Monthly Archives: February 2008

MAIZE AND DAIRY FARMERS IN WESTERN KENYA FACE SERIOUS CRISIS

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  Kisumu, 20/02/2008
       By Leo Odera Omolo
  
  Farmers in Western Kenya, especially those farming in the North Rift Region, are facing a planting crisis following recently increased fuel prices and the high cost of all other farm inputs.
  
  Reports emerging from Eldoret town say that soaring prices coupled with the effect of the post-election violence have forced some large and small scale farmers to consider abandoning the cultivation of maize and wheat for fear of incurring heavy losses.
  
  Farmers now want the government to re-introduce the guaranteed minimum return (GMR) loaning scheme policy to cushion them in case of crop failure.
  
  One prominent farmer in Uasin Gishu district, Mr. Said Chepkeitany, remarked “we are likely to experience low harvest this season due to high cost of production.”
  
  The shortest GMR loan scheme policy, which protected the farmers against incurring losses following poor harvests, was scrapped by the government several years ago leaving farmers with no alternative but to take risks in agricultural investment.
  
  Fears by the farmers have been confirmed by the Agricultural Ministry’s field officials who admitted rising production costs would interrupt this season’s planting programming.
  
  The price of fertilizers like double ammonium phosphate has increased from Kshs 2600 to Kshs 3400 while diesel has increased from Kshs 77.29 to Kshs 82.24 per litre.
  
  The North Rift region covering Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu districts have long been recognized as the granaries of Kenya. The region produced 12 million bags of maize and 3.7 million bags of wheat last year.
  
  The farmers in the region were motivated to increase the acreage under production for maize and wheat following the disbursement of Kshs 482 million by the government through the Agricultural Finance Cooperation (AFC) to boost productivity.
  
  The revival of agricultural mechanizations through tractor hire services and the revitalization of the Kenya Seed Company and AFC have also enabled farmers to increase crop acreage.
  
  The reports also paint a gloomy picture for milk production in the country indicating that dairy farmers and several milk processing companies are also strugging to keep up with milk demand in the country.
  
  The low milk supply is due to the post-election violence that characterized the milk-producing Rift Valley.

  
  The company’s branch manager Rosemary Aloo was recently quoted by the local press saying “our production process has been revised to match the milk supplies we receive from our outlets in the Province.”  She added that “a bulk of our suppliers in the region have been affected by the violence.”
  
  Although the relatively calm central Province has provided the lifeline supply, it is being fought for between the big players in the dairy industry–Spin Knit Dairy, New KCC and Brookeside Dairy–as well as by other small-scale processors that dot the province.
  
  Statistics from the Kenya Dairy Board, the market regulator, shows that, by last year, milk production had grown by almost 100 percent over a period of four years.
  
  Production in the country stood at 3.8 billion litres annually compared to 2.8 billion litres in the year 2004.
  
  However, this year’s production is expected to take a nosedive in the first quarter. The majority of farmers engaged in milk production in the Rift valley Province have been displaced from their farms and have had dairy cattle stolen.
  
  Over the past two years, Kenya has developed as a net exporter of milk mainly to its neighbours in the region and to Middle Eastern countries. Of the total sales revenue for family businesses, about 10 percent originates from export sales.
  
  
  Ends
  Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
   
  

WFP to Purchase Foodstuff Worth USD 55 Million from Ugandan Farmers and Producers

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  Kisumu, 21/2/08
   By Leo Odera Omolo
  
  The world largest humanitarian organization, World Food Programme (WFP), bought 2.1 million metric tones of food grains valued at over USD760 million from 60 developing countries in the year 2007 with Uganda being the largest supplier.
  
  The food purchased in Uganda was valued at USD 55 million, out of a total of more than USD 1 billion, which WFP spent on food in domestic markets in Africa between  2001 and 2007.
  
  WFP is currently planning to expand its food procurement activities by supporting sustainable crop production to address the root cause of hunger in the continent.
  
  The organization will purchase more food directly from low income farmers and farmers’ groups, and partner in agriculture and market development in the countries in which it operates.
  
  “We are now not only feeding hungry people, but helping to develop sustainable solutions to hunger,” said WFPexecutive director Josette Sheeran in a report just released.
  
  One way that the WFP is able to offset rising prices is by buying food in local markets in developing countries where prices are sometimes much lower and which are located closer to areas where the WFP distributes food. As food prices that help support local markets and keep food affordable to the most vulnerable become more important, much of the food that the WFP buys in developing countries is being distributed locally–in the same country where it was purchased– or regionally, thus keeping transport costs to minimum.
  
  “The policy is to buy locally when there is an abundance and avoid local market at times of scarcity so as not to distort the market,” the director said.
  
  This will help reduce the risks farmers face from uncertain markets, boost incomes and encourage investment in technologies and practices that increase and improve food production.
  
  “Buying local helps provide more income for small scale farmers, while saving money for  WFP,” the director stated, adding that rising fuel and commodity costs have impacted upon the WFP’s ability to supply food to the hungry.  However, transport costs are minimized through the agencies delivery of food purchased in developing countries either locally or regionally, concludes the report.
  
  Ends
  LEOODERAOMOLO2@yahoo.com

UGANDA TO RECEIVE MILLION OF DOLLARS OF BUDGETARY AID FROM GERMANY

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  Kisumu, 20/02/2008
  By Leo Odera Omolo
  
  UGANDA is to receive some USD 80 million from Germany for budget support and selected projects in the water energy and financial sectors.
  
  A total of USD 21.4 million will go towards poverty reduction. The new deal was recently disclosed by the German Ambassador to Uganda Reinhard Butchnolz during a meeting with Finance State Minister Fred Jachan Omach.
  
  In April last year, Uganda and Germany reached an agreement on financing for three years from 2007 to 2009.
  
  Omach said at least USD 22.1 million would be utilized towards technical support for the three years.
  
  The aid package was agreed upon following a visit to Uganda by a high-powered delegation from Germany during which German President Horst Kohler initiated talks on areas in which his country will cooperate with Uganda.
  
  In this regard Hon Omach said the two countries discussed Germany’s interest in developing Uganda’s railway network. But the Minister gave no further details in regards to the envisaged plan to improve railway network.
  
  During the visit, President Kohler also toured most of the projects in Uganda which are funded by his country.
  
  At least USD 21.4 million will go towards poverty reduction, while water and sanitation projects will consume USD 14.2 million
  
  According to the German envoy Mr. Butcholz who signed the agreement on behalf of his government, another USD 22 million will be split between renewed energy and the development of the financial sector.
  
  The latter is a new USD 2.8 million projects by the German government to develop cheap money transfer infrastructure for rural communities. A microfinance programme for rural areas that uses mobile phones and other communication technologies to transfer money has already been set up.
  
  Another USD 1.9 million has been allocated to increasing access to financial services in rural including northern Uganda said the Ambassador.
  
  The system will also see the funds moved from the urban-based microfinance institution to rural customers, although officials have warned that putting a cap on the internet rates charged by these institutions could derail the programme.
  
  Uganda’s average rates in the microfinance sector can be as high as 28 percent but Germany says that putting a cap on the rates could create disincentives for key players to expand or remian in the micro-credit sector.
  
  “An internet cap for these microfinance institutions would be detrimental to these plans” said the envoy.
  
  In addition to funding other projects in the financial sector, Germany’s government is also one of the countries supporting Uganda’s upcoming credit reference review bureaucracy which has lost almost USD 8.5 million.
  
  This is Uganda’s second agreement with a key donor on budget support following the country’s spending spree last year which saw the government spend USD 157 million in preparation for the commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in November. Funds were diverted from other sectors to host the summit.
  
  At  the end of last year Denmark, the African Development Bank and other European donor’s jointly gave the Uganda government a combined grant of USD 150 million for water and roads.
  
  “It is indeed notable that donors keep pumping money in Uganda even though they remain skeptical of the government’s willingness to fight corruption.”
  
  During the visit President Kohler told his host that the country needed to establish an anti-corruption court and refute mismanagement at all levels of government in order to continue receiving financial assistance and aid.
  
  An audit of CHOGM funds, which were widely believed to have been grossly mismanaged, is yet to be released but the donors are not holding back.
  
  Germany has been one of Uganda’s main donors since 1964 and its total financial commitment to the country to date stands at more that USD 840 million.
  
  According to the Ambassador, Uganda remained one of Germany’s priority partners and will continue receiving budget support and aid for selected sectors.
  
  Ends
  Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

SPEECH BY THE EAC SECRETARY GENERAL AMBASSADOR JUMA MWAPACHU

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STATEMENT BY AMB. JUMA V. MWAPACHU, SECRETARY GENERAL EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DURING THE OPENING OF THE MEETING OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES ON PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT  PROMOTION AGENCIES.

By Leo Odera Omolo in Arusha -22/02/08

Welcome to Arusha and even though we are meeting in a hotel I still would want to welcome you to the East African Community Headquarters.  It is an honour and a privilege for me to open this inaugural meeting of Chief Executives of our Investment Promotion Agencies and those of our major business associations.  We meet today against a worrisome regional backdrop.  The Kenyan political impasse imposes a difficult and complex environment for the EAC; for investment promotion and for business players alike in the region.  Following the Kenyan political situation, trade flows have been negatively affected and so have exchequer and business revenues.  Movement of raw materials and fuel has also been seriously impacted, threatening not only industrial competitiveness but also the retention of existing jobs.  Tourism in particular has suffered greatly.  Thank goodness, there is a silver lining before us.  Kenya is quickly returning to normalcy.  
  However, there are serious lessons that we must all learn from what has happened in Kenya in the context of promoting our region as a destination for investment and tourism and, in particular, in our quest to promote the EAC region as a single investment and tourism destination.  We have also seen, for example, that whilst poor infrastructure has all along constituted a major barrier to doing business in our region, and thereby eroding our competitive edge, civil strife has a devastating economic impact even where infrastructure is good.  The lesson we learn is that we can only promote and attract investments sustainably as well as assure effective intra-regional trade, if we have enduring peace and stability.  
  
  In turn, it is the core values that underpin peace and security that assure sustainable development.  These values embrace democracy, good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights.  In other words, we can no longer afford not to address these core values that need to be commonly shared in all the EAC countries as we continuously deliberate on how best to work together as promoters of investment and as business actors.  In April this year, from the 10th-11th, the East African Community and the East African Business Council will stage the Second East African Media Summit in Dar-es-Salaam, hosted by IPP Media of Tanzania, and the core theme will be on these particular issues.
  
  My friends,
  
  Let me also underline that the Kenyan political situation has heightened the importance of addressing the key strategic factors that constitute the bedrock of business confidence and competitiveness.  In this area, the availability of reliable and robust infrastructure, in alternative routes in our region, is of critical importance.  At the EAC level, steps are already underway to address our infrastructural deficits – in railways, ports and harbours, roads, energy, civil aviation, and lake transportation both on Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.  The EAC Master Plans for roads, railways and energy are under review in order to mainstream Rwanda and Burundi in the Master Plans.  Progress is also at an advanced stage in promoting an East African Civil Aviation Regime that meets international standards in air safety and security oversight.  
  
  All this work is being done in the realization that good infrastructure is what unlocks the potentials for economic growth and development.  In as much as our governments, in some Partner States, have concessioned the railways and ports, this remains inadequate as experience has shown.  What is at stake is the injection of investments in improving the railway permanent ways and the handling capacities of our ports.  In view of the challenges that lie in these infrastructure areas, the EAC has decided, over the next four months, to give them central attention.  Thus the Retreats for Permanent Secretaries and Ministers of our key strategic ministries will be held in Mwanza early March and in Kampala in April, respectively.  
  
  My friends,
  
  Globalization has been the driving force behind market-driven economic integration in the world.  The challenges of globalization are best responded to and mastered when efforts toward regional cooperation and integration are undertaken.  The reason is simple.  Regional integration assures better sharing of opportunities as well as management of risks.  Since the onset of the EAC Customs Union in January 2005, our region has reaped benefits through the growth of intra-regional trade and business confidence.  As a result, we have also witnessed growth in intra-regional investments.  Indeed, the liberalization of the capital account in Kenya and Uganda and part liberalization in Tanzania, has catalysed growth in the shares market through the process of cross-listing of company shares in the three stock exchanges.  There are efforts to extend the process to Rwanda and later to Burundi.
  
  More importantly, the EAC is fast moving towards the promotion of an East African Capital Market with a Central Stock Exchange.  The international Finance Cooperation of the World Bank is funding a major project in this regard and work is in progress.  Once developed, the East African Capital Market would act as a spur and a catalyst of vibrant mergers and acquisitions and of greenfield investments that reflect an East African character.  Already, we are seeing a growing Initial Public Offering (IPO) activity as well as a Bond Market in the East African Partner States.  The cumulative effect of these innovative financial products and instruments is improved liquidity in our region that can be available to fund capital investments and grow our various businesses.  This is as it should be because the urgency to forge public-private partnerships, especially in the field of capital investments, in areas such as infrastructure development is real and critical.  Our governments are well focused on creating the enabling environment to support PPPs and the business sector, so well represented here by the investment promotion agencies and the leaders of private sector business associations.
  
  The centrality of PPPs could not be overemphasized at a time where there is growing concern, especially in Tanzania, about the letter and spirit of mining contracts.  The jury is still not out on the exact character of these contracts.  Suffice to state, that the ethos of economic empowerment of our citizens in the EAC region is growing in importance and sensitivity.  Ownership by the citizens of their national economic resources, even whilst we seek to forge closer collaborations with foreign capital, technology and skills, is what economic liberalization is all about.  I was thus moved by a report published in the Daily News of Tanzania yesterday which reported that Mbeya has huge deposits of high grade phosphate able to produce 30,000 tonnes a year.  The Mbeya authorities, quite rightly and commendably, are moving in the direction of floating an IPO to raise funds for investing in the exploitation of the deposits and the production of fertilizer.  In my view, this is the correct route to take towards achieving the economic empowerment of East Africans.  It is a route that our Investment Promotion Agencies and our indigenous private business sector should pursue and develop. Moreover, it is a route that will importantly mitigate the presently heightened fears and concerns about corruption and malfeasance in the high circles of the government, public sector and business.  In sum, it is the best route that can create the enabling conditions for a broader ownership of our resources on an East African scale.  
  
  My friends,
  
  As I mentioned earlier, our region must quickly move towards creating a platform for the mobilization of people’s savings that can go towards funding not only strategic infrastructures but strategic businesses as well such as that represented by the Mbeya phosphate and fertilizer case.  My friends, what I have so far said points to the importance of our working together and, I believe, that this we can attain through joint investment promotion conferences and forums.  Two years ago, we were about to start an annual East African Investment Conference.  It was slated for Nairobi, Kenya with the collaboration of the Commonwealth Business Council.  It did not take place for reasons that are now historical.  Now we are better focused and organized.  Thus, the first annual East African Investment Conference will take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 26th-27th June this year.  Contacts are being made with the EABC, the Investment Promotion Authorities and all business associations in our region to ensure that we have a successful inaugural investment conference.  The Commonwealth Business Council has already been approached to render a helping hand.  We also plan to use the Leon Sullivan Business Summit which President Jakaya Kikwete is hosting in Ngurdoto Arusha from 2nd – 6th June as a platform for promoting our own Investment Forum slated for Kigali.
  
  My friends,
  
  You have a unique opportunity before you to discuss how best we can work together in our region in order to achieve the EAC vision of promoting a secure, competitive and prosperous East Africa.  I have every trust and confidence in your wisdom, experience and commitment in making this vision possible.  As the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere put it, it can be done, play your part.  The EAC will extend to you every support in this important venture.  I wish you well and every success.
Ends

   leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

BODY OF KISUMU TYCOON EXHUMED

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  KANO VILLAGERS WERE SHOCKED AS THE DECOMPOSED BODY OF A KISUMU TYCOON WAS EXHUMED IN A LEGAL  TUSSLE 

 Kisumu, 21/02/2008
  
  By Leo Odera Omolo
  
  The completely decomposed body of a Kisumu and Nyando districts based business tycoon was recently exhumed from the grave after burial for a couple of weeks in what observers believed was a struggle among his family members over the inheritance of his massive wealth.
  
  Mzee Paul Odero Isacka, aged about 88 years, died of natural causes more than a month ago after a long bout with illness.
  
  Commonly known to his peers as “the Lord Mayor of Ahero, Paul Isacka Odero was a prominent businessman in both Kisumu and Ahero towns and also a large scale sugarcane farmer around Tamu settlement scheme in Muhoroni area.
  
  For many years he was the main distributor of beer and Tobacco in the old larger Kisumu district and built his wealth from his sugarcane farming and other businesses in Kisumu and Ahero towns. He was also involved in the real estate development business.
  
  Soon after Odero’s death, his immediate family made elaborate funeral arrangements. The plan detailed how the tycoon’s body would be removed from the Aga Khan Hospital mortuary and driven to his Kisumu Milimani House for a brief stop-over and public viewing.
  
  Also in the burial plan was an arrangement for the late Mzee Odero to stay briefly at his ancestral home in Nyakoko Village, Kamagaga sub-clan in North East Kano location before his body was driven to his Muhoroni farm house for a public viewing and overnight stay..
  
  Kamagaga sub-clan is the place where Mzee Paul Odero had established his  traditional homestead. His first wife’s house is still standing there and his relatives wished him to buried there in accordance with Luo tradition and culture..
  
  But in the early 1960s Mzee Odero became one of the local entrepreneurs and pioneers who moved to the new settlement  in Muhoroni. He bought a large scale farm with a complete ultra-modern European house that had been built using white settler aid lived.  Odero, a polygamist, had several homes.  He lived in the European-stle house with his first wife and also moved his other family members to the settlement. 
  
  Mzee Odero, however, did not dismantle his rural home nor the rural house of his first wife.  In Luo tradition, this is symbolic and is taken to mean that the traditional home remained intact.  Even his elder son Peter Oguko Odero maintains a cottage in the same abandoned homestead even though he divides his time between Kisumu where his first wife resides and Eldoret where his second wife resides.
  
  On the day of the body’s transportation to Muhoroni, the Jo-Kamagaga sub-clan members armed themselves with crude weapons. They intercepted the body which was being transported on the back of a pick-up and forcefully seized it after beating up the truck driver.
  
  The clan felt that Mzee Odero’s Muhoroni home was only a commercial farm house.  They believed that, because he had bought someone else’ readily made home, the Muhoroni homestead should not be his final resting place. They forcefully grabbed the body and buried it in his original old home. The burial, according to eye witnesses, took place at 9pm in the evening. Neither Mzee Odero’s wives nor his sons were there to witness the burial.
  
  The Muhoroni villagers’ actions prompted Mzee Odero’s sons to move to court and demand that his body be exhumed and handed over to them for burial at his Muhoroni home. Despite having enormous wealth, the business mogul never wrote any death will.
  
  The court ordered that the body be exhumed and preserved in a morgue pending the full hearing and determination of the suit brought forth by Mzee Odero’s eight relatives.
  
  Mzee Odero’s body was exhumed by prisoners under tight security and was mounted by heavy armed police men. Villagers who dare to moved close to the grave were tear-gassed and kept at a distance as the security men surrounded the old homestead while a prisoner dug out the body.
  
  The empty grave was later partially covered with an old door.  People in Kamagaga village, located about 5km north of Ahero town are still startled by the event.
  
  It was not possible to immediately establish which mortuary the decomposing body was moved to but eye witnesses report that it was carried in a polythene bag as the coffin was left intact in the grave.
  
  Family members were unwilling to discuss the matter.
  
  Ends

  Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
  

A reminder list!

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Some people have ” a what to do list,” that they fill out every morning to help them accomplish all the planned activities for the day. As for me, I have “a reminder list.” Why so? Because I have found out that in my very busy schedule, it’s very possible to forget
those things that I consider very essential in my life. Below are some of them:

1. To start and end the day with God.
2. I am living a borrowed life that can come to an end at any time and without notice.
3. There are no permanent friends. Those that I consider close friends today can betray me tomorrow. I must, therefore, be careful with what I say and do in their presence.
4. Never to mistreat in any way the new immigrants. The fact that they don’t know their way around and in most cases don’t have much, does not mean anything. Such will rise and do great things in the near future.
5. Avoid the temptation of making every body my enemy. Life is such that I might find myself needing them.
6. Be very careful with reported speeches. Any time information moves from one person to the other, it changes.
7. Learn from my past mistakes and adjust accordingly.
8. Open my eyes wide enough to read writings on the wall.
9. Not everybody I consider an enemy is actually an enemy. Such people have always stepped in at times of need.
10.Be careful what I do and say out there. There are many people out there who know me more than I realize. From time to time I have come across people who approach me and ask ” I think I know you! Are you not pastor Birai?” You can imagine how I feel. I, therefore need to remind myself to be careful what I say and do, and where I go.
11. Be fair and treat all God’s children with dignity. I should not look down upon any one.

As you can tell, my reminder list is long. That’s why I need the prayers of those I love to help me succeed. Will you be willing to pray for me?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai-612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

Belgrade’s US Embassy set on fire

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Kombe kombe wuog uru rabala tieko dhou. Ji ool gi jo imbo ma keto umgi e weche ji. Ji ool gi dhier majogi keto kuomji gi thuon kamoro amora magidhiyoe. Ang’enge gi miriambo nitie kamoro amora majogi nitie. Ji ool gi ang’enge.

Lucia 

Belgrade’s US Embassy set on fire
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo_independence

————————

See also  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/21/kosovo.serbia1

EXCERPT: 

The Serbian prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, told the crowd that “Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people.”

“As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia,” he said from a stage in front of the former parliament building. A huge banner with the same message was draped across the front of the old parliament.

Sent by Lucia

Please Support this Valiant Effort

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Hello!

This is canceled due to snow. Will regroup later…
stay tuned!!

Thank you all!

Regards,
Mama Dee
 

 =======================================

PLEASE HELP ME CIRCULATE THIS URGENT NOTE!

You are cordially invited to attend and be part of an urgent humanitarian assistance fund raising that will be held this coming weekend on Saturday February 23rd 2008. The money raised will be sent to Kenya immediately to help transport displaced Kenyans still
trapped in hostile regions.
 
The fund raising will start at 6:00pm and will be hosted by Helen Adhiambo at:
 
2-Jessica Lane
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
 
Tel: 732-317-3432

Regards,
Mama Dee
  
More details on this issue is attached below:

 =======================================

Hi all,

As a reminder, let us all try the best we can to get our people out of hostile regions and deplorable IDP camps  to their respective home areas.  

So far, a total of over 30 buses and lorries have been facilitated by Nyanza Economic Forum through RECESSPA, the ODM Humanitarian Committee and individuals. With a
combined effort, much more can be done. For more information, please contact:

Mr. Peter Oriare

Regional Coordinator

Regional Centre for Stability, Security and Peace in
Africa

P.O. Box 232-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Phone: +254-0202343830

Mobile: +254-726705203

Email: recesspa@recesspa.org

www.recesspa.org
 The cost of evacuation is as follows currently:

Item
 No of items
 Unit Cost
 
Transport
 1 bus of 50 pax
 50,000
 
Fuel for volunteer vehicles
 1 lorry
 10,000
 
Hired security
 1 person
 2,000
 
Snacks on transit
 1 bus or lorry
 10,000
 
Facilitation by escort teams
  
 20,000

 Note: Please pass this on to all the Nyanza people… Diaspora efforts are being coordinated by Dr. Sam Oyugi of NY. Tel:  +17328570378; Email: samoyugi@yahoo.com

ALERT: TRAINING AND DRILLS FOR UNKNOWN PURPOSES AT KAJIADO NORTH CONSTITUENCY (UNCONFIRMED)

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 TRAINING AND DRILLS FOR UNQUESTIONABLE PERSONS FOR UNKNOWN PURPOSES AT KAJIADO NORTH CONSTITUENCY.    THERE IS SOME RELIABLE INFORMATION THAT A GROUP OF PERSONS IS UNDERTAKING SOME TRAINING AND DRILLS USING BOMBS AT KAJIADO NORTH CONSTITUENCY AT A PLACE KNOWN AS “FORMER NYAKINYUA FARM”. THEY ARE TRAINING UNDER THE COVER OF KWS RECRUITS PERSONNEL.   HOW TO ACCESS THE AREA OF THEIR OPERATION: –  
   FROM  NGONG TOWN
 
   EWASO  NYIRO    
   OLD  PIPELINE ROAD (AREA OF OPERATION)
 
   FROM  MAHI MAHUI- NAROK ROAD
 
   JUNCTION  OF PIPELINE  
   EWASO  RIVER  
   OLD  NGONG ROAD  
   NEAR  EWASO PRIMARY SCHOOL / NAJILE SEC.SCHOOL.

LET KENYANS BE TOLD THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRAINING AT THIS TIME WHEN WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY AND WHY IT IS DONE IN TOTAL SECRECY AND IN THE CONSTITUENCY OF THE MINISTER WHO IS IN CHARGE OF SECURITY IN KENYA.

– Oto

———————

Readers: Please note that this report is UNCONFIRMED.  We publish it as a matter of public safety and we urge our readers to exercise caution.  This information is not meant to incite violence against any member of any ethnic group.  Jaluo.com supports the prosecution of all those who engage in any ethnic violence. 

Ali blames public for protecting criminals

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Community or citizenry policing cannot work when the very citizens are abused and killed by the force. You need to talk with Kibaki, Michuki and Karua who are sponsors of Mungiki!

Ali lives in a different age from the rest of serious patriotic Kenyans. The majority of Kenyans both at home and abroad do not have confidence in the existing police force or the way law enforcement is managed. Just to remind this foolish Ali, the following murders and crimes have not been resolved by the police so far:

1. Tom Mboya – since 1969
2. JM Kairuki
3. Robert Ouko – most of the witnesses who testified ended up dying mysteriously!
4. Ongili Owiti (Kibaki’s name featured adversely on this)
5. Ambala ( apparently connected to Ongili’s death)
6. Oyugi ( apparently connected to Ouko’s)
7. Matiba and Rubia’s ailment after detention ( these two have since then become dysfunctional)
8. Mbai – Bomas Draft( gunned down while reading at his patio)
9. Hon. Were (gunned down at his doorstep)
10.  Hon. Kimutai ( you cheapened his assassination as a crime of passion)

These are just a few selected cases. There are numerous more that are still to be touched by the police.

My questions to this unproductive police commissioner Ali include the following:

1. What do you think Kenyans expect from such a useless force?

2. Are you employed by money from Kibaki’s pockets or by taxpayers’ money?

3. Do you understand the role of the police force?

4. Why should Kenyans expect that your toothless force can solve any crime?

5. What have you done to the killings that were committed by police officers in Nyanza, Mathare, Kibera, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kericho among others?

6. Have you investigated Lucy Kibaki’s assaults?

7. Have you cleaned up the police force? 

8. What is the difference between kenya police and mungiki (ngorokos)?

Ali, you need to stop wasting Kenyans’ time and continue to serve your masters. When they finish with you, we will get you to answer to us on all the crimes you never solved.

Julius Okelo

Ali blames public for protecting criminals 

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802210710.html

Constitution as the only avenue

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Mr Mwai Kibaki and his supporters have realized that the constitution is supreme and ought to be followed in resolving the current political impasse that they created.

I also agree that we ought to follow the constitution. But I have gone through our constitution and I have not come across any chapter that condones a palace coup.

I have not seen any chapter that allows a loser to hijack the process and declare himself the president.

I have not seen any chapter that allows for a president to overthrow himself, install himself and declare a police state.

I would want to follow the constitution as well, but in light of such discrepancies, I will not attempt to follow such a useless constitution, one that cannot guarantee the sovereign rights of all citizens.

I would not want to recognize a partisan constitution.

Oto

The U.S. presidential front runners!

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My attention has been drawn on the 2008 American front runners. As the the race to the nomination nears the end, there is talk of getting nasty and very negative on the front runners. There is an intensive and exhaustive search of all available records to see if
at any time, they did or said something that can be counted against them. Wow! Will they find something? Only time will tell.

I know of one, the Prophet Daniel, whose both public and private records were searched but nothing was found to accuse him other than doing the right things for his Lord. Praise God!

I am glad that I will never seek the public office. That said, privately and deep in my heart, I have found myself wondering, if all my public and private records were scrutinized, will I be able to stand?

Will you?

As I prepare to leave for work this morning, I have but this resolve: While I may have done or said things that hurt someone and, therefore, will most definitely disqualify me in many ways, I have purposed in my heart from now on to live in such a way that all those
who come across me will say ” This Pr Birai used to be like this and this—–but of late, he has totally changed.” Oh how I truly yearn for that! Lord, please help me to achieve this goal before I go the way of my forefathers! Is that your desire too?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai-612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

P.P.O. ASSURES RESIDENTS OF SECURITY

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Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:57:53 

by Jeff Otieno

KISUMU – The newly posted Nyanza Provincial Police Boss (PPO) Mr. Antony Kibuchi has pledged to work hand in hand with the local political leaders and other stake holders to ensure that the security in the province is restored back to normal.
  
  Speaking to this journalist in his office the no nonsense Kibuchi said that he has even called for a forum with the leaders in Tom Mboya Labour College (COTU) this weekend to appeal to them to co-operate in order to ensure security of the people is not compromised by a few disgruntled hooligans who have been extorting and harassing locals under the pretext of political protests.
  
  On the recent skirmishes in Burabi District where several houses have been torched and dozens killed, the PPO vowed to ensure that calm is immediately restored.” I’ve Mobilized all the security agents including the general services unit (GSU) and the administration police (APS) to co-ordinate the exercise” he gloated.
  
  He also took issue with heartless bunch of idlers and inciters who have been torching people’s private properties with glee saying their days are numbered. Kibuchi took over last month from Mrs. Grace Kaindi who was transferred to the complaints desk at the Police headquarters  
  
  END

Amosou

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Amoso u Nyikua ramogi,
A mor mangeny kuom fuenyo mbuyuni. Gima duon’g momiyo andiko ka en ni adwa ngeyo ka njoka nyarnam nitiere e piny Beligium. Owete kod nyimine ndikuru.

An  akumu ja Kendu bay. To sani an vilvoode, belgium.

Bush says no new U.S. bases in Africa

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This is also the man who led a nation to war under “false pretenses” (a polite term for LIED…big time).   

Peace, 

Annah

 ————————————-

Bush says no new U.S. bases in Africa

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer

Wed Feb 20, 7:31 AM ET

President Bush said Wednesday that talk of the United States building new military bases in Africa to expand its influence is “baloney.”
The Defense Department created Africa Command last October to consolidate operations that had been split among three other regional commands, none of which had Africa as a primary focus.

Several African countries, including Libya, Nigeria and South Africa, have expressed deep reservations, fearing the plan signals an unwanted expansion of American power on the continent or is a cover for protecting Africa’s vast oil resources on the United States’ behalf.

Ghana’s President, John Kufuor, raised the issue with Bush during their meetings at Osu Castle, a centuries-old building that was once a hub of slave-trading and now is the seat of government.. “You’re not going to build any bases,” he told Bush — according to Bush.

“I know there’s rumors in Ghana `All Bush is coming to do is try to convince you to put a big military base here,’ Bush said at a news conference with Kufuor. “That’s baloney. As they say in Texas, that’s bull.”

Instead, he said the new command — unique to the Pentagon’s structure — was aimed at more effectively reorganizing U.S. military efforts in Africa to strengthen African nations’ peacekeeping, trafficking and anti-terror efforts.

“The whole purpose of Africom is to help African leaders deal with African problems,” Bush said.

Bush sought to dispel the notion about militarization of Africa even before giving reporters a chance to ask him about it. Kufuour said he was satisfied with Bush’s explanation, and thanked him for announcing it “so that the relationship between us and the United States will grow stronger.”

For now, the administration has decided to continue operating Africom out of existing U.S. bases on the continent with a headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. War-wrecked Liberia is the only African nation that has publicly offered to host a headquarters. Bush said before the trip that “if” a headquarters for Africom is ever established on the continent, he would “seriously consider” Liberia as the host.

http://www.newsvantage.com/perl/p/wed/ay/Ayb114819417.RgQ4_IJK.html?day=Wed&yqy&g=news.front_page

Kibaki’s Survival Strategies

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  Kibaki and his cronies are using some of the Moi/Kanu tactics of the past dictatorial regime of Moi.  These included using boot lickers like Mungatana to go out there and tell the world something completely out of line with the public desire.  This approach usually serves two purposes in a dictaorship; first it sends signals in advance of what is going to happen, and secondly it is used to gauge the response of the public.  Kalonzo Musyoka having worked for Moi for twenty years, perfected these methods.  Nowonder, he recently chaired the PNU/GPC meeting that opposed any power sharing arrangement even though “his” official party is ODM-Kenya.  In the same breadth Kibaki announced yesterday that any agreements must be in line with the existing constitution of Kenya.
  
  What in effect these people are telling the world is that while Koffi Annan’s negotiations which they “suport”, might soon strike a deal, all agreements will first have have to go to parliament for debate as is required by the constitution before they are passed into law.

 They hope that ODM may not be able to garner enough majority to vote in a power sharing deal having killed two of ODM’s MPs.  How many ODM MPs have since been bought is any one’s guess.
  
  The point here is that ODM has somewhat lost ground down from demanding Kibaki’s outright removal, to a power sharing arrangement which must first be endorsed in parliament.  Kibaki and PNU having succeeded to this point are now telling ODM that they are not even willing to share power but that they are willing to accomodate or coopt ODM members on board.  
  
  It is critical that ODM does not lose ANY further ground to these thieves.
  
  Reliable sources now confirm that Kibaki has thought out option number 2, should the above option become bloody;
  
  The Othaya MP last week held a meeting with all heads of the armed forces in Kenya and other top ranking security officials.  The details of this meeting were not made public but it would not be far fetched to conclude that; Kibaki and his Mt Kenya friends, rather than share power with Raila and ODM where his party is a minority, may opt for a military solution lead by his own clique in the forces.  This transitional Military Junta  would promise to call for elections in the “near” future.  
  
  It is crystal clear that the goal right now for this regime is survival and so far they are managing.  Will they survive a power sharing arrangement with Kenya’s largest and most popular political party?  
  
  We in the diaspora have recently been silent because of our trust in the Koffi Annan mediation and the hope that these might bear fruits.  My concern is that we can all pick the signals that this illegitimate government is sending and yet we are now silent.  I once pointed out that a thief will never both own up and agree to return stolen property.  Most thieves serve their time without ever returning thge loot and Kibaki is no exception and he knows this.  After all, he is from a community whose expertise in thievery has in the passed attracted many genetic scientists/engineers.
  
  It is time we resumed the momentum of January to drum up support and point out loudly to this illegitimate regime that they are there illegally and that the least we can accept is a transitional situation that will allow them to exit peacefully.
  
  George Nyangweso
  Minnesota

————————————————

William wrote:
    

George,
  
  I think it is about time we convened a forum to have/add some consistent voice to call for international pressure to push for comprehensive constitutional reform before Kenya can truly claim democratic credentials that the likes of Mwai Kibaki are so ready to hide behind.

————————————————
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:15:54 -0800 (PST)
From: George Nyangweso

Subject: Nyongo’s Interview with VOA

          Below is an excerpt from Nyongo’s interview with VOA yesterday.  
  
  While most of US believe in sovereignty, we cannot hide behind this when it has been clear to all, that the Kenyan Constitution needs an overhaul.  It is ironical that Kibaki was in the team that six  years ago was advocating for a change of the Kenyan Constitution.  It is bordering on blasphemy for Wetangula to tell the whole world that the way forward for Kenya now is to go back to the same Constitution that Kenyans have wanted overhauled for over 20 years.
  
  Wetangula is a learned friend but clearly his state of mind does not reflect that and we in the diaspora should continue to push for change and removal of all stumbling blocks.
  
  George Nyangweso
  
  
  
  
  
  Kenya’s Opposition Says Power Sharing the Way Forward
    By James Butty
Washington, D.C.
18 February 2008
 
  As Kenyans await the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday, an official of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has given more details on what would constitute a possible solution to the country’s post-election crisis. ODM secretary general Peter Anyang Nyong’o said the opposition hopes Secretary Rice is coming to Kenya to re-enforce former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan’s mediation effort and President Bush’s call for a power sharing government.  
 

 Nyong’o told VOA that only a power sharing government can produce a needed political stability for Kenya.

  “Given what President Bush himself has said, I think she is coming to re-enforce the Kofi Annan initiative to ensure that there’s a political solution that will finally bring justice and peace to our country. And that solution has to include power sharing in a coalition government in which the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) being led by Raila Odinga and the Party of National Unity (PNU) of Mwai Kibaki will share power and produce political stability for the nation,” he said.

  Nyong’o said whether President Kibaki remains head of state of Kenya during this power sharing period would depend on what formula is used.

  “He could still be head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and perhaps in charge of foreign affairs as is in the case in France between the president and prime minister of France. The prime minister will then head the government and chair the government. I think that kind of arrangement is something that is being considered. And do hope that the secretary of state would lend support to the principle of a political settlement for the grand coalition, and then the details can be left for Kofi Annan and his team to work out,” Nyong’o said.

  He rejected Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula’s warning of outsiders forcing a deal on Kenya.

  “Nobody is interested in forcing anything on Kenya. This constitution that is in place now has been contentious for many years. The multiparty era started in 1992. We had called for radical constitution change. The authoritarian presidency had remained in tact and got Mwai Kibaki. And I do believe that the foreign minister does not think that the authoritarian presidency is an answer to Kenya’s problems. So saying that things must be done within the framework of the present constitution is actually dragging that debate backward,” he said.

  Nyong’o said all of Africa must draw a lesson from what is happening in Kenya.

  “The lesson that can be drawn is that people must understand there has been lot of changes in Africa for the last 40 years since independence. Those changes are demographic; those changes are based on the social structures of our countries. And unless government structures respond creatively and imaginatively to these changes by allowing greater political participation, transparency, and accountability in government, then of course Africa will not move forward. I think the example in Kenya is something that should be a lesson to many African countries to understand the complexities of democracy and yet its vitality and necessity,” Nyong’o said.     

FEATURE: Comparing Elections

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False Comparison: 2000 US Presidential Election Debacle and 2007 Kenya Election Foul-Up 

By John Mulaa

There is a myth abroad in Kenya that the 2000 US presidential election debacle remotely resembles the 2007 Kenya presidential election in essentials and outcome. The grinders of this myth readily point to the disputed US election and its eventual determination through the courts as the course of action ODM in Kenya should opt for. Al Gore, they are quick to reiterate, did not threaten mass action, rather he meekly walked away when the system decided for his opponent, George Bush.

The first fundamental difference between the two situations, aside from the crude manner the Electoral Commission of Kenya handled the whole affair, is the significance of the Kenyan election vis avis the US election. Those seeking parallels between the two would be much better served if they went much further than 2000, to the mid 19th century when America was in economic and political flux, and agitation, for appropriate comparisons.  

Elections in the US then tended to be epochal because on their outcomes hinged radical policy re-orientations.  Such was the presidential election in 1828 that delivered the White House to Andrew Jackson and a revolution in the conduct of public affairs to America. Four years prior, Congress voted Jacksons’s rival John Quincy Adams president even though Jackson had won the popular vote.

Jackson received a majority of the popular votes and more electoral votes than Adams but since there was a third candidate, Henry Clay, Jackson did not have a majority of the electoral votes. Clay and Adams Clay’s supporters backed Adams and Clay became Secretary of State and Adams won the Presidency. Jackson and his supporters were outraged and in the next election they defeated Adams by a large margin.  That was an epochal election, remembered to this day as a transformative political event in American history.

American democracy was forged in the crucible of the civil war in the 19th century. An equivalent of six million of today’s American population lost their lives to preserve the union. Once the union was secured, the constitution underwent several amendments in order to better serve the interest country.

The 2000 US presidential election, much beloved by history-challenged Kenyans determined to draw non-existent parallels , a debacle though it was, does not come anywhere to a decisive moment in American history. True, had Gore been declared winner, his administration would likely have adopted very different policies than those pursued by Bush who was declared winner after legal maneuvers that stopped a vote recount.  But in terms of the basic constitutional, social and economic structures of the American society, the 2000 US election outcome did not really matter a great deal. By walking away, Gore was signaling that he had great faith in the basic structures of his country.

The big point Kenyan dabblers in comparative politics are missing is that 2007 presidential election in Kenya was epochal in terms of the declared intent of those out to upset the status quo. Indeed, it is the epochal nature of the contest that most likely triggered reactionary maneuvers to thwart a fair outcome.  It was a battle about the structures and future of the country, which is what the voters believed they were participating in. Many voters believe that their will was blatantly and arrogantly thwarted hence the equal resisting force that the action generated.  For all practical purposes, the state then ceased to exist.  The Annan-led mediation is about reconstituting the state and society by creating legitimate structures essential to the orderly functioning of the polity.

The 2007 elections in Kenya were foundational and not merely procedural.  And that speaks to the difference between the 2000 US presidential election and the 2007 Kenya election. Elections in the US, no matter the level of excitement about change, do not promise or deliver a fundamental break with the past despite what new and exciting politicians might say. Having settled the question of society’s basic framework, America is a country that mostly changes incrementally and only rarely radically changes its course.  

It has been suggested that it is possible to automate government in America by simply setting the policy dial on centrist and letting the system function automatically, occasionally tweaking it here and there. Few Americans will miss the politicians thrown out of work! That is how stable the system is.

In contrast, Kenya is experiencing basic definitional problems of the sort America resolved at least a century and a half ago. To understand this is to appreciate the magnitude of the problems the country faces. If the mediation process does not set the country right by enabling the foundation of fundamental, legitimate and properly functioning institutions, the matter will have to be resolved somehow sometime. This is what history teaches.

RENEWED THREAT OF KENYAN PROTESTS

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 EXCERPT:

Meanwhile, Nobel peace laureate Wangari Maathai told Kenyan reporters that she had received death threats from the banned Mungiki armed sect by text message.

Ms Maathai is a former minister and from the same ethnic group, the Kikuyu, as President Mwai Kibaki, but she has called for compromises by leaders on both sides since violence flared following the 27 December polls.

“Because of opposing the government at all times, Professor Wangari Maathai, we have decided to look for your head very soon. Chunga maisha yako (Take care of your life),” the text message read, she told reporters.

For the full article, please see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7254833.stm

Sent by Kiambu

Does Kibaki have morals to talk about Confines of Constitution?

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Kenya has a constitution in place and that has been the problem since independence. I don’t think that Kenyans woke up and said enough is enough to themselves and started burning homes belonging to neighbors for the sake of it. I condemn acts of such violence personally and I hope that such atrocious acts do not reccur. Having said that I would like to comment on Kibaki’s latest rhetoric on the impasse.

Kibaki, after having been holed in State House, while Kenyans were butchering themselves and burning homes, comes out to say that “he would not mind sharing responsibilities (note the change of terminology) with ODM as long as it is within the Kenyan constitution. I think this is one of the most outrageous statements that Kibaki of all the people could say.

First and foremost, Kibaki violated the constitution that he pretends to uphold. By putting pressure on ECK to declare an unlawful announcement of stolen election results, trigerring violence and killings, usurping executive powers of the presidency and ordering innocent kenyans to be shot and killed by police, to me is murder and felonious. If this is not enough to send this man to the gallows then I don’t understand the law. Are these not stipulaed clearly within the legal statutes of our constitution that he is invoking now when Kenyans need a way forward?

This is the kind of impunity that has been used to abuse kenyan citizens for a very long time. We have to put more pressure and petition all the help that we can get for the right change to come to kenya. I welcome US, EU, UN call for immediate resolution to the whole impasse as long as justice is seen to be done to meet majority demands. kenyans voted to bring change. This demonstration was denounced by an iron fist. Kibaki abused the constitution so much in the extreme that it is an insult to kenyans for him to come out and make such a foolish demand that Kenyan constitution ought to be respected after he has shown total disrespect for the same constitution himself!

I am calling upon brave Kenyans to tell Kibaki that he is very wrong on this and change must be made. He is already getting away with so much just being offered some sort of power sharing because Raila should have been in State House already, having won the elections by popular vote and provincial percentage. If Kibaki cannot realize the plight of the majority of Kenyans, then we ought to force him to vacate State House because he is not living there legally. He should be in jail together with Kivuitu, Gicheru, Ali, and all those who took part in the illegal swearing in ceremony based off forged results. Haiti, Iraq, Liberia among others have been helped to rid such dictators in the past. Same should be applied to Kenya. I call upon the Kenyan and International Community to do the same to Kibaki if he continues to stand in the way of this, Kofi Annan, mediation process with such foolish rhetoric!

Julius Okelo