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Post by wanyee on May 2, 2006 23:54:15 GMT 3
I hope that those who join this 'campaign', do so out of principle. This is not simply about removing Kibaki from the top seat. It is about a lot more, which I am sure I do not need to get into.
We must have a new constitution before another election. It is that simple.
Please refer to the article concerning Hu Jintao's recent visit to Kenya, posted today under the 'Tiomin thread'. This should serve as another grim reminder:
Geldof Warns West about China's African Interests, The Epoch Times, 28th April - 4th May 2006
I would also like to re-post the following significant statements to this thread:
“Another set of similarly alarming statements recently came to light, in this case attributed to China’s Minister of National Defense, Chi Haotian. Chi’s declarations even surpass scenarios described by U.S security hawks, giving new credibility to the ‘China threat’ theory, as it’s called. The statements, which appeared in a speech transcript that apparently was never supposed to leave China, described an eventual need to ‘depopulate’ the United States (even if it meant Chinese-Americans) with biological weapons so as to allow China to colonize North America. The takeover would solve China’s natural resource crisis and usher in ‘a Chinese century’, Chi claimed” [Seeing Red: China Threatens U.S with Nuclear War - The Epoch Times (Special Edition: Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, 28th October - 3rd November 2005. See also Warning About Investment in China: Former senior diplomat cautions Western businesses – Ibid].
---
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Post by wanyee on May 3, 2006 4:30:37 GMT 3
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Post by wanyee on May 6, 2006 20:36:30 GMT 3
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Post by wanyee on May 7, 2006 16:12:08 GMT 3
And when we try to reason with them, they send our own brothers against us... Demo against MPs pay dispersed By TIMES CORRESPONDENT ANTI-RIOT Police yesterday morning stopped a demonstration by a group of youths from various Nairobi slums protesting against the recent hefty increase of MPs’ mileage allowances. The armed police charged at the youths and dispersed them at Uhuru Park where they had gathered to express their anger against Members of Parliament for increasing their mileage allowances. The youths protested that the money which the lawmakers had awarded themselves last week could have been put to better use like buying relief food and essential drugs, particularly for people living with Aids. The youths, however, had held a peaceful rally at Uhuru Park but when they matched along Uhuru Highway towards Parliament Buildings, is when they ran into trouble. They met police in full riot gear who intercepted them. The youths, who were wearing T-shirts labelled Mwamko wa Vijana were dispersed as they headed towards parliament buildings. The situation almost degenerated into a rowdy confrontation when police charged at them. The youths scampered for safety during the police charge. They had intended to present to Speaker Francis ole Kaparo a memorandum containing their protest over the MPs’ hefty pay increments. One of the demonstrators David Mwaniki accused the lawmakers of selfishness and challenged them to put the interests of poor Kenyans as a priority. “The rate at which they are making the increments for themselves is worrying. Very soon, it will not be a surprise if the MPs came up with ambiguous allowances such as walking, eating, and even sleeping,” Mwaniki told the rally. The demonstration was stopped by officers from Central Police Station, under the command of the OCPD Willy Lugusa who said the demonstrators did not notify them of the demo. Lugusa said the protest posed a security threat as it was likely to turn into violence because no adequate security arrangements had been put in place. MPs used to get a flat rate of Sh247,000 for the first 350 kilometres and thereafter Sh82 for each additional kilometre. Now they will receive Sh115 a kilometre from Sh85. Finance Minister Amos Kimunya at first offered to link MPs to the AA rates as a compromise but this was rejected. He then refused to agree to their demands and flew out to the United States but the deal was reportedly sealed in his absence. Media reports indicated that Assistant Finance Minister Peter Kenneth was prevailed upon on Tuesday to agree to the MPs’ demands after word went round that they would not approve the mini-Budget, officially called Supplementary Estimates. It was then that Financial Secretary Mutua Kilaka was told to draft a letter to National Assembly Clerk Samuel Ndindiri accepting the proposal by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). Sources said that the PSC, after doing its annual revision to take care of inflation and the cost of living, wanted to increase mileage allowances because of the increased price of fuel. The increment has since caused an uproar with civil society organisations and human rights lobby groups describing it as selfish and totally uncalled for. Two weeks ago, Muthaura announced that the Civil Service was going to pay Sh 200,000 and 100,000 to ministers and their assistants respectively as responsibility allowances, arguing that Parliament has failed to compensate them adequately, despite provisions in the National Assembly Remuneration Act that it does. Adjustments to allowances paid to ministers and their assistants was first announced in February by Muthaura through a confidential memo copied to all Permanent Secretaries dated February 16, 2006. The current unwieldy team of 34 ministers and 49 assistant ministers were appointed on December 7, last year after the government was defeated at the referendum, forcing President Kibaki to dissolve the Cabinet days later. The allowances are exclusive of the lucrative perks and salaries earned by ministers and their assistant ministers as Members of Parliament. Assistant ministers have been earning a monthly domestic allowance of Sh24,000 in addition to stipends for meetings and official trips outside Nairobi and abroad. They are also paid Sh9,000 mobile phone air time allowance in addition to unspecified fixed line telephone services at their homes and offices. Besides, they are entitled to security detail and government houses in some of the city’s leafy suburbs www.timesnews.co.ke/03may06/nwsstory/news1.html
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Post by ndauosa on May 7, 2006 20:57:24 GMT 3
Kwani what did the colonialist do when he realised that violence will not yield fruits that he will be allowed to enjoy the juice? Did he not send us one of our own and made us believe that we had a voice and our plight was being looked into. This is the only time that we can front for true freedom, where the majority rules. When pressed to a corner like the kenyan majority is, you are left with no option. You want to descipline a cat you must have some escape route for it, without which you are at risk of sharing the course. What kenya is preparing itself for is self rule,though we have to admit that we are all indebted and are at the mercy of the westerners.Thanks to our caring and busy representatives. The latest demonstartions by the youth is a testimony that a new wind of change blowing across this country and the entire continent(zimbabwe). I hope that it was a genuine uprising and not another money based demonstation, using the youth numbers and "desparado" position.
The unfolding scenario is interesting and looking at the direction that Mo1, LDP and MK. are operating hatuna budi ila ku ungana. And this time not for conviniency purposes but for an understandable reason.
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Post by ndauosa on May 7, 2006 21:24:28 GMT 3
How long are we going to be debating on our parliamentarians way of life and their commitment to serving the mwananchi. The've done it once again held on till election and started their usual propaganda. Hai, kwani sisi ni mafalaa. Who employs who here, nani Mdosi? Kampu ianguke kama wewe mdosi unacheki, just because you are abiding to the rules protocol. Rules were made for us or we were made for rules. Kama tutakuwa tuna pere pepe all the time while they enjoy and read us, strategise was to manipulate us, them we better stop the forum. If we cannot act then what are we doing here. Ku poteza ma time kwa net si mbaya. Washa commit ma foul mob sana, na tuna jua, hawa fichi kwani sisi wanjiku tuta fanya? Hawajali.wametuzoea, we talk but we've never had the guts to act.
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Post by ndauosa on May 7, 2006 22:19:56 GMT 3
Wasee mimi on myside, i've seen the the truth kwa system yenyewe.and its not a Kenyan problem alone.It's a world affair thing. The young people are the majority and the most abused, the most humiliated in every single sphere all over in the world. The problem is that we in Kenyan are still living in a police state when it comes to talking the language of the young, the language of the oppressed, my culture.Na inatisha, because you must have "doo", to talk, who among the majority youth will have or have the access to that time. to sit and even have that shilling to go to an internet cafe to contribute to the forum. The most will take that time and if possible to look for dates abroad "Walami" so as to escape the horrors of financial poverty. they are far more concerned about how they are gong to make ends meet other than to participate in some thing that will just add onto their missaries.
If you cannot buy your freedom to talk then, do not dare to. Uta sakanya sangapi Niadu,ya kusurf. Being put into he cells even for a day deprives of the youth so much.the transport expenses by the relatives, the high cost of bribing the police. I say!! sina time, unless tuwe na back up ya mdosi.who is supporting us with the finance, to afford the legal fees demanded by our learned lawyers. That is if we reach to that point.
The time is not just there, and this is to their advantage. Ngoja, ngoja hu umiza matumbo. Ni sasa tuko tayari kuvuna mbivu. I hope that the attempt by the youth to demonstrate in kenya against the drunk M.Ps joka metho (Metho Pile)decision was a genuine one and not a funded project by them once again. And if so, that is a warning. That the Kenyan young person is on line with the rest of the world and is participating in the furror of change. I hope it is not the Guevera spirit that has started infiltrating , i hope this time it's for real and they are doing what they remain concious and ready to carry with them the aftermaths.
How manytimes has an average youth been stopped by the police at particular times, not hati wewe nimhalifu, thegi,or any criminal. Hapana, just because he does not like your face, you're not wearing formal, hauja ng'ara suti. You are not in a suit and that definately sends the message that you cannot afford to buy your freedom. Security was definately compromised,given assumption. The kind of crime that was witnessed and is being experienced tells that those who are in suits are the criminals + our M.Ps.The difference between the two.One is free to steal while the other isn't. WE are Judged by our hairstyles, cloths and not by what we put on the table. Our language irritates those who do not understand it, and though we are the majority they would use all means possible to suppress the truth, try all to bury us. But hatuta choka, ina bidii tua mke.
The world is on cause for a change, the system must device another way to survive in this evolution.
I hope you check out The Take, a documentary by Naomi Klein.
Time for a change is now, na msema kesho ni mkatiaji...!!! Wata amka sana roundi hii.
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Post by wanyee on May 9, 2006 20:37:49 GMT 3
ndauosa,
I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE. WE ARE DEFINITELY SINGING THE SAME SONG.
---
Kamalet,
It is precisely this sort of writing that is defeatist:
"It is defeatist to assume that you can ignore these thieves, since you have no alternative. Please do not tell me that you or I can be the alternatives for our thoughts unfortunately are not representative of the other Kenyans who may view things like us!"
I have noted this negative tone, even in your responses to "the titanium-mining scandal". You do not seem to be progressive in your thoughts, and it is now evident, from what you have written above, why you are so. You do not even believe in yourself! Why can't you be the alternative? Are you saying that Kenyans have no choice, but to keep putting up with nonesense?
You might have heard of Vaclav Havel, the former Prime Minister of Yuguslavia, who said that "if everybody is not interested in politics, then it will become the domain of those least suited to it". Don't you agree, that this is likely to be one of our greatest obstacles, as in most impoversihed countries?
True, we cannot ignore these thieves, and their great influence on the people, but you seem to be missing the whole point here. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A REVOLUTION. IT IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO WAKE UP. IT IS TIME FOR THE KENYA THAT WE ALL WANT AND NEED. THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE. OUR "LEADERS" ARE EITHER WITH US, OR THEY ARE NOT.
Do you doubt that the people can wake up, and refuse to be fooled again? Please answer this question. In fact, please answer the third question that I asked you (above): "Are you saying that Kenyans have no choice, but to keep putting up with nonesense?" I simple yes or no should suffice.
---
This brings us to the essence of this posting (and the answer to Mzee's question regarding "the youth"):
"As I write this, at seventy five, I continue to feel young, declining - not for vanity or fear of disclosing my age - the privileges senior citizens are entitled to, for example, at airports.
The main criterion for evaluating age, youth, and old age cannot be that of the calendar. No one is old just because he or she was born a short time ago. People are old or young much more as a function of how much they think of the world, the availability they have for curiously giving themselves to knowledge. The search for knowledge should never make us tired, and the acquisition of it should never make us immobile and satisfied. People are young or old much more as a function of the energy and the hope that they can readily put into starting over, especially if what they have done continues to embody their dream, an ethically valid and politically necessary dream. We are young or old to the extent that we tend to accept change or not as a sign of life, rather than embrace 'the standstill' as a sign of death.
People are young to the extent that they fight to overcome prejudice. A person would be old, even in spite of being only twenty-two, if he or she arrogantly dismissed others and the world. We gradually become old as we unconsciously begin to refuse 'novelty', with the argument that "in our day things were better". The best time for the young person of twenty-two or seventy is always the one that he or she lives in. Only by living time as best as possible can one live it young.
Deeply living the plots presented to us by social experience and accepting the drammatic nature of reinventing the world and the pathways to youth. We grow old if we believe, as we realize the importance we have gained in our environment, that it is of our own merit. We grow old if we believe this importance lies in ourselves rather than in the relations between ourselves, others, and the world.
Pride and self-sufficiency make us old; only in humility can I be open to the life experience where I both help and am helped. I cannot make myself alone, nor can I do things alone. I make myself with others, and with others, I can do things.
The more youth educators possess, the more possible it will be for them to communicate with youth. The young can help educators maintain their youth while educators can help the young not lose theirs.
Old, as defined here, cannot remake the world; that is up to youth. The ideal, however, is to add, to the readiness of youth that the young possess, the collected 'wisdom' of the old who have stayed young.
People are being falsely young when they adopt an irresponsible attitude toward risk, when they take risks purely for the thrill of it. Risk only makes sense when it is taken for a valuable reason, an ideal, a dream beyond risk itself.
There is a horrible way to grow old: objecting to necessary political, economic, and social change, a prerequisite for overcoming injustice. Nevertheless, there is no youth that is exempt from aging fast as it attempts to immobilize history; this is what reaction is about. Reaction and youth are as incompatible as defending life and fearing freedom, which is a way of negating life.
How can we maintain ourselves young if we proclaim that the poor are lazy and that indolence is the cause of their poverty? How can we maintain ourselves young if we discriminate against blacks, women, homosexuals, and workers? Preservation of youth is a demanding process. It does not tolerate incoherence. One cannot be, at the same time, 'young' and 'racist', 'young' and 'macho', 'young' and 'abusive'.
If it is possible for old to become young and for young to become old, if a twenty-two-year-old 'young person' who has become old can recover youth, a young person at age seventy could, all of a sudden, renounce youth and, tragically, turn old. Such a person would be trading beauty for ugliness, and would refuse his or her previous discourse and action. Awakened from the dream, he or she would then bury utopia and preserve what should be radically changed.
Conservatism is also incompatible with youth. What is in effect cannot be preserved, what is effective stands on its own. Who, for example, would dare to propose a ban on the telephone?
Between radically changing the agrarian structure of the country and maintaining it as is, reactionary action would preserve it. Deep down, the reactionary are the true 'subversives', for they fight to maintain an outdated order. The most advance a reactionary would allow him / herself is 'reformism', a process where reforms are implemented to avoid deeper transformation. In a progressive practise, possible and necessary reforms are implemented to make that transfromation viable" [Pedagogy of the Heart, by Paulo Freire (Author of 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed'). The Continuum Publishing Company; 1997, New York].
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Post by wanyee on May 9, 2006 23:35:32 GMT 3
Kenyans want new constitution by 2007 - Sunday Times, 7th April 2006. The findings of the Kiplagat-led Committee of Eminent Persons show that Kenyans want a new constitution by December 27 next year but reject the participation of bothe establishment and Opposition political leaders. There was an overwhelming verdict by individuals, groups and experts that the political elite have been responsible for the delays in realizing a new constitution and had not shown substantial commitment towards restarting the process. Impeccable sources confirmed on Friday that the Committee led by Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat had variously been told that the involvement of the political elite in the process was solely to push for an IPPG-type of deal to enter into a power sharing deal. According to reports about the submissions to the Committee, the majority also reject suggestions of waiting until the “constitutional moment.” The majority of those who made presentations insist the “constitutional moment” theory was just an illusion citing the failed initiatives before the 1997 and 2002 General Elections. The predominant view by Kenyans is that NGOs, informal and professional groups ought to support the wishes of the majority in restarting the constitution review process. By Tuesday last week when the Committee adjourned the hearing of public submissions, a total of 98 groups representing political parties, religious, women and youth organisations as well as NGOs had presented views. In addition there were nearly 200 individual presentations from political leaders, lawyers, businesspeople and other professionals. www.timesnews.co.ke/07may06/nwsstory/news1.html--- The struggle henceforth, is between "those who, satisfied with today, would make an effort to delay the future as much as possible, to put up obstacles against any substantive change, and those who, exploited today, aspire to a new reality" [Pedagogy of the Heart, by Paulo Freire (author of 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed'). The Continuum Publishing Company; 1997, New York].
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Post by kamalet on May 10, 2006 10:56:09 GMT 3
ndauosa, I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE. WE ARE DEFINITELY SINGING THE SAME SONG. --- Kamalet, It is precisely this sort of writing that is defeatist: "It is defeatist to assume that you can ignore these thieves, since you have no alternative. Please do not tell me that you or I can be the alternatives for our thoughts unfortunately are not representative of the other Kenyans who may view things like us!" I have noted this negative tone, even in your responses to "the titanium-mining scandal". You do not seem to be progressive in your thoughts, and it is now evident, from what you have written above, why you are so. You do not even believe in yourself! Why can't you be the alternative? Are you saying that Kenyans have no choice, but to keep putting up with nonesense? Wanyee, It is not that I am negative to what you write, it is just that I think there is very little realism in what you post. It is nothing personal! Kamalet
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Post by tambo on May 10, 2006 16:38:23 GMT 3
Karibu tena nyumbani OO. I am pleased to see you back in you position, as tension had already started playing it's tricks on my mind. Apart from this, i look at your absence and the mood of the forum as a point of concern for me. I've been an regular participant of Jukwaa for along time and the level of the discussion has always been very inspiring ever since. My worry is we have to start with our house before we think of discussing the wider House. It is a fact that the level has slowly been declining and we've seen intelligent contributors reducing themselves to mear readers. Some have been subjected to suspension. Is it not logical to atleast let the other people know what is really happening behind the scenes, as i do not think that this forum is meant to scare people from being open. I know i have to guide my membership as far as this issue is concerned and subsequently i'll hear your views, and obviosly know that ther will be those who feel otherwise. I am not in an authoritative position to comment for i know we have members work for the "foreign co". I expect dissenting views from such members. But Starting with our own Jukwaa is my wish.
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Post by wanyee on May 10, 2006 23:16:16 GMT 3
kamalet,
No worries. I have not taken anything personal, and won't. Ni hali ya kuelewana tu.
You have said something very significant, regarding 'realism'.
Tell me, why do you find my writing so far-fetched?
You must have a simple explanation.
After reading an article like the one below, can you say that I am being realistic, simply because I am proposing immediate measures?
Child labour on the rise in Africa - Daily Nation, 10th April 2006.
How much does it take to do the right thing? How much will it take the 'powers-that-be'? Can you not see where the obstacle to such problems lie? If you do, as I like to believe, how do you propose we remove them?
---
The struggle henceforth, is between "those who, satisfied with today, would make an effort to delay the future as much as possible, to put up obstacles against any substantive change, and those who, exploited today, aspire to a new reality" [Pedagogy of the Heart, by Paulo Freire (author of 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed'). The Continuum Publishing Company; 1997, New York].
---
I guess the golden question, essentially, would be:
"Are you satisfied, with the life you're living?" (Si unamkumbuka ule msee wetu akiimba katika Exodus)
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Post by wanyee on May 12, 2006 2:01:48 GMT 3
Mtumishi Orina aliandika: "The need therefore for a new constitution is both urgent and fundamental. Unfortunately as we suspect, the current MPs across the board have not shown the commitment to have a new and just constitution in place soon...The new constitution must aim at transforming political parties into truly democratic organizations that will see MPs who understand the business of legislation and the realization of national goals through policy elected to parliament. The Political Parties Bill currently under discussion is therefore a move in the right direction but its greatly insufficient. In the end analysis Kenyans must come to terms with the fact that MPs do not necessarily represent the interests of their constituents but the interests of the MPs as individuals or as a carte blanche group. Parliament is a social category and not necessarily a house of representatives. In the words of Marx, the State, and MPs are part, is a committee of the ruling class. This has never been as true as is in Kenya today. Kenyans must urgently plan to save themselves from MPs and the State since it is clear that no amount of lamentation will do". --- 'Mzee Msa', Tafadhali tupe maoni yako kuhusu yafuatayo: Kenyans want new constitution by 2007 - Sunday Times, 7th April 2006. www.timesnews.co.ke/07may06/nwsstory/news1.html
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Post by wanyee on May 24, 2006 0:57:38 GMT 3
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Post by wanyee on May 30, 2006 16:56:33 GMT 3
Ending poverty of ideas in politics - Daily Nation, 28th May 2006.
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Post by wanyee on Jun 7, 2006 15:04:14 GMT 3
Failure to honour MoU cited as major obstacle - Daily Nation, 7th June 2006
Referendum was flawed from start - " " "
Constitution: Kiplagat team urges Kibaki to take the lead - The Standard, 7th June 2006.
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Post by wanyee on Aug 22, 2006 3:21:08 GMT 3
Press Statement KENYANS CAN ONLY SETTLE FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS BEFORE THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS
We, the civil society organizations, members of the independent sector, business and professional bodies and political parties who met at the National Dialogue Conference (NDC I) on constitutional reforms from 7-8 July, 2006; resolved that Kenya will not go to yet another general election under the current constitution. The NDC I resolved that Kenyans should;
i. Enact a Constitution of Kenya Review and Dialogue Act (2006), ii. Negotiate and approve a new democratic constitution and iii. Agree on the modalities of promulgating the new democratic constitution to facilitate the next general elections under an acceptable constitutional order.
Since the NDC-I some MPs have been churning unacceptable excuses as to why it is “practically impossible” to have a new constitution before the next general election. These MPs were in the band wagon in 2002 that promised to deliver a new constitution within 100 days of coming to power. If 100 days was enough then, why shouldn’t 1 ½ years be adequate now?
We call upon the people of Kenya to see through and beyond this propaganda. Kenyans will constructively demand for a new democratic constitution before the next general election as a right not privilege and we call upon them to reject these few self-seekers who are against comprehensive constitutional reforms before the next general elections.
To our conviction and that of Kenyans, a new democratic constitutional order in Kenya is possible now! The rationale for this conviction and commitment is valid for the following reasons;
First, the people went through the rigorous historic process where they gave their views to the CKRC which formed the basis of the CKRC draft that was published in September 2002.
Secondly, the historic experience of constitutional development and negotiations that led to the production of the Bomas Draft Constitution and the expression of the sovereign will of the people at the referendum of November 2005 have set key democratic milestones in the constitutional review struggle in Kenya.
Thirdly, the next general elections will NOT bring to parliament and in government politicians with a new political character in support of the country’s mission of comprehensive constitutional reform. If the NARC government has reneged on its promise to facilitate the realization of a new democratic constitutional order within the 100 days they promised, how will the next elections be a boost to comprehensive constitutional reforms? In fact this absurd clamour for minimum reforms is aimed at demobilizing the national momentum for the long desired comprehensive reforms.
Nevertheless, we are encouraged that the NDC-I pointed out the main stages that are required to deliver a new democratic constitution before the next general elections. It is clear there is no lack of time, what lacks is political good will to conclude constitution review. In 1997, Kenyans, organized under NCA-NCEC took only three months of mass action to force the commitment of the government to support constitutional reforms. With the commitment to dialogue that the NDC platform provides, there is no reason why those MPs should resort to mischievous excuses to block comprehensive constitutional reforms ahead of the next general election. We must dialogue as a country to recreate our republic and give hope to the millions of Kenyans waiting and yearning for a new democratic constitutional order that guarantee them social justice, dignity and good governance.
President Kibaki is fully aware that his government made a commitment to Kenyans to facilitate the making of a new democratic constitution and as such has the duty and obligation to facilitate the completion of the new constitution before the next general election. Nothing has come to our knowledge to indicate that President Kibaki and his government do not support the passing of a new democratic constitution before the next general election. Way forward to the completion of the constitutional review 1. We call upon the MPs calling for minimum reforms to WAKE UP and join the people in the unstoppable national movement for a new democratic constitution dispensation before the next general elections. These MPs should focus on consolidating a parliamentary momentum to facilitate the passing of a new review law to finalize comprehensive constitution review. They should also open dialogue with the people of Kenya. 2. We are committed to convene the NDC II where we shall discuss and build consensus on the new review Bill [The Constitution of Kenya Review and Dialogue Bill (2006)] to establish organs to complete the review. We call upon all the Members of Parliament, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the AG’s office, religious groups, civil society, the youth and women movements respectively and indeed all the interest groups in constitutional review to come forward and support the passage of a new democratic constitution before the next general election. Kenya is ours together. 3. We call upon all Kenyans to demand and urge their MPs and President Mwai Kibaki to deliver on their pledge and not to squander the historic opportunity of facilitating the making of a new democratic constitution. Kenyans are suffering and their political leaders have the urgent duty to be selfless and facilitate the realization of the Kenya we want: the Kenya with a new people driven democratic Constitution before the next general elections. Signed NCEC NDC Steering Committee 4Cs CLARION RPP YAA NASCON UNDA- United Democrats Alliance Party wan Wan Movement
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Post by wanyee on Sept 29, 2006 22:28:24 GMT 3
Fellow Kenyans,
Have you seen the opinion polls in the Daily Nation lately? It is a very close race indeed. (Almost 50 / 50!)
I urge you all to participate.
Remember that only in April, "comprehensive constitutional reforms prior to the next elections" were unthinkable...
---
Meanwhile:
Biggest ever switch by voters to tilt election - Daily Nation, 29th September 2006.
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Post by wanyee on Oct 25, 2006 23:42:23 GMT 3
Women pick six representatives to sit on law review committee
By KNA
Women political organisations have nominated six representatives to sit in the Review Steering Committee (RSC), currently sitting at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
The chairpersons of the Kenya Women Political Caucus and the Women’s Political Alliance, Dr Akinyi Nzioki and Professor Wanjiku Kabira, respectively, sent a list of nominees to both Justice Minister Martha Karua and the Review Steering Committee co-chairpersons on Monday.
The Review Steering Committee is currently co-chaired by Dalmas Otieno, Charity Ngilu, Bishop Philip Sulumeti and Ms Ann Njogu. The nominees by the joint organisations include Atsango Chesoni, Mary Okumu, Daisy Amdany, Wambui Kanyi, Poleshe Tobiko and Rose Lukalo who were nominated to the committee after vetting applications.
The women political organisations, however, did not nominate a woman with disability to the Council of Reference in the list of eight, to act as alternates to those in the Steering Committee pending consultations with United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK). Margaret Hutchinson, Sophia Abdi, Kamla Sikaand, Mary Mareso Agina, Maimuna Mwidau and Rebecca Mbithe were selected the alternates to the six Steering Committee nominees.
Professor Kabira and Dr Nzioki expressed optimism that the team will deliver and enrich the review process in which the Steering Committee is undertaking in pursuit to comprehensive and minimum legal reforms necessary in the constitution ahead of the next general elections.
The duo revealed the criteria used in vetting and appointments of the representatives saying the candidates demonstrated knowledge of the constitutional review process, clear focus on women issues, technical expertise in mobilisation and ability to negotiate. They also possessed political independence, participation in public life and leadership as well as expertise in various fields of law and elections. In a joint letter to Karua, the chairpersons observed that the nomination process considered a number of things including regional representation, age and disability.
The expanded Review Steering Committee, brings together political parties represented in Parliament, women groups, the civil society and other review stakeholders. It is also trying to reach a consensus on comprehensive constitutional review and as well as identifying areas for minimal reforms ahead of the next year’s General Elections.
The Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs chaired by Kabete MP Paul Muite is, however, spearheading minimum legal reforms in the constitution to level political playing fields ahead of the polls.
The Muite committee has argued that there is no sufficient time to put in place a new constitution before next year and therefore necessitates the Parliament to propose amendments to the constitution, especially in areas touching on the independence of the Electoral Commission among other areas.
The Review Steering Committee, formerly known as the Windsor Committee, is working on areas to pave way for comprehensive reforms on the constitution before the elections.
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Post by wanyee on Oct 30, 2006 4:58:20 GMT 3
Unveiled: Timetable for 2007 Constitution Daily Nation Published: 10/27/2006 By: DAVID MUGONYI www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=84282--------------------------------- Plans to bring home a new Constitution by next September - in time for the General Election - were unveiled yesterday. Mr Dalmas Otieno, the co-chair of multi-sectoral review steering committee, and the co-chair, Ms Ann Njogu, address journalists at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi yesterday. They proposed that a new constitution be in place by September next year. The stages towards the new law governing every aspect of our lives will culminate in a referendum just three months before the poll to elect a President and Parliament. The 40-member team who drew up the timetable unanimously said it was "practical and achievable" and followed wide consultations. And in addition to a range of comprehensive reforms, the review steering committee also wants MPs to enact new laws to make the elections free and fair. But experts have calculated the cost of holding a referendum and the General Election just a few months apart could cost taxpayers about Sh8 billion - a figure likely to provoke vigorous debate. The committee was appointed by the Government in consultation with the Orange Democratic Movement last month. The team - officially called the Multi-Sectoral Review Steering Committee - was set up following meetings at the Safari Park hotel in Nairobi on September 15 and 25. It first met for the first time on October 3 and so far has held 12 meetings. It is made up of members from political parties, women's groups, civil society and religious bodies and it is expected to present the recommendations to the MPs who appointed them next Tuesday. If the MPs accept the recommendations, they will be sent to Parliament for final approval. One of the chairpersons, Ms. Ann Njogu, said: "After intensive negotiations and deliberations, the committee has arrived at key recommendations relating to the review process and would like to communicate the same to the people of Kenya." Key issues the committee wants addressed immediately include embedding the review and the referendum in the Constitution. It also wants a law to guide the review and another to steer the referendum. Contentious issues The team proposes three groups to carry out the review - a Council of Reference, a Constitutional Conference for Democratic Kenya, and Parliament - plus the decisive referendum. The Council of Reference, to be supported by a steering committee, will negotiate contentious issues and prepare a consensus draft for the Constitutional Conference. It will also oversee the process. The conference will have 344 delegates elected from districts and constituencies and will debate and adopt the new Constitution before it is forwarded to Parliament, which will adopt the draft and commit it to a referendum. If Parliament questions the draft, it will be referred back to the conference, which will take it directly to the referendum. The committee, chaired by Ms Njogu and Mr Dalmas Otieno, also set out the timetable for the review. It is in six clear phases: First: Sept 15-Oct 30 ... Current preparation by the steering committee. Second: Nov 1-30 ... Parliament to enact new law to guide the review. Third: Dec 1- April 31, 2007... Set up secretariat and inaugurate Council of Reference. Elect conference delegates. Also negotiate contentious issues, build consensus and prepare draft. Prepare civic education programme and find people to present it. Fourth: May 2007... Parliament debates the draft and either adopts it or refers it back with recommendations to the conference. Fifth: June 1- Aug 31 2007... Civic education takes place and referendum will be held, if conference has adopted Parliament's recommendations. Sixth: Sept 2007... New Constitution should be declared law. However, the committee also proposed what is commonly referred to as the "November Package" to be enacted before the end of next month. This includes the Political Parties Bill, which will ensure parties are funded and that the Government cannot poach MPs from the Opposition without consultation. Others parts of the package are: -An Elections Bill, to curb incitement and the use of foul language as well as punish electoral violence and other malpractices. -Legislation against hate speech and attacks on ethnicity -Amendments to the Local Government Act to ensure mayors are elected directly by the people. -A new affirmative action law to ensure women make up a third of the appointments. Mr Otieno said the recommendations had been accepted by all the 40 members of the team in the belief that people needed a new Constitution before the General Election. The committee was formed to see what legal and constitutional amendments were needed to complete the review. Also it was to propose legal and constitutional amendments for securing free and fair elections. The committee rejected a Constituent Assembly and a Multisectoral Forum to complete the review, preferring instead the Constitutional Conference. --- In spite of the issue of exclusion of young people, the fact that the government has come to its senses by accepting the demand (for comprehensive reforms before the 2007 elections) that CCR-K has been making since January, is a major victory for the people of Kenya. When CCR-K started its post-referendum campaign, only 12% of Kenyans cared about comprehensive reforms before the 2007 general elections, some being entirely focused on snap elections. Today, over 50% Kenyans are adamant: no comprehensive reforms, no elections! We shall never go back to the slave barracks! --- And in the Standard: www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143960248
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Post by wanyee on Nov 1, 2006 0:35:21 GMT 3
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