|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Nov 23, 2005 20:00:59 GMT 3
FIRST DRAFT- UNEDITED About fifteen minutes ago I was surfing over at the Kenya Talk site when I saw a BREAKING NEWS screamer anouncing that Mwai Kibaki had dissolved his cabinet. I immediately inquired if the poster was insane because this was not the first, second, third or fourth time that the so called "cold!" had swung some extremely wild dossier- once announcing that Dr. Willy Mutunga had been appointed Attorney General and more recently that Michael Jackson had been found GUILTY on all charges. It turned out that this time around the fellow was on the mark- as you can see from these news links: www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=32614www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=33566What is one to make of Kibaki's gambit? Well, one has to contextualize this move against the backdrop of the head-ache and hangover inducing trouncing he suffered at the hands of the Orange Democratic Movement. In one of the most humiliating defeats to a sitting African president, millions of Kenyans thumbed their collective noses at an increasingly tribal cabal led by an arrogant and somewhat reckless head of state who had committed gaffe after gaffe, snafu after snafu during a disastrous campaign which had kicked off on the wrong foot with Kibaki endorsing a draft that had not been composed and ending with 7 out of 8 provinces rejecting the rotten bananas dished out by agents of the so called "government project." Despite the handouts and open bribery, Kenyans still came out to say a resounding NO to the Wako Mongrel. One of the most poignant results was from the Kibwezi constituency which had seen government goodies delivered at the doorstep of Kamba voters who took what the serikali gave them before digging a very big hole for all those stinking bananas. The fact that this defeat was steered from within by his own cabinet ministers. The fact that his own deputy had declared at the very outset that this referendum was going to be a vote of confidence in the Kibaki regime; the fact that Kiraitu had said that this was a straight contest between Raila and Kibaki set up a somewhat untenable position for the Kenyan president on the morrow of the Orange victory. Here he was, ensconced in his State House lair wincing as he watched Raila Odinga smiling and declaring that the Bananiacs had been forced to "salimu amri"; there he was browsing through the list of Yes apologists vanquished by the lowly pumbavu voter- a mere hours after his first wife had impetiously declared that the Yes said "tulishinda asubuhi"; he was a lame duck president with egg on his face shell-shocked as he contemplated the ramifications of the awful advise of his kitchen cabinet. To assuage his ego, lick his wounds and save face he simply had to do something dramatic to take a little bit of the sting off the humiliation. His lap dog ministers like Amos Kimunya had barked that the Orange ministers were headed for the guillotine. Meanwhile editorials were urging him to let go of the svengalis like Kiraitu, Murungaru, Nyachae and so on. In a sense, I sympathize with our battered president, barely surviving the first wave of the wananchi's tsunami. Clearly Mwai Kibaki and his government in its present form had lost ALL credibility among the electorate especially when the soft underbelly of NAK's support was revealed to be the narrow tribal solidarity of the Agikuyu, Meru, Embu and Bukusu bedrock. Kenyans had been saying for three years that Kibaki was presiding over the most ethnicized regime in Kenya's history and the referendum results on both sides confirmed it. Would he have any credibility with his golfing partners if he left Raila, Kalonzo, Balala, Anyang Nyongo, Ayako, Limo, Ntimama and company in his government? On the other hand would he have any credibility with millions of Kenyans if he retained Kiraitu, Wako, Murungaru, Nyachae, Kimunya, Michuki and all those tribal hawks who had pushed him to the brink of political annihilation? Clearly, feeling hamstrung and possibly depressed and hangover, he had to act. But by dissolving his regime Mwai Kibaki has declared that Kenya does not have a functioning government. That is why I feel that the Kibaki should do the next logical thing and take the following steps: 1. Resign as President.
2. Call for fresh elections immediately.
3. Retire from active politics- after apologizing to Kenyans for his abject failures as the leader who could but didn't.Onyango Oloo
Nairobi |
|
|
|
Post by aeichener on Nov 23, 2005 20:09:35 GMT 3
But at least he has signed the forests bill, one of the country's most important legal projects... I wonder about its final version.
Alexander
|
|
|
|
Post by job on Nov 23, 2005 20:39:16 GMT 3
|
|
|
|
Post by johns on Nov 23, 2005 21:23:38 GMT 3
I would like all of us to move beyond the celebration and begin mapping out the kind of governance which ought to be laid on the ground. It is true that Kebaki has been humiliated but let us not focus only on his misery and forget why such misery has been placed upon his head by kenyans.
Again it is evidently clear that the panacea to the problems bedevilling kenya can not be diagnosed as a simple switch of personalities to the presidency; it goes much deeper than that. At this time of soul searching, sober thoughts and minds are needed to provide a blazing trail which we may all use as a road map for national healing and reconcilliation.
Our thoughts or policy should not be directed against any person or persuasion but against poverty, hunger, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy of kenya, so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.
Furthermore governments, political parties or groups which seek to perpertuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise should be rejected by the entire society. I hope we will all agree that intelligent people should not waste time fighting the problem but decide it.
|
|
|
|
Post by abdulmote on Nov 23, 2005 21:44:10 GMT 3
If you ask me, I think Kíbaki is just trying to 're-package' himself following his defeat in the Referendum. Simply playing survival tactics. Afterall, he can now 'dangle' a whole fresh bunch of carrots to the salivating potential candidates!
And the public?
They should be silenced and diverted into 'anticipation mode', anxiously waiting and speculating on their president's next move. "That should keep them busy. And by the time they wake up, MPs would be queing up at the gates, ready to pledge fresh loyaty to the President of the Republic of Kenya! After that, everything else should be easily managable, pumbavu hii!"
In the meantime...
I say it falls upon the flag bearers of ODM to cease this opportunity and come out clean against Kíbaki, by mobilising the public to press for the desired reforms whilst the 'rod is still hot'! Mind you, in a way this new situation should expose the genuine 'people's servants' away from the hypocrites. But that also tells me that Kibaki is playing a pretty 'sophisticated' game here. The timing speaks volumes! In saying that, I am visualising some of 'the elites', perhaps even those who belonged in the Orange team, with their tails between their arse, not knowing how to gamble their 'chips' with all the 'stakes' available.
Vigilance people , vigilance. Kíbaki is being clever here. Try ot to fall into his trap!
|
|
|
|
Post by job on Nov 23, 2005 21:45:06 GMT 3
Kibaki will not deflect our attention from the Katiba !
Our only focus and anticipation is about when we shall get the Bomas constitution re-opened for fine tuning! Not about which sycophant will sit for a short time in which Kibaki Ministry.
Can't Kibaki learn from other world leaders facing similar situations, they either resign or call snap elections immediately.
This fence sitting indecisiveness won't wash. The people have the power, not those sycophantic MP's he wants to give cabinet positions to. He should have learnt that by now!!!!
Kenyans are not interested in his cabinet positions, they want a new constitution that espouses devolution, sharing of executive power and fair/equitable sharing of national resources. He should be holding the Bomas draft in his hand by now as a starting point.
Kibaki should be talking to his people directly not to pretender representatives at state house. Those guys don't represent my views.
Anything short of an improved Bomas Katiba, will be theatric stunts only fit to be ignored by wananchi, who will now be ready to get that constitution anyway,....by whatever means necessary!
If the ODM speak this same language of the people at their saturday rally, then they should just ignore Kibaki's short term offers.
If he wants to "poach" (to borrow Uhuru's word) from the ODM, then he better realize that his poached GNU project just failed too. We will run away from the poached sycophants.
If ODM can convince him to deliver the popular reforms as stated by the people, then he should do it first, we know him for his untrustworthiness and knack for reneging on ALL promises for expediency.
Job.
|
|
|
|
Post by job on Nov 23, 2005 22:11:54 GMT 3
As a rejoinder, the ODM team needs to be wary of this guys timing as Abdulmote observed. He is awaiting the ODM to make declarations at their saturday rally before he makes his onslaught to divide them.
He will be targetting the strong NO zone leaders, particularly Raila, Ruto, Kalonzo, Balala, Magara, Haji, Musalia.....etc.
He may want to dangle carrots at them. I doubt if he can divide them this early post referendum, when all eyes are nervously focused on their unity.
So lets focus on these folks, will they run and pick the carrots, forgetting the peoples cause, or will they use this opportunity to represent the peoples cause?
Going by history which is now repeating itself right before our eyes,........I don't think any of these ODM leaders wants to ignore the peoples cause in exchange for cabinet slots,......
do you remember Moi's dilemma in the run up to the 2002 elections,.....he tried to fish back Kalonzo, Musalia, Katana-Ngala and his net only captured Ngala & Musalia back to his side.
Kalonzo remained firmly in the anti-Uhuru-project camp. The ODM team will want to display some sense of unity (of purpose) to the public who just flexed their voting powers.
Is Kibaki probably trying to re-negotiate an MOU with the ODM? If he focuses on that for his political survival, he better know that folks always fear boarding sinking boats. Politicians dislike associating with losing teams. In which case he may be out manouvred at the negotiating table and he may be forced to pay too much.
My best advice for him is to do the most honourable thing, never done in Africa before, by resigning and calling for snap elections. My guess is he wont.
Job.
|
|
|
|
Post by abdulmote on Nov 23, 2005 22:42:00 GMT 3
Its a shame people, simply a shame. How can the whole nation of some 32 million people be held to ransom only by such an incompetent and dishonest individual? How can the whole Parliament, populated by at least 220 public representatives be shoved in one corner without the gutts of speaking a word against such a heartless person. OK, perhaps it is too soon yet, but knowing Kenyan politicians...
But what should follow as a natural consequence, is that the ODM ought to gather the vote of No Confidence against the President immediately so! I am fully convinced that that is the only natural action to follow. Kibaki has already lost the public's manddate and confidence, he does not even have a government in place and our representatives have therefore no business 'nursing' him out of his wounds. They should do the only right thing now, and that is to demand that he forfeits his position and status with immediate effect, dissolve the Parliament and call for fresh elections in the order as required without wasting any time.
Much as I don't believe in any of the current crop of our MPs and their genuinness of heart and wish this should not have been the situation, I am convinced that that is the only right thing to do given the circumstances. The rest is hypothetical but Kibaki is certainly the wrong person to have at this time in the mentel of the nation's leadership.
|
|
|
|
Post by roughrider on Nov 24, 2005 9:14:28 GMT 3
In normal democracies a government that loses a referendum should resign.
Where the Head of State is separate from the Head of Government this is easy.
But in our system the head of government is also head of state and thus the dilemma.
Kibaki himself bears primary and ultimate responsibility for the loss of credibility and the ills that afflict his government. The problems we face are a direct reflection of his leadership capabilities.
In the new constitutional dispensation we must insist on a clear demarcation between the Head of State and Head of Government – the President and the Prime Minister
|
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Nov 24, 2005 9:48:07 GMT 3
Its a shame people, simply a shame. How can the whole nation of some 32 million people be held to ransom only by such an incompetent and dishonest individual? How can the whole Parliament, populated by at least 220 public representatives be shoved in one corner without the gutts of speaking a word against such a heartless person. OK, perhaps it is too soon yet, but knowing Kenyan politicians... But what should follow as a natural consequence, is that the ODM ought to gather the vote of No Confidence against the President immediately so! I am fully convinced that that is the only natural action to follow. Kibaki has already lost the public's manddate and confidence, he does not even have a government in place and our representatives have therefore no business 'nursing' him out of his wounds. They should do the only right thing now, and that is to demand that he forfeits his position and status with immediate effect, dissolve the Parliament and call for fresh elections in the order as required without wasting any time. Much as I don't believe in any of the current crop of our MPs and their genuinness of heart and wish this should not have been the situation, I am convinced that that is the only right thing to do given the circumstances. The rest is hypothetical but Kibaki is certainly the wrong person to have at this time in the mentel of the nation's leadership. Abdulmote, Are you convinced that a vote of no confidence would actually work? Have you considered the MPs we have in that house and what kind of characters they are? I think you need to temper your excitement that the aftermath of the No vote must result in some result as getting rid of Kibaki. Unfortunately, what Kibaki did yesterday was to remind Kenyans of the power they left him with the old constitution. Secondly by giving himself 2 weeks to come up with a new cabinet, he is asking these same politicians to actually weigh what they say in that period lest they lose any hopes they had to be appointed. It is also sends a message to the fringe leaders to seriously consider their options. But having said that, supposing they passed a vote of no confidence in the government (they cannot do so on the president under the present law). The president can resign or parliament automatically dissolves if he fails to do so. The big question is how many of our MPs today are ready for an election? A huge majority of them are in such debt - houses and vehicles that to settle the debts as well as fund a campaign means that they would be happy to stay on in parliament! I also do not think that merely because 153 constituencies voted NO equates to the MPs in the house voting the government out. Quite a number of the MPs in the 153 constituencies were YES supporters and I doubt they would accept to go back to the electorate just yet by supporting a No confidence motion after their own elector's passed a vote of no confidence. Whilst the Kenyan people have spoken, their political leaders are still stuck in selfish agendas. If you doubt me, just look at how the cabinet positions will be dished and who will accept them.... |
|
|
|
Post by abdulmote on Nov 24, 2005 11:55:50 GMT 3
Kamale, every now and again I find myself in agreement with your observations be it rarely and what you have stated above is just one of them. But that is not to say I am that naive to think the way I had postulated above. Perhaps mine was only a 'wishful' thinking having 'drowned' in the euphoric win as you had implied! Indeed the reality could be more stark and mine was just an attempt to stimulate a reminder on the same! Thank you for your comments anyway.
My biggest fear is that soon we shall realise the deeply embedded hypocrisy within some of the Orangemen. I cannot imagine quite a few saying 'no' to some cabinet positions after such a drain on their finances. The so called 'negotiations' with Kibaki will have to be closely observed. I am afraid the worst is yet to come!
Mapambano bado yanaendelea.
|
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Nov 24, 2005 17:24:10 GMT 3
As a rejoinder, the ODM team needs to be wary of this guys timing as Abdulmote observed. He is awaiting the ODM to make declarations at their saturday rally before he makes his onslaught to divide them. He will be targetting the strong NO zone leaders, particularly Raila, Ruto, Kalonzo, Balala, Magara, Haji, Musalia.....etc. He may want to dangle carrots at them. I doubt if he can divide them this early post referendum, when all eyes are nervously focused on their unity. So lets focus on these folks, will they run and pick the carrots, forgetting the peoples cause, or will they use this opportunity to represent the peoples cause? Going by history which is now repeating itself right before our eyes,........I don't think any of these ODM leaders wants to ignore the peoples cause in exchange for cabinet slots,...... do you remember Moi's dilemma in the run up to the 2002 elections,.....he tried to fish back Kalonzo, Musalia, Katana-Ngala and his net only captured Ngala & Musalia back to his side. Kalonzo remained firmly in the anti-Uhuru-project camp. The ODM team will want to display some sense of unity (of purpose) to the public who just flexed their voting powers. Is Kibaki probably trying to re-negotiate an MOU with the ODM? If he focuses on that for his political survival, he better know that folks always fear boarding sinking boats. Politicians dislike associating with losing teams. In which case he may be out manouvred at the negotiating table and he may be forced to pay too much. My best advice for him is to do the most honourable thing, never done in Africa before, by resigning and calling for snap elections. My guess is he wont. Job. Job, I think you should heed Abdulmote's comment that Kibaki is (might be) playing a sophisticated game in an effort to re-package himself. If that be the case, then he perhaps would be at his most dangerous best! Sometime back Oloo wrote an essay about the ministerial bendera not being a blanket since the days after Waruru Kanja made the remark. Unfortunately our present crop of politicians have felt as is the flag was a blanket that they could not shed off as long as Kibaki was not complaining. Now these people have neem left exposed in the cold and wet November weather of Nairobi. Question is, how many of them will capitulate and cry the need to serve their country as a reason for accepting the cabinet post? In the ideal world you seek, leaders of conscience would not accept such an appointment, but you can bet the Kenyan lot will immediately jump at the opportunity. The blanket insulates these people from a lot of things. Can you imagine the protectioon from loan sharks and deprivation of many perks? These must be the reasons (I understand) that led Balala to agree to defect 3 weeks ago but for the bungling of Kibaki's diary keepers where the date was not kept and Balala grew cold feet. The ODM had the initiative by Saturday and that would have been the most ideal time to resign with a deadline for Tuesday after winning the referendum. They were hoping to be selectively sacked but Kibaki had other ideas. Two weeks is a very long time that even allows one to dig up the skeletons in your cabinet that will be used to divide ODM leaders when offers are made. Can you imagine them finding something on Musila and making him agree to join the cabinet at the expense of Kalonzo? We have a problem of leaders without a spine who should be taking advantage of their lead, but are not fighting it! Otherwise how do you interpret the statement by Raila today that Kibaki should quickly appoint a cabinet incase we had to go to war and there was no cabinet??!!! I think you should wait for betrayals within the ODM all aimed at dividing the lot. That is Kenyan politics for you! |
|
|
|
Post by KOLONEL BRISK on Nov 24, 2005 20:30:50 GMT 3
BREAKING NEWS:
Kibaki amebaki, prorogues Parliament. Well how were the M.PS expected to conduct business without Ministers. Now the Dictator locks them out of Parliament who knows for how long?
|
|
|
|
Post by aeichener on Nov 25, 2005 2:06:46 GMT 3
I wonder if the powerful recollection of history does not grip everybody here now, with an iron fist?
It was exactly THIS same step - the attempted prorogation of the Third Estate by the King - which sparked the French Revolution.
And now Kibaki repeats exactly the selfsame blunder, in a similar and even more explosive situation than on 20th June 1789.
If the parliament recognizes the unique chance it has been given by this gambit, this régime could be history in a moment.
Alexander
|
|
|
|
Post by abdulmote on Nov 25, 2005 12:14:07 GMT 3
Alex, How I wish what you are observing is true! Problem is Kenyans can never be French! The MPs that we have as the 'people's representatives are only there for their own selfish reasons. Honestly so to speak, I cannot see any who will dare take the logical step as a leader in countering such draconian moves! And I mean the lot, from Orange to all the rainbow colours! Selfish and greedy lot! Just wait and see. You know what, I am simply amazed how naive and dumb Kenyans can get. The situation reminds me of some wild game which when faced with beaming headlights, they become dazed and can hardly move due to shock. Pathetic! P.S: I found OO's "strength and character of a statesman term a little bit nauseating. www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=32686 What was all this 'diplomacy' about? "Strength and character of a statesman"? Since when? You scare me man! |
|
|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Nov 26, 2005 19:26:25 GMT 3
That Oloo is not this Onyango Oloo. I am in Canada, the fellow claims to be in "Alberta". I suspect it is the same stalker goof-child who has been obsessively cloning me for the last three years.
I also think he is the same idiot who logged on to Mashada two days ago to unleash the following piece of ujinga claiming that I had been ati, detained:
www.mashada.com/forums/index/show_topic/22/
75672/index.php
Folks, I would hope and trust that you would be more familiar with myh style and politics. Besides, it is only a few days ago that I filed first person accounts from Mombasa and Nairobi.
Onyango Oloo
Nairobi |
|
|
|
Post by abdulmote on Nov 26, 2005 20:52:06 GMT 3
Thank you David!
You can see why we have to be suspicious all the time. It is indeed a big challenge for everyone to remain vigilant at every step on the way, even upon our own selves!. The enemies of the people are scattered every where near us and within us. And it is them that we have to be cautious about if trully we are to make any gains worth fighting for! Many have come in many disguises in impressing us, but many have time and again only appeared to let us down, and indeed many continue to do so before our very own eyes!
But in you I must say, I can see a genuine and sincerely dedicatd fighter for Kenyans' betterment. In you I can see a brother in arms worthy recognising so!
Switching over to something else, I hope you have been having some goodtime huko mitaani! Mbaazi za nazi na chapati asubuhi for breakfast, sima, sukúmawiki na nyama choma for lunch! Dinner huliwa huko majahazini kwa taa za mishumaa. Na halua jee waipata?
Having said that, I just have to tell you that ulitupotea siku mbilbi hivi, na kimya kikawa kizito kutoka kwako. Hata hivyo, I can undertsand that you also deserve at least 'a couple' of days for yourself ili ujiliwaze na mapumziko. And why not, hata GW nae pia huenda Camp David kujiburudisha akizidiwa na binladen!
|
|
|
|
Post by politicalmaniac on Nov 28, 2005 1:41:12 GMT 3
Abdulmote,
Are you convinced that a vote of no confidence would actually work? Have you considered the MPs we have in that house and what kind of characters they are? I think you need to temper your excitement that the aftermath of the No vote must result in some result as getting rid of Kibaki.
Unfortunately, what Kibaki did yesterday was to remind Kenyans of the power they left him with the old constitution. Secondly by giving himself 2 weeks to come up with a new cabinet, he is asking these same politicians to actually weigh what they say in that period lest they lose any hopes they had to be appointed. It is also sends a message to the fringe leaders to seriously consider their options.
But having said that, supposing they passed a vote of no confidence in the government (they cannot do so on the president under the present law). The president can resign or parliament automatically dissolves if he fails to do so. The big question is how many of our MPs today are ready for an election? A huge majority of them are in such debt - houses and vehicles that to settle the debts as well as fund a campaign means that they would be happy to stay on in parliament!
I also do not think that merely because 153 constituencies voted NO equates to the MPs in the house voting the government out. Quite a number of the MPs in the 153 constituencies were YES supporters and I doubt they would accept to go back to the electorate just yet by supporting a No confidence motion after their own elector's passed a vote of no confidence.
Whilst the Kenyan people have spoken, their political leaders are still stuck in selfish agendas. If you doubt me, just look at how the cabinet positions will be dished and who will accept them....
Question
Will these outstanding loans MP's have be paid by 2007
Point
Can Ruto's amendment be retabled and passed so that Kibaki can be ousted without parliaments life expiring?
|
|
|
|
Post by job on Nov 28, 2005 4:33:16 GMT 3
Out may go an arrogant Mt. Kenya Mafia Kitchen cabal,....in may come another ARROGANT Mt. Kenya Mafia kitchen cabinet....lets be the jury to this unfolding scenario.
YOU CAN'T GIVE KIBAKI CONDITIONS, GROUP TOLD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Moses Njagih (The Standard)
----------------------
Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua has told off members of the Orange Democratic Movement over conditions they want President Kibaki to fulfill if they are to join his new Cabinet.
Gachagua told the Orange team that they had no legal mandate to give the President conditions.
He wondered where the movement was deriving its powers from, saying appointment to the Cabinet was the prerogative of the President.
"Who are you to start giving conditionalities to the President? Where do you derive such powers, when you well know that appointments are the prerogative of the President?" he posed.
He was reacting to conditions that the Orange team is said to have given President Kibaki if they are to sit in his new Cabinet.
The team was quoted to have asked the President to either sack them all or retain them all. They are also said to have urged the President not to include them in a Cabinet with some "tainted and arrogant former ministers".
He said there was no need for the President to appoint ministers allied to the Orange camp to the Cabinet, saying they had vowed to continue fighting the Government.
He urged the President to conduct "surgery", saying that only efficient MPs should be appointed.
"There must be a sacrifice now. The President should conduct a surgery and appoint effective MP’s who can deliver services to Kenyans, and there are many from all regions," he said.
He said that the sacking of ministers was a wise move, which was long overdue as the Cabinet had turned into "a bunch of uncontrollables".
"It was a Cabinet that had never been seen anywhere else, some only survived due to the patience of the President. It was a noisy Cabinet that kept quarrelling and fighting and one that had refused to work," he said.
|
|
|
|
Post by job on Nov 28, 2005 5:56:27 GMT 3
Post referendum talk by Wako Mongrel peddlers.
Just notice from the attached Daily Nation press report, the following interesting comments:
1) Newton Kulundu's naked and pin-point revelation of his personal misgivings and that of fellow MP's. It's not about wananchi or a constitution in future or anything like that, it's about MP's pay and loans, period!.
2) Paul Muite, he of the "mla samaki" and "wala samaki" fame, paradoxically blaming the ODM for tribalizing the referendum campaigns, hence their humiliating loss,..implying probably that,..... that "best constitution in the world" would have just passed had the ODM (wow!), not tribalized the campaigns. What a great thought from this "Senior Counsel" who never saw the inside of a University Lecture Hall.
3) Musikari Kombo, the undisputed King of followers and sycophants, displaying his trademark non-commital /indecisive stance.
4) Henry Obwocha, that loyal Nyachae side-kick with instant resumption of poetic jesting,...picking it right where it stopped after the post defeat silence (shock). He has dared the ODM to face Kibaki in 2007.
5) Poor Njeru Ndwiga of the "kwani umekula mbuzi ya nani" fame; daring the ODM for yet another contest in the pay-for-vote Parliament (whipped by Kamkunji MP Nyaga).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MPs blame Raila camp over snap poll demand
Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 11/28/2005
Calls for snap elections drew sharp reactions from Government-leaning politicians with former Cabinet ministers dismissing the demands as the height of arrogance by Orange Democratic Movement leaders.
The remarks were made before the Government outlawed Orange rallies and made it clear that there would be no snap election.
Speaking separately, the leaders said President Kibaki and MPs were elected for a five-year term which they should serve to the end. They accused the Orange leadership of being hungry for power.
The leaders who spoke to the Nation included former Cabinet ministers Njeru Ndwiga and Newton Kulundu; assistant ministers Beth Mugo, Moses Wetang'ula, Henry Obwocha; and MPs Paul Muite, Bonny Khalwale, Nderitu Gachagua and Kuria Kanyingi.
Ford-K chairman Musikari Kombo refused to be drawn into the debate.
On Saturday, the Orange leaders called for a snap General Election saying they were ready to face President Kibaki.
But yesterday, Mr Ndwiga dismissed the calls as empty threats.
"I dare them to wait until Parliament reopens so that they can make good their threat," said the Manyatta MP.
The fact that Kenyans voted No against the Wako Draft does not mean they were interested in an election, Mr Ndwiga said.
Mr Wetang'ula said the President and Parliament were elected for five years and there was nothing to warrant an election now.
The Sirisia MP said: "A referendum is not a vote of no-confidence and it does not indicate that we should have an election."
Mrs Mugo said the Orange team's call was only meant to incite the public against President Kibaki's Government.
Addressing journalists in Nairobi, the former assistant minister also took issue with the Orange team's assertion that they are to develop a new constitution in 180 days, terming it impossible.
Mr Kulundu warned the Orange team against being carried away by the referendum victory to demand elections.
"Most of them have loans given by Parliament and I think they will not want to lose their houses," the Lurambi MP added.
Mr Obwocha said the referendum vote had nothing to do with elections.
Said he: "We elected the President for five years... let him finish his term and if they want let them face him in the 2007 General Election."
Kabete MP Paul Muite accused the Orange team of promoting tribalism, saying its leaders propagated a hate campaign during the referendum campaigns.
Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said not all MPs in the Orange camp would support a snap election.
In Meru, elders said President Kibaki should give the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to someone from outside Meru and appoint Mr Kiraitu Murungi the new minister for Roads.
The leaders added that Mr David Mwiraria should be reappointed minister for Finance
|
|
