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Post by job on Sept 18, 2009 4:28:04 GMT 3
Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been invited for a luncheon on September 22, 2009, that President Barack Obama is hosting next week for several African leaders.
This launch is being coordinated by Ms Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, (whose position Obama included in his cabinet).
It is titled "A dialogue with responsible leaders about the future of Africa’s economic and social development".
In that luncheon-cum-meeting, the United States has deliberately snubbed the leaders of countries like: Eritrea, Guinea, Madagascar, Niger, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan Prime Minister, Mr Odinga is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 25.
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Post by phil on Sept 18, 2009 11:59:35 GMT 3
Any session of the UN General Assembly carries lots of significance to Kenya as a country. It's high profile and global agenda, not to mention networking opportunities, merits no less a person than President Kibaki himself to attend in person. I am not by any means belittling the status of the Right Honourable Prime Minister, but questions must be raised as to why Kibaki would turn down an opportunity to address the UN General Assembly and a once-in-a-life-time chance to dine as a guest of US President Barrack Obama who incidentally is also looking forward to the conference in great anticipation as a first time in his presidency! Perhaps this could also have something to do with visa bans that were slapped on some unnamed senior government personalities, perhaps even the president himself? The delegation accompanying the PM does not help matters either. Moses Wetang’ula (Foreign Affairs), John Michuki (Environment) and Beth Mugo (Public Health), and assistant minister George Khaniri (Information) do not reflect the kind of delegation one would expect to represent the interests of Kenyans at such high profile global conferences given the challenges we currently face as a country and as a region! To mention but a few, why are the Security, Agriculture, Justice, Water, Tourism ministers not accompanying the PM??? The Mugabes of this world can very well attend UN meetings, but as we all know their movements and that of much of their delegations are strictly restricted within a certain radius from the UN headquarters. This means some leaders may attend the assembly, but may opt to evade it altogether to avoid the embarrassment that they will not be part of Obama's prestigious luncheon. When all is said and done this speech by Johnnie Carson two months ago could sum up the reason why some leaders would be uncomfortable having an agenda consisting on the subjects covered by Carson in this speech posted at the State Department website: Kenya and the U.S. - Meeting the Growing Challenge in East Africa
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Post by mzee on Sept 18, 2009 12:30:24 GMT 3
Phil, While I agree that the people accompanying the PM are of questionable characters, their mission ends at the UN. The invitation by Obama is not extended to the "The PM and the delegation accompanying him" to the UN. Its is only to the PM, period. In other words, Michuki will be nowhere near the luncheon. Remember that these guys have been sent to over to listen in and observe any moves by R.
Kibaki is a laughing stock and is ashamed by his deeds that led to PEV. Nobody dare touch him with a 6ft pole. How would he approach and talk of issues of democracy when he has stifled the same in his country. When he refuses to implement the power sharing deal in full and keeps up his tribal antics? Or has he been denied a visa as Phil says?
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Post by genius on Sept 18, 2009 12:39:25 GMT 3
Seems like Obama had finally started receiving good advice on the Kenya situation. I still remember that silly attempt to sideline Odinga earlier in the year including the snub of Raila during his trip to Chicago even though his government is the one that had invited him there and then the hurried invitation of playboy Kikwete to the White House at exactly the same time for a photo opportunity as if to rub in the salt.
If I were Raila, I would demand an apology for this diplomatic farce.
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Post by Daktari wa makazi on Sept 18, 2009 13:55:10 GMT 3
Whilst I applaud Raila for the magnificent opportunity to meet Obama and address the UN, I am appalled by his entourage. Michuki, Watengula and Mugo were the loudest anti Raila critics. I seriously wonder if Raila can be 'forced' to pick them for this trip, what else he is 'forced' to do. Surely what does Mugo add to the table?
I say forced because I certainly know Raila on his own volition would not want Michuki, Watengula and Mugo accompany him anywhere. The basis of my views are the London visit he made sometime this year. Raila was invited by Gordon Brown but because he was coming for an investment meeting, I am told Kibaki asked him to bring Uhuru along only for Uhuru to refuse to accompany Rail in meet the people meeting at Cumberland Hotel. I am told even when they met the investors, Uhuru ( then not Finance Minister), and Michuki ( then acting Finance Minister had their own minds and spoke without any ‘respect’ for Raila.
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Post by politicalmaniac on Sept 19, 2009 2:17:38 GMT 3
The PNU sends its "minders" to baby sit R. Washenzi.
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Post by adongo23456 on Sept 19, 2009 3:22:04 GMT 3
Folks,
I think this makes a lot of sense. Michuki is the minister of environment. Some of us may not like him but he has been steadfast in the ministry and practically busted the Ringera for Mau deal. He has to to be at the meeting. Kenya needs money, big time, to resolve its environmental challenges of which Mau is only one part.
Moses Wetangula is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He has to be there. That is his job description.
Beth Mugo is in charge of prevention of disease. She is ridiculous most of the times but she is in the meeting representing her ministry. She needs to be there and we should support her.
The Prime Minister has to be able to work with the entire cabinet. Kenyans wants results on the ground. Like right now. Whoever delivers it will win the heart and mind of the nation.
adongo
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Post by Titchaz on Sept 19, 2009 8:09:16 GMT 3
Adongo.
my fellow alumni unaambaje na hali?
Mkuu, itabidi nikukate kauli katika huu msemo wako.
Nadhani tumeambiwa hapo juu kwamba Obama is meeting 'responsible leaders.' Wetangula na Beth Mugo do not fit this description in any way...labda Michuki. Kwa hivyo I can say Raila's arm has been twisted once again like in the London trip.
Meanwhile, why is Anyang Nyongo missing from this list? That stands out like a sore thumb.....Even RAO should have mentioned it. Hapo mwenzu sijaelewa why.
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Post by enigma on Sept 19, 2009 15:54:31 GMT 3
Sadik, Perhaps you might want to consider what is on the agenda of this conference. Public health and environment ministers are there because of MDGs, the minister for foreign affairs is there because these meetings are very much a diplomats' affair and the PM will need his MFA in case he does some networking and those leads need following up. George Khaniri goes as the PM's right hand man and confidante. If you have followed events keenly since the botched up election, you will have seen what part Khaniri played at crucial moments. The trip is not about Raila; to warrant such posers as ''why is he taking them along and yet they have been very critical''. This is not the best forum for Balala to go to in his official capacity. There are countless international tourism meetings where Balala can pitch for the country and cut meaningful deals for Kenya. A UN assembly is not your best tourism marketing forum. Half the time they will be arguing about comas and fullstops or crossing the t's on the position papers. There is no time to show case wildebeest migration! Titchaz, Nyong'o is missing because the ministry of public health rather than medical services is the national implementation agency for most of the MDG programs in the area of health. Example is the roll back malaria campaign, which incidentally is on the agenda. If you review the MDG's you will see why public health minister would be best bet to attend a relevant meeting. Though based on calibre, I would take Nyong'o with me rather than Mugo. Nyong'o can engage with people at an intellectual level better than Mugo. You can keep up with Kenya's goals and progress for MDG's here: www.mdgmonitor.org/country_progress.cfm?c=KEN&cd=404
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Post by job on Sept 20, 2009 0:38:27 GMT 3
www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/660590/-/xueds7z/-/index.htmlPolitics of back-stabbing rules in the KENYA-US diplomatic circuit and polity. Grapevine (unconfirmed) has it that under instructions from State House & OP, Amb. Ogego, Amb. Muita, and their acolytes in the diaspora were in a 72-hour frenzy, innundating the State Department will calls and letters opposing Raila's luncheon with Obama alongside other heads of state. State Department appears to have cowed. Raila's invitation is being reported to have been cancelled by the Nation report which was curiously dispatched in speed under direct conversations with Ogego & Muita. So I guess its a complete back-stabbing tag team of Nation (media), diplomats (Ogego, Muita & Ranneberger), State House & OP - who claim Raila is not a head of state, hence can't dine with other heads of state. If I'm Raila, I'll quietly ignore the luncheon and represent Kenya at all the other planned engagements. I'll also not address foreign media regarding the 'disinvitation'. I think State House is still seething in madness regarding the Ringera issue.
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Post by Titchaz on Sept 20, 2009 0:49:08 GMT 3
www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/660590/-/xueds7z/-/index.htmlPolitics of back-stabbing rules in the KENYA-US diplomatic circuit and polity. Grapevine (unconfirmed) has it that under instructions from State House & OP, Amb. Ogego, Amb. Muita, and their acolytes in the diaspora were in a 72-hour frenzy, innundating the State Department will calls and letters opposing Raila's luncheon with Obama alongside other heads of state. State Department appears to have cowed. Raila's invitation is being reported to have been cancelled by the Nation report which was curiously dispatched in speed under direct conversations with Ogego & Muita. So I guess its a complete back-stabbing tag team of Nation (media), diplomats (Ogego, Muita & Ranneberger), State House & OP - who claim Raila is not a head of state, hence can't dine with other heads of state. If I'm Raila, I'll quietly ignore the luncheon and represent at all the other planned engagements. I'll also not address foreign media regarding the 'disinvitation'. I think State House is still seething in madness regarding the Ringera issue. Jamani siasa za Kenya zinatia maudhi. Hapo kuna mambo ya ukabila ndani yake. Personal issues are overiding common sense at the expense of Kenyans.
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Post by johns on Sept 20, 2009 1:24:40 GMT 3
It is Obama and his administration which seem to have no spine on almost everything these days. Shame on them.
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Post by merkeju on Sept 20, 2009 8:24:20 GMT 3
Obama seems to be distancing himself from kenyans,the republicans have been on his toes with allegations that he is not an american,he was born in kenya and to be seen associating himself with kenya is a bad move o his political career,what was the point of inviting Raila for luncheon then cancel it,its pathetic,its seems the Obama administration are cowards,they have been loosing on all issues,the closing of guatanamo detention camp,the health care with public option,ARCORN loosing federal money,Van jones resigns After conservatives demanded. Kenya is not Raila and kibaki,if he is willing to talk with ahmedinajad and hugo chavez,what has Raila done to deserve the embarrassment,Obama am watching you.
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Post by okhunyanye on Sept 20, 2009 11:19:44 GMT 3
Job, Titchaz, Johns: On the PM being dropped from the luncheon of African leaders with Obama, I am more than willing to cut Kibaki and his representatives in DC some slack.
I am highly skeptical that Kibaki has that kind of influence with the Obama administration; an administration that has been for daggers drawn with the Kenyan coalition government from the outset over a plethora of issues revolving around good governance.
My hunch is that the PM's disinvite has more to do with the current political climate within the District of Columbia beltway. The tenuous nature of progress towards lasting health care reform in the US, arguably Obama's waterloo according to detractors, dictates that the administration can ill afford a detraction at this particular time; and this luncheon had the makings of one huge detraction for the Obama administration.
Conservative radio talk hosts and Fox News are on a mission to frustrate health care reforms and bring down this administration at whatever costs. Glen Beck's latest crusade, for example, has been over what he terms Obama's 'czars' appointed to head various departments in government, the latest casualty being Van Jones - the former green-Jobs czar who recently resigned amid allegations that he has a radical communist past.
Their over-emphasies of the term czar (a media lingo incidentally in existence since the Roosevelt years, or there abouts) rather than stating individual positions by title, is to give credence to their assertion that Obama is initiating a socialist agenda in the US, and appointing his associates with ties to communism (the Van Jones's) as heads of various departments of government. To them, America as they know it is being changed by Obama into 'a change they dont believe in.'
Can you imagine what fodder Raila's presence at the luncheon was therefore going to provide these talking heads? We have in the past, during the campaigns witnessed Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh make very negative and boderline defamatory connections between the two. Can you further imagine if these commentators threw in to this mix, Raila's recent trip to "Ahmadinejad's" Iran?
I am therefore of the humble opinion that a calculation was made that days of negative media punditry in the aftermath of the luncheon was a detraction the administration could ill afford at this time; Just like days of negative punditry on Obama's answer on Gates, the Harvard University professor arrested for 'breaking into his own home,' overshadowed healthcare discussion, the initial intention of the press conference called a couple of weeks ago.
More ominous though, is that the detraction-calculation might have been made before the invitation was initially extended to Raila, essentially raising the issue of the 800 lb. gorrilla in the room that most people have thus far decided to ignore.
In the US Secretary of State's recent trip to Kenya, we witnessed Raila's decrial of the state secretary's 'lecture to African heads of states.' Indeed he ostentatiously asserted that what Africa needed was 'trade and not lectures from foreign governments.'
While hailed at home by Kenyan supporters, many in the Obama administration may have seen it as a faux pas, a violation of etiquette rules - equivalent to a public rebuke and a major embarassment to the former first lady.
On CNN's GPS 360 a couple of weeks after that trip, I watched Fareed Zakaria asking the PM if he would have assertively stated the same had it been the US president instead of the lady secretary delivering the same speech, to which Raila took the bait and asserted: "YES, I am known to be a very candid person........" - Big Mistake.
The US State Department, headed by Mrs. Clinton, alleges that the luncheon invitation initially extended to Raila was accidental. Is it however possible that the invitation was not an error, as alleged, but rather a well choreographed move? A move callously aimed at returning favor for perceived public humiliation that R subjected the secretary of state of the world's only existing superpower to?
Now, issuing an invite with the sole purpose of rescinding it a few days down the line would in such a scenario amount to the ultimate checkmate- dont you think?
My advise to the pm on how to deal with this: Handle it with the same grace that Hillary did after your rebuke i.e. no comments to the media. Dont utter any comments you might otherwise regret in the future.
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Post by Onyango Oloo on Sept 20, 2009 13:38:01 GMT 3
for me the lesson to draw from Obama's diplomatic faux pas of rescinding a widely publicized invitation is for all african leaders to seek the primary solidarity networks within africa and across south-to-south networks (latin america, the caribbean, asia etc).
for many decades people like cuba's fidel castro have enjoyed international prestige and respect in spite of being ostracized by washington. today venezuela's hugo chavez enjoys the same accolades and adulation.
if i were raila therefore, my focus during my american trip would be to highlight and foreground kenyan issues and concerns, rather than be seen to be seeking the approval of the obamas, clintons or whoever.
i would also ignore the small minded score keeping across partisan aisles back home.
on a separate note, it is very sad what my good friend and old comrade ogego has turned out to be. at one point OGINGA Ogego ( yes, he was named after Jaramogi) was very close to Raila- at one point the PM appointed him the Executive Director of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation)- and was practically a confidant.
and then came the narc era and ogego switched sides to tuju and later kibaki.
Rateng' Ogego is still a personal friend (after all those bleak years eating beans and being eaten by lice at Kamiti) although ideologically we are practically strangers these days.
If Raila was Julius Ceaser he would probably ask:
"Et tu Ogego?"
Onyango Oloo
Kisumu, Kenya
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Post by kmdo on Sept 20, 2009 15:23:00 GMT 3
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Post by adongo23456 on Sept 20, 2009 16:16:52 GMT 3
I am sure the PM will ignore this whole brouhaha. Some of these luncheons are overrated. Nothing ever gets done in these things. The PM should focus on his UN mission and let the Ogegos play their games in Washington they are insignificant. The Daily Nation working with the Ogegos are trying to make this a big story. It is not. In fact it is not even a blip in the American media. This is just nonsense.
Kenya has its own problems to deal with and trying to invent a story about this Raila thing strikes me as an attempt to divert public pressure on the Ringera debacle. That is the big story in Kenya. It is not going away. Kibaki and Ringera got their butts whipped. They should deal with that. This is what the nation is waiting for.
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Post by tiskie on Sept 20, 2009 17:26:17 GMT 3
Hey Raila should look at this Luncheon Saga differently, " power" if Leaders like Obama are scared to be seen chumming up with Raila, just because of Politics in their own back yard or to appease Hilary Clinton then for Sure Raila is the most powerful African leader so far:) and I give him a big applause... Obama and his team trying to embarrassing Raila is a foolish move.. what will they gain? Mileage nope! if Obama can sit down with Qaddafi and Museveni both dictators add countries like Togo,Gabon, Egypt e.t.c then I'm not sure what games Obama is playing at... Obama's father was born raised in Kenya " A Proud Kenyan who never forgot his home even when things were tough for him when he went back.. So by Obama trying to ignore Kenya and Embarrass Raila, the shame falls on him and not Raila, does he sincerely think by doing that Kenyans or Kenya will turn against their own son? Nope!! it ain't happening.. let Obama fight his own wars in his own backyard i.e Health care, but he should not be doing so by embarrassing Raila .. that won't gain him any mileage.. I believe there is more than meets the eyes on this saga... one must start by looking closely to why Obama's is having a Luncheon with certain chosen Africa Leaders and why Qaddafi invited 22 Kenyan elders to Libya for a secret meeting?? How does a leader from another country come in and take over your Elders? What exactly took place at these meetings and what funds where offered and for what purpose?? some elders come back saying that Qaddafi brought them a message from Obama...? say what!!! There is a big connection in both these saga's ..... www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144024409&cid=4&
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Post by johns on Sept 20, 2009 18:13:57 GMT 3
The Obama luncheon is just a useless gathering of corrupt and rudderless African leaders and there is nothing to be gained from it. The minority republicans have scared the sh....t out of obama to the extent that he has literally abandoned every pledge he made to the voters on his way to the white house. Progressives are beginning to wonder whether he conned them during the campaigns 0r he just got a weak spine to stand on. Suddenly everything that was attractive about his candidacy is now in question.
The excuse to disinvite Raila on account of PM not being head of state is completely laughable to say the least. During many international gatherings where head of states have assembled, has Obama ever refused to meet Gordon Brown or Benjamin Netanyahu because they are not head of states or what is the definition of state heads as far as the Americans are concerned? Obama it seem has made it a habit to embarass Kenya at every opportunity he gets, one wonder at whose behest is he doing this for.
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Post by genius on Sept 20, 2009 18:28:10 GMT 3
John's,
Obama seems to believe that every crisis can be solved by a photo opportunity and some meal. Se how he 'handled the Gates matter.
Now he appears to believe that for an African leader, having lunch with him is the greatest honour ever. And being disinvited from a meal with Obama is the stuff of nightmares. Those fellas need to get serious with this life.
Raila goes to the US to attend a UN conference and many other bilateral talks, Obama's government on it's own volition invites Raila and broadcasts this to the whole world, then a few days later broadcasts the invitation as if to embarass him. they better know that this will perhaps rouse a curiosity about Raila even among people who previously didn't take notice of him. If the American govt thinks Raila's popularity will be tainted even an ounce by this childish show, they are dead mistaken.
If Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Senegal, etc are going to be in that useless luncheon, then it is a waste and says nothing about respect for democracy.
Have you also noticed that after Raila did all the work convincing the World Economic forum to hold their next Africa summit outside South Africa, and Kenya doing all the work in promoting this idea including convincing Jacob Zuma of South Africa to let go of the event, Kofi Annan ad one of the chairs of the WEF vetoed the choice of Kenya to host it and awarded the event to Tanzania, all this in a misguided attempt to punish Raila and Kibaki, in the process they are just punishing Kenya. No need to investigate who put Kofi Annan to do such a disgraceful act. No need to even look far.
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Post by job on Sept 20, 2009 18:31:31 GMT 3
Okhunyanye,
You make good observations from Washington's Beltway perspective. They certainly may have played a role as you point.
The only thing is that in Obama's 'no drama' stance, he is clearly proving that any time signs of slight 'opposition' to anything he plans arises... he quickly backs away.
While you are right that;
The same Kibaki people led by his US appointees Ogego & Muita would easily engineer drama (porojo) which they certainly know would scare Obama.
Ogego is one master at surreptitious propagandist and scare tactics - ask me. He can manufacture drama enough to scare Obama that he has studied well. This ideological flip-flopper (Ogego) has real skills from Mwakenya and other underground formations that he could handily lend for small assignments like these.
Even protest notes & letters from a discredited Kibaki office would still count as 'drama' that a scared Obama would want to avoid...especially when they are raising controversial questions like 'why is a PM being invited to a head of states luncheon?'
This is one thing Ogego is probably well aware of. Don't forget too that Ogego's job security at Washington is possibly premised upon how successful he manages to 'contain' any Raila penetration or influence towards the White House.
From my vantage...it is obviously apparent that it is in fact Ogego running this drama ...from his swift dispatches to Nation newspaper, to his remote-control of Muita in New York (the feigned 'anger' by Muita)...
for your info...last week, some diaspora chat groups in the US engaged in fierce debate opposing Raila's planned luncheon....I knew where they were being engineered from...one contributor confidently expressed that they will provide Obama with the 'correct information on Raila'....(incidentally a phrase Ogego used previously while castigating then Senator Obama whom he accused of being misinformed about Kenya)...
If you ask me...this drama was engineered from the Kenya Embassy in Washington, and they sure bet that Obama would be scared.
The invitation was for both the PM and his wife, whom he traveled with (Ida is basically here just for that luncheon invite which has now been cancelled)... upon their arrival, Amb. Muita promptly informed them they had been 'disinvited' to the luncheon.
America doesn't embarass foreign dignitaries (couple) like that. This is a first.
Oloo sums this well.....the PM must avoid the small minded score keeping of partisan divide...and try to avoid addressing this issue in media....there are much more important matters to push for Kenya..and much more solidarity networks to build, starting within Africa.
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Post by genius on Sept 20, 2009 18:46:32 GMT 3
Job, if Obama's 'No Drama' stance means backing off any confrontation with minnows like Ogego, then that is a sign of weakness that is sure to be exploited by enemies in days to come.
This thing however is generating drama nevertheless. It is also exposing the hypocrisy of the Obama administration and their double standards when it comes to democratic principles.
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Post by enigma on Sept 20, 2009 18:57:11 GMT 3
Whatever the case, Obama has probably spoken to Odinga to personally apologize for this fiasco. I don't see why people are ventilating over it and weaving conspiracy theories. Even the Ghana snub, let Obama go where his advisers tell him to go. Kenya's turn to be visited by Obama will come, so will a chance to go to Pennsylvania avenue. I doubt that there will be an outpouring of manna from heaven when this visit comes to pass.
But then again, this is Kenya and Kenyans at their parochial best. Always seeking international attention and approval while ignoring our priorities. What a nation of fakes.
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Post by politicalmaniac on Sept 20, 2009 21:04:23 GMT 3
If its fear that made the Pres Obama WH disinvite R, thats shameful!
This is a big snub, anyway, anyhow, one looks at it.
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Post by tnk on Sept 20, 2009 22:12:20 GMT 3
If its fear that made the Pres Obama WH disinvite R, thats shameful! This is a big snub, anyway, anyhow, one looks at it. www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144024453&cid=4guys lets wait and get correct feedback from reliable channels, i think the DN as always is playing mind games and a lot has already been said, but there could be a lot more going on here than we imagine, or conversely its a storm in a teacup
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