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Post by omundustrong on May 15, 2014 21:49:16 GMT 3
The Western power brokers like UK,France and Australia have issued travel advisories to their Nationalities to be on watch if not completely avoid certain areas of Kenya that they deem unsafe due to terrorism attacks.On the surface it appears neat and responsible for any country to do.An advisory to leave some parts of Mombasa,Parts of North Eastern smacks of a backhanded reaction to Kenya having signed many trade deals with China.Are the western powers reacting to the recently signed deals that the government signed with China?
When a country decides to give preference to one trading bloc at the expense of another bloc it should be ready for the consequences.It is therefore my view that the government should stop crying foul about the advisories and address the security concerns so that the Western powers can come out clearly to state any other conditions for engagement now that they have been bypassed in the award of the trade deals.I strongly feel that we are going to increasingly see alot of belligerence from the Western powers,are we ready to face the consequences?
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Post by OtishOtish on May 17, 2014 2:27:57 GMT 3
The Western power brokers like UK,France and Australia have issued travel advisories to their Nationalities to be on watch if not completely avoid certain areas of Kenya that they deem unsafe due to terrorism attacks.On the surface it appears neat and responsible for any country to do.An advisory to leave some parts of Mombasa,Parts of North Eastern smacks of a backhanded reaction to Kenya having signed many trade deals with China.Are the western powers reacting to the recently signed deals that the government signed with China? When a country decides to give preference to one trading bloc at the expense of another bloc it should be ready for the consequences.It is therefore my view that the government should stop crying foul about the advisories and address the security concerns so that the Western powers can come out clearly to state any other conditions for engagement now that they have been bypassed in the award of the trade deals.I strongly feel that we are going to increasingly see alot of belligerence from the Western powers,are we ready to face the consequences? Omundustrong: That's certainly an interesting perspective, but before we get to the meat of it, I have a couple questions. I have noted the national celebration, led by the media, over the "many trade deals" that will make yuan rain from the heavens like manna. My first main question concerns the most basic aspect: what exactly are these " many trade deals"? As far as I can tell China and Kenya signed only 6 real agreements. There are then another 9 or 10 " we promise to be friends" type of MoUs that involve no money or anything that would excite a normal, thinking person. From that, I have a secondary question: which of the 6 do you consider to be a trade deal, and on what basis? (I ask this because I have looked into some of details, sketchy as they are, and I really can't understand why the natives are so excited, let alone why it would make anyone belligerent.) My second main question is this: what is the total amount involved in the agreements, and why should that amount be as to invite "belligerence" from the West. Here's why I ask: Kenya is hardly one of China's top trading partners in Africa? Why should Kenyan's 6 so-called trade deals invite belligerence that has so far not been visited on, say, South Africa or any of those countries that have things China really wants (i.e. definite oil, minerals, etc.)? What exactly is so special about Kenya? By the way, one of the things that most excites Kenyans is all the "free" money Kung Fu is supposedly giving them for the SGR, a structure that will, the tale goes, be a spider-network connecting the East African countries and their close friends. Lifting them into the super-industrial age and beyond. One notes that the "imperialists", who are supposedly terribly unhappy about this, could have funded this (via their "main bank", a so-called World Bank), but they decided not to. According to said World Bank and its equally dodgy imperialist partner, IMF, not enough economic sense there, to ensure that they would get back their money. Step forward, Mr. Kung Fu: We will do it, but you have to pay extra to insure the loan, in case there is not enough business. (I understand that the so-called World Bank and IMF cannot say, "This is a crappy idea, but go ahead, fools; just make sure we get back our money.") Signal to Kenyans: start celebrating the free money from Kung Fu! So how are the other countries financing their parts of Fantastic SGR Spider-Network? Let us take Uganda, whose M7 never tires of railing against imperialism and neo-colonialism. And he was there to meet the Chinese and cheer on the Kenyans. Go Keyna, go! But back home, The Anti-Imperialist Hero seems to have other ideas. Thinks "free" Kung Fu money would unnecessarily burden his sheeple with debt, although at the Great Event last week he claimed that “We are happy to see that China is concentrating on the real issues of development. They don’t give lectures on how to run local governments and other issues I don’t want to mention.” Go Kenya, go! So, Mr. M7 has decided to go for a public-private partnership. And, lo & behold!, his chief advisor is the Imperialists' Bankers---the so-called World Bank: www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Uganda-seeks-private-investor-for-SGR/-/2560/2294134/-/view/printVersion/-/9yssfyz/-/index.htmlThe Tanzanians? They have TAZARA, and they know its history. Right now, they are more concerned with rehabilitating existing railway lines---at a much lower cost than what Kenya is spending on half of its spanking new SGR---and they prefer not to do it with "free" money from Kung Fu: www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2014/04/24/tanzania-world-bank-rail-transport-infrastructure-trade-neighborsThey haven't had much to say lately about any SGR Spider-Network. And their absence at The Big Event should not be attributed to just " this is the Northern Corridor!". (By the way, contrary to what many Kenyans believe, Kenya is not the only path for goods to the nearby land-locked countries.) What about Mr. Kagame's Rwanda? He seems rather coy when it comes to details; hardly a word out of him on Rwanda's part of the SGR Spider-Network. Let's first see how the loudmouth Kenyans fare? But, of course, we fully support them. Go Kenya, go!
And speaking of the Kenyans: Kenyans excited about Kung Fu's "free help" or worried about the debt should keep in mind that so far we are only up to Nairobi, and that's in thought, nod deed. Does anyone there have even Detail One on what happens after the Great SGR reaches Nairobi? Funding, construction plans, etc? The significance of this question is this: In about 4 years, the Kenyan SGR will have reached Nairobi. Beyond that, who knows. In the meantime, the rehabilitated Tanzanian line will be ready for goods to roll from whichever one of their ports that are getting geared for the big time. Which route will Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the DRC take? Almost forgot the travel advisories!I note that bombs are going off all over the place, even as I write this. Perhaps tomorrow? In the meantime, maybe the NIS should issue travel advisories to Kenyans ... don't go here, don't go there. |
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Post by amadain on May 18, 2014 3:14:43 GMT 3
An advisory to leave some parts of Mombasa,Parts of North Eastern smacks of a backhanded reaction to Kenya having signed many trade deals with China. The travel advisory is about the China deals?! Damn, I was sure it was due to all those terrorist attacks. |
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Post by kamalet on May 18, 2014 19:44:07 GMT 3
Interestingly, the usual culprit - Alshabaab - has not claimed responsibility on the latest attacks on Thika road and Gikomba. The attacks may have been similar to the previous ones where the terrorists claimed responsibility, but the lack of acknowledgement is what is most intrguing!
Someone claimed it may have been ODM, but this was quickly dismissed on the basis that its most lethal weapon - Men In Black - are only known to use whips and close body combat gadgets such as knives etc. A quick look at Mungiki failed the test immediately as the louts are fighting over land in Kitengela with their former boss.
So is it possible that this could be the work of that American outfit Kimemia had a problem with called USAID? Is it possible that following such an incredible theory, that would explain the reaction of Uncle Sam in sending Americans home and ordering for additional marines to cover the embassy in the event of a Benghazi type happened from enraged Kenyans? What about the immediate withdrawal of Britons from hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa? Could it be their outfit similar to the USAID called DFID may have been responsible for the attacks and had been caught out and was protecting its nationals from a primitive attack driven by post colonial anger against an old master?
Is it possible that these powers are green with envy at the largesse the chinese seem to be enjoying in Kenya?
The former Kenyan who cannot let go of Kenya called Moonki thinks that ignorant Kenyans have not been told how their great grand children have been mortgaged by the chinese debt. The only difference really is that if it was not the chinese, it would have been these western guys through their institutions! Either way, we were screwed and it only depends on how we were being screwed...point is we had bent over and were waiting! According to the popularly elected government of Kenya, we were best screwed by the chinese and they gave s reason why. Some of were reminded of the saga surrounding the Nairobi Southern Bypass. You remember the road that was to be constructed by a German outfit called Strabag and which was to be funded by the World Bank? Do you know how many years this was stalled? Right up t nearly the end of the GCG when the good old man threw caution to the window and called in the Chines and I today learned that the section from Kibera to Dagoretti will be open by 1st July this year.
So yes it is possible the orientals are the cause of our current pain, but it may be a pain that we shall endure for the short term and when the fruits of this cohabitation are harvested, the guys causing us the trauma will be long gone!
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Post by OtishOtish on May 18, 2014 20:48:29 GMT 3
Is it possible that these powers are green with envy at the largesse the chinese seem to be enjoying in Kenya? Excellent suggestion. Now go ahead and give us the details of the largesse that is making these powers green with envy. Doesn't have to be the complete details---even just a few facts that we can consider objectively will do. (Please exclude rhino horns and elephant tasks.) And then explain why Kenya. Asante sana, ndugu. |
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Post by b6k on May 23, 2014 19:13:47 GMT 3
On Sunday, 11th May, Uhuru held a press conference with the Chinese Premier and East African presidents, save for the regional western poodle & foreign aid blue eyed boy, TZ, which sent its foreign minister to attend. During that press conference, President Kenyatta made a couple of political gaffes (or bold statements depending on which side of the political divide you happen to stand in) that will either cost KE dearly, or propel us towards a less euro(amero)-centric worldview.
Here are the speeches that were given on that fateful Sunday:
Exhibit 1:
Tune in at the 00:50 mark to hear Uhuru mock the Brits contribution to Kenya, using their own "Lunatic Express" jibe when discussing the existing rail network in KE, a railway that was built in the early 20th century to "exploit" the resources of both Kenya and Uganda by linking Uganda, the "Crown Jewel" of East Africa (primarily because it is the source of the Nile and Egypt was a big deal for the Brits), to the coast.
Exhibit 2:
At the 2:09 mark Uhuru states we have an "honorable partner" in the Chines while casting the the original builders/benefactors of the existing railway line's as racialist imperialists who used "force and violence" to build their Lunatic Express line as opposed to the consent and partnership of the SGR between KE and China.
Exhibit 3:
China's Premier Lee's speech generally highlights equality (between Africans and Chinese peoples) in their deal...
Exhibit 4:
At the 19:30 mark while the professor of politics, Museveni, is giving his speech he makes a jibe at the western powers in a veiled reference to homosexuality (ie, the things he says the west forces upon us that he would rather not discuss). Behind him, the reaction from Uhuru and Lee is quite telling. Lee appears to be asking Uhuru what M7 is going on about, which even unsettles M7 enough to pause during his speech as he can hear the two discussing behind him. Uhuru explains the joke and both break out in laughter. Earlier at the 18:20 mark he made reference to the "racist regimes" in Africa, progeny of the Brits who held power back in the colonial days...
Long story short, those speeches were held on the 12th. By the 15th British tourists were evacuated by chartered flights as though they were sitting ducks in Dunkirk that needed evacuation a la Operation Dynamo of 1940 when allied forces fled from the NAZI Blitzkrieg. That move was pure politics and not based on the facts on the ground (as a reversal from High Commissioner Turner now points). A message was being sent to ikulu...a shot across the bows. Tread carefully lest we unplug your economy...
Folks, China may be a rising super power but the west is not yet down for the count. Far from it. They have proved time and again that rock their boat and you will pay dearly. Look at Saddam, Gadaffi and Assad. We sure do live in interesting times...
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Post by OtishOtish on May 23, 2014 19:46:27 GMT 3
And after all the tough talk, everything is to be done to get a Eurobond.
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Post by b6k on May 23, 2014 19:56:33 GMT 3
And after all the tough talk, everything is to be done to get a Eurobond. ...indeed Otishotish. As I alluded above, the world is still governed from The City of London, not London city. Can you spot the difference? But the times they are a-changing! It really isn't "tough talk". It's simply the tyranny of numbers playing out on a global scale but with a caveat. If it will be allowed to do so by natural progression without outside interference by way of war, pestilence, or whatever the powers that be may wish to unleash. The City of London still packs a big punch... PS: What are your thoughts of Putin's gas deal with China that was struck at 4am Shanghai time by him personally recently? Tick, tock, tick, tock... |
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Post by abdulmote on May 23, 2014 21:00:32 GMT 3
I will be keenly waiting to see how the 25k 'local tourists' get to enjoy their free and fully paid week long holidays in some five star hotels, with drinks, white sandy beaches and traditional dancers doing their thing! Ingenious! www.nation.co.ke/news/Uhuru-Kenyatta-takes-radical-action-to-boost-tourism/-/1056/2324562/-/ilj62hz/-/index.htmlI suppose the GoK has already set aside a couple of billions to fund the so called "corporate and business entities" with such extravagance. Others of course can carry on dying with hunger or get killed by crazy grenade throwing terror heads, whilst the police are running amok like headless chicken searching for the terrorists and at the same time frantically making their corruptly gained shillings! As a Kenyan, I have never felt so confused with a state of affairs than in this period and time. I was reading the other day that some cyber Kenyans are desperately down on their knees, praying to God that He should now intervene and save our nation. The first thought that struck me is that our desperation only helps to expose our hypocrisy if only we are to have the slightest appreciation of any good moral standards, collectively as a nation of people who may pretend to be civilized. I then simply came to a relative conclusion that what we actually do need to do, is to seriously focus on collective repentance for the collective sins we have been frantically committing on daily basis, and seek to make some amends if we are to have any chance of survival as a nation of pretenders! Just think of it, if only we did not have those greedy, gluttonous, selfish politicians since we acquired the so called uhuru. If only our police force is not as corrupt or made to be so, as they actually are and hopelessly assured to remain so and worse for decades to come! If only our immigration department is not as corrupt as it is similarly the case, leaving our borders open and porous, dishing out IDs for a few more shillings in their bellies. If only we could be cultured to be honest, humble and hardworking nation. If only...and the wishes are many. What a pathetic corrupt, self destructive nation of greedy, hungry, poor, selfish, arrogant and lazy minds indeed we are! More than anything, what we need is to reflect and ponder how we can really get out of the quagmire we find ourselves in, and I don't think those free weekly holidays are part of the true solutions that can get us out the same. |
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Post by mank on May 23, 2014 22:13:34 GMT 3
:....... Exhibit 2:At the 2:09 mark Uhuru states we have an "honorable partner" in the Chines while casting the the original builders/benefactors of the existing railway line's as racialist imperialists who used "force and violence" to build their Lunatic Express line as opposed to the consent and partnership of the SGR between KE and China.... Beginning with the entrance of an "honorable partner" the whole thing sounds like a reenactment of the animated kids' movie "A Bug's Life". I am not sure if there is an applause at the announcement of such honorable partner's entrance or whether what I heard was a memory echo from the bugs movie when aliens traveling in vehicles landed in the bugs country and were deemed to be saviors of the troubled country, except the aliens knew themselves differently ... . It does not end very well for the parties .... in the end one of the aliens laments the total mess created with a simple "oops!", as they pack leaving the once very promised bug's country to sort itself out of the now much bigger mess. I hope it will mot be the same for us. But "hoping for something" is not a strategy. We have to work for what we wish for. We should endeavor to understand the honorable partner well. I certainly would want real time interpretation of the Chineyman speech. Beginning immediately therefore every School in this country must offer Mandarin (or whatever that lingo) .... or let's consult with Moe (he of the of the hasty mindless education system shake-up that created a new, but inferior normal) as we develop the timelines. |
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Post by b6k on May 25, 2014 17:15:08 GMT 3
:....... Exhibit 2:At the 2:09 mark Uhuru states we have an "honorable partner" in the Chines while casting the the original builders/benefactors of the existing railway line's as racialist imperialists who used "force and violence" to build their Lunatic Express line as opposed to the consent and partnership of the SGR between KE and China.... Beginning with the entrance of an "honorable partner" the whole thing sounds like a reenactment of the animated kids' movie "A Bug's Life". I am not sure if there is an applause at the announcement of such honorable partner's entrance or whether what I heard was a memory echo from the bugs movie when aliens traveling in vehicles landed in the bugs country and were deemed to be saviors of the troubled country, except the aliens knew themselves differently ... . It does not end very well for the parties .... in the end one of the aliens laments the total mess created with a simple "oops!", as they pack leaving the once very promised bug's country to sort itself out of the now much bigger mess. I hope it will mot be the same for us. But "hoping for something" is not a strategy. We have to work for what we wish for. We should endeavor to understand the honorable partner well. I certainly would want real time interpretation of the Chineyman speech. Beginning immediately therefore every School in this country must offer Mandarin (or whatever that lingo) .... or let's consult with Moe (he of the of the hasty mindless education system shake-up that created a new, but inferior normal) as we develop the timelines. I watched part of "A Bug's Life" a few years ago with the kids but now I'll try and watch it again as your missive has intrigued me. Indeed when it comes to learning Mandarin, it's something I've advocated for quite some time. The English language is still king globally, but it wouldn't hurt to learn Chinese the way things are going... |
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Post by OtishOtish on May 17, 2016 0:26:48 GMT 3
By the way, contrary to what many Kenyans believe, Kenya is not the only path for goods to the nearby land-locked countries. What about Mr. Kagame's Rwanda? He seems rather coy when it comes to details; hardly a word out of him on Rwanda's part of the SGR Spider-Network. Let's first see how the loudmouth Kenyans fare? But, of course, we fully support them. Go Kenya, go!
And speaking of the Kenyans: Kenyans excited about Kung Fu's "free help" or worried about the debt should keep in mind that so far we are only up to Nairobi, and that's in thought, nod deed. Does anyone there have even Detail One on what happens after the Great SGR reaches Nairobi? Funding, construction plans, etc? The significance of this question is this: In about 4 years, the Kenyan SGR will have reached Nairobi. Beyond that, who knows. In the meantime, the rehabilitated Tanzanian line will be ready for goods to roll from whichever one of their ports that are getting geared for the big time. Which route will Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the DRC take? Update: www.nation.co.ke/news/Rwanda-abandons-Kenya-SGR-route/-/1056/3206084/-/my4av1z/-/index.html |
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Post by OtishOtish on May 17, 2016 1:45:37 GMT 3
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