BIWOTT-OUR NEW LEADER OF OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

[job]

In a government instigated coup of the official opposition, the Registrar of Societies Ms. Bernice Gachegu has replaced KANU's elected leadership with a team led by Nicholas Kiyator Kiprono Arap Biwott.
nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=86504

Biwott is our new leader of official opposition! He is the new face that would lead the political opposition in checking the government. Biwott technically becomes also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee which probes and audits government expenditure. He will also be entitled to pay and protection equivalent to that of cabinet Ministers.

It is also becoming increasingly clear that Biwott is being groomed to run for President in 2007 under KANU, not necessarily to secure the seat, but as a decoy to lock out the Kalenjin vote from the ODM-K column. He is then expected to be rewarded through a government of national unity (GNU) format just like Ford-People's Nyachae was.

With the belief that the pro-Ruto forces in Rift Valley are increasingly becoming too powerful, Moi is determined to block the Kalenjin from voting for ODM-K through the presentation of a Kalenjin called Biwott in the 2007 ballot.

Whether the ploy will work remains to be seen. However, based on the political experience of Simeon Nyachae's people on the ground, there is obvious disillusionment and dissatisfaction amongst the Abagusii who were principally locked out of Kibaki's initial government, save for the recent inclusion of very close allies and relatives of Nyachae. The Kalenjin may not want to walk that similar path, of relying on goodwill, through a Kibaki-initiated MOU.

The other choice the Rift Valley residents have, is to be part and parcel of the ODM-K and earn inherently strong representation from within, which would secure their future in the next government.

In dramatic Nyayo-isque fashion, the former legitimate leader of official opposition, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, has been ruthlessly bundled out into the cold, alongside his entire team of bonafide elected KANU leadership that comprise: Secretary General William Ruto, Vice Chairmen Henry Kosgey, Chris Okemo and Dalmas Otieno, Treasurer Billow Kerrow among others.

The return of the ugly and dark days of Nyayo dictatorship is with us today in earnest. This is the biggest travesty and mockery of democracy during Kibaki's entire reign.

It appears that President Kibaki has created some room for ex-President Moi to squeeze in and help him rule. With Moi as co-President, we can see his fingerprints all over this new development.

Nicholas Biwott happens to be Moi's most trusted business and political ally, besides being a member of his Kalenjin kin. Kipyator Nicholas Kiprono arap Biwott is a 65-year old wealthy businessman and politician.

The man recently described in glowing terms by current Internal Security Minister John Michuki, shortly after Moi and Kibaki met at State House, and right after the recent Mathare and Kuresoi murders and mayhem seems to be the latest darling of the Kibaki government-fit to be planted as leader of opposition-in the Moi-Kibaki schemes. Biwott seems to be offering some invaluable lessons on Internal security to the current Security supremo John Michuki.

Biwott was named by Scotland Yard detective John Troon as a person of interest in the 1990 murder of Kenya's Foreign Affairs minister Robert Ouko. Biwott was arrested following the murder and sacked from his Cabinet position during the initial stages of investigations. He was later released and reinstated to the Cabinet in the Moi-traditional style, after public outrage calmed down.

Biwott's name has been mentioned in a number of corruption scandals including Goldenberg, however he has successfully evaded being persecuted for any of the allegations.

In December 2004, Biwott was banned by the U.S Department of state from entering the United States for alleged corruption. It is not clear whether he has also been banned from setting foot in Britain, a country that follows Kenya's internal activities even more closely than the US.

During Biwott's tenure as Minister of Energy 1982-1991, he influenced the construction of the Giant Turkwell Gorge Hydro-electric power plant in his native backyard of Kerio-Marakwet Valley. The project, once referred to as a white elephant, had previously scored quite unfavourably in feasibility and viability studies which provoked public outrage at the anticipated extravagant use of tens of billions of taxpayer money. Numerous claims of multi-million worth of kick-back payments were alleged in relation to the project at the time.

During the same period, Biwott was noted for succesfully blocking development projects earmarked for other parts of the country outside his native Rift Valley, including the Molasses plant in Kisumu, a Cement factory in Western, revival of moribund agro-based factories, and the Sondu-Miriu Hydro-electric power project.

Between January–December 1997, Nicholas Biwott was Moi's Minister of State in the Office of the President in charge of Internal Security. This period marked one of the peaks of Kenya's bloody second liberation struggle where: police brutality; violent-GSU dispersion of peaceful protests; forceful suppression of dissenting voices; torture at Nyayo chambers; detention without trial; and many human rights violations were all common.

During Biwott's reign as Internal security chief, politically instigated tribal clashes led to the death of hundreds of Kenyans in various parts of the country. It must be noted that thousands of those victims have not been resettled or given back their land to date. Ironically, as leader of official opposition, Biwott will now be expected to put the current government on notice by pointing at it's failure to settle the very victims of tribal clashes -made homeless during his reign as Internal Security Minister.

Biwott's career in other Ministries was also chequered with complaints of high-handedness, intimidation and single-sourcing of contracts. He was one of the most feared politicians of the Moi era. He served between 1998–1999 as Minister of East African and Regional Co-operation; 1999–2001: Minister of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry (1999-2001) ; June 2001–: Dec 2002: Minister of Trade and Industry.

The collapse of the Trade bank was also allegedly linked to Biwott and his HZ-company which owns the Yaya Towers. It is worth noting that initial investigations into this specific graft, have lately gone silent following Biwott's public pledge to co-operate with Kibaki's government.

During the same time, Biwott's daughter Esther Koimett has been appointed to the crucial and highly influential position of Investment Secretary, by President Kibaki. One of his three wives is also said to have secured a job through the President.

More recently, Biwott has fought an election for leadership of KANU, the former party of government and now the official opposition. He was soundly beaten by Uhuru Kenyatta.

It is alleged that Biwott acquired a vast personal fortune during Moi's rule, mostly associated with the Goldenberg scandal. This includes a whole street in Australia, many real estate investments in South Africa, New Zealand and Kenya, including the Yaya Centre, tourist hotels, construction companies in many African countries and vast stocks in high performing companies.

Being one of the richest in Kenya, the "total man" must have put his resources into play, working slowly through Moi and Kibaki, gradually building (or is it buying?) his trust of key lieutenants of Kibaki and eventually warming his way back to the corridors of power.

In my opinion, I suspect there would be a big back-lash and heavy political ramifications in the long run. I do not envisage any clear cut political victory for neither Moi, nor Kibaki in all this. I can safely say that Kibaki would have been better off without Biwott and Moi working for him. Now that they all fall on one side of the political divide, stark differences between the two forces of NARC-K and ODM-K have been highlighted more prominently. The choice has been made easier for Kenyan voters. Nimesema!

Job.

[politicalmaniac]

Job
Wonderful piece
I just doubt that the Kamatusa vote will be swayed by the much maligned, corrupt looser like Biwott.
And by the way biwott is not "our" leader of official oppostion, he is an imposter and the sloths bought hack. Will he hold the GOVT's feet to the fire when need be?

I smell a GE soon.

[job]

P/maniac,

True. Biwott's image speaks for itself. I recognize he's just an imposter installed by the Moi/Kibaki/Michuki/Karume/Karua alliance.

That Martha Karua was influential in forcing the Registrar to register Biwott's team is also not in doubt.

Moi & Kibaki know that Biwott (and his bad image) is not able to sway the Kamatusa vote entirely.

But they hope to get a chunk of the lucrative Rift Valley votes locked in Biwott's column, especially from the Biwott's own Keiyo & also Marakwet and Tugen. He hopes also to BUY some Pokot and Samburu clout with his vast loot.

LET ME PREDICT NOW ABOUT THEIR NEXT MOVE IN THIS DESIGN;.....THEY WILL CLOSE DOWN KASS FM RADIO STATION WHICH HAS BEEN BRANDED TRIBALISTIC BY BOTH MOI AND BIWOTT.

THIS KASS FM station has been bombastic. With the youthful owners working with the Kale youth through the group EMO, alongside religious leaders and various Kale elite fora, the message about LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, and FORGETTING THE GALLANT PAST is taking root. Genuine nationalism in terms of land rights and devolution (both Katiba issues) have been integrated into the political minds of grassroot voters even those that are not literate.

THAT is exactly why you see Man Tinga, Ruto, Uhuru & ODM-K incorporating those same issues as espoused in the Bomas draft as the 2007 campaign manifesto-or " bible" of ODM-K in RV especially. Moi is running scared.

KASS FM has spread the ODM-K gospel in Rift Valley like a bush fire. Ruto is regarded highly by many Kales courtesy to information relayed via Kass FM. It has provided him with platform to electrify the base through that very message.

I can safely predict today that KASS FM will NOT BE AIRED in RIFT VALLEY during the next GENERAL ELECTIONS (which by the way could come possibly sooner than expected as you suggest)

They strongly wish to calm down the highly energized Nandi and Kipsigis voters besides hacking-off a chunk of Rift valley votes outside Nandi and Kipsigis territories that would have otherwise gone to ODM-K automatically.

As For the Pokot, Tugen, Samburu & other North Rift folks;
Did you not just hear Moi recently offering to unite the Norther Rift brothers and work with the government to bring an end to INSECURITY and CATTLE_RUSSTLING. These could by the way be artificial problems created by smart politicians to preempt some FINAL & POPULAR DECISIVE ACT by the government (yaani cunningly endearing the local public towards the govt. ).

Moi appears serious in his help for Kibaki. But will it pay off? that's the million dolar question. I don't see it happening. I expect a backlash. The Ruto & ODM-k forces are expected to reap from sympathy support and those tired of Moi-Kibaki illegal machinations.

Job

[KOLONEL BRISK]

" BIWOTT " THE LEADER OF OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.

His entry had to be via corruption. Lest we forget. Nicholas arap Biwott, Moi's most trusted ally in and out of government. He was was embroiled in a huge corruption scandal to which Moi, of course, turned a deaf ear. According to Edward Odoi Abuor, Kenyan reporter with the Standard newspapers, in 1987 the government invited bids for a $400 million agricultural project and Turkwell Gorge Dam in the Elgeyo-Marakwet district. Initially, a Chinese and later a French firm won the contract. But when they declined to pay a Ksh 75 million ($5 million) bribe Biwott demanded, he cancelled the contract and reopened the bidding process. The construction contract was eventually awarded to the French firm Spie Batignolles, and French companies were also selected to supply turbines, generators, and transmission equipment. After paying the bribe, the company doubled the cost of the project to recoup, according to journalist Abuor.1 This was confirmed in an interim memorandum drawn up by Mr. Achim Kratz, then European Commission delegate to Kenya (Financial Times, Nov 27, 1991; p. 4).

Subsequently, in March 1989 Moi sent Biwott to Britain to inquire about purchasing 12 new Hawk 2000 fighter jets that the military had requested. British Aerospace refused to offer a personal bribe but instead offered 100,000 (pounds sterling) to move personnel to patrol Kenya's game parks and to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers. An angered Biwott left London for Paris, where he visited the French aeronautical firm, Marcel Dassault Preguet. He found that the French fighter jets cost twice as much as the British ones, but the French offered to give Moi a free presidential jet. Subsequently, Moi flew to Paris to sign a contract to purchase 12 Mirage fighter jets and 60 Panhard automatic guns at a hefty price of $637 million. Sounds like Anglo leasing.
Biwott has three wives: Australian Hannei, Tanzanian Kavista Lessie, and Dr Margaret Kamar. In December 2004, Biwott was banned by the U.S Department of state from entering the United States for alleged corruption


Corruption is now an official Goverment Policy/project.

[adongo12345]

Job & others

This is the joke of the century. This whole move is going to galvanize the population to understand even more why Kibaki and Moi are old hand crooks that have to be tossed before we can get anywhere.

Biwott trying smuggle himself as the leader of the opposition through the back door with the help of Kibaki is going to enrage the nation like they have never seen before. The stupidity of Kibaki and his fellas kina Biwott and Moi is breathtaking.

This is the best thing to happen to the opposition ODM since the referendum. Biwott going for the big seat as a decoy is not going to fool anybody. They showed their hand too early.

Watch this space

Let the games begin.

Adongo.

[politicalmaniac]

Job
Are you trying to say these folks dont learn? Close down Kass FM? You must be aware that this is what happened in the run to the referendum and that inflamed the Kalenjin passion like nothing else. The Kalenjin vote against the referendum was the most solid anti - banana vote with one constituency recording NOT A SINGLE banana vote.
I dont think that will happen.
But do I smell a GE or what? With the Chaos in my neighbourhood party F- K seemingly sponsored by the GOVT (or is Kombo seeking sympathy) I just wonder

[job]

These folks somehow have a penchant for irking and outraging the entire globe. It is indeed breathtaking stupidity and desperation that leads these fellas from one blunder to the next.

Ati Biwott is now back at the centerstage. Is this Kibaki fella really serious or just how foolish does he think the entire nation is? We realize that the rich looters and graft kingpins are coalescing in a desperate attempt to hang on to power. But this is a bit too much of a joke to swallow.

Now folks can perfectly understand when opposition leaders warn of government machinations and plans to assassinate them. These fellows are surely desperate.

Biwott as Kenya's leader of official opposition is a prospect that horrifies even a visiting US senator, Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who is the new Chairman of the US Foreign Affairs sub committee - on Africa.

This Biwott guy is the undisputed King of bonafide criminals and thugs, who thrived under Moi's authoritarian regime. He's blacklisted by the West,......and for Kibaki and Moi to arrogantly dictate and impose him as the opposition leader is a blunder they will surely live to remember.

p/maniac

Of-course these people don't learn. Are you suggesting they've learnt any lessons from the Referendum? If they did, national unity would have been their 1st agenda. Trying to impose Biwott as the leader of official opposition & thereby strangulating and mocking democracy doesn't come close to uniting a nation.

These guys and their suicidal acts appear to be courting anarchy so as to avoid elections. I won't be surprised at all if they move on to close Kass FM as Moi and Biwott have already hinted,....just this month.

Job

[dubois]

Job & others,

You speak too soon, as usual. At the back of your minds you surely must realize that the contest in 2007 will not be as easy as you explain. The Kibaki government has many faults, which you constantly remind us, but at the end of the day, politics in kenya is not that straightforward. ODM is not the idealistic party you paint it to be. Kenyans realize that it is possible that an ODM government could be worse than Kibaki's. If we were to go by your outrageous exaggerations, Kibaki will be a complete non-starter in the 2007 polls. I don't think so.

Another thing; why the hypocritical outrage at Kanu's takeover by Biwott? What's the difference between Biwott and the Nyayo/Kibaki era looters (apart from being in different camps)? Most of our politicians do not deserve public office- period! This incident will blow over as quickly as it started. The biggest problem with our opposition (including you guys) is that you do not have original ideas, you only (hysterically) react to non-issues. So what if Biwott is the new opposition leader? Kibaki has faced stiff opposition in parliament not from the official opposition Kanu but from members of the original Narc. ODM should be reacting to issues like vision 2030 and offering alternatives. However i won't hold my breath.

[aeichener]

Dubois, that was a very mature and circumspect comment. Not the first time from you, as I remember: so, thank you.

I agree with your assessment of Kenyan politicians in general. However, some animals are more equal than others, and some pigs are covered with more mud. I believe that is what lies at the root against the widespread protest against Biwott in particular.

Lastly, the typical Kenyan fixation on persons instead on issues is something that is even visible on this board now and then, even though one would much less expect it here than elsewhere. And anyone who believes that ODM-K (the party) is anything else these days than a rally of old thieves looking for new food, hasn't made a reality check yet.

Alexander

[adongo12345]

Dubois & Alex

Lets chill for a second and get back to the real world where some of us happen to live. Kibaki smuggling Biwott (of all people) to be the leader of official opposition is a big issue. Stop hiding behind folks like Ruto being in ODM yada yada.

Why is it a big deal? Number one, Kenyans fought and died for multi party electoral system. Uhuru Kenyatta and his team went to Kenyans in Dec 2002 and came second in the polls. That gave him and his team the right to lead official opposition. Kibaki cannot turn around and illegally change that using state machinery and some people come here to tell us that is ok because after all there are bad people in the opposition. That is utter nonsense.

I said illegally and I meant that. James Orengo, a lawyer of no mean repute, said the other day that even if the Biwott coronation was legal, the Registrar of Societies whom we assume lives in Kenya, is under obligation to give 14 days for any parties that would be aggrieved by change of Kanu leadership to come forward. You don't just switch party leaders like underwears in the dark unless of course you are a moron called Kibaki.

I called Kibaki a moron and I meant that too. Look at the foolishness of smuggling names into the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). How embarrassing for the country is it, that our president is chairing an EAC session in Arusha and was scheduled to address the EALA at the same time when Kenyan contingent of the EALA have been barred from taking their seats because of fraudulent "elections". Is that also ODM's problem? Please. This is humiliating not just for Kibaki, but for the whole country. Do we have to put up with this nonsense because the opposition is no better? Hapana. Nothing can be worse than Kibaki and his crooks.

I agree with Alex that we should focus on issues and not personalities. But let's put that in context. Historically the peoples struggles creates its own leadership. Leaders emerge in the thick of battle. Leaders do not make history. It is the daily efforts of the masses fighting for change on the ground that turns the clock of history. It was the struggles of the Kenyans masses that forced Moi to rescind Section 2 (A) of the constitution which had imposed a one party rule in Kenya. It was the efforts of the Kenyans masses that turned Kibaki's constitutional thievery on its head when he was clobbered at the referendum. It was in the thick of the battle, by Kenyans, to defeat Kibaki's attempt to impose a constitution on us, that people like Ruto (warts and all) emerged as heroes in the battlefield. You can't take that away from him and yes Kenyans have a right to judge him and others in the totality of their characters and history.

Are we going to whip Kibaki at the polls come 2007? You bet we are. And many thanks to his incompetence and treachery. Kibaki is a nice fella. Kenyans actually like him a lot. But you can only make an a fool of yourself for so long. There is a limit to everything and that includes the patience of the masses.

We are coming at Kibaki full speed.

Weme ni ule ule.

Adongo.

[politicalmaniac]

dubois said:

Job & others,

You speak too soon, as usual. At the back of your minds you surely must realize that the contest in 2007 will not be as easy as you explain. The Kibaki government has many faults, which you constantly remind us, but at the end of the day, politics in kenya is not that straightforward. ODM is not the idealistic party you paint it to be. Kenyans realize that it is possible that an ODM government could be worse than Kibaki's. If we were to go by your outrageous exaggerations, Kibaki will be a complete non-starter in the 2007 polls. I don't think so.

Another thing; why the hypocritical outrage at Kanu's takeover by Biwott? What's the difference between Biwott and the Nyayo/Kibaki era looters (apart from being in different camps)? Most of our politicians do not deserve public office- period! This incident will blow over as quickly as it started. The biggest problem with our opposition (including you guys) is that you do not have original ideas, you only (hysterically) react to non-issues. So what if Biwott is the new opposition leader? Kibaki has faced stiff opposition in parliament not from the official opposition Kanu but from members of the original Narc. ODM should be reacting to issues like vision 2030 and offering alternatives. However i won't hold my breath.

This is not a logic free zone bwana!
If you remember correctly, NARC in 02' wasnt an 'ideal' party either as it was a hogdepodge of true nationalists (e.g R), lazy fence sitters (the fat assed sloth), orators (Kijana), thieves (Saitoti) but the arching overiding theme was to get rid of the dictator Moi.

Biwotts take over is weird. What makes his meeting legit, and yet this guy walked out of KANU when jomo jr beat him and he went ahead and registered "NEW KANU". Did he register a party called KANU? NO It was "NEW KANU" big difference. He tried to steal the cockerel symbol the courts said NO!

So he goes through the back door calls an NDC and they "elect" him Chairman, NOT of "NEW KANU" but of the original "KANU". The original KANU iko na wenyewe, akina jomo jr who were DULY ELECTED in a sanctioned election. So how come Biwott gets the registration certificate in 24hrs? Remember ODM-K (different than ODM) couldnt get a certificate for 2weeks due to the obstructionist attitude of the fat assed sloths GOVT!

So please talk sense bwana, na wachana na hii ujinga maze! Please!

[kipsang]

Our judgement on Biwott as the official opposition leader was rushed, This will not make any difference....Colonel Brisk I noted an error in your post above- "Turkwell Gorge Dam in the Elgeyo-Marakwet"
Turkwel Gorge is W.Pokot District

[KOLONEL BRISK]

kipsang said:

....Colonel Brisk I noted an error in your post above- "Turkwell Gorge Dam in the Elgeyo-Marakwet"
Turkwel Gorge is W.Pokot District

Thanks Kipsang for that correction. Tukwell project was a huge issue in regards to the cost. Turkwell and Tana rivers have the largest potential. I hope the next goverment would explore to maximum the following energy resources in Kenya-.
1. Hydropower
2. Geothermal power
3. Biomass resources i.e sugar cane bagasse
4. Solar and Wind
5. Hydrocarbons

KOLONEL BRISK (K.B)

[aeichener]

Before we can even think of exploiting hydropower, we must first take the necessary steps to ensure and augment water supply. That is the main survival issue of Kenya for the next years and decades. Power comes a distant second.

Alexander