Monthly Archives: March 2008

Kibaki Please Fire Alfred Mutua Today

5 Replies

What the hell is wrong with Alfred Mutua. It is these kind of comments that brought bloodshed to our beloved country and it is these same type of double-speak that could derail the signed deal the world witnessed. Someone please fire him today.

Joram

_______________________________________________________________ Kenya MPs urged to back agreement
Thursday, 6 March 2008, 16:09 GMT

EXCERPT:

However, it is not yet clear what Mr Odinga’s powers and responsibilities will be.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the president would appoint the cabinet and that the prime minister would work on an agenda set by the president.

“It is not what you would call power-sharing whereby the president and primeminister are equal… It is the president who appoints the prime minister and the whole idea in power sharing is bringing the opposition party into government on an equal basis,” he told the BBC.

“You cannot usurp the constitution of Kenya and create two seats of power,”he said.

For the full article, please see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7280520.stm

Sent by Joram.

PROUDLY KENYAN

3 Replies

Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 13:58:27
Subject: Fwd: FW: PROUDLY KENYAN

Please forward this message to all Kenyans in your contact list. I just did. Thanks and God bless you in your efforts to be Proudly Kenyan.

Benard

________________________________________________________

Sent: Wed 3/5/2008 3:21 PM
Subject: PROUDLY KENYAN!

Proudly Kenyan! – Monday, December 31, 2007

PROUDLY KENYAN!
A talk by Eric Kimani to the Final 2007 Nairobi Marketers Night on 7th December 2007

Distinguished guests, ladies & gentlemen,

Thank you for inviting me to come and speak at the Marketers Night Out dinner. Your publication “Marketing Africa” is known for its high standards and it is an honor for me to be here tonight.

I am told that all good speeches begin with a light moment and I will keep to this tradition and tell you a true story about Mr. Smith, Kamau and Mr. Patel!

The choice of a topic for you was complicated by the diverse nature of your audience- some are pure marketers, some are sales people some are in advertising while some are in pure branding. I believe everyone though is a marketer of some sort. The one thing you have in common that made me choose a topic is your influence on society. I don’t think there is any other professional group that influences the social economic and political fabric of our society more than you marketers. You even shape public opinion.

I am known for my talking about the soft issues in life rather than technical one and I have today chosen to talk to you on being Proudly Kenyan.

The first time I moved out of the confines of my constituency to experience the greater Kenya was when I joined form 5 in Meru School in 1977. There I met people from all over Kenya. My best friend was Omondi Oloo. We talked and shared our common aspirations as young Kenyans. As we approached the end of 1978 amid calls of “The cock is too old” our then president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta passed away. There was unease, fear and anxiety. Many said Kenya would disintegrate into civil war! This quickly passed away. The immediate past president Moi took Power and ruled for 24 years. An attempted but failed coup in 1982 almost interrupted Moi’s rule spreading further fear among all and sundry. At every election time during Moi’s 24-year rule, there was unease, anxiety and fear. It reached its height in 1992 with the politically instigated tribal clashes appearing in the Rift Valley and the Coast. Again many predicted this was the beginning of the end and Kenya stood at the brink of civil war! In 2002 as we approached another change of guard, there was fear and unease again and amid calls “Moi must go and Kibaki Tosha” president Moi gave way to HE Mwai Kibaki. In my humble view, this is the first time during elections in the history of independent Kenya that I sense that the unease, anxiety and fear level is lower than it has ever been which in a sense is political maturity. But before I digress too much into politics let me come back to the point I wanted to make.

After school I began work. I worked under the late Mohamed Akram Bhatti, an Asian of Pakistan origin who was the then chairman of the Young Muslim Association. When I decided to get married in 1983, he among others wearing the customary uniform suits and standing nearly seven foot tall, was one of the groomsmen in my wedding- himself a Muslim leader. My parents are deeply religious and anchored on Christianity. Akram’s family, which was deeply Islamic severally visited the village and enjoyed our company. Indeed we started a partnership to rear chicken with him and my father but the venture failed!

What am I driving at? I am driving at the point that Omondi Oloo, Akram Bhatti and Eric Kimani were, besides being Luo, Pakistani and Kikuyu proudly Kenyan! Our diversity was our strength. It gave us color! Why has it become so pronounced that we are of this and that tribe and not Kenyan? How deep is your love for Kenya? Are you proud to be Kenyan?

What do I want to tell you tonight? I want to tell you to be proudly Kenyan; I want to remind you that you have no choice; I want to remind you that Kenya is all there is for us all; I want to remind us that being Proudly Kenyan must begin by marketing this agenda in our minds!

I would like to begin by describing why in my view we have failed the test of being Proudly Kenyan.

1. Tribalism- We wrongfully accept that our tribal differences is our greatest weakness. In my view this should be a strength and not a weakness as I will allude to later. Some of our politicians and outsiders have made this worse by using it for their own selfish ends. As I speak there is heightened tribal animosity in some places where it was planted in 1992!

Ethnic and tribal discrimination and identification is based on perceived insecurity. Indeed, I accept an argument by Pastor Oginde who recently argued that were it not for our strong religious grounding, tribalism would by now have torn Kenya apart! Kenyans have exercised restraint in the face of great provocation as history has shown. My prayer tonight is that we will continue to exercise this restraint while at the same time building a national identity that is truly Kenyan!

When is the last time you got out of your way to help one who is not from your own tribe? This weekend we had the mentoring session for about 100 Palmhouse Secondary school kids- It was so fulfilling for me to see the Muslim girls and boys spread out their mats on the open grass to pray! It was exciting to see Terry Davidson and his wife among others spend time mentoring Kenyan kids; it was exciting to see Michael Owuor from Nyanza mentoring Josephine Kamene from Kitui; while Jane was mentoring Fatuma!

Serving your own does not bring the Kenyan message home- even thieves watch over their own. You must begin where you are- invite the diversity on your board of directors on your management team. How you behave speaks louder than what you say.

2. We are not patriotic enough to be proudly Kenyan. We have agreed to be influenced by some outsiders and selfish leaders to hate our own country.

Who can hate his/her own mother? Have you observed the patriotism of Americans, Japanese, British, Indians, Chinese, and French etc? It always amazes me when I visit America- Many Americans will tell you what a great country America is: how lucky they are; how blessed they are and then proceed to give you their political opinion which may be as harsh as any. Ask a Kenyan his view of our country and he/she will start mourning thetroubles of Kenya and the government. Recently a well educated Kenyan lady came seeking my assistance to go to America. She began telling me how life in Kenya is hell! How there is no hope in this country. How she must get herself and her family to America. I go to America relatively quite often in the last few years. I have two sisters and other relatives. While admittedly life in the short run is better in the US, nothing in my view beats Kenya.

If those in America were to tell you frankly, many would love to come back home if there were opportunities! Why do we speak so ill of our country? President George W. Bush this year issued an official proclamation of May 1st 2007 as Loyalty Day- This is a now a legal holiday (not federal) in the US whose purpose is quote “a day for the affirmation of loyalty to the
United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American Freedom” end of quote. We are not short of examples to follow.

3. We have failed the proudly Kenyan test because we are unable to separate Kenya from the political leadership. Kenya is not made up of politicians.

The president is not Kenya. Parliament is not Kenya. Kenya is bigger than the sum total of all! I like the way for example Americans and Canadians are proud of being such- in many American homes they fly their flag; the Canadians wear lapel pins of their flag. If you did it in Kenya people might mistake you for a member of KANU. We must change this. We must treat our flag with pride and no political party should be allowed our national colors!

4. We have failed the Proudly Kenyan test because of a deeply colonized mind- I once observed the behavior of a particular African head of state at a dinner function. When a person of any other shade except black went to whisper/exchange niceties he would straighten up and put on a wide smile. When an African approached him his demeanor would completely change to one of “what do you want”? We are our worst enemies! We still do not believe enough in ourselves; we still largely think we do not measure up!

5. We have failed the proudly Kenyan test because of a poor work ethic – I am finally persuaded to agree with a theory that perhaps due to long and undue colonization, we Africans came to believe that work is to be avoided. I once received a call from London in the early nineties from an investor in a tea plantation who left Kenya in the late sixties. He could not understand that workers had gone on strike and his question was why we could not get the DC
to whip the natives back to work! In Africa unlike in the west and the east work is not treated as godly or duty or something that must be done. Indeed, if you can get paid to do the least, you consider yourself as doing well!

This must change if we are to get anywhere! Work is no longer punishment! We must treat work as a duty and a godly thing to do to be proudly Kenyan.

6. We have often failed the Proudly Kenyan test because we believe and think small of ourselves- As a family we own and run a micro-dairy processing plant where we have packaged milk for over a decade. It never ceases to amaze me that often when we tell people we sell milk to Serena hotel or Nairobi Hospital among others, their first reaction is “do you supply rawmilk in big containers”! We think small!

7. We have failed the Proudly Kenyan test because of what I refer to as a PHD mentality- A “Pull Him Down”! We seem to pursue a line of thinking in a scarcity paradigm that if we are all doing badly it is okay but it is not okay that some do so well and better than us! I once had an employee walk into my office and argue that we should not give a pay rise to another employee on promotion because he would get better paid than him and heconsidered himself senior but grossly underpaid. I agreed that he is underpaid but pulling his colleague down was scarcity approach. He should have supported his pay rise and use it to argue for an even bigger pay rise himself instead of wearing a PHD hat!

What must we do to get better at being Proudly Kenyan?

1. We must lead the way and begin by marketing Kenya in our own minds. We must begin to walk the talk and talk positively of Kenya.

I have resolved never to take part in a conversation to demean my country. We must stop confusing Kenya with some of our poor leaders. Very often some foreigners will start a conversation on how corrupt Kenya is! I refuse to accept this line of argument. Kenya is not corrupt but a very small number in leadership often working in cohort with foreigners are corrupt! Being Proudly Kenyan calls for us to live it and show it! I once sent an exchange
student back to America before his time for among other things his stand on Kenya- he persistently talked ill of the country and our leaders!

2. Being Proudly Kenyan calls on us to begin to take responsibility. You must begin to be the one who gives way in traffic; the one who refuses to cut others in traffic: the one who refuses to drive on the pavement and break the curb. Do you know that in the USA and other western cities for example, there are no lights or policemen to control inter-sections and motorists just control themselves? Common courtesy is lacking for us to be proudly Kenyan. Stop talking and shifting blame on government- you are the government. Do something! Half of the traffic jams in Nairobi are caused by lack of common courtesy- let us resolve to lead the way.

3. Being proudly Kenya calls for Buy Kenyan Build Kenya- Buy Tusker, Yana etc. attend local theatre; attend local restaurants; retain local talent; get services like medical, etc from Kenyans! Stories are told of people who bought suits made in Kenya from some western cities for three times the price on Biashara Street in Nairobi! The Export Processing Zone at Sameer is one of the largest manufacturing facility for jeans for one of America’s largest clothing company but I wonder how many would buy them in Nairobi and feel proudly Kenyan? I have an America friend who is so proudly American that he persistently asks if I could supply him with Goodyear tyres!

4. To be proudly Kenyan calls for us to support the less endowed in our society. A society with too large a group that is poor is difficult to cohere together. Those of us who have must attempt to bring up those who don’t. It is amazing how poor we are at giving which in my view leads us to fail to appreciate the bigger picture in life. I have travelled to many cities in the West particularly the USA, and it amazed me that the local hospitals, the local theatre, the school, and other utilities in many towns in the USA and much of Europe were largely built by the donations of those who are more endowed in those societies. What legacy do we see of our Kenyan rich and able? How many would build a facility like the Jaffrey club and give it to the public to use like Mr. Merali has done? To be proudly Kenyan we must begin to support our own causes.

5. Being Proudly Kenyan calls for us to have more Kenyan innovators and entrepreneurs. These will be the true and sustainable drivers of a proudly Kenyan economy. We need to empower our people- I give the example of Palmhouse Dairies our decade old micro-dairy processing again. When we set up we began to give farmers feeds and extension services on credit. We then stopped to allow budding small entrepreneurs to do it- We now have 5 suppliers from whom they can pick feeds and other necessities and we deduct from their milk deliveries at the end of the month. When the government extension services collapsed we bought containers for semen, employed inseminators and clinical officers. We have in the 10 years employed and fired 5 clinical cum insemination officers but the interesting phenomena is that none has left the vicinity of our dairy- they are private practitioners serving our farmers and beyond- we no longer need to offer such services ourselves! Being proudly Kenyan calls for creating more Kenyan entrepreneurs!

Where can we begin the journey to being more proudly Kenyan? I suggest we make little step that will soon lead to giant strides;

1. I suggest we go back to our National Anthem and rekindle what it sought to achieve. I was reading through some material and I learnt that the commission that was set to create the Kenyan National Anthem had as its object, quote, “to express the deepest convictions and the highest aspirations of the people of Kenya as a whole. Words have immense power to unite and divide, and great care had to be taken to choose the right words to ensure that the anthem would become an indisputable unifying factor in the life of the nation,” unquote. I suggest we start here- for both the young and the old. I suggest the National anthem be re-introduced as a daily routine in all primary and high schools. Employers may also be encouraged to sing/use it. I am told in Japan, companies developed their own anthems to build loyalty. I have attended many informal functions in the US and the loyalty pledge is almost a must do at every occasion.

2. I suggest that we affirm Kenya at every opportunity- I meet many successful business men who are always mourning how bad Kenya is yet they continue doing business and flourishing; they spread fear and anxiety. When people ask me about Kenya I tell them it is a great Country: that I could never trade Kenya for any other country. Those who have taken my word and visited prove that for themselves and often return or recommend to others!

3. We must stop telling discriminatory jokes and myths about each other- that Luos don’t circumcise; that Kikuyu are thieves; that Kambas are sexy. etc! Next time you want to do it- stop yourself and think Kenyan! Slowly it will die. In some western countries it has been outlawed to tell discriminatory jokes because it fuels sectionalism.

4. We must begin to stand up for Kenya. Kenya is bigger than any single tribe or leader. We must begin to teach our children to respect and love our country. We must stop the negative attitude about our beautiful country. Our diversity must become our strength. When it comes to Kenya, let us hang our tribal and religious labels and be Proudly Kenyan. When we are out and inside Kenya let us sell Kenya as a great brand. Great brands posses’ great attributes. Such great attributes must be communicated positively, both verbally and by our actions/behaviour.

Will you join me and many others on this journey of making us proudly Kenyan?

May I ask you to kindly stand up and re-affirm with me that we will be proudly Kenyan by singing the National Anthem that is before us.

O God of all creation,
Bless this our land and nation.
Justice be our shield and defender,
May we dwell in unity,
Peace and liberty.
Plenty be found within our borders.
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true.
Service be our earnest endeavour,
And our Homeland of Kenya,
Heritage of splendour,
Firm may we stand to defend.
Let all with one accord
In common bond united,
Build this our nation together,
And the glory of Kenya,
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

Tonight I challenge us all to start the small steps towards being Proudly Kenyan.

Thank you and God bless you.

Sent by Benard Omondi.

More news

Leave a reply
Obama for America

Annah –

I want to add some more news to David’s note about the state of
the race.

As you know, we’ve won 27 of 41 contests and have maintained our
commanding lead among pledged delegates.

But today I want to share another staggering number: supporters
like you donated more than $55 million to this campaign in the month of February.

That’s a humbling achievement, and I am very grateful for your support.

No campaign has ever raised this much in a single month in the history
of presidential primaries. But more important than the total is how we did
it — more than 90% of donations were $100 or less, and more than 385,000
new donors in February pushed us past our goal of more than 1,000,000 people
owning a piece of this campaign.

From the beginning, this campaign has always been funded by a movement
of grassroots supporters giving whatever they can afford. And unlike Senator
Clinton and Senator McCain, we have never taken money from lobbyists or PACs.

Senator Clinton has decided to use her resources to wage a negative,
throw-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink campaign. John McCain has clinched
the Republican nomination and is attacking us daily. But I will continue
to vigorously defend my record and make the case for change that will improve
the lives of all Americans.

I need your help to continue this battle on two separate fronts.
Now is the time to step up and own a piece of this campaign.

Please make a donation of $25 today:


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

Thank you for your support,

Barack

Donate

———Original Message——–
From: David Plouffe, BarackObama.com
Subject: The math

Odundo —

Our projections show the most likely outcome of yesterday’s elections
will be that Hillary Clinton gained 187 delegates, and we gained 183.

That’s a net gain of 4 delegates out of more than 370 delegates
available from all the states that voted.

For comparison, that’s less than half our net gain of 9 delegates
from the District of Columbia alone. It’s also less than our net gain of
8 from Nebraska, or 12 from Washington State. And it’s considerably less
than our net gain of 33 delegates from Georgia.

The task for the Clinton campaign yesterday was clear. In order
to have a plausible path to the nomination, they needed to score huge delegate
victories and cut into our lead.

They failed.

It’s clear, though, that Senator Clinton wants to continue an increasingly
desperate, increasingly negative — and increasingly expensive — campaign
to tear us down.

That’s her decision. But it’s not stopping John McCain, who clinched
the Republican nomination last night, from going on the offensive. He’s already
made news attacking Barack, and that will only become more frequent in the
coming days.

Right now, it’s essential for every single supporter of Barack Obama
to step up and help fight this two-front battle. In the face of attacks from
Hillary Clinton and John McCain, we need to be ready to take them on.

Will you make an online donation of $25 right now?


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

The chatter among pundits may have gotten better for the Clinton
campaign after last night, but by failing to cut into our lead, the math
— and their chances of winning — got considerably worse.

Today, we still have a lead of more than 150 delegates, and there
are only 611 pledged delegates left to win in the upcoming contests.

By a week from today, we will have competed in Wyoming and Mississippi.
Two more states and 45 more delegates will be off the table.

But if Senator Clinton wants to continue this, let’s show that we’re
ready.

Make an online donation of $25 now to show you’re willing to fight
for this:


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

This nomination process is an opportunity to decide what our party
needs to stand for in this election.

We can either take on John McCain with a candidate who’s already
united Republicans and Independents against us, or we can do it with a campaign
that’s united Americans from all parties around a common purpose.

We can debate John McCain about who can clean up Washington by nominating
a candidate who’s taken more money from lobbyists than he has, or we can
do it with a campaign that hasn’t taken a dime of their money because we’ve
been funded by you.

We can present the American people with a candidate who stood shoulder-to-shoulder
with McCain on the worst foreign policy disaster of our generation, and agrees
with him that George Bush deserves the benefit of the doubt on Iran, or we
can nominate someone who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and will
not support a march to war with Iran.

John McCain may have a long history of straight talk and independent
thinking, but he has made the decision in this campaign to offer four more
years of the very same policies that have failed us for the last eight.

We need a Democratic candidate who will present the starkest contrast
to those failed policies of the past.

And that candidate is Barack Obama.

Please make a donation of $25 now:


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

Thank you,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Donate

This email was sent to: Annah

from “Obama for America”

    Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:24:08 -0500
    From: Barack Obama
 Subject: More news

The math

Leave a reply
Obama for America
Annah –

Our projections show the most likely outcome of yesterday’s elections
will be that Hillary Clinton gained 187 delegates, and we gained 183.

That’s a net gain of 4 delegates out of more than 370 delegates available
from all the states that voted.

For comparison, that’s less than half our net gain of 9 delegates
from the District of Columbia alone. It’s also less than our net gain of 8
from Nebraska, or 12 from Washington State. And it’s considerably less than
our net gain of 33 delegates from Georgia.

The task for the Clinton campaign yesterday was clear. In order to
have a plausible path to the nomination, they needed to score huge delegate
victories and cut into our lead.

They failed.

It’s clear, though, that Senator Clinton wants to continue an increasingly
desperate, increasingly negative — and increasingly expensive — campaign
to tear us down.

That’s her decision. But it’s not stopping John McCain, who clinched
the Republican nomination last night, from going on the offensive. He’s
already made news attacking Barack, and that will only become more frequent
in the coming days.

Right now, it’s essential for every single supporter of Barack Obama
to step up and help fight this two-front battle. In the face of attacks
from Hillary Clinton and John McCain, we need to be ready to take them on.

Will you make an online donation of $25 right now?


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

The chatter among pundits may have gotten better for the Clinton
campaign after last night, but by failing to cut into our lead, the math —
and their chances of winning — got considerably worse.

Today, we still have a lead of more than 150 delegates, and there
are only 611 pledged delegates left to win in the upcoming contests.

By a week from today, we will have competed in Wyoming and Mississippi.
Two more states and 45 more delegates will be off the table.

But if Senator Clinton wants to continue this, let’s show that we’re
ready.

Make an online donation of $25 now to show you’re willing to fight
for this:


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

This nomination process is an opportunity to decide what our party
needs to stand for in this election.

We can either take on John McCain with a candidate who’s already
united Republicans and Independents against us, or we can do it with a campaign
that’s united Americans from all parties around a common purpose.

We can debate John McCain about who can clean up Washington by nominating
a candidate who’s taken more money from lobbyists than he has, or we can
do it with a campaign that hasn’t taken a dime of their money because we’ve
been funded by you.

We can present the American people with a candidate who stood shoulder-to-shoulder
with McCain on the worst foreign policy disaster of our generation, and
agrees with him that George Bush deserves the benefit of the doubt on Iran,
or we can nominate someone who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning
and will not support a march to war with Iran.

John McCain may have a long history of straight talk and independent
thinking, but he has made the decision in this campaign to offer four more
years of the very same policies that have failed us for the last eight.

We need a Democratic candidate who will present the starkest contrast
to those failed policies of the past.

And that candidate is Barack Obama.

Please make a donation of $25 now:


https://donate.barackobama.com/math

Thank you,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Donate

This email was sent to: Annah

from “Obama for America”

    Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 16:36:41 -0500
    From: “David Plouffe, BarackObama.com” <info@barackobama.com>
 Subject: The math

What happened today

Leave a reply
Obama for America
Annah –

We may not know the final outcome of today’s voting until morning,
but the results so far make one thing clear.

When the dust settles from today’s contests, we will maintain our
substantial lead in delegates. And thanks to millions of people standing for
change, we will keep adding delegates and capture the Democratic nomination.

We knew from the day we began this journey that the road would be
long. And we knew what we were up against.

We knew that the closer we got to the change we seek, the more we’d
see of the politics we’re trying to end — the attacks and distortions that
try to distract us from the issues that matter to people’s lives, the stunts
and the tactics that ask us to fear instead of hope.

But this time — this year — it will not work. The challenges
are too great. The stakes are too high.

Americans need real change.

In the coming weeks, we will begin a great debate about the future
of this country with a man who has served it bravely and loves it dearly.
And we will offer two very different visions of the America we see in the
twenty-first century.

John McCain has already dismissed our call for change as eloquent
but empty.

But he should know that it’s a call that did not begin with my words.
It’s the resounding call from every corner of this country, from first-time
voters and lifelong cynics, from Democrats and Republicans alike.

And together you and I are going to grow this movement to deliver
that change in November.

Thank you,

Barack

Donate

This email was sent to: Annah

from “Obama for America”

    Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 04:35:40 -0500
    From: Barack Obama <info@barackobama.com>
Subject: What happened today

URGENT: Amanyo Osiepna

1 Reply

Amor ahinya kod Jaluo.kom puonj moro to aonge godo sani,en mana kapuoyo ni wan kod kama wanyalo rade kaka nyikwa jonam yawa. Ne amanyo osiepa moro, ni Akinyi Bella Owiti nyar sakwa..dipo ng’ato onenona go? Dipo ni en New Jersey. Mama bella kapo iyudo wach to ndikna adong’ kod thuolo matin thurni to adok dala mong’o.

Mary Adhiambo Nyawade

Mungiki Met at State House with Kibaki Government Officials

4 Replies

Wednesday, 5 March 2008, 17:15 GMT  

The BBC has learnt of allegations of state-sanctioned violence in Kenya during the turmoil that followed last December’s disputed presidential poll.

Sources allege that meetings were hosted at the official residence of the president between the banned Mungiki militia and senior government figures.

The aim was to hire them as a defence force in the Rift Valley to protect the president’s Kikuyu community.

The government denied the allegations, calling them “preposterous”.

For the full article, please see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7279149.stm

FEATURE: Fears Over the End of Opposition Politics in Kenya

1 Reply

by Jeff Otieno, Kisumu
Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:24:25  

Fresh fears have emerged that the death of opposition politics to put the government on its toes could be in the offing.
   
This follows last week historic agreement where the Mwai Kibaki led party PNU and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) entered into a rare historic Grand Coalition arrangement to accommodate each other.
   
At inception, things appeared completely unworkable under the tutelage of former United Nations Chief Kofi Annan with both divides on the negotiation table exhibiting a hardline stance.
   
The Ghanian-born Annan was undeterred with the protagonists, his consistency and shrewdness ultimately became fruitful after a staggering 41 sleepless nights.
   
Kenyans sighed with relief and celebrations were held in major towns and cities. Camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) where thousands have braved the chilly nights for fear of attacks were  memorable.
   
The onus is now on the tenth parliament to entrench the legislative framework to make the deal become law. Granted, as envisaged by the majority of Kenyans who would want the barbaric scenes of the December 27, 2007 postelection to be confined to the doldrums, these changes will likely cool tempers across political divides and enable reconstruction and the resettlement of IDPs.
   
One intriguing issue remains: who will dangle the official opposition flagship for the purpose of creating checks and balances?
   
Since the advent of pluralistic politics in 1991, Kenyans have benefited from the vibrant opposition which to-date has become moribund.
  
“As an alternative Kenyans must surge ahead and form citizen groups to offer social and public accountability or risk the emergence of abuse of power at the expense of tax payers,” said a local NGO operative in Kisumu, Sam Odondi.
   
“It’s unfortunate that some of our civil rights crusaders have joined partisan party politics and only used the forums as spring boards,” Odondi quipped in an interview.
   
With the latest political arrangements entrenching roots, almost every politician is lobbying to be considered in the Grand Coalition setup and none wants to jump ship to play a credible pivotal role as a dissenter.
   
For any semblance of good governance to be sustained there must be a vibrant opposition to keep the government on its toes or else Kenyans  must brace themselves to see the re-emergence of single party dictatorship and misuse of power. 
   
Some keen political pundits also opine that if an internal political party rebellion can be sustainable to serve as awakening calls to the ruling class, then it can also be a good option for the purpose of accountability and good governance.

This last view, while not impossible, may be improbable.
   
END

DEMOCRACY IS A THEORY AND NOT A PRINCIPLE

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DEMOCRACY IS A THEORY AND NOT A PRICIPLE
  
The time has come for Kenyans and, indeed, the world to review what democracy is and why it is necessarily a school of thought that is widely accepted to be good. I will not speculate so much about this because I am not a Political Scientist. I will, however, state here that democracy is a theory that need not stand in the way of a people’s development. The American or British or any other country’s interpretation of democracy need not be our model as Kenyans. The Chinese and the Russians have taken off economically without the much touted western-style democracy. I think that, as Kenyans, we need to consider our wellbeing first before we debate the pros and cons of a certain type of democracy. All these issues of governance are just theories and ideas that some people came up with. They can be altered at any time.  Let Kenyans develop whatever the political arrangement. If a grand coalition like the one due to take place in Kenya can deliver to the population, then why not? It is not a taboo to have something different from popular belief.
   
Sillah Oriato

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Hello Sillah,

It’s good to have you back. 

While we agree with the primary sentiment expressed in your email–that all people should have the right to self determination–we take some issue with the idea that Russia and China are examples of functional democracies. Both of these countries are police states. We suspect that the willingness of the Russian population to accept totalitarianism in exchange for economic growth and security will eventually catch up with them. This is also, we think true of Uganda, a country in which a “benevolent dictator” has reigned and, it seems, will continue to reign indefinitely. Finally, human rights abuses are all too common in Russia and China, and people have little say in their government (sound familiar?). 

Certainly, Kenyans must decide what type of government we want. Based on its success in developed countries, many of us prefer democracy. We would also agree that it is possible for a homegrown, or even African, democracy to take hold in Kenya.

We would caution that, in the absence of democracy–that is, in the absence of basic human rights and civil liberties–governments are more likely to be unstable and to collapse more quickly. This is why African, Latin American, and some Asian countries have seen coup after coup. Democracy, we think, better promotes development than any other form of government.   

Regards,

Jaluo Press

Did Kibaki Know What He was Doing?

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Perhaps for the not so keen reader who pays little attention to detail, some of the print in this agreement may not mean much. But you would wish to wonder to yourself: why did Raila sign this document and also why would kibaki actually agree to it…what could be going on in Kibaki’s mind?

“The PM shall have authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the GOK ………including those of Ministries”

The key words are highlighted. Who performed these duties previously?? If it was the president, then there must have been gross inefficiencies in the way our country was being run because those are the day to day affairs of a country and require a hands on approach.

But also NOTE that the “affairs of the GOK” have been distinctly separated from “those of Ministries”!  Which, therefore, are those ‘affairs of the GOK’ separate from the Ministries? This PM office as laid out in this accord is a very powerful office indeed. The PM office is technically, therefore, the ‘engine’ of the country while the president is the ‘driver’. It is the same relationship as in the ‘heart’ and the ‘brain’. The brain can stop but you are still alive, but when the heart (engine) stops, YOU ARE DEAD!!!

I think either Kibaki knowingly or unknowingly did not reread the fine print enough to know what it meant. On the other hand, Raila was keenly aware. But it may also be that Kibaki knew very well what he was signing into. My hypothesis is that Kibaki knew what he was doing to the last detail. The old man is just tired and wants to go home in peace. He simply has negotiated his way out of this mess which he was encouraged to create by his cronies. Now he does not need them. He is telling them, ‘I have made peace with Raila, now it is your turn’. It is a realisation on his part that he needs Raila more than he needs the Karuas and Michukis. Kibaki has literally thrown his ‘buddies’ to the wilderness. Fortunately, Raila is not vindictive.

Kibaki has set his retirement in motion with a bold bid to salvage his legacy, and it is now or never. His friends won’t assist him here. Kibaki has actually ceded governing authority to Raila…if you care to listen. If you look at it, if there be any mess in the government from now forward it will be Raila’s fault and not Kibaki’s as he is not there.

Also note that the PM’s office as outlined in this accord is the MINIMUM that the new expected constitutional dispensation will spell out. Kenya is in for interesting political times ahead.

Barrack

The way it’s supposed to be!

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There is no question that this world is full of many daily challenges. Out there-school, work place, along the highway, theaters and what have you are numerous untold and frustrating challenges. With all these, the family is supposed to be a place where the family members can share their frustration, encourage/uplift one another and plan for the future.

However, all indications are that most families are going through so much. This reminds me of a statement that my friend once made” marriage is like a circle whereby those who are inside want to go out and those outside want to come in.” So, what’s the solution?

My take is that for any family to succeed, it must follow this simple formula:

1. Think about God first in all that you do.

2. Think about your family by consulting them in all that you do. Avoid the temptation of venturing alone.

Remember that friends will come and go but your family will be there in times of happiness and times of sorrow. If you find yourself thinking of others more than your family, then think again. Yes, from time to time we stumble and find ourselves in a mess. But once we realize our error, we need to make a quick turn and head in the right direction. Avoid the temptation of threatening your spouse and deceiving yourself that you will make it alone or with someone else.

3. We should then think of how we can fit others in our plans.

To achieve the above, there is need for daily examination on all that we think and do. Do not let the day go by without questioning your way of thinking, doing things, relating to God, your family, and others.

And finally, let us daily pray for one another so as to overcome the daily challenges. I will pray for you my brother/sister? How about you?

Just a thought.

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

Kenya: Coalition Must Forge National Identity

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BAPTISM BY FIRE AS PROFESSOR MAKAU MUTUA WARNS AGAINST SUPPORT FOR TWO CENTRES OF POWER. 

Gordon

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Kenya: Coalition Must Forge National Identity
The Nation (Nairobi)
OPINION
2 March 2008
Makau Mutua
Nairobi

Any keen student of Kenyan politics instinctively knows that the power-sharing agreement struck this week between President Mwai Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga is not a magic wand. It is only the proverbial first step in what promises to be a gruelling marathon for national recovery.

But even sceptics must acknowledge that the compact represents the first ray of real hope in the long dark tunnel that ordinary Kenyans have faced since the fateful elections last December 27.
          
Even so, it would be naïve to believe that the worst is over. The bitter truth is that the full implementation of the pact – and the co-existence of President Kibaki and Mr Odinga within two centres of power in one state – is bound to be the most trying spectacle yet.

It is not a secret that I have publicly opposed a premiership in the past. Yet, in the last several months, I have called for the office as a temporary measure and a means to fundamental constitutional, economic and social reforms. In this instrumentalist construction, the premiership cannot be seen as a resolution of state tyranny or the imperial presidency.

For the full article, please see http://allafrica.com/stories/200803030836.html

Raila assigned State security, motorcade

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East Africa Standard Online Edition
Published on March 4, 2008, 12:00 am 
By Standard Team

ODM leader Raila Odinga is now set to enjoy the trappings of power, including lavish government housing, plush offices complete with 24-hour State security.
   
By last evening, Raila — who is widely believed to become the second Prime Minister in independent Kenya following the historic power-sharing deal with President Kibaki — had already been assigned an official motorcade with outriders.
   
The founding father of the nation, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, was the first PM between 1963 and 1964.

For the full article, please see http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143982765

Sent by Gordon.

[Mwanyagetinge] How Can I help?

3 Replies

Brothers Motarema, Mosomi and others,

You have challenged me. Heretofore, I knew/did the following:

1. I knew myself as poor as a church mouse. This will remain for sometime unless you and others plan to buy my book “Except for the Lord” that will be out soon.

2. I gave almost all my money towards assisting my needy family members, some relatives, and friends.

After your challenge, I have included the following projects:

1. Bonyunyu SDA church and Bumburia SDA church in Nyamira District – These are my childhood churches that I must do something and assist.

2. Bonyunyu primary school – This is the school where all the 38 Birai children went to school. I now must find out her need and do something.

3. My half brothers and sisters – My father had 4 wives and 38 children. Heretofore,I had concentrated on my mother’s tribe. That has now changed to include all.

4. Pastor Wycliffe Kinara Ndemo -A pastor who recently graduated from Bugema and is working without pay. I must include him in my budget. pstkinara@yahoo.com

5. Dr. Bertha Kaimenyi Kirigo-A dear family friend that I went to college with at Baraton and Andrews. She and her husband have a project meant to help our people. Dr Bertha belongs to the Methodist church. I must help her find sponsors. I will also chip in something. peber21@yahoo.com

6. Joshua Mweigwa of Uganda, and Director of Nile Inter-community Development organization-This brother wrote to me recently requesting for some help. I don’t know how he got my e-mail address. Though I don’t know him, I will do something to assist him in reaching his goal.
www.nicdo.org or jmwesigwa@hotmail.com

All these after reading and accepting your challange.

Blessings to you my brothers.

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

__________________________________
motarema wrote:

Mosomi

I second your idea to shift attention from the stolen election and partisan politics. Thanks to God we have seen a reflection of a dim light at the end of the tunnel. The two antagonistic forces have signed a commitment to share power and deliver services to the Kenyan people. We should hold them accountable, if any of their promises go south.

Let us also shift our attention from the Churches, where we worship and  the pastors, although much needs to be done on that side of the corner, to lighten the tunnel.

Debating on the issue of deteriorating education standards, especially in Kisii is a step forward to shed some light to that tunnel. I was thrilled to learn that an unknown school  in Nyamira district-Amabuko could feature in national examination. Apparently, something good is happening in such a school and if we all want to give to the community, that gave us a head-start, why not set a good example? I know talking about it is one thing, planning, delivering, executing and implementing is another. My take is to reach out  our  initial primary school that gave us a head-start.  I believe giving back to such schools, first is a token of appreciation of your well-being and encouragement of those involved in those schools. Let us brainstorm some ideas that could help improve performance.

Motarema
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Mosomi wrote:

Minto,

Amang’ana nare aiga. Chisemi chia Omogusii. I have a major concern for Omogusii and our education SEITO. How much am I involved? How much are you involved?

Minto, we need to help to uplift the standards of the Gusii people.

In our small ways, let us find ways of giving back to the community through education back at home. Our schools are surely not doing well. Sometimes we get ashamed of our Gusii schools.

Yes, we can help. We need to explore ways and means of encouraging our community in Gusii to excel academically. I will directly challenge Mwanyagetinge scholars and professionals to think through the idea of being role models to school children from your rural village. We are bright, hard working, disciplined and self-motivated.

Why can’t we do as well as our neighbours or better?

I will help in my small way. Can you also help in your small way?

Minto, we need concerted efforts to help and give back to our community. It is a blessing to give back to one’s community.

With the last year’s KSCE 2007 results just announced, our schools have not made us proud. We have spent a lot of time politicking on this forum, but now we must change tune and redefine and redirect our energies in giving back to our community educationally

Please join me in championing better education for our people in Gusii. Let us share ideas on this forum. This is an idea we cannot ignore. The time to help is now, not 2012.

God Bless Kenya.
O’Mosomi

Sent by Pastor Birai, edited by Jaluo Press. 

 __________________________________

Kudos to Mosomi, Motarema, and Pastor Birai for their endeavors on behalf of the Gusii community.  We wish you the very best of luck and hope that everyone will emulate your examples and take your suggestions to heart.   

Regards, 

Jaluo Press

Thank you for the great support from Peter & Anne Osano

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Dear esteemed Brothers and Sisters,
  
It is coming late, but you deserve to hear this from us. When the information of our father going to be with the Lord was sent out, we had overwhelming support from you. It made it possible for my wife and I to go home, meet all that was before us and go back to the US. We left Kenya the midnight (27/12/2007) when the counting of votes had started in some constituencies.
  
We are truly thankful to the Lord who gave you to us.
  
May the Lord bless you all.
  
At the fund raising for our departed sister Beatrice Omoro, I played a CD and many people liked it. I promised to avail the contacts from where the CD can be purchased.
  
Here they are:
  
1. I am going to make arrangements to have some CDs sent to me, so you can get them from Gaithersburg. (osanopo@yahoo.com)
  
2. Give the website where they can be purchased directly through the internet.
  
The website is: lilian@lilianodera.com
  
May the Lord shower you with His blessings.
  
We love you all

Rev. Peter & Rev. Dr. Anne Osano

INTENSE LOBBYING HITS RAILA ODINGA’S CAMP

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BY JEFF OTIENO AND DICKENS WASONGA IN KISUMU CITY – KENYA

  Following fresh revelations that ODM chief Raila Odinga is destined for premiership slot, it has now emerged that intense but behind the scene lobbying has gripped his political camp.
 
  MPs both former and current  together with influential business people from ODM strong holds have mounted high-powered campaigns that will see them land  key and plum government positions or cut deals with the state.
 
  Impeccable sources within ODMs top echelons also confided to these writers that a clique masquerading as Raila’s most trusted associates are now criss-crossing the terrain fleecing with glee the unsuspecting  figures who hope of landing the lucrative posts.
 
  The plundering cartel which is headed by two notable duos one of whom is a youthful bulky activist hailing from Homabay District in Ndhiwa Constituency and another from Nyakach who is associated with a Nairobi based security firm.
 
  According to the source, goat eating sessions in magnificent hotels is the hallmark of the elusive schemes.
 
   The pedestrian talk doing rounds in the regions particularly in Kisumu, however have it that some illustrious personalities  who have consistently showed commitment and hard work to the community during turbulent moments should not be confined to the periphery by Raila at this time of reckoning.
 
  Among them are industrious  marie-stoppes Religional Director Cyprian Otieno Awiti, NGO guru cum politician Monica Amolo, Mombasa based Business magnet Polycap Ochola, leading CEO Evans Odhiambo Kidero, top spy Sam Wakiaga, Mps Dalmas Otieno Anyango  Rongo, polished Karachuonyo legislature Engineer James Rege, pragmatic Nyakach Mp Ochieng Daima and his Alego Usonga Counter part wealthy Edwin Ochieng Yinda.
 
  It is imperative and interesting to note however that the goons who were once associated with Raila to do his errands are currently confined to oblivion thanks to the hawk-eyed state security details that now the ODM king pin enjoys. 
 
  END
Date:  Wed, 5 Mar 2008 03:19:44 -0800 (PST)
From:  JEFF AGUKO

Subject:  INTENSE LOBBYING HITS RAILA ODINGA’S CAMP

One last thing.

Leave a reply

  Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 14:13:37 -0500
From: Barack Obama ohio@barackobama.com

Annah —

I wanted to get in touch with you one last time before tomorrow’s primary.

We’ve had a long journey together in Ohio. For more than a year, you have been dedicated to the idea that when ordinary people come together, we can do extraordinary things.

Our team put together a special video of our grassroots movement in Ohio — check it out, and share it with anyone who might still be undecided:

Grassroots Movement in Ohio

http://oh.barackobama.com/LookupOH

It’s been inspiring to see the turnout at these events, and it strengthens my faith that the American people — not just here in Ohio, but across the country — are ready to stop settling for what the cynics tell us we must accept and start reaching for what’s possible.

Tomorrow’s our chance to make history.

But the election is going to be close, and it’s vitally important that you vote and bring your family and friends to vote with you.

Find your polling location and vote tomorrow:

http://oh.barackobama.com/LookupOH

When Michelle and I talked about my running for president, one of the core goals we both had for this campaign was to leave the political process better off than we found it.

That’s just what you’ve done in Ohio. You have shaken the political status quo and built a grassroots movement that is sweeping this country.

If you get out and vote tomorrow — and bring others to vote too — our movement will continue to grow. The world will know that Ohio stood up for a different kind of politics. And real change will be within reach.

Find your polling location:

http://oh.barackobama.com/LookupOH

Let’s bring real change tomorrow.

Barack

P.S. — Here are a few details and rules that will help make the voting process run smoothly. Make sure to share these with your friends:

  • Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line at 7:30 p.m. you have the right to vote.
  • All registered voters can vote in the Democratic Primary, even Republicans and Independents.
  • When you vote, bring ID: Ohio driver’s license or state-issued ID, or any one of the following with your name and current address — utility bill (including cell phone bills), bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document.
  • If you have any problems or questions, call our voter hotline at 1-866-675-2008 and press 4.

Find your polling place

—-
This email was sent to: Annah
from Obama for AmericaSubject: One last thing…

A Must Watch: Obama Supporter Randomly Interviewed by Uncouth Stranger

1 Reply

Listen fully to both clips.

Amoke

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/video-interviewer-picks-the-wrong-obama-supporter-to-try-to-railroad/

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/video-obama-supporter-derrick-responds-to-his-video/

——————————–

Thanks Amoke!  This is a very worthwhile find.  We took out the description so as not to spoil it for our readers.

Readers, in Ohio, Texas, Vermont, and Rhode Island, March 4 is upon us, you know what to do… 

Regards,

Jaluo Press

GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT ANOTHER PRISON IN NYANZA

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By Dickens Wasonga 
Freelance Journalist, Kisumu
TEL: +254721784774

THE government has set aside Kshs. 300 million to construct a correction facility in Nyanza’s Rachuonyo district.
  
The project brings to six the number of the penal institutions in the province.
  
According to the area provincial prisons commandant Mr. Benjamin Njoga, the facility will accomodate 500 inmates and will have 150 wardens when it becomes fully operational.
  
Mr. Njoga said the facility will be built at Wagwe area of west Karachuonyo division. He said a twenty-six acre piece of land which was being held in trust by Rachuonyo county council will be used to construct the facility.
  
The senior assistant commissioner of prisons said the institution will be used by prisoners who have been sentenced to serve between six months to four years in jail and will be complete in the next six years.
  
He said in the first six months of the project thirty houses will be built for the prison staff and another unit which will accommodate eighty inmates will be constructed in the first phase of the project.
  
Mr. Njoga said Kshs. 1 Million had already been received from the government for the fencing of the project area and part of the money will be used in processing land rates.
  
He said the institution will help the government to decongest the existing correctional facilities in the province and appealed to the local residents to support it.
  
Mr. Njoga said Kodiaga G.K prisons which is the biggest penal institution within the entire western region was currently holding 2200 inmates against its official capacity of 800. He added that Kisii prison which is supposed to accommodate 600 prisoners had a population of 1180 while Homa-Bay had a population of 500 inmates against its capacity of 300. Others he mentioned included Migori and Kibos prisons which are equally over-stretched
  
Mr. Njoga said that besides the infrastructural development, the institution will invest in agriculture.
   
”During our field days the local farmers will have chance to learn about modern techniques of farming and livestock rearing,” said Njoka.

ENDS

FEATURE: Kenyatta Family Must Cede Land They Grabbed to IDPs

7 Replies

The problems that Kenyans are facing today are as a result of the injustices committed by Kenyatta and his then henchmen.

It’s a pity to hear some IDPs say they don’t know their original homes. This is a lie. In general, an African will still know his home even if he lived (or born) in foreign country for 50 years. How on earth can somebody lose memory as to forget his or her original home? I have a nephew who was born in US, after his father’s death he decided to stay there but when he was 30, he traced and reached home very easily.

The truth is that their homes were grabbed by Kenyatta and his powerful cronies of that time. The truth must be said because this is the only time to correct the injustices otherwise we will live with them until Jesus comes back.

It is a fact that Kenyatta family owns land equal to the size of Rwanda, mostly prime and productive land. A fact nobody from Central Province even those who are now suffering in IDP camps are talking about.

It is also a naked fact that Kenyatta and his men grabbed chunks of land in Central province and “forcefully” settled the victims in Rift Valley without consulting the natives. Unlike Jaramogi, who said NO GRABBING in Nyanza, Moi, in his desire to get favours from Kenyatta, never questioned or resisted the move. This is the genesis of the problems.

It is time Kenyans start asking the Kenyatta family how they acquired such huge land while other Kenyans have nowhere to put their head. This is the greatest injustice Kenyatta should be remembered with. Kenyans must be united to fight this injustice and monster called landlessness and “over-landfulness”.

Ngethe

Edited by Jaluo Press.