Monthly Archives: February 2008

RE: Fiddling While Kenya Burns

1 Reply

Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:57:38 +1100 (EST)
From: Anastasia M

Is it true that Luos are displacing tens of thousands and killing hundreds of its ethnic Kikuyu, and vice versa?

What is wrong for the Bank’s local director, Colin Bruce, to have lived in a house owned by President Kibaki. Kibakis house is a private property not a state house

“… the Bush administration has often done well in promoting democracy” Yes we have all witnessed how well it has brought democracy in Iraq and elsewhere.

“… But it is probably time for aid agencies to just pull out of the country altogether …”. Am sure whoever desires this to happen has never known what it feels especially to the children to sleep hungry not one night, two or three for a crime committed by others.

By the time it pinches on President Kibaki, Hon Raila and their cronies, assuming Aid agencies pulled out, how many lives from all tribes will we have lost? ie think of Kenyans who ordinarily survive on food aid and add those who have already joined the club and those who are heading there? Waswahili walisema, aliyetota hajui kutota.

Being in community funding sector myself, I fully agree with those Donors that continue to insist that health and humanitarian aid remain untouched.

————————

Peter O. wrote:
Fiddling While Kenya Burns By Roger Bate Friday, February 15, 2008
Filed under: World Watch

“As aid agencies vacillate, the crisis in East Africa is getting worse, says ROGER BATE.”
. . .

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=141

—–
Subject: Its biting on all Kenyan tribes

Fiddling While Kenya Burns by Roger Bate

6 Replies

Date:   Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:15:09 +1100
From:  Peter O.

Fiddling While Kenya Burns
By Roger Bate Friday, February 15, 2008
— The American, A Magazine of Ideas
http://www.american.com/archive/2008/february-02-08/fiddling-while-kenya-burns

 EXCERPT:

It must be said that this is a problem of Kenya’s own making. The country is appallingly corrupt, and hopes that the Kibaki regime, first elected in 2002, would root out corruption were dashed within two years. Kenya’s anti-corruption czar, John Githongo, exposed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corrupt practices, but he was seen as a traitor by his own Kikuyu tribe, was left dangerously exposed by President Kibaki, and wound up fleeing to England in fear of his life.

But the international community also deserves a good share of the blame. It is well known that over the past few decades the World Bank loaned money on four separate occasions to different Kenyan governments for the same agricultural reform program. Each time, World Bank insiders knew the Kenyans weren’t serious about reforms, but still the loans continued, further entrenching the corrupt rule of the Kenyatta and Moi regimes.

Despite the apparent efforts of James Wolfensohn and Paul Wolfowitz, two former World Bank presidents, and Robert Zoellick, the current Bank chief, business as usual continues. When I was in Kenya a year ago, I was somewhat surprised to learn that the Bank’s local director, Colin Bruce, lived in a house owned by President Kibaki, and that the house was in Kibaki’s own personally secured compound in the beautiful Nairobi suburb of Mathaiga. This relationship seemed way too cozy, given the Kibaki government’s endemic corruption.

Vote early in Ohio

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Obama for America
 

Annah —

Find your early vote location
Vote absentee by mail

Here in Ohio, you don’t have to wait another day to cast your vote for
Barack Obama.

Our primary is scheduled for March 4th, but registered Ohio voters
have two ways to vote early and make their voices heard
right now:

1. Vote Absentee In Person

Early absentee voting is happening at your county board of elections
office every weekday and the Saturday before the election.

Use our online tool to find your early voting location and vote Absentee
In Person for Barack:


http://my.barackobama.com/OHearlylookup

2. Vote Absentee By Mail

Any registered voter in Ohio may request and cast an absentee ballot.
You do not need to have a specific reason to vote absentee.

The deadline for submitting an Absentee Ballot Application by mail
is March 1st, but it is strongly encouraged that you mail your application
no later than Wednesday, February 20th.

Find out more about early voting, print an application for an absentee
ballot, and share early voting information with your friends and family
here:


http://my.barackobama.com/OHearlyvote

Barack won the most states and the most delegates on Super Tuesday,
and he has won every contest since. But the race for the Democratic nomination
is still extremely close.

Ohio is one of the largest and closest of the remaining states, and
we need to win every vote and every delegate we can.

Early voting is a great way to show your family, friends, and neighbors
that you’ve made up your mind and you’re supporting Barack Obama.

And, if you plan to volunteer for the campaign on Election Day, early
voting is a great way to make sure you are free all day long.

Find your location to vote early as an Absentee In Person voter:


http://my.barackobama.com/OHearlylookup

Learn more about the early vote process and vote Absentee by Mail:


http://my.barackobama.com/OHearlyvote

Thanks for supporting Barack and for casting your vote early,

Paul

Paul Tewes
Ohio State Director
Obama for America


Make a Donation Now

This email was sent to: Annah 

from “Obama for America” 

Yahoo! News Story – Kenya says forcing a deal would be a mistake – Yahoo! News

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MOSES OPADO has sent you a news article.
——————-
Personal message:

Moses is right – – forcing would be a mistake. Forcing Mungiki regime which is known for its greedy to share the power with ODM and peoples president is not a good solution. Odm won, Mungiki lost, and this has reduced Kibaki administration to its real tribal leader. They will contaminate ODM. They should be in opposition and see if they can make it from there. Why are Mungiki not ready to be in opposition? The British have told you off that your tribal government does not reflect Kenyan wishes; for Mungiki is a killing sect that are not easy to work with.

H E Annan is Swedish — the world’s most best democracy. The prime minister has less salary than a councillor and has to be clear with daily budget – – if his lunch is sandwich he can’t charge for meat and rice!

Mungiki have no Kenya wishes at heart; they think that they are majority and must rule the country. No. Forget it.

– – OPADO – –

Kenya says forcing a deal would be a mistake – Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/kenya_crisis_dc

Death and Funeral Announcement – – Mr. Ochieng Obong’o

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Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 7:32 AM

Dear All,

Following the sudden death of Mr. Ochieng Obong’o, the brother to Elisha Obongo of Houston, Family and Friends will be meeting on Saturday 16th at 8502 Easton Commons Drive, # 604, Houston, Texas – 77095 from 4pm.

Ochieng died at Kenyatta General Hospital Last Saturday after a short illness. He is scheduled to be buried Monday the 25th at our home in Kendu-Bay.

Thank you and to those who have sent their condolences and prayers, The Kagumba family appreciates each and everyone of them. You can reach the family on these numbers: Elisha – Cell: 832 498 3664, House: 281 858-9590 Off: 281 263 2155, Phillip – 217-653 2186

Elisha Obongo,
Technical Support
Compucom
Off: (281) 263 2155

sbj.: Death and Funeral Announcement – – Mr. Ochieng Obong’o

Support for the IDPs in Nyanza

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Date:  Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:19:54 -0800 (PST)
From:  Odhiambo Okecth

Komarocks Community Development Network, in conjunction with Lake Fund Foundation, will be receiving used clothes, shoes, and any useeables that can be of help to our people who have been displaced from strife torn areas.

To set the ball rolling, the Arusha Chapter of LFF, have sent to KCDN some clothes. They will send some more materials tomorrow Monday.

Your donations can be received at the KCDN offices at Komarock Phase 2, shopping Centre. In this appeal, we are also calling out to those who can volunteer their support to help us distribute these items in Nyanza on Saturday 23rd, and on Sunday 24th of February.

We will need those who can volunteer to give us a Lorry for transportation, those who can volunteer to pay for the fuel that we will use in this exercise, and generally, those who will support the exercise financially to ensure that the mission is a success.

Those who might want to donate can get in touch with the undersigned either through email, or on 0735 529 126.

Your generous response will lighten up someone’s face.

sbj: Support for the IDPs in Nyanza

Good Job Mr. President – Democracy must prevail in Kenya

4 Replies

“There must be an immediate halt to violence, there must be justice for the victims of abuse, and there must be a full return to democracy.” 

– President George Walker Bush, United States of America; Friday, February 15, 2008

Mr. President,

As a person who believes in Democracy, liberty and justice, I would like to applaud your recent statement on Kenya. I believe this is a right move that could see an expedited restoration of full Democracy in Kenya. With the mediation talks in progress under the moderation of Kofi Annan, I believe that Kenyans deserve justice and total respect for their voice as they expressed in last year’s election. With the US enforcing travel bans on the individuals responsible for trouble in Kenya, including hardliners who would like to maintain Kenyans on this path of self destruction, a clear message is sent to such saboteurs. Thank you for sending Secretary of State Condi Rice to Kenya to offer suppport to Kofi Annan to get a fast resolution for Kenya.

Mr. President, while your move is greatly helpful for Kenya, we urge you to use the Kenyan case as an example to send a clear warning to other dictators and despots in Africa who would like to take advantage of their positions to do what they deem fit for their selfish interest, that such leaders are not good for global peace. Mr. President, we have seen your actions help countries like Haiti, Iraq, Libera among others to eliminate dictators and despots and a return to a streamlined pathway to democracy and liberty. This is what we wish for Kenya. While we acknowledge that it can be a challenge, we believe that it is possible to restore the peace that this great Nation once enjoyed. Kenya is an important trading partner of the US as well as a convenient hub for US interests in Africa. Finally, Mr. President, more pressure should be appllied on Mr. Kibaki to understand the essence of democracy and respect for freedom of association.

You have the support of Kenyans in the Diaspora on this!

Thank You!

Julius Okelo

For more on the US government’s recent stance on Kenya, please see:

“Bush says paternalism over in US aid”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-02-13-85358538_x.htm

“Rice Headed to Kenya to Help Resolve Ongoing Conflict: Violence must stop, democracy must return, President Bush says”

http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2008/February/20080214161640idybeekcm0.8321344.html

IMPORTANT RE: Mungiki Menace

1 Reply

I think we should not take Opiacha lightly

Why do we see things being done in the dark nowadays?

Firstly, there was the issue of a cargo load of firearms at Mombasa, or wherever it was. Then, come Thursday evening, we learn of a secret recruitment into the police force, where the ‘krutu’ are to take only three months instead of the standard six months training.

Cant we now suspect something is going on wrong somewhere, or the powers of the day are planning something lethal…?

Let’s wait and see!

– Anonymous

For more on “IMPORTANT RE: Mungiki Menace,” please see http://jaluo.com/wangwach/200802/Opiachao_Jaluo_Press021108.html 

Land Issue Revisited (Round 2)

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Michael,

1. Could you please tell me of a huge piece of land owned by the Odingas, seems like I’m ignorant to that fact. My understanding is that Odinga fell out with Kenyatta mostly on the Land issue. I would really want to know how the Odingas participated in the stealing of land. Please Mwangi enlighten me, I’m really in the dark on this one.

2. How did the Wabeberu get the land in Kenya? Through unjust treaties and laws. That is why people rose to fight the colonialists. Just because they left does not mean that the issue of contention was solved. Land was the issue of contention. Remember the book “Not Yet Uhuru”. It speaks volumes of a stolen independence. Independence was never a racial issue, it was a justice issue. Just because the British transfered leadership from a white imperialist to a black imperialist does not mean that Independence was attained. The fight for Independence was a fight against unjust laws to pave way for justice and equality. St Thomas Aquinas explained eloquently the difference between just laws and unjust laws, he said “Any law that uplifts human personality is just and any law that degrades human personality is unjust”. Martin Luther King went further to use those words to justify why in their fight for civil rights they chose to follow some laws and disobey others. King said that one has not just a legal responsibility but a moral one to follow just laws at the same time pointing to the fact that one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws arguing that an unjust law is no law at all.

Below is a link that speaks volumes, it may shed light on some facts that we tend to sweep under the carpet. Personally, I doubt if the Oginga Odinga grabbed land but if proven otherwise then I will lose respect for Oginga Odinga. A the same we should have very little respect for the leaders who grabbed land and call them out. Mwangi, please let us know of any land that Oginga Odinga grabbed.

http://http://www.bluegecko.org/kenya/tribes/kikuyu/maumau.htm

Posted on behalf of Eric by Jaluo Press.  For Round 1, see http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=120

Very challenging indeed!

1 Reply

I recently bumped into a very angry lady at the post office. From no where, she started talking of how she wanted to get back home as quickly as possible, take a shower, and put on different clothes. Out of curiosity, I asked her what was going on. With great anger and pain that unfortunately she would not hide, she started to narrate how she has mistakenly gone into a tobacco store and how, in a matter of seconds, she came out smelling like some one who had been smoking the whole day. ” I am so sorry,” was all that I would say.

On my way home, I found myself seriously thinking about spouses and children who find themselves in a similar situation: Think with me if you can on the following:

1. Think of a spouse who drinks alcoholic beverages and the impact it has on the other partner and the children.

2. Think about a spouse who smokes and the impact it has on the other partner and children.

3. Think of a spouse who eats garlic and the impact it has on the other partner and the children.

Well, this is one of those things that I find very challenging indeed! How they do it, only God knows.

My humble appeal to those who either drink or smoke is to take time out and ask yourself hard heart searching questions. Do you love your spouse and children? Do you care about your actions or it doesn’t bother you at all? What will it take you to get rid of the habit?
Do you need help?

Let us all pray for one another as we journey on. Shall we?

Just a thought

Pr Birai

612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

CASE AGAINST EAC TREATY AMENDMENTS PUT OFF UNTIL MAY 7, 2007

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KISUMU
  16-02-2008
    By Leo Odera Omolo
  
  The hearing of a legal suit in which the East African Law Society and regional Bar Association are challenging last year’s amendments to the East African Community Treaty has been pushed back to give the on-going mediation in Kenya’s political crisis a chance.
  
  This follows an application for adjournment at the request of Kenya’s Attorney General Amos Wako, who is the first respondent in the case.
  
  The case will now be heard from May, 7 2008. The decision to postpone the hearing date was made when the case came up for mention at the Arusha-based East African Court of Justice on January 29, 2008.
  
  Delivering the ruling, EACJ Judges Joseph N. Mulenga, Mary Stella, Aracha Amoko and Harold Nsekela allowed the adjournment under the special circumstances clause set  out by section 54 (39) of the EACJ rules of procedure.
  
  The application by AG Amos Wako follows the ongoing post-election mediation in Kenya in which he is involved.
  
  The mediation is led by former UN Sectary General Dr. Kofi Annan.
   
  Justice Mulenga , who is also EACJ’s Vice President is said to have expressed his “heartfelt sympathy and regret” over the current situation in Kenya and to have said that he hoped the healing process in the country would continue.
  
  The case dates back to November 2006, when Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and ten others sued the Kenya Attorney General and five others, seeking an injunction to restrain the swearing on of the Kenyan nominees to the second East African Legislative Assembly ( EACJ) pending the  final disposal of the main reference.
  
  The court heard and delivered its ruling, granting the interim orders prayed for by the claimants. The order had the effect of temporarily stopping the swearing-in of all members of the East African Legislative assembly.
  
  The court finally ruled that fresh election for Kenyan representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly be held, leading to an uproar in some circles in the member states and ultimately to the amendment of the EACJ Treaty by the member states. The amendment in effect reduced the powers of the EACJ.
  
  That is what prompted the East African Law Society, together with the four of the national Law Societies in the region–the Law Society of Kenya, the Law Society of Tanzania, the law Society of Uganda and the Law Society of Zanzibar–to file a reference at the EACJ to challenge the amendment to the Treaty by the EAC Summit as well as the application for an interim injunction to halt implementations of the amendments.
  
  The parties involved have thereafter met twice to negotiate the amount of a court settlement. The adjournment offers the parties more time to continue with negotiations and consultations if need be.
   
  ENDS
  leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

KENYA – AMBITIOUS PLAN TO RESUSCITATE DEVASTATED TOURISM INDUSTRY

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 Kisumu
  16-02-2008
     
  By Leo Odera Omolo.
  
  Kenya has envisaged an ambitious plan to boost tourist after suffering major set back in the sector as a result of post-election violence.
  
  Hotel, beaches and lodges are presently scantily occupied, while visits to the country’s buoyant national game parks have plummeted despite the fact this this should be the peak season.
  
  The violent protests in parts of the country following disagreement over the presidential election results have taken a toll on Kenya’s tourism industry.
  
  According to the managing director of the Kenya Tourist Board, Dr. Ongong’a Achieng’, many foreign visitors took off for fear of their safety, leaving hotel owners and tour operator in a daze.  
  
  Naivasha town which is located 45 miles to the west of the capital, Nairobi, is the popular tourist’s spot which was the worst hit.
  
  Tourism in Kenya has suffered before from bomb blasts and political violence, but the scale of unrest over the last December disputed polls results, which has displaced more than 600,000 people, is unprecedented.
  
  Kenya is earning USD one billion ( Kshs. 70 billion) annually from this sub-sector of the economy. But the ongoing political instability has brought the sector down to its knees.
  
  Hotels on the pristine Indian Ocean beaches where tourism only recently recovered from the impact of the 1998 and 2002 bomb blasts in Nairobi and Mombasa, attacks blamed on al Qaeda terrorists, are also beginning to close and lay off hundreds of workers.  Those that are open have only ten percent occupancy.
   
  Lake Nakuru, another tourists attraction spot, which is located within the outskirts of Nakuru town, is said to be a deserted place. This is an area which was previously very attractive to European tourists.
  
  The adjacent Lake Nakuru game reserve is well stocked with lions, flamingos, African heritage, wild beast, impalas, Buffalos, rhinos and water buck who can be seen grazing magnificently along the water front.
  
  But the tourists have fled, especially the big spenders. The only foreigners frequently patrolling the Lake  Nakuru are members of the press but this category of visitors do not spend much.
  
  The rival sides in the country’s political divide have agreed to try and seek a lasting political solution under the brokerage of former UN Secretary General Dr. Kofi Annan but even if one is found, it will take time for Kenya to draw back tourists on the scale that it did in the past.
  
  Dr. Annan, a world class diplomat par excellence announced yesterday that he had pushed the protagonists to unlock a grid-lock on his on-going negotiation by laying out a roadmap for what he termed “a new government” expected soon to emerge from the initiative.
  
  The diplomat announced key agreements by negotiators despite discouraging reports that the drafting of  the finer details on power-sharing had caused discord between the two teams representing the PNU party and the opposition ODM party, which controls half of the 222 House of parliament.
   
  Tourism, the industry, which has consistently been the country’s top earner of foreign exchange for several years is now operating at a meagre four per cent.
  
  The chairperson of the New Domestic Tourism Council of Kenya Anastanzia Wakesho was recently quoted as saying that the organization has been doing some extra thinking over how domestic travel could be promoted to fill a significant portion of the emerging void once the tension subsides and exploring ways that the sector could be uplifted to ensure that the country does not rely only on the fragile international arm of tourism.
  
  The 27- member council has an ambitious strategies plan through which it hopes to raise the level of domestic tourism to a position that will ultimately equal the contribution from foreign visitors.
  
  In the year 2006, the Kenya Tourism Board noted a significant contribution from the sub-sector. Out of about Ksh. 60 billion revenue generated by tourism in 2006, Ksh. 18 billion arose from the domestic market.
  
  This indicates a worthwhile contribution from the sub-sector that was previously taken for granted. According to Wakesho, the council is, therefore, poised to help harness domestic tourism.
  
  Currently, said Wakesho, about twenty-eight percent of expenses related to the industry go to the government. She believes this can be comfortably reduced to promote holidaying. The status quo cannot be maintained if more Kenyans are expected to travel to tourism sites within the country and if international tourism is wooed back. 
  
  The council, which is headed by Ms. Wakesho is a public-private partnership formed early last year but that was officially invented on November 19, 2007 to help develop and promote domestic tourism.
  
  Apart from far-reaching campaigns to interest more citizens in local travel , the council is intent on supporting home-grown investments in the sector and will pay particular attention to those that are likely to be more attractive to Kenyans with regard to cost.
  ENDS
  Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Development Projects in Nyanza (Water)

3 Replies

Dear Sir,

I am pleased to inform you that we are going to undertake the following projects in Nyanza province in the 2008-2009 Period.

We are appealing for peace and harmony in Nyanza Province to enable us carry out the projects. No peace, no projects.

Water Projects:
1. OTHOO ABWAO COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT-NYAKACK
2. SUNA INSITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY- MIGORI TOWN
3. KIPINGI COMMUNITY WATER PRJECT- MIGORI
4. CHUNGNI COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT- MIGORI
5. MALERA B WATER PROJECT- MIGORI

KINDLY PUT THIS INFORMATION IN PUBLIC DOMAIN

Sincerely,

Eng. Jerry Ochieng Jamugirango,
Executive Director
Engineers Without Borders Kenya

– Sent by Wuon Abila

”W” and three M’s of Kenyan politics

1 Reply

Wetangula, Martha Karua, Mungatana, Munya have got something in common. They seem to be the only Kenyans who knows what is right and what is wrong for the whole population. Wetangula, although a trained lawyer, sounds as if being the Minister of Foreign Affairs in an illegitimate government has made him the mouthpiece of every Kenyan and foreigner alike. Listening to the man spit his uncivilised remarks unabated, I am left wondering, where we are heading as a country. These people are not interested in finding solutions to the problems facing the country mainly because they know far too well that they are the authors of the problem. This group is, therefore, not interested in peace and the more we continue to entertertain their gabbage the harder the process of finding solution becomes. 
   
I hate these selfish cabal, who in a real sense, are unable to inform their limping king that the days are numbered. They ought to tel him how he squandered great opportunities for national re-birth after the 2002 elections for reasons best known to him. We hold him accountable for the present ills of our society: Mega top-up corruption, killings, tribalism, ECK daylight robbery etc.
 We will never forget this, we will never ever forget what you did to the innocent poor labourers in the big slums of Kenya. No, we will never forget Naivasha. No, we will never ever forget little children crying after the slaugher of their dear mothers. No.  No, we will never forget the Kisumu massacre. No, we will never, ever forget the live bullets–I mean, shoot to-kill order. Majimbo is here to stay!!
  
  
  William Oduor

CCM AND OPPOSITION MPS UNITED AGAINST THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

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By Leo Odera Omolo
  
IT WAS an historical event and a rare occasion when Tanzanian parliamentarians overwhelmingly dominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) unanimously called upon the cabinet Ministers implicated in a mega scandal to step aside.
   
The ministers led by the former Prime Minister Edward Ngoyoyi Lowasa were implicated by the parliamentary select probe committee thyat investigated the Richmond power supply tender scandal and were asked to relinquish their Ministerial positions.
   
The mega scandal forced premier Lowasa, the 10th Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania out of office in huff. He promptly resigned after making a tearful departing speech in the house during which he had absolved himself of the blame.
   
Indeed, it was a rare occasion when MPs united and put aside their political ideological differences to criticize the way and the manner ine which government leaders were running public offices, overreaching their power and authority and forgetting that they were accountable to the public.
   
At the end of the debate two weeks ago during a morning session, the Speaker of the House Mr. Sitta Samuel disclosed that he had already received the names of 51 legislators who wanted the matter debated on that Thursday morning to the collective chagrin of the top Ministers implicated.
   
Most MPs from the ruling CCM called for the seizure of their assets to compensate for the massive failure of leadership they had demonstrated, leading to the nation incurring heavy losses.
   
Mrs. Anne Malecela (CCM) set the ball rolling when she described the involvement of the former Prime Minister and other cabinet Ministers in the scandal as “shameful” before the eyes of the eyes of the public, who trusted  the government to take care of their interests.
  
“How could the ministers disregard even the directive of the cabinet? I once asked a question on Richmond but I was threatened by a cruel letter from a government official. We have to speak out on issues of public concern,” Mrs. Malecela said.
   
Another legislator Mrs. Anna Komu, a member of the Znanzibar based Civic United Front (CUF) told the House “We must be serious in matters of public interest and must protect the welfare of millions of Tanzanians who are dying simply because  of such problems caused by these dubious contracts,” She added that about USD 200 million which was squandered in the Richmon scandal, “is a sum of money which is equivalent to theannual budget of two government ministries.” 

Hon George Simbachawena (CCM) and Hon Phillemon Ndesamburo (Chadema) proposed the immediate exclusion of PCCB director General Hosea Samuel and the AG Mwanyika from the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) probe committee following their implication in the Richmond scandal.
   
Hon George Simbachawena (Kibakwe) said the scandal had degraded the integrity and diginity of the PCCB and its entire management as well as the management of the public resources in the country, warning that the time for hiding the truth was up.
  
  “We cannot afford to hide matters of public importance while million of Tanzanians are dying because abject poverty triggered by our leaders,” said the legislator angrily.
   

The report implicating former Prime Minister Lowasa and other high rankiong government officials was presented to the house by the chairman of the parliamentary select committee Dr Harrison Mkwakyambe and was supposed to be debated for two days.
   
The report on the Richmond emergency power tender indirectly called on Premier Lowasa to resign, but his dramatic announcement sent the house into total confusion as MPs grappled with its implications.
   
The select committee report had concluded that the Premier and two Ministers unduly influenced the decision to award the power contract to Richmond causing the nation heavy losses in money. 
   
President Jakaya Kikwete promptly dismissed the entire cabinet under Lowasa and appointed a new Prime Minister and a new cabinet.
  
  Ends
  
  leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

——————————

Thank you for the detailed report Leo! 

Readers, we ask again: when, if ever, will THIS happen in Kenya? 

It may be worth noting that WOMEN are playing a large role in bringing down corruption in Tanzania.  Note that two female politicians are mentioned in this single article as standing up for what is right!  One even notes that she was threatened for her good work.  We say thank god for these WOMEN.   

We also know that WOMEN are the focus of most micro-financing schemes in developing countries.  Why? 

In many African countries, Kenya included, WOMEN are the main source of income for families.  They till the land AND take care of the children.  They are less likely to spend their earnings at the local bar…

They say that with great power comes great responsibility.  Most mothers know this–this is a metaphor that has been used by others but that we think is especially applicable here.  Why can’t certain “leaders” understand this? 

Hey, next time you say “be a man,” think twice.  Maybe we should all try to be more like the women mentioned in this piece.        

For more on this great story, please see http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=121

Regards,

Jaluo Press

P.S.  Jaluo Press fully recognizes that there are “a few good men.”  That said, they get a lot more press than the many good women.  A balance of the scales is long overdue.   

A powerful reminder!

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Have you ever had something happen to you that reminded you of several others things that happened before? That is exactly what happened to me yesterday.

At my other job, lights went off at 2:30 pm and for the next ten or so minutes,we were rendered useless as both the managers and the employees stood there wondering what to do next. As you have already imagined, and rightly so, business came to a halt as the computers that we have come to depend on for most of the things just sat there without saying anything, not even an apology for the inconvenience!

In this situation, I begged to go home, where as always, a million and one church related things await me every single evening. I eagerly look forward to the day that I will quit all other jobs so as to have plenty of time for visitation, making programs, studying the word and writing, things that I love to do with all my heart.

On my way home, I decided to go through post office. It wasn’t long before I found out that what I thought was our problem alone had affected other areas as well. Traffic was a nightmare. It took longer than usual as drivers gave one another turns. At the post office, I found angry and frustrated customers who would not do anything.

It was then, that I remembered the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Mathew 5:14-16.)

Just think about this for a moment! What would life be like without light/electricity! If indeed that is how important light is, and Jesus saw fit to use that analogy, I have no other way but to remind myself of the song that I learned when I first joined the church “This little light of mine….I’m gonna let it shine.” Oh, what another powerful reminder! Will you
let your’s shine as well?

Just a thought

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

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Dear Pastor Birai,

We would like to thank you for your consistently warm and insightful contributions.  Thank you for shining your light at this site.  We especially appreciate your above contribution as this is currently BLACK HISTORY MONTH.  We sincerely hope that your dream of becoming a full-time pastor is fulfilled. 

 HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO ALL OF OUR READERS!

Regards,

Jaluo Press

TROUBLE BREWING IN TEA INDUSTRY 0VER SOTIK REPRESENTATION

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  By Leo Odera Omolo
   
      
  Trouble is brewing in the usually quiet Tea Board of Kenya over the board representation in some parts of the tea growing zone.
  
  The source of the problem is the current Sotik zone representative in the board Mr. Titus Korir whose tenure is schedule to expire next month. Korir is a former corporate director of the James Finlays TEA Company Limited. He is also doubling as the current chairman of the Kericho based Tea Growers Association of Kenya (KTGA).
  
  He retired from the company about five years ago but was retained on a three year contract that has since expired. Both large and small scale tea farmers in the Sotik zone have disowned Mr. Korir arguing that he represented the area in default, and that the time is ripe for the farmers to pick one of their own to represente their interests in the Tea Board of Kenya.
   
  Meanwhile, officials of the Kenya Plantation and general Agricultural Workers Union have put up strong arguments saying that since Mr. Korir has keft the services of the James Finlays Tea Company he should no longer sit in the KTGA board because he has ceased to be a player in the tea industry. He is not a large scale tea farmer anywhere within the tea industry fraternity.  Therefore, the sooner he removes himself from the KTGA the better.
  
  A source at the unions office in Nandi Hills  warned that unless Mr. Korir stops forthwith from acting on behalf of KTGA, the union would consider the option of not recognizing the board’s decisions, especially those concerning industrial relations matters.
  
  Sotik farmers said they were firm and would no longer consider Mr. Korir as their representative. “We are in the process of proposing the name of a true and genuine farmers from the Sotik zone who would represent our interests in the board,” said one farmer who requested anonymity for fear of possible consequences.
  
  According to a Union source, Mr. Korir, after retiring from the James Finlays Tea Company (formerly African Highland Produce Limited), has now moved to the KTGA headquarters based in Kericho Town from where he is now operating as an executive director on a daily basis.  Yet the position of the KTGA chairmanship is a non-executive one. The union finds this to be mischievous. Once a Director of  James Finlays Tea Company retires from the tea company, he immediately relinquishes his position to a full-time serving director of the same firm. His mandate expires and he should not continue to create despondency within both the KTGA and Tea Board of Kenya.
  
  Workers and staff at the James Finlays Tea company where Mr. Korir had served in senior positions for many years had celebrated his exit, saying that he was running the company with an iron fist. He is blamed for heavy handedness in tackling tea workers matters, and for having promoted sectarianism and nepotism in the services of the company as well as tribal cleansing.
   
The Union is blaming the management of the James Finlaysd for allegedly allowing and enabling Mr. Korir to continue frustrating the workers even though he had already retired from the company. “Sooner or later we shall ignore any discussion involving industrial maters with the KTGA if Mr. Korir continues to sit chairing the board’s meetings. The union might consider the possibility of revoking most of its agreement with KTGA under the chairmanship of Mr. Korir,” said a union source in Nakuru.
  
  The Unions secretary General Francis Atwoli, who is also the secretary general of the Central organization of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU-K) could not be reached for immediate comments on the issue.  The CEO of James Finlays Tea Company, Mr. Nail Davies, also could not be reached for his immediate comment.
  
  But a source at the Union hinted that they were not comfortable with the controversial former James Finlays  Tea Company  director and would support his immediate removal from the KTGA. “After replacing him from the office, the company should not allow the same person whose services had been discontinued to represent them in the sensitive KTGA board which is the one handling its industrial relations mattrers,” said a top union official.
  
  Ends
  
  leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

When, If Ever, Will THIS Happen in Kenya: Tanzanian MPs Talk Tough

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 The Tanzanian MPs are talking tough on national issues…

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Richmond belongs to Rostam Aziz – MP
 
2008-02-15 09:48:40
By Bilham Kimati, Dodoma

The MP for Mbozi East, Godfrey Zambi (CCM) has said that the proprietor of Richmond, the controversial power generating firm, is Igunga MP Rostam Aziz.

The MP made the remarks during a debate on findings of the House Select Committee that had probed the Richmond emergency power generating contract.

During the debate, MPs said that some fellow legislators had disgraced the nation in the eyes of the donor community and members of the public by misappropriating public funds that would have been spent on development projects.

ALSO

“It is not enough for those implicated in the scam to resign and be left
off the hook, even those who had been slightly involved. They should be
taken to task and legal measures taken against them,“ said Zambi.

He recalled another nasty experience last year when members of the
Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure visited the Tanzania International
Container Terminal Services at Dar es Salaam port.

They learnt that after five years of operation out of the agreed ten, the
company was granted a 15 – year contract extension even before expiry of the
first agreement.

“We came to discover that some of the owners of this company are those who
recently resigned from public office.

We need to clean up this kind of mess and help people fight poverty in the
real sense of the term,“ he said, adding, “This shows how politicians and
entrusted leaders abuse the power to advance individual interests. They
should be taken to court,“ the MP said.

For the full article please see: http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2008/02/15/108434.html

 – Sent by JK

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Thank you JK!  Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen in Kenya anytime in the near future.  Just look at who is in the Kibaki cabinet!  The old faces of Goldenberg and Anglo-leasing no less!

Kenya has an ingrained culture of corruption that will take an intense and prolonged effort to eradicate.  We need to create a society in which those who are corrupt face public scorn rather than public apathy or resignation. 

Regards,

Jaluo Press  Â