— On Mon, 9/8/08, George Nyongesa wrote:

Moi should repent for inhumanities Kenyans suffered under his rule!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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With the benefit of hind sight, I can now effectively respond to the article by George Nyongesa on President [Rtd] Moi.

In so responding, I want to play the devils advocate and praise Moi for having led Kenya in those 24 good old days. George says that Moi ran down our economy, I beg to differ. Under Moi, people had money. The social places were active and Kenyans were alot more friendly because they could spend.

In the 24 years that Mzee Moi was President in Kenya, he kept the prices of all, yes, all essential commodities at affordable prices. Not once did even Bunge La Mwananchi members have any reason to demonstrate on account of high and unaffordable prices of food items.

Between 1978 and 2002 when we ejected Mzee and replaced him with the current one, the price of Unga went up by only Ksh 22.00. In 1978, Unga was selling at Kshs 2.40, while in 2002 as Mzee was leaving office, Unga was retailing at Kshs 25.00.

Compare that to what Unga is retailing at now; Kshs 85.00, a price that made George and other colleagues demonstrate on account of high food prices. If I were to be asked who between the two I would vote for now, readily, most people, I included, would vote overwhelmingly for Mzee Moi.

If Moi could manage to maintain such prices of basic items at that low price, what do you have to say of his economic management? Who between him abd Kibaki has brought down the economy of the country down?

If in 24 years, the prices of essential items increased at less than a shilling per year under Mzee Moi, then what do you say of astronomical increases of basic items under our current economic genius? I bet Kibaki has got it all wrong on the economic front. Or is it just strategic?

George talks about tribalism. I bet in 1975 he might not have been around to see what tribalism was. All spheres of the Kenyan body politics and state corporations were headed by mandarins from the same region. But when Mzee Moi came to the scene in 1978, he came up with regional balancing. He made all his appointments based on regional balance. His regional balance in most cases did not come in with corresponding merit. But all the same, most regions were well represented in his administration.

Then Kibaki came in in 2002, and immediately took Kenya back to the pre-Moi times. Public service became the immediate preserve of the chosen few from the one tribe. I really doubt if George is able to see what goes on now, even under the presumed Government of National Unity.

On the corruption front, Mzee Moi fared on modestly. The kind of scums Kenya witnessed under Moi in 24 years are child play compared to what we have gone through as a country under Mzee Kibaki. Kenya is yet to come to full terms with the truth behind Anglo Leasing.

As we marvel at this, the current ongoings at Central Bank of Kenya are such massive issues that Mwatela had to be removed. If there is one administration that know how to play Public Relations as it loots the countries coffers, then this is it.

The country has been such massively looted that the cost of leaving has become unbearable. When you think about the children who are exposed to this kind of life, you shudder with rage at how they will cope up.

The Kibaki adminstration is making Kenyans to resort to crime for survival. The Kibaki adminstration does not care at all about the plight of the ordinary mwananchi. Our children are growing staring at crime and prostitution as the best option in life.

Look at the level of phornography that the country has seen under Mzee Kibaki. We have to be truthful. Life is absolutely bad under Mzee Kibaki. Our kids are such exposed to bad ways that in their role models, they see thieves, pimps and charlatans; people who thrive in disobeying the law, and nothing happens to them. They are instead lofted to higher office.

Is this the kind of society we want for our children? A society where role models are lacking? A society where thieves thrive in their ways? A society where the high and the mighty are a law unto themselves? A society where the police engage in blatant crime? A society where justice is denied to the deserving?

No.

Come to the prices of fuel. What did Moi get right for all those 24 years that Kibaki has failed on completely. When Mzee Moi left the scene, super was retailing at Kshs 38.00. 6 years down the line, the same super is retailing at Kshs 108.00.

I cannot, with the benefit of this history, blame Moi on the economy, tribalism and corruption. He was by far the better manager.

Kenyans have been killed in circumstances that defy logic. Pio Pinto, TJ Mboya, JM Kariuki, Bruce McKenzie, Kitili Mwendwa and others under Mzee Kenyatta. Then more Kenyans were killed; Robert Ouko, Horrace Ongili, and others under Mzee Moi. And yet more Kenyans have been killed; Odhiambo Mbai, Mugabe Were, David Too and others under Mzee Kibaki.

Between the three of them, who is a saint. Kenyatta has his fair share of explanations to do. So does Moi and Kibaki.

In the final day of judgement, God the Almighty will ask them; I gave you my sheep to shepherd, and on sunset, this number were missing under your watch. Can you account?

Repenting for some of these things is another thing. We have Bishops who have left the ways of God, yet every Sunday, they are the first ones in church.

What would you say about John Cardinal Njue who is running down the once vibrant and respected Catholic Church?

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

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Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:44:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: In defense of Mzee Moi

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— On Wed, 9/17/08, Paul Nyandoto wrote:

From: Paul Nyandoto
Subject: Vs: In defense of Mzee Moi
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 10:51 AM

There are 4 things an effective leader should always avoid, conjecture, bias, inflexibility, and conceit. Kenyatta WAS a crook, dishonest, he used his position of power for his own personal advantage. Kibaki IS a thief and a crook too, kibaki and his guys are the people who bought Grand regency hotel. The Libyians are just a cover up. History is the best teacher and as per today the best president Kenya have had is Hon. Daniel Arap Moi. With the little education this Nilotic Kalenjin man had, he still knew what democracy really is. Mr. Moi gave Kenyans the freedom of choosing their own president, infact what Moi did in the year 2002 when KANU lost election will be remembered for alot of years and a lot of generations to come. Just imagine if Mr. Moi would have done what Kibaki did in 2007 election or what MUGABE did in Zimbabwe how many zeroos numbers would have been added on Kenyan shillings by now?.

The economy picked up during Kibak`s time in 2003 at first because of the international community investments after 2002 election results and good tranfer of power peacefully. But once the international community saw that it was just the thieves who have got the power, then you can see what happened. I do not have to tell you what happened, because Mr. Odhiambo have already mentioned almost all the important things below. Ladies and gentlemen, Kenyan economy is heading nowhere. The blind people will not see it, but anybody with open mind and looking ahead will know what I am talking about. The inflation in Kenya is very high and the constant thieves in Kibaki`s backyard will not allow any ordinary Kenyans to have money in their pockets or even to feed their children well. IT IS JUST SURVIVAL IN KENYA TODAY, NOTHING ELSE. Just look at even how secondary school boys and girls have already detected that things are not going on well in the country. And all saw their reactions. Why didn`t they react during Mr. Moi`s time?.

We still miss Mr. Daniel Arap Moi, this Kibaki tosha and Kibaki again, and the coalition Kibaki are just a DISFUNTIONAL MESS.

Paul Nyandoto

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>>> orina Nyamwamu 17.09.08 21:41
>>>
Where do people like Paul Nyandoto live on this planet. How come I never meet some of these guys live live so that I can drain the madness in them and make them sober again. Paul Your display of utter lack of command of the subject you embarked on is shockiing. What are you telling us, you are standing there telling Kenyans that “With the little education this Nilotic Kalenjin man had, he still knew what democracy really is ( Nyandoto you are saying that Moi knew what Democracy was? My God what has become of the English language and democratic theory?) . “Mr.Moi gave Kenyans the freedom of choosing their own president, infact ( what are you talking about, are you insane or you are high on drugs?) “what Moi did in the year 2002 when KANU lost election will be remembered for a lot of years and a lot of generations to come” ( why will it be remembered? Come ON tell me what are the options Moi had!)

“There are 4 things an effective leader should always avoid, conjecture, bias, inflexibility, and conceit”. This is unbelievable! What is this Paul you are writing for us to read do you think we are idiots or what now?.

Why should a leader avoid? A leader should be distinguished by;
1. His/Her Clarity of the group s/he leads and clarity about the challenges of leading, the handling of the issues that leadership must deal with.
2. His/ Her Conviction to stand for the right and punish the wrong or bad; stand for justice and fight vices and evil.
3. Courage to do and serve without fear
4. Compassion to feel for the poor and the weak
5. Committment to the principles and values of public office
6. Change agent

These are the 6Cs of leadership. And check out, that is why Obama is the Presidential Candidate the Democratic Party. These are the issues that are being assessed when Americans are rallying behind Obama or the other one.

On these 6Cs, Kenyatta, Kibaki, and Moi are a disastrous show. They were and are still known for malice, avarice, vice, lies, deceit, vengeance, hate, saddism. that list continues. That is Why I campaigned for Raila Odinga last year and voted for him. And I believe he was barred from being the president because a coup was staged by the PNU team. I thought that on teh balance of things, He (Raila) faired much better on these six (6) Cs better than Kenyatta, Moi and Moi-Kibaki. Why did you support Raila Paul Nyandoto? Is it because he avoids “conjecture, bias, inflexibility, and conceit”?

SO Paul why can’t you and Odhiambo Oketch just stand up and shout loud “I HATE KIKUYUS, I HATE KIKUYUS”!!! AND MAKE THE STORY SHORT! INSTEAD OF USING FORUMS TO SPEW GARBAGE AND INNUENDO AND CALL IT ARGUMENTATION OR REASONING?

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ORINA NYAMWAMU

MOI HAD THE SAME OPTION MUGABE HAD BUT DID NOT DO WHAT MUGABE DID, INFACT MOI GAVE A GOAT LIKE KIBAKI TO TAKE POWER AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS GOAT HAS MADE US TO ARGUE AND HATE EACH OTHER TODAY, LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. IS IT NOT A LANGUAGE OF HATE OR YOU THINK IT IS FRIENDSHIP?.: LOOK AT ZIMBABWE TODAY AND LOOK AT MUGABE . DO YOU THINK MOI WOULDN´T HAVE DONE THAT IN 2002 GIVEN THAT BY THEN KENYAN ARMY WAS MADE OF ALMOST 60-70% KALENJINS? WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?.. RUN WITH A PANGA OR THROW STONES?.

Paul Nyandoto

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Folks,

What of this Orina, who the hell is he to cause a stir and a threat on Nyandoto and Odhiambo at this forum debate?

Nyamwamu, if you have nothing to say or if you have no guts to debate coil your tail cos’ no one needs it in this forum. You have not been forced to speak keep your anger to yourself or better still keep off this forum. Who do you think you are to threaten anyone? What man do you think you are that no other man can challenge you to a fist cups. If you are more of a man you just dont call a truce on Kenyan ground – but who cares even it is on Kenyan ground what would you do, use a gun?

You have used them before on our beloved sons and daughters and our blood has been spilt before we have been calm does not mean we are stupid – but this time round, we will bring Kenya to its feet again. No one will stop us, not you not anyone. We will soon meet with the likes of you squarely. We’ve been quite for too long and never again this time. We will scoop and lift you up with your ears and your gun will do nothing.

Keep your cool man……. debate if you can or shut up!!!!!!!!

Judy Miriga
USA

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Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:24:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Re: Vs: Re: Vs: In defense of Mzee Moi

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Migosi Orina,

From the blues, you drop my name into your piece. I do not mind that.

I took my time to respond to the piece by George, because I wanted to know what people think.

In this case also, I want to absorb the input from Kenyans and friends of Kenya.

I talked with George last night and he even congratulated me on the facts. Just like you are, George is a friend too. Let us have a friendly debate, managed by points and facts.

If you have any facts, just table the same. Time has come for Kenyans to be truthful with ourselves. In so being truthful, let us not hate each other, or fight each other.

The Good books says that stick with the truth and it shall set you free.

I must congratulate George for being candid and honest with me last night.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi

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Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:51:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Vs: In defense of Mzee Moi