The Government is overwhelmed by the large number of job seekers, President Kibaki has said.
The President admits there are no jobs to be created! Where does that leave the youth????
The Head of State said a fresh approach to address the plight of jobless youth was necessary to cope with the high demand for jobs.
He said the high number of young people who were unemployed undermined their wellbeing.
"It results in dependency and a vicious cycle of poverty, social ills and lack of dignity and self esteem among the youth’ said Kibaki.
He added: "In addition to this, lack of employment among the youth is a significant opportunity cost which impacts negatively on the socio-economic development of our country."
The President lamented amid concerns by the youth that they were not being absorbed in the job market. Their hopelessness was further compounded by the Government’s decision to extend the retirement age of civil servants from 55 to 60, a move that has been criticized by the youth.
Main challenge
Kibaki said the Government’s main challenge is how to ensure the large number of jobseekers was engaged productively.
"We need to improve their personal well-being as well as enable our youth to contribute to national development," he said.
The President spoke yesterday at Safari park Hotel at the launch of the Youth Employment and Employment Initiative summit.
Others who addressed the summit were Youth Minister Hellen Sambili, Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu, US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Rannerberger and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi.
The US envoy said Kenya would only achieve Vision 2030 if it invested heavily in the education of the youth.
President Kibaki challenged the participants to identify barriers to youth employment and seek ways to empower the youth. "Think creatively about solutions to the barriers our youth face in getting employed," he said.
The President disclosed the youth aged between 15 and 30 were about 14m and accounted for more than 36 per cent of the Kenyan population.
Kibaki said 500,000 youth graduate from institutions of learning annually and of the number, 92 per cent have informal education but no vocational skills training.
He said 750,000 youth are added to the job market annually.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
MPs upbeat over draft law debate
Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution chair Abdikadir Mohamed address media at a past function. Kenyans moved closer to getting a new constitution on Tuesday when the revised draft constitution was tabled in Parliament.
Kenyans moved closer to getting a new constitution on Tuesday when the revised draft constitution was tabled in Parliament.
The enthusiasm with which MPs greeted the document when it was presented by the chairman of the Select Committee on Constitution Review, Mr Mohammed Abdikadir , pointed to a House united in the resolve to break the 30-year stalemate over the enactment of a new constitution.
There was excitement in the Old Chambers where the MPs are now sitting to give way to renovations of the main chamber as they awaited the brief presentation by Mr Mohammed. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were also in parliament and left after the presentation.
Debate, which will take 30 days, is expected to kick off next week. The House started debating the President’s speech on Tuesday and this will take four sitting days.
House Speaker Kenneth Marende set the tone when he challenged legislators to seize the moment and approach debate with sobriety and patriotism to ensure that the House output reflected the aspirations of Kenyans.
”The 10th Parliament has been bestowed with a rare opportunity that is the preserve of a select few mortals to go to the annals of history as the Parliament which finally delivered a new Constitution for our country,” said Mr Marende.
He asked MPs to read the document and understand it so that they can debate from an informed position.
Consequently, Parliament has organised a three-day retreat where MPs will be taken through the entire document, ahead of the debate. The meeting, whose venue will be announced later, will be held between March 12 and 14.
Should the House approve the draft constitution without amendments, it will be submitted to the Attorney General for publication.
If they propose amendments, the AG will present the recommendations to the Committee of Experts within seven days for consultation and redrafting.
Kenyans moved closer to getting a new constitution on Tuesday when the revised draft constitution was tabled in Parliament.
The enthusiasm with which MPs greeted the document when it was presented by the chairman of the Select Committee on Constitution Review, Mr Mohammed Abdikadir , pointed to a House united in the resolve to break the 30-year stalemate over the enactment of a new constitution.
There was excitement in the Old Chambers where the MPs are now sitting to give way to renovations of the main chamber as they awaited the brief presentation by Mr Mohammed. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were also in parliament and left after the presentation.
Debate, which will take 30 days, is expected to kick off next week. The House started debating the President’s speech on Tuesday and this will take four sitting days.
House Speaker Kenneth Marende set the tone when he challenged legislators to seize the moment and approach debate with sobriety and patriotism to ensure that the House output reflected the aspirations of Kenyans.
”The 10th Parliament has been bestowed with a rare opportunity that is the preserve of a select few mortals to go to the annals of history as the Parliament which finally delivered a new Constitution for our country,” said Mr Marende.
He asked MPs to read the document and understand it so that they can debate from an informed position.
Consequently, Parliament has organised a three-day retreat where MPs will be taken through the entire document, ahead of the debate. The meeting, whose venue will be announced later, will be held between March 12 and 14.
Should the House approve the draft constitution without amendments, it will be submitted to the Attorney General for publication.
If they propose amendments, the AG will present the recommendations to the Committee of Experts within seven days for consultation and redrafting.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Parliament Opening: Will Critical Issues be Thrown Aside?
Standard Media 23rd Feb. 2010.
The Tenth Parliament reconvenes today for its fourth session that is expected to be a test for the coalition government whose leadership has been squabbling right from the top.
Rifts between the coalition partners are expected to spill into the House where President Kibaki’s party, PNU, which feels rejuvenated by the internal wrangling in ODM, wants to take the battle to its coalition partner.
ODM has a majority of members but will this afternoon be entering the House facing a serious unity crisis.
Sour relations that have been simmering behind the scenes between Prime minister Raila Odinga and his deputy William Ruto burst into the open when the PM said he had suspended the Agriculture minister over the maize scandal. President Kibaki overruled the suspension and also termed the PM’s action illegal.
Allies of Mr Ruto have given indication that they may align themselves with PNU inside the House, portending a weaker hand for ODM.
The numerical strength of each side is also expected to play a crucial role in the fate of the coalition Government since the voting patterns in Parliament could determine whether the it remains intact until 2012.
The shifting of allegiances of MPs aligned to both parties in recent times have given rise to fears that it might end up undermining the power-sharing deal and ultimately render the coalition Government ineffective.
A decision by a section of ODM MP to back a PNU motion that seeks to have the President appoint Leader of Government Business could be a litmus test for the coalition.
House Speaker Kenneth Marende has been acting Leader of Governemtn Business after a dispute arose over who, between the PM and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, should assume the position.
The PM had said he had appointed himself to the position, clashing with PNU since Kibaki had written to Parliament saying the Vice-President would play the role.
ODM MPs are 111 against PNU’s 108. Both parties lost an MP through the nullification of election of Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere (PNU) and South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara (ODM).
The only officially recognised opposition MP Cyrus Jirongo (Kaddu-Asili) usually aligns himself with PNU during voting sessions.
However, these party numbers only hold true on paper.
Alignments have taken place in recent times, with many MPs switching allegiances without defecting.
In the expected tussle over who should lead Government business, ODM could fair poorly if measures are not taken to stem the rebellion by Ruto and his allies.
Ceased to exist
Out of the 28 MPs from Ruto’s backyard, at least 20 are believed to be his close allies. The most vocal of them, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny, has vowed to back PNU Motions.
Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara warns that if the new alliances would last, then the coalition Government "would have effectively ceased to exist and it would be important to go for fresh elections".
But ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo is optimistic the party would ride out the storm safely. He added: "Don’t be fooled, ODM still has the numbers to beat them hands down."
Mr Midiwo’s confidence is borne out of PNU’s own internal squabbles.
A section of the party’s MPs are said to be leaning towards Raila’s side, including some Narc-Kenya MPs.
"At the end of the day, we shall command an overwhelming majority against them. But I hope an opportunity presents itself for us to demonstrate our superiority," Midiwo said.
He says part of ODM’s confidence stems from the fact they have the numbers within the Standing Orders Committee, which is charged with making periodic reviews of Standing Orders, to quash the motion on chairman of House Business Committee.
PNU Chief Whip George Thuo played down the impact of the shifting alliances on the Government as well as his party’s motion. "We shall have to vote on the issue (motion) soon, but it is too early to talk of numbers now," he said.
But Kuttuny is confident the motion would sail through, saying they would even marshal a two-third majority if needed. On the impact of it on his party and the coalition, he said: "Raila brought it upon himself."
Imanyara says he would oppose the motion because it is targeted at individuals. "The point of it is to embarrass Raila. And laws made to spite others are always bad laws," he said.
However Prof Macharia Munene, a lecturer of Political Science at the United States International University reckons that the shifts are about the political survival of individuals and would not breed in to a major crisis.
"These are simply politicians trying to salvage political careers. I don’t think they even have the support of their constituents. I don’t see these alliances lasting for long," he said.
In absence of official opposition, the squabbles have provided a self-check mechanism that has been effective until now.
Kacc directors
But if the pro-Ruto MPs permanently switch their allegiances, then the power balance will shift in PNU’s favour.
However, it is important to note that MPs in the Tenth Parliament have not always voted on party lines at certain times and, therefore, it cannot be said with certainty what direction they would vote.
The House is today expected to discuss plans to approve officials for the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). The names of Dr Patrick Lumumba as KACC director and his two assistants Pravin Bowry and Jane Onsongo will be tabled for approval this afternoon.
The Tenth Parliament reconvenes today for its fourth session that is expected to be a test for the coalition government whose leadership has been squabbling right from the top.
Rifts between the coalition partners are expected to spill into the House where President Kibaki’s party, PNU, which feels rejuvenated by the internal wrangling in ODM, wants to take the battle to its coalition partner.
ODM has a majority of members but will this afternoon be entering the House facing a serious unity crisis.
Sour relations that have been simmering behind the scenes between Prime minister Raila Odinga and his deputy William Ruto burst into the open when the PM said he had suspended the Agriculture minister over the maize scandal. President Kibaki overruled the suspension and also termed the PM’s action illegal.
Allies of Mr Ruto have given indication that they may align themselves with PNU inside the House, portending a weaker hand for ODM.
The numerical strength of each side is also expected to play a crucial role in the fate of the coalition Government since the voting patterns in Parliament could determine whether the it remains intact until 2012.
The shifting of allegiances of MPs aligned to both parties in recent times have given rise to fears that it might end up undermining the power-sharing deal and ultimately render the coalition Government ineffective.
A decision by a section of ODM MP to back a PNU motion that seeks to have the President appoint Leader of Government Business could be a litmus test for the coalition.
House Speaker Kenneth Marende has been acting Leader of Governemtn Business after a dispute arose over who, between the PM and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, should assume the position.
The PM had said he had appointed himself to the position, clashing with PNU since Kibaki had written to Parliament saying the Vice-President would play the role.
ODM MPs are 111 against PNU’s 108. Both parties lost an MP through the nullification of election of Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere (PNU) and South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara (ODM).
The only officially recognised opposition MP Cyrus Jirongo (Kaddu-Asili) usually aligns himself with PNU during voting sessions.
However, these party numbers only hold true on paper.
Alignments have taken place in recent times, with many MPs switching allegiances without defecting.
In the expected tussle over who should lead Government business, ODM could fair poorly if measures are not taken to stem the rebellion by Ruto and his allies.
Ceased to exist
Out of the 28 MPs from Ruto’s backyard, at least 20 are believed to be his close allies. The most vocal of them, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny, has vowed to back PNU Motions.
Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara warns that if the new alliances would last, then the coalition Government "would have effectively ceased to exist and it would be important to go for fresh elections".
But ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo is optimistic the party would ride out the storm safely. He added: "Don’t be fooled, ODM still has the numbers to beat them hands down."
Mr Midiwo’s confidence is borne out of PNU’s own internal squabbles.
A section of the party’s MPs are said to be leaning towards Raila’s side, including some Narc-Kenya MPs.
"At the end of the day, we shall command an overwhelming majority against them. But I hope an opportunity presents itself for us to demonstrate our superiority," Midiwo said.
He says part of ODM’s confidence stems from the fact they have the numbers within the Standing Orders Committee, which is charged with making periodic reviews of Standing Orders, to quash the motion on chairman of House Business Committee.
PNU Chief Whip George Thuo played down the impact of the shifting alliances on the Government as well as his party’s motion. "We shall have to vote on the issue (motion) soon, but it is too early to talk of numbers now," he said.
But Kuttuny is confident the motion would sail through, saying they would even marshal a two-third majority if needed. On the impact of it on his party and the coalition, he said: "Raila brought it upon himself."
Imanyara says he would oppose the motion because it is targeted at individuals. "The point of it is to embarrass Raila. And laws made to spite others are always bad laws," he said.
However Prof Macharia Munene, a lecturer of Political Science at the United States International University reckons that the shifts are about the political survival of individuals and would not breed in to a major crisis.
"These are simply politicians trying to salvage political careers. I don’t think they even have the support of their constituents. I don’t see these alliances lasting for long," he said.
In absence of official opposition, the squabbles have provided a self-check mechanism that has been effective until now.
Kacc directors
But if the pro-Ruto MPs permanently switch their allegiances, then the power balance will shift in PNU’s favour.
However, it is important to note that MPs in the Tenth Parliament have not always voted on party lines at certain times and, therefore, it cannot be said with certainty what direction they would vote.
The House is today expected to discuss plans to approve officials for the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). The names of Dr Patrick Lumumba as KACC director and his two assistants Pravin Bowry and Jane Onsongo will be tabled for approval this afternoon.
Our MPs are Back, Rifts Loom Large.
Nation Media 23rd Feb.2010
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga meet in public on Tuesday for the first time since their spat over the suspension of two Cabinet ministers two Sundays ago.
The two will come face to face as the President presides over the State opening of the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament in the afternoon.
Mr Odinga, who is also the MP for Lang’ata, is expected to attend.
Swiftly overturned
Mr Odinga announced the suspension of Education minister Sam Ongeri and Agriculture minister William Ruto over corruption allegations, but the move was swiftly overturned by the President, sparking the standoff.
The Prime Minister reacted by declaring a dispute in the Grand Coalition Government and invited the chief mediator in the Kenya post-election crisis, Mr Kofi Annan, to intervene.
His ODM party also announced that it would boycott Cabinet meetings until the matter was resolved.
Mr Ruto is a deputy party leader in ODM and Prof Ongeri is allied to PNU.
On Monday, Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto met for the first time since the suspension was reversed by President Kibaki.
It was at a meeting of ODM Cabinet ministers that was held at the Treasury to review the agenda of the year.
Although the details of the meeting were unclear, sources said it was meant to cement relations ahead of Tuesday’s opening of Parliament and address various issues that have threatened to tear apart the party, which opinion polls rate as most popular in the country.
Last Wednesday the President and the Prime minister talked by telephone and agreed to meet once the latter returned from an official visit to Japan, but there have been disagreements since, on when the meeting should be convened.
On Tuesday in Parliament the President will deliver a regular policy statement which MPs will debate for four days.
The 220 MPs reconvene to a busy agenda, with the most onerous task being the constitutional review.
The House will be minus two MPs — Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango) and Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Matuga) — whose elections were nullified by the courts.
The experts who have been refining the revised draft are scheduled to return it to the Parliamentary Select Committee for tabling before the House for seven days of debate.
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga meet in public on Tuesday for the first time since their spat over the suspension of two Cabinet ministers two Sundays ago.
The two will come face to face as the President presides over the State opening of the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament in the afternoon.
Mr Odinga, who is also the MP for Lang’ata, is expected to attend.
Swiftly overturned
Mr Odinga announced the suspension of Education minister Sam Ongeri and Agriculture minister William Ruto over corruption allegations, but the move was swiftly overturned by the President, sparking the standoff.
The Prime Minister reacted by declaring a dispute in the Grand Coalition Government and invited the chief mediator in the Kenya post-election crisis, Mr Kofi Annan, to intervene.
His ODM party also announced that it would boycott Cabinet meetings until the matter was resolved.
Mr Ruto is a deputy party leader in ODM and Prof Ongeri is allied to PNU.
On Monday, Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto met for the first time since the suspension was reversed by President Kibaki.
It was at a meeting of ODM Cabinet ministers that was held at the Treasury to review the agenda of the year.
Although the details of the meeting were unclear, sources said it was meant to cement relations ahead of Tuesday’s opening of Parliament and address various issues that have threatened to tear apart the party, which opinion polls rate as most popular in the country.
Last Wednesday the President and the Prime minister talked by telephone and agreed to meet once the latter returned from an official visit to Japan, but there have been disagreements since, on when the meeting should be convened.
On Tuesday in Parliament the President will deliver a regular policy statement which MPs will debate for four days.
The 220 MPs reconvene to a busy agenda, with the most onerous task being the constitutional review.
The House will be minus two MPs — Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango) and Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Matuga) — whose elections were nullified by the courts.
The experts who have been refining the revised draft are scheduled to return it to the Parliamentary Select Committee for tabling before the House for seven days of debate.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Raila: Tactful or reckless populist?
Standard Media 17th 02, 2010.
If anyone ever thought that Prime Minister Raila Odinga was tactless, then he proved them wrong on Saturday morning. If anyone ever thought that the Prime Minister was a reckless populist then he proved them right on Sunday.
By asking his close aides implicated in an audit report to step aside, Raila seems to have kicked the legs of the chair and left President Kibaki reeling. He beat him 10 nil.
Self-doubt has never stalked Raila and his hesitancy, when a journalist asked him whether the President was in the loop over the suspension of Agriculture Minister William Ruto and Education minister Sam Ongeri, looked like he had bitten off more than he could chew.
The reversal of the suspension on Sunday night ended a rollercoaster weekend and brought back memories of the farce that preceded the planting of trees at the Mau Forest.
In the Mau reclamation drive, Raila went ahead and planted trees despite State House giving him the cold shoulder. And the public opinion favoured him.
Conjecture
As for who between President Kibaki and Raila, is on the right side of history this time is a matter of conjecture, but there no doubt, there was a crack in the mould.
But what prompted Raila to engage in what has clearly boomeranged on his face confounds everyone. What was the Prime Minister up to?
In less than 48 hours, the PM had gone from being the supposed shrewd and tactful politician to a fumbling and clumsy agent provocateur. The release of the PricewaterHouseCoopers Report about the maize scandal cannot be delinked from the PM’s pressure for the Education minister to step aside or to the squabbles bedevilling ODM.
Obviously, the Prime Minister pulled the moves to fight corruption and most importantly to self-preserve and perhaps get back at his adversaries.
In the face of mounting public disquiet over widespread corruption among the political class, the PM claiming the high moral ground looked enticing.
How could he therefore, reconcile his forceful demand for Ongeri to step aside with the maize scandal report that lay the blame squarely at his door step?
On the face of it, there was a case to call for the heads of the two ministers over the scandals in their ministries. Actually the two seem willing to leave office.
Yet Ruto and his ilk have an axe to grind with the PM less because of the usual party strife than because they feel that Raila’s office too is tarred with the same brush of graft.
They think that by suspending them, the Prime Minister was throwing up chaff to disguise the deeper rot in his office. Circumstantial evidence indict him.
As the chairman of the food security committee that oversaw the importation, sale and distribution of maize, Raila bears responsibility for the misdemeanour that arose out of the maize tendering.
So was the PM muddying the waters after the PricewaterHouseCooper report was leaked? This cannot be proven. But the damage was done.
It was foolhardy for Raila to do the same thing twice (send away public servants) in slightly over 48 hours and expect the same results given what was at stake politically.
Raila to many has been the clean man who went into the slimy, corrupt and slow world of Government to smoke out the bad guys.
His critics now claim that the man is deeply submerged in the mire. In less than two weeks, the hunter turned the hunted and his adversaries gleefully smiled as he pressed the self-destruct button on Sunday.
Therefore like the captain of a sinking ship, it could be Raila hoped that slinging out a few fellows could have steadied the vessel. Quite the reverse. He ended up with unintended results and his move has drilled another hole in the sinking ship.
I have said on this column before that the Prime Minister looks like a man in a hurry to fix things, but lacks organisation and strategy. And that his sometimes rash and naive handlers make matters worse.
Today he has to face a pincer attack from his foes and friends. He has to cool the wrangles in his party and wrestle in the supremacy wars in the Coalition. His drive to save the Mau and the anti-graft crusade has inexorably driven a wedge between him and his party stalwarts.
Shortcoming
It is easy to sympathise with Raila, yet the suspicions and rumours about his shortcomings keep swirling.
Make no mistake, the Public will be less kinder to the Prime Minister should it turn out that his nose too has been in the trough.
It is ironical that Raila who had turned into the defender-in-chief of the Coalition is the first one to raise the red flag especially about a situation some consider of his own making.
The people may be fired up by all the talk about leaving no stone unturned in the fight against corruption.
But in truth, it was going to be difficult running an unwieldy Coalition riven with acute internal strife where one has to maneuver numerous landmines laid by the other partner.
If anyone ever thought that Prime Minister Raila Odinga was tactless, then he proved them wrong on Saturday morning. If anyone ever thought that the Prime Minister was a reckless populist then he proved them right on Sunday.
By asking his close aides implicated in an audit report to step aside, Raila seems to have kicked the legs of the chair and left President Kibaki reeling. He beat him 10 nil.
Self-doubt has never stalked Raila and his hesitancy, when a journalist asked him whether the President was in the loop over the suspension of Agriculture Minister William Ruto and Education minister Sam Ongeri, looked like he had bitten off more than he could chew.
The reversal of the suspension on Sunday night ended a rollercoaster weekend and brought back memories of the farce that preceded the planting of trees at the Mau Forest.
In the Mau reclamation drive, Raila went ahead and planted trees despite State House giving him the cold shoulder. And the public opinion favoured him.
Conjecture
As for who between President Kibaki and Raila, is on the right side of history this time is a matter of conjecture, but there no doubt, there was a crack in the mould.
But what prompted Raila to engage in what has clearly boomeranged on his face confounds everyone. What was the Prime Minister up to?
In less than 48 hours, the PM had gone from being the supposed shrewd and tactful politician to a fumbling and clumsy agent provocateur. The release of the PricewaterHouseCoopers Report about the maize scandal cannot be delinked from the PM’s pressure for the Education minister to step aside or to the squabbles bedevilling ODM.
Obviously, the Prime Minister pulled the moves to fight corruption and most importantly to self-preserve and perhaps get back at his adversaries.
In the face of mounting public disquiet over widespread corruption among the political class, the PM claiming the high moral ground looked enticing.
How could he therefore, reconcile his forceful demand for Ongeri to step aside with the maize scandal report that lay the blame squarely at his door step?
On the face of it, there was a case to call for the heads of the two ministers over the scandals in their ministries. Actually the two seem willing to leave office.
Yet Ruto and his ilk have an axe to grind with the PM less because of the usual party strife than because they feel that Raila’s office too is tarred with the same brush of graft.
They think that by suspending them, the Prime Minister was throwing up chaff to disguise the deeper rot in his office. Circumstantial evidence indict him.
As the chairman of the food security committee that oversaw the importation, sale and distribution of maize, Raila bears responsibility for the misdemeanour that arose out of the maize tendering.
So was the PM muddying the waters after the PricewaterHouseCooper report was leaked? This cannot be proven. But the damage was done.
It was foolhardy for Raila to do the same thing twice (send away public servants) in slightly over 48 hours and expect the same results given what was at stake politically.
Raila to many has been the clean man who went into the slimy, corrupt and slow world of Government to smoke out the bad guys.
His critics now claim that the man is deeply submerged in the mire. In less than two weeks, the hunter turned the hunted and his adversaries gleefully smiled as he pressed the self-destruct button on Sunday.
Therefore like the captain of a sinking ship, it could be Raila hoped that slinging out a few fellows could have steadied the vessel. Quite the reverse. He ended up with unintended results and his move has drilled another hole in the sinking ship.
I have said on this column before that the Prime Minister looks like a man in a hurry to fix things, but lacks organisation and strategy. And that his sometimes rash and naive handlers make matters worse.
Today he has to face a pincer attack from his foes and friends. He has to cool the wrangles in his party and wrestle in the supremacy wars in the Coalition. His drive to save the Mau and the anti-graft crusade has inexorably driven a wedge between him and his party stalwarts.
Shortcoming
It is easy to sympathise with Raila, yet the suspicions and rumours about his shortcomings keep swirling.
Make no mistake, the Public will be less kinder to the Prime Minister should it turn out that his nose too has been in the trough.
It is ironical that Raila who had turned into the defender-in-chief of the Coalition is the first one to raise the red flag especially about a situation some consider of his own making.
The people may be fired up by all the talk about leaving no stone unturned in the fight against corruption.
But in truth, it was going to be difficult running an unwieldy Coalition riven with acute internal strife where one has to maneuver numerous landmines laid by the other partner.
A comparative MEDIA ANALYSIS
The fourth Estate is almost the most influencial in any issue. Thus how it serves judgement on issues and how the public views such issues is critical. Today, let us take an analysis of local print media: Their take on events in the country:
The Nation,18 feb 2010. Raila vs Kibaki vs Coalition
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday said he was confident that the main partners of the ruling coalition would find a way to end a rift over corruption allegations.
Speaking in Tokyo, Japan, where he is on a five-day visit, Mr Odinga said there was no danger of the coalition collapsing. “Sometimes disagreements and misunderstandings will arise between coalition partners. That does not mean that the coalition then collapses,’’ he said.
Find solutions
“There are ways ... to negotiate and to find solutions,” he continued. “This is one such case and I am confident that we will find a solution.”
A statement e-mailed to newsrooms by his communications chief Salim Lone, and attributed to ODM, emphasised that despite the dispute, the party remained committed to its role in the coalition, including conclusion of the constitution review and other phases of the reform programme.
It warned that “crucial Agenda 4 items could “not be addressed while there is such corruption”. The party asked that President Kibaki join Mr Odinga in the crusade against corruption by backing the suspension of Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Sam Ongeri.
But Mr Odinga’s confidence was not reflected at home as a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday was cancelled and his PNU coalition partners vowed to take the feud against him to Parliament when it resumes next week. MPs allied to PNU on Wedneday resolved to trim Mr Odinga’s influence in Parliament by pushing for the appointment of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as leader of Government Business.
The coalition’s Parliamentary Group meeting at KICC resolved to support Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau’s motion seeking to amend the Standing Orders to provide that the President appoints the leader of Government Business and chairman of the House Business Committee.
The positions have been vacant following a stand-off between the coalition partners. Sources said the weekly Cabinet meetings during which important national matters are discussed and approved before being taken to Parliament may not be convened until the rift is resolved.
Senior government officials said the Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Kibaki, was cancelled on Monday, a day after Mr Odinga suspended Mr Ruto and Prof Ongeri.
President Kibaki reversed the suspensions hours later, throwing the country into political jitters that have battered the Kenyan shilling. The currency hit an eight-month low on Tuesday exchanging at nearly Sh78 to the dollar.
Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, who is also the secretary to the Cabinet, wrote to ministers on Monday informing them of the cancellation of the meeting. It was feared that the heat between PNU and ODM could spill over to the meeting, whose agenda is crafted in advance.
ODM is furious that by the President reversed the suspensions of the ministers, indicating that Mr Odinga had no powers to take disciplinary action against the ministers he supervises.
In a letter to the chairman of the African Union Commission and copied to chief mediator Kofi Annan and President Kibaki, Mr Odinga said it was urgent to convene a meeting to resolve the dispute between the two parties before a “complete paralysis” hits the government.
The party has declared a crisis in the grand coalition and announced a boycott of Cabinet meetings until the differences are resolved. On Wednesday, sources said the President was waiting for Mr Odinga to return from Japan and explain whether he was the one who directed Lands minister James Orengo to announce the boycott.
The Nation,18 feb 2010. Raila vs Kibaki vs Coalition
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday said he was confident that the main partners of the ruling coalition would find a way to end a rift over corruption allegations.
Speaking in Tokyo, Japan, where he is on a five-day visit, Mr Odinga said there was no danger of the coalition collapsing. “Sometimes disagreements and misunderstandings will arise between coalition partners. That does not mean that the coalition then collapses,’’ he said.
Find solutions
“There are ways ... to negotiate and to find solutions,” he continued. “This is one such case and I am confident that we will find a solution.”
A statement e-mailed to newsrooms by his communications chief Salim Lone, and attributed to ODM, emphasised that despite the dispute, the party remained committed to its role in the coalition, including conclusion of the constitution review and other phases of the reform programme.
It warned that “crucial Agenda 4 items could “not be addressed while there is such corruption”. The party asked that President Kibaki join Mr Odinga in the crusade against corruption by backing the suspension of Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Sam Ongeri.
But Mr Odinga’s confidence was not reflected at home as a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday was cancelled and his PNU coalition partners vowed to take the feud against him to Parliament when it resumes next week. MPs allied to PNU on Wedneday resolved to trim Mr Odinga’s influence in Parliament by pushing for the appointment of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as leader of Government Business.
The coalition’s Parliamentary Group meeting at KICC resolved to support Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau’s motion seeking to amend the Standing Orders to provide that the President appoints the leader of Government Business and chairman of the House Business Committee.
The positions have been vacant following a stand-off between the coalition partners. Sources said the weekly Cabinet meetings during which important national matters are discussed and approved before being taken to Parliament may not be convened until the rift is resolved.
Senior government officials said the Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Kibaki, was cancelled on Monday, a day after Mr Odinga suspended Mr Ruto and Prof Ongeri.
President Kibaki reversed the suspensions hours later, throwing the country into political jitters that have battered the Kenyan shilling. The currency hit an eight-month low on Tuesday exchanging at nearly Sh78 to the dollar.
Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, who is also the secretary to the Cabinet, wrote to ministers on Monday informing them of the cancellation of the meeting. It was feared that the heat between PNU and ODM could spill over to the meeting, whose agenda is crafted in advance.
ODM is furious that by the President reversed the suspensions of the ministers, indicating that Mr Odinga had no powers to take disciplinary action against the ministers he supervises.
In a letter to the chairman of the African Union Commission and copied to chief mediator Kofi Annan and President Kibaki, Mr Odinga said it was urgent to convene a meeting to resolve the dispute between the two parties before a “complete paralysis” hits the government.
The party has declared a crisis in the grand coalition and announced a boycott of Cabinet meetings until the differences are resolved. On Wednesday, sources said the President was waiting for Mr Odinga to return from Japan and explain whether he was the one who directed Lands minister James Orengo to announce the boycott.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Opinion and Analysis: My take On Things.
If recent events are anything to go by, Kenyans should be bracing themselves for Political alignments like never before. The persistent and apparently inherently stubborn of our Leaders will be breathing fire preaching ethnicity and trivializing every other national issue they can lay their mouths on(sic). What began as an act of courage in the fight against Impunity has been gradually washed down to mere politicking. I do not claim to be learned like my learned friends, but allow me to infer that this learned friends are getting us all lost. Each has his own interpretation of the accord and it does not help that they too, have their own vested interests in this matter. But that aside, at least for the moment, who do we blame for the persistent scandals and wrangles in this coalition government?
To answer this question, let me engage your mind a little bit:
When Kenyans went to the polls to elect a president, we never chose a coalition government. It was imposed on us for obvious reasons. Three more weeks of the anarchy we witnessed in 2007 and the Americans would have taken over. Our options were either we sort out problems or they do it for us. And we did. We went to Serena Hotel, called each other names, swore on national TV against foreigners trying to interfere with us...and did a lot more other unmentionable things. BUT, we got a document and aptly called it The National Accord. What we did not know was the fact that we had created our biggest problem yet.
Back to Raila and the unfolding drama: Can we trust our learned brothers to give us an interpretation of the accord that we can at least follow? If anything I do not suppose out learned brothers have the interests of Kenyans in mind. But I may be wrong. What does the Accord say on power sharing? We have made it seem like one of the most vexing questions that no Philosopher nor lay man alike has been able to answer. So Annan and his friends will continue to nanny us, as long as we cannot decide whether what we have is candy or its wrapper.
Therefore,the question of whether Raila was right or not is best answered by the accord. But how do you answer this question when very lawyer friend in town has his own interpretation, including the AG. A constitutional crisis is not at the least a choice for us.But even so, Raila's action can best be looked at from their moral and ethical inclination. I am not a learned friend and I certainly do not want to invite their wrath, so I will stay off interpretations before somebody says I am foreign. In the war against impunity, our president has been very reluctant to take action against his ministers or high ranking officers. Public opinion has never mattered to our president. When Raila takes throws the first stone against this vice, Kenyans are but glad to support him. Whether it is a machination of the government or anybody to bring him down, being on the right always triumphs and Raila is playing at that.
Political analysts may suggest a ploy to kill him politically, but the fox knows when to lie down and when to pounce. Taking his fight to the house was such a courageous act. But at what cost. For those who think ODM is going to break, think again. Here are my reasons:
To begin, Ruto is not going anywhere. At least not now. The Kalenjin have cleared said they will go into an alliance with the other two K's as he wanted. The question is; Where is Ruto taking the Kalenjin after quitting ODM? KANU, I don't think so. Thus his options are fairly limited. Even Franklin Bett had to backtrack from going against the grain. My point is, it does not matter what happens to ODM, at least Raila has shown us. National interest must always come first.
To answer this question, let me engage your mind a little bit:
When Kenyans went to the polls to elect a president, we never chose a coalition government. It was imposed on us for obvious reasons. Three more weeks of the anarchy we witnessed in 2007 and the Americans would have taken over. Our options were either we sort out problems or they do it for us. And we did. We went to Serena Hotel, called each other names, swore on national TV against foreigners trying to interfere with us...and did a lot more other unmentionable things. BUT, we got a document and aptly called it The National Accord. What we did not know was the fact that we had created our biggest problem yet.
Back to Raila and the unfolding drama: Can we trust our learned brothers to give us an interpretation of the accord that we can at least follow? If anything I do not suppose out learned brothers have the interests of Kenyans in mind. But I may be wrong. What does the Accord say on power sharing? We have made it seem like one of the most vexing questions that no Philosopher nor lay man alike has been able to answer. So Annan and his friends will continue to nanny us, as long as we cannot decide whether what we have is candy or its wrapper.
Therefore,the question of whether Raila was right or not is best answered by the accord. But how do you answer this question when very lawyer friend in town has his own interpretation, including the AG. A constitutional crisis is not at the least a choice for us.But even so, Raila's action can best be looked at from their moral and ethical inclination. I am not a learned friend and I certainly do not want to invite their wrath, so I will stay off interpretations before somebody says I am foreign. In the war against impunity, our president has been very reluctant to take action against his ministers or high ranking officers. Public opinion has never mattered to our president. When Raila takes throws the first stone against this vice, Kenyans are but glad to support him. Whether it is a machination of the government or anybody to bring him down, being on the right always triumphs and Raila is playing at that.
Political analysts may suggest a ploy to kill him politically, but the fox knows when to lie down and when to pounce. Taking his fight to the house was such a courageous act. But at what cost. For those who think ODM is going to break, think again. Here are my reasons:
To begin, Ruto is not going anywhere. At least not now. The Kalenjin have cleared said they will go into an alliance with the other two K's as he wanted. The question is; Where is Ruto taking the Kalenjin after quitting ODM? KANU, I don't think so. Thus his options are fairly limited. Even Franklin Bett had to backtrack from going against the grain. My point is, it does not matter what happens to ODM, at least Raila has shown us. National interest must always come first.
Raila's Thin Options
Now that the PM and the President are clearly reading from two different scripts: What options are available for Raila?
Such an interesting read:
Can Mr Raila Odinga lead his Orange Democratic Movement out of the coalition government? And what happens if he does?
These are some of the questions being asked amid the acrimonious power play between President Kibaki and the Prime Minister.
ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba said his party was walking “a tight rope” and blamed the drafters of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act for not providing an express conflict resolution mechanism.
Stand dissolved
According to the Accord, the coalition shall stand dissolved if the 10th Parliament is dissolved, coalition parties agree in writing to go their separate ways, or one partner withdraws.
But Mr Namwamba said if the Orange wing decided to pull out of the coalition, President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity “would continue ruling as if nothing happened”.
Contrary to public perception, said Mr Namwamba, the Accord does not force the country to hold elections if one of the parties walks out.
“The ODM’s choices are quite limited. The dissatisfied party can only appeal to chief mediator Kofi Annan or call mass action and I don’t think Kenyans are ready for that,” the lawyer told the Nation yesterday.
Mr Namwamba said the drafters may have acted in haste to reach a political deal and restore peace following the violence that broke out after the 2007 polls.
The Accord seems to favour one of the parties, raising questions on whether ODM had negotiated a “watertight deal”, said the Budalang’i MP.
Constitutional scholar Githu Muigai agreed that if ODM decided to leave, the coalition would collapse but not the government.
“Constitutionally, a government would be in place conceivably until the next election or a new constitution is enacted,” he said.
This means that if Mr Odinga walked out, President Kibaki would re-constitute government and finish his second term. According to Prof Muigai, the challenge will not be constitutional but political.
“There would be issues on whether it could resist a no-confidence vote and whether it would be effective, viable and legitimate,” he said.
Formed after the 2008 political crisis, the coalition was meant to be a partnership with commitment on both sides to govern together and push reforms.
Such an interesting read:
Can Mr Raila Odinga lead his Orange Democratic Movement out of the coalition government? And what happens if he does?
These are some of the questions being asked amid the acrimonious power play between President Kibaki and the Prime Minister.
ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba said his party was walking “a tight rope” and blamed the drafters of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act for not providing an express conflict resolution mechanism.
Stand dissolved
According to the Accord, the coalition shall stand dissolved if the 10th Parliament is dissolved, coalition parties agree in writing to go their separate ways, or one partner withdraws.
But Mr Namwamba said if the Orange wing decided to pull out of the coalition, President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity “would continue ruling as if nothing happened”.
Contrary to public perception, said Mr Namwamba, the Accord does not force the country to hold elections if one of the parties walks out.
“The ODM’s choices are quite limited. The dissatisfied party can only appeal to chief mediator Kofi Annan or call mass action and I don’t think Kenyans are ready for that,” the lawyer told the Nation yesterday.
Mr Namwamba said the drafters may have acted in haste to reach a political deal and restore peace following the violence that broke out after the 2007 polls.
The Accord seems to favour one of the parties, raising questions on whether ODM had negotiated a “watertight deal”, said the Budalang’i MP.
Constitutional scholar Githu Muigai agreed that if ODM decided to leave, the coalition would collapse but not the government.
“Constitutionally, a government would be in place conceivably until the next election or a new constitution is enacted,” he said.
This means that if Mr Odinga walked out, President Kibaki would re-constitute government and finish his second term. According to Prof Muigai, the challenge will not be constitutional but political.
“There would be issues on whether it could resist a no-confidence vote and whether it would be effective, viable and legitimate,” he said.
Formed after the 2008 political crisis, the coalition was meant to be a partnership with commitment on both sides to govern together and push reforms.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Raila: I did not have to consult Kibaki
The Coalition government has once again shown us its ugly tooth. Honestly, I do not even for a minute, think that Kenyans really care who sacks or suspends who in this Government. The Culture of impunity has to stop and it does not matter to us who takes responsibility to end this culture. This Coalition government as it is has already taken us to hell and back. If Raila begins the fight against this vice, we shall surely support him as a partner and as our closest link to this fight at that level of government because Kibaki has clearly shown us where his loyalties lie. Not with the interests of Kenyans.
Read the below article from nation, 15 Jan 2010.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he did not have to consult the President over the suspension of two government ministers.
In an interview with the BBC Radio on Sunday night, the Prime Minister said he had acted within the law, since he was only “disciplining errant ministers.”
"I don’t have to consult him (President Kibaki)… I have not dismissed a minister, and that is where I need to consult the President, but just disciplining a minister who is errant, that I have the powers,” he told the radio.
He said the President had acted illegally by quashing the suspensions.
“The President actually cannot revoke my suspension…of ministers… because I’m the supervisor and coordinator of government functions. That is the constitution. That function I do not share with anybody.”
Investigations
On Sunday, the PM announced at a Press conference the suspension of Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Prof Sam Ongeri for three months to pave way for investigations into two separate scandals.
One scandal involves the loss of an estimated Sh2 billion in the irregular allocation of subsidized maize in 2008. Maize under the national grain reserve, meant for the hungry, was sold to profiteers who made millions, while consumers had to pay high prices for the product.
The second scandal concerns fraudulent deals in the Ministry of Education which cost the government Sh103 million meant for the Free Primary Education scheme, where top ministry officials drew inflated imprests for seminars.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister quoted a section of the National Accord which he said gave him power to suspend the ministers over the graft allegations. The National Accord was signed in 2008 as a power-sharing deal that ended the post-election violence sparked by the disputed 2007 General Elections.
But President Kibaki later said the PM did not have powers to remove ministers from office and therefore, “constitutionally the two ministers remain in office.”
The President added he had not been consulted over the matter, and he too, quoted the National Accord and the Constitution, that ministers can only be removed by the President after consultations.
However, the Prime Minister maintained that the suspension stands and the ministers will be investigated. “Since the permanent secretaries have been suspended, the ministers must follow suit,” Mr Odinga said.
But, on Monday, the two ministers on the contested suspension reported to their respective offices. Mr Ruto said he was there to serve his role as provided by Constitution. Prof Ongeri refused to talk to the Press as he reported to the Jogoo House offices in Nairobi in the morning.
Read the below article from nation, 15 Jan 2010.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he did not have to consult the President over the suspension of two government ministers.
In an interview with the BBC Radio on Sunday night, the Prime Minister said he had acted within the law, since he was only “disciplining errant ministers.”
"I don’t have to consult him (President Kibaki)… I have not dismissed a minister, and that is where I need to consult the President, but just disciplining a minister who is errant, that I have the powers,” he told the radio.
He said the President had acted illegally by quashing the suspensions.
“The President actually cannot revoke my suspension…of ministers… because I’m the supervisor and coordinator of government functions. That is the constitution. That function I do not share with anybody.”
Investigations
On Sunday, the PM announced at a Press conference the suspension of Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Prof Sam Ongeri for three months to pave way for investigations into two separate scandals.
One scandal involves the loss of an estimated Sh2 billion in the irregular allocation of subsidized maize in 2008. Maize under the national grain reserve, meant for the hungry, was sold to profiteers who made millions, while consumers had to pay high prices for the product.
The second scandal concerns fraudulent deals in the Ministry of Education which cost the government Sh103 million meant for the Free Primary Education scheme, where top ministry officials drew inflated imprests for seminars.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister quoted a section of the National Accord which he said gave him power to suspend the ministers over the graft allegations. The National Accord was signed in 2008 as a power-sharing deal that ended the post-election violence sparked by the disputed 2007 General Elections.
But President Kibaki later said the PM did not have powers to remove ministers from office and therefore, “constitutionally the two ministers remain in office.”
The President added he had not been consulted over the matter, and he too, quoted the National Accord and the Constitution, that ministers can only be removed by the President after consultations.
However, the Prime Minister maintained that the suspension stands and the ministers will be investigated. “Since the permanent secretaries have been suspended, the ministers must follow suit,” Mr Odinga said.
But, on Monday, the two ministers on the contested suspension reported to their respective offices. Mr Ruto said he was there to serve his role as provided by Constitution. Prof Ongeri refused to talk to the Press as he reported to the Jogoo House offices in Nairobi in the morning.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Yet we still fly high!! Despite everything...!!
This one I had to read again and again; our flags is gonna be flying on the space and even though it is not our space program doing it, we are still proud it is gonna be. Not many countries have had this rare accomplishment.
Nation media, 9th 02, 2010.
For the first time ever, Kenya’s flag will be hoisted in space. Prime Minister Raila Odinga set off the historic process on Tuesday when he handed the Kenyan flag to the man who will undertake the assignment, Dubai based multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Ashish Thakkar at his office.
By hoisting the Kenyan flag, alongside the Ugandan and Tanzanian flags in space, Thakkar hopes to demonstrate to the world the opportunities available in the three East African nations.
Speaking at the PM’s office, the 28 year old entrepreneur said the Sh15.2 million Virgin Galactic flight will take off as soon as engineers finish testing the space ship earmarked to undertake the trip.
“Currently, the space ship is undergoing testing, once this is over, we will take off,” he said without stating exactly when this will happen.
“This is an act of courage and dedication. Kenya stands to benefit from a lot of possibilities offered by space,” Mr Odinga noted as he handed over the flag to Mr Thakkar who has spent the last couple of months undergoing space training at Nastar Space Centre, Philadelphia.
Born in the UK, Thakkar has lived in Africa for over fifteen years and in Dubai for eight years. At the tender age of sixteen, Thakkar founded RAPS, the IT company. He went on to set-up a manufacturing plant, Riley Industries, in Uganda.
In 2004, he co-founded globally renowned real estate company, Kensington Group which today has offices in Dubai, UK, Uganda, Ghana and India.
The group focuses on quality real estate development and currently has projects valued at over $1billion internationally including the 36-storey architectural masterpiece in Dubai, the Kensington Krystal.
He recently founded Shikamano Africa to drive the private sector, bring together like-minded individuals and bring forward the idea of a borderless Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday, Thakkar announced that he planned to raise his company’s investments in Kenya in the near future.
Nation media, 9th 02, 2010.
For the first time ever, Kenya’s flag will be hoisted in space. Prime Minister Raila Odinga set off the historic process on Tuesday when he handed the Kenyan flag to the man who will undertake the assignment, Dubai based multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Ashish Thakkar at his office.
By hoisting the Kenyan flag, alongside the Ugandan and Tanzanian flags in space, Thakkar hopes to demonstrate to the world the opportunities available in the three East African nations.
Speaking at the PM’s office, the 28 year old entrepreneur said the Sh15.2 million Virgin Galactic flight will take off as soon as engineers finish testing the space ship earmarked to undertake the trip.
“Currently, the space ship is undergoing testing, once this is over, we will take off,” he said without stating exactly when this will happen.
“This is an act of courage and dedication. Kenya stands to benefit from a lot of possibilities offered by space,” Mr Odinga noted as he handed over the flag to Mr Thakkar who has spent the last couple of months undergoing space training at Nastar Space Centre, Philadelphia.
Born in the UK, Thakkar has lived in Africa for over fifteen years and in Dubai for eight years. At the tender age of sixteen, Thakkar founded RAPS, the IT company. He went on to set-up a manufacturing plant, Riley Industries, in Uganda.
In 2004, he co-founded globally renowned real estate company, Kensington Group which today has offices in Dubai, UK, Uganda, Ghana and India.
The group focuses on quality real estate development and currently has projects valued at over $1billion internationally including the 36-storey architectural masterpiece in Dubai, the Kensington Krystal.
He recently founded Shikamano Africa to drive the private sector, bring together like-minded individuals and bring forward the idea of a borderless Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday, Thakkar announced that he planned to raise his company’s investments in Kenya in the near future.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The year that never was!! How sad.
This article got me doing some serious thinking about who we are as Kenyans.But I enjoyed reading it for one thing, some justice is being done. However we need to see more than just this one corporal being punished. How about the big fish???
Kisumu shooting cop has case to answer, court rules
The policeman caught on video shooting at demonstrators during the 2008 post-election violence has a case to answer, a High Court judge ruled on Monday.
The former policeman is charged with the murder of two protestors during the mayhem. Corporal Edward Kirui is said to have shot the demonstrators George Onyango and Ishmael Chacha at Kondele area in Kisumu on January 16, 2008.
The events had been recorded on a video clip and were the ones used for identification of the suspect.
The officer handling the investigation, Edward Migiri, the OCS at Kondele police station had earlier told the court he identified the accused by watching the video and a photograph.
After the accused fired, the footage showed the officer walking to the men and kicking one of them as he tried to stand up.
The images drew condemnation from the opposition and human rights groups, which said the incident was an example of police brutality employed to quell the protests during the post-election mayhem.
The violence that followed the disputed 2007 General Elections left more than 1000 people dead and 600,000 others displaced.
Kisumu shooting cop has case to answer, court rules
The policeman caught on video shooting at demonstrators during the 2008 post-election violence has a case to answer, a High Court judge ruled on Monday.
The former policeman is charged with the murder of two protestors during the mayhem. Corporal Edward Kirui is said to have shot the demonstrators George Onyango and Ishmael Chacha at Kondele area in Kisumu on January 16, 2008.
The events had been recorded on a video clip and were the ones used for identification of the suspect.
The officer handling the investigation, Edward Migiri, the OCS at Kondele police station had earlier told the court he identified the accused by watching the video and a photograph.
After the accused fired, the footage showed the officer walking to the men and kicking one of them as he tried to stand up.
The images drew condemnation from the opposition and human rights groups, which said the incident was an example of police brutality employed to quell the protests during the post-election mayhem.
The violence that followed the disputed 2007 General Elections left more than 1000 people dead and 600,000 others displaced.
Yesterday's bitter memories!!
Dec 2007 must was a very sad year for Kenyans. The year whose events Kenyans will carry in their memories to their graves.
My blog has always been on rants about government and politics that I forgot as a Country, Kenya has so many things to offer other than the rampant and unending corruption scandals that threaten to tear apart our economic development into shreds.
Watching the news today at 1PM got me thinking seriously. Exactly who are we as Kenyans and what makes us unique? We are a very hospitable people, or so it has been said, but to who? Our neighbors, friends, family, tribe, community...?
For that reason, I am going to put Politics aside and instead focus on finding out something about this great country Kenya and its inhabitants, KENYANS.
I intend to focus on the various aspects of our being that bring us together and those that threaten to tear us apart. For example, we have more than 42 tribes in this NATION, do we acknowledge that? Follow me to learn new things about Kenya that are not necessary political starting very soon!!!
Learn more about Kenya and its people here.
My blog has always been on rants about government and politics that I forgot as a Country, Kenya has so many things to offer other than the rampant and unending corruption scandals that threaten to tear apart our economic development into shreds.
Watching the news today at 1PM got me thinking seriously. Exactly who are we as Kenyans and what makes us unique? We are a very hospitable people, or so it has been said, but to who? Our neighbors, friends, family, tribe, community...?
For that reason, I am going to put Politics aside and instead focus on finding out something about this great country Kenya and its inhabitants, KENYANS.
I intend to focus on the various aspects of our being that bring us together and those that threaten to tear us apart. For example, we have more than 42 tribes in this NATION, do we acknowledge that? Follow me to learn new things about Kenya that are not necessary political starting very soon!!!
Learn more about Kenya and its people here.
Education ministry scandal: Ball in Kibaki’s court
The Education funds scandal refuses to go away, not just yet exposing the rot that threatens to derail UPE.
This article by standardmedia explores the options available! Read on:
By Standard Team
By asking President Kibaki to suspend Education minister Sam Ongeri and his Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi over millions of shillings lost from the Free Primary Education Fund, Prime Minister Raila Odinga literally kicked the ball into the President’s court.
In the bold move, at a public function officiated by the President on war against graft and attended by the movers and shakers of Kenya’s public service, Raila appeared to direct attention to the fact he was not part of inaction against Prof Ongeri and Prof Karega Mutahi. That is why three days after Raila took the ball to the President’s court, despite his silence, the nation is left watching out for the President’s next move.
To let Ongeri, his close friend and ally and his appointee to the power-sharing negotiations during post-election violence remain in office, would make him look like his ‘protector’, as well as Mutahi’s.
To ask them to step aside pending investigation the way he had to, in his first term, release three of his closest buddies in the Cabinet — Prof George Saitoti, Mr David Mwiraria and Mr Kiraitu Murungi — would puncture the ego of his Party of National Unity. It could also trigger a series of events that could have serious political implications for himself.
That is probably why the President may have to choose silence, let the debate move on and nature to take its course, hopefully up to the level where he would, without appearing to nudge a friend, just ask them to read the mood of the public. That is what the President did to his campaign chief fundraiser in 2002, Dr Chris Murungaru. The President remained quiet as war cries over Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing twin scandals spread across the country, with calls on Murungaru, Saitoti, Mwiraria, Kiraitu and then vice-president Moody Awori to step aside.
That is what he also did when Trade minister Amos Kimunya’s political career was on tenterhooks because of the controversial sale of Grand Regency Hotel.
No word
Despite his closeness to the President and amid claims by Kimunya the sale was a Libyan-Kenyan government deal sanctioned by Kibaki, State House responded with total silence.
It was only after Kimunya was humiliated by Parliament’s passing of a censure Motion that he chose to step aside — a few days after he had said he would rather die than resign. The President predictably handed Kimunya a lifeline, albeit by moving him from the high-profile Finance ministry to Trade. The calls for Ongeri’s and Karega’s resignation are rising and it could be just a matter of time before a President perceived to prefer letting nature take its course, finally calls them up and says something akin to: "You have seen and heard yourselves, it is now beyond me".
Although PNU politicians have criticised the PM, saying some ministers from the ODM side are not clean either, Raila yesterday insisted Ongeri and Mutahi must step aside to allow for investigation.
Addressing mourners in Funyula during the burial of Nivah Oduori, a United Nations volunteer who died in the Haiti earthquake, Raila said his recommendation for the two was not for sacking, but to step aside for KACC to carry out investigation, noting that the same cannot be done when they are in office.
However, Ongeri yesterday stood his ground vowing never to give in to pressure. The minister dismissed the PM’s demands on President Kibaki to sack him, saying he was innocent.
"The PM should stop playing politics with serious issues. He should have waited for the KACC findings before demanding anybody’s sacking," said Ongeri.
He said the PM has a political vendetta against some leaders, mainly those from the PNU side of the coalition.
Owe Kenyans
Cabinet ministers Noah Wekesa, Esther Murugi, Hellen Sambili, Fred Gumo, Paul Otuoma, James Orengo and Assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli supported Raila and called for sacking of the two.
But Cabinet Ministers Mutula Kilonzo and Kiraitu and Assistant ministers Linah Kilimo, Kareke Mbiuki and Kabando wa Kabando and MPs Joshua Kuttuny and Jamleck Kamau criticised the PM.
Gichugu MP Martha Karua said both the President and Prime Minister owe Kenyans an explanation on what became of the multi-billion shilling maize and Triton oil scandals.
"While I commend the Government for the new found zeal in fighting corruption because when I left the Cabinet that war had been abandoned, the two are yet to tell the public what became of the maize and oil scandals," she added.
Ms Karua said the Government must show consistency in the graft war and must act on the two scandals even as they struggle to deal with new ones that seem to be emerging.
She said if there was real commitment in fighting corruption then several ministers and PSs would by now have been sacked for being involved in graft.
Mr Gumo said he would personally approach Ongeri and urge him to step aside.
"Ongeri is my friend, but I will have to tell him the truth. If your ministry has a problem, just step aside and allow investigation to be conducted," added Gumo.
Commit suicide
"In Japan and South Korea, when you are mentioned in corruption, you don’t wait for the police to come to arrest you, you commit suicide," said Orengo.
He said it was regrettable that Kenyan leaders will stick to their various positions even when things go wrong. He said Ongeri and Karega should step aside since they were the officers in charge of the ministry.
But Prof Philip Nying’iro, the Head of Political Science Department at the University of Nairobi, has cautioned Kibaki may not act over reshuffle calls, especially if he feels his position as Head of State is not threatened.
This article by standardmedia explores the options available! Read on:
By Standard Team
By asking President Kibaki to suspend Education minister Sam Ongeri and his Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi over millions of shillings lost from the Free Primary Education Fund, Prime Minister Raila Odinga literally kicked the ball into the President’s court.
In the bold move, at a public function officiated by the President on war against graft and attended by the movers and shakers of Kenya’s public service, Raila appeared to direct attention to the fact he was not part of inaction against Prof Ongeri and Prof Karega Mutahi. That is why three days after Raila took the ball to the President’s court, despite his silence, the nation is left watching out for the President’s next move.
To let Ongeri, his close friend and ally and his appointee to the power-sharing negotiations during post-election violence remain in office, would make him look like his ‘protector’, as well as Mutahi’s.
To ask them to step aside pending investigation the way he had to, in his first term, release three of his closest buddies in the Cabinet — Prof George Saitoti, Mr David Mwiraria and Mr Kiraitu Murungi — would puncture the ego of his Party of National Unity. It could also trigger a series of events that could have serious political implications for himself.
That is probably why the President may have to choose silence, let the debate move on and nature to take its course, hopefully up to the level where he would, without appearing to nudge a friend, just ask them to read the mood of the public. That is what the President did to his campaign chief fundraiser in 2002, Dr Chris Murungaru. The President remained quiet as war cries over Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing twin scandals spread across the country, with calls on Murungaru, Saitoti, Mwiraria, Kiraitu and then vice-president Moody Awori to step aside.
That is what he also did when Trade minister Amos Kimunya’s political career was on tenterhooks because of the controversial sale of Grand Regency Hotel.
No word
Despite his closeness to the President and amid claims by Kimunya the sale was a Libyan-Kenyan government deal sanctioned by Kibaki, State House responded with total silence.
It was only after Kimunya was humiliated by Parliament’s passing of a censure Motion that he chose to step aside — a few days after he had said he would rather die than resign. The President predictably handed Kimunya a lifeline, albeit by moving him from the high-profile Finance ministry to Trade. The calls for Ongeri’s and Karega’s resignation are rising and it could be just a matter of time before a President perceived to prefer letting nature take its course, finally calls them up and says something akin to: "You have seen and heard yourselves, it is now beyond me".
Although PNU politicians have criticised the PM, saying some ministers from the ODM side are not clean either, Raila yesterday insisted Ongeri and Mutahi must step aside to allow for investigation.
Addressing mourners in Funyula during the burial of Nivah Oduori, a United Nations volunteer who died in the Haiti earthquake, Raila said his recommendation for the two was not for sacking, but to step aside for KACC to carry out investigation, noting that the same cannot be done when they are in office.
However, Ongeri yesterday stood his ground vowing never to give in to pressure. The minister dismissed the PM’s demands on President Kibaki to sack him, saying he was innocent.
"The PM should stop playing politics with serious issues. He should have waited for the KACC findings before demanding anybody’s sacking," said Ongeri.
He said the PM has a political vendetta against some leaders, mainly those from the PNU side of the coalition.
Owe Kenyans
Cabinet ministers Noah Wekesa, Esther Murugi, Hellen Sambili, Fred Gumo, Paul Otuoma, James Orengo and Assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli supported Raila and called for sacking of the two.
But Cabinet Ministers Mutula Kilonzo and Kiraitu and Assistant ministers Linah Kilimo, Kareke Mbiuki and Kabando wa Kabando and MPs Joshua Kuttuny and Jamleck Kamau criticised the PM.
Gichugu MP Martha Karua said both the President and Prime Minister owe Kenyans an explanation on what became of the multi-billion shilling maize and Triton oil scandals.
"While I commend the Government for the new found zeal in fighting corruption because when I left the Cabinet that war had been abandoned, the two are yet to tell the public what became of the maize and oil scandals," she added.
Ms Karua said the Government must show consistency in the graft war and must act on the two scandals even as they struggle to deal with new ones that seem to be emerging.
She said if there was real commitment in fighting corruption then several ministers and PSs would by now have been sacked for being involved in graft.
Mr Gumo said he would personally approach Ongeri and urge him to step aside.
"Ongeri is my friend, but I will have to tell him the truth. If your ministry has a problem, just step aside and allow investigation to be conducted," added Gumo.
Commit suicide
"In Japan and South Korea, when you are mentioned in corruption, you don’t wait for the police to come to arrest you, you commit suicide," said Orengo.
He said it was regrettable that Kenyan leaders will stick to their various positions even when things go wrong. He said Ongeri and Karega should step aside since they were the officers in charge of the ministry.
But Prof Philip Nying’iro, the Head of Political Science Department at the University of Nairobi, has cautioned Kibaki may not act over reshuffle calls, especially if he feels his position as Head of State is not threatened.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Are Kenyans realy Secure???
I wrote about this post some time back before events had gotten murkier with regards to our security. When we have unscrupulous business men selling arms to crooks that use them to kill to unsuspecting,innocent Kenyans,how can the government assure us that we are safe when clearly it is not doing enough to stem small weapons trade? Today,Mon 1st Feb,a cache of weapons has been found in Narok courtesy of the same business man who had a similar cache to his name in Eastleigh. Many Kenyans have lost a brother,a sister,an aunt at the expense of this weapons that land in the hands of trigger happy rogues. Can we have tough measures and stiffer control on arms trade? Yes,I believe we can for if the arms are brought to kenya via the porous border between Kenya and Somali,we surely can find ways to monitor our borders better. We can not continue to play blind when such dangerous and super weapons as the M15 land in the wrong hands. Can the government deal with the source of the problem? Arresting a few foreign Nationals in a swoop and going mum over the whole thing is not going to help anybody,not the government and definitely not Kenyans. While our leaders may live in posh suburbs with round the clock security and thus a minimized threat of exposure to the thugs who use such weaponry,believe it or not some Kenyans live in places where the weaponry is a part of life. Death peeps from all corners and security is just another funny word to them.
Politics vs Human Rights
Human rights are "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled". The doctrine of human rights aims to identify the necessary positive and negative prerequisites for a "universal" minimal standard of justice, tolerance and human dignity that can be considered the public moral norms owed by and to individuals by the mere virtue of their humanity. Such prerequisites can exist as shared norms of actual human moralities, as justified moral norms or moral rights supported by strong reasons, as legal rights at a national level, or as a legal right within international law.
When it comes to claiming "haki yetu" i must admit Kenyans are very aware of their rights. Unlike the 60s to the 90s,today's Kenyan is fully aware of his rights and privileges as a citizen and can not hesitate to air their opinions when such is trampled upon. Now,that aside,my quarrel today has to do with our so called leaders. Yes,they have struck a fair deal,or so Kenyans want to believe,but for who? While the draft settled upon by the parliamentary committee is laudable, the agreements were mainly tailored for our leaders needs. To have 349 elected representatives with an economy that's barely out of the woods is ridiculous to say the least. Kenyans need economic,political and social developments that can steer her to greater heights,not so many leaders who turn greedy upon taking oath of office.If 222 has been tough on us,how about 349???
When it comes to claiming "haki yetu" i must admit Kenyans are very aware of their rights. Unlike the 60s to the 90s,today's Kenyan is fully aware of his rights and privileges as a citizen and can not hesitate to air their opinions when such is trampled upon. Now,that aside,my quarrel today has to do with our so called leaders. Yes,they have struck a fair deal,or so Kenyans want to believe,but for who? While the draft settled upon by the parliamentary committee is laudable, the agreements were mainly tailored for our leaders needs. To have 349 elected representatives with an economy that's barely out of the woods is ridiculous to say the least. Kenyans need economic,political and social developments that can steer her to greater heights,not so many leaders who turn greedy upon taking oath of office.If 222 has been tough on us,how about 349???
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Security vs Insecurity
I came across this article by in the nation newspaper,21st jan. 2010 and felt i should share.
Now Saitoti tells us he has been able to shield off many terrorist attacks,thank you Mr Minister but what happened during the Muslim riots over the jailed Muslim cleric???By suggesting that the Alshabaab were involved in the riots,does that not say anything about our security??? Read on:
Saitoti tells of foiled attacks
Security agents have foiled numerous terrorist attacks targeting Kenya, Internal Security minister George Saitoti has revealed.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, the minister said were it not for the efforts taken behind the scenes, Kenyans would be experiencing “terrible things”.
Prof Saitoti made the remarks while defending the ongoing crackdown against foreigners living in Kenya illegally, some of whom he labelled sympathisers of the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militia that has links with the Al-Qaeda terror network.
He said: “The security authorities are in a position to make sure they are able to nip it (terror threat) in the bud. I cannot, for security reasons, come and tell you the planned incidents, which, incidentally, we have frustrated, and there have been many.”
The minister added: “If we had gone to sleep I can assure you that many terrible things will happen to this country but we don’t want to tell you that and no government will able to go and say those things.”
More than 500 foreigners have been arrested in a night operation that started on Sunday, which targets hotels, casinos, bars, restaurants and lodgings. The operation is concentrated in Eastleigh and the city centre.
It has also taken place in Nakuru, Nyeri and along major highways connecting Kenya with neighbouring countries. Twelve Somali MPs, five of them facing deportation, were among the foreigners rounded up.
Al-Shabaab
At least 50 of those arrested have been isolated and handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, where they are being interrogated over possible links with the Al-Shabaab. “We’ve clearly stated that those foreigners who are living here and don’t have legal permits to be here have to leave this country. No country allows it and Kenya cannot be an exception,” Prof Saitoti said.
The minister said the crackdown is not intended to punish members of particular communities. He called on all Kenyans to co-operate with security officers in the operation, saying security was a responsibility of all citizens.
If indeed it is true that the Alshaabab militia had anything to do with the riots that saw protesters shot a police officer and a number of protesters killed,any sane Kenyans should be worried.When we have militias carrying weapons to demonstrations,as Saitoti suggested,then we have a great cause for concern.Something is seriously wrong in the Security apparatus of this Country.I am just saying,we need to think seriously about this allegations and what they portend for Kenya's future.
Now Saitoti tells us he has been able to shield off many terrorist attacks,thank you Mr Minister but what happened during the Muslim riots over the jailed Muslim cleric???By suggesting that the Alshabaab were involved in the riots,does that not say anything about our security??? Read on:
Saitoti tells of foiled attacks
Security agents have foiled numerous terrorist attacks targeting Kenya, Internal Security minister George Saitoti has revealed.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, the minister said were it not for the efforts taken behind the scenes, Kenyans would be experiencing “terrible things”.
Prof Saitoti made the remarks while defending the ongoing crackdown against foreigners living in Kenya illegally, some of whom he labelled sympathisers of the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militia that has links with the Al-Qaeda terror network.
He said: “The security authorities are in a position to make sure they are able to nip it (terror threat) in the bud. I cannot, for security reasons, come and tell you the planned incidents, which, incidentally, we have frustrated, and there have been many.”
The minister added: “If we had gone to sleep I can assure you that many terrible things will happen to this country but we don’t want to tell you that and no government will able to go and say those things.”
More than 500 foreigners have been arrested in a night operation that started on Sunday, which targets hotels, casinos, bars, restaurants and lodgings. The operation is concentrated in Eastleigh and the city centre.
It has also taken place in Nakuru, Nyeri and along major highways connecting Kenya with neighbouring countries. Twelve Somali MPs, five of them facing deportation, were among the foreigners rounded up.
Al-Shabaab
At least 50 of those arrested have been isolated and handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, where they are being interrogated over possible links with the Al-Shabaab. “We’ve clearly stated that those foreigners who are living here and don’t have legal permits to be here have to leave this country. No country allows it and Kenya cannot be an exception,” Prof Saitoti said.
The minister said the crackdown is not intended to punish members of particular communities. He called on all Kenyans to co-operate with security officers in the operation, saying security was a responsibility of all citizens.
If indeed it is true that the Alshaabab militia had anything to do with the riots that saw protesters shot a police officer and a number of protesters killed,any sane Kenyans should be worried.When we have militias carrying weapons to demonstrations,as Saitoti suggested,then we have a great cause for concern.Something is seriously wrong in the Security apparatus of this Country.I am just saying,we need to think seriously about this allegations and what they portend for Kenya's future.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Draft Constitution
Our politicians are at it again. Many a Kenyan has stressed the need to have consensus rather than be given draft options-like the former Yes/No that did not work. By voting No, we were left without a draft,the reason for this second coming referendum. Our politicians are out in arms already fighting their turf wars in the name of 'wakenya wanataka.' Masters of the deception game,some of our 'beloved' leaders are already condemning the constitution and leading us,apparently towards another yes/no referendum that will probably yield nothing. Kenyans have long showed their desire for a new constitution and the time is ripe for the same. It is okay to disagree with the document as a leader but to give us a blanket condemnation of some sections of the document with the 'wananchi wanataka' slogan is to stoop low. Gone are the days when leaders would use their communities as a means to continue their own selfish political ends. Let them tell us they want this and that out or in the draft and not 'kenyans want' I do not remember at any one point politicians calling for views from Kenyans before giving them to the public.If anything the Kitonga led commission did exactly that and it is therefore fraudulent for the MPs and others to continue using 'Kenyans' as an excuse to say what they want done in the drafts. Our MPs efforts should be directed towards finding a consensus and not taking us back to their orange/banana games of the last referendum. Kudos to the Commission for the document; but we need to find a consensus on the contagious issues whatever they are. Not a Yes/No war again.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Disparity as it is!
So we all can now clearly see how how apart the classes really are in this country. A closer look at the exam results for the primary school goers is ample example. That the public schools continue to perform poorly while the private ones take all the top spots.Offcourse we can not by any means blame the private schools for the way things are;the blame squarly lies with the government.With primary schools that have a pupil-teacher ratio of 1 for over 100,compared to private schools with the recommened ratio of 1 for every 40 pupils,there in lies the problem amidst a host of many others i chose not to explore. What is the way forward? Thats a story for another day,in the meantime i chose to ponder over the same.
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