Kenyans in No Mood to Sign Off On Paychecks for Leaders’ Wives
 
By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, September 4, 2008; Page A08

NAIROBI — The deal that ended Kenya’s violent post-election crisis has unleashed a period of one-upmanship among the country’s political troika, President Mwai Kibaki, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and newly appointed Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In recent months, the three former competitors have sparred over protocol issues, such as who should speak first, who should sit where and the relative size of their limousines.

But the most recent issue to arise in the symbolic power struggle could be its most expensive: a proposal to pay a yearly allowance of roughly $70,000 each to the wives, or ‘gracious ladies,’ of the prime minister and the vice president.

First lady Lucy Kibaki, who has made few public appearances since scandalizing the nation last year by publicly slapping an emcee she deemed impertinent, collects nearly $100,000 a year in state funds as compensation for her ‘social responsibilities. ‘

And so, the argument goes, Ida Odinga and Pauline Musyoka also should get ‘responsibility allowances.’ The head of Kenya’s civil service, who proposed the stipends, has said the spouses play a crucial role in projecting ‘our nation’s family values.’

But Kenyans, who make an average of $1,300 a year, are not buying it

The president’s annual salary exceeds $300,000, and a legislator banks $120,000 plus perks on average. So the idea of two more salaries on the official payroll has prompted outrage, especially in the pages of the country’s two largest newspapers.

One reader called the proposal ‘galling’ in a letter to the Nation, and a scathing editorial in the paper deemed it ‘disgraceful. ‘

‘The leadership of this country cannot continue to pretend that 36 million Kenyans exist to feed them and their families, and keep them in luxury,’ the editorial said. ‘This lack of respect for taxpayers’ money is contemptuous of the fact that this is a poor country, many of whose citizens live on the verge of starvation.’

The matter is especially touchy because tens of thousands of Kenyans displaced by violence after the disputed presidential election in December still live in leaky tents, waiting for $100 grants promised by the government to help them rebuild homes and farms that were burned to the ground.

Writing in the Standard, one reader said that ‘the mood is right for taking the moral high ground.’

‘There is no shortage of deserving causes,’ the letter continued. ‘Try the myriad orphans, internally displaced people, more toilets in slums — need we say more?’

Pauline Musyoka, who earns a top-tier salary working for the Central Bank of Kenya, has not commented on the allowance proposal. Ida Odinga, who manages one of her husband’s family businesses, broke her silence on the matter this week.

She declined the additional paycheck.

– – – – – – – – – – –
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/06/AR2008090602666.html

In Kenya, Some Fear That Fissures Remain
Political Deal Is Superficial, Critics Say
By Stephanie McCrummen

Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, September 7, 2008; Page A17

NAIROBI — In Kenya these days, tourists are slowly returning to safari camps across the Masai Mara game reserve. The economy is hobbling back to life, and the country’s once-feuding political leaders often shake hands and exchange conciliatory words in public.

Nearly eight months after a wave of post-election violence brought one of East Africa’s most stable democracies to the brink of collapse, it is almost as if there had been no crisis. And that is what troubles some Kenyans the most.

‘My biggest worry is that it’s business as usual,’ said Bethuel Kiplagat, a retired diplomat who helped form the group Concerned Citizens for Peace during the violence. ‘My fear is that the deeper causes are not being addressed.’

A power-sharing deal signed in February ended the immediate crisis, which was triggered by allegations that President Mwai Kibaki stole the presidential election from opposition leader Raila Odinga. The agreement created a prime minister post for Odinga and set up commissions to investigate the election and causes of the violence, which left at least 1,000 people dead and displaced an estimated 350,000, most of them from Kibaki’s tribe, the Kikuyu.

But some observers say the compromise has played out only superficially, as members of the political elite have returned to petty backroom machinations at the expense of a country still divided by the crisis.

Although urging Kenyans to forget the past, Kibaki and Odinga have rewarded supporters with high-salary positions as ministers and assistant ministers, resulting in a 94-member cabinet that is the biggest and most expensive in Kenyan history. Parliament members, the highest paid on the continent, were sworn in and soon got down to the business of trying to resist an attempt to tax their pay of $120,000 a year.

Meanwhile, Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka have tussled over protocol issues such as who should speak first and their relative position in motorcades. A more recent spat involved who would qualify to use a proposed VIP lane alongside Nairobi’s main thoroughfares.

‘There has been a lot of childishness, ‘ said Gitau Warigi, a political columnist with the Daily Nation newspaper. ‘But underneath there are major structural problems with how the top offices are relating to each other.’

For example, Odinga was tasked with ‘coordinating and supervising’ government ministries. But the head of Kenya’s civil service — a presidential appointee who effectively did the job before — has dismissed his authority. The two have issued competing orders, to the confusion of government workers.

‘The heart of executive power remains with the president, and it’s in the president’s interest to keep things chaotic,’ Warigi said. ‘That tells me that one side of the divide is not keen on this arrangement lasting.’

But David Murathe, a former legislator allied with Kibaki, said the president and Odinga were sobered by the violence and have no desire to see more fighting. Although human rights groups have accused politicians connected to both sides of orchestrating the violence, Murathe said Kibaki and Odinga became concerned that the situation was beyond their control.

But Kenyans are growing restless as they await dividends from the political settlement, Murathe said.

‘At some point, there will be a revolt against them all,’ he said. ‘They’ve conned everyone, I’m sorry to say. Even I did it. I was one of them.’

The discontent is especially palpable around the white-tented camps for displaced people that still dot the rolling, green Rift Valley where much of the violence took place. Although most of the largest camps have been dismantled, the majority of those who lived there have been shifted to smaller camps closer to their burned-out homes and farms, where they are living face to face with the neighbors who chased them away.

With the help of international donors, including the United States, the government has provided food rations and begun handing out seeds and tools to help people rebuild their farms, but the assistance has not reached everyone.

‘They promised they would come and build our houses, give us $100 for starting life, yet we have not gotten anything,’ said Josephat Ndura, 26, who, with 200 or so other families, moved his tent to a scrap of land near their farms in the Molo district of the Rift Valley. ‘We cannot farm, because we don’t have tools. And the people who attacked, they are still around.’

About 3 p.m. last Sunday, the families who would normally have been tending to their farms were idle, sitting outside leaky tents. Margaret Wangari, who is Kikuyu, said that not one of her old neighbors — who come from the Kalenjin tribe that backed Odinga and supported the militias that chased the Kikuyu away — has welcomed her home. She recently spotted a man herding a calf she said was stolen from her farm.

‘There is no conversation, ‘ she said, referring to her neighbors. ‘They just look at us.’

Things are also uncomfortable in the Kalenjin towns along the roads that wind through the Rift Valley. People there voted for Odinga because they felt ignored by Kibaki’s government, and many took part in chasing away their Kikuyu neighbors, which helped Odinga get his position as prime minister. Now, they say, they’re waiting to see some sort of reward in the form of jobs and development.

‘We haven’t seen any change,’ said Albert Kirui, a spare-parts salesman who was sitting on the porch of the Silent Hotel in Kericho, a trading town amid the tea farms in the valley. ‘You only see a change in Nairobi.’

Hundreds of young men who allegedly took part in the violence remain in jails, Kirui added, a sore point for many of Odinga’s backers, who are pressing him to secure an amnesty deal. The attorney general, a Kibaki appointee, is pushing for full prosecution of those involved in the violence.

Despite the icy relations between the Kalenjin and the Kikuyu, officials are painting a different picture of the situation. ‘Only a few months back, the nation was bleeding,’ said Ali Dawood, who is in charge of resettlement issues for the government. ‘Today, the same people are dancing and merrymaking. ‘

Kiplagat, the former diplomat, said that although grass-roots efforts have begun the reconciliation process, more attention needs to be paid to changing the ethnically based political system that sparked the crisis. That includes adopting a new constitution, possibly one that redraws the electoral map to break some of the largest ethnic voting blocs and devolve power to a more local level, he said.

Kibaki and Odinga have pledged to work on revising the constitution, which critics say concentrates too much power in the presidency.

But Kenya’s leaders must also face up to the reality of ethnic hatreds, Kiplagat said.

‘We’ve got to go deeper and deal with it squarely and not run away from it,’ he said, adding that his group is working on a plan to avert a crisis ahead of the next presidential election, in 2012. ‘I can’t tell you we shall not go back the same way. I cannot.’
************ *****

– – – – – – – – – – –
 
— On Sun, 9/7/08, George Ayittey  wrote:

From: George Ayittey
Subject: The Coming Revolution in Kenya
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008, 6:30 PM

Folks,

They are eating, devouring huge morsels of meat in a feeding frenzy. Fat salaries, perks and allowances. Each MP takes home a cool $120,000 and they refuse to pay taxes on their salaries. The president takes a stunning $300,000 – more than President Bush. Imagine. And cabinet has swelled to an astonishing 94 ministers.

Their wives are eating too. Lucy Kibaki collects $100,000 for “social responsibilities.” Is she not the one who slaps journalists around? Social responsibilities, my foot.

Were these not the politicians who promised changeand better life for the people? Never mind; ‘better life’ meant for THEMSELVES. it is the same story of betrayal. They are enjoying. As for the people, they can eat grass.

Please see the story below about the coming revolution.

George Ayittey,
Washington, DC
 ************ ********* **
– – – – – – – – – – –

Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 04:19:49 -0700
From: komarockswatch@ . . .
Subject: Re: The Coming Revolution in Kenya

Prof,

We must all commend Mama Ida Odinga for refusing to join in the Grand Scheme.

The whole world is aware that when the Peace Accord was signed, we had 2 protagonists; Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga. If Ida was to accept any responsibility allowance, it should be at equal par with the wife to Raila’s equal partner, and not at par with the wife to the second in command at PNU.

Not that I support that these people should be paid any salaries!  We have given Raila and Kibaki enough responsibility and allowances that go with those offices, to an extent that the common man should not suffer any more in entertaining their spouses, as much as they are the mothers of the nation.

The times are real hard for most Kenyans that it becomes an affront to our intelligence for Pauline Musyoka to accept the second pay slip from the same government. As we speak, Pauline has been a civil servant drawing a salary from the  state. What rationale do we have in justifying her a second pay cheque from the state?

Kenyans are watching all this with keen interest and come 2012, most of us will be remembering Mama Ida Odinga for having rejected this rip off, hence credit to her husband. At the same time, we will be remembering that Pauline took a second pay cheque from the state in circustances that could have could for restraint, hence indicting her husband.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

– – – – – – – – – – –

— On Mon, 9/8/08, barack abonyo  wrote:
From: barack abonyo
Subject: RE:  The Coming Revolution in Kenya: Kenyan MPS are stealing from the poor
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 8:51 AM

 Our MPs should be ashamed of themselves. $120,000 tax free in the presence of abject poverty and yet they tell us they are fighting for the common men. The question is why are Kenyans not taking to the streets against this? Where is the civil society? I think this is totally outragious.

Here is my proporsal, A grand match, I mean Protest to Kenyan Embassy in Washington and other countries where diasporans live. We are failing our brothers and sisters if we ignore this. We can not afford this for the next four years. 94 mps drawing this much money is 3.666 billion kenya shillings in five years. What a gluttonous group of people. Like any other evil in the society, we must stop this immediately. The diaspora must make the world be aware of this. Our country cannot continue borrowing money just to put it in the pockets of afew mps. We must make those giving Kenya money be aware of this. Somebody in parlierment need to have a bill on this otherwise we will start petitioning donors on this. Our old mothers cannot continue bearing this burden.

Dr. Barack Abonyo

– – – – – – – – – – –

— On Tue, 9/9/08, odhiambo okecth wrote:

Doc,

You are on the spot.

In human development, 5 things count as cardinal; water, education, shelter, light health. In all these areas, the leadership that we have had since independence has failed us.

In the period that we claim to have been independent, how much have we received in loans and grants?

In the same period, can we justify the wealth of our leaders as derived from their salaries?

It is time Kenyans woke up from this blind stupor to put our leaders to task. We cannot continue like this; a state where loans are borrowed in the name of Kenya and promptly diverted to bank accounts of our leaders.

We cannot continue like this; a state where funds are released to build our roads and yet no roads are built. Just across our borders, Uganda and Tanzania are boasting of very wide well maintained roads, while Kenya which prides itself as the most developed among the 3 East African states has cattle tracks for roads.

Time has come for all Kenyans to demand just results for the taxes that we pay. Let us not play ping-pong with our lives. What we have now is what we will bequeath our children. If we thrive in looting and cash divertion, our children will grow up knowing that that is how things work.

What justification could we have for not having clean piped water across all the homesteads in Kenya? What justification could we have for having estates in the middle of Nairobi without electricity? And what justification could we have to charge so expensively for those services poorly given out?

I will hence support massive and organized demos against the theft of Kenya by those whom we have given the chance to lead Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

– – –
Date:  Tue, 9 Sep 2008 02:52:58 -0700 (PDT)
From:  odhiambo okecth
Subject:   Fw: RE: The Coming Revolution in Kenya: Kenyan MPS are stealing from the poor

Folks,

Those advocating for Grand Opposition have an Agenda to disrupt functionability and concentrantion to achieve purposes for which Grand Coalition Government was formed. It is a derailment tactics.

Those that have Economic Crime cases to answer, those that have commited genocide, those that have swindled and committed Public Asset Thefts and Human Rights Thuggery are worried that if the Agenda to which the Grand Coalition Government was formed is accomplished, then they are in trouble.

People…… they better be scared, because their ass is going to be on fire. Can they stop to think for a moment how those poor and hungry ordinary people whose tax money they stole, whose hopes were dashed and the pain of such loss by killing their loved ones in cold blooded, whom they surrounded like sheep going to slaughter house, they put a price on their heads execution style because of greed for power; can they imagine how it feel to be denied the right to honorable living being put under siege of fear in own country; would they stop for a moment to ponder how it feels to be denied the right to legal justice, education and employment when their own lavishly eat daily on a decorated balanced diet dining table having a full course meal and still have more than they need from a stolen public coufer.

How much more gimmicks the likes of Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka are going to put on stage show to clean themselves from the mess they have been soaked in after election of 2007. What form of detergent will they use to clean themselves from the scar formed in people’s minds?

I say this…….. let them dance the tune of their music, let them party, let Martha Karua put iron grilled bars on Judiciary and the Law Courts to block Justice, Let her and the Central Province group dwiddle with the delaying tactics of finalizing the Constitutional Agenda, let Kalonzo continue with his errand boy tactics, let Uhuru Kenyatta bank role all the loot in his possession, let the GEMA Mafia go back to drawing board for more strategies ….BUT one thing is clear…. it is time to clean the house, it is time for CHANGE. The Rainbow stripes are on the skies.

The Grand Coalition Government must complete its work, the Grand Coalition Government will not have a Grand Opposition because it is not be necessary now or in the future. A leader is elected to Parliament to represent its constituents to deliver and honour promises to their Constitutencies. One cannot serve two masters. No reason for duplication. It is HIDE AND SEEK what Martha Karua and Kalonzo are trying to propagate. The elected members of Parliament will be responsible to debate matters in the house and to represent their electorate effectively from points of reference and through community organizing tackling matters for development achievements from their constituents. They will be too busy to fool around grouping for opposition gang hand-outs. The formation of the Grand Coalition Government was under extraordinary circumstances. It was a timely halt to come to terms to give Kibaki, the Gema Mafia and the Kikuyu a second chance, a halt that the Gentlemans way wanted to have proof on records, that election were stolen and results were rigged and Kibaki was in office illegally; a halt that does not give thieves wings to fly in celebration that it is a good thing to steal. With the Grand Coalition Government, once the beacons have been marked, there will be a permanent reference a legal guide to winners and loosers. The Electoral Commission will work under independent non-partisan order from here after without favour. There will be no more room for thieves to fool around and mess with public lives in the future. Not again…

When a Thief steals honey, it tastes good and develops a habit to want to steal some more. He forgets the owner will put guards around that honey so he can catch the thief when he comes a second time to steal. That is what Kenyans are going to do with these bald head thieves. There will be no second time for them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be no more political thieving in Kenya. Once beaten twice shy. No one will vote for these crooks, no one will vote for the thugs, no one will vote for people who do not care for Human Values and Virtues. Yes….. road blocks must be put, their ASS MUST BE PUT ON FIRE……

Thanks,

Judy Miriga
USA

– – –
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 16:46:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: There is no need for Grand Opposition – – its a Gimmick

Elders reject circumcision
By Jane Akinyi

—– Original Message —-
From: Otieno Mbare
Sent: Tuesday, 19 August, 2008 20:57:49
Subject: Press Release – The Misleading Call for Circumcision!

This is my position on the current debate on circumcision! Please,
disseminate!

Otieno Mbare

—
——
http://www.abo.fi/~ombare/Kasipul-Kabondo%20Musiikki.wma
——
Otieno Mbare, D.Sc.(Econ. & B.Adm)
Ã…bo Akademi University
Institute for Advance Management Systems Research
Lemminkäinengatan 14
Office location: Kulturhuset, Fabriksgatan 7A 1
Tel. +358 2 2154 976 (Off) +358 40 5341 996
http://iamsr.abo.fi
Email: Otieno.Mbare@abo.fi, awachtin@yahoo.com
20520 Ã…BO
Finland

“Assertion is not argument; to contradict the statement of an
opponent is not proof that you are correct.”

— Samuel Johnson (English lexicographer, critic, and poet, 1709-1784)

People who live on borrowed culture often go to extremes that their
models and mentors had never intended. Varindra Tarzie Vittachi (1921 –
), Sri-Lankan born writer

——

The Luo Council of Elders has stirred a fresh storm over the male circumcision debate with a threat of disrupting a planned Government launch of the exercise in Nyanza.

The elders want the launch- to be presided by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Public Health Minister Beth Mugo next week, put on hold until €˜stake holders €˜ are consulted.

Council Chairman, Mzee Riaga Ogallo yesterday said they were mobilizing youths to stop the function.
The group accused political leaders of politicising the Luo culture.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Medical Services Minister Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o have supported male circumcision as a way of fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.

http://www.eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1143994475&cid=159&

– – –
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 16:29:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bob Awuor
Subject: Luo Elders reject circumcision / Re: Press Release – The Misleading Call for Circumcision!

Folks,

The Delay of Constitution making is what caused marginilization of the Luo’s and other tribes to be carved out of Sharing of the Cake, is what caused public assets to be stolen by a group of unscrupulous GEMA Mafia from Kikuyu tribes and disposed as private property without public information, consent or consultation, is what brought the Country of Kenya humble to a bed-ridden poverty comma (a serious Economic Crime), is what caused Mbai’s cold blooded death, is what brought the Republic Kenya to form Orange and Banana through a National Referrundum Kenyas People-Driven Demand Agenda.

Because of the gaps in the present constitution, paved ways to lofty legal framework; poor performance of the Judiciary; the flaws that drove the Electoral Commission of Kenya to down play and abandon legal structure to favour and support manouvred thieving of 2007 election which caused the Stolen Election of 2007 to a blood birth; is what influenced tribal Militia of Mungiki to be infiltrated into Kenya Police to intimidate and create fear into peaceful citizen of Kenya, the loopholes that provided room for the stolen 2007 election.

Any reason to delay the Constitution further will be seen as a breach of purpose to Kenyan Society’s confidence to live at peaceful fellowship with each other and to enjoy the tranquility of Human Rights, Civil Activism and Good Governance. It is a lopsided scheme by the Judicial gang, some GEMA Mafia Legislators with some business community to collude and conspire to deny Kenyas Democratic Governance, a case which will be shot down with a massive force from accross the world to a point these political schemers will regret why they never learned to read signs of times and change tactics when the tidings were good. Allegations by some Central Province Leaders to expand Electoral Boundaries before making the Consitution is ill motivated.

Like in the days of Moses, it has dawned to those in power, to let God’s People Free. The sound in the wilderness, “let my people go”!!!!! Dont hang on to it, it cant go further than it has and it is about time for CHANGE.

However insignificant the Constitution others might think, there will be amendments to adjust and strengthen it as times goes by. It cannot be a perfect tool yet, but gradually according to time and environmental events, it will address area of need by amendments.

We need a stipulated governing Law put in place immediately to be able to charge offenders of the past election and economic criminals in the Kenyan midst. Kenyan Law policy is presently dented and is flawed. There are no clear specific consolidated legal framework in place to guide in resolving the disputed elections that is why, criminals are free hoovering around streets of Kenya still holding public offices, bragging and commandeering public ceremonies without shame or fear of conviction.

Network of thieves connection are the ones in charge of public offices and Parliamentary Committee – so, how can a THIEF catch a THIEF? How can you convict your own? and how can you condemn your own?

Thanks,

Judy Miriga
USA

– – –
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 12:21:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Constitution must not be Delayed anyfurther

– – – – – – – – – – –

Judy,

This animal in Kenya called constitutional reform is a pipe dream!

There are many documents from the model constitution of the Original FORD to Kilifi draft rotting in the national archives. This issue can be equated to a cat and mouse game politicians are playing with Kenyan voters. It will certainly be the hot poltical issue come 2012, should this coaltion survive through that period.

My argument is that a new constitutional dispensation will declare many Kenyan political elites irrelevant, unfortunately they are not just ready for that. How do we get out of this quagmire? It will be hard, blood will be shed again as it has been in the past. Kenya is a country that is in dire need for restitution which can only happen whithin a devolved leadership framework , it’s hard see how parliament as currently constituted can vote for this. National referendum will only add a salt to an injury, the country is still too polarised along ethnic lines.

Once upon a time, a famous Soloist by name Mbaraka Mwishehe Mwaruka sang: ” Shida haina ngoja njoga”. If Kenyans are ready and willing to wait with their problems for Jesus to bring the new constitution, then people we are in for an infinate mess.

Last time when addressing a rally in Nyeri, your president Hon. Emilio Mwai Kibaki said that the blood shed earlier this years was just a small matter. I interpreted his words to mean that Kenyans are bound to sheds more blood for good governance in future. My predictions are that the scale and magnitude in future rounds will be equally painful across the classes, it will not just be the poor fighting the poor but also the middle and upper class.

We have a country where people seem to forget that fast!

God bless Kenya.

John Onyango

– – –
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:20:33 +0300
From: onyango@ . . .
Subject: Constitution must not be Delayed any further

[excerpts from … ]
Issue No. 185: Editor’s highlights and snapshot for this week:
Welcome to your favourite, authoritative and consistent The KARA Weekly Newsletter. As always, we appreciate your valued feedback. Please block your diary for the 11th session of the KARA Bi-monthly Talk Series (BTS), supported by Hanns Seidel Foundation, on the 18th September at the KICC from 2.30 pm to 5.00pm. The BTS will explore the role, if any, of foreign aid to Kenya’s future development. We acknowledge Mombasa-based New Nyali Residents Association as the latest entrant to the KARA family. Are you in touch with your local Citywide Residents Association? We are glad you are reading. Editor

. . .

“The four priorities I expect of KARA are to deal with the problem of noise pollution, water supply, potholes on our roads and promote a police force that embraces high integrity standards”, Tjistke Post, Resident, Karen, Nairobi

. . .

SIDA: Government should do more on water reforms:

“The government should provide affordable water and sanitation for the poor. Through years of experience, it has also been shown that communities must be given greater access to the management of rural water schemes. This is what we are supporting . the government must put more effort towards promoting investment in water and sanitation locally.” full_story This an excerpt from the interview with Ms. Ulrika Akesson, formerly of Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)Kenya office carried in the debut Maji na Usafi Voices! newsletter. To get to a free copy of Maji na Usafi Voices! Every month, please send an email request to kewasnet@kara.or.ke

. . .

– – –
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 10:38:12 +0300
From: “The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations \\(KARA\\)”
Subject: The KARA Weekly Newsletter Issue No. 185, September 2008

Moi should repent for inhumanities Kenyans suffered under his rule!

I take great exception to the article by Mr. Nathaniel Otum from Migori, titled “Moi ageing graciously” in one of our dailies dated September 7, 2008 praising Moi’s enviable public charity in relinquishing power, his wise counsel to the public and even going further to associate him with icon leaders like Nelson Mandela. These assertions, especially comparing Moi to Mandela, exemplify lack of understanding and disrespect to historical facts and are highly misplaced.

I would like to inform Mr. Otum that for 24 years, former President Moi’s government besides running our economy down and preaching tribalism in reverse; he presided over massive human indignities and loss of life. The precursor to 2007 election related violence were experimented during Moi’s rule as evidenced with 1992 Rift Valley tribal clashes, Likoni clashes and Wagalla massacres.

Extra judicial killings were perfected under Moi’s reign where security personnel spelled insecurity to their innocent citizens. Remember how many Kenyans died in the clamor for multi-partyism? It was during Moi’s watch that the country lost progressive leaders like Foreign Minister, Robert ouko, Archibishop Alexander Muge and Father Kaiser simply they had dissenting voice.

During Moi’s rule discussions on social injustices was punishable by Kidnapping and enforced disappearance or life sentences. How many journalists were tortured, maimed or killed for practicing truth telling?

Moi has never repented over the Nyayo house torture chambers and the crimes against humanity perpetrated under his government orders. That Moi celebrated his 85th birthday only makes me wonder how many of those who died or those they left behind would have equally wanted a long life. During his rule Kenyans were oppressed, kidnapped, tortured and detained without trial. Does Mr. Otum have any idea how many became widows, orphans or mentally ill during Moi’s rule? Moi’s sporadic appearance and public commentaries are actions of a man who is in the cold and misses the public limelight.

There is a lot that Mandela loses if he is compared to Moi. Moi rightly belongs to the company of former presidents Kamuzu Banda, Mobutu Sesseko or Idi Amin. I am of the opinion if Moi’s claim that he is a Christian be true, he should publicly confess to and repent for the inhumanities he put this country especially to families who lost their loved ones and spend his retirement reciting rosary for God’s forgiveness over having misused his power.

George Nyongesa
Bunge la Mwananchi
www.bulamwa.co.ke

– – –
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 04:47:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: Moi should repent for extra judicial killings Kenyans suffered under his rule!

Folks,

This statement by Hon. Kajwang makes a lot of sense. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister is the
overall head of all Government Ministries no question about that. He should take his
mantle and get busy down to working to google eyes of the Thomases.

Judy Miriga
USA

National News

Muthaura memo to Raila angers Nyanza ODM MPs
Updated on: Sunday, September 07, 2008
Story by: JUMA ALUOCH
……..

Nyanza Province Orange Democratic Movement MPs have told off Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura to stop undermining Prime Minister Raila Odinga¢s authority in the Grand Coalition Government.Led by Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang¢, the MPs demanded Muthaura to respect the PM¢s institution and “stop writing circulars that undermine his authority.”
Kajwang¢s sentiments were echoed by Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno who said the confusion over the PSs being CEOs in government ministries should not derail the smooth operations of the ministries.
The Immigration Minister at the same time lamented that some PSs did not respect the Grand Coalition Government.”If any PS still thinks that Kenya is in 2007, then they should know that the National Accord and Reconciliation Act has already been put in place,” said Kajwang¢.
Kajwang¢ reiterated that the Act accords the PM authority to supervise and coordinate government affairs.”Every civil servant should know they serve a political government that was elected by the people,” he said. Speaking in Migori during area MP John Pesa¢s homecoming party which was also attended by the PM, Kajwang said they would agitate for a constitution that ensures the party leader with majority of MPs becomes Head of State.
……

– – –
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 14:10:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Muthaura memo to Raila angers Nyanza ODM MPs

Folks,
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Very soon we are going to see Statesmen visitation of African Leaders present to receive Kriegler Report on September 11the 2008 in Kenya.  Both Local and the International community must not allow themselves to be hoodwinked.  Every single individual small and big, poor and rich is part of a Popular Participant for CHANGE in Kenya, seeking to eradicate poverty, instil peaceful coexistance amongst Kenyans and Human Rights, Justice and Good Governance be installed by creating enabling environment by removing doubt and fear and institutionilizing acceptable tradition to dig in for a good future for Kenya and the Kenyans together with friends and allys as a whole so to start a journey of hope to the future of excellence.
 
Well, Kibaki receiving his document, I believe he will passing it on to the Judiciary, The Administration, to the Executive and the Legislature for purposes of discussion and implementation.
 
The Grand Coalition Government will be put to a much bigger test.  The brunt is on their dockets to make sure the Kriegler Report is not put on shelves for ARCHIVING but deliberated and implemented with immediate effect.
 

The Constitution.
Rt. Hon. PRIME Minister Raila Odinga has suggested that a team of constitutional experts be engaged to complete the constitution-making process utilizing information yielded at the Bomas and Kilifi drafts which were consultative enough to be adopted as the most inclusive and economically viable approach to giving Kenyans a new constitution in the next few months basically in the shortest space of time as is urgently needed to avoid prolonged drama that engalfed the same. The most contentious issue had to do with the devolution of Executive powers which were then exclusively vested in the Presidency but now have been stripped off and shared with the Prime Minister crafted office. According to Raila, the bone of contention has since been dealt with following the enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act that brought about a power-sharing structure between the President and Prime Minister. The people-driven constitution-making is
 therefore exhaustively consultative as necessary.
 
The focus now, he said, should shift to resolving the 10 percent hurdle, noting that the constitution of Kenya Amendment Bills that are pending in parliament envisage a road map to a new constitution and prescribe a process that would move from committee of experts, to Parliamentary Select Committee, full session of Parliament and then a national referendum.
 
He said the post-election violence that rocked the country early this year because of the disputed presidential poll results exposed the fragility of Kenya¢s nationhood and the deficiencies of the electoral system. The violence, the PM added, also exposed the complete failure of key constitutional institutions such as the Judiciary to provide an amicable solution in the event of a fractured political process, hence the need to bring to a closure all outstanding bad governance issues that set Kenyans against each other.
 
According to his proposal, what would follow once consensus is reached would be a complete draft constitution incorporating the non-contentious issues to be compiled by the committee of experts and then submitting them to Parliament for endorsement and thereafter a national referendum is held to approve it by a simple majority of those who turn out to vote. Martha Karua agreed now that the Constitution will be given out in time as stipulated.  Attorney General Amos Wako who spoke before the Premier also expressed optimism that the process would succeed this time round, agreeing with Raila that most of the earlier obstacles have been cleared by the National Accord and Reconciliation Act.
 
Amnesty
In a dramatic turn of events, Amnesty is getting twisted to evade Principle reality of issues.
The post-election crisis involvement was broadbased.  There were those who financed and masterminded killings of the innocent and commited genocide. There were those who carried out the mission.  There were the MUNGIKI WarLords and the Politicians who made attacks. There were also the Kenyan Police who were trigger happy who brutally killed many innocent Kenyans and destroyed properties. There were those who acted on defense but in the event were also held up in jails as perpertrators of the same.  Those who carried out the mission were equally held and locked in jails and many died. Those Politicians who planned and financed the acts are free serving in the public offices.  The law must not be biased.  The law must be seen to be fair to all citizens without any discrimination.  Those held in custody cannot face the law independent of those who planned, funned, financed and masterminded the killings.  See Kreiger report. During the Ndungu
 Commission, Kroll Associates were also contracted to help track down billions of shillings stolen and stashed abroad by well-connected personalities. The Amnesty should not be judged, crafted or googled to pin a few, it is a broadbased matter requiring legal charge and dispensation on a cross section of the Political Divide. To avoid future crime of the same, the law must take its course squarely.  See attached videos of the same.
 
The Police
Army and police personnel, from the lowest rank to the commanders, involved in the operations in Kisumu, Naivasha, Eldoret, Nairobi and Mt Elgon have a case to answer.
The Kriegler and Waki commissions are soon presenting their completed reports and recommendations to the President and the Prime Minister at colourful ceremonies at State House with Koffie Annan, Mandela and other world leaders will be present – we will not let the DOCUMENT GO to archiving……….. But one thing that is irreducible in these commissions is that international criminal law is not changed by them…. Thanks to God.

Testimonies have been given of the role played by police in either quelling or exacerbating the post-election violence. It is believed that, over half of the people who died in the violence were police victims, although they have been quick at absolving themselves of any wrongdoing, arguing that they were upholding the law. Complaints have been made of atrocities committed by the soldiers and, as expected, they have answered with acerbic denials. With due respect, both the army and police should face the full force of the law in the near future. The police duty was to restore law and order and prevent the loss of innocent lives and property under the hands of this militias our focus should not be on finger pointing it is now our responsibility to ensure that this never happens again.

The police duty was to restore order and prevent anarchy. The Criminal Activities went overboard because the Police got compromised with the inflitration of the Mungiki Militias personnel.  The country was under attack from a well organized and funded group who were using the elections to distabilize other communities. This group of people deliberately broke the law by violation the Human Rights and Freedoms of all Kenyans provided under the constitution. The police duty was to protect and restore law and order and prevent the loss of innocent lives and property under the hands of this militias which was compromised by Political Schemers.  The general public had no other place to seek for help but to protect
and defend their owns by fighting back.
 
Any credible critic who misses out Moi¢s excess imposition is either dishonest or mean with the truth about Kenya¢s current dilemmas. Selective reporting will not help Kenya to
heal from the delema.

KNCHR application/pdf 2487.00 KB
read or d/l

– – –
Date:   Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:33:55 -0700 (PDT)
From:   Judy Miriga
Subject:  Annan, Kibaki to get Kriegler report on September 11 2008