|
Post by kenyamoja on Sept 25, 2009 7:13:07 GMT 3
Given the silliness exhibited by both Kenyan daily newspapers, is it beyond the realm of possibility that this "meeting" as described by the EAS did not happen? And yes I do believe that the two met as evident from the photo but what if it was a photo op and nothing else? I'm personally not in the camp trying to undermine the PM's every move, but the fact is that the truth to this whole saga lies somewhere in the middle. This was a non-story which the two papers (fronting their respective political camps) have blown out of proportions rendering their credibility to new lows. Ha!!ha!!ha!! nice try... they met they discussed and conquered, even with orders from Statehouse, Daily nation, ogego, Michuki and wetagula campaign to stop them meeting didn't pan out ;D pole sana... DAILY NATION HEADLINES1. Kenya PM dropped from Obama luncheonNew York-based Kenyan ambassador to the UN Zachary Muburi-Muita told the Nation on Saturday night that the State Department contacted him on Friday to “disinvite” Mr Odinga from the September 22 luncheon with President Obama in New York for African leaders.
The ambassador last Monday confirmed to the Nation that he had received an invitation letter for the PM to attend the luncheon. A dispatch to the Foreign Affairs ministry from Kenya’s Ambassador to Washington, Mr Peter Ogego, seen by the Nation confirmed the cancellation.2. Kenya missing as Obama listens to Africa’s needs Several African leaders briefed President Barack Obama about their countries’ needs at a luncheon on Tuesday from which Kenya was excluded. Prime Minister Raila Odinga was initially invited to attend the event at New York’s posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel, but was subsequently disinvited by the US State Department.
3. Raila may not meet Obama face-to-face Prime Minister Raila Odinga and United States President Barack Obama will attend two meetings together in New York, but are unlikely to meet face-to-face.AND LOOK CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY!! HERE THEY ARE... AND THEY TALKED AND TALKED AND TALKED.... ALA ;D ;D Tiskie, let me get this straight. So the PM and Obama exchange pleasantries and the "PM is accorded more time at the dinner" (where presumably there were other guests in attendance) and this constitutes a meeting/discussion? And now this is also the gospel truth? Please consider the source and the sourcing of this story (the PM's own spokesman). Look, my intention as I stated before is not to undermine the PM but to point out the silliness that our two daily papers are engaged in. I'm sure Raila and Obama met (who knows for how long and what they discussed) but I'm also sure that the EAS is overplaying the "meeting" just like the DN is underplaying it. Sad but true IMHO (just shows how polarized a society we've become).
|
|
|
Post by phil on Sept 25, 2009 10:48:26 GMT 3
Given the silliness exhibited by both Kenyan daily newspapers, is it beyond the realm of possibility that this "meeting" as described by the EAS did not happen? And yes I do believe that the two met as evident from the photo but what if it was a photo op and nothing else? I'm personally not in the camp trying to undermine the PM's every move, but the fact is that the truth to this whole saga lies somewhere in the middle. This was a non-story which the two papers (fronting their respective political camps) have blown out of proportions rendering their credibility to new lows. You may just be right Kenyamoja. Sample this: The website Denis Onyango alludes to is actually here: www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/3949318979/President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, and his wife, Mrs. Ida Odinga, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) The photo sits amongst others - actually more than 1000 others - taken with other world leaders at the U.N. Of course the standard article also mentions two meetings, and unless the White House officially discloses what was discussed, we would have no option but rely on the PM's spokesperson. Then there is this interesting caveat that accompanies all these photos: It begs the question why the White House and State Department would go to such extra ordinary lengths.
|
|
|
Post by genius on Sept 25, 2009 11:32:44 GMT 3
I think in this affair, the Standard have come out better of the two Media houses.
Nation went out of their way to print falsehoods and belittle Raila, including the infantile suggestion that Raila and Obama will be at the same dinner but Obama will be avoiding Raila, then the following day, they claim that Obama and Raila will not even be at the same dinner. bla nla bla.
This is a new low for Nation and exposes how petty they are.
One thing for sure though, is that Raila has some powerful and quite influential enemies at the US State Department. This coordinated effort to embarrass him had MANY Kenyan agents but there was also an invisible hand at the State Department running things.
|
|
|
Post by Titchaz on Sept 25, 2009 12:24:01 GMT 3
Ha!!ha!!ha!! nice try... they met they discussed and conquered, even with orders from Statehouse, Daily nation, ogego, Michuki and wetagula campaign to stop them meeting didn't pan out ;D pole sana... DAILY NATION HEADLINES1. PM dropped from Obama luncheonNew York-based Kenyan ambassador to the UN Zachary Muburi-Muita told the Nation on Saturday night that the State Department contacted him on Friday to “disinvite” Mr Odinga from the September 22 luncheon with President Obama in New York for African leaders.
The ambassador last Monday confirmed to the Nation that he had received an invitation letter for the PM to attend the luncheon. A dispatch to the Foreign Affairs ministry from Kenya’s Ambassador to Washington, Mr Peter Ogego, seen by the Nation confirmed the cancellation.2. Kenya missing as Obama listens to Africa’s needs Several African leaders briefed President Barack Obama about their countries’ needs at a luncheon on Tuesday from which Kenya was excluded. Prime Minister Raila Odinga was initially invited to attend the event at New York’s posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel, but was subsequently disinvited by the US State Department.
3. Raila may not meet Obama face-to-face Prime Minister Raila Odinga and United States President Barack Obama will attend two meetings together in New York, but are unlikely to meet face-to-face.AND LOOK CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY!! HERE THEY ARE... AND THEY TALKED AND TALKED AND TALKED.... ALA ;D ;D Tichaz, let me get this straight. So the PM and Obama exchange pleasantries and the "PM is accorded more time at the dinner" (where presumably there were other guests in attendance) and this constitutes a meeting/discussion? And now this is also the gospel truth? Please consider the source and the sourcing of this story (the PM's own spokesman). Look, my intention as I stated before is not to undermine the PM but to point out the silliness that our two daily papers are engaged in. I'm sure Raila and Obama met (who knows for how long and what they discussed) but I'm also sure that the EAS is overplaying the "meeting" just like the DN is underplaying it. Sad but true IMHO (just shows how polarized a society we've become). Kenyamoja, hebu nenda taratibu na mie. This ishu should be addressed to tiskie I believe.Soma nakala tena. Ab-Titchaz
|
|
|
Post by okhunyanye on Sept 25, 2009 18:36:42 GMT 3
And yes I do believe that the two met as evident from the photo but what if it was a photo op and nothing else? Hardly ever does anything much amount from such large gatherings of world leaders. If anything, they are mostly photo-op moments aimed at each leader's domestic market, as evident from Obama and McCain's trips abroad in the run-up to the last US general elections . That Raila was able to extract some positive concessions for the environment from his meeting with Clinton was actually commendable. I wouldn't equate the EA Standard's coverage of the pm's trip to that of the Daily Nation. While the former was driven more by inter-organizational rivalry for a 'scoop' on news coming out of New York, the latter was driven more by malice and partisan politics with 2012 in mind. Aspersions cast were mainly aimed at undercutting the pm's standing among his domestic base by raising enough doubt, atleast in the ordinary mwananchi's mind, on the man's standing among other world leaders abroad. You and I might suspect (even be convinced) that this was nothing other than a photo opportunity moment for the pm. Rural folks in Marimanti in Tharaka district, Kak-dhimu in karachuonyo, or anywhere else outside the environs of major towns of Kenya, on the other hand, will look at the photo and come out with the impression that the two leaders and their spouses met, talked issues, and sealed whatever deals were discussed with wide smiles. Consequently, whether anything was discussed or not between Obama and Raila at their face to face meeting is immaterial at this juncture. What is material though, is that a heinous scheme by the pm's powerful detractors (with the full complicity of a major media house), has for the time being been road blocked and bigfooted by the release of this single photo - and that in my humble estimation is known as hardball politics.
|
|
|
Post by adongo23456 on Sept 25, 2009 18:48:31 GMT 3
The silliness of the Daily Nation obsession with "dis-invite" boggles the mind. The man is there to represent the country. Let's fight him when he gets back. Don't insult the country in an effort to fight Raila. Please. Here in Toronto, the top daily newspaper, Toronto Star has a picture of Canada's Prime Minister and his wife Maureen shaking hands with Obama and Michelle. It is a top sell for the newspaper. Canadians love Obama. I think he has something like 80% approval rate. Their Prime Minister exchanging pleasantries with President Obama is something they feel good about regardless of their political affiliations. Not in Kenya. At least not for the Daily Nation. I suspect the Daily Nation and their allies in Washington would have preferred this kind of face to face meeting. Mask to Mask is kind of funny.
|
|
|
Post by kenyamoja on Sept 25, 2009 18:55:51 GMT 3
And yes I do believe that the two met as evident from the photo but what if it was a photo op and nothing else? I wouldn't equate the EA Standard's coverage of the pm's trip to that of the Daily Nation. While the former was driven more by inter-organizational rivalry for a 'scoop' on news coming out of New York, the latter was driven more by malice and partisan politics with 2012 in mind. Okhunyanye, I think you let off the EAS rather easily if you think this was all about getting the "scoop". Like the DN, the EA Standard has 2012 in mind and partisanship is part of the game. Hardball politics indeed!
|
|
|
Post by job on Sept 25, 2009 19:59:02 GMT 3
Folks,
On media - I can't agree more with Okhunyanye's sharp assessment.
It is absolutely clear the Daily Nation coverage of Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga is today primarily hinged on succession and 2012. The newspaper is darned determined to give Raila negative coverage at any opportunity - even if it means misleading readers, distorting facts, skewing reports and all manners of unethical antics meant to generate bad optics.
Yes, the paper currently enjoys near monopoly of state contracts and advert slots, thanks to the PNU side of government, but the over-zealousness by which the Nation enters political frays is both embarrasing and sickening. It is apparently getting worse as 2012 approaches.
The Standard seems to be capitalizing on exposing this folly by the Nation, thus when Nation reports that 'Raila may not meet Obama face to face', Standard is eager to disprove that by immediately publishing fresh photos of the Odingas and Obamas at the New York Museum.
Moi's Standard also has its plenty journalistic flaws - especially when spinning for Moi's interests...but in this case, they appear more bent on denting Nation's credibility. This front page photo was meant to contradict Nation's earlier reporting.
While the picture spoke more than a thousand words to the ordinary folks in the rural villages and urban slums, it was not lost to the more nuanced news consumers that the real story was that Raila was in fact attending a heads of state luncheon at the New York Museum, just 48 hours after his unceremonious disinvitation to another (African) 'heads of state' luncheon.
In other words, the diplomatic furore that generated Raila's initial disinvitation in the first place was being trashed by this second invitation.
So all the frantic efforts of the saboteurs to block Raila meeting with Obama face-to-face were wasted after all.
The goose of the diplomatic sabotours (from both Washington DC & Nairobi) was cooked during the lucheon itself when Obama himself sought out Raila from the crowd of dignitaries for a face-to-face encounter. On that day alone, they ended up meeting twice. The face-to-face encounters obviously did not bode well for the Daily Nation's credibility and the political saboteurs.
And sure, after the meal, when heads of state posed for photos with President Obama and Michelle, Raila and his wife Ida were sure in line. This time, there was going to be irrefutable evidence that some face-to-face moments surely occured.
The story within this story is the scary truth that we are in fact a divided nation filled with hatred, petty jealousy, envy, back-stabbing and dirty politics.
We are wont to wash our dirty linen even in the international arena. It is clear that sections of Kenya would rather have Kenya miss out any opportunities if any such benefits are initiated by certain individual Kenyans.
That's the biggest unprinted story that the Daily Nation - Standard fiasco has revealed.
It just goes to show that when it comes to stability, reconciliation and national cohesion, Kenya is still not out of the woods yet. We are far away from true peace and unity. Harvard meeting
I also posted a link to the PM's live address at Harvard University's Kennedy Institute yesterday. The 30 minute speech addressing Africa's path towards democratization, followed by Q& A sessions went quite well except for another 'dirty linen' moment.
During the PM's address that was also attended by a good number of Kenyans, away from the podium cameras, John Michuki is reported to have walked out in protest as the Prime Minister touched on issues of corruption and impunity in Kenya. The PM had also remarked about parliament's assertive role in Kenya today, citing the recent example where MPs declared Kibaki's appointment of Ringera at KACC an illegality.
Angered, Michuki, whom Raila had earlier introduced graciously, bolted out classlessly, immediately followed by the Kenya Ambassador to Washington Oginga Ogego, who was sitting beside him. The PM's daughter who was also seated near them looked at the exodus in surprise.
Of course, the crowd was left wondering who the ambassador was accompanying at the Harvard forum. It was definitely not the Prime Minister whom he was now leaving behind.
These numerous cases of washing dirty linen in public never end. The PM continued with his speech and Q&A session while his Ambassador & Environment Minister left him. They were never to come back.
The secret service, a bewildered Kenyan crowd, and few Americans having a clue of Kenyas coalition intrigues had to contend with all these drama and manufactured protocol misharps. I guess the PM must be saying...damned either way...when the PM comes without PNU Ministers, he is accused of entrenching partisanship..when he comes with PNU Ministers...he is subjected to first hand humiliation and diplomatic embarrasment.
I suspect Kibaki is maybe getting tired and slowly letting go ultra-partisan intrigues and Raila bashing that his handlers keep drawing him into. Kibaki may be clueless about these petty drama instigated by PNU to embarrass the PM. Shame!
|
|
|
Post by kenyamoja on Sept 25, 2009 21:09:25 GMT 3
The silliness of the Daily Nation obsession with "dis-invite" boggles the mind. The man is there to represent the country. Let's fight him when he gets back. Don't insult the country in an effort to fight Raila. Please. Here in Toronto, the top daily newspaper, Toronto Star has a picture of Canada's Prime Minister and his wife Maureen shaking hands with Obama and Michelle. It is a top sell for the newspaper. Canadians love Obama. I think he has something like 80% approval rate. Their Prime Minister exchanging pleasantries with President Obama is something they feel good about regardless of their political affiliations. Not in Kenya. At least not for the Daily Nation. Agreed. But I also think the PM and his handlers need not react to everything that their detractors thow at them. In my opinion in this meeting-gate the PM's people fell into the their detractors' trap by engaging in a tit-for-tat petty squabble in the media. Once the possibility of a Raila/Obama meeting was called into question by the usual suspects, the onus was on the PM's people to prove that it indeed took place. And this is where in my opinion I think the PM's handlers (through the EAS) over-reached by trying to sell us a "meeting" that was not a meeting in the real sense. In addition, the PM's spokesman is too close to the PM and should leave these kind of petty fights to others within the PM's circle.
|
|
|
Post by tiskie on Sept 26, 2009 1:17:10 GMT 3
The silliness of the Daily Nation obsession with "dis-invite" boggles the mind. The man is there to represent the country. Let's fight him when he gets back. Don't insult the country in an effort to fight Raila. Please. Here in Toronto, the top daily newspaper, Toronto Star has a picture of Canada's Prime Minister and his wife Maureen shaking hands with Obama and Michelle. It is a top sell for the newspaper. Canadians love Obama. I think he has something like 80% approval rate. Their Prime Minister exchanging pleasantries with President Obama is something they feel good about regardless of their political affiliations. Not in Kenya. At least not for the Daily Nation. Agreed. But I also think the PM and his handlers need not react to everything that their detractors thow at them. In my opinion in this meeting-gate the PM's people fell into the their detractors' trap by engaging in a tit-for-tat petty squabble in the media. Once the possibility of a Raila/Obama meeting was called into question by the usual suspects, the onus was on the PM's people to prove that it indeed took place. And this is where in my opinion I think the PM's handlers (through the EAS) over-reached by trying to sell us a "meeting" that was not a meeting in the real sense. In addition, the PM's spokesman is too close to the PM and should leave these kind of petty fights to others within the PM's circle. Kenyamoja Give up... it just.. Daily nation is still frothing out of its mouth while trying to explain Obama and Raila meeting:) hey why didn't Obama take time tot chat with Museveni or Qaddafi the OAU leader?? why did he seek out Raila for a private chat??Don't you guys get it? they discussed and Raila, Obama team conquered those that were trying to embarrass and abuses their ill gotten powers i.e Michuki, Ogego, Wetangula e.t.c.. I hear they are still seething mad.. and that is why Michuki and Ogego walked out on the PRIME MINISTER of Kenya (their boss) at the HARVARD SPEECH.. university - THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED FOOLISH TO ALL THAT WERE GATHERED TO HEAR THE PRIME MINISTER OF KENYA HON RAILA'S SPEECH...HEY... here is the Daily Nation gutter press trying yet again to dig in and explain what they can't seem to get correct.. PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PRIME MINISTER RAILA MET FACE TO FACE ... THEY DISCUSSED AND AGREED ON THE WAY FORWARD... PERIOD.. NASTY AND EVIL PEOPLE (no need to name them) NEVER WIN THE DAY ;D ;D DAILY NATIONS TODAYS HEADLINES...Raila’s itinerary in United States visit generates lots of needless controversy ( Daily nation the PNU mouth piece at it again... it is about time it shut up STANDARD HEADLINES: THEY HAVE THEIR FACTS RIGHT... SECRETS OF RAILA TALKS WITH OBAMA As Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s high-profile visit to the United States draws to a close, we today reveal glimpses of his moments with the leader of the world’s only superpower.www.eastandard.net/
|
|
|
Post by kenyamoja on Sept 26, 2009 4:17:44 GMT 3
Agreed. But I also think the PM and his handlers need not react to everything that their detractors thow at them. In my opinion in this meeting-gate the PM's people fell into the their detractors' trap by engaging in a tit-for-tat petty squabble in the media. Once the possibility of a Raila/Obama meeting was called into question by the usual suspects, the onus was on the PM's people to prove that it indeed took place. And this is where in my opinion I think the PM's handlers (through the EAS) over-reached by trying to sell us a "meeting" that was not a meeting in the real sense. In addition, the PM's spokesman is too close to the PM and should leave these kind of petty fights to others within the PM's circle. Kenyamoja Give up... it just.. Daily nation is still frothing out of its mouth while trying to explain Obama and Raila meeting:) hey why didn't Obama take time tot chat with Museveni or Qaddafi the OAU leader?? why did he seek out Raila for a private chat??Don't you guys get it? they discussed and Raila, Obama team conquered those that were trying to embarrass and abuses their ill gotten powers i.e Michuki, Ogego, Wetangula e.t.c.. I hear they are still seething mad.. and that is why Michuki and Ogego walked out on the PRIME MINISTER of Kenya (their boss) at the HARVARD SPEECH.. university - THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED FOOLISH TO ALL THAT WERE GATHERED TO HEAR THE PRIME MINISTER OF KENYA HON RAILA'S SPEECH...HEY... here is the Daily Nation gutter press trying yet again to dig in and explain what they can't seem to get correct.. PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PRIME MINISTER RAILA MET FACE TO FACE ... THEY DISCUSSED AND AGREED ON THE WAY FORWARD... PERIOD.. NASTY AND EVIL PEOPLE (no need to name them) NEVER WIN THE DAY ;D ;D DAILY NATIONS TODAYS HEADLINES...Raila’s itinerary in United States visit generates lots of needless controversy ( Daily nation the PNU mouth piece at it again... it is about time it shut up STANDARD HEADLINES: THEY HAVE THEIR FACTS RIGHT... SECRETS OF RAILA TALKS WITH OBAMA As Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s high-profile visit to the United States draws to a close, we today reveal glimpses of his moments with the leader of the world’s only superpower.www.eastandard.net/Tiskie, unlike you I do not wear my ODM/Raila blinders all the time. So the EA Standard reports only the gospel truth? The DN may be a PNU mouthpiece but in the same token so is the EA Standard fast becoming an ODM mouthpiece. And that is my beef. We are being taken for a ride by the media and as a result becoming participants in their political games. You'll notice that the only source for EAS story (and today's DN story) is none other than the PM's spokesman and as such someone who is vested heavily in making sure that the PM comes out triumphantly (nothing wrong with the strategy in itself but as a reader I am entitled to question the source and motives of the reporter). Look, PNU's strategy is to define Raila as someone seeking to ingratiate himself with the Obama administration and a self-promoter, and by stretching the truth regarding the Obama and Raila meeting (as I believe is the case), the PM's handlers may have fallen into this trap. Lesson # 1; don't let your enemies define you!
|
|
|
Post by enigma on Sept 26, 2009 10:46:31 GMT 3
We need impartial media houses period. Even when Raila at one point told off EAS last year, they started trolling for rubbish about him. The media houses as currently positioned will continue to pull us back from progress in key areas. We need objective reporting with diligence and integrity. No partisanship.
|
|
|
Post by tiskie on Sept 26, 2009 16:52:05 GMT 3
Kenyamoja Give up... it just.. Daily nation is still frothing out of its mouth while trying to explain Obama and Raila meeting:) hey why didn't Obama take time tot chat with Museveni or Qaddafi the OAU leader?? why did he seek out Raila for a private chat??Don't you guys get it? they discussed and Raila, Obama team conquered those that were trying to embarrass and abuses their ill gotten powers i.e Michuki, Ogego, Wetangula e.t.c.. I hear they are still seething mad.. and that is why Michuki and Ogego walked out on the PRIME MINISTER of Kenya (their boss) at the HARVARD SPEECH.. university - THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED FOOLISH TO ALL THAT WERE GATHERED TO HEAR THE PRIME MINISTER OF KENYA HON RAILA'S SPEECH...HEY... here is the Daily Nation gutter press trying yet again to dig in and explain what they can't seem to get correct.. PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PRIME MINISTER RAILA MET FACE TO FACE ... THEY DISCUSSED AND AGREED ON THE WAY FORWARD... PERIOD.. NASTY AND EVIL PEOPLE (no need to name them) NEVER WIN THE DAY ;D ;D DAILY NATIONS TODAYS HEADLINES...Raila’s itinerary in United States visit generates lots of needless controversy ( Daily nation the PNU mouth piece at it again... it is about time it shut up STANDARD HEADLINES: THEY HAVE THEIR FACTS RIGHT... SECRETS OF RAILA TALKS WITH OBAMA As Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s high-profile visit to the United States draws to a close, we today reveal glimpses of his moments with the leader of the world’s only superpower.www.eastandard.net/Tiskie, unlike you I do not wear my ODM/Raila blinders all the time. So the EA Standard reports only the gospel truth? The DN may be a PNU mouthpiece but in the same token so is the EA Standard fast becoming an ODM mouthpiece. And that is my beef. We are being taken for a ride by the media and as a result becoming participants in their political games. You'll notice that the only source for EAS story (and today's DN story) is none other than the PM's spokesman and as such someone who is vested heavily in making sure that the PM comes out triumphantly (nothing wrong with the strategy in itself but as a reader I am entitled to question the source and motives of the reporter). Look, PNU's strategy is to define Raila as someone seeking to ingratiate himself with the Obama administration and a self-promoter, and by stretching the truth regarding the Obama and Raila meeting (as I believe is the case), the PM's handlers may have fallen into this trap. Lesson # 1; don't let your enemies define you! Kenyamoja it looks like you are the individual on here who is trying very hard to back the Daily Nation nonsense.. why then are you insisting that Raila had no discussions with Obama?? isn't it exactly what the Daily nation posted? while the Standard received its information through the Prime Ministers personal spokesman Onyango.. My question is why are you still doubting the Prime minsters spokesman? or you rather believe the trickled down nasty information from Ogego, Wetangula and Michuki who are trying to undermine the Prime Minister left right and centre!! I believe this boils down to who is passing on the correct information from the source and i strongly believe seeing what has been happening and confirming information from the ground in Washington.. Prime Minister and Pres: Obama did have discussions!! call it what you want ;D ;D and if you want to continue Daily nations rubbish explanations of why Raila and Odinga didn't meet ... roll on.. it will not change the fact that they did meet and held discussions... facts are facts!!
|
|
|
Post by mzee on Sept 28, 2009 14:21:14 GMT 3
Yash Pal Ghai weighs in. Political pull and push games bad for our imagePublished on 27/09/2009 By Yash Ghai If the report in The Standard on September 21, about attempts by Uhuru Kenyatta, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Moses Wetang’ula to subvert President Obama’s invitation to Prime Minister Raila Odinga to lunch in New York is right, then it is shameful and malicious. Kenyans generally feel rebuffed at Obama’s attitude to Kenya, which is painful since we claim, and he acknowledges, that he is one of us. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and the US ambassador Michael Rannenberger have explained that President Obama is deeply distressed at the moral and political corruption in Kenya and wants to keep his distance from us until politicians mend their ways. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been anxious to establish contacts between the two countries at the highest level that it sent a delegation to Obama’s inauguration, despite being told by the State Department that they were not welcome. They had to watch the inauguration from a modest hotel whose inferior facilities they are unaccustomed to. It is not surprising that our diplomats, not known for their skills, have failed so far to arrange a meeting between Obama and President Kibaki. So, if The Standard is right, when the White House invites Raila to lunch with President Obama along with other African leaders, key leaders of our own government start the campaign to ‘disinvite’ the PM. But even then Raila still met Obama, not just for lunch, but also dinner, and discussed Kenya. Raila was representing Kenya at the UN General Assembly, and is, for most of us, the country’s Prime Minister . You might think that Foreign Affairs Minister Wetang’ula would be preening at this, what could pass as his ministry’s success. Not only were our distinguished trio taken by surprise, but they are reported to be extremely upset. They seem to have ‘clarified’ to Washington that Raila was neither a head of State nor of government, and not eligible for the invitation. It did not matter he was representing President Kibaki. It is well known that at meetings of Heads of State, representatives of absent heads are welcome. Raila is more articulate than Kibaki and would make a good case for closer Kenya-US relations. The agenda at the lunch was of great economic and social importance to African States, and we should be pleased the Prime Minister represented Kenya. But that does not seem to concern Wetang’ula and his two allies, each of whom wants to be president and ‘serve’ Kenyans. 2005 meeting Reading that Kalonzo might have been involved in the "disinvitation" campaign, I was reminded of a meeting I had with him and Raila in 2005, in Addis Ababa. I was in Ethiopia at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Federation to meet the newly elected members and discuss ways they could best discharge their limited but important tasks. I had stopped in Nairobi on my way to Addis and Raila had mentioned he also had a meeting in Addis Ababa about the same time, and perhaps we could meet for a chat. On my last day, as I was packing my suitcase, the reception at the Hilton called me and said that Raila was waiting for me. I was surprised to see Kalonzo with him. Over tea, they explained they were on a ‘bonding’ trip, to show Kenyans they were united in their struggle to remove Kibaki at the 2007 General Election. We discussed Kenya politics, and the fortunes of ODM. They were convinced they could topple Kibaki. I then asked each of them what he would do if the other were nominated ODM candidate. I reminded them that former President Moi had lasted so long because the opposition was divided. I thought the losing candidate for the ODM candidacy should say, "Raila tosha" or "Kalonzo tosha". Both assured me there was no question that ODM members would have the last word, and they would accept their verdict, and would fight the campaign together. We know what happened to those pledges. Incidentally, both feared that Kibaki would appoint his cronies to fill vacancies that were due in the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya and wanted to know what they could do to prevent that. What were international standards on the subject? I told them that Kibaki could in fact bring in his cronies, as the IPPG agreement that appointments would be made on nomination of parties in proportion to their representation was never legislated. It depended entirely on trust, and good faith on the part of Kibaki — we know now that these were in short supply. International standards Subsequently I sent them a note on international standards and practice, comparing them to the Kenyan law, but heard no more from them. It seems they did little about attempting to change the law. We know what Kibaki did, and its horrendous consequences are obvious. Subsequently one of my two visitors in Addis defended the packed Electoral Commission despite the fraud and the violence. Kalonzo is suave and courteous, and I used to think that despite having served Kanu so loyally in the terrible years of its regime, he had a basic commitment to democracy and decency. Now that I watch his casuistry, justifying Kibaki’s reappointment of Ringera against all reasonable interpretation of the law, I am depressed about the morality of our leading politicians, their constant subordination of the national welfare to their personal interests, and the lack of principles. What message does this send to ‘our son’ Obama? But all that matters is who becomes the next president, and inherits the corrupt and corrupting state. Prof Ghai is former CKRC chairman. www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/InsidePage.php?id=1144025013&cid=289&
|
|
|
Post by job on Sept 28, 2009 17:58:20 GMT 3
WORLD NEWS US vows to punish Kenya for failure to act on reforms By Barney Jopson in Nairobi 404 words 25 September 2009 (c) 2009 The Financial Times Limited. All rights reserved
The US has vowed to punish the Kenyan government for failing to act on its reform pledges by banning several senior figures from travelling to the US and putting all multilateral aid proposals for Kenya under "intense scrutiny".
Washington has grown frustrated with Kenya this year as months of diplomacy - including an August visit by Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state - failed to prompt action on reforms agreed after last year's post-election crisis.
The measures announced yesterday are similar to those the US and European Union have imposed with some success on President Robert Mugabe and his allies in Zimbabwe, another country where a disputed election led to a dysfunctional power-sharing government.
But in Kenya they underline just how far the reputation of its leaders has fallen since the crisis. They are also a reminder of the country's importance to the rest of the world as a regional economic hub and a base for aid agencies and the United Nations.
Michael Ranneberger, US ambassador to Kenya, said a total of 15 ministers, members of parliament and bureaucrats had received strongly worded letters on Wednesday from Johnnie Carson, US assistant secretary of state for African affairs.
The letters warned: "Your future relationship with the US is directly linked to the degree of your support for urgent implementation of the reform agenda as well as clear opposition to the use of violence."
The 18-month-old coalition - paralysed by vested interests, internal squabbles and mutual mistrust - has notched up few achievements in tackling corruption or reforming the constitution and the judiciary.
Mr Ranneberger did not name the 15 recipients of the letters but said they were split almost equally between the two sides of the coalition, led by Mwai Kibaki, the president, and Raila Odinga, the prime minister.
Not all 15 would be subject to a travel ban but those who were would probably see their families affected too - significant given the popularity of the US among the Kenyan elite as a destination for schooling, shopping and holidays.
Mr Ranneberger also said the US "will more closely scrutinise all proposed projects, loans and other programmes of assistance to Kenya that are brought before international financial institutions" such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank.
|
|
|
Post by politicalmaniac on Sept 28, 2009 21:53:57 GMT 3
So the ambassador has said he will expose the fellows? Excellent move, and thats why R should keep away from Ruto's antics' and the ringera imbroglio.
|
|