|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Sept 25, 2005 17:46:01 GMT 3
From the KBC website:
Raila Denies Telling Kibaki to Resign
By Kennedy Osir ( Sunday, September 25, 2005)
There is a looming standoff between the anti constitution camp and the media after top Orange politicians accused a section of the press of being biased.
Roads minister Raila Odinga today expressed outrage at a report by a local daily quoting saying that President Kibaki should resign if the NO campaign wins.
Raila said he never uttered the words in Kakamega yesterday as reported in the Nation newspaper.
He accused the media organization of persistently misquoting speakers during ‘Orange’ rallies.
The Orange team has now banned the Nation Media group from covering its rallies and warned them not to send reporters to the functions. Raila said the referendum was not a personal war.
He was speaking at a service at the Power of Jesus Around the world church in Kisumu ahead of their Orange rally at the town’s Kenyatta Stadium.
|
|
|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Sept 25, 2005 17:47:51 GMT 3
It is interesting that the KBC now considers the NO side as the "anti-constitution camp" when as a matter of fact it is the very side that has been pushing for the passage of a democratic constitution since 2003.
Onyango Oloo
Toronto
|
|
|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Sept 25, 2005 20:41:31 GMT 3
Orange Team Wants Fair Press Coverage
By Juma Aluoch & Fredrick Odiero, Kenya Times ( Monday September 26, 2005)
The Orange campaign team yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over press coverage of their campaign rallies and accused a local daily of biased reporting.
Addressing worshippers at Power of Jesus around the World Church, where the ‘orange’ campaign team had gone for the Sunday service, Roads and Public Works Minister Railla Odinga who led the group accused the Nation Newspapers of misreporting their functions.
Odinga took great exception over yesterday’s report in the Nation in which he was reported as demanding for the government to quit if the No camp wins the referendum.
The Minister was reported as saying that by losing the referendum, Kenyans would have passed a vote of no confidence in the government.
But yesterday, Odinga who was flanked by Opposition Leader Uhuru Kenyatta, KANU Secretary - General William Ruto and several Members of Parliament (MPs) asserted that he does not have to use the paper (Daily Nation) if he has to say that.
Among those present at the church function included Cabinet Minister Ochilo Ayacko, Assistant Ministers Orwa Ojode and George Khaniri. MPs Philip Okundi, Dr. Adhu Awiti, Sammy Weya, Archbishop Stephen Ondiek, Ken Nyagudi and Prof. Ayiecho Olweny.
Others were Odhiambo Omamba, Otieno Kajwang, Charles Keter, Paul Sang, Erick Nyamunga while the summon was delivered by Archbishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede.
Odinga wondered whose interest the paper was serving by writing and false reports bout him.
The leaders said the current NO campaign against the referendum is unstopable and anybody trying to employ unorthodox method would not succeed.
Meanwhile, there was confusion at Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu, after an open trailer that was to ferry Orange campaign Ministers, MPs and party leaders broke down.
The incident spoilt the would be dramatic entry into Kisumu city before finally arriving at the Moi Stadium.
An MP interviewed said they had resorted to drive in their cars straight to the stadium.
Elsewhere, Mbita KANU branch Chairman Okuku Miregi yesterday threw his weight behind Information and Communication Minister Raphael Tuju over his ‘yes’ campaign crusade in Luo Nyanza.
Speaking in Mbita, Miregi said the decision by a group of Branch KANU Chairman to support Tuju during a Press conference in Kisumu still stands.
He further lauded Tuju’s decission to form the People’s Progressive Party which he noted, would provide an alternative power base in Luo Nyanza.
The Kanu Chairman scoffed at opponents of PPP and wondered why they should be criticising Tuju if his party is inconsequencial.
|
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Sept 27, 2005 12:21:18 GMT 3
Could the Orange campaigner have over-reached themselves on their onslaught on the media? I think they need the media much more than Uhuru or Balala think. The media creates perception in the mind of the public, and sensible people never lose that - irrespective of how you perceive the media to be biased!
Yesterday, the Media Owners Association coalesced around the besieged Nation Media Group and Citizen and cautioned the politicians about interfering with media freedom. As it stands, apart from KBC, these two stations command a very high audience due to their extensive coverage that beats that of KTN
But I think of even greater significance was their decision to host a media debate on the constitution which means all the lies that have been peddled can be put to rest. The media propose to run the debate live and have it carried by all media houses on both radio and television simultaneuously. This could be a potent turn around for either campaign and the ones that get their best debaters will win over more Kenyans than the largest political rally anyone can get.
Part of the problem the No campaigners will contend with are that their campaign has been premised on trashing the Wako draft and consistently talking about the Bomas draft. Since this debate will be run along the lines determined by CKRC, i.e. Wako's against the present constitution, I thing they will be greatly disadvatanged. Secondly, the process which has been used by the No campaigners as being wrong is not seen as a CKRC issue for debate. If the debate is within these confines, then the No group will be hard pressed for their positions.
But this does not mean that the Yes group will have it easy.Their problem will be the grey areas in the Wako draft which have been questioned by many people. They will also have to convince Kenyans on the matter of goodwill in their actions regarding the handling of contentious issues.
|
|
|
|
Post by Onyango Oloo on Sept 27, 2005 13:04:41 GMT 3
I was talking to a friend of mine who is firmly in the Orange camp. From his lair in the Kenyan capital he expressed, with his characteristic bluntness:
"That was NOT an intelligent move by Raila, going after the media like that."
And I concur.
Personally, I think Raila Odinga should issue a public statement reaffirming the freedom of the press.
Onyango Oloo
Toronto
|
|
