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Post by Onyango Oloo on Oct 18, 2011 4:08:30 GMT 3
Raila Odinga must choose the future or remain in the past
By Miguna Miguna
This column never quibbles, nor pulls punches. Get ready for the ride...
For one month now, we have been subjected to scenes of wanton desecration of Prof. Wangari Maathai’s legacy. While many Kenyans and world leaders have genuinely expressed grief at the untimely passing of our only Nobel laureate, a significant number of our politicians – including at the highest level of the state - have been grovelling in hypocritical supplication. They have waxed lyrical over the second liberation struggle and environmental conservation. Where were their loud voices before Prof. Maathai’s demise?
Kenyans are tired of empty platitudes. Prof. Maathai has suddenly become – in death - a bosom buddy and a comrade in arms of these pathetic hypocrites. What kind of struggle have these shameless chameleons been recently involved in? Has it been in grand corruption and primitive accumulation of wealth?
Have they been struggling to win the Nobel Prize for spinelessness? Have these cowardly politicians forgotten that Kenyans have been watching their lecherous, kleptomaniac ways keenly?
David Makali’s timely article, “PM Playing Politics With Mau Evictees” (Star, October 5th)–– asked three pertinent questions in response to Raila Odinga’s recent formation of yet another committee on Mau Forest restoration: “How will Raila resist the pressure to roll back the Mau restoration programme that has for all intents and purposes stalled? What happened to Phase Three and Four of the Mau restoration process? Why has Hassan Noor’s Mau secretariat gone quiet all of a sudden?”
Excellent questions that will not be answered any time soon. A convenient and predictable “denial” of Gideon Moi’s appointment was published soon thereafter. Incredibly, Moi senior defended his son’s ‘appointment,’ claiming that as “a Kenyan, Gideon has a right to any state appointment.’ Please! Give us another one.
Raila is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya; not of ODM or the Rift Valley. Why then did he establish a committee of Rift Valley politicians? Mau is a national treasure; not a political or a regional tool. It traverses areas occupied by various Kenyan communities. If there was need (which there wasn’t) for another committee, it should have been national in character. But more profoundly, we are sick and tired of this ‘governance through crisis and committees!’ We endured it during Moi’s twenty-four years’ reign of terror. With the enactment of the new constitution, the long suffering citizens of this country cannot and must not tolerate it any longer.
Most politicians are good at talking; not conservation. They are busy talking about space technology and genetically engineered foods when we can’t feed, quench the thirst, shelter, educate and provide employment for all our people. We can’t even manufacture bicycles and pins.
So, why did Raila form this politically myopic committee? Why now?
Inexplicably – and despite the denials - the committee is chaired by Gideon Moi. That’s former President Daniel arap Moi’s son. So Moi is supposed to preside over the resettlement of peasants evicted from the Mau forest? Essentially, the worst forest encroacher and desecrater will now preside over phases three and four of the Mau restoration exercise. These phases cover medium and large land-holders within the water tower.
Raila - a latter-day conservationist - who has recently been traversing the globe over green energy and environmental conservation, wants Moi – reputed as the worst land-grabber and environmental degrader in Kenya – to be in charge of the Mau conservation? How legitimate is that exercise or is the Mau conservation all about politics as usual?
Moi owns the expansive Kiptagich farms, including the huge Kiptagich tea factory, both lodged deep inside the Mau. These farms comprise of tens of thousands of hectares of public land. Moi alone destroyed forest cover equivalent to the size of Nyanza province purely out of greed. Does any sensible person expect him to target the Kiptagich estate for repossession?
Please, tell that to the wind!
The tens of thousands of farms in the Mau forest were irregularly allocated during Moi’s 24-year reign when the boundary between public assets and private property was indistinguishable. Moi and his cronies didn’t purchase the land. The farms were established, equipped and maintained using public resources. Our collective loses have been the primary reason for their individual gains!
So, why is Raila undermining the crucial conservation effort; a process he proudly started and claimed he was ready to sacrifice his political ambitions on?
For more than thirty years, the rich oligarchs of Mau Forest have been living off our national treasures and sweat. The billions of shillings the Mau oligarchs have been extracting from our land haven’t trickled down to us, poor mortals. They have amassed tidy private portfolios both locally and abroad.
When Prof. Maathai was busy planting trees, saving our forests and suffering indignity and barbaric public whipping, ridicule and incarceration by Moi’s goons; the former president and his coterie were gorging themselves of public assets. Mau was their crown jewel.
When Prof. Maathai was desperately defending public forests from wanton desecration; most of those who were shedding crocodile tears at her funeral and memorial service were Moi’s bosom buddies. They were either silent or complicit when Mau was being destroyed and other public assets were being pillaged.
While Prof. Wangari used her bare hands and fragile body against the massive and ferocious power of the Moi regime; most of these hypocritical politicians couldn’t gather courage to oppose Moi’s rapacious tendencies.
Yes, Moi detained Raila for years for allegedly being part of the 1982 aborted coup attempt. However, the problem for many of us is Raila’s obvious desperation to appease Moi as part of a misguided strategy to woo the Kalenjin votes, which he believes (rightly or wrongly) that his erstwhile friend William Ruto has scattered. But the politics of deception and chicanery will not work. It has run its course.
Kalenjins - like other Kenyans - will and can only be won over by concrete issues, a progressive vision, a practical agenda and genuine commitment for their welfare. Personal ambitions and the blind pursuit of political power, even if clothed in patriotic and nationalistic garb, cannot be the solution. Nor can they be pursued at any price.
When thousands of poor forest encroachers were evicted from the Mau about two years ago, many Kenyans shuddered. I personally advised against the uncaring, poorly thought-out and uncoordinated evictions. I strongly urged that alternative land and funds be found for their humane relocation and compensation. I reminded Raila to be conscious of the fact that most of the evictees voted for him in 2007 and that they would take great offense at their humiliation.
Similarly, I expressed concern that only poor peasants were being targeted for eviction while wealthy oligarchs who had destroyed large swaths of the forest were left undisturbed. Well, I was overruled. The then special programs permanent secretary, Mohamed Ali Daud, was the only lone voice in my support. Lands minister James Orengo was mute – as usual - having recently transformed himself into the most lyrical sycophant at the King’s Court.
Raila insisted that the poor peasants were “criminal encroachers on government land; that compensating them would encourage such criminal tendencies.” Happily, history has now registered a verdict on our respective positions.
Two years on, the poor evictees are still homeless, scavenging like wild animals. They live under deplorable conditions. Yet, Moi’s vast estate located deep inside Mau remains intact. As Makali asked: why haven’t phases three and four of the Mau restoration been implemented? Why were the homeless peasants evicted from the forest when the rich oligarchs are now presiding over their own cases? Is this fair and just? Is it legal and constitutional? Where is the CIC when we need it?
Meanwhile, the ‘Kalenjin rebellion’ within ODM took a life of its own, precipitating Raila’s latest desperate move. Like most desperate moves, it won’t work.
The Gideon Moi Committee isn’t legitimate. Nor is Orengo’s newly found voice. Both are instruments of the old order. There was no committee when the peasants were being evicted. There isn’t need for one now; unless, of course, the whole resettlement exercise is nothing but political chicanery.
Genuine conservation needs focus and clear vision; not political subterfuge, deception and manipulation. William Ruto and his KKK battalion tried such trickery and failed miserably. Remember the ‘historic’ Panafric Hotel fundraiser? This latest Raila trick is from the old Kanu/Moi hat. It, too, will also go nowhere.
A committee composed of land grabbers and partisan political interests is neither creative nor strategic. It’s irredeemably myopic. Moi represents our dark retrogressive past; not its future. Moi encapsulates the culture of impunity, primitive accumulation and wanton environmental destruction. That’s not Prof. Maathai’s legacy.
Raila must make a choice: either embrace the future or be consigned to the past - forever. There is no in-between.
Mr. Miguna an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is also a Barrister & Solicitor in Canada.
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Oct 18, 2011 6:28:16 GMT 3
Miguna Miguna, my brother, welcome to the world of Raila Odinga. It is rather sad that it has taken you your entire adulthood years to realize that the man is so feckless and clueless and actually stands for nothing but Kitendawili and hadithi za paka na panya.
For him, it is nothing but the presidency that matters. It does not matter how he gets there, he cares less whether everyone else will die for the sake of him becoming president (remember '82 and 2007?) and now Mau.
The only bad news for him is, there is no presidency for him, it has never been there anyway, but in his own figment of imagination. He can sale our country for a song to the Moi's and the ICC, but the reality is not about to change. As you rightly put it, the man belongs to the past, he cannot be part of the present and future Kenya. Look at how the man has entrenched tribalism and nepotism. Look at how the poor fellow has institutionalized patronage.
The good thing is, even those who having been dancing for him are beginning to realize that they are wasting their time. You are surely one of them. Nkaissary is another, I have been amused by his latest vigour in campaigning for Saitoti. He forgets that, just two months ago he was authoring letters to the registrar of political parties expelling members for espousing manifestos and ideals of candidates outside the ODM.
We told Raila here so many times, that the poor fellows of the Mau never wronged any one, their only mistake was to look for a place to call home, and that the government need to find them a place first before the evictions. Did he ever listen? His sooth-sayers led by the good-for-nothing Orengo, thought that the Mau was a perfect opportunity for the man to outshine Wangare. Now Moi has found a perfect opportunity to shag the man once more even in old age. But what do you expect if you never learn from your past and allow blind ambition to be your shield and defender?
Let the poor fellow enjoy the nusu mkia he has for now before he disappears to Bondo never to be remembered again. What a waste of Kenya's time?
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Post by joblesscorner on Oct 18, 2011 7:38:12 GMT 3
Raila Odinga must choose the future or remain in the past By Miguna Miguna Raila must make a choice: either embrace the future or be consigned to the past - forever. There is no in-between. Mr. Miguna an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is also a Barrister & Solicitor in Canada. If I can quote Brother Omwenga, "Politics from since the days it was invented by the Greeks is the same and will always be the same. There is no such a thing as politics of "yesteryear." You are confusing this concept with bad leadership and governance, which is a totally different issue." So is Rao giving us Bad Leadership or yesteryear politics?
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Post by foresight on Oct 18, 2011 7:40:06 GMT 3
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Post by tnk on Oct 18, 2011 9:25:56 GMT 3
foresight your writing is very brief and to the point so i may miss some of the inner meanings but i totally agree with what i understand from your writing above. if i'm mistaken feel free to point it out there are many levels mentioned in miguna's writing and somehow am not following completely what his beef is a quick visit to the mau restoration website, the reports contained therein www.maurestoration.go.ke/all these indicate that the conservation efforts plus or minus govt bureaucracy as well as economic realities are in fact proceeding according to schedule what i would appreciate here is if miguna using his knowledge as an insider privy to the inner workings of not just the PMs office but entire govt machinery if he could tell us what parts of those reports are academic nonsense and what parts are misrepresented and the real facts and how we can sieve the formal reports to obtain hard facts these broadsides i would expect from people like makali but not from miguna for two reasons a) makali is a journalist picking up lost trails and trying to fit the pieces into a story - he can make assumptions and draw conclusions erroneous or otherwise b) miguna whether he likes/appreciates or not is not on this platform, he is an insider has worked closely in those corridors of power, he is not an outsider but an insider privy to powerful info and on his plus side is very bright and has more insight than most, he therefore cannot be allowed the comfort of the same broadsides and sweeping statements. he must articulate specifics i.e the master plan failed in aspect (a) (b) or (c) due to reasons 1 2 and 3 and based on his knowledge of how the various pieces work, provide alternate solutions i think miguna can do much better otherwise he is down to the same level as all the haters and from the cheering squads forming, he is definitely in good company. miguna you are better than this otherwise take a number and join the queue
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man
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by man on Oct 18, 2011 10:50:15 GMT 3
This Miguna fellow should just shut the hell up, in my opinion.
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Post by mzee on Oct 18, 2011 13:08:21 GMT 3
Whatever Miguna Miguna writes about Raila Amollo Odinga must be taken with a pinch of salt. This man writes well when he is devoid of bitterness but losses the plot completely when he starts spewing unnecessary and uncalled for venomous attacks on his former boss. We have told Miguna many times that the post as the Advisor to the PM was not created for him alone. We have also asked him to move on with his life but like an old record player he is stuck in Raila this Raila that stories. Yet this is the same man he poured countless praises. The truth is that Miguna must have been lying then or today.
Miguna now sounds like William Ruto who blames Raila for everything that has gone wrong with the Mau.
Miguna is enraged that Raila has formed a new committee in which Gideon Moi is included. As far as I know, being part of the committee does not exempt the Mois from being brought to book for their wrong doings such as annexing public land. As far as I know the committee which is now composed of Kenyan kalenjins is to resettle the remaining IDPs. Raila has previously tried a committee representing various tribes and it has not worked. It�s better for the IDPs to be settled than play around with the idea of having all tribes of Kenya represented in the same committee.
Miguna is insinuating that he was the only one who cared about the plight of the IDPs and that Railas efforts were aimed at humiliating the evictees. Nothing can be further from the truth for Raila himself has said on several occasions that he knows that these people voted for him but he has to do the right thing. Namely to restore the Mau.
Miguna wants Raila to be constantly at war with the former president Moi and the Kalenjins. It�s as if that�s the only way to bring Moi to book for the past injustices. At some point in time one has to say that the enough is enough. We now have a justice system that should/can bring Moi to book and it should not be upon Raila to do so. Let justice take its cause. Don�t blame it on Raila.
Then he insults Orengo who in my opinion has fought very difficult political wars to bring about the freedoms we enjoy today.
It�s sad to see Miguna frying in the oil of bitterness. If it were not for the name on the article one would have mistaken it for PANU spokesman Moses Kuria�s.
Ushindwe
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Post by stibin on Oct 18, 2011 15:48:22 GMT 3
The fact that Raila’s late mishandling of Mau has raised concern from several quarters makes me somehow believe that MM is entitled to give his opinion. While it's true vengeance might still be boiling in him, it is difficult to ignore some issues he’s raised and particularly if it’s true Raila is playing politics with Mau.
First, from whatever angle you look at it, the appointment of Gideon Moi in the said Mau committee looks very suspect. He might be a Kenyan like you and me but we also know there is something called conflict of interest. Of course it’s not difficult to see why.
Then someone has also asked a pertinent query; why has evictees not been resettled two years after they were evicted? Is it because Raila had not formed a committee? And if the history of commissions and committees in this country is anything to go by, then one can only wonder why the reform-minded RAO has not come up with any notable fresh ‘leadership’ ideas. In any case, I believe most of these committees duplicate the work of some ministry somewhere. Or why do we have 42 ministries if I may ask?
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Post by roughrider on Oct 18, 2011 15:52:58 GMT 3
‘Capitalism, at its core, is rotten’
I did not utter those words. Miguna Miguna did and placed them on his website. I only repeat them here to illustrate that, while Miguna appears in many ways to be well meaning he is surprisingly naïve and incompetent. In this day and age, to run for elective position, and to seek to participate in developing a country like Kenya; to dismiss capitalism altogether this way is to be rather naïve… almost foolish. This is not the University of Nairobi halls of residence in the 1980's are where idealistic students could be wowed by reckless bravado.
Now – I have previously not made a single comment on Miguna Miguna or his writings since he involuntarily left the PM’s office in a cloud of dust. But those who are familiar with my reactions to Miguna will appreciate that I have been a strong supporter and defender of his, online. But, privately I found his approach to things rather brash and lacking in strategic content. He seemed like a boxer who enters the ring in a flurry of poorly timed blows at the opponent - interesting to watch but ultimately will never win a 12-round encounter. The boxers that win points are the ones who ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’. Unfortunately, it is too easy to see Miguna coming from 100 miles away! After spending months making enemies of one half of the Kenyan political divide, Miguna is now dedicating his time to alienating the other half. Good luck, sir.
Raila Odinga gave Miguna Miguna perhaps the best position in government. 'Advice me'. From that perch, a more capable person could have cleverly influenced the pace and direction of things in this country. A more strategic thinker could have laid the foundation for a longer term engagement and could have grown in influence as we approached 2012. A wily playmaker might have built alliances, brought enemies closer and eliminated threats with careful alacrity. A more historical person would have been hailed as kingmaker and quiet architect of the second republic.
Instead what do we have here? Miguna brought unnecessary attention to himself, adopting a querulous tone and casting himself as a pawn: of course he was used in that sense, but he carved his role. At points in a game of chess, you strategically lose pawns to protect the more important royalty. Perhaps we should thank Miguna for playing this role so perfectly? Unfortunately, now we are left with a bitter person, cast to the periphery without second thought and struggling to be relevant. Miguna, rather unprofessionally writes publicly, the private details of his discussions with those he advised. That is not integrity – that is slimy and distasteful.
I have to ask: Has Miguna ever heard of Machiavelli? Or read Sun Tzu? Has he encountered ‘the 48 laws of power’? He strode the corridors of power and wasted golden opportunities to harness it and use it and hold it. Verily, verily I say unto you, the day I walk those hallowed places, you will witness what it means to deploy political power effectively for political advantage and the common good.
Now we rue lost chances. Having lost an important position as key adviser to policymakers, Miguna Miguna now wants to use his column at the Star to mete advice publicly. Fine. But even the advice he now offers suggests that he is too blinded by emotions to be taken seriously. He does not understand politics, and its ins and outs. I shall explain more later.
PS: Folks, unfortunately Miguna Miguna is lost. We have no choice but to shift stance and expose his hypocrisy and condemn it. It will be done. The issues that he claims to be raising are a smokescreen. His real agenda is fuelled by deep seated anger over his recent dismissal.
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Post by mangai on Oct 18, 2011 16:14:01 GMT 3
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Post by mzee on Oct 18, 2011 16:28:54 GMT 3
RR, I have been one of MMs strongest supporters but I find myself in total agreement with you as far as his demeanor/judgement after he was kicked out of the PMs Office is concerned. Indeed Miguna may have been wronged but he is taking his bitterness to a childish level. He has to move on. And in the process he has to try telling the truth also, twisting issues will get him nowhere. In guess that when Miguna was hired he swore to secrecy, in other words he should not reveal what he discussed with his boss to the public.
It’s apparent that he wants to revenge by showing Raila to be a wicked leader. Look at the way he insinuates that Raila was shedding crocodile tears for Wangari Mathai. Miguna has become a joke in my opinion and he will get the condemnation he deserves right here in jukwaa.
He wants to go bear knucles with the PM and Im sure he will be decked badly.
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Post by phil on Oct 18, 2011 16:45:04 GMT 3
foresight your writing is very brief and to the point so i may miss some of the inner meanings but i totally agree with what i understand from your writing above. if i'm mistaken feel free to point it out there are many levels mentioned in miguna's writing and somehow am not following completely what his beef is a quick visit to the mau restoration website, the reports contained therein www.maurestoration.go.ke/all these indicate that the conservation efforts plus or minus govt bureaucracy as well as economic realities are in fact proceeding according to schedule what i would appreciate here is if miguna using his knowledge as an insider privy to the inner workings of not just the PMs office but entire govt machinery if he could tell us what parts of those reports are academic nonsense and what parts are misrepresented and the real facts and how we can sieve the formal reports to obtain hard facts these broadsides i would expect from people like makali but not from miguna for two reasons a) makali is a journalist picking up lost trails and trying to fit the pieces into a story - he can make assumptions and draw conclusions erroneous or otherwise b) miguna whether he likes/appreciates or not is not on this platform, he is an insider has worked closely in those corridors of power, he is not an outsider but an insider privy to powerful info and on his plus side is very bright and has more insight than most, he therefore cannot be allowed the comfort of the same broadsides and sweeping statements. he must articulate specifics i.e the master plan failed in aspect (a) (b) or (c) due to reasons 1 2 and 3 and based on his knowledge of how the various pieces work, provide alternate solutions i think miguna can do much better otherwise he is down to the same level as all the haters and from the cheering squads forming, he is definitely in good company. miguna you are better than this otherwise take a number and join the queue Well said tnk. What many may also not be aware of here at Jukwaa is that the recruitment of Louis Otieno (formerly of KTN, Citizen and K-24) as Raila Odinga's head of PR on recommendations of Salim Lone has sparked friction not just in his office but also amongst senior currently jobless media personalities in Kenya, and David Makali is one of them. Others are quiet but campaigning vigorously behind the scene. Secondly, let's face it, Miguna would like to be reinstated to work with the PM who suspended him without much fanfare but who Miguna owes his currently lofty position Thirdly, who knows, but the fact is that Miguna has been offered a package that requires him to shift to Camp Uhuru. Has he already taken up the offer or rejected it publicly, the same way he is now purporting to 'wash dirty linen from the OPM in public'. And as a suspended civil servant, just how far can Miguna go without violating public Officer and ethics regulations? The sword ought to cut both ways and while it does that Miguna had better be careful otherwise the OPM may just file a counter law-suit against him!
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Post by Luol Deng on Oct 18, 2011 17:15:11 GMT 3
Miguna calling Orengo a sycophant? It seems more like a pot & kettle issue. Isn't this the same Miguna that would unleash his pen on all real & perceived opponents of the PM's when he was still the adviser?
As for Wangari Maathai, I think Raila had a deeper working relation with Maathai at different levels and periods than Miguna ever had! I am therefore at a loss as to who gives Miguna the mandate of determining who is fit to mourn the late Prof. Maathai. When Raila, Maathai, et al were busy fighting for pluralism Miguna was missing. If Raila chose to mourn Maathai in whichever way he saw fit, so be it, we don't need bitter armchair political analysts trying to spin everything in their favour.
Regarding the Mau issue, I find it strange that Miguna is using the info he had when he was in the PMs office to canonise himself into sainthood and throw sh!t at the PM. That has been his attitude in everything from talk shows to articles. If the GCG had taken my advice on this, if the PM listened to me on that.........then all would have been blissful....The guy is still full of himself.
All I can say for now is that Miguna needs to get a grip.
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Post by stibin on Oct 18, 2011 17:36:50 GMT 3
Poor Miguna, when he was busy cutting into size the likes of Moses Kuria and other Raila political enemies, we liked him. But now that the position has reversed it looks like it will be very difficult to see any good in him.
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Post by adongo23456 on Oct 18, 2011 17:39:24 GMT 3
Folks,
A few things.
1. Miguna makes some very valid points on the problems that have not been resolved or even properly addressed in the Mau issue. Miguna is specifically correct in suggesting that the PM appointing Gideon Moi to chair a committee working on the resettlement is a cynical piece of hypocricy.
2.Miguna's problem in my view here is that after very properly diagnosing the problem in the Mau he reduces the whole thing to one mantra "It is all Raila's fault". That is dishonest because Miguna's knows how the Grand Coalition Government works and Miguna has been in the frontlines telling Kenyans how Kibaki and his kitchen cabinet has hoarded all the executive powers of the state reducing the office of the PM to the sidelines. When did that change? Did it change after Miguna was illegally thrown out of the PM's office? I don't think so.
3. Does Miguna actually believe that PM's office alone and Raila in person has the power and the tools to implement Phase Three and Four when they couldn't even get money from the Treasury to settle the Mau evictees? Wasn't Miguna in office when Kibaki held several meetings with Ruto and company at State House precisely to destroy any plans the PM had for the Mau problems while promising that they will solve it themselves?
4. Why is Miguna completely silent on the responsibilities of the whole government of Kenya in dealing with the Mau and with environmental problems as a whole? When did that become the preserve of the PM and his office? Is it because it was the PM who initiated the plan? Miguna says Mau issue is a national concern then goes ahead to blame everything on the PM. Where is the rest of the nation and its leadership? Why do they get a free pass from Miguna? Something there doesn't add up.
5. I think Miguna runs the risk of polluting an otherwise very critical concern on the hypocricy of the present government on environmental issues with what could be seen by some as a personal vendetta against his former friend. That will not serve the interests of the public and neither will it serve Miguna's own interests as a fierce protector of public interests.
6. I will send my criticism here to Miguna himself whom I communicate with very regularly and ask for his comments. I know some are now pulling close their chairs to start watching adongo Miguna dust up. They will be disappointed. I talk with Miguna frankly and honestly and god knows I know some of the frustrations he has talked about. I am one of those who has collaborated with him sometimes in giving advice to the ODM leadership and sometimes we have been brutally dismissed as "over-reacting", "unrealistic" etc. So I know what I am talking about and I will have a discussion private and public (if need be) with Miguna on issues I have raised and others. That is business and not personal. That is the way we work. Sorry for those waiting for the big fight. May be next time.
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Post by okhunyanye on Oct 18, 2011 18:41:57 GMT 3
If I were Raila Odinga, I would take any advise that Miguna gives me on any issue in Kenya and throw it in the closest dustbin. Why? Because as advisor to the pm, Miguna proved abysmally inept.
Under his tenure as an advisor to the pm, Raila's popularity plummeted, just in a short span of under two years, from the upper 60 percent to lower forties/upper thirties. ODM's popularity also waned precipitously within the same time period. In contrast, Kibaki's favorable ratings have been going up all over the country since 2008, a testament that the pm's former advisor miserably failed where Kibwana and Tuju succeeded. One might have excellent writing prowess, but being an excellent scribe doesn't make a good political strategist - and those were the very large shoes that MM was unable to fill.
An advisor is only an asset to you if he can make you increase your base/vote tally and help you hold on to power. Miguna's abstruct prescriptions - ranging from the ill timed Mau project to picking enemies to lash at left right and center however saw an almost complete erosion of the pm's support in the populous rift valley.
Matter of fact, Miguna is the greatest asset that PNU ever had in the PM's scabbard. The rate at which he made what seemed like a mirage only three years ago (i.e. having another Kikuyu in State House come 2012) an almost inevitability makes one wonder if he truely wasnt PNU's mole within Raila's innermost circles.
The man is back with yet another prescription of what Raila must do or not do concerning another hot button issue. Me says that his advise is not even worth the paper that it is written on.
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Post by roughrider on Oct 18, 2011 19:04:49 GMT 3
If I were Raila Odinga, I would take any advise that Miguna gives me on any issue in Kenya and throw it in the closest dustbin. Why? Because as advisor to the pm, Miguna proved abysmally inept. Under his tenure as an advisor to the pm, Raila's popularity plummeted, just in a short span of under two years, from the upper 60 percent to lower forties/upper thirties. ODM's popularity also waned precipitously within the same time period. In contrast, Kibaki's favorable ratings have been going up all over the country since 2008, a testament that the pm's former advisor miserably failed where Kibwana and Tuju succeeded. One might have excellent writing prowess, but being an excellent scribe doesn't make a good political strategist - and those were the very large shoes that MM was unable to fill. An advisor is only an asset to you if he can make you increase your base/vote tally and help you hold on to power. Miguna's abstruct prescriptions - ranging from the ill timed Mau project to picking enemies to lash at left right and center however saw an almost complete erosion of the pm's support in the populous rift valley. Matter of fact, Miguna is the greatest asset that PNU ever had in the PM's scabbard. The rate at which he made what seemed like a mirage only three years ago (i.e. having another Kikuyu in State House come 2012) an almost inevitability makes one wonder if he truely wasnt PNU's mole within Raila's innermost circles. The man is back with yet another prescription of what Raila must do or not do concerning another hot button issue. Me says that his advise is not even worth the paper that it is written on. How true - except that I think the PM's popularity has bottomed out. The 40-45% is his base. He now only needs to work hard to secure what is need for the majority. Recently Miguna was telling us about Barrack Obama. But even President Obama has had to pivot to the centre after the disastrous mid-terms. Political positioning is art somebody like Miguna will not understand. Miguna now wants Raila to throw out the baby with the bat water. Ha!
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Post by reporter911 on Oct 18, 2011 19:07:34 GMT 3
Raila Odinga must choose the future or remain in the past By Miguna Miguna This column never quibbles, nor pulls punches. Get ready for the ride... For one month now, we have been subjected to scenes of wanton desecration of Prof. Wangari Maathai’s legacy. While many Kenyans and world leaders have genuinely expressed grief at the untimely passing of our only Nobel laureate, a significant number of our politicians – including at the highest level of the state - have been grovelling in hypocritical supplication. They have waxed lyrical over the second liberation struggle and environmental conservation. Where were their loud voices before Prof. Maathai’s demise? Kenyans are tired of empty platitudes. Prof. Maathai has suddenly become – in death - a bosom buddy and a comrade in arms of these pathetic hypocrites. What kind of struggle have these shameless chameleons been recently involved in? Has it been in grand corruption and primitive accumulation of wealth? Have they been struggling to win the Nobel Prize for spinelessness? Have these cowardly politicians forgotten that Kenyans have been watching their lecherous, kleptomaniac ways keenly? David Makali’s timely article, “PM Playing Politics With Mau Evictees” (Star, October 5th)–– asked three pertinent questions in response to Raila Odinga’s recent formation of yet another committee on Mau Forest restoration: “How will Raila resist the pressure to roll back the Mau restoration programme that has for all intents and purposes stalled? What happened to Phase Three and Four of the Mau restoration process? Why has Hassan Noor’s Mau secretariat gone quiet all of a sudden?” Excellent questions that will not be answered any time soon. A convenient and predictable “denial” of Gideon Moi’s appointment was published soon thereafter. Incredibly, Moi senior defended his son’s ‘appointment,’ claiming that as “a Kenyan, Gideon has a right to any state appointment.’ Please! Give us another one. Raila is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya; not of ODM or the Rift Valley. Why then did he establish a committee of Rift Valley politicians? Mau is a national treasure; not a political or a regional tool. It traverses areas occupied by various Kenyan communities. If there was need (which there wasn’t) for another committee, it should have been national in character. But more profoundly, we are sick and tired of this ‘governance through crisis and committees!’ We endured it during Moi’s twenty-four years’ reign of terror. With the enactment of the new constitution, the long suffering citizens of this country cannot and must not tolerate it any longer. Most politicians are good at talking; not conservation. They are busy talking about space technology and genetically engineered foods when we can’t feed, quench the thirst, shelter, educate and provide employment for all our people. We can’t even manufacture bicycles and pins. So, why did Raila form this politically myopic committee? Why now? Inexplicably – and despite the denials - the committee is chaired by Gideon Moi. That’s former President Daniel arap Moi’s son. So Moi is supposed to preside over the resettlement of peasants evicted from the Mau forest? Essentially, the worst forest encroacher and desecrater will now preside over phases three and four of the Mau restoration exercise. These phases cover medium and large land-holders within the water tower. Raila - a latter-day conservationist - who has recently been traversing the globe over green energy and environmental conservation, wants Moi – reputed as the worst land-grabber and environmental degrader in Kenya – to be in charge of the Mau conservation? How legitimate is that exercise or is the Mau conservation all about politics as usual? Moi owns the expansive Kiptagich farms, including the huge Kiptagich tea factory, both lodged deep inside the Mau. These farms comprise of tens of thousands of hectares of public land. Moi alone destroyed forest cover equivalent to the size of Nyanza province purely out of greed. Does any sensible person expect him to target the Kiptagich estate for repossession? Please, tell that to the wind! The tens of thousands of farms in the Mau forest were irregularly allocated during Moi’s 24-year reign when the boundary between public assets and private property was indistinguishable. Moi and his cronies didn’t purchase the land. The farms were established, equipped and maintained using public resources. Our collective loses have been the primary reason for their individual gains! So, why is Raila undermining the crucial conservation effort; a process he proudly started and claimed he was ready to sacrifice his political ambitions on? For more than thirty years, the rich oligarchs of Mau Forest have been living off our national treasures and sweat. The billions of shillings the Mau oligarchs have been extracting from our land haven’t trickled down to us, poor mortals. They have amassed tidy private portfolios both locally and abroad. When Prof. Maathai was busy planting trees, saving our forests and suffering indignity and barbaric public whipping, ridicule and incarceration by Moi’s goons; the former president and his coterie were gorging themselves of public assets. Mau was their crown jewel. When Prof. Maathai was desperately defending public forests from wanton desecration; most of those who were shedding crocodile tears at her funeral and memorial service were Moi’s bosom buddies. They were either silent or complicit when Mau was being destroyed and other public assets were being pillaged. While Prof. Wangari used her bare hands and fragile body against the massive and ferocious power of the Moi regime; most of these hypocritical politicians couldn’t gather courage to oppose Moi’s rapacious tendencies. Yes, Moi detained Raila for years for allegedly being part of the 1982 aborted coup attempt. However, the problem for many of us is Raila’s obvious desperation to appease Moi as part of a misguided strategy to woo the Kalenjin votes, which he believes (rightly or wrongly) that his erstwhile friend William Ruto has scattered. But the politics of deception and chicanery will not work. It has run its course. Kalenjins - like other Kenyans - will and can only be won over by concrete issues, a progressive vision, a practical agenda and genuine commitment for their welfare. Personal ambitions and the blind pursuit of political power, even if clothed in patriotic and nationalistic garb, cannot be the solution. Nor can they be pursued at any price. When thousands of poor forest encroachers were evicted from the Mau about two years ago, many Kenyans shuddered. I personally advised against the uncaring, poorly thought-out and uncoordinated evictions. I strongly urged that alternative land and funds be found for their humane relocation and compensation. I reminded Raila to be conscious of the fact that most of the evictees voted for him in 2007 and that they would take great offense at their humiliation. Similarly, I expressed concern that only poor peasants were being targeted for eviction while wealthy oligarchs who had destroyed large swaths of the forest were left undisturbed. Well, I was overruled. The then special programs permanent secretary, Mohamed Ali Daud, was the only lone voice in my support. Lands minister James Orengo was mute – as usual - having recently transformed himself into the most lyrical sycophant at the King’s Court. Raila insisted that the poor peasants were “criminal encroachers on government land; that compensating them would encourage such criminal tendencies.” Happily, history has now registered a verdict on our respective positions. Two years on, the poor evictees are still homeless, scavenging like wild animals. They live under deplorable conditions. Yet, Moi’s vast estate located deep inside Mau remains intact. As Makali asked: why haven’t phases three and four of the Mau restoration been implemented? Why were the homeless peasants evicted from the forest when the rich oligarchs are now presiding over their own cases? Is this fair and just? Is it legal and constitutional? Where is the CIC when we need it? Meanwhile, the ‘Kalenjin rebellion’ within ODM took a life of its own, precipitating Raila’s latest desperate move. Like most desperate moves, it won’t work. The Gideon Moi Committee isn’t legitimate. Nor is Orengo’s newly found voice. Both are instruments of the old order. There was no committee when the peasants were being evicted. There isn’t need for one now; unless, of course, the whole resettlement exercise is nothing but political chicanery. Genuine conservation needs focus and clear vision; not political subterfuge, deception and manipulation. William Ruto and his KKK battalion tried such trickery and failed miserably. Remember the ‘historic’ Panafric Hotel fundraiser? This latest Raila trick is from the old Kanu/Moi hat. It, too, will also go nowhere. A committee composed of land grabbers and partisan political interests is neither creative nor strategic. It’s irredeemably myopic. Moi represents our dark retrogressive past; not its future. Moi encapsulates the culture of impunity, primitive accumulation and wanton environmental destruction. That’s not Prof. Maathai’s legacy. Raila must make a choice: either embrace the future or be consigned to the past - forever. There is no in-between. Mr. Miguna an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is also a Barrister & Solicitor in Canada. Miguna says it as is, it is all about and the preservation of the MAU FOREST.. HOW THE HELL CAN GIDEON MOI BE PART OF THE COMMITTEE WHEN HIS FATHER DANIEL ARAP MOI IS THE BIGGESTED LAND GRABBER IN MAU FOREST?Miguna bashing will not change the FACTS!! Gideon Moi being placed in this committee will only serve his fathers & family interests call it out as is.. and if Raila did place Gideon Moi in such a position then he has failed! it is not about Miguna Versus Raila !! it is about the preservation of Mau forest and those who were evicted and are still homeless.. and the preservation of the forest, to protect Kenya water catchment..
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Post by roughrider on Oct 18, 2011 19:10:07 GMT 3
Poor Miguna, when he was busy cutting into size the likes of Moses Kuria and other Raila political enemies, we liked him. But now that the position has reversed it looks like it will be very difficult to see any good in him. You are right about something. The only element that has changed in this calculus equation is Miguna's stand. We do not like people who change like chameleons. Today Miguna is even abusive to his former benefactor, calling him 'a latter-day conservationist'. Unfortunately for Miguna, those events and awards that Raila recieves are from a globally diverse audience. They don't seem to agree with Miguna's assessments. When he advised Raila, he was speaking from a different side of his mouth.
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Post by roughrider on Oct 18, 2011 19:16:18 GMT 3
Adongo;
If and when you speak to Miguna Miguna, pass on this message: Hasira, hasara. He needs to take a chill pill and reinvent himself, if he wants to continue being relevant in Kenyan socio-political landscape.
He is hurtling like a train without breaks. I do not see any cogent approach to his writings or public engagements and they will not make a difference, given the way they are written.
He needs to ask himself exactly what he wants to achieve and how. Right now he is operating like a headless chicken.
Hiyo tu!
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Post by adongo23456 on Oct 18, 2011 19:19:23 GMT 3
reporter,
The issue is much bigger than appointing Moi's son which was just a wrong thing to do and a very wrong message to send. I have expressed my own reservations on that but surely Raila alone cannot solve all the problems on this and Miguna of all people know that. Those are the issues I have raised in this thread and which I intend to pass to Miguna personally.
RR,
I think the thread is a bit bigger than the person of Miguna and I do not think we do any good by ignoring all those issues and trying to turn the thread into a personal attack on Miguna and dissecting his mind set. Let's deal with the issues and raise concrete concerns that Miguna's piece fails to address than simply unleash a lynch mob on the man. That will not advance the debate one inch nor offer any solutions.
And yes I am going to speak to Miguna and send him my previous post here and any other issues raised on this thread.
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Post by reporter911 on Oct 18, 2011 19:22:30 GMT 3
If you can explain how Gideon Moi being in the resettlement committee will work for the interest of the Evicted Pheasant ? or do you seriously expect Gideon to work towards the repossession of Kiptagich estate? lets call a spade a spade... Kenyans should put politics aside and concentrate the urgency of protecting Mau Forest and resettlement of the evicted landless people.. sometimes put politics aside and work on what is in the best interest of our country.. Moi's, Kibaki's, Raila's and all politicians of these world will come and go.. but if Mau Forests is continually destroyed then the generation we leave behind will pay for our disruptive acts in a big way!! GIDEON MOI WILL NOT WORK IN THE INTERESTS OF MAU FORESTS.. HIS FAMILY HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST DESTROYERS OF MAU FORESTS!!!MIGUNA BASHING WON'T CHANGE THE FACTS!!!!enuff said...
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Post by reporter911 on Oct 18, 2011 19:31:38 GMT 3
Poor Miguna, when he was busy cutting into size the likes of Moses Kuria and other Raila political enemies, we liked him. But now that the position has reversed it looks like it will be very difficult to see any good in him. You are right about something. The only element that has changed in this calculus equation is Miguna's stand. We do not like people who change like chameleons. Today Miguna is even abusive to his former benefactor, calling him 'a latter-day conservationist'. Unfortunately for Miguna, those events and awards that Raila recieves are from a globally diverse audience. They don't seem to agree with Miguna's assessments. When he advised Raila, he was speaking from a different side of his mouth. why do we keep harping about Miguna? the last time I checked! people change political parties, people are sacked, people change minds and opinions.. so what? THE FACTS REMAIN THAT IT IS POOR TEST FOR RAILA TO PLACE GIDEON MOI ON THE RESETTLEMENT COMMITTEE! DO PEOPLE SINCERELY THINK THAT GIDEON WILL act on the repossession of Kiptagich ? this is the MOI FAMILY big farm in the heart of MAU FOREST! let concentrate on the facts here instead of Miguna bashing! because facts and truth won't go away!! If Raila is wrong he is wrong! who said he can't make mistakes?? he is a human being and this time he made a wrong move!!period! he should act on the best interests of Kenya as a country and Mau Forest not use political shenanigans!! GIDEON MOI WILL ONLY ACT ON HIS FAMILIES INTERESTS IN THE MAU FORESTS.. the evicted poor landless people have no chance with Gideon Moi on the committee.. period!!
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Post by reporter911 on Oct 18, 2011 19:39:14 GMT 3
Whatever Miguna Miguna writes about Raila Amollo Odinga must be taken with a pinch of salt. This man writes well when he is devoid of bitterness but losses the plot completely when he starts spewing unnecessary and uncalled for venomous attacks on his former boss. We have told Miguna many times that the post as the Advisor to the PM was not created for him alone. We have also asked him to move on with his life but like an old record player he is stuck in Raila this Raila that stories. Yet this is the same man he poured countless praises. The truth is that Miguna must have been lying then or today. Miguna now sounds like William Ruto who blames Raila for everything that has gone wrong with the Mau. Miguna is enraged that Raila has formed a new committee in which Gideon Moi is included. As far as I know, being part of the committee does not exempt the Mois from being brought to book for their wrong doings such as annexing public land. As far as I know the committee which is now composed of Kenyan kalenjins is to resettle the remaining IDPs. Raila has previously tried a committee representing various tribes and it has not worked. It’s better for the IDPs to be settled than play around with the idea of having all tribes of Kenya represented in the same committee. Miguna is insinuating that he was the only one who cared about the plight of the IDPs and that Railas efforts were aimed at humiliating the evictees. Nothing can be far from the truth for Raila himself has said on several occasions that he knows that these people voted for him but he has to do the right thing. Namely to restore the Mau. Miguna wants Raila to be constantly at war with the former president Moi and the Kalenjins. It’s as if that’s the only way to bring Moi to book for the past injustices. At some point in time one has to say that the enough is enough. We now have a justice system that should/can bring Moi to book and it should not be upon Raila to do so. Let justice take its cause. Don’t blame it on Raila. Then he insults Orengo who in my opinion has fought very difficult political wars to bring about the freedoms we enjoy today. It’s sad to see Miguna frying in the oil of bitterness. If it were not for the name on the article one would have mistaken it for PANU spokesman Moses Kuria´s. Ushindwe Bashing Miguna and refusing to look at the facts staring at all of us is the face won't wish the truth away!! 1. WITH GIDEON MOI ON THE COMMITTEE! WILL HE ADVANCE THE REPOSSESSION OF KIPTAGICH ESTATE YES OR NO! will Gideon Moi work for the interests of the POOR EVICTED MAU LANDLESS PEOPLE ? I highly doubt it.. if Raila indeed placed GIDEON MOI on the MAU FOREST RESETTLEMENT AND RESTORATION COMMITTEE he blundered in a big way! politics or who wins votes for him should not be mixed with the MAU SAGA! if one is wrong then why cover up!! bashing miguna will not change the facts!! !. the immediate action for the committee should be the repossession of Kiptagich estate period!! I doubt whether GIDEON MOI committee member will allow this to happen!!
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Oct 18, 2011 19:44:31 GMT 3
reporter,The issue is much bigger than appointing Moi's son which was just a wrong thing to do and a very wrong message to send. I have expressed my own reservations on that but surely Raila alone cannot solve all the problems on this and Miguna of all people know that. Those are the issues I have raised in this thread and which I intend to pass to Miguna personally. RR,I think the thread is a bit bigger than the person of Miguna and I do not think we do any good by ignoring all those issues and trying to turn the thread into a personal attack on Miguna and dissecting his mind set. Let's deal with the issues and raise concrete concerns that Miguna's piece fails to address than simply unleash a lynch mob on the man. That will not advance the debate one inch nor offer any solutions. And yes I am going to speak to Miguna and send him my previous post here and any other issues raised on this thread. Raila has been wrong on the Mau from the get go, and he does not seem just about getting it right. Way in 2004 when the then minister for lands Amos Kimunya tried to clean the Mau mess, it is this same Raila who went to Kericho and said, leave Kalenjins alone; they like all other Kenyans need to enjoy the fruits of independence. The man wanted the Kelenjin vote as RR would have it, he got the vote yes, but at the expense of the forest and our environment. Then from no where, the man makes a complete 360 turn. He decides to clean the forest but gets it all too wrong. He never follows the law to annul the tittles, he never considers the human aspects germane to those in the forest. And now a mother of all goofs. How do you take the Moi family to precide over the conservation of the Mau? Have they surrendered all they own in the forest? What message are you sending to the rest of the population? Isnt this a typical case of a man who governs through trial and error? And you still want to convince me that, this is a man who lead the country? Like Miguna, tell it to the wind.
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