Run, mheshimiwa, run...

[aeichener]

Kenya has become used of thugs battling police. When AP come to summon or arrest a Mungiki member for alleged perpetrations, fellow Mungiki members and supporters are ready to resist arrest and to battle police.

ODM-K, these days, are no different in this respect, as has now become clear. In the banana republic that Kenya has become, the former successful people's movement has undergone a rapid and expectable transformation into a party as vile as many others.

All three papers were reporting: an MP who over several years has already formed a habit of running away from police - if possible, into his gang's hiding den, among outsiders also called "Parliament" -, namely the Dishonorable Reuben Ndolo, once again was at the receiving end of law enforcement.

Perky pestering predators called KACC investigators had the brazen audacity not only to ask him about the wherewithals of his CDF money (which is insolent enough), but even to summon him. Imagine. Of course, a good Kenyan mbenzi - regardless whether politician or entrepreneuse-come-bishop - will not suffer a summons being delivered. S/he will run away, block the door, or enter into a fisticuffs with the delivering bailiffs of law enforcement officers.

So did our msheshimiwa. At least, he did this time not fire a shot into the air, as in the past (maybe his firearms certificate had been revoked?), but contended himself with wrestling and taking away the car keys of a KACC officer, and then barricading himself in his house. If the culprit of such an involuntary possession transfer is a poor mwananchi, police will consider that robbery with violence, and might be inclined to shoot him on the spot, thus uniting prosecution, sentence and execution in popular Kenyan legal tradition.

The Dishonorable MP however was not shot, for he is not a mwananchi, and will do everything in his power that he does not become one. So, he did what every circumspect criminal will do when chased: call in reinforcements from his gang (named ODM-K) and his stooges (called "youth supporters from the constituency") and plan his escape. And it was done so. When KACC and armed police arrived back, to arrest the suspected gangsta for obstruction of justice, he had already surrounded himself with his goons from da hood, and his accomplices. Not less than 10 ODM-K MPs were present to shield him, and to guard his escape to Parliament.

And the gang leader declared, with the brazen audacity that is the hallmark of any good Mungiki leader, GoK Minister or opposition head: ""If you come and surround my home with guns my supporters will be forced to rescue me".
Well spoken, Don Mutula! Like a true uomo d'onore, un uomo di rispetto!

In a civilized state with a rule of law, there is one fitting honorific answer to such a violent sedition:

Volley fire.

Thank God Kenya has not yet reached this stage of development.

Alexander

[adongo12345]

Alex

The war on corruption died a long time ago. These are sideshows to entertain people like you.

When are they arresting these other guys. Do we need to call in the army?

www.timesnews.co.ke/21april07/nwsstory/topstry.html

Adongo

[adongo12345]

And the show continues

www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=96437

[aeichener]

He is still on the run. But this time, amazingly enough, it was not his fault. He indeed tried to access KACC, the Nation report is quite correct. Once in a while, the press gets the facts right:
www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=96437

Note: As usually, it's the misused and deluded wananchi who suffer from corrupt politicians. The "Ndolo supporters" whom the police brutalized by a tear gas attack and baton charge - without any proper reason nor provocation, as I can attest - are just expendable peons for these gain-seekers.

[adongo12345]

Alex

I think this one bounced right back at you rather badly.

And now you are complaining about police brutality?

This is what you said earlier

"In a civilized state with the rule of law, there is one fitting honorific answer to such a violent sedition:

Volley fire."

Obviously Kenya is rapidly approaching the "civilized state with the rule of law" that you prescribed, except for the missing "volley fire", but I guess tear gas and rungus can do for now,

What a comical mix? KACC "cops" with other cops camped at Ndolo's house and making a big fuss with big media coverage across the nation.

Ndolo gets out of his baricade to give a statement at the KACC offices and is just about to be ushered into the investigation room by KACC officials when the police descend on him and tear gass the whole joint almost ending up tear gassing Aoron Ringera himself, or whoever else was in those offices.

Boy do I ever want to be a movie maker of the comic variety.

Lets watch the show.

Adongo

[aeichener]

adongo12345 said:

I think this one bounced right back at you rather badly.

Not really. Because *I* usually think before I write. A custom that some others - including you in this thread - would do well to adopt. It is not a panacea against errors or occasional foot-in-mouth disease, but it is helpful.

In the first case (19th April), an aggressive mob had assembled, became violent and obstructed justice. That would - at the time - not only have justified tear gas and a baton charge, but even the use of deadly force (after due warning, and after minor means of coercion would have proven to be fruitless). However, KACC were afraid (my source however thinks: were circumspect and reticent) to use any kind of force.

In the second case (20th April), it may well have been the same people - youths misused by unscrupulous politician in Baghdad Boys style, local idlers glad to earn a 50 KSh etc. However, in this second case on the following day, these people did not do anything wrong. They had attacked nobody, and they had obstructed no activity, except a bit of traffic. Police had no right to attack them, out of sheer spite or vengeance.

I can differentiate these two scenarios. Can you?

Boy do I ever want to be a movie maker of the comic variety.

Lets watch the show.

I agree it's comical; that's the reason for the title of this thread, imagine .
But it is more than just that. Alas.

Alexander

[roughrider]

When I saw this title I thought it was addressed to Mudeyi Awori for writing that insolent letter to the Magistrate 'asking how the muder case was progressing'

But alas! ti's the self same Reuben Ndolo - Since this 'war on corruption' has become too politicised, t'is rather difficult to judge whether it is plain old politics or real anti-corruption.

So I'll give Ndolo benefit of doubting. No such luck for Uncle Moody though, his letter is too unequivocal and the magistrates rebuttal stinging. No prizes for guessing when KACC officers will knock on his door...

[aeichener]

In order to satisfy Adongo's thirst for the slapstick side of events (regardless that I may take corruption a bit more serious than he professes to do here):

“As far as I am concerned, my client has honoured the summons only to be chased away by policemen. I will not present him here again until and unless they summon him afresh,” Maanzo said.

The funny thing is that this legal view might well be tenable.

Addition & update:
He was served the second summons and did duly appear on Monday at KACC, to depose his statements. His criminal prosecution however will continue until Wako sweeps it under the carpet with a nolle prosequi.

Alexander

[adongo12345]

And the war on corruption continues. What a costly joke?

www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143967689

Adongo

[aeichener]

In the meantime, runaway Ndolo's lawyers are busily trying to obstruct the criminal trial with a (ostensibly frivolous) constitutional application. As usual in corruption cases. And as usual, one may fear that corrupt High Court judges will make themselves accomplices of the defendants. The Kenyan judiciary is the staunchest defender and protector of corruption, more so even than the AG and his office.

Alexander

[aeichener]

Amusingly enough, even the Standard's "Palaver" columnist seems to read this thread:

Need to be sanitised? Are you a robber, a preacher with a dubious past, or a corrupt leader and wondering what to do for all these to end? Join ODM-Kenya and declare the only thing running in your veins is orange juice and no one will dare touch you as a host of lawyers, party goons and ‘luminaries’ will offer to die for your sake.

www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143967956

Alexander