will cancel the old certificate of title and issue a new one in favor of the buyer. If it
is merely an encumbrance however, the document shall only be presented to the RD, payment of the corresponding amount and the corresponding annotation done by the RD is notice to third persons.
11. If it is judicial foreclosure, you register the order of the court confirming the sale. If it is extrajudicial foreclosure, you register the order of the sheriff.
12. For implied trusts, read the case of Aznar Brothers. It has two kinds—resulting trust and constructive trust. If it is an implied resulting trust, prescriptive period is 10 years from time of repudiation.
13. It is dependent on the facts and circumstances of the case on whether who would have a better right, the owner or the mortgagee. But generally, when it is through a forged deed, then the owner would have a better right over the property. The forged deed is a nullity. On the other hand, when there is chain of
title, the innocent purchaser in value would have a better right.
14. Doctrine of mortgagee in good faith. If the property is mortgaged to an innocent mortgagee, it is possible that he would have a better right over the property than the real owner.
15. Even if the title is null and void, there is still validity of the mortgage. The mortgagee has a right to rely on the title, provided there is nothing that would arise suspicion on the part of the mortgagee.
http://www.batasnatin.com/law-library/civil-law/land-titles-and-deeds/1476-notes-on-voluntary-dealings-in-land-titles-and-deeds.html

Related Law Resources

Guidelines on how to detect fake titles
NO TIME LIMIT TO FILE PETITION TO ANNOTATE A DEED OF SALE
PROCEDURE WHERE ONLY PORTIONS OF LAND ARE CONVEYED
ISSUANCE OF DECREE OF REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
HEIRS OF VENCILAO, SR. V. COURT OF APPEALS 288 SCRA 574
Reliance On Title Alone On Registered Lands Does Not Appy To Banks
More Law Resources
DUTY OF OWNER TO DELIVER TITLE OF THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT
Time of Completion of Subdivision or Condominium Plans
LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR BREACH OF WARRANTIES- CONDOMINIUM UNIT BROCHURES
MORTGAGE OF CONDOMINIUM WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF BUYER IS AN UNSOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE
REGISTRATION OF SALE OF SUBDIVISION LOTS AND CONDOMINIUM UNITS
The period within which to appeal the decision of the Board of Commissioners of the HLURB
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CHANGE OF NAME OF A SUBDIVISION OR CONDOMINIUM
JURISDICTION OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board
WHEN A PERSON AUTOMATICALLY CEASES AS A STOCKHOLDER IN A CONDOMINIUM CORPORATION
THE OWNER OF A UNIT IS CONSIDERED A SHAREHOLDER IN THE CONDOMINIUM CORPORATION
Additional Law Resources
DUTY OF REGISTER OF DEEDS TO REGISTER DOCUMENT PRESENTED FOR REGISTRATION IS MINISTERIAL
REGISTRATION OF INSTRUMENTS DEALING WITH UNREGISTERED LAND
Land Registration Circular No. 35
JUDICIAL RECONSTITUTION UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 26
SECTION 109 OF THE LAND REGISTRATION ACT GOVERNS REPLACEMENT OF LOST DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE
NO ALTERATION OR AMENDMENT OF DECREE OF REGISTRATION IS PERMITTED EXCEPT UPON ORDER OF THE COURT
COURT MAY NOW HEAR BOTH CONTENTIOUS AND NONCONTENTIOUS CASES
PROCEEDINGS UNDER SECTION 112 OF THE LAND REGISTRATION ACT ARE SUMMARY IN NATURE
WHEN TO FILE PETITION FOR AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION OF CERTIFICATE
WHERE TO FILE PETITIONS OR MOTIONS AFTER ORIGINAL REGISTRATION

JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS AND END OF YEAR PARTY

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from AKR|Association of Kenyans Living in Rwanda

Dear Fellow Kenyan,

The AKR Executive Committee is pleased to welcome you to the Jamhuri day Celebrations and End of Year Party to be held on Friday 16th December 2011 at the Sports View Hotel from 6.00pm.

Come we Dine and Dance together as we celebrate successes and drown frustrations of the year gone by.

Further details will be circulated in due course.

Kind regards,
Carol

Kenya must respect independence of judiciary: Annan

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from Judy Miriga

Folks,

Without fulfilling the Majimbo Governance (Federal) system of Devolution of Counties, and without the Coalition Government in the leadership of Kibaki and Raila valuing and respecting dignity of Public Mandate by being compliant to their Oath in Constitutional Legal and Security Policy requirement, Kenya will not be able to navigate from Social, Economic and Political Crisis which is currently inflicting Kenya.

Kenya’s Coalition Government activities has demonstrated to public and the world (Plain and Clear) that they do not care about public interest nor do they like the Constitutional Change. They embraced the corrupt and unscrupulous International Corporate theft and greed, a logical framework of hypocrisy to appease their illegal and unconstitutional creation of wealth from “Intellectual Property Thieving” of Public Wealth Resources. Public funds have been openly and criminally been misappropriated, public Taxpayer, land, minerals and water resources have been stolen, Public Revenue is not balanced to sustain Middle Class and poverty imbalances in the country, the leadership of Kibaki and Raila purposefully created insecurity and Civil Strife from their refusal to cooperate and provide responsible and dignified Public dialogue according to Public Mandate. They fear shifts which will affect their comfort zones. It is for the above reasons that we doubt if Kenya under leadership of Kibaki and Raila, are willing to deliver to Public in conformity to “Reality Plan of Action” for “Fresh Alternative to Eradicate Poverty” an essence basics for Security and Development.

Show Case:
1) Economic Crime Against Humanity through forceful evictions meant to create middle-class poverty situation to disparity, target victims of expansive homelessness of urban beggars who in the consequence are easily driven to early death-bed and private gangs from hopelessness

2) Mismanagement and Misappropriation of National Free Primary School Fees in the watch of Prof. Sam Ongeri where no action was taken even after a world’s complain and intervention

3) Investigation of misappropriation, theft and transfer of public funds in Foreign Ministry By Wetangula has been shelved by the Government and instead Wetangula has been rewarded for stealing public funds and was asked to resume his public office job without charges or report of findings

4) It is a serious offence, criminal and unethical by the Prime Minister Mr. Raila to accept and take public loan for “Kazi kwa Vijana” from the world-bank, transfer the money to other non-life-threatening, none urgent, unnecessary and unimportant usage and denying the explosive ballooning catastrophic phenomenon of youth joblessness for which the funds were intended, and having caught red-handedly and exposed, the funds were returned to World-Bank in a hurry. It is a crime because, although the funds were returned to the World Bank, the Loan still stands. The loan has still to be paid by Taxpayer even after the return. This does not make sense. This explains how corruption is ripe between World-Bank and Kenya Government and we must demand for answers. It is from this kind of exchange that Ponzi Scheme and Hedge Funding operates and we demand for United Nations security with world leaders to help investigate the matter for security of Kenyans and the rest of Africa. We fear World Bank, IMF, IGAD, IFAD, AfDB etc., are facilitating illicit, unscrupulous and corrupt International Corporate Theft and Greed in impoverishing Africa and this must stop.

5) Crime against marginalization and Sabotage of distributive public wealth to National Socio/Economic Elite on an unfair utilization faulting Mutual Common Interest for progressive development

6) Crime against Employment discrimination has reached toll-order out of control as a result of corruption, impunity and graft

7) Conspiracy of threats and Brain-drain that led to economic instability and plunder through Political marginalization and discrimination against public rights in unfair level playing field in the service to provide fair employment to all, inflated high cost of living, lack of needs and facilities, lack of securities and conditions to employments including Government leadership irresponsibility of preparedness to Draught, Hunger, Poverty and inability to curb against natural disaster and calamities

8) A conspiracy of Economic Crime to defraud, frustrate, belittle, abuse and intimidate Luo Community on baseless transformational Tribal discourse make-believe concepts behavior meant to marginalize Luo Cultural Heritage of their Dignity, Pride and Values into a lured circumcision ploy.

9) Crime against police brutality and extra-judicial assassinations

10) Crime against humanity through changing public mandate of the New Constitution to suit corrupt International Corporate Special Interest Cartels’ interest

10) Drug Cartels making a spoil of criminal injustices in the natural fabric of livelihood and survival of Kenyans

11) Crime against public interest are crime against humanity. Moi, Kibaki and Raila inclusively are guilty against these crimes unless proved otherwise. They are jointly in the crime over matters of the unfinished business of Economic Plunder by Corporate Cartels, that require urgent fix and resolve inclusively by the International Community of United Nations and World Leaders combined

12) People are not involved or engaged into plans by the Government that affect their livelihood and survival before any activities are implemented and taken as policy matters. This is illegal and unconstitutional, as they violate and abuse Human Rights.

For the reasons above and others not listed here, we must all, in our own individual standing and rights, unite and make a formidable force to fight much harder with all our strength, to demand for realistic justice through exposing all wrong doings to protect Africa and our Global united common interests. We must galvanize efforts to confront Political and Socio/Economic injustices before it is too late, and before things fall apart to complete hopelessness.

All good people of the world must stand together to help Kenya and the whole of Africa to stand firm and fight for our Freedom and Democracy against such injustices of African leadership with their network connections, Agents and Lobbyist, who are helping unscrupulous International Corporate Special Interest cartels from bleeding and drinking blood of African victims who became target of circumstances of economic selfishness and greed. It is such as this conspiracy of hypocrisy that provide Political correctness to injustices of manipulative governance that must be brought to an end urgently, so to secure dignity of survival and livelihood of people of Africa in conjunction with Partnership development Agenda of a balanced shared Mutual common interest for all………As things stand, and as can be seen, prospects are not good at all, situation is fairly fluid and dangerously hanging at tipping point ready to explode if left just a little longer.

It is at this point that, Leaders of the world should arrest this situation before it runs out of control……..and as it is, Kenya cannot go to election with a burden of serious unresolved grievous corrupt injustices of criminal baggage’s left on public shoulders. Election will therefore remain never to be free and fair, consequences of which will never be reversed to sanity. It is better it be resolved urgently now when the tiding can still be effectively put in control, unlike when it is out of control.

Thank you and and May God Bless us all.

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

– – – – – – – – – – –

Kenya must respect independence of judiciary: Annan
By Yara Bayoumy | Reuters –

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan has urged Kenya to respect the judiciary’s independence, after political leaders condemned a Nairobi court ruling calling for the arrest of Sudan’s president.

Last week the Kenyan court ordered the government to arrest President Omar al-Bashir if he sets foot in Kenya, and hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague where he is wanted on genocide charges.

The decision, which came more than a year after Kenya failed to arrest Bashir during a visit, led Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula to call it a “judgment in error”. He vowed to appeal the court order and flew to Khartoum to contain the fallout.

The row comes as Kenya awaits a decision by the ICC on whether to confirm charges of crimes against humanity against six high-profile Kenyans, including two contenders in next year’s elections.

“I have a feeling people need to get used to the new system. You have a new system with suppression of powers, an independent judiciary, executive and legislature, and it’s new,” Annan told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference on national dialogue and reconcilation late on Tuesday.

“And so when the court asserts its independence, some people who are used to the old way of doing business still think it’s business as usual … I don’t think you can mix law, diplomacy, politics,” said Annan, who mediated an end to violence that left 1,220 people dead after Kenya’s December 2007 election.

KENYA “BOUND BY ICC STATUTE”

As an ICC member state, Kenya is legally obliged to cooperate with the court and its arrest warrants.

But the African Union (AU) has told its members to ignore the warrant against Bashir, on the grounds that the court is unfairly targeting African rulers.

On Monday the AU reiterated it would “comply scrupulously with the African common position on the respect of the immunity” of Bashir and other incumbent African heads of state.

“Kenya is a signatory of the (ICC) Rome statutes which is binding. I’m not sure even the U.N. can go and take a decision and tell member states don’t cooperate with the ICC, don’t cooperate with the Rome statutes. You signed it but ignore it,” Annan said.

Of the two Kenyan ICC suspects, former minister William Ruto and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, son of Kenya’s founding father, plan to run in the presidential election next year.

Legal proceedings could damage their chances and some obervers say they could ignite violence between rival ethnic groups, raising questions over whether the government will cooperate with the ICC.

“The Kenyan government should abide by its legal obligations. And in fact right from the beginning they have indicated they’ll cooperate with the court. I hope that commitment stands, regardless of which way the decision of the court goes,” Annan said.

At an earlier news conference, Annan dismissed fears of violence should an ICC trial go ahead, citing the example of the Balkans where “people are getting on with their lives” in spite of prosecutions of former leaders.

Annan said Kenyans wanted no return to the violence of the last elections. Annan’s mediation then brought together Mwai Kibaki, an ethnic Kikuyu, as president, and Raila Odinga, from the Luo tribe, as prime minister.

“The people of Kenya have changed and they’ve moved on and they want a society governed by rule of law, they want to fight impunity, they want to fight corruption,” Annan said.

“I think some of the politicians are behind the curve.”

Kenya: Inviting Bashir to Kenya Is an Affront to the Principle of Separation of Powers
John B. Osoro

6 December 2011

opinion

Developments following the High Court order to arrest the Sudanese President if he steps on Kenyan territory are a classic example of the differences between advocates of the old and new schools of international law.

The new school of thought transforms the world society from a system of sovereign states to a world union in which the United Nations protects human rights, punishes international crimes, and enforces its law against states and individuals.

The emphatic references to sovereignty of nations, national interest, and the possible adverse effect on regional and international interests portrayed the two governments as belonging to the old school in international law.

The Kenya Chapter of the International Commission of Jurists must have filed the case against Sudanese President on the basis of their belief in this new approach to international law, inadvertently sparking an unprecedented diplomatic row between Kenya and Sudan.

The ICJ was responding to an earlier request from the Registrar of the ICC asking member states to arrest the Sudanese President when visiting countries signatory to the Rome Statute.

Thus, Kenya should have done it when Bashir attended the promulgation of the Constitution ceremony in August last year.

Mr Bashir is wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity and genocide.

His over-reaction to the High Court order arises from failure to appreciate fully the impact of ongoing political reforms in Kenya that emphasise respect of the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government — the Executive, Judiciary, and Parliament.

Ideally, the Foreign ministry should have firmly informed Khartoum that court decisions in Kenya are independent of the Executive function and influence, and advise, thereafter, that the two friendly countries should explore alternative diplomatic engagements that would preclude Al-Bashir’s presence in Kenya.

The reaction of the Kenya Government to appease Khartoum by condemning the court order and, and in the same breath, inviting the Sudanese President to attend the forthcoming Igad Summit in Nairobi is, therefore, an unwarranted affront on the independence of the Judiciary.

A rejoinder by the Chief Justice during the diplomatic row that independence of the Judiciary must be respected was a timely intervention.

In any case, it is Kenya’s domestic policies that are meant to define the nature and purpose of its foreign policy.

Besides, Kenya is currently co-operating fully with the ICC by allowing its nationals to undergo the ongoing court process at The Hague regarding the 2007 after election violence.

Taking astride the recent High Court order would have been consistent with our established image and belief that certain offences are the concern of all states.

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban once defined international law as the law, which the wicked do not obey, and which the righteous do not enforce.

Surely, Kenya should not be seen as disrespecting the law among states or to be a nation so neutral that it is unable to project its image abroad.

Whatever the reasons behind the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the ICC against the Sudanese President, Kenya has no reason to display the kind of panic it did following the High Court order.

What the High Court order attempted to stop is the wanton display of insensitivity by government towards international law as happened when Sudanese President attended the promulgation of the Constitution last year.

Finally, the heightened activity at Foreign Affairs may be indicative of failure of the ministry to examine, more intensely, the effect of the ongoing reforms in Kenya and how that impacts on this country’s foreign policy.

In the past, Kenyan leaders had a free hand to flout the law and arm-twist government officials and institutions to please foreign powers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must now review its approach to external relations with a view to protecting and projecting our values as a people.

Mr Osoro works with the Centre for Policy Analysis, (osorojb@yahoo.co.nz)

Kenya: Raila’s sister is being accused of practising nepotism by importing her kins from Bondo and supporting them to grab ODM branch leadership to the chagrins of the indigent Kisumu people

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By Ndira Uradi in Kisumu City

INDIGENOUS residents of Kisumu County have voiced concern at the just concluded ODM grass root and County branch elections accusing the younger sister of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga of practicing nepotism by importing her relative from their Bondo background to come and grab various elective positions within the County to the chagrins of the indigenous.

Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, who is the marketing director of the Odinga’s family business flagship, the Spectra International, which is managing the Otonglo market based Kisumu Molasses plant is said to have taken an active part in the elections in the Kisumu Town West constituency sub-branch and in the Kisumu County ODM branch elections which took part at the Tom Mboya Labour College, specifically to ensure that only her relatives were elected in the positions of influence.

It is being claimed that she made it sure that only people whose homes are located within the Odinga family Bondo home turf were elected into two key important positions in Kisumu ODM County branch.

Dave Okwatch a native of the Odinga’s Sakwa Bondo home backyard was propelled by Adhiambo to win the Kisumu County branch of the ODM, while Mrs Rosa Buyu also an indignant of Bondo was imposed n women to become the chairperson of ODM branch in Kisumu County.

The Odingas, it is further alleged that Odinga family has always made it sure that Okwatch is always planted to the ODM nominated Councilor in the Kisumu Municipality despite the fact that he had no grass root support from the indignant in the region apart from doing errand job for the family.

Kisumu Count comprises of six parliamentary constituencies, namely Nyakach, Muhoroni, Nyando, Kisumu Town East, Kisumu Town West and Kisumu Rural. And during the election, delegates from those districts and constituencies were coerced an forced to vote for the two were correct ones wanted at the helm of the County branch.

Aspirants from the above mention rural constituencies with the blessing from their localities were locked out of the race

The matter has since elicited bitter complaints and allegation that the Odingas were out t marginalized the Luos by denying them their democratic birth rights.

Hat has aggravated the situation is the reports making the round that Raila’s sister Ruth Adhiambo Odinga is eying the lucrative position of governor for Kisumu County while Rosa Buru a woman born in Sakwa Bondo, but married to a husband a man of Kisumo Location is said to be eying the Kisumu Town West parliamentary seat, which she contested in 2007,but lost narrowly t to the incumbent Jon Olago Aluoch who beat her hand down during the ODM preliminaries, but she crossed over and into Narc of Charity Ngilu whose ticket she used in contesting the election proper against the ODM official candidate.

She has since been recycled in the government appointed Commissions after the other starting the defunct Andrew Legale led the Interim Electoral Boundaries .Commission

The locals are up in arms and now seeing the hands of the Odinga dynasty in full practice at the ODM leadership at all levels. People are wondering how Raila could win the hearts of the electorate in this region, where he has enjoyed massive supports of the voter with such complaints going unaddressed.

Ruth Adhiambo’s concerted effort to ensure the victory of Dave Okwatch and Rosa Buyu has given credence to unconfirmed allegation that she spent most of her time anointing her favorite candidates with those with potentiality of leadership being locked out.

Those who were vehemently oppose to the idea of electing an expatriate to be elected the party official in Kisumu were simply branded “traitors” an outmoded and stale word which was coined by the pro-Odingas during the old KANU-KPU rivalries of the 1960s..

Despite of the manipulations and nepotism, the locals have vowed that the seat for Kisumu County governor must be won by an indignant person with the family root in one of the six constituencies and not an imported person from Bondo even if this would mean mass walkout of Raila’s ODM party.

Meanwhile the race for Kisumu governor position party is slowly picking up and it favor the Mumias Sugar Company Marketing and Sales Director Peter Hongo who has also declared his interest in the powerful regional position.

His other credible challengers include an Insurance guru in Kisumu Simon Ogendo, former executive with the KRA Jack Ranguma, a Nairobi businessman Tom Otieno Alila, another Nairobi business executive with the Microsoft International Luis Otieno Ogingo, all of them indigenous people of Kisumu County.

To crown up the Odinga’s dynasty the other rumors making the round is that Raila’s elder brother the Bond MP who the Finance Assistant Minister Dr.Oburu Odinga is to abandon his Bondo parliamentary setf0r the Siaya Senate seat, while Mrs Ida Raila Odinga will go for the left vacant Bondo parliamentary seat. And furthermore Raila’s son Fidel Odinga is to intending to contest and inherit his father’s Lang’ata constituency seat in Nairobi.

Political pundits Kisumu City and observers alike were quick in pointing that if the proposed arrangements were to be implemented it would portray members of the Odinga’s as a family which is exhibiting excessive arrogance which could work against and stir up rebellion and sectional backlash.

Other rumors making the round in the lakeside City s that the Odingas were not comfortable with another Luo man winning the Nairobi City governor position in the forthcoming general elections. Political hirelings closely associated with the family have been heard saying that a Luo cannot be a governor in Nairobi while Raila Odinga is the President of the republic of Kenya, and those not supportive and ascribing to this school of thought have chipped in their opinion citing the reign of the founding President Jomo Kenyatta when his daughter Miss Margaret Kenyatta was the Mayor of Nairobi while her father was the Head of State and the President therefore whoever insisting that a person from Lu-Nyanza cannot be elected to become the City governor is merely advancing selfish argument.

Ends