The PACKAGING of a Kalonzo Presidency

[Onyango Oloo]

The Packaging of a Kalonzo Presidency

A Digital Essay by Onyango Oloo

It has been interesting watching the unfolding political developments in this country. The most melodramatic of course, has been the meltdown of the NAK cabal. Within a period of months, the Murage led Muthaiga faction seems to have completely vanquished the Murungaru/Mwiraria/Kiraitu Hurlingham axis via the devastating revelations wrapped up in the Githongo Dossier. Or did they? About two and a half weeks ago there were front page stories in the People Daily and other Nairobi dailies that the svengali called Stanley had himself been turfed out from State House and was missing from the President's side at official functions. The truth of the matter is still up in the air because there has been no public announcement to date that he got the pink slip. More serious setbacks for the Muthaiga posse have emerged during the whole burlesque and fiasco featuring the two dubious Europeans with a penchant for tacky jewelry, palatial digs, murderous mongrels and megalomaniacal claims who have provided diversionary tabloid entertainment and crucial breathing space for the principal characters in the Anglo-Leasing charade- especially embattled vice-president Moody Awori. The real significance of the "Armenian" soap opera has to do with the involvement of Mwai Kibaki's alleged second wife Mary Wambui and his daughter by the same "NARC Activist" in the shady shenanigans of the European duo- with documentary evidence that Wambui’s daughter is one of the shareholders of a company that has been linked to the suspicious foreigners. What is uncontested is the fact that the tacky show offs- and bear in mind that one of them has ALREADY skipped the country- enjoy enormous state protection.

Some observers in Nairobi are convinced that the two "Armenians" are well-known drug dealers- an allegation that has so far not been verified beyond all reasonable doubt. The same observers are convinced that there are other "Armenians" lurking in the murky shadows.

If these allegations have any credence, then it raises the rather disturbing scenario that BOTH factions of the NAK tribal cabal- the Muthaiga AND the Hurlingham gangs- could be part of a coterie of narcotics traffickers using drugs for political fund-raising in anticipation of the 2007 electoral contest.

Staying within the same milieu for a few more moments, one notices that the attempts to wind up the DP (of which Kibaki is a founding Chairman) and jump-start the NARC-Kenya political matatu are manifestations of internal retooling between and within the elements of the now fractured Mount Kenya Mafia. It is obvious, at least to this observer that leading elements within this cabal are determined to cling on to power come next year by engaging in a little bit of image processing. For instance, isn't comical to contemplate the phenomenon of the grave diggers of the grand NARC coalition-viz. President Kibaki and his immediate circle- claim to be true keepers of the NARC flame while the leading proponents of NARC from 2002 are shunted aside as wreckers of the ruling coalition? Quite simply Kibaki and his NAK cabal are unelectable using their present vehicles- NAK, DP or any other formation that reeks of it. One, no, make that two flies in NARC-Kenya’s ointment is the stubborn refusal of NAK tribal brokers Charity Ngilu and Musikari Kombo to divest themselves of their Kamba and Bukusu fiefdoms respectively to dilute themselves in an amorphous formation whose national popularity remains largely untested.

A couple of months ago, when, together with other Kenya based commentators, I projected the emergence of a new, nation-wide political party aligned to Kibaki and the MKM, I was met with withering sarcasm from among others, my good buddy Bob Awuor who resides in the grand old metropolis of London (in the UK, not southern Ontario). Now that NARC-Kenya has jumped the queue to be registered, one has to see beyond the façade of the Mungatanas to detect the real power brokers of this boat, which is bound to sink months before the next year’s elections. It is sad that Kibaki and his handlers have learnt nothing from the devastating referendum loss of a few months ago. Choosing discredited political dodos like Raphael Tuju in Nyanza and Moody Awori in Western province to lead the charge in shoring up support for the new party outside Central Kenya is one of the ingredients in this sure recipe for disaster. I will SPECULATE in a minute on WHO I think NARC-Kenya is retaining up its fledgling sleeves as their front-runner in the 2007 elections- perhaps it will NOT be Mwai Kibaki.

But let me move on to something else in the meantime.

What is going on within the ODM?

Smoke and mirrors folks, smoke and mirrors.

Some pundits, whose minds appear to be shallower than your average tea-spoon, are wetting themselves with unwarranted delirium as they contemplate what they think is the continuing self-destruction of the Orange Democratic Movement. They point as proof Uhuru Kenyatta's lone ranger grand standing on the issue of Anglo-Leasing graft; the seeming rift/rivalry between Kalonzo and Raila; the fall out between William Ruto and his erstwhile political godfather Daniel arap Moi; the highly publicized announcements from Najib Balala and Musalia Mudavadi that they too are vying for the country’s top seat; the attempt by Orangemen like Joe Khamisi and others in launching a Coast-based political party; the surreal alliance between Henry Kosgei and Kipruto Kirwa. The same "un-deep" pundits think that this will be a re-run of the early nineties fall out among the founders of the original FORD .

Leaving these pundits to their various delusions, let me suggest that there are some very complex developments within the ODM that defy superficial analysis.

The key to unlocking the riddle in ODM lies in the answers to the following questions:

Are Ruto, Balala and Mudavadi seriously gunning for the Presidency or are they following the time tested formula of our world beating long distance runners who often set a sizzling pace for three quarters of the race only for ANOTHER well-rested athlete to sprint to the finish line with 300 metres of the 10,000 metres left to complete?

Apart from being Kibaki’s LITERAL NEXT DOOR neighbour in Nairobi, what else connects Uhuru Kenyatta to NARC insiders like Githongo, Murage and others?

Is Raila Odinga likely to lose the nomination from the LDP ?

What prevents Kalonzo Musyoka from ditching the ODM ?


I will NOT even ATTEMPT to answer ANY of these questions directly.

Instead, let me now muse on the ramifications of the latest poll from the Steadman Group.

According to this year’s April Fool’s edition of the Saturday Nation :

The political fortunes of MP Kalonzo Musyoka continue to rise, with a new poll showing him as Kenyans' top choice for President. He is seen as an honest man untainted by corruption by 63 per cent of the population. And if a Presidential election were held tomorrow, Mr. Musyoka would romp home the winner with 34 per cent of the vote.
Runner up would be President Kibaki on 22 per cent while Kanu chairman and Official Opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta would get only 15 per cent. Bringing up the rear would be the Liberal Democratic Party's Raila Odinga who would gain 11 per cent, while Kanu secretary general William Ruto and Mvita MP Najib Balala would get four and one per cent respectively.

One way of interpreting the above numbers is to notice that combined, ODM candidates are garnering 65% of the Presidential vote compared to Kibaki’s 22%.

It is impossible to miss the glaring fact that these numbers still do not add up to 100%.

Whichever way you look at it, Mwai Kibaki has no reason to dance with joy in his living room this afternoon; likewise, I would not cover my face with ash and don the biblical sack cloth if I was Kalonzo Musyoka.

Having noted the above, I would like to remind my readers that Onyango Oloo has NEVER been a big fan of most polls. This is not the day to rehash what I had previously stated. For those who missed that essay, click on the link below:


jukwaa.proboards58.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1130054625

It has always been thoroughly fascinating to me how Kenyan mainstream politicians will react in remarkably contrasting fashion to the same polling organization depending on the results. The same pollster will be vilified if the President in waiting gets low ratings and praised to the skies when the numbers start rising.

Since I am not a mainstream politician vying for office, I think I can afford to speak my mind not caring too much about my popularity ratings.

I want to make a series of observations about Kalonzo Musyoka’s bid for the Presidency:

1.Among ALL the Presidential contenders, he is probably the one the West is most comfortable with;

2.The fact that he is a self-confessed Born Again Christian and ardent opponent of abortion and reproductive rights makes him a darling of the very powerful far-right evangelical lobby that helped to re-elect George Bush;

3.As one of former President Moi’s protégés, he remains a KANU Crown Prince;

4.His boyish photogenic looks makes him an ideal candidate for a poll-driven, media sustained American style Presidential campaign;

5. His ethnic background makes him a "safe" candidate for the moneyed king-makers lurking in Presidential, ex-Presidential and other powerful political kitchens in the country;

Those five attributes make him a VERY INTIMIDATING front-runner as far his political opponents are concerned.

It is my considered opinion these five attributes are in turn being parlayed into a very sophisticated campaign to brainwash Kenyans into thinking that Kalonzo already has the Presidency in the bag and that we should just wait for his inauguration. I also think that this and subsequent Steadman Group polls will continue to plant the subliminal message of Kalonzo Musyoka as the inevitable next Kenyan head of state. It would appear to me that the Americans will work very hard to install Kalonzo as our next president.

To continue with my wild speculation, here is what I see happening over the next 10 to 12 months:
(a) Kalonzo Musyoka will quit the ODM;

(b) He may join/start a new electoral pact that includes NARC- Kenya and the Uhuru faction of KANU;

(c) He may eventually emerge as the Presidential candidate for this new pact with Uhuru Kenyatta as his running mate with NAK linked MKM figures biding their time in the background.

Let me also PREDICT another thing for SURE:

If Kalonzo quits the ODM he will never be elected the President of Kenya. If he remains in the ODM but fights an individualistic battle, he will never become the ODM’s presidential nominee.

In other words, Kalonzo Musyoka can only be elected the next President if he WINS OVER his fellow, "ODM Luminaries" rather than through scheming against them.

Like most mainstream Kenyan politicians, Kalonzo Musyoka is almost completely devoid of progressive ideological content and like most of them relies almost entirely on tribal-based political horse trading.

What Kalonzo Musyoka and ALL THE OTHER Presidential candidates will have to contend with is what John Githongo referred to the other day:

The Kenyan voters are highly politically conscious these days.

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

[dubois]

Let me also PREDICT another thing for SURE:

If Kalonzo quits the ODM he will never be elected the President of Kenya. If he remains in the ODM but fights an individualistic battle, he will never become the ODM’s presidential nominee.

In other words, Kalonzo Musyoka can only be elected the next President if he WINS OVER his fellow, "ODM Luminaries" rather than through scheming against them

I think this is a very bold prediction and you greatly overestimate the influence of Raila, Ruto, Balala, Mudavadi (ODM without Kalonzo).

In my view, if Kibaki drops off in 2007 (although unlikely) and Kalonzo/Uhuru run with the blessing of Moi, it is hard to imagine anyone beating them.

On the other hand, if Raila, Ruto, Balala and Mudavadi remained intact (minus Kalonzo and Uhuru) and agreed on a power sharing formula it is hard to predict the possibilities. Going by the referendum, Uhuru and Kalonzo were certainly not the ones who tilted the scale towards an orange win ( although Kalonzo did pretty well in Ukambani. i dont know by how many votes). However i am totally convinced the 2007 elections will not go the same way as the referendum (perhaps a bold prediction on my part).

There are unendless possibilities in this quest for power, the only safe bet is that whoever gets in will have the support of the ruling classes and the west.

[job]

Oloo,

That was interesting. You correctly stated that progressive proponents are conspicuously (& unfortunately) missing in the line-up of possible contenders. You are now on the ground, what's up with an energized vehicle for a start? You can do it.

On your essay, I think that nobody should rule out the fact that Kalonzo can still WIN OVER his other ODM luminaries & actually get the ODM nomination (possibly winning the Presidency) depending on a number of factors which I will not get into in this forum.

I just hope the unscientific Steadman polls don't get too much into Kalonzo's head that he starts assuming he's already President. I agree, America would love to have him there though. I know he is personally close to Bush's right hand lady, Condoleeza Rice (US Secretary of State) and still gets an appointment to see her even now that he's not a cabinet Minister.

Incase he (Kalonzo) loses the LDP ticket, I may want to advise him to simply choose between ODM and Kibaki, and establish where he may fit in best, then call it home. I don't think Kibaki is pulling out of the 2007 race. There's too much vested interest and he will be pushed to run by his business buddies who still have business (to finish),... in Kenya's coffers of-course.

If LDP sticks to it's ideals, then the criteria for nominating a candidate will be predictable.
In that predictable criteria, Kalonzo will be judged by national delegates just like all other candidates; Raila, Musalia, Balala, & any others who offer their candidature,......not based on findings of an unscientific poll.

Winning the LDP nomination will be gruelling in the sense that the winner will most likely hold the strongest credentials for supporting LDP Party ideals eg; strong anti-corruption firepower,....... strongly pro-devolution, pro-equitable-resource-sharing , pro-executive power-sharing with regard to the Katiba, (yaani how much support do you lend to the Bomas draft).........pro-Liberal or social democratic ideals,......& to crown it maybe.....having a tinge for populism (to drive the masses)-a now distinct hallmark of LDP.

If you caught a glimpse of the Bomas delegates (despised by government apologists) at the plenary hall, the day akina Murungi and Awori walked out on the law review,.....then you could possibly envision the kind of atmosphere we could be talking about. Delegates who hold strong views on the Katiba and governance in general and who may not notice who among the nominees appears more photogenic or well groomed.

The LDP nominee would also table his/her vision for Kenya. How would they say deal with the nightmares of corruption, poverty, famine, unemployment, landlessness, lack of clean water, insecurity, the Goldenberg & Anglo-Leasing crooks etc etc.

You may be shocked how Kenyans can sense rhetoric from real plans today.

Otherwise LDP may just look like the former Conservative KANU party or the disorganized & greed-torn NARC coalition.

It (LDP) must look different from other parties if it is actually different, however slight the difference may be.

Judging from the candidates,.....the strongest supporters of the Bomas draft will easily be vetted based on a number of things; how loyal were they in supporting the Bomas cause during the actual group & Plenary deliberations,......how did they VOTE (or fail to vote) in Parliament with regard to the Katiba (yaani were they pro-Bomas, Pro-wako, or did they occasionally chill in the middle-ground when things were hot),.....how committed were they to orange (ODM) during the referendum campaigns,.....etc etc.

Loyal LDP leaders may be judged also by; how much have they sacrificed (timewise, financially, in terms of absorbing political heat,...) for LDP which has consistently been fought by the government,.........What organizational skills of a national magnitude do they bring to the table?,.......how good are they as team players?, ....do they show signs of a Kibakiesque lone ranger, sit-in-the-fence-as-house-burns attitude,.......or signs of retreat-back-to-my-village-mafia after electoral victory (reminiscent of Kibaki) etc etc.

Questions must be asked, past records must be reviewed, loyalty to Party cause must be examined, and vision, ideals and attitude known,.......before the delegates themselves decide who is Tosha. It will be a blitz. Surprises &/or upsets may occur, and you could not rule out a walk-out by some, but certainly not a fall-out.

Remember that those walking out, may immediately want to consider going straight to State House to "bargain" or as Kombo calls it, ....."negotiate" with Kibaki's men.

As you can see,....nobody is going to smile their way into a presidential party nomination. This thing must be earned and not just dished out on a silver platter like Kibaki got it.

I'm glad to see the candidates seeking delegates outside their home turfs. Balala is busy courting his Mijikenda neighbours, Kalonzo has literally camped in the populous Rift Valley, & Raila has been seen in Kisii & Rift Valley.

I doubt whether we shall see many defections post-nominations,....... running away from a possible electoral victor (in ODM) may be unfathomable to many of these greedy leaders.

But watch out for key indicators in KANU and in Parliament.

Events shaping up in KANU's bedrock of Rift Valley Province will determine a lot. The apparent turf war you mentioned between Ruto & his political godfather Moi (pro-Uhuru) may be a significant issue to keep an eye on. It may eventually have significant national implications.

How Parliament (note: I did not talk about the nondescript Kiplagat team that is unnecessarily draining public funds) handles the stalled Constitutional Review is another piece to the puzzle.
How they treat the issue of Corruption per-se, like the now tabled PAC report on Anglo_Leasing & how individual MPs vote for or against implementing the report will also tell a lot.

On Narc-Kenya, I think the popularity of the acronym NARC remains restricted to one region of Kenya. Nowhere else is NARC viewed favourably, and if I were thinking post-Kibaki, I wouldn't want to associate with anything NARC. Didn't you see how Mukisa Kituyi ran quite fast,..away from NARC-K.

That's my 2 cents.

unedited.

Job

[Onyango Oloo]

RE: The PACKAGING of a Kalonzo Presidency
Posted 1143893349 by

I don't think the americans would support Kalonzo at all. You have to understand the majority of mainstream christians are conservative. Self confessed born again christians are in the minority even in Kenya and are considered NUTS. Not only is Kalonzo a pansy weak pretty boy.. he's a NUT. Imagine if Bush confessed to being a born again christian.. they'd have dumped him in a flash. Kalonzo would be better off as a mormon, he has no character nor political charisma nor promising change, Bush does have character.. like a suicide bomber politically speaking. Kalonzo is nothing like Bush. You can't compare a primary school teacher to a university lecturer.. politically speaking.

Another way you could look at the "April fools" (I swear you're a genius) poll subliminal motive is sympathy. Everyone knows Raila is politically very savvy and astute. Everyone knows what has happened is unfair. Everyone knows the man did no wrong. Everyone knows he's suppose to be the president. Everyone knows he's the strongest outta all of them put together. If Steadman continue this way, continue in this bullsh!t manner, it'll bite them in the back. I bet you the Kikuyus or Central for that matter will vote for Raila. It's fair play. Raila helps Kibaki become president, Raila wins referendum, Kibaki fires him. No-one likes betrayal. All the other contenders are not worth talking about.

Enough eggs have been thrown on that man. I think his patience and humility has been subjected enough. He deserves the presidency 'cause everyone knows he's stronger than all those hopefuls put together. Can Kenyans honestly believe NARC would've clinched the presidency if it wasn't for Raila? Do you honestly believe the Orange team would've won that referendum without Raila? Of course not. Those who don't feel so are just the bitter ones or who are in affiliation or related to the other contenders but they make up less than .01% of votes anyway.

No matter how much propaganda they throw at him, Kenyans are not that stupid anymore. What the government has done up to date is inexcusable, I don't think they should be taking Githongo, media attacks, mercenary claims, drugs and scandal issues oh so lightly. People are watching, people are listening.. still waiting for an explanation.. vain attempts will not get them very far. I think Kenyans should demand for a snap election sometime soon. People shouldn't be respecting Kibaki's rules no more, 'cause he certainly hasn't been respecting theirs.

[Onyango Oloo]

Karanja W.L


Everyone must read this essay. Sober, clever and analytical. Kalonzo has come a long way. He is too smart to ruin his political future. O D M is the key to his future ambitions, but he has to mark his time, at least until after 2007. Americans can only make him our president in 2007 if they invade us, Iraq style.

He is brilliant, good, suitable but not the best within the political circumstances we are in now! Let him him ask his friend Jakaya Kikwete; Mvumilivu hula mbivu.

Message posted by donworry on 01/04/2006 at 3:09pm -

It would seem then that the best thing is for the defections to take place sooner rather than later so that we can get a clearer picture of what/who to vote for.....I hate to say it but there aren't that many sundays left between now and the magic 2007

N a r k's fate was sealed during the referendum and the current government is just serving out the term. These clowns are used goods now, unfit to govern and no amount of paintwork or rebranding can save them from what @whitecap aptly called oblivion.

Any presidential hopeful would do well to avoid being tainted by this group whose crimes against us are too many to mention here.

Remember this quote?

Mr President, you called us ‘stupid’ if we voted against the draft. Who is stupid now? You, or the millions of Kenyans who voted ‘no’? When 2007 comes, we will not forget your words.”

I wonder whether the roasting of the cocaine was a cruel april fools' joke too? kumbuka that drug running is also a CIA speciality.[/b]

[aeichener]

admin said:

Self confessed born again christians are in the minority even in Kenya and are considered NUTS (...). Imagine if Bush confessed to being a born again christian..

But he is one; and has confessed so. What's this contributor's point?

Alexander

[maina]

Habari Oloo,
I think I have told you more than once that I always look forward to your writings. Actually, I think you have known me to eulogize your headwork. Lakini why the sudden proclivity to detail all this mind blowing flights of fancy? Quite frankly, there is an increasing partiality for Jukwaa members to cobble up commentaries packed with contortionism and awful chimerical assumptions. I have noticed a wild self assertive trend of members hiding behind words in euphuistic rage and smartness with the sole movement and scheme of thrusting Raila Odinga as though he is Kenya’s Deus ex Machina! I tell you it will not get you places.

True, you’re entitled to your opinions and you’ll probably be quick to tell me so, but don’t you think it is seemingly ridiculous for you to persist in proselytizing fish stories? In January you prudently and obtusely vituperated John Githongo and all his boosters (like myself) and declared (falsely of course) that our efforts to have the Kibaki administration exposed for their wickedness are backed by some “Imperialists in their coup attempts to oust Kibaki”. You're yet to beautifully prove that theory! Now you’ve diligently fudged together and dedicated an entire avalanche for the singular determination of maligning Kalonzo Musyoka; not on any pressing and tricky issues that have best Kenyan politicians (like corruption and tribalism), but on the exclusivity of his faith - faith in God. Kwanza you’ve carelessly christened your fish story as “The PACKAGING of a Kalonzo Presidency”, and then rhetorically proceeded to knock him down! Do you know that you are treading on the same potter’s field of doomed ideas that Nancy Pelosi and her Hollywood liberal junkies fell in during the last US presidential elections? Do you know what happened to them and their presidential dreamer?

Oloo, just in case you do not know, Kalonzo Musyoka and Uhuru Kenyatta are the only Kenyan grandstanders saa hii without a touch of corruption! Those are facts!!!!! They are also the only ones who have the ability to mobilize vast resources for an effective presidential campaign. Again, facts!!!! Also, please do not recklessly intimate that the predilection elicited by the Referendum outcome is akin to the the outcome of a general election, and will prevail during the onrushing general elections. Kenyans will vote along tribal lines – that is the only language they speak during election time! Another fact!!!! Halafu, moral values will be a determining factor in the coming elections. I personally know and can confirm that the mwanachi in Central, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast and Eastern provinces will vote along these lines. Again, Kalonzo being a CONSERVATIVE and RELIGIOUS Kenyan like the majority, fits the mwananchi’s choice based exclusively on this fact. Most Kenyans naturally feel comfortable and are prone to vote on religious grounds, even if their choice for a presidential dreamer is “immoral”. And if you don’t believe me, I don’t need to remind you that Nyayo, a societal loser in his corrupt self was (and still is) admired for his faith and religious belief. Most Kenyans will relate better to a man/woman who goes to the mosque on Friday or to church on Sunday than a crowd pleaser who entertains his faithfuls and manifests no religious faith; another fact!

Also, the idea that George Bush is bound to support Musyoka is a wonderful thing, particularly if it is done on the auspices of Kenyan self-preservation. Even Tony Blair once said, "Such is the greatness of the United States that its relations are crucial and necessary with all other nations." Also, you need to be careful when comparing Bush to Kalonzo (and contrariwise) based on their faith. That is a personal and philosophical issue and worldview you are attacking while you audaciously hide behind your own worldview. And in any case, whenever there has been a Republican President in the White House, there has always been more aid and development funds to third world nations (including Kenya). That’s a fact! You need to seek some other grounds to attack and malign Kalonzo Musyoka besides his faith! Actually, an atheist who was masquerading as an Anglican Priest and Theology professor at the University of Cambridge in Britain once vehemently tried to debunk the Christian (or religious) notion and philosophy of a politician’s profile with respect to his usefulness and effectiveness in the UK some years ago. Do you know what happened to him? He failed heavily and ended up committing suicide!

Maina

-unedited-

[Onyango Oloo]

Maina:

Thanks for your comment.

You know what: time will verify the veracity of my projections and assertions.

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

[Onyango Oloo]

"Actually, the seeds of my decision had been planted the year before, by the Reverend Billy Graham. He visited my family for a summer weekend in Maine. I saw him preach at the small summer church, St. Ann's by the Sea. We all had lunch on the patio overlooking the ocean. One evening my dad asked Billy to answer questions from a big group of family gathered for the weekend. He sat by the fire and talked. And what he said sparked a change in my heart. I don't remember the exact words. It was more the power of his example. The Lord was so clearly reflected in his gentle and loving demeanor.

The next day we walked and talked at Walker's Point, and I knew I was in the presence of a great man. He was like a magnet; I felt drawn to seek something different. He didn't lecture admonish; he shared warmth and concern. Billy Graham didn't make you feel guilty; he made you feel loved.

Over the course of that weekend, Reverend Graham planted a mustard seed in my soul, a seed that grew over the next year. He led me to the path, and I began walking. It was the beginning of a change in my life.I had always been a "religious" person, had regularly attended church, even taught Sunday School and served as an altar boy. But that weekend my faith took on a new meaning. It was the beginning of a new walk where I would commit my heart to Jesus Christ.

I was humbled to learn that God sent His Son to die for a sinner like me. I was comforted to know that through the Son, I could find God's amazing grace, a grace that crosses every border, every barrier and is open to everyone. Through the love of Christ's life, I could understand the life changing powers of faith.

When I returned to Midland, I began reading the Bible regularly. Don Evans talked me into joining him and another friend, Don Jones, at a men's community Bible study. The group had first assembled the year before, in Spring of 1984, at the beginning of the downturn in the energy industry.

Midland was hurting. A lot of people were looking for comfort and strength and direction. A couple of men started the Bible study as a support group, and it grew. By the time I began attending, in the fall of 1985, almost 120 men would gather. We met in small discussion groups of ten or twelve, then joined the larger group for full meetings. Don Jones picked me up every week for the meetings. I remember looking forward to them. My interest in reading the Bible grew stronger and stronger, and the words became clearer and more meaningful. We studied Acts, the story of the Apostles building the Christian Church, and next year, the Gospel of Luke. The preparation for each meeting took several hours, reading the Scripture passages and thinking

Through responses to discussion questions. I took it seriously, with my usual touch of humor....

Laura and I were active members of the First Methodist Church of Midland, and we participated in many family programs, including James Dobson's Focus on the Family series on raising children. As I studied and learned, Scripture took on greater meaning, and gained confidence and understanding in my faith. I read the Bible regularly. Don Evans gave me the "one-year" Bible, a Bible divided into 365 daily readings, each one including a section from the New Testament, the Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I read through that Bible every other year. During the years in between, I pick different chapters to study at different times.

I have also learned the power of prayer. I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things, but for heavenly things, for wisdom and patience and understanding. My faith gives me focus and perspective. It teaches humility. But I also recognize that faith can be misinterpreted in the political process. Faith is an important part of my life. I believe it is important to live my faith, not flaunt it.

America is a great country because of our religious freedoms. It is important for any leader to respect the faith of others. That point was driven home when Laura and I visited Israel in 1998. We had traveled to Rome to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter, who was attending a school program there, and spent three days in Israel on the way home. It was an incredible experience. I remember waking up at the Jerusalem Hilton and opening the curtains and seeing the Old City before us, the Jerusalem stone glowing gold. We visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And we went to the Sea of Galilee and stood atop the hill where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It was an overwhelming feeling to stand in the spot where the most famous speech in the history of the world was delivered, the spot where Jesus outlined the character and conduct of a believer and gave his disciples and the world the beatitudes, the golden rule, and the Lord's Prayer.

Our delegation included four gentile governors-one Methodist, two Catholics, and a Mormon, and several Jewish-American friends. Someone suggested we read Scripture. I chose to read "Amazing Grace," my favorite hymn. Later that night we all gathered at a restaurant in Tel Aviv for dinner before we boarded our middle-of-night flight back to America. We talked about the wonderful experiences and thanked the guides and government officials who had introduced us to their country. And toward the end of the meal, one of our friends rose to share a story, to tell us how he, a gentile, and his friend, a Jew, had (unbeknownst to the rest of us) walked down to the Sea of Galilee, joined hands underwater, and prayed together, on bended knee. Then out of his mouth came a hymn he had known as a child, a hymn he hadn't thought about in years. He got every word right: Now is the time approaching, by prophets long foretold, when all shall dwell together, One Shepherd and one fold. Now Jew and gentile, meeting, from many a distant shore, around an altar kneeling, one common Lord adore. Faith changes lives. I know, because faith has changed mine."

"I could not be governor if I did not believe in a divine plan that supersedes all human plans. Politics is a fickle business. Polls change. Today's friend is tomorrow's adversary. People lavish praise and attention. Many times it is genuine; sometimes it is not. Yet I build my life on a foundation that will not shift. My faith frees me. Frees me to put the problem of the moment in proper perspective. Frees me to make decisions that others might not like. Frees me to try to do the right thing, even though it may not poll well... The death penalty is a difficult issue for supporters as well as its opponents. I have a reverence for life; my faith teaches that life is a gift from our Creator. In a perfect world, life is given by God and only taken by God. I hope someday our society will respect life, the full spectrum of life, from the unborn to the elderly. I hope someday unborn children will be protected by law and welcomed in life. I support the death penalty because I believe, if administered swiftly and justly, capital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives. Some advocates of life will challenge why I oppose abortion yet support the death penalty. To me, it's the difference between innocence and guilt. Today, two weeks after Jeb's inauguration, in my church in downtown

Austin, Pastor Mark Craig, was telling me that my re-election was the first Governor to win back-to-back, four-year terms in the history of the State of Texas. It was a beginning, not an end.... People are starved for faithfulness. He talked of the need for honesty in government. He warned that leaders who cheat on their wives will cheat their country, will cheat their colleagues, will cheat themselves. Pastor Craig said that America is starved for honest leaders. He told the story of Moses, asked by God to lead his people to a land of milk and honey. Moses had a lot of reasons to shirk the task. As the Pastor told it, Moses' basic reaction was, "Sorry, God, I'm busy. I've got a family. I've got sheep to tend. I've got a life. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? The people won't believe me, he protested. I'm not a very good speaker. Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person," Moses pleaded. But God did not, and Moses ultimately did His bidding, leading his people through forty years of wilderness and wandering, relying on God for strength and direction and inspiration. "People are starved for

leadership," Pastor Craig said, "starved for leaders who have ethical and moral courage." "It is not enough to have an ethical compass to know right from wrong," he argued. "America needs leaders who have the moral courage to do what is right for the right reason. It's not always easy or convenient for leaders to step forward," he acknowledged. "Remember, even Moses had doubts."

"He was talking to you," my mother later said. The pastor was, of course, talking to all of us, challenging each one of us to make the most of our lives, to assume the mantle of leadership and responsibility wherever we find it. He was calling on us to use whatever power we have, in business, in politics, in our communities, and in our families, to do good for the right reason. And his sermon spoke directly to my heart and my life.... There was no magic moment of decision. After talking with my family during the Christmas holidays, then hearing this rousing sermon, to make most of every moment, during my inaugural church service, I gradually felt more comfortable with the prospect of a presidential campaign. My family would love me, my faith would sustain me, no matter what.

"During the more than half century of my life, we have seen an unprecedented decay in our American culture, a decay that has eroded the foundations of our collective values and moral standards of conduct. Our sense of personal responsibility has declined dramatically, just as the role and responsibility of the federal government have increased. The changing culture blurred the sharp contrast between right and wrong and created a new standard of conduct: 'If it feels good, do it.' And 'If you've got a problem, blame somebody else'." "Individuals are not responsible for their actions," the new culture has said. "We are all victims of forces beyond our control." We have gone from a culture of sacrifice and saving to a culture obsessed with grabbing all the gusto. We went from accepting responsibility to assigning blame. As government did more and more, individuals were required to do less and less. The new culture said: if people were poor, the government should feed them. If someone had no house, the government should provide one. If criminals are not responsible for their acts, then the answers are not prisons, but social programs.... "For our culture to change, it must change one heart, one soul, and one conscience at a time. Government can spend money, but it cannot put hope in our hearts or a sense of purpose in our lives."... "But government should welcome the active involvement of people who are following a religious imperative to love their neighbors through after school programs, child care, drug treatment, maternity group homes, and a range of other services. Supporting these men and women - the soldiers in the armies of compassion - is the next bold step of welfare reform, because I know that changing hearts will change our entire society."

"During the opening months of my presidential campaign, I have traveled our country and my heart has been warmed. My experiences have reinvigorated my faith in the greatness of Americans. They have reminded me that societies are renewed from the bottom up, not the top down. Everywhere I go, I see people of love and faith, taking time to help a neighbor in need... These people and thousands like them are the heart and soul and greatness of America. And I want to do my part. I am running for President because I believe America must seize this moment, America must lead. We must give our prosperity a greater purpose, a purpose of peace and freedom and hope. We are a great nation of good and loving people. And together, we have a charge to keep."

Excerpted from Chapter 10 ("The Big 4-0") A CHARGE TO KEEP by George W. Bush, (Morrow) from p.136.

[maina]

admin said:

Maina:

Thanks for your comment.

You know what: time will verify the veracity of my projections and assertions.

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

That's fair enough!

Lakini remember that Rudolf Hess the neurotic addicted to Lebensraum and Nordic supremacy also thought his "projections" and "assertions" were never wrong and would be proved right over time. Can you imagine that he even took a flight to England in which his intendment was to negotiate peace with the British as a way of proving his ideas over time? Do you know that he ended up regretting what he stood for? You see if time could be our servant, our days (including our "projections" and "assertions") would be sublime; but if we fail to master it, we're only "serving time." Mastering time is impossible, Oloo, because in reality, time doesn't fly like we're all fond of assuming. No! Time stays, we fly!

Maina

-unedited-

[Onyango Oloo]

You amuse me, fellow mwananchi, you really do.

Let me give you one sample:

www.mashada.com/forums/index/show_topic/22/8015/index.php

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

[kipsang]

aeichener said:

admin said:

Self confessed born again Christians are in the minority even in Kenya and are considered NUTS (...). Imagine if Bush confessed to being a born again Christian..

But he is one; and has confessed so. What's this contributor's point?

Alexander

As a follow up to Alexanders inquiry;
what is the connection of Kalonzo-Bush and being elected to the big office? Jimmy Carter and Reagan were born again is there an indication of one being snobbish or opinionated ? William Ruto too professes to be born again and was a Christian Union chairman at High School and so is Kimunya, Kilimo, Githae,Nyaga..... .

OO
It is not fair and unqualified of you to attempt to blemish the character of a person based on his faith or her faithlessness. P.S. and what is the relevance of bush's" A CHARGE TO KEEP" article here ?

[abdulmote]

I always get nuiseated whenever I read someone declaring that so and so are the only ones "untainted by corruption" ad so are clean enough for Kenyans! Yet we all seem to be aware that despite this, these very people once actively served Moi's dictatorial and theiving regime and at the forefront to the last minutes of its existence! How then can anyone simply ignore such associations without acknowledging the obvious and inherent corrupt nature of such individuals? Fact is at one point or another these very "untainted" people somehow assisted corruption under Moi either directly or indirectly, by their acts or ommissions and such is their proven guilt!

But why do we appear as if we literally enjoy decieving ourselves endlessly so?

[dubois]

Nobody can claim to hold a monopoly on predictions just because they got it right once or twice. I have read numerous articles by acknowledged political analysts and they are sometimes wrong. It is even harder to make political predictions in Kenya because the environment is too fluid. On one occasion Kalonzo and Raila are 'dying' for each other and on another, Raila is demanding that 'unhappy' leaders quit the ODM early. (by the way, does he make unilateral decisions in ODM?)
Like Maina suggested in a previous thread there is a deliberate attempt by various writers to shore up support for Raila Odinga and in some cases Uhuru. Despite our biases we have to remain realistic.

[pharlap]

You know, they say, there are lies, greater lies and then there are polls.

[Onyango Oloo]

what is the connection of Kalonzo-Bush and being elected to the big office? Jimmy Carter and Reagan were born again is there an indication of one being snobbish or opinionated ? William Ruto too professes to be born again and was a Christian Union chairman at High School and so is Kimunya, Kilimo, Githae,Nyaga..... .

OO
It is not fair and unqualified of you to attempt to blemish the character of a person based on his faith or her faithlessness. P.S. and what is the relevance of bush's" A CHARGE TO KEEP" article here ?

Kipsang:

Let me start with your last swali. The relevance of Bush's book in this thread is very simple. One of the comments was that Bush would never bring himself to confess his faith-which is simply absurd given his very public Christianity.

Secondly, my partner is a Born Again Christian so I wonder what you are talking about when you bring up the word "blemish".

Thirdly, I was just stating a FACT- and going further to count it as ONE OF THE STRENGTHS in Kalonzo's plank.

Fourthly, it is not exactly a big secret that the Christian Right in America and elsewhere has a very OVERT ideological agenda. It is also fairly well known that the far right evangelical movement played a pivotal role in the election and re-election of one George Dubya Bush.

Fifthly we know that Kenya's own branch of the far right Christian movement has exhibited its claws in our national politics- they were able to work across the Bomas divide to succeed in sneaking in a very odious (to Oloo at least) anti-choice, anti-women, anti-reproductive rights clause in our proposed constitution. We saw how they dealt in macabre fashion with the whole issue of the fetuses a couple of years ago-even managing to get a doctor charged with MURDER because he allegedly performed abortions.

Sixthly, Kalonzo Musyoka has participated with pride and relish in a number of pro-life events, including a walk for the "unborn".

He is a neo-colonial far right Kenyan politician with links to the US Based Christian Right. He is NOT the only Kenyan politician who is thus predisposed- there is President Kibaki and his wife; there is Attorney General Amos Wako; there is Health Minister Charity Ngilu; there are others.

I expressed some candid opinions that I am sure are NOT shared by millions of Kenyans. But that is what democracy is all about.

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

[Onyango Oloo]

Posted by: Wanyee Yesterday, 06:37 PM

I presently have a negative opinion of Mr. Musyoka, based on his previous performance as the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources. He replaced Mr. Newton Kulundu, when we were signing away one of our greatest national resources for a song.

Some may have forgotten that the present power elite had promised to revisit the Tiomin project, along with enacting the new constitution (New Kenya Government Holds Tiomin To Account - www.miningwatch.ca/index.php?/Newsletter_12/New_Kenyan_Governmen). At this point, even Professor Wangari Maathai had been involved in the process. Immediately, after returning from S.Africa, however, the process was mysteriously abandoned...

---
The present Minister for Environment is Mr. Kivutha Kibwana.

Recent references of interest:

Kenya is sitting on goldmine, says report - [http://www.netafrika.com/home/article.php?aid=202]http://www.netafrika.com/home/article.php?aid=202].

Kwale wants royalties for Tiomin mine - Sunday Nation, 2nd April 2006.

---

Would it therefore be unreasonable for us to expect Mr. Musyoka to have resigned honourably, having been aware that Kenyans were getting a raw deal?

[Onyango Oloo]

Me smells a stinky samaki.

By "deporting" the Armenians via Wilson Airport instead of charging them in court, I sense a sinister attempt to cover up the accomplices to their multiple crimes.

For instance were these shady wazungu drug dealers? Did they have tall Kenyan aunties?

Why "deport" them from Wilson Airport instead of JKIA?

Anywayz...

Armenian ‘mercenaries’ deported

By Thumbo Makau, Kenya Times

THE controversial Armenian brothers, Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan were deported yesterday in a high noon dramatic operation that brought business to a standstill first at Runda and later at the Wilson Airport.

The two brothers, branded dangerous mercenaries by a section of politicians were frogmarched to from police vehicles to the departure lounge of the busy airport at 12 noon. Blindfolded and handcuffed the lavish “businessmen” were subsequently ushered into a waiting chartered plane under the guard of local security personnel drawn from the Kanga Squad.

As the alleged mercenaries were being flown out en route to Yerevan, the Armenian capital, the two Kenyan girls suspected to be beneficiaries to lavish lifestyle the Armenians had adopted at the leafy Runda residence and posh city hotels, wailed inconsolably as their lovers were ordered to pack hand luggage and subsequently bundled into a waiting unmarked police vehicle which was in a fleet of four others as a platoon of the heavily armed Kanga squad officers with fingers caressing their Uzi sub machine triggers kept hawk eye.

Members of the elite squad that participated in the operation were hooded in similar style as the goons who had earlier last month raided The Standard Group premises, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction. The Armenians were allegedly privy to the raid but had persistently denied those claims during their stay in Nairobi where they claimed to be on a multi-million dollars business mission.

Scores of curious onlookers at the airport looked invariably bemused but most welcomed the deportation and wondered why it had not come earlier and why the government had failed to unravel the foreigners’ whose nationality and mission in the country have been the subject of intense speculation. The government, however, said in a statement issued last night that in keeping with international law once a litigation is instituted, the Armenians would at later date be allowed to come back to pursue a defamation case they have filed in court against Lang’ata Member Parliament Raila Odinga.

The statement said the continued stay of the Armenians in Kenya was causing confusion and anxiety as their operations, including moving in unmarked cars was no longer tenable. The government conceded that the “mercenaries” had already caused reasonable damage to the country’s image locally and internationally. Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua declined to comment. He could neither confirm nor deny whether or not the official statement emanated from his office.

Contacted for comment, Raila Odinga who is on a private visit to Nigeria said the deportation was too little too late. “The damage has already been done, adding: “This is a public relations exercise by the government. The security situation in the country is still fluid. These mercenaries could very well still slip back I can assure you. Because this was a government project,” he said.

A cross section of politicians said the deportation was welcome but belated since the Armenians’ stay had caused a lot of friction within the country’s police force. Incidentally, their deportation came only a day after Nyakach MP Peter Odoyo and his Ndhiwa counterpart Joshua Ojode claimed in Parliament that the Armenians were interested in the Sh 6.4 billion cocaine haul. The cocaine was burnt to ashes under tight security yesterday at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

The Armenians claimed during their stay in the country that they had sponsored the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top luminaries during last year’s referendum on the proposed draft constitution. They also claimed to have given Odinga over Sh100 million but showed no documents to prove their allegations.

The last straw according to sources must have been their claim yesterday that they had hobnobbed with yet another Cabinet minister. Yesterday Artur charged that he had several occasions had beer with Dr Mukhisa Kituyi. We were unable to establish was to become of the ferocious dogs the Artur brother had imported into the country recently ostensibly to keep intruders at bay.

[mossad]

After reading all the reply for the above post, i've come to conclusion that no one among all the guys mentioned as presidential casndidates is fit to lead that country including Kibaki.
I think kenya is just going to have another conman in the name of a leader who is going to waste the country once more.

Mossad.

[maina]

admin said:

what is the connection of Kalonzo-Bush and being elected to the big office? Jimmy Carter and Reagan were born again is there an indication of one being snobbish or opinionated ? William Ruto too professes to be born again and was a Christian Union chairman at High School and so is Kimunya, Kilimo, Githae,Nyaga..... .

OO
It is not fair and unqualified of you to attempt to blemish the character of a person based on his faith or her faithlessness. P.S. and what is the relevance of bush's" A CHARGE TO KEEP" article here ?

Kipsang:

Let me start with your last swali. The relevance of Bush's book in this thread is very simple. One of the comments was that Bush would never bring himself to confess his faith-which is simply absurd given his very public Christianity.

Secondly, my partner is a Born Again Christian so I wonder what you are talking about when you bring up the word "blemish".

Thirdly, I was just stating a FACT- and going further to count it as ONE OF THE STRENGTHS in Kalonzo's plank.

Fourthly, it is not exactly a big secret that the Christian Right in America and elsewhere has a very OVERT ideological agenda. It is also fairly well known that the far right evangelical movement played a pivotal role in the election and re-election of one George Dubya Bush.

Fifthly we know that Kenya's own branch of the far right Christian movement has exhibited its claws in our national politics- they were able to work across the Bomas divide to succeed in sneaking in a very odious (to Oloo at least) anti-choice, anti-women, anti-reproductive rights clause in our proposed constitution. We saw how they dealt in macabre fashion with the whole issue of the fetuses a couple of years ago-even managing to get a doctor charged with MURDER because he allegedly performed abortions.

Sixthly, Kalonzo Musyoka has participated with pride and relish in a number of pro-life events, including a walk for the "unborn".

He is a neo-colonial far right Kenyan politician with links to the US Based Christian Right. He is NOT the only Kenyan politician who is thus predisposed- there is President Kibaki and his wife; there is Attorney General Amos Wako; there is Health Minister Charity Ngilu; there are others.

I expressed some candid opinions that I am sure are NOT shared by millions of Kenyans. But that is what democracy is all about.

Onyango Oloo
Nairobi, Kenya

Habari Oloo,
I mentioned Hess in reference to his apparition that "over time" (your very words), his "projections and assertions" would be "verified"! Where do you begin to presuppose that I drew parallels between you and him in reference to your identities? C'mon!

Secondly, I told you yesterday and I'll tell you again today (and I will continue to do so in the future)........you have recently possessed an uncivilized addiction of attacking Kalonzo Musyoka's personal belief, faith and its exclusivity, with awful contortionism while hiding behind your own worldview! On what grounds for instance, do you blunderingly and recklessly characterize Musyoka as "a neo-colonial far right Kenyan politician"? If you personally asked him (Musyoka) who he really is, I am quite sure that he'll be more than willing to tell you that he is a Christian - a God fearing Christian, period! He reasons and assesses everything from that view.

You have no right whatsoever to secularize his identity and the exclusivity of his faith and belief with your dishonest and demagogic spectral fears and foundationless assumptions! You must stop tearing down Kalonzo Musyoka for his faith and belief in God. Don't you know that the majority of Kenyans are God fearing?

Halafu this business of comparing his faith with others while referring to it as a "predisposition" is again just downright disrespectful and arrogant. What beef do you have with the religious worldview? You must be told that according to Christians, only God judges and no one else, period!

Thridly, do his "links to the US Based Christian Right" have anything to do with his job as a representative of the people of Kenya? What "fears" are you trying to explicate this time around? Isn't being a God fearing Christian a personal issue? Has Kalonzo Musyoka ever attempted to impose it on any Kenyan anywhere? Ugh!

Also, the issue of the Constitution is a sovereign one. You have no moral authority to question a politican's religious worldview's assumptions, principles and their signification of their sovereignity with respect to the Kenyan Constitution. More foul is that you are today doing it using lousy existentialist convictions and relativism of ethics. Surely, how does one purport to admonish another if they themselves stand for anything and everything or nothing at all? Or are you intimating that Kenya, a conservative and religious nation that is obviously imbued with absolutes should reconsider meaning and begin to "regain the wonder of meaning" by following Oloo's foundationless worldview that is sooooo heavily dosed with the repugnant illusion of neutrality (my opinion)? Didn't I tell you yesterday that a popular British scholar tried to argue and propel his antitheistic worldview (under the same circumstances that you are doing it) and proved himself wrong in the end, rejected his own theories and worldview, and ended up hanging himself? Do you know why he did that? Do you know that if take a careful look in history, you will realize that there's been a trend for people who debunk the existence of God and his sovereignty with respect to humanity (including politics) to reject their philosophies and commit suicide, popularly by hanging themselves? Please note that I am not I suggesting that the religious theory ought to be incorporated into culture. No, that's not what I'm saying. I am only suggesting that you must tread very carefully when attacking the religious worldview with respect to a person's belief, faith and exclusivity, especially when expressing wild assumptions based on another worldview. That is how you begin to create a social crisis! In any case, where do you stand?

Lastly, do you know that when religious ideas, institutions and interpretations lose their social significance, there is no point of reference for objective moral values anymore? Do you then realize where that'll leave Kenya? Without any sense of shame in society!!!!

Now Abdulmote,
Habari? I challenge you (humbly of course), to prove that Kalonzo Musyoka took part, or was part of any process or machination to fleece the mwananchi. Besides, you need to take a look at his assets before you knock him down. That's pretty much why I maintain that he is "untainted".

As for Uhuru, shall you and I surely condemn and incriminate him for his father's sins? C'mon!

Maina

-unedited-

[job]

Maina

I'll quote you;

Oloo, just in case you do not know, Kalonzo Musyoka and Uhuru Kenyatta are the only Kenyan grandstanders saa hii without a touch of corruption! Those are facts!!!!!

They are also the only ones who have the ability to mobilize vast resources for an effective presidential campaign. Again, facts!!!!
Also, please do not recklessly intimate that the predilection elicited by the Referendum outcome is akin to the the outcome of a general election, and will prevail during the onrushing general elections. Kenyans will vote along tribal lines – that is the only language they speak during election time! Another fact!!!! Halafu, moral values will be a determining factor in the coming elections. I personally know and can confirm that the mwanachi in Central, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast and Eastern provinces will vote along these lines

Wow,.....that was a heavy dose of outlandish, wild and quite outrageous proclamations &/or declarations!

I must first repeat that personalities will not be the panacea to Kenya's problems,.....rather, drastic change in our governance system/constitution and institutional leadership, is what maybe the key to progress. I'll however not hesitate to debate about these individuals you mention.

Take time to check real facts in the public domain about Uhuru Kenyatta.............. his business ties to Moi, Naushad Merali & James Kanyotu (on trial for Goldenberg)...before you make such claims. If you want the truth told, ........it will be told.

Uhuru, Naushad Merali & his political god-father Moi, acquired Firestone for a song from the parent American Corporation and then pulled a stunt costing the Kenyan public hundreds of millions through some share "reorganization" & trading schemes,...some involving the governmentr itself. That's grand corruption.

Uhuru & Kanyotu's bank is currently under KACC's list of active investigations, .......why could this be the case? politics you think?

Uhuru is a shadow of the sleek Moi, and many Kenyans have no business with politicians carrying such heavy baggage of vested interests through family dynasties meant to further impoverish Kenyans. That is what it is.

Let me tell you that even corruption aside, Mungiki, listed under MI5's list of terrorist groups operating in Kenya, is a creation of Moi & Uhuru, at the background. Funding terrorist groups that actually go ahead and murder citizens is a worse crime than corruption.

Check the activities of Uhuru's Timsales Co. (& another Eldoret Timber Co. owned by Nicholas Biwott) under the Moi era and its wanton destruction of Gazetted public forests (protected for climatic stability reasons) through illegal logging while minting millions. Is that a touch of corruption? Do you realize why our forest cover has dwindled from 3.5% at Independence to 1.7% today?. Of course the other reason for that is the encroachment into forests by landless Kenyans.

Do you realize that Uhuru stands accused of absentee landlordism in the tune of hundreds of thousands of acres, while millions of landless squatters even reside crumbled beside his vacant farms? That's not just a touch of corruption but grand corruption. Do you want us to trace the source of the land from his father to prove something?

Just an example of some of alleged business interests of Uhuru.

www.nationaudio.com/elections/moisuccession/MoiSuccession_Uhuru56.html

Do not fail to notice that Uhuru's EPZ farm is a listed exploiter of Kenyan labourers.

Note too the potential conflict of interest where Uhuru is linked to Merali, Moi, Kanyotu, Alfie Getonga, Francis Michuki,.....etc etc. How will Uhuru help Kenya untangle Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing, and other corruption networks when he has such vested interests and partnerships with the same crooks to be stopped. Do you see the irony here?

We need change,...real change,.......not another shadow of Moi and ,................. >:(back to business as usual.

ABILITY TO MOBILIZE VAST RESOURCES

So, according to you, ONLY Kalonzo & Uhuru can do this? ::)Holly Molly!

Kwani Kibaki is not in their league or what?

Let me tell you the vogue now,......Parties or coalitions raise funds for their candidate, not single individuals. In the near future, we may even witness the government funding the parties for elections.

Kalonzo is fairly modest financially (actually very broke relative to Uhuru) to count as one of the ONLY two who can mobilize funds.

Lastly on what you said about referendum patterns; keep to your convictions and just continue to ignore salient implications on that plebiscite,...we shall revisit the topic post 2007.

You said;
I personally know and can confirm that the mwanachi in Central, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast and Eastern provinces will vote along these lines

What of Western and Nyanza? They have a different moral standing when it comes to politics or what?

In parting, I urge you to speak for yourself,.......don't purport to confirm to know how Rift Valley, Coast, NEP will vote, coz they might just surprise you,...time will tell.

On ODM=LDP + KANU + other parties; If Kalonzo secures the LDP nomination, he may still face off with the KANU winner (Uhuru maybe one possibility,..but I'll never make a mistake of ruling out Ruto),......so lets divorce this talk about invoking Kalonzo's name next to Uhuru each time as if hoping for the two to become conjoined. Uhuru's record will be checked independently and Kalonzo's seperately,......no one will hide under anothers record. But the new trend of competitive politics within ODM looks promising and interesting.

ODM knows where its strength lies, and areas where it's support is still weak. Since in your very words, Kenya still votes tribally,....then do not expect someone from the moon, where ODM support doesn't even exist,....to stroll casually and take over its mantle as its flag-bearer.

peace.

unedited.

Job

[maina]

Job,

On ODM=LDP + KANU + other parties; If Kalonzo secures the LDP nomination, he may still face off with the KANU winner (Uhuru maybe one possibility,..but I'll never make a mistake of ruling out Ruto),......so lets divorce this talk about invoking Kalonzo's name next to Uhuru each time as if hoping for the two to become conjoined. Uhuru's record will be checked independently and Kalonzo's seperately,......no one will hide under anothers record. But the new trend of competitive politics within ODM looks promising and interesting.

Why don't you tell that to Oloo who you know very well initiated the matter?

I will personally not comment on this matter any more than I already have. You are of course deservedly very free to continue propunding theories and fantasies of Uhuru Kenyatta as you wish! I believe that I am accurate in my presentation. Besides truth by definition is exclusive.

So I'll now sit back and watch this craze of desperately trying to crusade for Raila Odinga while imposing his persona. I guess that is democracy! Did you notice that he threatened (read dared) ODM leaders to defect today?. Actually he referred to them as "unprincipled leaders" if they defect after being beaten at the nominations. Wacha tu..........politics of self-destruction at play. Anyhow, good riddance.

Maina

-unedited-

[aeichener]

maina said:

Don't you know that the majority of Kenyans are God fearing?

Do you think that this is the reason why Kenya is in reality such a godless society?

Kenyans have forsaken God, and have embraced religion instead.

Alexander

[pharlap]

Raila is like a fire, a good servant but a bad master.


Raila has a very interesting way of leadership. I personally would be worried if he was to take the top seat. I would rather he be in the opposition. This is a real incident that happened, if you remember sometime back when Raila was the head of the parliamentary commitee into the constitution review, one time some mama's went to demonstrate at a venue in town where he was to have a meeting. I happened to be around that area attending computer classes in one of those ** colleges around the same place, so i witnessed this first hand. Remember how those mama's were whipped by askaris on horseback and some rowdy youth from kangemi? Anybody remembers that incident? Someone got out of his SUV and after being briefed on the ladies, gave orders saying" unona wale akina mama, ebu charaza hao kidogo, chapa hao kiboko.."

Raila is a good guy in the opposition, but just like his dad, i don't see him ever getting the presidency. Kenyans like him, but that does not mean they trust him. He makes people lough, *remember wamalwa kijana's funeral? The half naked dash across kanduyi stadium in skins with a spear and shield?" he is the kind of guy you need to mobilize the crowds and if anyone can tap the potential that is in Raila, he will definately clinch the top seat. Even mwenje. If raila says, "mujordan tosha, :opeople will vote like madness."

Raila commands this widespread respect across the country. If he went to Mt kenya, he would still get the respect he gets in coast, western, N eastern, well not as rabid as the lake siti following he has, but generally, he is viewed as a person who knows what is good for the country, he is basically the architect. But we need builders. He can write the script, direct and do extremely well in selecting top talent, but he makes a bad actor.

Those who are taling about Uhuru and Kalonzo being clean of any form of corruption are simply naive. I don;t mean to judge them, but the corruption scandals have barely started to be investigated and i think its wrong to say that they are clean. Kalonzo met akina mercenaries, so you never know what cut. Raila was also hot on their heels, like he owed them something....he didn't want to pay...*just speculating* ;D

Anyway, at the end of the day we have literally dis-qualified everyone who stands a chance. Unless OO, Maina, Abdulmonte, job, mossad, maina, kipsang etc decided to join politics; because based on the input i have seen here, i would rate some of the minds here much higher than those sitting in parliament. So who really is the ideal candidate?

<b>Kibaki ;D</b>-- Too old, indecision, has no idea whats happening, wife too controlling, not in control...too many domestic issues...

<b>Raila </b>---Errrmmmm.....ermmmm.....errmmmm...lets see...ermmm....errmm.......like john kerry, i'd say, he looks french, and then there is the flipp-flopps....errm what else?

<b>Kalonzo </b>--- He lacks the rough edge to deal with the difficulties that a presidency like a kenyan one will present. We need a firm person, kind of a balance between Mo1 and Kibaki. Kalonzo just lacks that rough edge, he is too smooth and works best serving under someone else.

<b>Balala -</b>-- Ati he is gay. period. Very sad. Am sure we could come up with a better reason than this.

<b>All Mt kenya politicians </b>: Even if they start NARC-kenya, its a car with squeaky wheels that cannot rotate. Without Raila to grease their stuck wheels, they are going nowhere.

<b>Uhuru </b>---Largely inexperienced for the presidency, not trusted by a large section of the population and thirdly, who said the kenyan presidency is a family matter.

<b>musalia </b>---This guy also lacks the rough edge of an african leader. I am talking the museveni kind of leader. He lacks in judgement, especially after going down with the MO1 boat when he could have easily straightened things by joining hands with the opposition. He is just not the prezzo kind for now.

<b>Kip ruto arap kirwa? ;D</b>----This guy is waay too ambitious. Its good to have a dream though. He is a typical kalenjin leader, they like to make threats ina good way, like "every man for himself come 2007" without thinking of the consequences. haiya twende mujamaa... all the best.

Koigi wa mwere ;D ;D ;D ;D -- This guy is cruising high. He seems to be the one guy that has not been linked to any corrution scandals, he is very alert and keeps the newspapers posted on his wherebouts and is probably the only politician who keeps writing articles in the papers that bother to publish him. I think he would make a good presidential candidate. Anyone agrees with this?

<marquee> ;D ;D ;D</marquee>

[job]

Maina,

That was a perfect spin, .......you skirted all the issues you raised about........ "ONLY Kalonzo & Uhuru being the (only) two politicial grandstanders that are; corruption-free, resourceful in cash, morally upright blaaah blaaah ,......" just when I offered a countering position stating otherwise.

You have now rolled 180` into another turf,........ now claiming to "sit back and watch" some crazy but desperate crusade for Raila. That is really amazing.

All I did was state that Uhuru may not be the Saint or Mother Teresa you are portraying him to be,...never did I suggest that Raila is clean anywhere. So this crusade claim of yours is just but a spin.

Weren't we not addressing how corruption free akina Uhuru are? Ironically, that sounds more like a real crusade for Uhuru, does it not? Whether it's desperate or not, only time will tell. Trying to plant Uhuru next to another politician percieved by Steadman & others to be clean, God-fearing, and popular is like a crusade call for an alliance. All I can say is that ODM members will sort their internal democratic processes themselves. I know it attracts the attention of many, including bonafide Narc-K supporters.

You know, this is like trying to parade TWO clean people away from the rest of the dirty & corrupt crowd. Pliiiz, give us a break! Let Kalonzo be Kalonzo and judged seperately from Uhuru,....not Kalonzo-and-Uhuru, against all the other candidates.

It is a strategic assumption by some that Uhuru's presidential bid on the ODM ticket lies in having Kalonzo first secure the LDP ticket, then convince him (Kalonzo) to play second fiddle (running mate) at the ODM stage, .......through pressure by akina Moi, based on Kalonzo's deficiency in cash. There must be no horse-trading but pure democratic nominations. If Kalonzo wins the ODM ticket, he should be supported, if Uhuru beats him, he should be supported by all, so should be the case for all other candidates, period.

Frankly here is what is not a spin,...... I know some people who are desperately trying to find another quick GEMA replacement for Kibaki, then thrust him into Kenya's Presidency. That's the single common denominator for them, not the Katiba, economy, insecurity, famine, unemployment etc etc,.... Whether their attempts are futile, desperate or not, will not be up to me to determine, but purely for the Kenyan voters.

I call upon Kenyans to be very vigilant about such dangerous sentimentalism, reminiscent of the forces that tried to disband the Bomas katiba talks represented by Michuki when he said,..."now that Moi is gone, we don't need to change the constitution",....or "Kibaki is such a good man, who will not abuse the Presidency",......... notwithstanding the fact that his (Michuki's) presentation to the CKRC (asking for radical changes in governance) remains recorded in their website to date.

Kenyans have grown from stooges who don't question suspect political motives, to very inquisitive and demanding people. They want issues like POVERTY, CORRUPTION and OVERT TRIBALISM resolved, not a swap of tribal chieftains into the Presidency with retention of the status quo systems.

There will be battles between reform minded people and status quo apologists, from the political stage, media houses, & even in forums like Jukwaa etc, etc. But the change proponents will continue with ferocious energy, considering that nobody wants more of the same.

If Unga, Kenya's (staple food) costed sh 28 when Kibaki took over power, and it is now sh 60 ( 3 years later), despite the "thriving economy", these conservative status quo proponents are mistaking the patience of the Kenyan people. The landlessness issue is reaching explosive limits when other beneficiaries of grabbed land meant for resettlement of citizens are hypocritically salivating at prospects of ascending to the Presidency.

Ooops,....Sorry for deviating from the topic.

peace.

unedited.
job