From: Judy Miriga
Good People,
It is truly refreshing to hear different approach of communication coming from Leaders giving directives of things that must be seen to be done in public service delivery, away from daily politics that have stalled people into economic failures with serious fatigue of hopelessness.
African Nations request also is well put.I think this is a positive way to look at things needed to save bad precedence that would affect taxpayer adversely with capital flights.This approach will save Kenya big sums of money.Ideally, God will be seen to have intervened for Kenya and most definitely, things will work for good and the truth shall be known only when Kenyans stay positive in exposing the real enemy of the people by speaking the truth.
With what I see, I am positive that after navigating through teething discomforts, there shall be light and good prospects will soon get on the right perspectives for Kenya.
If Government system would engage on serious public service delivery and focus on Security, Job creation Opportunities with Economic reform; this shall be the beginning for peace and stability, social welfare and economic recovery where crucial areas of concern are prioritized and Government Leadership begin to engage on more sustainable factors, planting seed for better life moving forward.
What we can read is that, it looks like Ruto is aware that the idea to improve people’s lives through service deliver is already there and the Government workers are not doing enough to get things going.What is left is Public Service Commission who must engage to put the plan into practical action to reality by engaging Right Thinking public facilitators to get involved on the ground with the local community doing positive projects for the community moving forward.
I am impressed of this positive thinking, and I hope things will be made available to the people in due course on the road to improve their lives away from engaging in cheap politics that are of no substance with no value to the people’s daily needs. Indication to get started is better than people getting stuck in the mad cheap politics with no hope of any progressive development agenda that benefit people socially and economically.
If GG Kariuki still look this strong, I trust, Kenya is Blessed with good water and soil that add life to old age and Kenyans must stand their ground to fight evils that push Kenya backwards.
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
DP William Ruto urges Principal Secretaries to develop solid strategies
In Summary
– Mr Ruto warns the principal secretaries against setting unrealistic targets that could compromise service delivery.
– Principal Secretaries should work closely with Cabinet Secretaries to speed up service delivery in their ministries.
Deputy President William Ruto has told Principal Secretaries to develop specific and realistic plans for their ministries.
Mr Ruto told the PSs that their ministry strategies must be achievable within a reasonable period.
Speaking when he presided over the first roundtable meeting of Principal Secretaries in his office Thursday, Mr Ruto warned the principal secretaries against setting unrealistic targets that could compromise service delivery.
“You must be realistic in setting your targets. And you must have a clear plan otherwise you will fail in your work,” Mr Ruto said.
“You must realise that public expectations are high and as a government we cannot afford to let the people down.”
The Deputy President met the PSs hours after he returned to the country from The Hague.
Mr Ruto attended his trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for two days. The court adjourned after the prosecution indicated it would put to the stand the first witness on Tuesday.
EMBRACE KEY VALUES
On Thursday, Mr Ruto restated the government’s commitment to transform the country and challenged the secretaries to embrace the key values and principles of public service.
He urged the Principal Secretaries to work closely with Cabinet Secretaries to speed up service delivery in their ministries.
“You are lucky you have Cabinet Secretaries who are not Members of Parliament. They now have all the time to work in the ministries without worrying about constituencies,” said Mr Ruto.
He asked the officials to be “innovative, prudent and resourceful” in the new dispensation to enable the Jubilee government fulfil promises made to Kenyans.
Mr Ruto told the PSs to ensure quality services and efficiency in their respective ministries and avoid rhetoric.
“There is no need to do a lot of seminars which are not followed by implementation of projects,” he said.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
African nations press William Ruto’s case at the ICC
PHTO| DPPS Deputy President William Ruto chats with Senators Kindiki Kithure (right) and GG Kariuki at JKIA in Nairobi on arrival from The Hague, The Netherlands, on Sept 13, 2013. The DP returned to the country after the ICC adjourned the hearings following a witness hitch.
In Summary
– On Monday, Tanzania’s Attorney General Fredrick Mwita said exempting the Deputy President from some of the hearings would enhance cooperation between the court and state parties.
By DAVE OPIYOMore by this Author
Five African countries have written to the International Criminal Court to exempt Deputy President William Ruto from attending all hearings of his case in The Hague.
Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea want the court to allow Mr Ruto room to execute his constitutional duties. They also want to contest the interpretation of Article 63 of the Rome Statute, which disposes that ‘the accused shall be present during the trial.’
“The court has so far received requests from five African countries asking for leave to submit amicus curiae filings…the filings, if authorised, will present their views on the correct interpretation of the Rome Statute article 63,” the court’s spokesman, Mr Fadi El Abdallah, said Thursday.
The hearing of cases facing Mr Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang started on Tuesday, but was adjourned on Wednesday until next Tuesday after ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said her witnesses were not ready.
Mr Sang and Mr Ruto face charges of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution over the 2007/8 post-election violence that left 1,133 people dead and displaced 650,000 others.
SUSPENDED RULING
The applications follow Ms Bensouda’s appeal against the Trial Chamber V(a) decision granting Mr Ruto leave to be away during the trial — except for specified hearings. The prosecutor argued that justice for the victims required the accused to be present in court throughout the trial.
The court then suspended the ruling pending the appeal.
“For the time being, Mr Ruto is requested to be present at all the hearings in his trial before Trial Chamber V (a), pending a final determination of the Appeals Chamber on the appeal against the excusal decision,” Mr Abdallah said.
Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania want the ICC to strike a balance between its jurisdiction and the responsibilities of those who occupy high office.
Rwanda, which is yet to ratify the Rome Statute, argued that its submissions will help the ICC clarify how people who hold high office will be treated while facing trial.
The country’s Attorney General and Justice Minister Johnston Busingye said granting Mr Ruto his request would bolster the effectiveness of the court “by demonstrating that the court’s framework can accommodate a flexible and pragmatic approach…in proceedings by those occupying high office within the court.”
On Monday, Tanzania’s Attorney General Fredrick Mwita said exempting the Deputy President from some of the hearings would enhance cooperation between the court and state parties.
Meanwhile, the witness who forced the court to adjourn was expected in The Hague yesterday. On Tuesday, Mr Ruto’s lawyer Karim Khan challenged the prosecution to drop the charges for lack of evidence.
The same line was taken by lawyer Katwa Kigen for Mr Sang, who argued that there were major gaps in the prosecution case.
President Kenyatta’s case is expected to start on November 13.
The charges against three other suspects — former head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former Commissioner of Police Major-General Hussein Ali and former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey — were dropped for lack of evidence last year.
REQUESTING A REFERRAL
Last evening government officials conversant with an initiative by African countries to put pressure on ICC over the Kenya cases said the African Union had written to the President of ICC, Judge Sang-Hyung Song, on the matter.
The letter alerts the ICC President on the decision of the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of AU requesting for a referral of the Kenya cases.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
Deputy President William Ruto jets back from The Hague
In Summary
– Ruto left the country on Monday to attend his trial at the International Criminal Court
– The case resumes on Tuesday next week
By DAVE OPIYOMore by this Author
Deputy President William Ruto jetted back into the country on Thursday morning from The Hague, Netherlands where he attended his trial before the International Criminal Court.
Ruto arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 6am and was accompanied by his wife Rachel.
He left the country on Monday to attend the trial against him and radio presenter Joshua Sang but the case was adjourned Wednesday because the prosecution could not get her first witness in time.
Ruto was received at JKIA by Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi, Centre for Multiparty Democracy chairman Omingo Magara, Senators Kipchumba Murkomen and Linet Kemunto among other leaders.
Seeking adjournment in the case, Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the unidentified witness was travelling from an undisclosed location elsewhere in Europe and was expected to arrive at The Hague on Thursday.
The adjournment on just the second day of the highly-anticipated trial came at the end of a hard-hitting opening statement from Mr Sang’s lawyer Katwa Kigen, who adopted Mr Ruto’s stance in calling on the prosecution to abandon the case early for lack of evidence.
Picking up from where Mr Ruto’s lawyer Karim Khan had concluded the previous day, Mr Kigen dwelt in detail on what he charged were major gaps in the prosecution case for which the only remedy was withdrawal of the charges before any more time was wasted.
Monday is a public holiday in the Netherlands so the court will reconvene next Tuesday.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
President Kenyatta, Ruto to continue ICC cooperation- spokesman
In Summary
– President deeply saddened by the whole ICC episode considering that promotion of national cohesion and unity has been at the heart of his approach to politics.
President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto will continue cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu has said.
However, Mr Esipisu said the cooperation must be within the context of the country’s Constitutional requirements.
In his inaugural media briefing Thursday at State House, Mr Esipisu said the President watched the opening arguments by ICC Prosecutor and defence lawyers with a lot of interest.
“In the past few days, many of you have sent me messages concerning matters in The Hague. But you will understand that this is a matter about which I can say little to nothing. I can certainly tell you that it was a distressful day for the President,” said Mr Esipisu.
DEEPLY SADDENED
He said the President was deeply saddened by the whole ICC episode considering that promotion of national cohesion and unity has been at the heart of his approach to politics.
On both Houses of Parliament voting for Kenya to opt out of the Rome Statute, Mr Esipisu pointed out that the government will remain sensitive to voices of the people as articulated by their elected representatives.
The President and his government have yet to apply themselves to that question, he said.
Mr Esipisu briefed the media on a wide range of issues including Agriculture, Infrastructure, Devolution, IDPs, Uwezo Fund, parastatal reforms, Energy, Kenya @50 and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
He said the President remained committed to the broad agenda of delivering economic growth to improve on the welfare of Kenyans.
On infrastructure, Mr Esipisu said the Port of Mombasa has now been included among the world’s top 120 performers, alongside only 5 others in Africa including Morocco, Egypt and South Africa adding that this is good progress.
RIGHT DIRECTION
He said the country was headed in the right direction as new Berths, 20 to 23, are now under construction and will further increase capacity at the Port.
Mr Esipisu said turnaround time for trucks along the Mombasa – Malaba road has reduced from 13 days to 4.8 days.
He said the transit cargo dwell time for Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi has also significantly reduced from about 10 days to 6 currently.
To hasten movement of goods and services in the region, Mr Esipisu said work on the Standard Gauge Rail is due to start in two months’ time.
Mr Esipisu also said unscrupulous traders have randomly raised prices based on the VAT Act on goods exempted from the law and asked them to stop the practice which amounts to stealing from innocent citizens.
Some of the exempted goods include unprocessed and processed food, medicine, sanitary pads, fertilisers and some selected seeds, he said.