Monthly Archives: December 2009

THE ENVIRONMENT; PM ODINGA IS RIGHT ABOUT THE MAU!

1 Reply

THE ENVIRONMENT; PM ODINGA IS RIGHT ABOUT THE MAU!

David ochwangi
Ted, Dec 2, 2009 at 04:09 AM

It is obvious the political fortunes in Kenya are extremely volatile and can and do indeed turn on a dime. Political opportunists are always lurking and waiting to pounce when the prey is most vulnerable but make no mistake about it this time around, Kenya as a whole will lose if we fail to stand up to against the same inciters who plunged the country into violence; the MAU is one issue PM Odinga is more right than wrong and we must support him in spite of himself; the same song and dance that has ruined our country for way too long must not be allowed to ruin the environment permanently.

Politics aside, it is NO SECRET that the MAU is deteriorating by the day and Kenya and the rest of the region will continue to suffer immense and irreversible damage if radical steps are not undertaken to stop the degradation and restore it to its original state. It just so happens that PM Odinga took on this unenviable task of spearheading the process. Granted the execution has been very poor (it could and can still be handled properly by providing temporary shelter to inhabitants while resettlement is being worked out; the big land owners who obtained the tracts fraudulently should have been have dispossessed first so they can’t pawn the poor trying to feign phony sympathy and should be required to pay restitution to a super fund used to restore the MAU and resettle genuine land owners and those who have called the MAU home for generations). The Rift Valley MPs engineered and executed the most casualties following the 2007 elections; they created, IDPs, the largest internal human displacements in Kenya’s history that are yet to resettle anywhere, a practice they have perfected since 1992. Led by President Moi, they have participated and personally benefited from the largest manmade environmental degradation in Africa and now they have the audacity to challenge the survival of Kenya’s environment? Like him or not and admittedly it is a tough job but yes, as a matter of principle PM Odinga is right in reclaiming the MAU. It will be hard to undo MOI’s 24 years of economic, political and environmental ruin but try we must. Why on earth is a murderous political nuisance like Ruto allowed to set Kenya’s environmental agenda or any agenda for that matter? Why is Uhuru Kenyatta cozying up so closely with this wobbly unprincipled blood drenched ragtag warlord anyway? I mean seriously! What value is there to anyone in Kenya? The ICC indictments are around the corner, why on earth would any sane person be caught up in Ruto’s shenanigans? Don’t they learn?

The truth is these beneficiaries are hiding their ill gotten gains behind the poor peasants when in fact they themselves are the worst offenders. The peasants didn’t do nearly a fraction of the damage done by the large land grabbers some of whom now blatantly daring the government; threatening to pass a NONSENSE no confidence motion against the PM because they are about to be exposed! Just foolish sheer childish bravado which we can only ignore; I dare them, what is stopping them? PM Odinga is right, the MAU must be restore, PERIOD!

Responding to MAU Intrigues

1 Reply

Dear All,

The debate on MAU is assuming centrality with comfounding consequences. It is a bit more deep seated than is apparent. In my view MAU is about our collective concept of Mali Ya Umma or the embodiment of the public/common good. I hold the opinion that MAU is beyond the physical landscape or escarpment. It is an expression of how we treat our Natural Resources. These natural resources could be forests, rivers, lakes, minerals, human beings, animals (wildlife),water towers and etcetera. Do we safeguard promote or preserve our resources, assets and endowments or do we waste, pilfer, deplete and destroy our resources?

I therefore propose that we lift the MAU debate from the lower echelons of political interests and intrigues to the very higher levels of reason and principled dialogue. In this case we should ask basic questions namely;

1. How do we preserve the MAU with a unanimous resolve by ensuring that there are no political intrigues as well as un-intended victims. In my view there is need to understand the root causes of the MAU problem so as to avoid solving a problem by creating another. In this case, there is need for a systematic approach to the issues by ensuring that the poor settlers are afforded alternative settlement. Indeed this has all along been the understanding and therefore one wonders the emerging intrigues and sudden complexities.

2. In so far as the preservation and sound management of natural resources, there is need to ask whether a blue-print on natural resource management is imperative? And what arrangements do we need to put in place to ensure systematic replenishment of our resources. How do we ensure a completely green Kenya with permanent rivers and evergreen forests. How long will it take us to realize such a vision?

3. How do we ensure that the MAU debate does not shift public attention from equally important processes such as the constitutional review process, TJRC and other agenda four items? It suffices to remember that the Bomas process was sacrificed at the very alter of political brinkmanship and associated intrigues. There is need to understand the political question in constitution making so as to avoid creating polemics that will attract un-intended political show-downs, calculations and cut-throat competitions

4. In my view there is need to make a radical departure from the culture of Kenyans destroying other Kenyans into Kenyans building other Kenyans so that we prevail over these marauding vested interests that are assuming centrality in peoples lives at alarming dimensions. Adding insult to injury doesnot augur well for Kenya at this point in time especially putting into perspective the pain the country went through since the 2005 referendum to date. No Kenyan should be a victim of reckless schemes. It is important to remember that MAU saga is a consequence of poor policy formulation and corruption in high offices. Where were the forest officers during these painful encroachments? Environmental regeneration constitutes an inescapable imperative and the need for systematic approaches cannot be gainsaid. Yes we must preserve, conserve and regenerate MAU but do so we must with a human face. Best wishes always,

Ochieng M.K
Phone Number (Office) +254-20-3861530/1
Cell Phone Number:+254-723-745-817

“We can nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth” Abraham Lincoln

COLLECTIVE CABINET RESPONSIBILITY KEY TO IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA FOUR.

Leave a reply

COLLECTIVE CABINET RESPONSIBILITY KEY TO IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA FOUR.
Dear Sir/Madam,

One of the most fundamental questions that the cabinet and by extension, the entire country is grappling with is whether Parliamentary Watchdog Committees are overstepping their mandate through their constant erection of roadblocks on the path to implementation of government policy. The Prime Minister thinks that an overbearing parliamentary watchdog is an impediment to the proper functioning of the cabinet, so do a host of other cabinet Ministers.

However, the speaker and members of parliament think otherwise. They opine that it is rather the disjointed cabinet and the political intrigues surrounding it coupled with its expediency and ineptitude that has naturally inspired the parliamentary Watchdogs to fill the resultant void. I entirely agree with the speaker of the national assembly. Suffice to say that Cabinet Ministers have totally forgotten the import of collective responsibility as a cabinet. In fact, cabinet has become the biggest stumbling block to government`s the government`s reform agenda. The term collective cabinet responsibility is akin to hybrid seeds planted in unhealthy soils to the majority of cabinet ministers.
Collective ministerial responsibility entails three principles: the confidence rule, cabinet solidarity, and cabinet confidentiality. These principles help ensure that the cabinet pursues a policy consistent with the priorities of the country. In our Coalition Government, the president and the PM form the Cabinet by appointing members of Parliament as ministers to direct government ministries. The president, the PM and cabinet ministers thus propose laws that become the basis for public policy.

The confidence rule is obvious. Without the cabinet having confidence in each other, then the import of having a cabinet ceases. Let me therefore dwell in detail on the remaining two principles. Perhaps the most fundamental pillar of collective ministerial responsibility is cabinet solidarity. Here the cabinet ensures a unified stance in everything it pursues. Granted, cabinet ministers can disagree but only in the privacy of the Cabinet. However, once a decision is made, they must loyally support and defend the government’s position or resign.

Moreover, individual cabinet ministers must not announce new policy or changes in policy without the Cabinet’s approval. They must carry out cabinet-approved policies with respect to their own ministries, whether or not they agree with such policies. Finally, they are expected to vote with the government always. The President and the Prime Minister must always therefore enforce cabinet solidarity. In the event that dissenting voices emerge from the cabinet then the President in consultation with the PM, he can ask ministers to resign. In case they refuse to resign then the president can sack them.
 
The the other important aspect of the cabinet that is part and parcel of collective cabinet responsibility is confidentiality. Ministers swear an oath to protect cabinet secrecy. Documents used to support cabinet decision-making are highly confidential, and any public servant who discloses cabinet secrets can be imprisoned.
 
However, of late, things have gone haywire. Non adherence to the policy of collective responsibility has seriously undermined the working of the cabinet. Very little or none of cabinet solidarity, confidence and confidentiality have been seen. Cabinet secrets and documents have increasingly found their way to the public domain. Obviously, some disgruntled elements within the cabinet are behind this leakage.

The division in the cabinet has reached parliament with every minister with political clout manipulating legislation for his or her own ulterior motives. Take the stand off between the PM and his erstwhile ally William Ruto, the Minister for Agriculture; there differences have spiraled into parliament with a section of the latter`s supporters threatening to move a censure motion to settle political scores with the former over the Mau eviction saga.
 
This country decries a weak cabinet. This is because a fragile cabinet can never deliver the crucial agenda four reforms that the country urgently requires. It is time that the cabinet owned up to its mistakes and agrees to give this country a new beginning. For in the words of Cardinal de Retz (1617-1679), “The man who can own up to his error is greater than he who merely knows how to avoid making it.”

TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

ANOTHER UGANDA MP DIES IN A FATAL ROAD ACCIDENT, BRINGING THE DEATHS OF MPs TO TWO

Leave a reply

UGANDA MPS ARE SHOCKED BY THE DEATH OF ONE OF THEIR COLLEAGUES IN A CAR ACCIDENT, HEAPING THE BLAME ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR FAILURE TO REPAIR THE ROADS

Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

FOLLOWING the death of Budiope MP, Henry Balikoowa, on Sunday night, his fellow MPs are up in arms blaming the government for poor maintenance of roads.

The MPs blamed the death of their fellow legislator on poor state of the roads and also the government’s failure to enforce the traffic rules.

Balikoowa, 40 died n an accident, which occurred on Sunday night at Mubira Forest, which is located between the towns of Mukono and Jinja, on the main Kampala-Jinja highway. His vehicle had collided with a tractor owned by the nearby sugar plantation company. It occurred close to the Najjembe picnic site, situated next to Kampala-jinja highway on Sunday night at about 10.30PM.

The tractor, which is reportedly belonging to Lugazi based Sugar Corporation of Uganda, was reportedly heading to the sugar cane field to fetch the newly harvested cane crops for the factory.

According to the police, the driver of the tractor had fled the scene of accident. His name was given as Emmanuel Mambo, but his luck of escaping ran out, and he has since been apprehended by the police.

The police, in their preliminary investigations, have confirmed that the tractor driver was driving right in the middle of the road, and when the MP’s vehicle approached, he swerved to the right, but it was too late. The MP ‘s vehicle hit the big rear tyre and landed right on the tractor.

Rescuers had difficult time retrieving the body of the MP from the mangled wreckage of the vehicle, using axes and other iron bars. But unfortunately, it was too late, because by the time they managed to free the body after a lot of struggling, the MP was long dead.

The MP was traveling alone, apparently heading to Kampala City, after a busy schedule of work in his Budiope constituency, near Kamuli Town in the Busoga Kingdom.

A group of Mps, who rushed to the scene of the accident, commented harshly against the government, for failing to maintain high standards of roads. They said the death of their young colleague was a very unfortunate. He will be remembered for his vehement opposition, during the debate on the just concluded controversial Land Bill. He will again be remembered for having exposed Uganda soldiers, savagely beating up the people, during the controversial Kyabazing elections in Busoga.

Balikoowa is the second Ugandan MP in the current Parliament to die in a road accident. In November last year, Singiro Woman MP, Vicky Kyakuhaire Kyaka, perished in a road accident in Buwoma, Mpigi district.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ogenga Latigo, narrowly escaped death, when his vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a country bus on the main Kampala-Gulu road.. But his driver and a female passenger perished.

Among the late Balikoowa’s colleagues who sent their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the youthful MP include the NRM Chief Whip Daudi Migereko, Margatet Byanyima, Florence Kashaka, all of the ruling NRM.

Two other Mps, Abdul Katuntu and Elijah Okapa were the first persons to arrive at the scene of the accident. They tried hard to contact the police and together with volunteer rescuers, they struggled and freed the MP’s body from the mingled wreckage, which was still laying on top of the tractor.

Katuntu said a few weeks ago, he and the deceased had approached the minister for Works and Transport, pleading with the two, to improve the roads, and also to effect strict traffic rules that barred heavy trucks from driving during the night hours. He said most of the big trucks driving at night are not road worthy..

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Reality now sinking in

5 Replies

Odhiambo Okecth
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 12:36 AM
It has started.

In Coast, all leaders have expressed their support for the Rt Hon Prime Minister and told him to soldier on, that Balala is all by himself and his sour grapes count for nothing. They did this in a very cool manner. And the people are with Raila on this.

In Central Province, their people lost the most during the PEV and they never came out like Team Ruto. They have also come out and told the Rt Hon Prime Minister to Soldier on. Again, the people of Central are with Raila on this.

In Ukambani, The Grand Maestro, Hon Charity Ngilu has assured Raila of their support and in her usual style, taken offense with those who have consigned the Kambas to perpetual poverty. And she is gaining ground there. The people of this area are with Raila on this.

In Rift Valley, Hon Franklin Bett has seen the light and jumped ship. In his usual flip-floping manner, he has seen danger in associating with Team Ruto. He has poured his support with Raila. Besides, all the Maasai leaders have always been with Raila on this.

In Nyanza, Western and North Eastern Provinces, Kenyans are solidly behind Raila on the Mau issue.

In The Rift Valley and Nairobi, Raila is on top of things. And Many Kalenjin brothers and sisters are for Mau conservation. So who does Ruto and his 4 followers speak for?

So, where does this leave the 2 Rutos, Keter, Kutung and the other guy. They are only five vocal noise makers and true to the adage, the loudest noise come from empty tins.

They are only 5 MPs and they make all the loudest noise. Bring in the censure motion on Raila, kenyans are waiting.

BTW, do these 5 people read the papers?

Oto Octavian