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Post by JAHAATWACH on Feb 9, 2008 20:43:53 GMT 3
Hope Raila & Co were misquoted by Associated Press, if not then Annan may as well pack up and go!
Call for Kenya's president to quit
1 hour ago
Kenya's opposition leader has demanded that the president resign, saying a new vote must be held in a speech to thousands of supporters at the funeral of an opposition lawmaker whose slaying set off a wave of ethnic clashes.
Raila Odinga's statements were in sharp contrast to the conciliatory tone he struck this week in Nairobi, where he backtracked on earlier demands that President Mwai Kibaki step down as peace talks to end the crisis picked up momentum.
Those comments were made in English. But speaking in Swahili, East Africa's common tongue, in his power base in western Kenya on Saturday, Odinga returned to the themes that have rallied supporters - and, many say, incited them to violence - since the December 27 election.
Kibaki, who the opposition accuses of stealing the vote, "must step down or there must be a re-election - in this I will not be compromised," Odinga told thousands of people who gathered in an open field for the funeral of David Kimutai Too. Police say Too was killed in a crime of passion, but the opposition insists he was assassinated.
"You cannot steal my cow, and I catch you red-handed, and then expect me to share the milk because the cow is mine," he said as the crowd cheered wildly.
More than 1,000 people have been killed and 300,000 forced from their homes since the vote, which Kenyan and foreign observers say was rigged. The fighting has pitted members of Kenya's rival ethnic groups against one another, gutted the economy and left the country's reputation as a budding democracy and a top tourist destination in tatters.
The funeral was the first mass public gathering since a ban on rallies, imposed following the election, was lifted on Friday, and nearly all of Kenya's major opposition attended. The opposition and international community had for weeks been urging the government to lift the rally ban, which had been repeatedly enforced by police using live bullets, tear gas and water cannons.
Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said he was lifting the ban because "security has generally improved." He urged legislators and others to hold meetings "to promote peace and national reconciliation" and not to use rallies as "avenues to incite violence."
While none of the opposition figures at Saturday's funeral urged supporters to attack rivals, few spoke of reconciliation. "The blood of David Too must run to the door of those who stole the election," said Anyang Nyongo, secretary-general of Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement.
"We are not going backward," said Najib Balala, another leading opposition politician. "We only want Raila (Odinga) to lead this nation."
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Post by JAHAATWACH on Feb 9, 2008 20:45:18 GMT 3
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Post by JAHAATWACH on Feb 9, 2008 20:47:48 GMT 3
Reuters version:"... Several speakers at Too's funeral in Kericho on Saturday struck a reconciliatory note.
There is nothing like us not being able to share a government under Kibaki," said ODM lawmaker Kipkalia Kones. "Let us stand together and we shall even win re-election."
Odinga told the mourners his party had been instructed to sit and negotiate with election "thieves", and it had done so.
"But they should know it will not be in vain," Odinga said. "We will not agree to a decision that will jeopardise the justice of Kenyans ... There cannot be peace without justice."africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN951198.htmlNMG's version:Party leaders Raila Odinga and Anyang’ Nyong’o were categorical that ODM would not accept a solution to the current political impasse which did not address the controversial outcome of the General elections.
Mr Odinga said ODM would not accept a position that would betray the wishes of its supporters, adding that they will find a way of seeking their supporters mandate before putting pen to paper.
“We will not accept a solution that betrays trust bestowed upon us. Part of the solution would be to address the past injustices including the stolen elections,” Mr Odinga said. He warned that the failing to address the issue of vote rigging would lead to voter apathy.
He said maintaining tough stand in the negations process would be a betrayal to Kenyans adding that all hopes were now pegged on the Kofi Annan lead process, saying the former UN Boss had the interest of Kenyans at heart.www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=116464Newsweek's: www.newsweek.com/id/91857/output/print
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Post by politicalmaniac on Feb 9, 2008 21:38:09 GMT 3
Its impossible to reconcile the obvious theft of the vote and the merging in a GNU, of ODM and PNU.
Not only does it set a dangerous precedent, but the GNU will just be a rickety outfit a la NARC. It stinks plain and simple. rewarding theft is just unconscionable
But what other solution is there?
Armed insurgency? that leads to political instability and acrimony and more death and destruction
I don't know, but what is the SOLUTION IN THE FACE OF THE INTRANSIGENT ATTITUDE OF PNU!!!
These guys only understand violence!!
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Post by mzee on Feb 10, 2008 0:56:40 GMT 3
Its impossible to reconcile the obvious theft of the vote and the merging in a GNU, of ODM and PNU. Not only does it set a dangerous precedent, but the GNU will just be a rickety outfit a la NARC. It stinks plain and simple. rewarding theft is just unconscionable But what other solution is there? Armed insurgency? that leads to political instability and acrimony and more death and destruction I don't know, but what is the SOLUTION IN THE FACE OF THE INTRANSIGENT ATTITUDE OF PNU!!! These guys only understand violence!! PM, I think that ODM is on the right track. Yes, I agree that a GNU with PNU is a things that should be resisted. I think that only way is to separate the government from the state, via the Ghai (Bomas) constitution |
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Post by politicalmaniac on Feb 10, 2008 1:00:26 GMT 3
ODM POSITION " ODM had provided its proposals for a political settlement, which included provision for a six-month transitional government, reconstitution of the ECK then a re-run.
Sources say the party is willing to support a transitional government that stays for longer than six months during which period there would be serious work on constitutional reforms." WHAT IS PNUs  ? I think it dawning upon them - the PNU folks that rewarding theft is NOT going to be possible. Annan already R/O arbirtration by the MKM Bench the one installed after the botched kiraitu "radical surgery", that so disfigured the face of the Judiciary. He also wisely told the inept MKM dominated ECK to say adieu. What next? |
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Post by JAHAATWACH on Feb 10, 2008 13:09:16 GMT 3
Raila is reported by Reuters as saying that ODM was " instructed to negotiate with thieves," obviously the kind of statement that the Kalonzo type who are bent on sabotaging any concievable power-sharing agreement will readily exploit to scuttle the talks. It is also instructive to note(and this is very important)that as much as it dropped its initial demands, ODM is yet to officially renounce its vow to oust Kibaki from power: We will use all available means
to bring down the Kibaki regime. I wont be surprised if the Tuesday's Kamukunji is either called off or used as a launching pad for the time wasting Naivasha type parleys.While there is defeaning silence from Kibaki's hawks, ODM is blowing hot and cold obviously to the chagrin of Annan,Mama Graca and Mkapa. Which is understandable given the pent up frustration and anger and more importantly the risk of losing face before its restless and radicalized support base. But still, ODM is tripping not just by flouting the terms of engagement for the Annan Talks which binds it against provocations but also by heightening mistrust and suspicion that are inimical to the political solution of Kenyan crisis. I have in mind remarks such as this: "If Kenyans managed to successfully fight the British Empire and freed the country from the colonial yoke, Kibaki and his foot soldiers will be defeated and when all is settled, this whole thing will look like a storm in a tea cup," Raila's handlers ought to remind him of some wise counsel by Moi long time ago at the height of NDP-Kanu co-operation during a news event in Moi's Kabarak home.Moi had counseled Raila: Uki taka kushika ngombe, usi muonyeshe kamba something to the effect that if you want to ensnare a bull don't dangle the rope before it! But to be fair to ODM,all that Raila & Co is doing is simply putting aside their diplomatic garbs in that time-honoured tradition of speaking your mind with brutal honesty so that the TRUTH CAN SET US FREE.Could there be a better way for ODM to galvanize its support base while at the same time constructively engaging its homeland adversary without loosing face or trust ? |
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Post by mank on Feb 10, 2008 20:19:06 GMT 3
Well, Mr. Annan is not there to play games. The individuals he is bringing together are all adults, and they should behave as such. That means they should promise only what they will commit to, and commit to everything they promise. Kenyans too deserve better than the moodswings they are being subjected to. Every time Kenyans hear that a solution is being brokered, they become very hopeful ... only to be disappointed again when either side of participants acts as if it were not party to what caused the hope.
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Post by adongo23456 on Feb 10, 2008 20:40:02 GMT 3
I am always distrustful of funeral politics. Kenyan politicians are notorious in going to funerals and saying all sorts of things. Mercifully this time they have not started those crazy home coming parties. They are going to start them soon. In 2003 the home coming parties were insane. Predicatably the topic was always Raila Amolo Odinga.
But to be fair to Raila this is the first time he had an opportunity to talk to thousands of his supporters in a peaceful environment. He had to be honest with them, but I would rather he adopted a more conciliatory tone. I also think given the circumstances of the funeral, the second of an of their M.P the ODM folks were very calm and avoided anything that flare up emotions. We should give them credit for that.
Also it seems different reporters chose what they wanted to emphasize.
Secondly I think Raila and others have a right to state categorically that Kibaki stole the elections. Just because they are negotiating with him does not change that fact.
But I would have been much happier if they used the opportunity to do more of what Omingo Magara did, preach co-existence between communities. May be they did and the media didn't find that juicy.
adongo
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Post by politicalmaniac on Feb 10, 2008 21:42:18 GMT 3
I dont think R is speaking in a vacuum.
He knows exactlywhat he is saying when he frames the debate in terms of 'negotiating with thieves'.
Its the truth.
PNU is the one with the "hard choices" to make.
Either they hang ontopower and prolong the conflict, or succumb to presure and give up power ignominiously.
Either way they loose.
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Post by job on Feb 10, 2008 21:54:54 GMT 3
Raila needs to find immediate repacement for SALIM LONE ( savvy media spokesperson) then basically limit his statements before crucial discussions are finalized.
Serious threats were made on Salim Lone's life .....who was advised to temporarily go into exile. He took the advice.
Irrespective of these conflicting media statements varying widely,......I must agree that ODM must navigate the entire Kofi Annan talks meticulously. Especially remarks made outside Serena's closed doors.
As it appraises supporters,...ODM must not try to follow Kalonzo in dragging negotiation matters outside the Kofi Annan discussion table. This is where Salim Lone is being missed badly.
The matters must stay within Serena and not exported by concerned players to London, Washington DC, or Kericho.
I know its difficult not to pander to whims of charged supporters, especially those mourning a fallen MP.
But IT IS CERTAINLY NOT DIFFICULT to simply tell the supporters,.....
"Well, the election was stolen from us,.... we are in the midst of a negotiation,......and we'll soon get back to you with the resolutions to decide whether they are favourable or not.....meanwhile let's co-exist peacefully as we brace for this coming week......FULL STOP"
I know there is another equally agitating funeral crowd yet to be addressed in Hon. Mugabe Were's burial.
Probably this will be after next week's negotiation success or failure.......I hope words will be heavily calculated and used very economically depending on circumstances then........the big point is that pandering to supporters may be a secondary concern at this extra-ordinary moment. Let the PNU side refuse to ODM's side of the bargain before they appraise their supporters of any fresh stalemate.
Job
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Post by merkeju on Feb 10, 2008 22:32:14 GMT 3
the fact remain that kibaki at one time now or in the future has to go,it doesnt mean by sitting down with thieves change the obvious fact,this people,kibaki and his cronies are not good people,their actions lead to death of over 1000 kenyans and suffering of over 300000 people just because of their greed for power,ODM is mediating for the sake of kenyans not because the like talking to thieves,and we should not forget that,their is no civil way about this.
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Post by politicalmaniac on Feb 10, 2008 23:00:40 GMT 3
But all this talk by R is important to shore up the ODM base spirits, esp when they were in such a solemn grief striken gathering. As it were, right now there is a kind of lull in terms of street protests etc giving the impression that the illegal occupant has won the battle of attrition.
R needs to communicate to ODMers that the position remains that kegs must relinquish power. ODM must never give into the illusion that things are fine and that PNU has 'won'. After all goebels mutua is still spouting the line that they 'won'. So if they won, then what is it that were are negotiating about?
I agree R needs to let someone else do the daily press briefs. They should have a 'war room' to clear press releases and let the others just shut up.
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Post by JAHAATWACH on Feb 11, 2008 12:20:35 GMT 3
It seems Kenyans now have a say in the negotiations. " In Odinga's stronghold in western Kenya, his supporters have threatened to burn down his farm and a large molasses factory his family owns outside Kisumu if he returns as anything less than president" |
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Post by kamalet on Feb 11, 2008 17:05:38 GMT 3
......and that forces him to flip flop! So how will he manage the final agreement that does not give him the presidency?
ODM has perhaps not dealt with these talks in a smart manner. I understand that every agreed resolution is signed for by each of the parties as a commitment to that resolution. Now the problem will be when they get to the difficult ones where they cannot agree and they have to enforce the earlier agreement. For instance the agreement on violence stopping has given Kenya a relatively quiet week. Were this to revert, then there would be a serious finger pointed out at ODM for reneging on the pact on violence.
Let us hope that there will be no political harakiri by either side especially ODM where they are so vulnerable.
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