From: Muntu Misango
Colleagues,
Pls clarify to me:
(a) Does the proposed constitution override the National Accord?
(b) There is no Oath for the Prime Minister in the Proposed Constitution. What is the fate of the office in the transition? Will respective officers (President, VP, Ministers) swear afresh to protect the new constitution or will the old Oath be binding till the end of their terms?
(c) How will the one-third/two third rule of representation be ensured in elective positions?
Muntu
from Evans MACHERA
Given Chapter 18,the implication is that come 5th august,the proposed law will have been ratified by the Kenyans voters in the scheduled 4th referendum.
Our parliamentarians shall be duty bound to enact laws ( Acts of parliament) for the purpose of enforcement of this constitution on matters that affect Kenyans. The parliamentarians will need a time frame for the purpose of making the said laws and that time frame must not exceed one year.However,various areas on Kenyans interests will need longer periods than others.
The period of transition from the current constitution which we are unanimously in agreement to abandon by 4th august shall be fourteen days.The Attorney General will publish the same without amendments and the president append his signature.
The current government and office holders will continue pursuing their office duties as the implementation of new laws and structuring of the government takes shape in a period of about 5 years.
The current constitution stands repealed as the new one takes over to oversee the people of Kenya in the 21st century, a century of change.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TRANSITIONAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS
Consequential legislation
261. (1) Parliament shall enact any legislation required by this Constitution to be
enacted to govern a particular matter within the period specified in the
Fifth Schedule, commencing on the effective date.
(2) Despite clause (1), the National Assembly may, by resolution supported
by the votes of at least two-thirds of all the members of the National
Assembly, extend the period prescribed in respect of any particular
matter under clause (1), by a period not exceeding one year.
(3) The power of the National Assembly contemplated under clause (2),
may be exercised—
(a) only once in respect of any particular matter; and
(b) only in exceptional circumstances to be certified by the Speaker
of the National Assembly.
(4) For the purposes of clause (1), the Attorney-General, in consultation
with the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, shall
prepare the relevant Bills for tabling before Parliament, as soon as
reasonably practicable, to enable Parliament to enact the legislation
within the period specified.
(5) If Parliament fails to enact any particular legislation within the
specified time, any person may petition the High Court on the matter.
(6) The High Court in determining a petition under clause (5) may—
(a) make a declaratory order on the matter; and
(b) transmit an order directing Parliament and the Attorney-General
to take steps to ensure that the required legislation is enacted,
within the period specified in the order, and to report the progress
to the Chief Justice.
(7) If Parliament fails to enact legislation in accordance with an order under
clause (6) (b), the Chief Justice shall advise the President to dissolve
Parliament and the President shall dissolve Parliament.
(8) If Parliament has been dissolved under clause (7), the new Parliament
shall enact the required legislation within the periods specified in the
Fifth Schedule beginning with the date of commencement of the term of
the new Parliament.
(9) If the new Parliament fails to enact legislation in accordance with
clause (8), the provisions of clauses (1) to (8) shall apply afresh.
Transitional and consequential provisions
262. The transitional and consequential provisions set out in the Sixth
Schedule shall take effect on the effective date.
Effective Date
263. This Constitution shall come into force on its promulgation by the President or on the expiry of a period of fourteen days from the date of the publication in the Gazette of the final result of the referendum ratifying this Constitution, whichever is the earlier.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
FRESH Somali trainees of the Transitional Government Forces have recorded success in different encounters with the al-Shabaab militants.
Speaking at their training camp at Al-Jazeera in Mogadishu, some of the trainees said they were eager and ready to fight the militants to restore sanity in their country.
In the last few weeks, the Ugandan-trained Somalis have been involved in several battles with the al-Shabaab.
Recently, the soldiers pushed the al-Shabaab out of their bases in Bondere with the support of the Africa Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
“I have been at the frontline to asses our trainees. They are holding their ground,” said UPDF’s Maj. Sam Wasswa, the AMISOM training officer.
Wasswa cited areas like the African Village in the centre of Mogadishu that is firmly held by the trainee fighters, despite the endless attacks from al-Shabaab.
He also dismissed reports that some of the soldiers within the force had defected to al-Shabaab.
“Such claims are not true. They are propagated by the enemy,” he said.
The peacekeepers, under the AMISOM, have so far trained over 3,800 Somali soldiers and policemen. Over 400 others will soon pass out.
At the completion of the nine-month basic training course in Uganda, the Somalis return home for an induction course at Al Jazeera.
“We need about 10,000 Somali soldiers to control Somalia, but it will take time to raise the number,” Wasswa said.
At the training camp, which also doubles as the base for the Burundian contingent, the mood is hopeful.
One of the soldiers described the training as a good move that will help them bring peace to their country.
“We shall be equipped to fight and liberate our country,” said one of the trainees.
Most of the training is carried out by the UPDF with the help of translators from Kenya and Somalia.
Currently, the thin line of Somali fighters on the ground is the major impediment to bringing total peace in Somalia, according to AMISOM commanders.
AMISOM has slowly taken control of a-third of Mogadishu, but their task has been hampered by lack of enough support from the transitional government forces.
“Our major mandate is to train them,” said Wasswa.
On Sunday, AMISOM spokesman Maj. Ba-Hoku Barigye, reminded the trainees of their responsibilities to defend their country.
“This is your country. No one will solve its problems. You have to do it yourself,” Barigye told the soldiers.
Meanwhile, UPDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, yesterday said three foreign fighters and seven al-Shabaab militants were killed at Masla Camp near Pasta factory in Mogadishu, when a Mitshubishi Pajero vehicle laden with explosives for a suicide mission, exploded accidentally.
In a statement issued yesterday, Kulayigye said in another incident, al-Shabaab fighters fired a mortar bomb in Hamar Weyne, close to Uruba Hotel, which landed on a mosque. The mortar bomb exploded, killing three civilians and injuring one.
In a related development, African Union and government troops launched an offensive against the Islamist rebels on Monday and repulsed them from two strategic locations.
Barigye said one of their soldiers was wounded in the latest clashes.
“One of our armoured vehicles was burned after it was hit, injuring the driver.
“But the government forces took control of the former interior ministry building area from the insurgents,” he told AFP.
At least 11 people, mainly militants, were killed in the fighting, officials said.
“We have pushed the enemy back from some of their locations in northern Mogadishu today. We killed four of their fighters and unfortunately three of our soldiers also died during the clashes,” said Hasan Abdulahi, a Somali security official.
Ends
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
Petroleum explorer Heritage Oil must pay the full amount of tax on earnings from the sale of assets in Uganda before the Government fully endorses the deal, Hillary Onek, the energy minister, has said.
Recently, the Government gave Heritage conditional approval to sell its exploration assets to Tullow Oil after months of delay caused by a dispute over tax on earnings from the sale.
Under the conditional approval, Heritage was to deposit 30% of the disputed $404m capital gains tax with the Uganda Revenue Authority and give the bank guarantee for the remaining 70%, which would be redeemable on completion of an arbitration process.
“Heritage is evasive. They have been doing all sorts of things to avoid paying the tax, but they will have to pay the full amount and the earlier they pay, the better, Onek said on Sunday.
Uganda discovered oil in 2006 in the Albertine Rift basin along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and reserves are estimated at about two billion barrels.
Commercial production is expected to start in the last quarter of 2011.
On July 7, Heritage issued a statement saying it had received advice that the disposal of the assets was not taxable.
“These guys are making super-normal profits. They just invested a tiny little figure of $150m and now they are going to earn $1.5b. Why don’t they want to pay taxes on that money?” Onek asked.
He declined to comment on whether the Government had scrapped the conditional approval given to Heritage on July 6 and whether Uganda would go for arbitration in London to resolve the tax dispute.
Once Tullow has acquired Heritage’s stakes in blocks 1 and 3A for up to $1.5b, it plans to bring in China’s CNOOC and France’s Total to develop the fields and turn Uganda into one of the top 50 oil producers.
Ends
Reports leo Odera Omolo in kisumu city
THE girlfriend of one of the suicide bombers who attacked two venues in Kampala, killing at least 76 people about two weeks ago, has been arrested by the Police.
Three other suspects have also been detained in Kenya over the attacks, sources said yesterday.
Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura said the woman had links with the man who set off the bomb at Kyadondo Rugby Club, where soccer fans were watching the World Cup finals. The man was Eritrean, he said.
The woman is helping the Police with the investigation, Kayihura added.
Following the bombings, the Police issued three hotlines for the public to relay information on the attackers.
It was not clear if this is how the Police learnt about the woman, who joins over 20 suspects undergoing interrogation over the attack for which al-Shabaab militants based in Somalia claimed responsibility.
Kayihura also revealed that the Police had interrogated Jamal Abdula Kiyemba, the Ugandan once detained at Guantanamo Bay over the September 11, 2001 terror attack on the US in which thousands perished.
Kayihura said an informer saw Kiyemba, 31, and alerted security. “He was picked up and interrogated but the team did not find any connection between him and the attackers and was freed,” he stated.
Without elaborating, Kayihura added that the investigations were “progressing smoothly” and promised to publicise the findings soon.
Sources said three more suspects had been arrested in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. They played a major role in the Kampala bomb blasts, the source explained.
The suspects are due to be extradited to Uganda to face interrogators who include America’s FBI agents, the source added.
Ends
Economic and Business Reports By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
Fish experts I East Africa are predicting a new threat of fierce competition from Cod white fish from European lucrative market
This fish is favoring red in Europe but until a few years ago, its stock had diminished to a worrying level-leading to a boom in Nile perch imports.
And Now Lake Victoria fisheries officials are themselves worried over declining fish stocks in the water body, which is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Cod white fresh fish hit European market last year, with the production in Belgium peak to 120,000 metric tones this year.
More production of Cod fish are expected from Britain, Norway and Scotland. As market that were recently importing Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania fish begin to produce their own, the competition will son get toughen.
“We must excel in aquaculture Cod white fish is farmed and compete better in the European market than Nile perch. Its stocks in the world market had diminished simply because of mismanagement,” said Uganda’s Commissioner for Fisheries William Mwanja in a recent interview.
At 17,400 tones Uganda is the largest exporter offish from Lake Victoria. Europe is one of the principal markets. Cod fish is a native to Europe. It is favored of many homes there.
Conservation efforts and fish farming {aquaculture} over the past few years are now yielding positive results in Europe.
Shortage of Cod fish had led to high demand in prices for East Africa’s Nile perch in Europe resulting in a near monopoly for decades.
Booming demand for Nile perch in Europe created more opportunities in Uganda for rapid industrialization of the fish processing sector in the early 1990.
More and more fish processors came on board, creating jobs and improving the lifestyles of local communities. Soon, however, poor management of fisheries led to illegal fishing, theft and a sharp drip in fish stocks and exports.
“We used to set about 20 fish nets and get enough fish, but today we set about 100 nets and get very few fish, “said Richard Semukwaya a fisherman Muchungu fish landing site outside Kampala.
The fisherman who has been in the trade for close to 35 years gave the example of Lake Albert in mid-western Uganda where illegal fishermen spend months in the middle of the lake fishing and smoking the catch.
Fish volume have dropped significantly in the past three years-because of export high of 28,394.8 metric tones last year earning USD 85,426.2 billion. Seventy per cent offish harvested in Uganda is immature, but it was readily marketed locally and in Kenya, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan and Angola.
Estimated value stands at USD 100 million. There are 167 lakes in Uganda. Five of them, Victoria, Kayega, Albert, George and Edward.20 other are moderately big the others are relatively smaller..
Lake Victoria is the most productive. The Ugandan government, however is presently is considering leasing out smaller community water bodies for better management. But the move could stir up bitter political agitation by the community leaders as most of these lake are the major source of livelihood for the locals
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
The two-day 15th extraordinary session of African Heads of States and Governments ended in the Ugandan capital last Sunday evening after member state vowed to make a joint effort in crushing terrorism and getting rid of the terrorists out of the continent.
It was not immediately clear whether the summit had endorsed the recommendations by the Council of Ministers, which had recommended that the mandate of AU, Amisom in Somalia be changed from that of peacekeepers, to that of peace reinforcement force.
Earlier the Council of Ministers, consisting of minister for Foreign Affairs from the 49 member countries who have been meeting from July 18 had agreed in principles that the role and mandate of the Amisom peacekeepers be changed to that of peace reinforcement force. This will enable the AU mission troops to engage the Al-Shabaab militias in possible exchange of fire.
Currently, the Amisom mission is mainly peacekeeping. The troops are strictly confined to the role of guarding the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, presidential palace, the airport and seaport.
The change in mandate was one of the principal agenda items discussed and agreed on at a closed door meeting in Kampala on July 22. The Council meeting was held ahead of the summit, and their recommendations were supposed to be submitted to the heads of states and governments meeting on July 25.
After the expected approval by the summit, the issue should by now said to be awaiting to be discussed by the AU Security Council and the Un Security Council before an enforcement force can be put together.
But in separate rejoinder talks in separate interviews with newsmen, several Ministers had expressed skepticism about the proposed reinforcement force.
These were Minister from South Africa, Kenya and Uganda who acknowledged having participated in discussing the issue of the change of mandate for enforcing peace troops, and by Saturday, the issue which was supposed to be conclusively upheld by the summit was still hanging on the balance. The Au summit is known for more often not in the habit of not approving certain recommendations by Council of its Ministers.
Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika ,the current AU chairman did not mince his words. He unreservedly condemned the recent terrorist attack on the innocent civilian in Kampala in the strongest terms.
“Violence against civilians does not advanced humanity but only serve to disrupt progress, “he lamented.
Terror has no place in Africa and no place in humanity. Those individuals should find other ways of addressing their differences rather than waste of human life, the Malawian President said before calling for two minutes silent in respect of the 76 deceased Ugandans who died in the July 11, terrorist twin bombing blasts.
“Peacekeeping is a misnomer, we need a change in mandate for enforcing peace. We are seeing a situation whereby Africans attacking their fellow Africans and then boasting about it, that is unacceptable. As a regional body we must seek for a peaceful and diplomatic solution.” Says Kenya’s Foreign MinisterAffairs Moses Wetangula.
Earlier the AU peace and security Commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra had vigorously drummed up support for the change in mandate during an Au peace an security council meeting. This particular meeting was also attended by the various experts.
“We will certainly give leeway to Amisom so that it can accomplish its mission in the most comfortable manner, said an African diplomat.
He change in mandate means extra costs for military hardware and troops. Uganda currently
receives about USD 33 million annually for its 2,500 troops it contributed to Amisom, but that
figure is expected to rise sharply depending on what military hardware is required and the number of troop likely to be raised.
The number of Ugandan in Amisom is 2,500 and the number of total peacekeepers required is to contain the activities of Al-Shabaab militias is20,000.
Although almost all African countries had agreed with the option of militarily engaging Al-Shabaab terrorist, the reorganization of the operation or who should lead it is not.
A number of countries do not agree with the option of letting Uganda lead it unilateral mission. In fact deliberations’ the AU conference lacked a clear strategy, although all countries supported that there should be a regional military action against he militias. This is so because since most countries are for the UN led operation while others demanded a purely African mission with both manpower and logistics mobilized from within the continent.
However, what remains clear is that to go it alone against Al-Shabaab is still high on the table.”We know most countries just talk but do not commit themselves. We rare used to that, once we get the right intelligence {on Al-Shabaab and the logistics and the peacekeeping mission we shall go it alone. We are very ready,” Ugandan Minister for International Relations Okello Oryem was quote this week as saying.
Since the Kampala bombing President Museveni administration has made it clear his government will fight Al-Shabaab single handedly at the invitation of the Somali Transitional Federal Government should it fail to get support from other African governments .
Kampala position seemed to have the support of world powers like the United States and Great Britain.
At the same time Somali Defense Minister Abukar Abdi Osman hinted that the US was readily willing to help with the offensive although not directly.”They have promised logistics. We have been talking to them,’ he added.
Kenya, which is being accused of playing a “softer roles despite having constantly suffered on occasions in the hands of Al-Shabaab is reportedly demanding that Africa should instead mobilize troops than the EAC Standby Brigade and supplement the current amisom strength to raise the temporarily requied 20,000 troops for the operation.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
Former President Moi, in his wisdom has now seen that the katiba will pass. He however, seems to be focusing on the %pass. He contends the katiba should pass by atleast 65% for it to be legitimate.
The Kenyan law recognizes a simple majority for referendums, just like it happened in 2005.
However, this is a chance for all Kenyans to prove to Moi that we are determined to change things, to do the things he never did for Kenya in 24 years of his reign, to prove to him that this is an idea whose time has come.
Get out the vote for August 4th and prove to Moi that reforms that he has blocked for years and continues to do so are here to pass.
Kenya should give the daft katiba an 80% pass forever silencing Moi’s lone anti refom voice.
Otieno Sungu
From: Kun Chang
Foreign Policy: China’s Billion-Dollar Aid Appetite
by Jack C. Chow
China has aggressively pursued Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants and has continued to win significant amounts with every passing year.
July 21, 2010
Jack C. Chow served as U.S. ambassador on global HIV/AIDS from 2001 to 2003 and was the lead U.S. negotiator at talks that established the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He is currently distinguished service professor of global health at Carnegie Mellon University in Heinz College’s School of Public Policy and Management.
Back in 2001, I was the lead U.S. negotiator in international talks meant to transform the way that poor countries fight some of the world’s most pernicious diseases — HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Our vision looked like this: Instead of each country spending on its own, rich countries would pool donations into one coordinated fund that would give grants to help resource-strapped countries purchase medicines, build health programs, and prevent the diseases from spreading.
We imagined the bulk of the money ending up in places like Lesotho, Haiti, and Uganda, where these three diseases have reached crisis levels. So it might surprise and concern you — as much as it still does me — to learn that one of the top grant recipients isn’t in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, or impoverished Central Asia. It’s a country with $2.5 trillion in foreign currency reserves: China.
Over the eight years since the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria first launched, China has applied for and been awarded nearly $1 billion in grants, becoming the fourth-largest recipient of funds behind Ethiopia, India, and Tanzania. Already, the country has drawn nearly $500 million from this credit line and soon expects to receive $165 million in new grants. China’s aggregate award from the fund is nearly three times larger than that of South Africa, one of the most affected countries from these three diseases.
Moreover, China has won malaria grant money totaling $149 million (and $89 million more might be on the way) — in a country where only 38 deaths from the mosquito-borne illness were reported last year.
That is more than the $122 million awarded to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which reported nearly 25,000 malaria deaths during the same period. In fact, only seven sub-Saharan African countries receive more malaria aid than China — and 29 countries in Africa get less. Combined, those 29 countries report 64,000 deaths from the disease each year.
China has aggressively pursued Global Fund grants and has continued to win significant amounts with every passing year. Beijing does make a nominal contribution to the fund of $2 million annually, meaning that it has donated $16 million over the last eight years.
By comparison, the United States, the leading donor, has committed $5.5 billion, and France has offered $2.5 billion over the same period.
These contributing countries expect no financial return for their gift, but China has recouped its spending by 60 times.
Over the eight years since the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria first launched, China has applied for and been awarded nearly $1 billion in grants.
Even more alarming, China’s persistent appetite threatens to undermine the entire premise behind the Global Fund. The organization’s leadership is trying to solicit between $13 billion and $20 billion to cover its next three years of operations — a tall order at a time of global recession.
Donors will grow even more reluctant if they realize that substantial funds are being awarded to a country that can more than pay for its own health programs.
How did China ever become eligible for grants in the first place? In short, because of a loophole. The Global Fund decides eligibility for grants based on the World Bank’s classification system, which divides countries by income. High-income countries such as the United States, the European industrial countries, and Japan are ineligible.
Low-income countries, including many in sub-Saharan Africa, are grant-eligible. In between, so-called lower-middle-income countries like China are eligible if the grants are part of a cost-sharing program through which the fund pays up to 65 percent and the country pays the rest. (China stays in this lower-middle-income category because its huge population keeps per capita figures down.)
The country competes with the likes of Bolivia, Cameroon, and India in this category. But because the fund’s pot of money isn’t allocated by income group, any grants that China wins reduce the remaining money available for all eligible countries.
For a country like Cameroon, cost-sharing grants make a lot of sense. By giving part of the full amount, the fund can spur the host government into investing more of its discretionary budget in health.
The extra cash can build health infrastructure and capacity, preparing the country to wean itself from foreign funds. But in China’s case, the argument for a Global Fund grant is tenuous at best.
During the depths of the world economic crisis in 2008, China put forth a massive economic stimulus package of $586 billion that included new health and education spending of $27 billion.
The government announced its intention to boost rural health coverage with $125 billion in spending over the next several years. Even a fraction of that promised amount would negate any need by China to draw upon the Global Fund.
This is not to say, of course, that China’s health system does not face formidable challenges. Indeed, global health policymakers worry that HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in particular could rise dramatically as the country urbanizes and industrializes and a new middle class veers away from traditional social mores.
Everyone remembers the SARS outbreak in 2002 and 2003 that practically shut down major cities in China. And beyond specific threats, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the chief implementer of the Global Fund portfolio and officiator of the government’s public health strategy, has hard work ahead to build up China’s health workforce and medical infrastructure.
But China might want these grants for reasons having more to do with politics than public health. The Health Ministry is the only member of China’s policymaking State Council not led by a political party member.
As such, its ability to compete for domestic funds pales in comparison with other assertive, powerful ministries led by longstanding party leaders. So the Health Ministry might be driven to external funding by political necessity. Or, China might value obtaining the technical assistance of international health agencies such as the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Global Fund grants provide a means of securing their advice and services. China’s participation on the fund’s board might also be useful to Beijing’s global politics, confirming its importance on the world stage.
Whatever benefits China gains from seeking grants, however, stack up poorly against expensive opportunity costs exacted upon needier countries. The $1 billion awarded to China could have been used by the poorest countries to distribute 67 million anti-malarial bed nets, 4.5 million curative tuberculosis treatments, or nearly 2 million courses of anti-retroviral therapy for AIDS patients (a number equivalent to all those living with the disease in Kenya).
It is intriguing that health ministers from the poorest countries have expressed neither concern nor opposition to China winning grants. Nor has there been any substantial public challenge to or debate about the money China has received from the Global Fund.
Part of the reason might be structural; the fund’s large 26-member board (which includes representatives of countries, regions, organizations, and the Global Fund itself) operates based on consensus, and its meetings are time-constrained forums that pressure members to make rapid decisions.
Changing eligibility policy, for example to exclude China, would entail time-intensive negotiations that may well pit groups of grantees against one another. The board also approves grants en bloc, relying upon the advice of technical experts who review them for feasibility and public health impact, not fairness, balance, or a country’s ability to pay.
Even so, there is likely more behind the silence than just procedure. For many of the poorer countries that lose out, opposing China in international forums would risk incurring Beijing’s diplomatic wrath.
Health ministers are skittish to imperil their country’s broader interactions with China, which in the case of African countries, often entails Chinese loans, grants, infrastructure projects, and investment — and indeed, even further, health aid. In turn, African countries seeking access to the burgeoning Chinese market must curry Beijing’s favor.
Any country that openly opposes China at the Global Fund might see these economic links broken or be put at a disadvantage to competitors. And so the neediest countries endure a loss of grant money to China through their collective silence.
Donor governments have also been mute or reluctant to oppose China at the Global Fund, perhaps for similar reasons of not wishing to provoke a reaction that impacts other diplomatic or political equities elsewhere.
In the United States, neither Congress nor the White House has voiced open concern that an amount equivalent to President Barack Obama’s entire fiscal 2011 Global Fund budget request of $1 billion has gone to a country that can afford to pay its own way.
This has left the fund’s leadership as the only front left for trying to change China’s stance. Based on China’s national income and the rate of other donor contributions, the Global Fund recommends that China should give $96 million over the next three years, amounting to 16 times its current annual donation.
In 2007, prior to China’s hosting of a board meeting in Kunming, the fund asked China’s government to up its donor commitment, but the appeal went nowhere. In June, with fundraising pressures escalating, the fund’s executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, met in Beijing with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who issued a vague promise to cooperate with international organizations to expand disease prevention and treatment, but made no announcement to refrain from taking new grants or signaled any intent to become a major donor.
Not even a rival country’s actions seem to have convinced Beijing. In recent years, nearby Russia has transformed itself from recipient to donor, and it has done so under arguably less favorable economic conditions than those in China today. In 2006, then President Vladimir Putin pledged to repay the Global Fund $270 million over four years, covering the past assistance it received, and announced $156 million in new domestic spending for HIV treatment. Now four years out, Russia has paid in $250 million to the Global Fund, essentially fulfilling Putin’s pledge.
It is audacious for China to assert that it needs international health assistance on par with the world’s poorest countries. In fact, at the same time it is drawing from the Global Fund, China is building its entire global image as one of economic growth, accumulating wealth and international stature.
To boost its public profile and prestige, China spent billions to host the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo. Surely it could spend another $1 billion of its cash on health as well.
And why not take it one step further? By becoming a Global Fund donor, China could win acclaim with the West and the world’s poorest — earning exactly the kind of respect that a rising power deserves.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128664027
__._,_.____,_._,___
Chang Kun
General Coordinator of China Youth HIV/AIDS Assembly
Board Member and Co-founder of Beijing Yirenping Center
Phone: 133 4910 8944 ; 138 1072 6838
Skype: Chinachangkun
MSN?13349108944@189.cn
Email?changkun2010@gmail.com
Personal Web: http://www.changkun.org
reports Leo Odera Omolo
SEVERAL Ugandans recruited by the al-Shabaab terrorists are in hiding, a key suspect in the July 11 bombings in Kampala has disclosed.
Suspected suicide bombers struck the Ethiopian Village restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club, killing about 76 soccer fans watching the 2010 World Cup finals.
Ssenkumba
The al-Shabaab militants in Somalia claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it was a retaliatory attack on Uganda for sending troops on a peace-keeping mission to their country.
The latest information on the terrorist attacks was revealed during the interrogation of Ali Issa Ssenkumba, a Ugandan suspected to belong to the militant group.
Yesterday, The New Vision learnt that Ssenkumba, who was arrested in Kenya recently, is a teenager who hails from Makindye city suburb and not Butambala county in Mpigi district. An unexploded bomb was removed in the area.
Sources said the 19-year-old did not have any formal education but attended Koran schools locally known as darasa to study Islam. He belongs to the Tabliq faction and is fluent in Arabic.
Ssenkumba, who is among over 30 people detained in connection with the attacks, is said to have told investigators that the bombs used in Kampala were assembled in Somalia. Ugandans, Pakistani and Somali nationals are among the detained persons.
Detectives said Ssenkumba also provided useful information linking the al-Shabaab militants to al-Qaeda.
Several local and international investigators, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), continue to comb the bomb sites and several homes in Kampala
Ends
Reports Leo Odera Omolo
THE African Union (AU) Summit opened yesterday with world leaders condemning the Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorists.
African heads of state and leaders pose with Museveni (centre) for a picture at Munyonyo
According to the report carried by the semi-official newspaper, the NEWVISION, thirty-five heads of state and government are attending the summit at Munyonyo which is expected to end tomorrow. The leaders called for a united front to kick terrorists out of Africa.
In his address, President Yoweri Museveni urged the AU to “sweep the terrorists out of Africa.”
“Let them go back to Asia and the Middle East where they come from. I reject this new form of colonialism through terrorism.”
Museveni said many of the organisers of the July 11 twin bombings in Kampala, which killed 76 people had been arrested and their interrogation revealed “very good information.”
“In Somalia, they recently attacked the government and the AU forces. But they got the punishment they deserved. AU members should not accept this arrogance. Who are these people who dare attack the AU flag? Whose interest do they represent, where do their loyalties lie? These terrorists can be and will be resisted.
“As you know, I have a long experience in warfare. However, I have great contempt for the authors of terrorism who attack children and unarmed civilians. I am glad that the whole of Africa has condemned them. Let us shoot them out of Africa,” Museveni said.
Foreign affairs Permanent Secretary James Mugume said foreign delegations included four vice-presidents and three prime ministers. The summit is focusing on maternal, infant and child health and development.
Delegates from 49 African countries have been discussing various AU issues since July 18, including a session on peace and security and the private sector
Malawian President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, who is the AU chairman, said: “I condemn the attack on the innocent civilians in Kampala, in the strongest terms. That violence against civilians does not advance humanity but disrupts progress.
“Terror has no place in Africa and no place in humanity. Those involved should find other ways of addressing their differences rather than waste human life,” he said before calling for two minutes of silence in respect to the deceased.
African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping said the security situation in Somalia remained worrying.
He said the transitional government was trying to reach out to some of the fighting groups for peace talks.
Earlier, he said the strength of the peacekeeping troops in the war-torn Somalia was about to double when the African Union deploys another 6,000 soldiers.
Two battalions, one from Guinea and another from Djibouti and 2,000 more soldiers from the IGAD countries will soon be deployed. “Very quickly we are increasing from the 6,100 contributed by Burundi and Uganda. There are countries that are ready and are waiting for our green light. We shall go beyond the authorised strength of 8,000 troops,” he said.
Ping revealed that a military team from Guinea was being briefed in Addis Ababa, before it moves to Mogadishu to assess the conditions before the country deploys its troops.
Goodluck Jonathan, the President of Nigeria, also condemned the terrorist killings in Kampala two weeks ago
He noted that such acts of violence on innocent people cannot solve any problems but only create new ones. He regretted that while Africa was celebrating the successful hosting of the World Cup in Africa, Uganda was mourning victims of terror.
“Nigeria unreservedly condemns the bomb attacks and expresses solidarity with President Yoweri Museveni and my dear brothers and sisters in Uganda,” he said.
The Nigerian leader thanked African leaders for their words of empathy and personal visits following the death of former Nigerian president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He described Yar’Adua as a champion of the rule of law, accountability and transparency.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended his condolences over the attacks and thanked Uganda for supporting Somalia, which he said was suffering from the burden of terrorism expansion.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Granadines, Ralph Goncalves, said the terrorist attacks caused a lot of anguish in the world.
“It was with much pain and anger that we learnt about the murderous acts against the innocent people. Our gathering here is to tell the terrorists, ‘You can fight us, you can scare us but you can never win.’ We are with President Museveni on this,” said Goncalves, who spoke on behalf of the Caribbean leaders.
S.E.M. Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, said terrorism is intended to threaten people’s security.
“Our position on terrorism is one, rejection and fighting it.” He thanked the AU for prioritising stabilising Somalia and promised that the Arab League would work with the continental body to put an end to the Somali crisis.
He recommended that a ministerial committee comprising members from AU, Organisation of Islamic Conference, Arab League and UN be set up to tackle the instability, terrorism and piracy in Somalia.
The UN Deputy Secretary General, Asha Rose Migiro, said the Kampala bombings showed that no country is immune to terrorists.
She called for the implementation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy – with a global response.
“The attacks also show that the Somali crisis has a direct impact on regional and global security. We must strengthen our resolve to do more in our search for stability in that country. That means supporting the transitional federal government there, both in its reconciliation efforts and in its fight against extremism,” Migiro advised.
She paid special tribute to the AU Mission in Somalia and to Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to the war-ravaged country.
Ends
I for one welcome the appointment of PLO to the helm of KACC and on a cautionary note the expectations of Kenyans are high and both real and unreal. BUT the substance of this appointment by His Excellency, President Kibaki cannot be overstated. PLO must now take charge and the opportunity to deliver rather than engage us in unending smart talk. This is about his legacy and how Kenyan will remember him that will matter. I am in no doubt that he is a man of many talents and abilities for that I wish him all the very BEST in this huge role.
Joram Odus
London
Dear Lee, dear sagongonyi,
Allow me belatedly to enjoin Lee in his apt observation on how some of us choose to close our ears and eyes when one of own is in power! That way we see and hear no evil!
The truth is that “mbaya ni mbaya all the times”.
From the start let’s be clear that the issues and circumstances that are under discussion now are very different. Why? During the Moi era the question was simple and clear. It was pure party and self preservation matter. Now we are talking and dealing with a widely negotiated, debated and demanded item by all Kenyans of good willing for over 20 years! A constitution for All. It is NOT KANU Vs opposition party politics. No. It is significantly different my brother.
Secondly PSs, DCs, DOs etc were called in after the NO Camp went on rampage and without shame; distorted and raped the constitution with sole aim of misinforming the masses so that they can maintain the status quo. The group has done everything to stop the process but thank the Almight God who listens to meek and weak, the process is still on course. We sure the remaining one court case will come to pass too.
The PCs, DCs only stepped in to undertake civic education that the NO camp had vowed to completely derail for their own selfish motives. Why would someone NOT want the masses to know the true contents of the constitutions? Why should someone move around the country scaring the poor small land holders that they plots will be taken away and that they will taxes on land, toilets and even chicken on their small farms? Why? why?
Oh your small land will be taken away? The draft proactively promotes same sex marriage? It is simply unbelievable what the NO Camp has been spent the money from the offerings from the poor church goers and dollars from their good friends from America!
Which leader can sit by and watch such misdemeanour unleashed to his people?
Bro sagongonyi the only way out of all this is turn green and Vote YES to this inclusive; rights based constitution that has many checks and balances that will never allow any man or woman to hold the country at ransom. Never. Never again! We have suffered enough of the NO Governance. It is time for change. Let’s go it. Let’s vote YES. Ama?
Yes it is to time intensify ACTION and reach OUT to the undecided and NO lot as we continue reassuring those in the YES Camp.
Yes the struggle to conquer Kenya for the Green can only be intensified.
Yes have a reflective, peaceful and Green weekend
Regards
Elijah Agevi
Happily stuck in the Green Corner
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From: Lee Makwiny
You perfectly fit the bill. When MOI used provincial administration, you remained mute and supported him.Now you are crying foul.
This is the sole reason for voting NO. I can bet, if we don’t get a new constitution, we wont have it in the near future!! The momentum will slow down, and since NO people want to reach consensus, it will never be achieved!! Period!!
Let vote green and put a stop to this madness!!
– – – – – – – – – – –
sagongonyi chemurwok wrote:
The events of the last three weeks have left me wondering how yesteryears pro-change crusaders metarmophosized to be different creatures. Look at Moi, Raila and Kibaki in 1997 and fastrack to 2010 scenes and tell me whether you are able to see some difference. The masses will always be taken for granted. Kibaki and Raila would cry foul in 1997 when Moi used the provincial administration for political campaigns but Moi would not listen. Kibaki used them in 2005 referendum and 2007 elections and Raila cried foul. In 2010, Kibaki and Raila are using the PCs, DCs, DOs, PSs, Chiefs, Sub Chiefs, etc against the Public Officers Ethics Act and they see nothing wrong with that. I am even shocked that Raila is trying to justify it with the same old Moi tactics of the draft being a gvt project. These are amazing times. It is now Moi’s turn to cry foul. This has left me with one conclusion, all politicians are pretenders. They do not practise what they preach. They change the rules of the game when they are in the driving seat. Forget about democracy and a democrat. Those two words are foreign in kenya.
From: elijah agevi
Hello Lee,
I am surprised that you are surprised that NO team under “the able tutelage of the former president Mzee Moi” would speak the truth! This is NOT in their chemistry. They are all great students of Mzee Moi. No doubt about. Unfortunately for them, majority of Kenyans are beginning to understand the contents of the draft constitution and the various benefits and the truth. The RED Camp is starting to see RED everywhere. This is sometimes shown by hostile receptions in some areas that are tired of lies.
Yes, let’s us use all legal means at our disposal to expose all these lies. True “Uongo” meter would be a great tool. A “shahili” on the same in radio would be even greater idea. A poster similar to the ones by ACTIONAID would do wonders out there.
Yes let’s ensure everybody in Kenya including those in the few stronghold areas of NO camp are made fully aware of these lies and facts.
The train to the GREEN Kenya can’t be stopped by anybody. Ours is to ensure that those disembarking from the RED camp are encouraged to enter at the designated stops along the way. Our chief Monitoring General will advice us on the right station so that we shall on hand to usher in the convertees as they come.
Enjoy the balance of the Green Sunday as we intensify the Grand Green Match to 4th August Green Referedum.
Regards
Elijah Agevi
Happy in the Green Corner
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From: Lee Makwiny
Can some one tell me where its is written in the draft constitution that ‘your small house and the small compound will be taxed”!! Surely, is it that God keep on giving us leaders who are liars like Mr Mithika Linturi!! Do Kenyans really need leaders who can not tell them truth!!! This should be taken up by Ukweli Meter developers so that we can see T.Namwamba complaining!!
Dear Sir/madam,
I must admit that last week I came across one of the most dramatic headlines arising out of a mounting inability by some scientists to cope with the HIV/AIDS scourge. We may be used to scientists coming up with a raft of measures to stem the rising tide of the HIV/AIDS scourge but that is nothing compared to what some inspired scientists came up with last week. They talked about couples (and even commercial sex workers and their faithful clients) boycotting from this uplifting experience for a month as a means of reducing new infections. Really!
Allow me to say with a lot of conviction that this latest strategy (if it qualifies to be called a strategy) will not work in Kenya. First and foremost, July and August are the coldest months here. They are the sorts of our winter. I guess that the possibility of a couple full of virility attempting to even think of such a boycott will be remotest. At this time, people have a craving for this natural warmth so much than food itself. This explains why Kenya has a baby boom nine months after this “winter.”
Secondly, many people in this third world country live below the poverty line. Anyone who has gone through this debilitating experience will tell you that poor folks resort to sex as the only means to overcome the pangs of hunger and a litany of other social problems albeit temporarily. If these scientists have been wondering why these poor chaps despite the excruciating poverty, still adorn permanent glees on their faces, they should wonder no more. Sex provides the much needed fissure through which the pent up frustrations can temporarily be let out by fellows whose spirits have been ruffled by poverty. It is sought of an anesthesia.
So anybody coming up with a mundane suggestion that promises to erase these glees from their faces runs the risk of being called insane. That is why my polygamous old man back in my rural village is fond of declaring to all and sundry that he may be materially poor but that he is very rich when it comes to counting the number of children he has!
But the joke of it all is in the implementation of the proposal for the simple reason that it is extremely difficult to monitor and evaluate its success. I bet its architects do not have the capacity to install CCTV cameras in every bedroom to check the proximity of couples in the comfort of their bedrooms.
That is why these folks are charging that these scientists have grossly misdirected their efforts, that instead of upping their efforts in searching for a cure of this disease, they advocate a month long abstinence which in their estimation is only effective to couples whose muscular strength and virility has worn down to a thread. In other words they do not see the reason why a soldier who still has a good stock of ammunition should retreat from this combat.
TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA,
http://twitter.com/tomefrancis
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
The latest UN agency study report has classified Luo-Nyanza and North Eastern Provinces as parts of the poorest regions of Kenya.
The same report says Nairobi and Central Province are ranked the richest regions.
The study find that the richest people in Kenya are among the Embu second highest number are found among the Kikuyus.
The Maasais, Turkana and Somalis are the worse off deprived of quality education, health and with poor standard of living compared to other tribes in Kenya.
The result of the study on poverty levels released early this month in London, UK will feature in the 20th anniversary edition of the UNDP’s Human Development Report due out late in October.
The researchers examined issues wide ranging issues like health, education, standard of living and whether people have access to clean water, toilets, clean floors and electricity.
The study ranks Kenya 16th in Africa and 76th worldwide in standard of living with GDP per capita average growth at 2.94 per cent.
With a population currently estimated to be approximately 37 million {Latest censure flopped and never made public in the last two years} the majority of Kenyans live in abject poverty.
Approximately 2.5 million spend less than USD 1.25 a day and another 15 million citizens spend less than 2 dollars a day.
Nairobi, which also houses the administrative and political capital, says the report, has the highest standard of living in Kenya, followed by Central, Eastern Western, Coast, Rift Valley, Nyanza and the North Eastern Province.
When researchers broke the data down along ethnic lines the Embu emerged, as the richest Kenyans ,followed by Kikuyu, Taita/Taveta, Meru, Luhyia, Kamba Kisii, Luos, Kalenjin, Mji Kenda/Swahili,Kuria,Somalis,Maasais and then the Turkanas.
“Among the Embus, the researches found that 20 per cent are poor compared to 96 among the Turkanas.”
“Our measure identifies the most vulnerable household and groups and enables us to understand exactly which de
According to Dr Tiberius Barasa, a researcher consultant in public policy at the African Public Policy Research Institute, the study is able to show that even among the communities ranked as rich, more there are poor families.
“It gives a better picture Dr Alkire said Nairobi and country have the most children in schools, followed by Nyanza, Coast, Eastern, Rift Valley, Western, Central and Nairobi Province.
In the whole of Kenya, only a majority of resident in Eastern, Central, and Nairobi Province have access to clean drinking water that conform to the Millenium Development Goals on the water point in less than 30 minutes away.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
To each, their own was given.
Here is where I applaud Dr Barack Abonyo. Flip to Page 71 – 73 and see our very own Kenyan son make progress in research to discover medication for Asthma.
http://www.research-europe.com/magazine/HEALTHCARE/JUN10/pageflip.html
—
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?)
Dear Sir/Madam,
The Inuit (who are the natives of Canada) have a saying that states that “even if you disagree fiercely with your neighbor, you still have to trust him with the harpoon at the ice edge.” It struck me that the knowledge of this conventional wisdom can help us understand the strength and the beauty that is present in our diversity.
If only we elect to emulate the calmness and civility of the traditional Inuit then we will begin to see the wisdom in not allowing anybody to incite us into dismembering our nationhood after the 4th of August. I say this because many of our politicians have always perfected the “false label trick” often referred to as the Hitlerite technique of sanitizing “the big lie” to create chaos as a means of maintaining the status quo. In order to make the lie look real, they engender fear and animosity, appealing to people`s ethnic identities, fomenting disturbances and filling people`s ears with all sorts of inflammatory speeches to charge them against others.
But I implore all Kenyans of goodwill not to follow such politicians in their wicked ways. We must begin to actively dissociate ourselves from their dangerous cult of opportunism, double-talk and chicanery. We must begin to unequivocally demand that any politician who speaks in pompous double-talk interspersed with negative ethnicity and pure hatred against any section of the Kenyan citizenry in an attempt at urging us to a course whose intent is to break up our nationhood must be incarcerated.
On the 4th of August we shall have an opportunity; clear and shining for our country. I pray that the constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall guide and rule our conduct on this special day. I have no doubt whatsoever that we shall prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement.
It is my firm conviction that we shall never again let ourselves to be willing victims of their cynical indifference and weltering web of confusion that they so desperately try to subject the country to. I have no doubt whatsoever that on the 4th of August we shall step outside our ethnic enclaves so that together we can truly appreciate our nationhood. Kenya shall still have sinews of permanent peace.
Lastly, in borrowing the words of the American poet Wallace Stevens, I pray that we shall step outside our ethnic ways of perceiving reality, so that we can see “the moon and not the image of the moon.”
TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA.
http://twitter.com/tomefrancis
Because I promised to monitor closely the NO Defections which are likely to escalate in the coming week as everyone who has been shouting NO falls over him/herself to join the reforms bus, I hereby bring you more news of how even the clergy are not being left behind in the new wave to ditch Camp NO.
The next week will even be more dramatic, many realise first and foremost that anti reform is not selling with Kenyans and literally all polls point to the fact that Kenyans will not throw away the draft despite anything.
The other interesting thing to note is the effort most clergy are making to amend the tattered faith and their dwindling fortunes with the flock. A very recent poll by Southern Consulting has it that the two Principals, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are more trusted by Kenyans then the clergy. Many Pastors will be ditching the NO stand to remain in the right side of things with their “followers” who now seem to be leading them in the right reforms direction.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000014622&cid=159&story=Draft is the way, 500 Church leaders say
On behalf of all pro reformers in Kenya, I welcome each and every soul who has seen the GREEN light and joined the rest of Kenyans in the true reforms of our country. My bet is, before August 4th, there will only just be a few key perennial anti reformists still in the NO camp, and we definitely know who they are and your guess is as good as mine.
If those ones defected, I would ask both Principals to declare that a National Holiday!!!!!!!!
Otieno Sungu
Still Monitoring the NO Defections!!!!
from Rose Kagwiria
In this forum i read a very sad case of a sudden death of a child and this has made me get some notes to help prevent occurrence of such situation if possible. The question is.What caused the death of this baby? When you read a story, you are not able to ask questions and in any case is it necessary? Yes it is necessary because it can happen to somebody else and we need to know if this can be prevented. i have decided to react on this article because as human beings we have weakness of blaming one another for any bad event which happens to us or our loved ones. Sometimes it may be genuine and other times it may not. When we go to the hospitals we rely on the medical professionals judgment and their decision in the management of the conditions. These people are not God to see everything that is happening in our bodies. They order investigations according to the signs and symptoms which have been presented by a client and what they can see or hear using modern equipments. They cannot do all the investigations for the diseases which he/she is not suspecting according to the signs and symptoms.
The clients should also take responsibility of their own health. If the doctor prescribes medicine especially antibiotics, these drugs don’t show effect at ones. they take several hours or days before the client feels the effect because the drug has to pass thru several stages, before the patient can feel the effect. This may take from 24 hrs to 72 hours or even more depending on the type of germs and how the body is able to handle the drug and move it to the required destination(pharmacokinetics) and how the drug handles the body(pharmacodynamics) if the client is taking the drugs as advised(compliant ) or not. It is always advisable to consult the person who prescribed medication for you for further advice than moving to somebody who cannot compare what he saw initially and what he is seeing currently. The story is long but prevention is better than cure.
I have attached some notes on causes of sudden death in children and how we can prevent it. In addition i have added notes on signs and symptoms of meningitis and pneumonia in children. Its upon you to make judgment after reading the attached article.
Rose
+254722672157 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +254722672157 end_of_the_skype_highlighting