Ayagi jadhoot,
MILOM! MILOME! MILOME! (NOTICE)
Luo Social Forum is to run a project about Luo Heritage soon and we are looking for Luos in UK but not exclusively to start registering their interest free of charge.
Please have a look at the attached flyer.
Luo Social Forum – Management
Te: +44(0)7504922235/7501911153
E-mail: luo_forum@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.luo-socialforum.org
– – –
From: luos forum
Date: Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Subject: Re:Luo Heritage
Imperialists and European colonial powers blamed for having balkanized African population for their own selfish economic interests
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kampala.
Delegates attending this year’s East African Community Media Summit, which was held in the Ugandan capital, Kampala at the weekend, were treated to a special lecturer, which the majority would like to forget as fast as possible and not to hear again.
While making his presentation, the veteran Tanzanian controversial journalist. Mr Generali Ulimwengu, hit at the imperialists and colonial powers who converged in Berlin in 1884-85 and resolved to partition the African continent to suit their own commercial and economic interests.
Mr. Generali Ulimwengu presented his paper soon after the opening remarks By the EAC’s Secretary General, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu. His paper was on “One people, One destiny; The role of the media in uniting the people of East Africa”.
In his key note address, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Eriya Kategaya, who is also his country’s Minster for East African Community Affairs, said the 3rd East Africa media Summit follows the inaugural meeting, which was held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi in 2007 and the second one held in Dar Es Salaam in2008.
The Minister noted the importance these media summits have had on advancing the visibility of the EAC and better regional understanding of the regional issues. The good attendance of this year’s Media Summit, further confirm the media interests in the affairs of the EAC and determination to sustain the commitment to advance the cause of regional integration and development.
The Minister said the 3rd EAC media summit was taking place at a significant moment in the establishment of the common market next year, and reflect a high state of maturity attained by the EAC. Moreover, from January 2010,the customs union will be completely customs and duty free.
Kategaya said the EAC today embraces a larger, and robust market of a combined population of 125 million people, land area of 1.8 million square kilometers, and a combined GDP of USD 70 billion, according to the World Bank statistics of 2008. This endowment in land size, which has huge potential for agricultural development, in a big size population and growing opportunity is destined to become an envious economic hub in Africa.
The media summit is taking place at a time when the EAC is about to mark ten years since its establishment following the signing of the Treaty for the establishment of the EAC on November 30th 1999.
With the theme “EAC’s Ten Years of Progress;The Media as Partner in Promoting Integration”, the Summit is timely, the Minister observed adding, “It is my sincere hope that the challenges of consolidating the achievement made and the aspiration of deeper integration will occupy the center stage at the summit.”
Mr Kategaya said that following the exercise of groupings, he views the people on fast tracking the political federation that was conducted in 2007, and a consensus emerging to accelerate deeper integration through the stages at a common market by 2010, to be followed by Monetary Union {One Currency} by 2012.
This consensus, Mr.Kategaya said, has become the strategies driver for the EAC’s pragmatic activities. This is a significant progress of the common market protocol, which should be signed by the EAC Heads of State in November this year.
Perhaps apparently agitated by the theme of this year’s media summit, Mr, Generali Ulimwengu ,who is the owner of several media houses in Tanzania and a very controversial journalist, stunned the delegates when he re-visited the century old colonial history in Africa. He remarked, “Geographers, and cartographers-who met in wintry Berlin in 1884-85 and huddled over maps and sketches of the portion of Arica over which they haggled like vendors at a wholesale fish stall, in effect sealed the fate of our continent in ways that even they themselves could not have envisaged”.
He argued, while their protracted negotiations over who should have what piece of the African “cake”, each representing the economic and strategic appetites of his country, they brought together peoples and ethnic groups that had never had much to do with each other. They also drove wedges across peoples and groups that had considered themselves as belonging together for centuries.
He said as he presented his paper, ”We are not one people, at lest not yet. We are still Burundians, Kenyans,Rwandese, Tanzanians and Ugandans, desperate,often competing economic pursuits”.
Mr Generali Ulimwengu said, not necessarily surprising, seeing as our very identities were fashioned by people they were lumping together, in hugger-mugger fashion into entities they demarcated as their properties.
In this particular case of East Africa. It thus came to pass that on the one hand the Wasukuma found themselves lumped together with Wagoni, the Kambas with the Kipsigis and the Baganda with the Acholis. But on the other hand, the Luo, the Maasai, the Makonde, the Kuria, the Wadigo, the Banyarwanda, the Abaluhyia etc, found themselves in two, three four and even five different territories, eventually giving rise to the interesting phenomenon of the Aworis in both Kenya and Uganda.
The Awori’s issue is a study case, Moody Awori has represented rural Funyula constituency in Kenya Parliament for close to twenty years. He rose to become the second most powerful man on the land when he was made the Vice President, whereas his cousin in Uganda even challenged President Yoweri Museveni in the last presidential election and wanted to become the President of Uganda.
“Of course, this curving and parceling up our people was not done at the behest of some lofty altruistic instinct on the part of some philanthropic do-gooder in Europe, though at the time of the Wilhelmastrasse conference, it was convenient to marry off the “3 Cs- Commerce, Christianity and Civilization.
“The fact of the matter”, said Mr. Generali Ulimwengu, “is that we were divided for the construction of the Lunatic Express from Mombasa to Uganda, which it is also useful to understand that in the case of British East Africa-Kenya and Uganda- the real impetus for the construction of the Lunatic Express railway line from Mombasa to Uganda may have come, not from a desire to safeguard Kenya or Uganda, rather out of Whitehall’s to safe guard the Nile, strengthen Britain’s sovereignty over Egypt, to protect the Suez passage, overriding imperative to the jewel in Queen Victoria’s crown, the Indian Raj in the face of stiff competition from France, Germany Belgium and other imperialists powers”.
Generali Ulimwengu went on to say, “Sidekick or not, at independence the three East African countries were firmly under British colonial rule, whose appetite for continued possession had fueled the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya,with all the attendant that we are all familiar with”.
“We take cognizance of the fact that we were brought together in order to serve British strategic and economic interests. There is no doubt that the formation of the defunct East African High Commission in 1948 was part of this logical inter-territorial coordination mechanism for a more efficient exploitation of the resources of our countries in the service of British imperialism”, he ended.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo,com
– – –
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Subject: Britain and other colonial powers blamed for African disunity at the EAC Media summit
BY JEFF OTIENO
BEDROCK SECURITY LTD which is a security firm based in Kisumu is embroiled in a serious controversy over its ownership and General Operations.
The firm which was registered way back in 2004 by Erick Ouma Okeyo and Patrick Odipo as its Directors are mandated by the registrar of companies to offer security services.
Bedrock is also having a sister company operating under the flagship BEDROCK HOLDINGS LTD which offers services like brick laying, wholesale and retail but not security which they are currently doing which contravenes section 7 and 22 of the company’s act cap 486.
According to BEDROCK SECURITY LTD Director Erick Okeyo, the purported owners are masqueraders who have been using his trade mark to defraud his clients. BEDROCK SECURITY has its roots well spread in the lake side city and its environs for now close to 5 years.
It will be interesting to see therefore what effect and action the looming court battle will have when the recess period of judges end s next week.
Already the registrar of societies has already reacted to Okeyos letter dated 20th Aug 2009 which read in part “The above company (Bedrock Holding Ltd is engaged in security services, cash Escort and Alarm services among others, please confirm to us in writing whether their Articles authorized security business in their objects.
On behalf of the registrar a one Mr. K. Mosoti state council in a letter dated 21st Aug 2009 ref: C 100764, read in part “Bedrock Holding Ltd according to its memorandum and articles of Association is not engaged in the provision of security services or cash escort or alarm or related services. “It should therefore not provide such services as the same or not part of its registered objects. It was copied to its Directors Elias Onyango and Stephen Ayugi
Stung by the looming ramifications of the inevitable legal battle, the two Directors (Stephen and Onyango) paid an advert in a section of the press warning that Erick Okeyo was once their employee and could not be entrusted by anybody to carry business on their behalf.
Perturbed by the move, Okeyo has instructed his lawyers Jude Ragot and David Otieno of Ragot and Otieno advocates to sue for defamation.
The same firm has been instructed to move to court to compel BEDROCK HOLDING LTD from doing security services.
It is worth noting that leading firms and personalities who have contracted BEDROCK SECURITY FIRM LTD are in a state of confusion on who is legitimate to operate with. Both firms have got offices in Kisumu with same logo crowning there precincts.
END
– – –
From: JEFF
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Subject: WAR ERUPTS IN SECURITY FIRM
LAKE VICTORIA POLLUTION COULD PUT LIVES OF OVER 40 MILLION PEOPLE AT RISK OF HEALTH HAZARDS
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kampala City
OVER 40 million people could lose their means of livelihood if the pollution of Lake Victoria is not checked, regional local authorizes have warned.
“The lake is a source of income to over 50 million people. Once pollution is not checked,
in time it may disappear like Lake Chad did”, says Mr. Stephen Kabuye, the honorary president of the Lake Victoria Regional Local Authorities.
Kibuye, who is also the Mayor of Entebbe City, was addressing participants at the groups 8th annual meeting at Shinyanga Municipality in Central Tanzania, during a recent visit, said all the stakeholders should find ways to save the lake.
The Mayor noted that communities around Lake Victoria and beyond would lose their means of survival once the lake dried up.
“Problems like lack of water, school fees for children as well as money for food and healthcare will arise if nothing is done to stop degrading of the lake and the lake basin”, he said.
The participants, who included Mayors, division chairpersons and civic leaders from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, promised to sensitize local leadership about climate change.
Mr Julius-Ayo-Odongo, the general secretary of the group, revealed that the expansion of the project within the region had come up with good practices to help check on the climate change.
Lake Victoria Regional Authorities is a network of the local authorities within the Lake Basin that promotes sustainable management and development of common resources for the benefit and harmonious coexistence of the local communities. Rwanda and Burundi are also slated to be members.
This commission will further prepare a report on the number of arrested fishermen from both countries.
Kenya’s Minister for the East African Community Affairs, Mr. Amazon Jessa Kingi, said the commission will embark on bilateral talks with a view to finding lasting solution to end the arbitrary arrests of fishermen by either country.
Dozens of fishermen from Lake Victoria and Lunga Lunga near Kenya Tanzania border are currently reportedly serving jail terms as their families continue to plead with the Kenya government to intervene and bring them back home.
The Minister said the commission was formed after a recent meeting between Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya to spearhead talks on the fate of dozens of Kenyan fishermen jailed in Tanzania.
Minister Kingi said sea and land border conflicts between the two countries, was one of the major precedent to realizing the integration of the East African Community.
He said Lake Victorian fishermen jailed in Tanzania were found guilty of trespassing, adding that the joint commission is expected to come up with the ways forward.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
– – –
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Subject: LAKE VICTORIA POLLUTION IS THREATENING THE LIVES OF 5O MILLION PEOPLE
All Nigerian American Congress is not for sale, many of us labored for about 5 years now to build up this organization, and would defend the honor and integrity of this organization to the last. Few ANAC BOT members did not understand the wisdom of currect ANAC actions to save the organization from being sold to the highest bidders in Nigeria. New bombshell has been uncovered, here are some excerpts
“Reliable sources disclosed that the attempt to politicize NIDO and ANAC the two leading None for profit NGO groups which represents the interest of Nigerians abroad are already underway as many of the NIDO, and ANAC Board of trustees, and leaders have been sold this idea with promises of leadership positions in the PDP party wing or the Political Opposition party, should such opposition party option becomes necessary to contest against the Yar’Adua wing of PDP. At the time of this report, names of the leading PDP leaders, Senators, Congressmen involved in the planned “Diaspora Vote” Strategy are been investigated, however Senators reportedly from the North East and North Central regions have been named as prominent.
The current attempt to politicize the Nigerian Diaspora Organizations have not been taken lightly by the many leaders in the Nigerian Diaspora, recent actions in top ANAC leadership has resulted in the ouster of the former chairman of ANAC the Nigerian based Akeem Bello, who together with Prof. Isa Odidi were Presidential candidates for the New Democrats party in the Nigerian 2007 Presidential election. Mr. Bello was removed by the ANAC Board of Directors and Trustees from the leadership of ANAC and replaced with Prof. Martin Okafor for numerous of reasons which included his role in the continued attempt to seize the non political ANAC, for purposes other than what the organization’s Constitution has mandated and its Board of Trustees had authorized; formation of NDERG (Nigerian Diaspora Election Reform Group) actions the Board of Trustees viewed as conflict of Interest and taking the organization into a Political Party advocacy which may adversely affect their Non for Profit status in the United States and in direct violation of the ANAC Constitution.”
By Pius Okojie (Abuja) and Tony Adedeji (Washington, DC) Transatlantictimes Magazine
Read the full story at
http://www.transatlantictimes.net/
Paul Okechukwu Oranika
Chairman ANAC Information and Public Affairs
Atlanta GA.
– – –
From: anacweb.org
Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Subject: PLOT TO SELL ANAC AND NIDO UNCOVERED
From: Admin Wanabidii
Date: 2009/8/23
Subject: Re: WAJUMBE WA KAMATI KUU YA HALMASHAURI KUU YA TAIFA YA CHAMA CHA MAPINDUZI-CC
Kadi ya CCM ni mali ya wapiganaji, mali ya Wakulima na Wafanyakazi na sii vinginevyo kwani Ilani na katiba ya chama inajieleza wazi nini ibada za chama chenu CCM..hakuna nafasi kabisa ya kundi la Pili hao wanaodai mrudishe kadi za chama.
Hakika huu ni wakati wenu Wapigaji kuhakikisha hao Mafisadi wanarudisha kadi wao na mkishindwa kufanya hilo within the next 3 Month, basi nyie nyote matapeli. yaani chama na wanachama wake ni frame tupu, bango la display njia panda.. kufurahisha macho ya wananchi.
Na hakika mwaka 2010 mtakuwa watumwa wa chama chenu wenyewe..kwa mtumwa wa kujitakia, msije huko wala sikukaribishi nyumbani kwangu!
Kifupi mkuu wangu yaani uko tayari kunyang’anywa kiunga chako!.. upo tayari kurudisha hati ya kumiliki ardhi wakati unafahamu vizuri urithi huo wazazi wako walivyoutafuta kwa taabu, leo vikaragozi visivyojaa mkononi wakuondoe wewe ktk ardhi yako mwenyewe. Comeon bro, U must be kidding me!
Nooo!.. mkuu wangu hata kama ikibidi mmalizane, CCM ife kabisaaa kabla ya Uchaguzi basi na iwe hivyo kwa sababu kama mtashindwa kujikinga na watu hawa wawili mkakimbilia vyama vya Upinzani, sijui kama wananchi watawakubali. Kwani siku zote adui mkubwa wa Mpiganaji ni POLICY,
itikadi iliyopo dhidi yake na wananchi wake na sio kupambana na
kuogopa kichwa cha mtu.,Hii ndio kwanza naiona yaani mtu unaogopa
mkono wa binadamu mwingine badala ya kuogopa kichwa..
Mkiwapisha chama basi mmeshindwa na hatuwezi kuwaachia dhamana ya National security watu kama hawa.
On Aug 22, 2:49 pm, sued Sued wrote:
Sasa kama hiyo ndiyo orodha ya wajumbe na viongozi wake wa CC na NEC, Watanzania wenzangu tusitarajie nusura ya aina yoyote, kwani hii line up ya hawa watu wa jembe na nyundo ni kuua na kufukia tu.
Na si kwamba wanachokifanya hawakielewi la hasha! Tena ukifuatilia vizuri hao ndio waumini wazuri kwa pande zote za dini wanazoamini, lakini ukweli utabaki pale pale ya kwamba matendo yako ndio nusura pekee, hata ukeshe miaka hamsini kanisani au msikitini haijalishi kama hutobadilika kimatendo.
Viongozi wa Chama tawala badilikeni sasa, wananchi tumekosa imani nanyi hadi chama.
— On Sat, 8/22/09, wambura kitigwa wrote:
From: wambura kitigwa
Subject: Re: WAJUMBE WA KAMATI KUU YA HALMASHAURI KUU YA TAIFA YA CHAMA CHA MAPINDUZI-CC
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009, 8:51 AM
kwa wanahabari wote wenye magari na wanaotarajia kuwa na magari tafadhari hii ni lazima kusoma kwa usalama wa magari na maisha yenu na wale muwapendao.
tafadhari angalia na uwajulishe wengine ili kuzuia ajali zisizo za lazima.
2009/8/21 alade maluli
tatizo ninaloliona mimi hapo ni mfumo,
kwa mfano mtu huyo mmoja ni mjumbe wa kamati kuu,halmashauri kuu,mkutano mkuu,ni mbunge,ni waziri.
yaani anashiriki kutunga sera na kuipitisha[kamati kuu] anaitetea na inapitishwa na kikao kinachofuata[halmashauri kuu] anashiriki pia kuipitisha katika mkutano mkuu,
anainadi katika mikutano ya kampeni[akiwa mgombea-labda wa ubunge] anashinda ubunge anatakiwa akaisimamie serikali katika utekelezaji wa ile sera,
anateuliwa kuwa waziri kwahiyo anatekeleza pia hiyo sera, kwahiyo katunga sera,anaitekeleza,afu anatakiwa pia asimamie utekelezaji wake,
tatizo hatuna mgawanyo wa madaraka ya kisiasa,
ingetosha mtu kuwa mjumbe wa kamati kuu afu labda halmashauri kuu iwe na wajumbe wengine kabisa ambao wanapokea mapendekezo kutoka kamati kuu,afu na wao wayapeleke mkutano mkuu ambako pia wanakuwa sio wajumbe,pia wabunge wasiwe mawaziri ili kuacha bunge na wabunge wake wote wawe wasimamizi wa serikali na watunga sheria tu. lakini kwa staili tuliyonayo sasa ni ndoto watu hawa kutupeleka kwenye maendeleo,kwakuwa mtu huyu mmoja anakofia kadhaa ambazo akisimama kidete kwenye moja wezake wanamwita na kumbana kwenye kofia nyingine aliyonayo.
ni hayo tu wadau.
2009/8/21 Furahini Kitamana
Mungu awasamehe hawajui watendalo.
Wamefanya chama kama cha nyumbani kwao. ndani ya ccm kuna undugunization.
Wanazidi kupaka nchi matope.
Tuwaombee wajirekebishe Mungu awape ufahamu wajitambue na watambue wajibu wao kwa wananchi na siyo kuweka maslahi yao mbele na kufunika maovu wawe wazi kama baadhi ya viongozi wanavyotaka kuwa wazi nao wanawakemea.
— On Thu, 8/20/09, George William wrote:
From: George William
Subject: Re: WAJUMBE WA KAMATI KUU YA HALMASHAURI KUU YA TAIFA YA CHAMA CHA MAPINDUZI-CC
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 6:59 AM
Dauda
Umefanya vema wakati mwingine ukimwomba Mungu juu ya nchi yetu taja majina haya ili Mungu aweze kusikia kilio chetu, kwa vile hawa ni viumbe wa Mungu basi si vibaya akiwaondoa wabaya wote waliomo kwenye orodha hii. Hatutasikitika hata kama wote Mungu atawaondoa kwani amewapa akili na maarifa ya kutumikia umma na wao wanafikiri NCHI ni yao na UMMA ni wao, sisi wengine wote ni wajakazi wao.
—– Original Message —-
From: “Dauda, Ibrahim (Bulyanhulu)”
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:21:24 PM
Subject: WAJUMBE WA KAMATI KUU YA HALMASHAURI KUU YA TAIFA YA CHAMA CHA MAPINDUZI-CC
Ifuatayo ni horodha ya wajumbe wa CC ya CCM, hao ndio wenye dira ya mustakabali wa nchi yetu. Ni vizuri tukawafahamu kuliko kuwa na hisia.
WAJUMBE WA KAMATI KUU YA HALMASHAURI KUU YA TAIFA YA CHAMA CHA MAPINDUZI: (CC)
1. Ndugu Kakaya Mrisho Kikwete – Mwenyekiti
2. Ndugu Pius Msekwa – Makamu Mwenyekiti (Bara)
3. Ndugu Amani Abeid Amani Karume – Makamu Mwenyekiti(Zanzibar)
4. Ndugu Yussuf R. Makamba – Katibu Mkuu
5. Capt. (mst) George Huruma Mkuchika – Naibu Katibu Mkuu (Bara)
6. Ndugu Salehe Ramadhan Ferouz – Naibu Katibu Mkuu
(Zanzibar)
7. Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein – Mjumbe
8. Ndugu Edward Ngoyai Lowassa – Mjumbe
9. Ndugu Shamsi Vuai Nahodha – Mjumbe
10. Alhaj Ali Hassan Mwinyi – Mjumbe
11. Ndugu Benjamin William Mkapa – Mjumbe
12. Mzee Rashid Mfaume Kawawa – Mjumbe
13. Dr. Salmin Amour – Mjumbe
14. Ndugu John Samwel Malecela – Mjumbe
15. Capt. (mst) John Zefania Chiligati – Mjumbe
16. Ndugu Amos Gabriel Makala – Mjumbe
17. Ndugu Bernard Kamilius Membe – Mjumbe
18. Ndugu Kidawa Hamid Saleh – Mjumbe
19. Ndugu Samwel John Sitta – Mjumbe
20. Ndugu Pandu Ameir Kificho – Mjumbe
21. Ndugu Anna Abdallah – Mjumbe
22. Ndugu Rostum Aziz – Mjumbe
23.Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal – Mjumbe
24. Ndugu Pindi Hazara Chana – Mjumbe
25. Ndugu Andrew Chenge – Mjumbe
26. Dr. Maua Abeid Daftari – Mjumbe
27. Ndugu Samia Suluhu Hassan – Mjumbe
28. Ndugu Mohamed Seif Khatib – Mjumbe
29. Ndugu Haji Omar Kheri – Mjumbe
30 . Dr. Abdallah Omari Kigoda – Mjumbe
31 . Ndugu Abdurahman Kinana – Mjumbe
32 . Ndugu Anne Semamba Makinda – Mjumbe
33. Ndugu Fatuma Said Ali Mchumo – Mjumbe
34 . Ndugu Zakia Hamdan Meghji – Mjumbe
35. Ndugu Omar Yussuf Mzee – Mjumbe
36. Ndugu Emmanuel John Nchimbi – Mjumbe
37 . Ndugu Ali Ameir Mohamed – Mjumbe
38. Ndugu Yussuf Moh’d Yussuf – Mjumbe
Waheshimiwa wanabidii
Tanzania tumekwisha. Nimesoma jambo ambalo haliingiii akilini mwangu katika gazeti la Mwananchi la Jumapili tar 23 Sept. lenye kichwa cha habari “MADIWANI WABAINI UFISADI UNUNUZI WA GARI LA ZIMAMOTO”
Gari lenyewe limenunuliwa kwa Tsh Mil 373, matengenezo ya gari hilo kabla ya kutumika ni Tsh Mil 400. Na bado gari hilli haliwezi fanya kazi maana bado ni bovu. Halijaweza tembea hata km 1. Ina maana hapo kuna gharama nyingi hewa ufisadi katika zoezi zima la ununuzi wa gari hilo. Ni vema kutokuwa na gari kuliko kudhani manispaa ina gari kumbe ni sawa na Box fulani tu. Napongeza Madiwani kukataa gharama hizo na kudai fedha zirudishwe. Mwisho tume imeundwa kuchungaza jambo hilo. Kuna sababu gani wakati hata mjinga anaowazi kuna UFISADI?
Suali la kujiuliza hapa ni kwamba iwapo kweli Tanzania tutakosa uaminifu kiasi hiki maisha bora yatakuwepo kweli. Kodi za wananchi kutumika ili kunufaisha wachache kiasi hiki!
Ninaonavyo mimi watumishi wote wa umma sasa wamegubigwa na ufisadi. Jamani mwananchi wa kawaida Tanzania ataishije kweli katika mmomonyoko huu wa nidhamu katika utendaji wa Serikali yetu? Majuzi madai ya waalimu kumegundulika pia watumishi hawa pia waliongeza dau ila wakagawane mbele. Ununuzi wa wa Zabuni mballi mbali za serikali nadhani ufedhuli huu upo. TUTAFIKA KWELI KATIKA HALI HII?
Ni vema tu kusema Mungu atusaidie. Sijui niseme nini zaidi!
silver
– – –
From: Sylvanus Kessy
Date: 2009/8/23
Subject:UFISADI ARUSHA
On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 5:23 PM, Theus Owicho wrote:
By Joshua Odhiambo Nyamori, Nyanza Youth Coalition
In the wake of the post election violence, the Waki Commission reported that 107 people were confirmed dead in Nyanza province, 79.9% of them having been victims of gun-shot wounds inflicted by the police.
More than 747 are still nursing bullet wounds or other serious injuries. The Waki report confirmed that majority of the victims of police shootings were shot in the neighbourhoods, away from the Central Business District property that the police claim to have been protecting. The victims included innocent men,
women and children, whose only offense was being residents of Nyanza. The report says that according to the provincial pathologist,
“53.6 % of the gunshot casualties had been shot from the back pointing to the inference that police shot people who were already in flight and not with an aim to immobilize but for purposes of killing and maiming.”
Extra judicial killings by the police during the post election crisis were not the first in Nyanza.
During the 2005 referendum campaigns, seven innocent people including school children in uniform were shot dead and several were left wounded in circumstances that could have been avoided if the Government respected the sanctity of human life. This is in addition to police killings that happened in Kisumu during the in 2003 during the saba saba demonstrations, in 1997 Saba Saba demonstrations, 1989 -1992 demonstrations for multi-party democracy, 1982 attempted coupe and 1969 Kisumu Massacre by President Kenyatta’s Guard.
It is disappointing that to date the Grand Coalition Government has not made any meaningful steps towards bringing to justice all those who were directly or indirectly responsible for all the successive extra-judicial killings in Nyanza province. The sole case that went to court was motivated by outrage from across the world after a police officer was caught on camera killing two innocent youth. But the people who gave orders for such killings are still free.
Even as the victims and relatives of the deceased continue to cry for justice, the Grand Coalition Government has never made an attempt towards supporting the families whose bread winners were killed. Many people who were injured are still suffering without any support towards their medical and other needs. The Government has never even found it appropriate to offer an apology to the victims, their relatives and the entire community, despite the fact that successive independent investigations have found its officers culpable on extra-judicial killings in Nyanza. At the same time, it is disappointing that whilst the National Accord, Kriggler Report and the Waki Report envisaged comprehensive institutional reforms as a way of protecting the ordinary citizens from police brutality, the half hearted moves by the Grand Coalition Government towards reforming the police service and the judiciary are a betrayal of the trust that the people of Kenya bestowed upon the Grand Coalition Government.
We must demand that incase of any further delay in formation of the special tribunal or reference, all the police officers who were responsible for extra-judicial killings in Nyanza during the post election crisis be arrested and charged in Court. Criminal and political responsibility should also be placed on all those who issued orders for the killings or failed to take action to prevent the killings. These should include police bosses and government officials at the local and national levels.
The people of Nyanza province must also demand that the police force be taken through total overhaul and that the Police Commissioner, Gen. Hussein Ali, who has epitomized the culture of impunity in this country, be held accountable. The culture of denial even where there exists incontrovertible evidence of omission and commission is a major stumbling block towards embarking on meaningful reforms.
sbj; Post-Election Violence in Nyanza: Killer Cops Must Be Punished
NATURES WONDERLAND
Kenya has for long been a world leader in Eco-tourism. Accordingly, the Kenya Governments stated policy is to conserve wildlife for posterity while giving due regard to human interest. This policy translated very well into encouraging self sustaining tourism that does not degrade the environment while at the same time reducing conflict between local communities and wildlife. It is not surprising therefore that Kenya is one of a few destinations that: give visitors a veritable spectacle of wildlife that is co-existing harmoniously with its human neighbors.
Wildlife in Kenya is not only precious natural heritage but it also makes Kenya the ultimate destination of unlimited adventure. Great names such as Sir. Winston Churchill. Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway lived with lasting memories of land vivid contrasts, with open wide spaces, snow capped mountains on the Equator, vast rolling plains teeming with wildlife that was and still is awe inspiring and can not be rivalled anywhere else in the world. Their undying memories of this natures wonderland still hold true today. The visits by the luminaries of yester years as well as Royalty have given the seal of approval of Kenyans claim as Natures wonderland and the home of Safari which is a Kiswahili word meaning journeys.
Ever since the arrival in Kenya of the Late American President, Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 on an expedition to collect natural history specimens for American Museums, world interests on Kenya as natures wonderland was enhanced. By then, photography was not the objective of the safaris since big game hunting was the major pursuit. Today, bagging the big five or any other type of game is done by camera hunting was banned in 1978 in line with Kenyas Wildlife conservation and management policy. A well designed and efficient grid of infrastructure links the National parks and Game reserves with Nairobi and Mombasa. There are superb accommodation facilitates in Kenyas game sanctuaries. Kenyas priceless treasury of wildlife owes it very its very existence to contrasts in the countrys terrain, which ranges from rugged snow peak covered peaks of Mount Kenya, the highlands, the Savannah, Great Rift Valley and its Lakes as well as the summering sands of the coast. Each of these geographical regions is home to different types of wildlife that are unique to each area.
For ornithologists, Kenya has an amazing wealth of birdlife. More than one thousand bird species have been recorded in vast variety of habitats in Kenya. This huge variety is due to lack of extreme variation in climate. Kenya also gets her share of migratory birds. It has been estimates that as many as six millions birds migrate to Kenya during the Northern Hemisphere winter. The combination of these migrants together with a thousand odd local species makes a Kenya a truly ornithological paradise.
Kenya has 59 National parks, Game reserves, Marine National parks and Reserve which account for approximately eleven percent(11%) of Kenyas surface area. Proper management of the game sanctuaries is the hall mark of the countrys conservation measures and commitment to eco-tourism.
There are seven designated major tourist circuits as well as seven other minor circuits. Each circuit is made up f a number of National parks and Game Reserves and is home to wild life that is particular habitat.
PEOPLE CULTURE
Kenya has colorful mixture of peoples as well as a cocktail of cultures. The current population of about thirty million is made up to cover forty ethnic groups.
However, the Nilotes, Bantus and Cushites form the bulk of the population. The minority, Asians, Arabs, and Europeans live mainly in urban centres. The ethnic diversity has produced a harmonious mixture of people with rich culture heritage.
The national language, Kiswahili is widely spoken by most Kenyan. English is the official language as such it is spoken at all levels. Besides English, French, German and Italian are also spoken in the tourist Industry, The rich culture heritage and diversity of people is expressed through songs, dance, art and handicraft which are truly unique and embodied all the entrancement of exotic Africa. To listen to the music or watch various festival and ceremonies of any of the ethnic groups is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.Visitors are able to sample some of these ethnic festivities and ceremonies at Bomas of Kenya, one of the cultures centres which is only 8 KM from the commercial Centre of Nairobi.
WESTERN KENYA TOURIST CIRCUIT
The city of Nairobi is also the main safari base for the Western Kenya Tourist circuit This circuit includes Mt. Longonot National parks, Lake Nakuru National Park, Ruma National Park, Ndere Island, Kisumu Impala Park and the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Transmara through Kisii Hills Ranges and Valley bottoms to Migori traversing huge sugar plantation with Awendo as factory site.
From Migori to Muhuru Bay with beautiful beaches comprising the famous Got Kwer, the origin and home of Legio Maria religious sect.
From here you visit the oldest goldmine in Nyanza Province at macalder Mine and visit home of Williamson Goldmine then move on to the Karungu Bay with its rectangular site of the gulf. At Nyandiwa in Owasi the home of historical Nyamgondho wuod Ombare with animals and birds bests impressed on the stones along the Lake shores
Lambwe Valley (Now called Ruma National Park) provides a sight of its own with hill formation, swing of Kanyamwa escarpment and Kaksingiri, Gembe and Ruma Hills. A tourist resort at Magunga would be a viable proposition.
Mbita point and Rusinga Island contains the grave of the famous Joseph Mboya- flamboyant politician Kenya has ever produced. Deplorable still is the grave of the miraculous Gor Kogalo the old legendry.
Other interesting sites on this route include Simbi Nyaima, Nyabondo plateau, bird sanctuary in Kano Plains and a crocodile Farm near Homa Lime, the old and famous Kit Mikayi in Seme, Ndere Island animals sanctuary and Koru Cave, you also visits on this route Maseno Oseni tree (the origin of economic, educational and social development.). The area extends to cover Usege beach at the lake shore and then pushes on to Osieko Village.
The circuit includes some of the most captivating sights in Kenya as wellas the landscape ranges from tropical forest, the savannah to arid and semi-desert. The circuit broadly comprises,Nyanza and Western Provinces and large part of Rift Valley. Kakamega forests, Mt Elgon, Saiwo Swamp, South Turkana, Kerio Valley and Lake Bogoria.
TAKAWIRI ISLAND
A Lake resort where tropical delights and acute bounty meet. Takawiri Island is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt Island on Lake Victoria. Not only is the Lake the source of River Nile, but it is also the second largest fresh water lake in the world, making it the fishermens idea of pure heaven. While sandy beaches stretch into unspoilt natural landscape, a heaven for hippos, otters and a vast array of birdlife.
Snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing or sailing, will satisfy the super active, and for more relaxed there is a beach bars, a chance to visit the fascinating archeological site of Dr. Mary Leakey or just leisurely tour of the neighboring Islands.
A paradise Island way from it all, the luxury chalestyle accommodation offers comfort and privacy of for selected clientele. All rooms have solar powered hot water in private bathrooms.
Large bands house the recreation area, bar and restaurant where sumptuous meals are served with breathtaking Lake View. Facing west, you can enjoy you tropical sundowner with magnificent view of pink and gold tins of a Lake Victoria sunset as fish eagles and Egyptians geese fly home roost
Drive to Kisumu and then take Takawiris own luxury cruiser to the Island or fly direct to Mfangano. A special excitement fills the air. Its an experiencing you will not forget.
MT. ELGON& KERIO VALLEY RESERVE & SAIWA NATIONAL PARK
Mount Elgon lies at an altitude of about 2,500 m -4,200 m and is about four hundred and seventy kilometers from Nairobi. Mount Elgon National Park is one of the most beautiful truly wild and intact sanctuaries game viewing is excellent. The park provides a home to over four hundred elephants as well as Buffaloes, protected Colobus and blue monkeys, giant forest hog and other types of antelopes. Over two hundred and forty species of birds have been recorded there. There are four fascinating and explorable caves which are popular meeting places for elephants. This is where you can see elephants that have been dubbed underground elephants. There is a lodge, two hotels, three campsite as well as on picnic site. Kerio Valley is another interesting place to visit on this circuit as it is biodiversity area. Its depth of about 1,229 is truly awe striking. Saiwa swamp National park was opened to provide a home to the rare se-aquatics sitatunga antelope.
DREAMCAMP MAASAI MARA.
A safari adventure youll never forget. Have you dreamt of encountering Africa at its most exciting, its most beautiful and its most exotic? The endless rolling Savannah, the spectacular wildlife and the rich nomad cultures? If so you should consider paying a visit to DREAMCAMP MAASAI MARA.
To be continued in the next issue in December 2009.
By,
Dr. J.G.C AMOLLO.
(DECEASED)
FORMER CHAIRMAN WESTERN KENYA TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
WRITTEN IN 2003.
TO BE PUBLISHED IN
THE LAKE BASIN JEWEL MAGAZINE.
AKECH OBAT MASIRA
PUBLISHER/EDITOR.
TEL NO: +254 726 164 954
WEBSITE: http/misangoarts.blogspot.com
– – –
From: Obat Masira
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 6:17 AM
Subject: RE: NATURES WONDERLAND-obat.doc
Goldiggers,
If your monther and father who raised you up, told you all along that you were a woman, you probably are a woman. If they also told you all along and rasied you like a man, you most certainly are. If your country sends you to represent them in a public sporting event as a female, you probably are one.This is because your parents and your country, especially if they are African could not have percieved your genital organ to be what it is not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcEB52aMh64&feature=fvsr
But what if, contrary to all you’ve been told and raised as, gender test show different?
Personally, I watched Semenya run in Berlin yesteday and I was not able to tell one way or another. However, I believe she is a woman, though I empathize with her for a very different reason. I am Kenyan.
We told Jomo Kenyatta he was the Father of The Nation, he believed it. The test are now showing he was not. He was a land grabber instead.
Moi told us KANU was Baba na Mama and we believed it, yet it was a dictatorship with its introduction of section 2a, and kura ya mlolongo.
Moi, it was said was ‘The Professor of politics’, and we believed it, especially seeing how Kibaki could not even give leadership in his own house. He also wanted us to believe he was the greatest envenronmetalist with his ‘Ukikata mti mmoja, pand miwili’ philosophy. In reality he was the greatest destroyer of the Mau forest.
Kibaki was told by the Mount Kenya Mafia that he won, Kivuitu gave him the certificate and he believed it. He even swore himself in at night. All indicatios however, point to the contrary. His legacy will no doubt be the biggest election thief in the era of the second liberation
So what about Raila? Moi said he was full of treacherous, yet many viewed him as a second liberator. He won the election, but he is not the president. Now he is championing Mau, but the Rift Valleyians are viewing his as a traitor. Should Raila take a credibility test, like a lie detector?
I ask you my friends, Is Semenya really woman or man. The good news is that either way you answer, African country gets gold. If, however the gender tests indicate she is man, Jepkosgei digs gold for Kenya.
Have you realized that sometimes you just do not know the answer to what seem obvious? Such are times when I wish my 10th great grandfather Ragem would shed some light.
—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)
– – –
From: Joram Ragem
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Subject: Semenya Wears Raila & Kibaki’s Viatu!
21st August 2009
Traffic Management in Nairobi
The City Council of Nairobi unveiled a new set of rules to help manage the traffic flow in and out of Nairobi yesterday and this left many of us wondering, are we retrogressing or moving forward.
Planning seems to have taken a back seat when it comes to looking at how some of these decisions impact on the residents of Nairobi, people whom the Council would strive to serve. I say this because, how do you terminate commuter transport into town so far away? What are the options and where are the options?
For some time now, people who commute into town via Jogoo Road have suffered the incompetence of planning from City Hall and the Central Government. People have suffered both financial and physical stress at the long distances they have to walk to reach their offices.
If the Council was serious, they should have used the impact of the Jogoo Road users’ malady to help address the bigger transport paralysis and congestion that we witness in Nairobi.
Instead of addressing the problem, the Council is instead punishing the residents of Nairobi. The problem is not the commuters; the problem has everything to do with the management of PSV transport in Nairobi.
In my view, PSVs should be allowed to transit through the Central Business District. They should not be allowed to end their journeys in the CBD. All vehicles from say, Dandora, should transit through town to say, Kibera. In the same way, Vehicles from Kawangware should transit town to Kayole.
If this is implemented, as it used to happen before, all vehicles will be on the move and we will have no transport paralysis.
But when the Central Government and the Council become lethargic in addressing the issues, it is the common man that suffers the consequences of their incompetence. And I want to believe that our planners do not suffer any intellectual menopause!
In town planning, the concerns and plight of the residents ought to take centre stage. Think about that mother who is 7 months pregnant alighting at City Stadium, then walks to her work station at Anniversary Towers.
Think of that father who is lame, walks with the help of a stick, alighting at City Stadium and then walking to his work station at Afya Centre.
Think of these people in similar circumstances when it rains and people must jostle and fight for the available transport. Then think of when these people ever received a pay raise.
Let us engage our thinking capacities as we pretend to offer solutions to our problems.
Odhiambo T Oketch
From Talking to Tasking
– – –
From: odhiambo okecth
Date: Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Subject: Traffic Management in Nairobi
From: Odhoji
Date: Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Subject: publish online in East Africa
As I explained to you we are soliciting for original papers to be published in Post-colonial texts. The journal is peer-reviewed. We look to receiving your article ( submit via online by clicking below and following leads:
** Please circulate to other interested folk.
BMOdhoji
Call for Submissions –
Postcolonial Text: Special Issue: East Africa
Christopher Wanjala (ed.)
Postcolonial Text is an open access, electronic journal, which is both internationally peer-reviewed and accessible to a global readership. The editors now seek submissions for a specially-themed volume on the topic “Literature and Culture in East Africa.” This guest issue on contemporary East African literature will be devoted to the political crises in Africa, and an in-depth analysis of narratives from differently challenged communities and individuals. Of particular concern are texts from the past decade and a half that have been composed at the time multiparty elections were taking place in Kenya and Tanzania, in the early 1990s, and during power-sharing negotiations for Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya being held in hotels in East Africa. All these political events have led to an emerging ethos of democratic rule among citizens of Eastern Africa as an African region. Despite the changes that are clearly visible in the social mobility, migrations, access to jobs, training in ICT, the globalization which favours America and Western countries, yet to be seen are credible institutional reforms to accommodate intra-ethnic coexistence and the nature of the extant identities.
The call here is for papers that analyze political party affiliations based on regional strengths and ethnic loyalties. I welcome essays not only on identity crisis in East Africa, Ethnic Identity, but also on the growth of the various genres of literature in the region. Essays that will enhance theoretical pathways and debates which political and cultural identity crises have engendered. In addition to articles, I invite book reviews, narratives and gnomic forms of oral literature translated into English from East African languages, poems, short stories, and contemporary skits on negative ethnicity. The issue will highlight the new dynamics in East African culture and art in respect of language and other modes of communication and show how theatre practitioners, film makers, and media workers are experimenting with artistic forms in order to communicate with their audience.
Deadline for all submissions is September 30, 2008.
How to submit your contributions:
Go into the journal Web site: http://www.postcolonial.org
1. Register as an Author by clicking on the question “do you wish to
register as an author.”
2. Once registered and logged in, follow the submission process, entering
the title, abstract, and index terms – and click on “Submit” or “Complete” at the bottom of the page.
3. Upload the submission as a Word doc. to “Special Issue on East Africa” section. If you encounter any problems, send queries relating to online submission to Ranjini.Mendis@kwantlen.ca
For other queries, please contact:
Prof Chris L Wanjala (E mail: cwanjala1944@yahoo.co.uk)
University of Nairobi,
P.O.Box 5644
00100 Nairobi, Kenya.
This year Kenya has witnessed a very strange weather pattern conditions that has not only puzzled local elders but even professionals like Climatologists,even all Kenyans we’ve just gotten a taste of the many kinds of dangers that lie ahead:extreme cold weather conditions in August unlike during yesteryear’s where Nairobi was known to be cold during month of July, also massive droughts, forest destruction, massive power rationing, massive water rationing, spreading infectious diseases like H1N1 or swine flu that over 70 are currently confirmed to carry signs of H1N1.
Early this month of August, I was taken by my grandparent to visit Lake Naivasha. My grandpa tried to talk to his old friend farmer who was digging a pit in the riverbed, down to the water table approximately two meters below ground level. He did explained that until recently this was a perennial river – one that flows throughout the year – but now the river stops flowing during the dry season. Only when the annual rains begin in March does water reappear in the river bed. Until then, water-starved communities dig for water, if they can find it and if they can afford to pump it out.
Here is when I recalled about Impact of destroying forests destruction of Mau Forest,Burnt Forests, Molo Escarpments is telling it all things are difficult if not so thick to handle,hunger is all over but thanks to some leaders who are coming out openly to speak about Kenya of the future. Failures of rainfall contribute not only to famines and chronic hunger, but also to the onset of violence when hungry people clash over scarce food and water.
The climate is changing, and more is yet to come.The specific patterns of change are not known precisely. Yet major and mostly developed country are very reluctant to sign the treaties that will provide a proper framework o how we shall manage climate change and also long-term course of events on the plan Not leaving behind our wonderful political leaders who are not willing to discuss the social and economical impacts of destroying our forests. Aberdare was destroyed we buried it Now Mau Forest is under human destruction,we are blind to learn, no action because votes will go which is a misguided wisdom that our leaders have but am positive they will see sense and act.
Is coming out clearly that Climate change is equated with “global warming,” but much more than warming is involved. The rising concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is leading to more extreme coldness in Kenya, rising ocean levels, melting glaciers and ice sheets on Mt Kenya , droughts in Eastern part of the country and other climate changes. Even the biological status of the land and ocean is changing, with the ocean s like Indian Ocean becoming more acidic – thus threatening coral reefs – as a result of higher carbon dioxide.
Globally, actions that are needed are difficult to introduce, because they go to the heart of the world’s use of energy, particularly its use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), which, when burned, release carbon dioxide – the key source of rising greenhouse gases – into the atmosphere. Yet the world economy depends on fossil fuels, and developing countries will need to use more, not less, of them as their economies grow.
Unfortunately, clean, renewable energy sources that do not emit carbon dioxide, such as wind power and geothermal power, are not yet sufficient. Solar power can be produced on the required scale but is too expensive under current technologies.
Nuclear power is relatively cheap, and could be plentiful, but poses huge dangers for increased proliferation of nuclear-weapons materials.
This is one reason why USA went to war with Iraq also its loggerhead with Iran over enrichment of Uranium materials
So: fossil fuels are plentiful, but harmful; renewable sources like wind are good for the climate but not plentiful. Solar power is plentiful but not cheap. Nuclear power is plentiful but not safe.
Improved technologies can offer a way out of this , but only if we think and act ahead. Like moving towards Hybrid cars or hydrogen fuelled cars but is still out of reach for majority of people and with current financial crisis many vehicle making companys will think twice before investing in such high capital ventures In Kenya we have trying to improve on our transport system moving towards high capacity cars and matatus/busues but this seems to hit a dead end as if government tries to implement high capacity buses common man will suffer as matatus will go on strike and common person will bear brunt of walking long distances
A method like Carbon capture and storage is proving very controversially as many people are not convinced that is safely captured and stored carbon can be well kept underground for a long time without causing unknown safety issues safe maybe their opposition could be linked to idea as disposal of harmful chemical elements under Ocean beds which have later destroyed marine life
” The idea is to “capture” the carbon dioxide that is emitted in power plants and other big factories when fossil fuels are burned, thereby preventing it from entering the atmosphere. The captured carbon is then pumped into underground storage sites such as empty oil fields and other suitable locations.Which we cant be implemented in Kenya due to heavy monies needed However we call upon all countries, both developed and developing to work in tandem where rich countries should help poor countries cover the financial costs of adjustment.
Plenty of carbon dioxide will be emitted into the atmosphere as the world’s climate negotiators fly to and from the Copenhagen meeting.
Let’s encourage governments to make serious commitments on Climate Change when they meet in Denmark
Also lobbyist should greatly make plenty of noise to ensure that any deaf government hears otherwise they will merely be adding to the problem.
Fact remains Gibson Amenya and Esther Kagendo cannot walk from Kenya to Denmark on foot just to avoid planes carbon emissions,We may die on journey or luck enough we may reach Copenhagen in year 2030 when already the meeting well finished in December 2009
However we shall do our part by lobbying and carrying out awareness campaigns both locally and globally for leaders and general populace to endorse measures that will enable control of Climate Change and its perils
Above article was written by
Gibson Amenya and Esther Kagendo, Members of Kenya Young Greens
Feedback email gamenya@kenyayounggreens.org, www.kenyayounggreens.org
– – –
From: amenya gibson
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Subject: Climate Change: The Kenyan Voice to Copenhagen Meeting In December, 2009
Fifty-four churches and Christian organizations, networks of people living with HIV and individuals have sent a letter to the United States’ Department of Health and Human Services welcoming a proposed revision to current US regulations that ban people living with HIV from entering or transiting through its borders without a special waiver.
The US currently is one of 13 countries that essentially bar people living with HIV from entering their borders. In July 2008, the US Congress requested that the Department of Health and Human Services remove HIV from an official list of communicable diseases that disqualify foreigners from entering the country. Public comment on the proposed revision closes today.
Explaining their support for the proposed change, the church organizations emphasize that the current ban “serves no justifiable public health purpose” and rather “entrenches discriminatory practices against people living with HIV who wish to travel to the US”.
Linda Hartke, coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), noted that civil society organizations, including the EAA and its members, have campaigned vigorously for two years for countries to remove travel restrictions against people living with HIV. There are still about 60 countries worldwide with such restrictions.
“These restrictions should be a relic of our past irrational fears about the spread of HIV,” Hartke states. “Preventing people living with HIV to travel for work, visit family, or enjoy a holiday has no impact on public health or the provision of health care, “ she emphasizes, “but it does have a huge personal toll and contribute to people hiding their status or going off their treatment for fear of discrimination.”
The EAA letter also notes that “the ban has been a significant barrier to churches, mosques, temples and people in the U.S. having the privilege to engage directly in dialogue and action with people living with HIV from other countries.”
In the US, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America took the lead in submitting a letter signed by 21 faith-based organizations.
“The fear that once surrounded the spread of HIV that paralyzed the response of the international community, including many faith organizations, has been replaced by facts,” states the ELCA letter. “Informed by our work both domestically and internationally in the fight against AIDS, we believe that eliminating the HIV-specific grounds for inadmissibility to the United States will help reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive persons, enhance U.S. leadership in the global fight against AIDS and allow our ministries to more effectively partner with those most severely affected by HIV and AIDS in the world.”
For the full text of the letter and list of signatures, contact Sara Speicher, +44 7821 860 723 (mobile), sspeicher@e-alliance.ch
Forwarded by:
—————————
Yours in Global Concern,
A.SANKAR
Executive Director- EMPOWER
107J / 133E, Millerpuram
TUTICORIN-628 008, TN, INDIA
Telefax: 91 461 2310151; Mobile: 91 94431 48599
· You are invited to join an e FORUM AIDS-TN. To join this free e Forum kindly send an e mail to AIDS-TN-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
· An e FORUM for information and communication on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in TamilNadu.
· This e Forum is moderated by EMPOWER, a Non-profit, Non-Political, Voluntary and Professional Civil Society Organisation.
– – –
From: EMPOWER INDIA
Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Subject: ?AIDS RIGHTS? Faith groups applaud proposed US rule to lift HIV travel ban from EMPOWER INDIA – AIDS TN
Dear Peace Loving Kenyans,
Kenya is a theatre of the absurd. Strange and inexplicable things seem to be happening in quick succession. So inexplicable are things that by the time one opens his mouth wide in surprise more other baffling and intense things happen at that very time until one can no longer open his mouth any wider in surprise. I say so because it now turns out that in a strange twist of events it is now dawning to the public that Honorable William Ruto and Honorable Isaac Ruto do not only share a name but many other things as well. The two have together not only been unleashing a barrage of discordant and self satisfying stupefying noise on Post Election Violence (PEV) and the Mau Complex, but it is also emerging that the two were in fact fraudulently allotted hundreds of acres of rich ADC land ostensibly because they were privileged squatters!
The funny bit is that Hon. William Ruto humbled by this nasty revelation, is now shamefacedly albeit with much less gusto saying that these very strange people who allegedly allotted him the land may have fallen in love with his name and gone ahead to allot the land to his name not only in his absentia but without his consent! And that the same people never went ahead to inform him of the said allotment. In fact, had it not been for his very own Agriculture Assistant Minister tabling the damning report in parliament, Hon. William Ruto would today still not be privy to this decade’s long odious reality. A few hours later the minister unleashes another shocker in parliament. In his attempt to render the public reasoning ineffectual, he categorically states that the name in question is not his and that he does not have a patent to the name William Ruto. Is this not stranger than fiction itself?
At least for Hon. Isaac Ruto, he is crest fallen and steeped in voluminous silence. As for Hon William Ruto, he characteristic of himself still continues to defy odds. In fact I must restrain myself from mentioning the fact that the same Agriculture Minister has numerous pending cases revolving around land in the constitutional court. I am sure that the Minister, conscientiously, knows that he can not continue spinning tales ad infinitum. One can not forever run away from who he is. The chickens will always inevitably come home to roost. The least that the public expects from the two and other personalities fraudulently allocated public land is for them to surrender back the huge tracks of land to the Government and to then make a televised apology to the public.
TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.
– – –
From: Francis Tome
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Subject: NYC IS HON. WILLIAM RUTO TRYING TO RENDER THE PUBLIC`S REASONING INEFFECTUAL?
From: odhiambo okecth
Date: Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 4:14 AM
Subject: Re: LET’S HAVE A 42 MEMBER ALL-ETHNIC PRESIDIUM TO HEAD THE STATE
Ethnicity is something we cannot avoid, but doing this, we will be taking it to a new absurd level.
In this age and time, it is us Kenyans who need to demystify ethnicity and tribalism. We have proved it before but we were brought back to it by retrogressive forces.
Take a look at the Referendum of 2005 November; Kenyans united to shoot down the Wako Draft and therein, we proved that ethnicity and tribalism has no place in modern Kenya.
Again, in the elections of 2007, Kenyans once again stood out in quality in support of one country. People who had lost the elections had started talking good and congratulating ODM, then Martha Karua and her team came to town and brought back the ethnic tensions.
Kenyans are very good people. We love each other and we work well with each other. But when the politicians appear, things tend to go ethnic and tribal. We only need to find a way of dealing with these 220 people.
They are the curse of Kenya. Maybe, we need to talk to God to visit a Sodom and Gomorrah on them so that Kenya can be cleansed.
The only problem is that we do not have people who can talk to God directly nowadays. The current men and women of god talk to God through Mpesa.
Odhiambo T Oketch
From Talking to Tasking
— On Wed, 8/19/09, Madaraka Party Kenya wrote:
From: Madaraka Party Kenya
Subject: LET’S HAVE A 42 MEMBER ALL-ETHNIC PRESIDIUM TO HEAD THE STATE
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 12:45 AM
LET’S HAVE A 42 MEMBER ALL-ETHNIC PRESIDIUM TO HEAD THE STATE
Since every tribe want to have a chance at the presidency, let’s give them the chance to elect one of their own to sit at the Presidium. And since every politicians wants to speak only for their tribe, let’s give them the chance to represent their tribes by contesting for a chance to represent their tribe at the Presidium.
____________
[Madaraka Party Proposal for Discussion on Devolution of the Presidency]
After listening to your views in the past two weeks, the party review committee has come up with an optimal solution on how to structure a democratic and inclusive executive.
REMEMBER: This is a a mere proposal–not a prescription. Please let us hear your views. Whatever you say will help finetune the party’s final submission to the Constitutional Review team.
THE PRIME MINISTER AS HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
In this proposal, the government would be headed by a Prime Minister, who would be the leader of the party with 50 percent plus one MPs. In a situation no party attains a majority in parliament, a combination of parties may form a coalition. The leader of the party with the largest number of MPs in the coalition automatically becomes the Prime Minister.
If one of the coalition partners withdraws, parliament need not be dissolved like is the case in most parliamentary systems. This would ensure political stability and each parliament would serve a full term of five years no matter the combination of governing parties constituting the government at any one time. The prime ministership may change hands as many times as coalition partners align and realign within the lifespan of a parliament.
The fact that the prime minister may be removed very easily without MPs returning to the polls is a boon for taxpayers as it would end the type of collusion that we now have in Kenya which is not a a real coalition but a conspiracy by parliamentarians to create a no-party state by perpetually patching up non performing GNU s (Governments of National Unity), ensuring there is no opposition in parliament, and therefore no accountability or transparency of performance evaluation.
THE PRESIDIUM
Each ethnic group in Kenya would conduct an election and elect one of their own to represent them in the presidium which would serve as a collective head of state. Unlike parliament where representation is based on population size, representation in the presidium is based on ethnicity. Each ethnic group however large or small shall be entitled to one presidium member. Asian Kenyans may constitute one group in spite of being from various ethnic and national backgrounds. Euro Kenyans may also constitute one group irrespective of language differences.
The presidium members would serve two five years terms and would each be paid a salary equivalent to that of an MP. When we add all the money being wasted today paying the president, his wife, servants, office staff, entourage, body guards, vehicles, airplanes and numerous other perks, this salary is small in comparison.
The presidium would meet every week to review weekly developments that touch on the country’s constitution and security. The country’s ombudsman would be answerable to the presidium, and all conflict of interest cases as well as abuse of office or corruption complaints against the prime minister ministers, MPs, attorney general, chief justice and judges would be reported to them for arbitration. If they find the prime minister has contravened the constitution for example or has committed an indictable offense then they would recommend that the prime minister be charged in a court of law. In such a situation the prime minister would step aside, and the governing party would elect a successor from among its MPs.
The Chairship of the Presidium would rotate among the members every six months, automatically on an alphabetical order of the ethnic groups they represent. The chair of the Presidium would be the nominal head of state during the tenure as chair. This provision would mean that every ethnic group would have chance at heading the country every 21 years.
Given that Moi alone ruled for 24 years, and that in 50 years of its existence, Kenya would have only three presidents from two ethnic groups, 21 years is quite a good time to have the chairship rotating. In any case the chair would never make unilateral decisions. The chair is simply the spokesperson who may address the press or swear in foreign diplomats, receive foreign dignitaries, or represent Kenya in foreign functions.
Why is it necessary to have each ethnic group represented irrespective of size? The answer is that the Presidium is not about numerical strength, but about embracing our diversity and recognizing each group that constitutes the Kenyan nation as equal partners in the polity no matter the size.
The eight large ethnic groups will no longer appear to be the ones in the limelight while minority groups are treated like second class citizens in their own country. A minority group that feels they are being treated unfairly because they may be too small to even have an MP to fight for them in parliament will now have a strong voice with an equal visibility and power at the highest office of the land. This will have a really liberating and ‘enobling” effect. It will make Kenya nicer society.
The election of the presidium and that of parliament will be staggered so that during parliamentary elections, the Presidium will be in charge. The Prime Minister will resign as Prime Minister on the dissolution of parliament and hand over the instruments of power to the Presidium. There can be no prime minister without a parliament.
There will be, thus, zero chance of the sitting Prime Minister using state resources to ensure reelection. Parliamentary elections would be fixed as second Monday of August every five years. Each parliament would sit from September 1 on Election year and be dissolved on July 1 on the next election year, allowing for about 6 weeks of campaigning.
A Case Example:
The Presidium of the German Bundestag consists of the President of the Bundestag and a variable number (currently 4) of Vice-Presidents of the Bundestag.
The president is elected by all members the Bundestag during its first meeting; he almost always comes from the largest Fraktion in the Bundestag (tradition has made this a sort of unwritten law). His administration ends with the end of a legislature; he can, however, be re-elected, as long as he is also re-elected to the Bundestag.
In 1994 it was decided that every Fraktion in the Bundestag should be represented by a vice-president.
The most important role of the president is the direction of the Bundestag sittings.
To demonstrate the importance of the parliament in Germany’s democracy, the parliament’s president receives a higher salary than the Chancellor and the Federal President.
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The establishment of Madaraka party means holding fast to the principle of solving for oneself all the problems in conformity with the actual conditions of one’s country, mainly by one’s own efforts. This is an independent stand of discarding the spirit of dependence on others, displaying the spirit of self-reliance, and solving ones own affairs on ones own responsibilities under all circumstances.
Thus the concept of Madaraka, simply “self-reliance,” as it is often translated, but also includes the “spirit” and the goal of maintaining total independence, of trusting no other nation, and solving its own problems without foreign interference with its sovereignty.
Our objective is socio-economic transformation and sustainable prosperity for Kenya.
Join fellow progressives in charting a new vision for a new era.
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By Jeff Otieno.
Farmers and cane transporters in Nyando District and its environs have been paid a staggering Kshs.15 million by Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries (KSAI).
The money was paid at the newly launched company’s weigh bridge in Awasi by the Managing Director Raju Channan Sigh.
“As per the company new policy to empower the locals economically we will be paying cane delivery and transport services in a span of a week or two,” said Raju amid applause from enthusiastic farmers.
Transporters and Farmers have always been at the mercy of some millers who despite their deliveries and services must rope in influential politicians for them to be paid after pleading for several months.
The newly launched weigh bridge is part of the company commitment to conform with the recent directive from the Ministry of Agriculture to compel millers to put weigh bridges close to farmers in order to avert spillages which have been to the disadvantage of farmers in terms of costs.
Kibos has got a milling capacity of 1650 tonnes per day and will soon generate 22 megawatts of power to the National grid.
END
– – –
From: JEFF
Date: Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 2:27 AM
Subject: KIBOS SUGAR RELEASES 15 M TO FARMERS
From: odhiambo okecth
Date: Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 3:18 AM
Subject: Re: Martha Karua, our very own modern day “Wangu wa Makeri”
— On Wed, 8/19/09, odhiambo okecth wrote:
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Martha Karua, our very own modern day “Wangu wa Makeri”
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 12:02 AM
Tony, John,
I have great respect for Hon Martha Karua, just like I would have for Migosi Raila Odinga and Mzee Mwai Kibaki; they are all politicians and they engage their minds where their pockets are.
A quick look at the history of the struggle, in the name of the people started in 1966 when Jaramogi [RIP] Oginga Odinga questioned the policy of the Kanu Government in respect to issues of govervance. This led to a fall out with Kenyatta, Odinga was consigned to pilitical Siberia and the fight for change, in the name of the people started.
In the recent past, I have been a very strong advocate for moving From Talking to Tasking, something my friend Kombo Elijah referes to in jest as moving From Tasking to Talking. He believes we are still talking too much!
But at times, it is good to put what we see into proper perspective.
Kibaki is our president by accident, not that he believed in any change. He was at the right place at the right time, and as soon as he had benefited from the now infamous Kibaki Tosha, he forsook his comrades in the struggle. He promptly locked the doors on them as soon as he set foot at State House, and called the change that we had believed in; Pumbavu.
Fast track to 2007. Martha Karua was the only man left standing at KICC in defence of the President who was surely loosing an election. It was Martha Karua who ensured that the aspirations of the majority was subjugated, and the results were disastrous; 1500 Kenyans got killed and as many as 600,000 were displaced. All displaced because Martha Karua did not believe in the tenets and pricipals of democracy; one man one vote.
Fast track again; Martha Karua has fallen out of favour with her principals and she again remembers that struggles are best mounted in the name of the people. She has again discovered that the people are around, and they can again be used for personal glory and gain!
She will hence mount every podium and shout in the name of the people. But does she believe in what she is saying? At what point do the people become supreme? No. I refuse to be such confused by these globe trotting Kenyan politicians. They travel far and wide and they learn not.
They talk none stop and promptly forget what they did yesterday.
It is time we moved Kenyan From Talking to Tasking. Ukimwuon wau, if you see Karua, aks her what changed?
Remember it is our lives at stake. It is our psyche being played with, and it is us who consent to be such played with. We must move and identify people who really believe in Kenya. Martha Karua and her team have been around for so long with no tangible results. It is time to move on, for the sake of our Motherland; Kenya.
Odhiambo T Oketch
From Talking to Tasking
— On Tue, 8/18/09, Tony O. Mongare wrote:
From: Tony O. Mongare
Subject: Re: Martha Karua, our very own modern day “Wangu wa Makeri”
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 11:24 PM
Ndugu JM,
Message received loud and clear!
Tony
From: barakaserv
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August, 2009 7:36:28 AM
Subject: Re: Martha Karua, our very own modern day “Wangu wa Makeri”
Bwana Mongare,
you probably need to hear the other dozen potential presidential candidates before settling for Karua. I’m sure the other “dirty dozen” will make their way via New Jersey and probably steal your soul just as Martha did.
JM.
— “Tony O. Mongare” wrote:
Having listened to Martha, I want to campaign on her behalf! This is why we should seriously consider Martha Karua’s bid for leadership.
http://sumaku. wordpress. com/page/ 2/
http://sumaku. wordpress. com/
Tony
THREE PEOPLE PERISHED IN LIGHTNING ATTACK WHILE SCORES WERE INJURED DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON DOWNPOUR AND THUNDERSTORM IN THE TEA ESTATE.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
SEVEN Kenyans have died in two separately unique, but unrelated incidents in the past three days.
During this period of short rains season ,which is usually accompanied by thunderstorms, after a long spell of serious drought, three Kenyan tea pickers were struck dead by lightning in South Nandi district, about 40 kilometer south East of here.
Five other workers sustained serious injuries and burns and were hospitalized in critical condition at the nearby Nandi Hills District Hospital where they are receiving treatment for burns and shock.
The local police chief, Waithera Kipsoi, confirmed the incident and said the tea pickers were on normal duty at the Kibware Tea Estate when the tragedy occurred on Sunday afternoon.
She said the three men died on the spot. Good Samaritans and managers at the tea estate took the injured to the hospital. The three bodies were later fished out of the tea bushes and taken to Kapsabet District Hospital mortuary. The names of the victims could not be released immediately before their next of kin are notified of their deaths.
Meanwhile, the second, but unrelated incident occurred when four people drowned, and died when the boat they were sailing in capsized in Lake Victoria, near Bondo Town, about 50 miles north west of Kisumu City.
The victims, according to the local police boss, were passengers traveling from Wagusu to Orengo Beach. Their boat capsized in heavy storm near a place called Nyamakongo.
Two bodies have already been recovered, but two other are still missing by Tuesday afternoon. The search for the missing bodies are in progress, said the local OCPD, Ms Jostine Barmao.
Ms Barmao added that the survivors were rescued by fishermen in other boats and were later admitted to Bondo District Hospital for treatment.
The Bondo District Commissioner, Mr Salim Mohamed, immediately launched an urgent appeal to traders operating boats used by passengers to ensure they provided the passengers sailing in the lake waters with life jackets in order to reduce the number of causalities.
“The regulation requires the operator to provide their passengers with the life jackets before they board boats ready to sail in the lake waters. This must be strictly adhered to by any boat owners.The number of boat accidents along the beaches have increased and has reached an alarming proportion,” said the D.C.
In another shocking incident, the body of a man who went missing last week was found on the shore of lake Victoria. It was partly eaten, giving the credence that the man might have been devoured by crocodiles. The area is crocodile infested .
Mr Sylvester Omondi Omolo, 23 was last seen fishing at Bao Beach. A search by relatives found his half eaten body washed on the beach. This particular area is infested by crocodiles which have been attacking domestic animals and people in the recent past. His relatives and immediate family members went searching after Mr. Omolo failed to return home from his fishing expedition.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
– – –
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Subject: THREE TEA PICKERS DIE IN LIGHTNING STRIKE WHILE A MAN”S BODY IS FOUND DEVOURED BY CROCODILE
Lady Martha Karua is trying so hard to sell the unsellable, that is herself to Kenyans in New Jersey, USA. She chose rather ”cleverly” not to talk about her contribution to impunity and her anti-reformism while minister of Justice and constitutional Affairs. She has the cheek of saying that she does not take John Githongo seriously. It could have surprised the gods if she did.
To honest Kenyans what it is that has changed arrogant Martha Karua into a gentle peace-speaking politician should be more worrying than what she painfully tries to portray at the moment to a world she strangely assumes does not know anything about her.
She is at pains trying to equate President Mwai Kibaki with Raila Odinga with regards to corruption in Kenya. But black will never be yellow no matter how hard the great Lady Karua would like to wish it so.
Why was the great Lady not loud in New Jersey on her contribution in the rigging of the 27th December 2007? She has faithfully joined her GEMA in repeatedly imparting a 50% slice of blame to Raila Amolo Odinga so that president Mwai Kibaki’s sins against the Kenyan nation could be less by the same 50%. Dear lady! You can never cheat history since nobody has.
If you want to be elected by Kenyans to the highest office, then the most hones thing to do is to apologize on, among many of your sins, the PEV for us to us with our well known big compassionate hearts o forgive you and then the rest will be taken over by history.
DR. ODIDA OKUTHE
– – –
from: DR.ODIDA OKUTHE
date: Aug 18, 2:33 PM
subject: Regarding MARTHA KARUA . . .