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Post by miguna on Nov 22, 2005 19:30:35 GMT 3
WE MUST DEMAND SNAP ELECTIONS NOW By MIGUNA MIGUNA - 22nd of November 2005
I was very pleased to read all the predictable reactions to my early call on this referendum warm-up. I call it a warm-up because the mother of all battles is coming.
A close friend was good enough to forward some of my readers' comments appearing in all sorts of fora to me so that I could see what other Kenyans think about my views. I appreciate reflecting on both my critics' beefs and my supporters' encouragement. Whereas some of them are quite incisive; others constitute tribal junk.
It is interesting to see that my prescient declaration was roundly termed "propaganda", "hyperbole" and a few other nasty things by some pseudo-intellectuals. These intellectual pretenders could not stand being boldly told that they had lost. I am not surprised, given our own president's public abuse of the ordinary Kenyan as "pumbavu" and "mavi ya kuku". You see, like the majority of Kenyans, my crime was to tell the truth.
Some of us have been privy to this truth since early 2003. In fact, I have repeatedly written about this. My commentaries have been published in Kenyan papers. I had even called for snap elections as way back as 2003.
It requires a bit of careless disrespect of the intelligence of the ordinary Kenyan for some of these so-called intellectuals to completely ignore the fact that only Central Province (read: Kikuyus) overwhelmingly supported the attempt to impose an Executive Fraud on the people of Kenya by the Kibaki government. I gues to all of them, the rest of Kenyans are simply naive, stupid and confused. To these disrespectful pseudo-inteelectuals, the majority of Kenyans are just drunk with Raila Odinga's crude political concoctions! It is these so-called thinkers and commentators like Phillip Ochien'g, Makau Mutua, Matunda Nyanchama, among others, who portray Raila as a demi-god; not the rest of us. It is these pretenders and hypocrites who refuse to believe that nearly the whole country have made a deliberate decision that they will no longer sit by and watch as the country is divied up into little "apartheid" enclaves of those without and those "constipated with stolen loot."
The ordinary Kikuyu and a few selfish intellectuals and politicians must now decide whether they will get along with other Kenyans; start treating fellow Kenyans as equals; start treating the country as belonging to all of us, or the rest of the country will leave them behind.
The ordinary Kenyans have made a decision. My critics are free to debate or quibble with them. Fortunately, I do not have to do that, even in my stupidity, madness or over-exuberance. Prescience, I have called it.It is something one has to be born with; it is not acquired through Western or Eastern forms of miseducation that the majority of the grumbling members of the confused market place are good in. As far as I am concerned, ordinary Kenyans have managed to seperate the cabal of conniving and looting tribalists from the overwhelming majority of the people. The notice has been duly served.
When you see our Chief Thieves and tribalists such as Saitoti, Kibaki, Karume, Michuki and Nyachae, plus their students like Awori, Ngilu, Tuju, Mungatana, Nyagah, Koech, Maalim, Kibwana, Ndile, Kamanda, Mwaboza, Shakombo, etc, relegated to the poliical dustbins by the hoi polloi, it clearly shows us the superior intelligence of the ordinary Kenyan. It is spectacular!
I was very lucky to have studied History, Literature, Political Science and Philosophy before I went to Law School. These disciplines taught me that understanding human beings is not like understanding figures. Like meteriologists that study winds and clouds, my winds and clouds are the pulse, feelings and thoughts of the ordinary person. Once completely mastered, one can predict ordinary human beings with the same kind of precision a meteriologist would foretell rain, hurricane or draught. If in doubt, please check the referendum results again.
However, once you have fully understood a people, you can predict their responses to specific issues just like some of you good in Math will be able to figure out a mathematical equation. 2 + 2 = 4, no matter which way one looks at it. All I did was use my pumbavu brains to figure out this referendum equation when you were still sleeping. I actually figured it out in 2003!
Call it madness, propaganda, or whatever. It will not change the results.
As my friend, Dr. Job Obonyo Babu recommended elsewhere, maybe I should prim up my office and make it ready for the arrival of some "sheep" and a few lost "goats" from Kenya in the coming months.
In 2003, when the majority of our pseudo-intellectuals were still drooling with "anticipation" of Kibaki's appointments, some of which never materialized, some of us were already calling for Kibaki's tribalistic, divisive and illegitimate manners to be checked. We talked about accountability and legitimacy. We spoke of the need to respect all pre-election promises and commitments. We spoke of total respect for the ordinary Kenyan. In all my commentaries, I have called on unity of purpose; not self-serving short-term allighnments such as the cynical "Government of National Unity." But we were ignored, condemned and ostracised. I believe that my record speaks for itself.
It is not enough for the losing faction to jump into the "unity" and "reconciliation" parade. Not yet. We cannot allow these people to conspire against the people's resolve by extending their stay in power. The challenge facing ordinary Kenyans at the moment is the ability to maintain their vigilance, momentum and organizations in order to remobve all the tribalists, chauvinists and looters from all corridors of power. I believe that the president is wrong by saying that "it is back to normal." We he attempted to force down our throats was not normal. The means he used was neither normal nor legitimate. Consequently, we cannot accept the president's attitute of "business as usual". We have audited his government and found that it has lost our support, confidence and trust. The ordinary Kenyan cannot live with this government for vanother two years. Without the trust of the majority of Kenyans, the Kibaki government lacks the legitimacy to continue misgoverning. It is high time we denied our conninving politicians the ability to betray us twice in less than four years.
Although we call for a peaceful mobilization of the people, the time for elections is now. Any amount of dithering will just make the situation worse.
Miguna Miguna Barrister & Solicitor 45 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 410 Toronto, Ontario M2N 5W9 CANADA Tel (416) 512-7999 Fax (416) 512-6750
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Post by kichwambaya on Nov 22, 2005 21:32:59 GMT 3
Miguna, your contributions which energised the Orange base and provided it with the interlectual fire power were priceless.
I also believe that it cannot be business as usual. 60%, is a mandate in any democracy and I hope the ODM leaders take the voice of the people seriously and use it to make the kinds of changes that the people of Kenya are demanding.
They have to avoid the kinds of self serving elitists meetings being offered by Kombo. These people never learn. They think it is all about the ruling class and not about the people. Leaders do not have to get along so long as they are doing what the people want them to do. I hope ODM do not forget who voted and why they voted.
ODM must sit down with Kibaki and make demands. Snap elections is a good start. I also think they have to demand a complete ovahaul of the cabinet. Since Kibaki is the only president and the MKM are not co-presidents, ODM leadership should demand to meet with him directly without the Mafia hovering around. ODM should then demand a snap elections or a complete re-make of the Cabinet. Murungaru should go. The ministry of justice and constitutional affairs, and the ministry of special projected must be scrapped. These are the ministries that fostered tribalism and political mischief. Inorder to fight corruption, finance ministry and the ministry of internal security must be taken away from the Mafia. These are the minimimal demands that I expect form ODM. However, I agree that they should even aim higher. If not for the heavy use of government resources, the Wako Mongrel would have lost by a bigger margin. It cannot be business as usual.
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Post by job on Nov 22, 2005 21:52:41 GMT 3
A CALL FOR SNAP ELECTIONS.
Miguna,
That is precisely the point. A call for snap elections. Did you notice from Kibaki's speech that he has deliberately decided to continue "burying his head in sand" as someone recently remarked.
Kibaki seems to be implying that by overwhelmingly rejecting the Wako Mongrel, Kenyans have decided that they want to be governed by the current constitution, .....end of story, ..hence we should now just get back to business as usual and concentrate on "development" issues.
I am alone in bewilderment folks or am I dreaming while "ng'orota-ring" ? As Wanjiku, I know for sure that Kibaki, Karume or even Michuki can't protect me as I sleep. Heavens!, ...these Mount Kenya Mafia elites almost enslaved the whole of Republic of Kenya.
A true leader, leads from the front. Kenyans have spoken and registered their desire for a people driven Constitution.
Will Kibaki please stand up and be counted as a leader, or will he delve into ku-jienjoy on the fence at his State House abode?
A good framework upon which to start business for a forthright leader, and inject some fine tuning, is safely recorded as the Bomas draft.
President Kibaki would have done himself & Kenyans justice, had he picked up the review process right from the point it lost touch with the peoples participation,.. that is Bomas.
The State-House-loving, third-President-of-Kenya, would have by now relieved his cabinet of Ministers; Murungi, Saitoti, Michuki, Karume, Karua, Nyachae, Kirwa, Kimunya, Mwiraria, & the rest of sycophants who misled him into believing he was destined to score a major political victory and silence his rebel Ministers.
In his rejection, isolation and humiliating embarrassment, he continues on a self destruct path, probably singing from the same hymn book, written by the same "prophets", to bury his head in sand.
Well, we are watching.
I guess, it is after-all a blessing in disguise, he has favourably chosen not to, ......so let other forthright patriots and Wanjiku herself, take the onus to spearhead the much awaited march towards the realization of a new law capturing our desires.
Once again, the good old man from Othaya has failed to click in synch with his citizenry. Is his view blocked from their well spoken and loud "NO" statement, made on November 21st, 2005, just as many political pundits predicted?
A good starting point is to ask Emilio to do the right thing as Miguna Miguna suggests, call for snap elections immediately.
If Kibaki thinks "wapumbavu" have forgotten their own organic input into the Bomas draft then he is mistaken yet again, or he's simply in denial-cum shock-mode, or probably just trying to con his way out of this embarrassing and expensive defeat.
The latter may not just happen as many have previously pointed despite a storm of criticism from Kibaki's tribal apologists.
Kibaki's blatant abuse of our national resources in an illegal and crazy blitz to bribe voters must not escape prominent and repeated mention in the days, weeks and years to come.
Our wildlife, game reserves, public plots, forests, tax revenue, were dished out by him at State House in an attempt to buy votes. The President disregarded the law and even the supreme constitution he swore to uphold, in the process.
He abused his democratic opponents and citizens collectively with contempt never witnessed before.
Now that corruption thrives in humongrous proportions right under his nose,....... now that his secret plans to impose a dominating ethnic hegemony on us has been exposed and rejected,.....now that he has failed to convince us that it was not him, who authored the infamous Sessional Paper Number 10, that facilitated imbalanced economic growth, skewed to favour his home region while marginalizing others,......... he must simply seek fresh mandate.
Kibaki has lost our confidence and trust. He has come out wounded, and his agenda has been depicted as tribalistic, only fit for isolation by the rest of Kenyans.
What more has he to offer the bigger nation of Kenya outside his home?
Over to you Mr. President.
Dr. Job Obonyo. Washington DC.
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Post by miguna on Nov 22, 2005 22:03:11 GMT 3
Kichwambaya:
I've heard you loud and clear. Thanks for the kind words.
Your comments are correct. However, we must becareful on how we proceed from here. In as much as I would not begrudge any meetings between Kenyans, especially that of the ODM and Kibaki, I think we have to know that any government headed by Kibaki will not be acceptable. Kibaki has proved inacapable of making decisions for the wellbeing of the ordinary Kenyan. He has also proved that he cannot be trusted. In politics, like most other things in life, "trust" is virtually everything. Without trust, Kibaki cannot govern effectively. In a functioning democracy, an election would be inevitable. Kenya should not be different. In any event, working with Kibaki in a reconstituted government will only lead to "infections" of otherwise clean ODM members. We have to be careful. Moreover, I seriously doubt that Kibaki is capable of firing people like Murungaru, Karume, Kimunya, Kiraitu, Mwiraria and Michuki. These are his lifeline. Remember that Kibaki is as guilty, if not more, than Murungaru concerning the Anglo Leasing and other scams. I also doubt that the cabal will allow Kibaki to relinguish Finance and Internal Security dockets. They need both to accumulate slush funds for 2007.
Finally, I do not want any of these people near any political machine that claims to work with and for the people. That leaves only the election option. Kibaki can resist for a while, but I believe that with popular presser, he cannot stop it.
Peace. [unedited]
-Miguna-
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Post by miguna on Nov 22, 2005 22:10:31 GMT 3
Daktari:
We were literally writing at the same time. That's why your message got burried between my original post and the response to Kichwambaya. As I told Kichwambaya, you are dead on.
Let us give Kenyans a few days to recover their breaths. After that, it will be back to the trenches. We will demand elections! Elections! Nothing else but elections!
Peace. -Miguna-
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Post by miguna on Nov 25, 2005 5:53:34 GMT 3
It may take us a bit of time; but we are getting the word out clearly and surely ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday November 25, 2005 Why a snap poll is also a good choice for Kibaki -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Chaacha Mwita
Sorry Kenyans! I’ll have to disagree with those of you who argue that the President should now constitute a Cabinet that will unite and heal the country.
I’ll have to disagree with those of you who argue that the President should revisit the 2002 pre-election MoU he signed with LDP and start there.
I’ll even have to disagree with those of you arguing that he should call Raila Odinga and together constitute a Cabinet.
While I disagree with all of these groups of people, I wish to emphasise that I do so in the knowledge that many are happy to proclaim admiration for tenets of democracy but very few are willing to stand by such tenets at moments of great tests such as we face today.
Therefore, I do so fully cognisant of the fact that what you are prescribing for our President falls far short of the theory and practice of democracy.
So far, what my president has done to great acclaim from many quarters is a major fraud of democracy.
What the President should have done is something more radical, something so earth shattering it would be unbelievable, something that would nonetheless be the noblest thing to do in a democracy and in the circumstances obtaining. He should just have resigned and called a snap poll.
Why? The world over, when a president fails in a major referendum like this one; one in which he has staked his very presidency, he has to resign. The writing of law may allow him to hold on, but the principles of democracy demand either his total exit or his seeking a new mandate from the people.
In a democracy when the Head of Government — in this case our President — personally spearheads a course that the people reject with a convincing majority, such a leader resigns.
In the current constitutional dispensation, Kibaki can stay on legally. But democratic principles do not allow him to stay on. Elsewhere, heads of government do not stay on in circumstances such as this even where they are legally permitted to do so.
In many of those countries, however, the presidents get to stay on because they are rarely heads of government. They are heads of state with prime ministers being heads of government. Therefore, this is the one respect in which a president would wish he had a prime minister to send back to the electorate as he (the president) enjoys his term in office.
Unfortunately for our President, Kenya has no (executive) prime minister. So Kibaki should shoulder this weight personally.
But over and above democratic practice, unique conditions in the country demand that Kenyans be given an opportunity to elect a new government. In the just concluded referendum, they have said they have no faith in this Government’s ability to initiate development projects — such as the "government project" the proposed new constitution was.
Kenyans, lest you forget, the draft you have just rejected was passed in Parliament. On what justification would Parliament as currently constituted continue to make laws for you?
The draft you rejected was done by Amos Wako. On what basis should he continue to be the government’s principal legal advisor when he is so obviously at variance with the people’s requirements?
The draft you rejected was given tacit support by the Judiciary which ruled that we go to a referendum despite there being no referendum law in place; in fact they decided we go to a referendum in direct contravention of Section 47 of our current Constitution.
What one is saying here is that the three critical arms of government are too compromised to continue operations. The Executive (President and Cabinet) are compromised; the Legislature (Parliament) is compromised; and the Judiciary too is compromised. They all need a fresh mandate from the people and hence the need for a General Election! After the aborted 1982 coup, Kenya had to go for a snap poll to unite, purge and heal the country. Now too we need a snap General Election. This is so obvious, I wonder why no "analyst" has said so yet!
For Kibaki as a person — a statesman, a democrat, a confident leader of the people, a remorseful noble man — he would achieve a lot and define a permanent legacy by resigning and calling a snap poll. Very few of those who have embarrassed Kibaki so would make it back after a campaign. They would forever be remembered as the most successful architects of a squandered dream.
But Kibaki would also be telling Kenyans: "Look here, you’ve proved I was wrong in supporting a constitution you did not want. Please lend me your wisdom by giving me a new group of MPs I can work with. I am sorry and as evidence of this, I am asking you to give me a fresh mandate and a fresh team to enable us start afresh." I am not being hard on Kibaki. This is the world of politics. Besides, democracy is a double-edged sword! It cuts both ways. Embracing democracy means embracing it warts and all.
In the event that Kibaki disregards this time-tested democratic principle, here’s what will happen: The Orange Democratic Movement will demand a specific number of Cabinet slots as well as dictate which ministries they should take charge of. This cannot please any president. So Kibaki will ask them to go to hell.
But instead, they will make governance literally hell for him because they would rather continue weakening him ahead of 2007 rather than be subservient to a wounded and bleeding president.
After all, they have been fighting for the last three years, what is there to stop them from fighting for two more years? But if Kibaki calls for a snap poll, he will not only save whatever little support he has remaining, he could gain more. Ultimately, if he loses at the poll, he’ll have an honourable exit from State House.
* The writer is Managing Editor, Sunday Standard
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Post by kamalet on Nov 25, 2005 13:41:41 GMT 3
I am perhaps in all this confusion missing something...seriously.
Let me see, 31.25% of all registered voters or better still 58% of all those who voted and perhaps cheekily 10% of all Kenyans voted NO to the DRAFT CONSTITUTION. That is what I was led to believe that people went to the voting booths to do.
What I was not told was that we were going to vote for the legitimacy of this government and parliament. When Kiraitu and Koigi said that the NO group were only interested in POWER, I was constantly reminded that this referendum was about the DRAFT CONSTITUTION invariably also referred to as the Wako Mongrel. I therefore faithfully fought for the merits of the DRAFT and was engaged in very intellectual arguments on how wrong I was and how the DRAFT was bad for Kenya. Not a single time was I told that the agenda was different.
So what MORAL RIGHT do 3.5 million people have to think they can dictate to 7.7 million of all registered voters, 2.5 million who voted against and 29 million other Kenyans on their representation?
Have we established if in fact these 3.5 million voters actually shared the POWER agenda of the ODM, i.e. that they were voting on the government and not the DRAFT. Have they considered all the Muslims who were unhappy with the Kadhi court representation, the Maasai and Kalenjin who voted NO because they had concerns about their Land, the Evangelicals who had concerns about Abortion and Homosexuals, the Teachers who thought the TSC was being neutered? Not all these people are interested in the power agenda we are now seeing, and I REFUSE to agree that this meant that the president should be carted away to Othaya.
Remember this, we accused Kiraitu & Co of being drunk with power - be careful how you use the power you have.
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Post by miguna on Nov 25, 2005 20:33:15 GMT 3
Kamau:
Even if the turnout were 5 people, and 3 voted "NO" and 2 voted "Yes", we would still have won. That is what democracy is. We know what the vote was about. The Banana Team consistently told Kenyans that it was about:
1. Raila vs. Kibaki 2. Confidence or lack thereof on Kibaki 3. A government project vs. ODM project (presumably) 4. The Kibaki Govt. vs. people interested in power through the Back Door 5. The Wako Mongrel vs. Bomas Draft.
This is the way Banana ran theitr campaign and it is the way we are judging the outcome. Remember that I was among some of the voices that advised Kibaki not to take sides; to remain neutral and not to engage in any conduct that would compromise his role as the Head of State and government. He refused. Now, apparently, he does not want to eat the gigantic pie the people of Kenya have fed him! Too bad.
On every question, the people said that they did not prefer Kibaki/ the Mogrel/govt project/ and they had no confidence on the same. If in doubt, ask Awori, Kiraitu, Kimunya, Murungaru, Nyachae and Kibaki. I am only repeating what they told Kenyans. I am glad that in this age of technology, we have all their statements safely saved and secure, for use later, if need be. Remember our effective use of Kiraitu's and Kibaki's presentations before power corrupted them throughly? Yes, there will be a rerun....
In a democracy, those who do not vote or participate in a political process `forefeit the right to complsain about the result. In any event, you and the rest of your banana team knew (through Steadman/CIA and NMG's polls) that you were losing. It does not matter how many people voted. The margin would have been wider had all eligible voters turned out, or if all the unemployed youth (the ones that Kibaki, Nyachae, Awori, Kombo, Kituyi, Karume, et all, publicly abused) had voted. Anyway, if Kibaki is man enough he would call a snap election and I promise you Kamau, he will see a zillion glaxies of stars! You have not seen anything yet!
[unedited]
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Post by miguna on Nov 27, 2005 3:22:52 GMT 3
Here we are................How long will the Ostrich burry its head? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 27, 2005 Elections now, Orange says
Story by DAVID MUGONYI and LUCAS BARASA Publication Date: 11/27/2005
Orange leaders yesterday declared that they were ready to face President Kibaki in a snap General Election, which they said must be called now. Orange luminaries Najib Balala, William Ruto, Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka during the meeting. Photo/Stephen Mudiari In the climax of their rally, the Orange leading lights said they were not ready to negotiate with the Government as the "people spoke" during the referendum.
But they appeared to send mixed signals when some of them said that they would accept to serve in the Cabinet if President Kibaki himself met eight luminaries of the Orange Democratic Movement.
The negotiation would not only centre on Cabinet ministers, but also the judiciary and other key public service positions.
They said the Orange victory was a vote of no confidence in the Government and the team would only accept negotiations with President Kibaki as "senior partners" because they had the people's mandate.
All Orange leaders backed snap elections and those who talked of negotiations were shouted down by the crowd.
In an interview with the Sunday Nation after the meeting, Mr Raila Odinga clarified that the Orange team was offering two options.
One was immediate dissolution of Parliament followed by elections.
The other was that they would be willing to serve in a Transitional Government of National Unity up to 2007. But negotiations must be through the Orange Democratic Movement and not through selected individuals. The main task of the transitional Government would be to complete a new Constitution.
They would also refuse to serve in a Government with people tainted by their roles in sabotaging the review exercise or through corruption.
But, Mr Odinga explained: "We found wananchi ahead of us. Everyone who talked of negotiations was shouted down. All they wanted to hear was immediate elections. That was the resolution passed."
Those who addressed the meeting included Mr Odinga and fellow ex-ministers Najib Balala, Anyang' Nyong'o, Linah Kilimo, Ochillo Ayacko, William ole Ntimama and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Others were Leader of Official Opposition Uhuru Kenyatta, Kanu Secretary-General William Ruto, former Vice-President Musalia Mudavadi, LDP chairman David Musila and spokesman Joseph Kamotho. MPs representing provinces also spoke.
Former Attorney-General Charles Njonjo joined the leaders in saying President Kibaki had no choice but to either dissolve Parliament and call for elections or meet the Orange leaders and negotiate with them.
The charged crowd dictated the mood when they changed the Orange slogan of Harambee! Orange to Harambee! Uchaguzi (elections).
The youths later poured into Nairobi streets chanting Uchaguzi! Uchaguzi! (We want elections).
Mr Odinga, who spoke last amidst cheers, said: "We are not interested in any negotiations. Kenyans have spoken on our behalf... we want elections."
And Mr Musyoka added as the park vibrated into song and dance: "I don't see (President) Kibaki calling us. We will be ready for elections. Let them form their Cabinet." Most leaders reminded the Government of the 2002 National Rainbow Coalition declaration at Uhuru Park that picked President Kibaki to lead the country. They reminded President Kibaki that it was Mr Odinga who said Kibaki tosha (Kibaki is capable) and Kenyans followed the cue.
Among them was Mr Kenyatta who was defeated by President Kibaki.
He said: "Ile wembe Kibaki alininyoa naye itamnyoa yeye sasa.” (That razor Kibaki used to defeat me will now be turned on him).
He said President Kibaki had abdicated his duty to rule and had left it to his "arrogant, tribal and corrupt" kitchen Cabinet.
Mr Odinga talked of the tsunami they warned the Banana team about during the campaigns, saying they have now been vanquished.
He started by calling for a minute of silence to mourn those who died in Kisumu and Likoni as well as Dr Odhiambo Mbai, who was a delegate at Bomas.
Mr Musyoka said: "It is wrong for one to sit in State House and start dishing out seats to Raila, Ntimama, Ruto... It is not right for anyone of us to sit in the Cabinet they are forming."
Mr Musyoka said a woman leader had been sent as an emissary to talk to him and Mr Odinga to negotiate and join the Cabinet.
"In fact there is a woman who is trying to reach us so that we can accept seats in the Cabinet. I want to meet Kibaki himself," the Mwingi North MP added. He declared that the Orange victory was a vote of no confidence in the Government.
Mr Musyoka added: "I wonder if State House is listening. They have started the blame game."
He said if a chief executive officer sacked his managers it was imperative he meets his shareholders for the next course of action.
Said Mr Balala: "Time is up now... it's elections, nothing else. There is no reconciliation. They have really oppressed us.”
He said in the event there was a Government of National Unity its main agenda should be to complete the review.
In a statement read to the crowd by Mr Kenyatta, the Orange leaders asked President Kibaki to join them to complete the review within the next 180 days (six months).
The statement titled The Way Forward said: "Now that their preferred Constitution has been rejected by the people, we urge the President to fulfil his original promise by joining us in delivering a people's Constitution within 180 days."
Mr Ntimama said they would not serve in a Cabinet which included former ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Chris Murungaru and John Michuki, among others.
The leaders led by Mr Odinga, cut a Kenya-shaped cake as Mr Kenyatta, Mr Musyoka, Mr Mudavadi, Mr Balala and Mr Ruto surrounded him.
The meeting, mainly a thanksgiving celebration, saw prayers said by Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Sheikh Idris, the Rev Jackson Kosgey and Mr Shiroi ole Nasha.
Mr Musila said the Orange team's resounding victory came about because the President had trashed the memorandum of understanding between NAK and LDP.
There was also song and dance by Esther Wahome and Mighty King Kong.
Baringo Central MP Gideon Moi sent the crowd roaring with laughter when he said that if it were his father (former President Moi) he would have completed his speech with kaeni vivyo hivyo (remain that way).
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Post by miguna on Dec 12, 2005 2:53:41 GMT 3
Monday, December 12, 2005 Envoy calls for snap polls
Story by NICHOLAS OKEYA Publication Date: 12/12/2005 Mr Bernd Braun A representative of a key Western donor nation yesterday asked President Kibaki to call snap elections to end the crisis in government.
The German ambassador, Mr Bernd Braun, said the election would also give the President a chance to confirm the people's confidence in his presidency. Mr Braun also expressed disappointment in the new Cabinet, saying it was not inclusive and lacked professionals.
"I am not suggesting that the President calls for snap elections today. What I am saying is that one of the options that he has to redeem his Government from the current political crisis is to confirm the people's confidence through the ballot box,'' he said.
He added: "After the referendum, which was viewed by many as a test vote on the performance of the government, what was widely expected was for the President to dissolve Parliament so that all the MPs could seek fresh mandate from the electorate.''
The ambassador spoke as religious and Orange Democratic Movement leaders renewed calls for dialogue to end the stalemate in government.
The Church leaders from the Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) said separately that dialogue was necessary to iron out the disagreements now threatening the smooth running of government.
Among the religious who spoke were the Catholic Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a Nzeki, who said only fresh negotiations among the political parties could resolve the political crisis.
Said Archbishop Mwana a Nzeki: "We are calling for dialogue. It is possible to reach the desired decision if they talk and exchange ideas."
In Mombasa, ODM leaders, including former ministers Anyang' Nyong'o and Ochilo Ayacko, called on the President to initiate dialogue with them to solve the current political impasse in the Government.
At a news conference, the leaders warned that the President was likely to face an early exit from office if he sticks with his new Government which they said had "minority support."
"If the President fails to consult, he is likely to face an early exit from power. We have always opened ourselves for negotiations, but he doesn't seem to understand how a coalition Government works," said Prof Nyong'o.
Other Orange leaders present at the news conference included South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang' and Mombasa politician Mr Ali Hassan Joho.
But Cabinet minister Njenga Karume said the President was not obliged to meet the movement's leaders over the Cabinet.
The ODM, the minister said, was an amorphous body which had no legal standing to be recognised by the president.
"The Orange was just a symbol during the referendum and this ended with the conclusion of the polls.
Mr Karume was speaking to journalists in Kiambu town shortly after he presided over a funds raising in aid of ACK St James Cathedral church where he helped to raise Sh1.7 million.
Making his hard-hitting statement, Mr Braun described the new Cabinet as "very disappointing", adding that the President had "lost a very good opportunity to constitute a working government.''
The diplomat was speaking at the Nest Children's Home in Limuru, where he hosted a Christmas party for some 300 orphans.
The home is run by Ms Irene Baumgartner and the function was also attended by members of the German community living in Nairobi.
Said Mr Braun: "President Kibaki blew up the opportunity since he had all the time - 14 days when he dissolved the cabinet - to constitute a government that would withstand the opposition onslaught."
According to Mr Braun, the new Cabinet was not representative because the President had failed to reach out to other communities "and therefore the cabinet will not deliver as expected.''
However, when asked what communities he thought had been left out of the government, he only stated, "it was obvious the Cabinet was not all inclusive.''
"Kenyans need people who can deliver to the nation in order to improve the strength of the Kenyan shilling which has been losing its strength against the hard currencies,'' he added.
According to Mr Braun, the President, in his new line up, had left out professionals.
The current crisis in the government was scaring away investors he said, adding that the donor community was concerned about the country's political situation.
He termed as disappointing, the scrapping of the department of Governance and Ethics which was headed by Mr John Githongo. Mr Githongo resigned as the Permanent Secretary in February and went into self-exile in UK.
"The signals being sent out there is that the government has reneged on its earlier effort to fight grand corruption,'' Mr Braun said.
Following Mr Githongo's resignation, the German government stopped Sh500 million meant for governance and the fight against graft.
Elsewhere, the Kenya Human Rights Commission described President Kibaki's new cabinet as a "colossal'' disappointment to Kenyans and foreign investors.
"Instead of forming a reformist government, President Kibaki has instead circled wagons with cronies, some of whom have been implicated in scandals and atrocities both in the Moi and Kibaki administrations,'' said chairman, Prof Makau Mutua in a statement from New York.
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Post by aeichener on Dec 12, 2005 2:58:44 GMT 3
Braun seems more and more decided to follow in the footsteps of Münzelburg :-).
Alexander
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Post by miguna on Dec 12, 2005 23:43:18 GMT 3
KIBAKI'S GOOSE IS COOKED.. --------------------------------------------- Tuesday December 13, 2005 You’ve lost touch with the people, Raila tells Kibaki -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ochieng’ Oreyo and Ayub Savula
Langata MP Raila Odinga has asked President Kibaki to call elections to obtain a fresh mandate from Kenyans.
Raila, who returned to the country from a trip he made soon after the referendum results, said the President had lost touch with the reality of running the affairs of the country.
Langata MP Raila Odinga addresses a Press conference in Nairobi.
The President, Raila said, should seek a fresh mandate from Kenyans and "stop playing survival politics".
"Snap elections in parliamentary democracies can take place whenever the government in power feels the need for a fresh mandate," he told a Press conference attended by both local and international journalists. In a strongly worded statement which he signed a "Party Leader" of the Liberal Democratic Party, Raila said National Rainbow Coalition, on whose platform the Government was elected had long disintegrated.
The Orange Democratic Movement that spearheaded the campaign against the proposed constitution and emerged victorious at the referendum had now taken over the mandate of Narc, Raila said.
"We are the torchbearers of the Narc dream, and we’re determined to fulfill the dream," he said.
The party leader asked the President to discuss the legal and constitutional issues regarding a snap election. The Head of State, he said, should reconvene Parliament to facilitate this discussion.
Dropped from Government
Raila, who was among seven Orange ministers dropped from Government when the President reconstituted his new Cabinet, said that while his group was willing to dialogue with Kibaki, it was not interested in positions.
He described politicians currently lobbying for more positions for their cronies as hungry sycophants behaving like "crows scrambling for carcass" and termed their move "unseemly and embarrassing."
"Neither the President nor the parties care a hoot about discussing the issues that all Kenyans have waited for three long years for Narc to deliver on."
Others at the Press conference were former ministers Anyang’ Nyong’o and Ochilo Ayacko, MPs Omingo Magara, Reuben Ndolo and Charles Keter and Orange Democratic Movement activist Nazlin Umar.
Raila jetted into the country from a week-long trip that took him to Uganda, South Africa and Dubai. He said he had gone on the tour "to meet friends and rest."
At the Press conference, Raila tore into Kibaki’s administration, saying that for the first time in the history of Kenya, the country had "a minority President and a minority Cabinet".
Nyong’o, who sat next to Raila as he read the statement, warned that if nothing was done, the President would find himself "in a hole".
Raila read his statement just hours after Kibaki addressed the 42nd Jamhuri Day celebrations.
He criticised the President’s address, accusing the Head of State of "trivialising issues instead of taking about the current deep political crisis brought about his own failures."
"The President is trying to trivialise the national crisis by talking about the price of milk at a national celebration when the country is in a crisis. There must be something wrong."
Political upheaval
Raila said the rejection of Cabinet positions was also an indication of things gone haywire in the Government.
Raila said Kibaki’s "minority Government" was "a recipe for continuing political upheaval that bodes ill for all of us."
The future of the country, he said, rested in dialogue with political parties to chart the way "out of the current political squalor".
The LDP leader was quick to point out that neither himself nor his party was in a frenzy to get into the Government, adding that the dialogue sought would have very little to do with the Cabinet and other senior posts.
In the statement, titled "Still not late for dialogue", Raila said his party and the ODM were not lamenting about being left out of the Cabinet, "because we are with the people."
"Indeed, while serving in the Cabinet, the LDP found the Cabinet experience very painful and laden with heavy responsibilities without having the authority to implement the mandates the electorate gave Narc," he added.
He said it was time leaders were made to take responsibility for their actions, and gave the example of the Anglo Leasing scandal.
He asked why some senior civil servants had been taken to court while Finance Minister David Mwiraria had admitted signing the Anglo papers at a past Cabinet meeting.
"If as a minister I signed a document authorising the payments I should not put the blame elsewhere," he said.
He added that the war on corruption was one of four key elements lacking in the rejuvenation of confidence in the Narc Government.
He claimed that some powerful Government officials rode on the back of corruption to enrich themselves as a war chest for re-election.
On the constitution, he called for the immediate setting up of mechanisms to begin the walk to a new constitution that would meet the approval of the people.
Others were creation of jobs and inclusive governance.
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Post by miguna on Jan 23, 2006 2:54:54 GMT 3
Monday January 23, 2006
Raila, Uhuru want Govt to be dissolved -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard Team LDP legislators Raila Odinga, Joseph Kamotho and Kalonzo Musyoka speak to the Press at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on Sunday. Former Roads minister Raila Odinga and Kanu Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday led their parties in asking President Kibaki to dissolve his government following reports that some of his Cabinet ministers were linked to the Anglo Leasing scandal.
Raila turned up at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi with former ministers Kalonzo Musyoka, Ochillo Ayacko and Liberal Democratic Party spokesman Joseph Kamotho to say Kibaki’s Government no longer had the moral authority to govern.
Uhuru, who was at the hotel an hour earlier, asked Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials implicated in the Anglo Leasing scandal to resign. Alternatively, he added, Kibaki should sack them. He charged that new revelations on the embezzlement of national resources in the Anglo-Leasing saga were both "shocking and disturbing". "Even more shocking is that senior ministers and officials have been behind attempts to thwart investigations into the Anglo Leasing scandal."
The Anglo Leasing saga, he said, showed how deep corruption had elbowed its way back after the National Rainbow Coalition took over power in 2002 on the platform of zero-tolerance to corruption.
"This is clear evidence that the Government can no longer be trusted to conduct detailed and honest investigations into this saga," he said.
Official Leader of Opposition Uhuru Kenyatta during a news conference at a Nairobi hotel on Sunday. Uhuru announced that as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) he would launch immediate hearings on the saga. He invited the former PS for Ethics and Governance, Mr John Githongo – believed to be the source of the latest secret dossier on the role ministers played in turning the Anglo Leasing projects into a political war-chest and subsequent cover-up – to meet with the committee at the earliest possible opportunity so as to give any evidence that may shed more light on the scandal.
Unanswered questions
Raila said the heart of the Sh7 billion twin passports and forensic kit scandals went all the way to State House. He claimed the Anglo Leasing scandal was bigger than Goldenberg scam whose report by a judicial commission appointed by President Kibaki in 2003 was yet to be released.
He argued that LDP was not "reaping political capital" out of the scandal.
"It is a major scandal, which goes to the heart of State House." "LDP wishes to state that the only honourable thing for President Kibaki to do is to dissolve the Government and let Kenyans elect a new one," stated Kamotho.
Raila said corruption had reached alarming levels in the country.
"Corruption has reached a level where its needs surgical treatment. We are standing with Kenyans and history would absolve us."
Raila recalled the 21 Anglo Leasing questions Kisumu Rural MP Anyang’ Nyong’o had asked Finance Minister David Mwiraria during the referendum campaigns.
"What has come out is nothing new. Nyong’o had posed the questions to Mwiraria, but they were not answered. He went ahead to ask (Lands minister Amos) Kimunya to account for his London trip."
They also questioned Kacc’s ability to investigate the big names.
"It has been noted here that those implicated are the same people who insisted on appointing the current head of Kacc, without letting him apply for the position," stated Kamotho.
Uhuru said several months had passed after the completion of the Goldenberg Inquiry hearings and the President was yet to "find time to receive the report".
"Kenyans can no longer sit back and be placated by the empty platitudes that this government is serious about its fight against corruption," he said.
Taming corruption
The PAC, Uhuru said, was willing to arrange for Githongo’s security if he agreed to come to Kenya. However, the leader of official Opposition said PAC members could as well meet Githongo in United Kingdom and hear his evidence.
"We would also like to invite any other Kenyan and friends of Kenya who may have any useful information to come forward and give evidence, if any, to the committee."
Kamotho recalled claims by Kiraitu that Anglo Leasing was "a scandal that never was". "This was a bizarre, illogical and illegal position for a government official to take, let alone a minister for Justice. At the same time, Mwiraria claimed that no money had been refunded," stated Kamotho.
On the claims by government officials that investigations should start from the top, Kalonzo quipped: "The very top is now collapsing in the face of corruption."
"I am sure the President has been aware of the scope. He has either benefited or buried his head in the sand. If he does not go on record, he will be the most incompetent Head of State of our time because his Personal Assistant is involved," declared Ayacko.
"We know of machinations to go to Court in Britain to get an injunction to block the publishing of the crucial dossier on corruption" Raila said.
"The Anglo-Leasing funds permeated the Parliament and were used to compromise MPs" Raila added.
Nyong’o, speaking by telephone from Mombasa, said Kibaki’s tenure was becoming unstable and the President should pave way for fresh leadership in order to tame corruption.
"Even if he delays re-opening of Parliament, let him rest assured that we are meeting as ODM to deliberate on a working strategy,’’ Nyong’o said.
"He has presided over looting of Government coffers and as leaders we cannot fail to fault the Government when it abdicates its duties and steals from its subjects," Nyongo added.
And leaders throughout the country reacted sharply to revelations of high-level involvement in the Anglo Leasing scandal as reported in the media on Sunday.
‘No holy cows’
Vice-President Moody Awori, who is among key Government officials reportedly being lined up for questioning by the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (Kacc) over the scandal, exonerated himself from the scandal.
"I am not in those things," he said and declined to comment further on the matter.
"Just leave it at that. That is life," Awori said in reference to the latest investigations on the Anglo-leasing.
Kacc will summon Awori to explain what he knows about the scandal.
Trade minister, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, said corrupt elements in the Government must be dealt with however close they were to President Kibaki.
"My position is that there are no holy cows in the Government," Kituyi said. "They should go and face the law as individuals. This is a historic moment to clean Kenya."
Shadow Finance minister Billow Kerrow said Kibaki was fully aware of those involved in the scandal but had decided to turn a blind eye.
"The President has no moral authority to continue telling Kenyans that his Government is committed to fighting corruption, yet his inner circle and even family members are involved in the scandal," he said.
Kerrow accused Kacc director, Aaron Ringera, of "running after small fish while the real culprits go scot free".
Kerrow said the report was shared between former PS John Githongo and Ringera during their Britain visit, after which Githongo decided to remain behind after being warned that the report could bring down the Government.
He said former Permanent Secretaries Joseph Magari and Sylvester Mwaliko were sacrificial lambs to turn the heat away from the real perpetrators of the scam.
He said despite denial by Ringera that he does not receive instructions, he had been told to go slow on "Kibaki men" involved in the scandal.
Kerrow said the sacking of former Transport minister Dr Chris Murungaru was simply aimed to act as a decoy.
"Murungaru never acted alone. Mwiraria is at the centre of this scandal and was even held responsible by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee but managed to have his name expunged," he said.
Kerrow said the same people involved in Anglo Leasing were involved in the Kenya Ports Authority procurement scandals and the rising cases of drug trafficking in the country.
Game of musical chairs
Ntonyiri MP Maoka Maore, who first exposed the scandal in Parliament dismissed as "hypocritical lamentations", assurances by Kibaki that his government was committed to fighting corruption.
"It is only when the British Secretary of State for International Development, Hillary Ben visited last week that Ringera was pushed to do some whitewashing," he said.
Maore said this was the same game of musical chairs that the former regime used to engage in any time a team from the International Monetary Fund or World Bank was visiting the country.
"The likes of Kamlesh Pattni would be picked and locked up to show that the Government was investigating the Goldenberg scandal," he said.
He claimed that the appointment of Ringera, Evan Gicheru as Chief Justice and Kiraitu Murungi as the then Justice minister was meant to ensure that no prosecution of any of Kibaki’s inner circle.
He urged the President to set up a judicial commission of inquiry similar to the one for Goldenberg to look into the scandal.
And Catholic Archbishop, Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki, said the truth about the scam must be revealed. Ndingi said the 91-page report compiled by Githongo should not be edited, but should be scrutinised and investigations done.
Speaking at Holly Family Basilica after the Sunday Mass, Ndingi, however, cautioned that the probe should not be based on acts of revenge.
The chairman of young parliamentarians association, Peter Munya criticised Kacc, saying it had lost all credibility as a body that can tackle massive corruption in Kenya.
"It is just a barking dog. It has been vested with enough power to tackle corruption but it has so far done nothing," said Munya. He said parliamentarians had lost hope in Kacc’s seriousness and ability to fight graft.
Lands minister Amos Kimunya said he could not comment on anything touching on Ango-leasing since he had a case pending in court, which he had filed against former Planning minister Anyang’ Nyong’o and some media houses.
Nyong’o alleged during the referendum campaigns that Kimunya was among ministers who knew the details about the scandal.
Nominated MP Mutula Kilonzo called on ministers linked to Anglo Leasing to step down. He also advised Kibaki to appoint an independent body to investigate the ministers.
He said he had no problem with Ringera, but added it was not possible for him to effectively investigate his long-term friends and clansmen.
Kaiti MP Gideon Ndambuki told the Government to stop blaming the Anglo Leasing scam on the Kanu regime.
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Post by kamalet on Jan 23, 2006 12:36:05 GMT 3
I can only laugh at the present rate of reactions to the exclusive report by the Nation!!! If you actually go through the report, it does not give any fresh corraborated evidence only alluding to alleged conversations that may have taken place - with little documentation to support the meetings. The problem I see with the Nation report is that once the denials from those alleged to have had meetings come in, they will not be noticed as much as the original report alleging them.
Would it have been better journalism to actually put the allegations to the people named prior to publishing of the report? The fact that the Nation was able to access the information they publish is good enough and we should not take that away from them. Accusations of impropriety have already been made and judgement already made on these people and as it stands, it no longer matters whether they were innocent in the first place or not!!!
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Post by miguna on Jan 23, 2006 23:14:15 GMT 3
Laugh my brother, for the tsunami is coming....
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Post by job on Jan 24, 2006 9:23:15 GMT 3
Kamale,
Pliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz !
I almost missed this.
To quote you " If you actually go through the report (DN report on Githongo's dossier), it does not give FRESH CORROBORATED EVIDENCE"......."......it is only alluding to alleged conversations".......and that... "denials is enough to wash them off"
C'mon buddy, were you expecting the DN to put forth all the details into the public dormain and jeopardize the case or what?
First of all, if I may genuinely and seriously ask you,...what if it is actually true that these guys looted billions, and returned some(or all) of the money, has a crime been committed? Do you feel at a loss for your country &, the debt burden imposed on our children's future, or it doesn't matter to you personally?
Do you think Githongo's exile in Britain for fear of his life is just a hoax?,
What about his release of the said dossier, is it just some hot air,.... inadmissible in any court?
Public opinion may be irrelevant in this case, but on whose side do you think the general public whose money is being stolen, and Donors, whose funds are being misappropriated stand? on Githongo's side or Kibaki's?
No one wants to conduct a trial over the press, but at least you must have heard of Notarized & sworn Affidavits, declarations, statements and testimonies, & recorded interviews from a multitude of involved parties, all who say the same thing?
You must have heard of hard evidence such as Signed documents authorizing payments bearing real signatures, faxed copies of correspondence, and proof of refund of cash, wired back to the Exchequer. Proof of use of phantom foreign addresses and unregistered non-existent company names, proof of accomplices fleeing the country, aided by people well known, and their continued correspondence etc etc........facts that have disturbed some Foreign governments as much as the Kenyan public.
So it is scary & sad,......... to hear from a fellow countryman,..... Who cries not - for his country as it is hemorrhaged to death, .............but laughs instead, .........at the nations collective attempt to restore justice, accountability and transparency in governance.
Keep on laughing at the fools my brother.
Job.
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Post by kamalet on Jan 24, 2006 12:11:24 GMT 3
Kamale, Pliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz ! C'mon buddy, were you expecting the DN to put forth all the details into the public dormain and jeopardize the case or what? Keep on laughing at the fools my brother. Job. Job, I was actually hoping that DN would go the full hog...which sadly they did not. Your suggestion that this could jeopardise the case is equally hollow when you the people you look up to have already suggested that Ringeera or even Gicheru will do nothing. Why not inform us of the full details eh? You talk about notarised documents interviews etc., but unfortunately the DN did not allude to these in their report. I do not have a problem in Kenyans being informed of what may have happened in the 'scandals' and hopefully some people will end up in jail. But I sure do frown upon the politicisation of a criminal act!
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Post by aeichener on Jan 24, 2006 13:08:53 GMT 3
I am not sure what you mean with your last sentence, Kamalet. But anyhow, and in spite of my respect for KACC's work, I wonder whether the old proverb may not just very aptly cover the whole AngloLeasing thing:
Angîmîtuîria na ûmîrîte ndangîmîona rikiî.
Alexander
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Post by kamalet on Jan 24, 2006 16:25:41 GMT 3
Alex,
All I was suggesting to Job was that he should stop imagining that I am spinning anything to protect anyone. If somebody stole, I got no benefit and that person should be in jail. Unlike some of these "foreign" Kenyans, I am on the ground, pay taxes and do feel it when services are not provided for the taxes that I pay!!
What I am having a problem with is this over-politicisation of the scandal where no facts that could lead to a conviction have been presented, but we shall be happy to have so and so's head to achieve a political objective!!! Do you think they will be satisfied if Mwiraria gave up his treasury slot? Of course not, that is not what they want! Until we have one of our own whom we "trust" (politically) then treasury will not be clean.
You see questions being asked about answers for some 21 questions raised. Perhaps if they wish to know about the saga of government thinktank and why a case was settled out of court then these will be laid bare - but do wait a minute. Is that not a witch hunt when you accuse a former minister and his PS both from the same tribe (!!) conspiring about pilfering some donor funds?
It is such hypocrisy that galls me.
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Post by aeichener on Jan 24, 2006 16:37:54 GMT 3
Some of the critics may be tribally motivated, Kamalet; and I can understand that this angers you. Not because the present tribalization of Kenyan politics and administration could be denied, but because some of the most vigorous shouters are apt to do just the same, once they feel it is *their* time to eat.
Nevertheless, there is a point where I still disagree with you. The scandal is not about some people abusing their office to steal (regardless whether they be Kikuyu, Luo, Rendille, Ogiek); the scandal is about an entire cabinet of criminals conspiring together, about a lawless government blatantly contravening binding court orders (first Kibaki and the land titles to the non-Ogiek squatters, now Mwakwere and the KR privatization). That is what - justly - galls many Kenyans and all foreign donors.
Alexander
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Post by 50cents on Jan 24, 2006 20:26:46 GMT 3
So alexander
Whats your stand?? Because the others are likely to be more corrupt we should let "these" guys continue eating themselves? Hey, lest you forget where the back stops. Anyway in your world everything is tribalised even where its so clear that something really went wrong.
The truth is that the current government has no clear agenda of what it really wants.
Ever heard of an instance where hunger looms at the same time silos are rotting with last year's grain?
>>(regardless whether they be Kikuyu, Luo, Rendille, Ogiek); Lest you forgot where the back stops
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Post by job on Jan 24, 2006 20:38:23 GMT 3
Kamalet,
Who is accusing you of spinning this scandal for the government? Your words are so clear they speak for themselves. You even laugh about the whole DN report,.... in your own words.
By the way, the DN report doesn't have to publish all the evidence they've seen, I know you realize that,....... go back and check the list I posted again.
However, don't even have a figment in your imagination that I am a "foreign" Kenyan . I am an indigenous Kenyan citizen by birth without any question.
I have paid taxes all my working adult life in Kenya and still pay a lot of taxes (in Kenya) for your information. I remit taxes, rates(2 forms) & specific duties to various agencies in Kenya including Kenya Revenue Authority, Nairobi City Council, Kisumu Municipal Council & Athi-River Town-every single year, (at KRA every couple of months).
I also have a patriotic duty to demand services for the taxes I pay, and not to cheer any "looter" who feels that such monies belong in their pockets. I will do my duty rightfully towards this regard.
Now that my taxes are being stolen or a conspiracy being hatched to cover-up the loot, I will call for Justice. That can certainly not be POLITICIZATION or TRIBALLY MOTIVATED simply because the perpetrator is from another community. I am in solidarity with millions of other tax paying Kenyan citizens on this.
I will laud Githongo, Edward Clay, Anyang' Nyong'o, the DN or any other persons who help shed light into the scandal. If you are also a tax-paying Kenyan citizen, then we must certainly be in agreement, ama? That is definitely not politics.
Do I have/feel mercy for anyone in this regard?. YES of course,............ I have mercy for the taxpaying Kenyans like myself who are being looted & bled to oblivion, with no services in return. I have mercy for our children who will be subjected to future unprecedented debts, and a breakdown of essential services,......courtesy to a few Anglo-Fleecers & such greedy & corrupt thieves.
My interpretation of Justice doesn't just end with sackings or jail times for the thieves,....it definitely includes recovery of all stolen loot, back into the coffers.
As for your claim that Mwiraria (or any other person) is being hounded out because he is not "one of our own", or "not trusted",...well that's not my calling. Let Justice prevail. Those who steal and run back to rally their tribemates to shield them, MUST be brought to Justice, whether KANU, NARC, SISI-KWA-SISI or whatever regime is in power.
So anybody talking of tribally motivated criticisms,..well I did the same during the Goldenberg scam when Moi was in power, just like Kibaki, Murungi, & many others did .........now is Kibaki not the one sitting on the Goldenberg report? That's the real hypocrisy here folks.
unedited. job
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Post by aeichener on Jan 24, 2006 21:47:26 GMT 3
Job: *Projection* at work. Rampantly.
Alexander
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Post by miguna on Jan 26, 2006 19:59:35 GMT 3
Job,
Lest Kamau thinks that I am a "foreign Kenyan" (an oxymoron if you ask me), let me join you in telling him that, I, too, paid taxes to the KRA as well as to the local councils in Eldoret, Nairobi, Kisumu and Migori. These are HARD EARNED shillings Kamau. You should know that given the fact that you actually saw me giving the tax man a few shillings at the Village Market after you had been so generous as to buy both my friend and I tea.
So, limit your attacks to the issues and do not ever stray again. Deal?
Anyway, Job, they've been trying desperately to change the issues by grapling on straws all over the place, to no avail. Let them try....
[unedioted] -Miguna-
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Post by aeichener on Jan 26, 2006 20:39:49 GMT 3
Two have felt that one stepped on their tails: However, don't even have a figment in your imagination that I am a "foreign" Kenyan . I am an indigenous Kenyan citizen by birth without any question. and Lest Kamau thinks that I am a "foreign Kenyan" (an oxymoron if you ask me), Kamalet was not wrong. What he alluded to, was the quickly-to-gain-fame distinction, which the famous "M" coined in his most famous blog entry "Having Cake And Eating It" www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2006/01/having-cake-and-eating-it-2/namely: Kenyan Tourists (KTs ™ ) and Kenyan Roots(KRs™ ) It were the KTs whom Kamalet here referred to by using the (well-fitting) epithet "foreign Kenyans". Example: You, Miguna, are a KT. The Honourable Tom Cholmondeley is a KR (*grin*). Alexander
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