|
Post by job on Jan 5, 2011 10:09:32 GMT 3
PART IHenry Kosgey, hands behind in handcuffs, wading through court corridors From the perspective I want to lay out, I don't for a moment like this Daily Nation front-page photo. For the record – I do not hold brief for Henry Kosgey, neither do I condone corruption. However, I think this so called war against corruption is nothing but a farce controlled from afar.
That today Anglo-Fleecers, Goldenberg, Triton, Ken Ren, Grand Regency, irregular privatizations, and budget typo architects are walking scot free while we pretend to be catching the corrupt is the biggest fairy tale ever told in Kenya. This is a buch of phoney balogni! In my view, PLO Lumumba is not directing the war against graft, his in-tray is fed from two background sources, the US Embassy, and Kibaki succession plotters.The veiled reality is that by Kosgey citing ‘public interest’ while liberally exercising duty exemption powers granted to him, he was purportedly hurting real or perceived American interests. That is what Kosgey is being victimized and crushed for here. PNU-affiliated ministers coming before him, Mukhisa Kituyi, and later Amos Kimunya exercised the same godarn exemption and it was all cool and dandy, with no allegations of abuse of office, and no trips in handcuffs. The only difference here is in the bigger number Kosgey exempted. But Kosgey will likely argue his case in court proving that all waivers he issued were in ‘public interest’. Don't you sometimes wonder whose public interest is more important in Kenya - the Kenyan interest or the American interest? Kosgey's apparent persecution betrays the obvious answer.Revelations from Wikileaks cablesTo understand where Henry Kosgey's problems began (probably both the ICC & importation-waiver case) we need to focus on the Wikileaks cables. Thanks to Michael Ranneberger’s cables to Washington, we know he is very busy shoving down the throat of Kenyans, the Washington Consensus camouflaged as ‘the reform agenda’ – which most locals often confuse with their own interpretations of the same phrase. The reform agenda uttered by locals is as different as day and night, from that being pushed by the US. For instance, if locals want government to provide its citizens with basic services in health and education, America wants all services to be privatized. That makes it possible for US corporations and entrepreneurs to have a shot at taking over and running these sectors. America sees Kenya’s emerging middle class as a fertile market for their products, it’s oil and mineral exploration prospects are mouth watering, and its on-going privatization of telecommunications, railways, ports, highways, airlines, banks, sugar companies, mining companies, oil refinery and infrastructure etc – are not being transferred into the hands of Americans as desired by Washington. In short, Washington wants a young ‘inexperienced’ puppet at State House to convert Kenya into a US client state. Kibaki has been doing too much business with the East, notably China and also with Libyans, Iranians etc (feared to be sponsors of ‘terrorism’ towards the US). Raila’s globetrotting missions to European capitals, starting with London, and basically everywhere else he can be listened to (from Shanghai to Mumbai to Tehran to Rio De Janeiro) makes the US feel more likely to be a jilted peripheral ally (& not ‘the principal’ ally) were the PM to occupy State House. Washington is somehow convinced it can politically engineer Kenya into its list of exclusive client states. As per Ranneberger’s Wikileaks aspirations, the route to achieving that lies in the triumvirate of Kenya’s youth, a caucus of young MPs and the civil society. Ranneberger prescribes in his cables, the need for the US to “empower a new generation of youthful leaders”- youth who are particularly mesmerized by, and beholden to, America. He proudly announced in the cables - “we recently launched a $45 million youth empowerment initiative”. I will not rehash my previous expositions about the OTNOP ‘youth movement’ of black-tee-shirt clad youth campaigning in Bomachoge, Shinyalu, etc – where they suffered terrible political losses. Ranneberger also talks of “extensive outreach to civil society, religious groups, the media, and the private sector”. True, USAID has poured lot of American taxpayer dollars into an exclusive club of sophisticated rent-seeking NGOs run predominantly by a small privileged class of youthful Kenyans. He has successfully penetrated editorial newsrooms of major media outlets like the Daily Nation. These people are helping him attempt the transformation of Kenya into a US client state.
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 5, 2011 11:14:41 GMT 3
PART II
Ranneberger and the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya (ACCK)
The CEO of East Africa’s largest motor assembler, America’s General Motors (GM), William (Bill) Lay, is the President of the local chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (ACCK). He took over last year from a Kenyan Veterinarian formerly a corporate head of another American corporation, Coca Cola (Africa), named Nelson Githinji, who is today President Kibaki’s State House Comptroller.
The GM boss leads ACCK in pushing forth interests of the American business community. Like Ambassador Ranneberger is wont to, ACCK calls these American interests “reforms”. And again like the American Ambassador, they heavily work via a team of young Kenyan MPs – the Parliamentary Reform Caucus (PRC) – who push their legislative agenda in the House. Wikileaks cables reveals that Ranneberger has sponsored numerous trips for the 60-member PRC to the US for “training on strategies of tackling corruption” and “legislating reforms”.
When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Nairobi last year, she spoke to African heads of state at the AGOA Forum about the same “reforms”. Remarkably, during that trip, ACCK and Ranneberger introduced Hillary Clinton to their youthful partners in the Kenyan parliament (PRC) in a closed door meeting – notable attendees were PRC Chair Danson Mungatana (MP, Garsen), caucus steering-committee members Mwangi Kiunjuri (MP, Laikipia E), Ndaragwa MP, Jeremiah Kioni, Bonny Khalwale (MP, Ikolomani) and Eugene Wamalwa (MP, Saboti).
You must not fail to notice the relentless mover of the (attempted) censure motion against Kosgey in Parliament - Jeremiah Kioni, and his cheerleaders Khalwale and Mungatana in that distinguished list of neo-imperial-collaborators. Notice Ngilu's tormentor Kiunjuri in that team as well.
As the US Ambassador enforces visa bans on MPs perceived to be anti-US-agenda, he outlines in the Wikileak cable, his ‘well incentivized’ and underway project of “supporting reform-minded parliamentarians.” ACCK and Ranneberger are so powerful they can engineer big “reforms” in Kenya through Parliament, select Ministry Headquarters, and lately through the PLO Lumumba-led Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC).
PLO’s predecessor Aaron Ringera was accused by ACCK and Ranneberger of blocking reforms (aka American interests) and his removal was swiftly engineered through the youthful American allies in Parliament. That was a clear Kibaki defeat by the ACCK and Ranneberger, acting through the PRC.
ACCK also lobbied through the CoE to ensure the new constitution of Kenya barred Chief Justice Evan Gicheru and Attorney General Amos Wako from uninterrupted tenures. The respective two cared less about protecting American interests- so they had to leave! Not a terrible thing any way.
One of ACCK’s recently engineered changes in Kenya was announced by a minister who is now in the former’s very good books – Amos Kimunya, Kenya’s Minister for Transport.
Do you remember the little detail that the CEO of General Motors (GM) Mr Bill Lay, doubles as the local American Chamber of Commerce (ACCK) President. Acting on the interest of GM, Mr Lay, has succesfully lobbied Mr Kimunya to reform Kenya's transportation sector - in line with the vision of GM to expand sales of Isuzu Mini-Buses and Isuzu Buses .
“Reformist” Amos Kimunya issued a gazetted directive that no new 14-seater matatus will be registered, while those currently registered will not be allowed to operate in urban CBDs.
Just like that, Kimunya has helped General Motors (EA) actualize its reform dream to expand its operating capacity and boost their monopolistic sales for a long time to come. The lil' but big problem of the Japanese Nissans flooding the Kenyan transport sector has been pushed outa the way. We shall from now hence forth have GM (American) manufactured Isuzu Mini Buses and Isuzu Buses in our reformed road sector...and Kimunya is now a reformist..his visa is restored! Holly Molly!
Meanwhile Kimunya has also proposed other “reforms” to help public transport operators. His friends running transportation franchises like City Hoppa, KBS, Star Bus, 2M will be given as a bonus, government subsidies to promote the minibus and bus industry.
Thus under the future arrangement, the Americans (GM) shall produce the vehicles, while Kimunya’s friends run the government-subsidized transport franchises. That’s a jolly good set of reforms and Tango. It would be no surprise that a red carpet is rolled out for Kimunya by the Americans!
Meanwhile, the fate of more than13,000 Nissan 14-seater matatus and tens of thousands of jobs are at stake. That is a staggering 70% of Kenya’s entire public transport sector worth about Sh 50 billion being sacrificed. Shortage of PSV vehicles, rush-hour delays for PSV commuters and demand-induced fare hikes cannot be ruled out under these fresh sets of reforms.
Besides, independent matatu operators are being mandated by Kimunya’s new rules to either join saccos or registered companies. The stage is being set for future acquisitions, mergers and creation of a monolithic transport conglomeration controlled by – your guess is as good as mine!
continued
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 5, 2011 11:15:04 GMT 3
PART III
Why is Kimunya a clean refomer while Kosgey an anti-reformer in the eyes of the Americans?
Simply because in spite of the Grand Regency scandal, Anglo-Leasing and such, Kimunya has, like a reborn faithful, redeemed himself by accenting to American interests. Kosgey has not budged to those similar interests.
The Tinderet MP’s problems go beyond the local succession-related ODM-PNU rivalries and political witch-hunting. The ghosts chasing Kosgey are the folks responsible for dispatching those very unkind words (on him) to Washington DC – revealed by Wikileaks cables. Michael Ranneberger is apparently the main force behind Henry Kosgey’s avalanche of legal and political tribulations.
As a starting reference, refer to this video clip below:
or (if blocked)
At time 4:35 of this clip, listen to the local voice of the GM (General Motors) corporation, expressing the biggest threat to their corporate vision – “the terrible distortion of the motor vehicle sales industry by political influence pushing acceptability of used vehicle imports”.[/color]
The direct insinuation there is that Henry Kiprono Kosgey is leading impunity through a political push for acceptability of used vehicle imports. It's as if the Tinderet MP is the one who is introducing the culture of mitumba matatus aged more than 8 years old into Kenya's transport sector, hence denying GM sales revenues.
And just like that vigilante justice is meted out.
To the chagrin of Americans and GM, Uganda and Tanzania have perennially managed to dodge World Trade Organization's (WTO) common external tariff’s for used new & vehicles (through their national budgets). Tanzanian and Ugandan businessmen/ women can therefore still import cheap, used (mitumba) vehicles.
On the other hand, in Kenya - host to American assembler GM - we are not so lucky. There is a 25% tariff on importation of vehicles plus the age limit of 8 years.
Americans in an attempt to protect GM's local investment have tried policing these restrictions very religiously – a process that is now manifesting in Henry Kiprono Kosgey’s tribulations. I now see the bitterness and anger of the Americans being laser guided like a drone, to Henry Kosgey.
Wikileaks insight also reveals to us that the demonization of Henry Kosgey by Ambassador Ranneberger actually began when he couldn’t use his ministerial portfolio – Industrialization & KEBS - to prevent cheap Chinese counterfeit products from flooding the Kenyan market.
High quality but expensive American products in technology, engineering, software, IT installations, pharmaceuticals etc [/u]are being terribly outdone in local business competition by the dumped Chinese products. This has distorted the market dynamics to the chagrin of the Americans, and Henry Kosgey has been unfairly singled out for blame by the Yankees.[/b][/color]
Obviously, when opportunity came for appointing a new KEBS MD, Ranneberger and the ACCK had very deep but publicly hidden interest. ACCK in collusion with local PNU operatives in the business community, surreptitiously ‘short-listed’ frontrunners for the KEBS MD post, through the local offices of a global recruiting firm, KPMG. In the symbiotic association, the ACCK, KPMG’s Peter Mwaura, KEBS Board Chairman, and PS Industrialization, were all determined to prevent Henry Kosgey from hand-picking an appointee for KEBS MD (despite having such powers in law).
ACCK wanted an ally capable of swinging the mallet to end the dumping of cheap Chinese products in the market. KPMG and the KEBS Board were also equally eager to block Kosgey from exercising his powers probably for other reasons (economic and political).
But Henry Kosgey had other ideas - he dashed Ranneberger’s dreams by appointing a youthful namesake of his from his Tinderet constituency. The Americans probably view the new KEBS MD as yet another stumbling block to their desire to quash Chinese competition.
It is these straws that broke the camel’s back. When Kosgey liberally granted importation waivers for old cars, he was stepping on the toes of GM East Africa. GM saw this as a potential threat to future sales of GM cars (Isuzu, Chevrolets, Opels) because the loophole was giving scrupulous vehicle dealers new ‘ideas’.
GM trucks (Isuzu) dominate the new PSV mini-bus, PSV bus, pick-up and lorry market, not only in Kenya but the entire East Africa. Loopholes making it possible to bring in cheap Indian Tatas or Chinese variants couldn’t have been fathomable for GM. In the eyes of these Americans, Kosgey had to go! Very viciously for that matter.
The lesson here is that an independent-minded Minister who might implement policies (or exercise powers) inadvertently harming US business, could end up a target for covert demonization by Ranneberger’s agents. Mainstream media was definitely incorporated to peddle alarmist propaganda and half-truth, levied against the target- which they did very relentlessly.
PLO Lumumba’s in-tray was fed with this issue as a priority matter of investigation. Kosgey has now been successfully painted as a very corrupt and violent minister – worse than the mega-thieves of Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg, Budget typos, Grand Regency, Triton, FPE, and Ken Ren fertilizer.
Thanks to the many neo-collaborators, we confirm yet again that we are not independent.
Does this prosecution affect ODM as a party? Heck yeah! Foreign induced political reconfigurations of parties are to be expected to continue as we approach 2012 - but I doubt it would benefit some nefarious, American pushed, and youthful Sonko!
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jan 5, 2011 14:26:18 GMT 3
If lawyer Julius Kemboy is worth his salt and he really went to law school, then Henry Kosgey should be soon acquitted of all abuse of office charges because in as much as I have as a lay person tried to understand what tactician, mwalimumkuu and Kamale are saying, I do not see how and why Kosgey should be jailed/fined for doing his job in accordance with the law. I even wonder why this was left to go this far!
The other thing is that what is happening to ODM now can sadly be traced back to 2008 when the party failed to put firm foundations and structures that would guarantee its agenda in the legislature is not frustrated by either the Kibaki succession intrigues nor the stop-Raila schemes.
If only ODM was united in parliament, the current constitution would have been different from what we see today. Uhuru, Kimunya and Kalonzo would not introduce ridiculous and frivolous bills into the house that end up being laws that go against the ODM manifesto, eg. increasing rather than decreasing unemployment, fighting grand corruption and perhaps even passing a vote of no confidence on government so as to force a general election.
It all boils down to the greedy, untamed, unsatiable and shameful ambitions of one William Arap Ruto (Samaoie wannabe). And wonders never cease because his defenders on this board who were so loud sometime last year all seem to have gone on sabbatical ever since Ocampo revealed his suspects.
The US Ambassador has a duty to promote American interests and we cannot blame him as such. PLO's interests have been known since his days as a SONU official, so there is really nothing new here. On the other hand, ODM MPs have a covenant with ODM members to promote the ODM manifesto and work in the interest of the party. You can see clearly who is doing his job better.
As Kosgey falls victim to these PNU games, the entire ODM leadership, including rebels, must stop and re-examine how much they are responsible for how wrong things have gone for Kenya and they are in parliament doing nothing. It is also in the same August house the PLO's appointment as KACC director was first approved. Where was the forecast? What happened to party intelligence wing?
It is so nauseating to see ODM MPs, led by Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo calling belated press conferences to complain about matters which they themselves failed to control when they had the power. What is the point of pretending to offer a handcuffed Kosgey moral support in a court of law and when it comes voting for relevant bills or asking ministers pertinent questions there is no quorum in parliament? A chief whip who performs better drinking at Nairobi West rather than whipping ODM MPs to support relevant business in parliament!
As things continue to go wrong, the buck will and must eventually stop somewhere and that may just be the office of Raila Odinga as the ODM Leader.
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 5, 2011 20:40:19 GMT 3
Phil et al,www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Antigraft%20body%20accused%20of%20targeting%20ODM%20ministers/-/1064/1084208/-/e7cpk9z/-/index.htmlThe ODM party is always in reactionary mode, always waiting for Ranneberger or PNU to make a move only to react afterwards. It is being tattered,sliced and diced right before our eyes. This party is crying for revamping and frontline leadership. No one seems visionary enough to delegate important political tasks. The intelligence is almost dead...and even if provided information, there is still clear paralysis and timidity. Phil you are right - ODM's agenda has suffered relegation to the back-burner but we can't blame it all on William Ruto. Ruto may have sold out on the Katiba (devolution, parliamentary system), forest conservation, & land reforms- but what about the rest of the shortcomings? Take this vivid matter of Kosgey for instance - do these ODM MPs really know who indeed is pushing the Tinderet MP out? Is this as simple as a PNU divide-and-rule tactic or there is more to it. I can bet you most of the MPs paraded in that press conference have not even read the very lengthy and toxic Wikileaks cable that Ranneberger dispatched to Washington about Henry Kosgey. Neither do they see the connection of the cables to Kosgey's tribulations? They don't appear to be seeing the link between their Chairman's fall with their youthful parliamentary colleagues belonging to Ranneberger's caucus. This is a clear wasted opportunity. This press conference should have been a news-breaker with sensational but true claims tying Ranneberger into this saga. It would have been a more informative press conference had these MPs gone to reporters with FACTS (& the Wikileaks print-outs) detailing how car sales ambitions of General Motors (American interests) made Ranneberger engineer Kosgey's witch-hunt using the parliamentary reform caucus (Ranneberger's choir)where both Charles Kilonzo and Kiema Kilonzo also sit.That would have killed many birds with one stone (a) highlighting bias and witch-hunt in the fight against corruption (b) exposing PLO Lumumba's control by Americans and the NSIS (c) exposing the link between Ranneberger and the Jeremiah Kionis, Charles Kilonzos and Kiema Kilonzos via PRC(d) explaining why Americans are now reluctant to pin Amos Kimunya - now bidding for US interests in the transport sector.But now, with no sensational news breakers, the public will quickly dismiss this ODM press conference as yet another petty, trivial, whinny & usual tired line of "our party is being finished". I thought ODM had a resident political science professor as secretary-general. I guess he's busy scratching his beards and picking his teeth at Serena Hotel's buffet room. Can you believe that ODM also has MPs inside Ranneberger's parliamentary caucus, including Olago Aluoch! But they are sleeping inside that caucus. Their youthful colleagues from PNU in the same caucus aren't sleeping. They are busy using the platform and Ranneberger's leverage to PNU's political advantage. Other ambitious young turks within it are even positioning to be succession sensationals.The bottomline is that under the guise of a "PLO renewed anti-corruption drive" the youthful MPs from PNU, allied to Ranneberger, are selectively targetting ODM Ministers important to the PM's regional balancing. Supported by Ranneberger, Jeremiah Kioni pin-pointed his focus on Kosgey & got his kill. Again supported by Ranneberger, Kiunjuri is focusing on Ngilu. Soon, as ODM waits like a sitting duck, the PM's regional allies will all be tainted and damaged goods. I can bet you the battlefront against Mudavadi ain't over. Yet in all this circus coordinated between parliament and PLO Lumumba's office, the real mega corrupt Anglo-Fleecers, Goldenberg, Ken Ren, Triton, Railways, Grand Regency, Pipeline/Refineries scandal architects are all walking scot free. ODM stands accused of wimpiness - why can't they put the vulnerable (mega corrupt) PNU ministers on the defense? The FACT is that any ODM member can introduce a private motion of censure against the thieving PNU ministers using those very PIC reports or the Cockar dossier in Parliament. That will inadvertently highlight the FACT that PLO Lumumba has no control in this so called anti-corruption drive.
Again, in agreement with Phil, what are some of the legislative and vote whipping successes of ODM's chief whip? I have long forgotten of ODM MPs like wakina Rege, are they even aware ODM which sponsored them to parliament still exists? What are wakina Olago doing in the PRC? So in this circus where ODM sits like a duck waiting to be shot, while thieves in PNU manouvre sophisticated terrain, who is the next target? Ngilu, Mudavadi, Kajwang', then who? ODM is currently manifesting gross political ineptitude, sheer incompetence, and lack of visionary leadership. Does that inspire Kenyans about their ultimate quest for leadership? Be the Judge!
|
|
|
Post by adongo23456 on Jan 5, 2011 21:25:59 GMT 3
Job,
Apparently PLO also has some serious power ambitions and envisions himself as the future Obama of Kenya in fact as early as 2012. For that possibility he needs to kill ODM kabisa working with the myriad of forces fighting the party.
It is very possible that PLO sees this as the best opportunity he will ever have to be a national figure in Kenya and what better way than to start with seriously denting ODM.
PLO is from Yimbo in Bondo district. He probably thought of running against Oburu in the last election but opted to run in the city where he was born. That was actually a good move on his part to demonstrate that he is not going for any tribal support. But nobody should be deceived that PLO does not consider Raila's influence in Luo Nyanza as a big hindrance to whatever political ambitions he may have.
Anyways my word to him is that we will meet in the field where we have always met the others.
As for ODM, I see no reason for them to panic. Nothing good ever comes from "hurried" press conferences. Kosgey has been charged with what in my opinion amounts to frivolous charges. People should remember that the specific charge against Kosgey is that he issued exemptions without "advice" from the National Standards Council. Kosgey is not charged with issuing exemptions. They accept that he has the power to do so. He is charged with doing so "irregularly". And this is supposed to be Lumumba's biggest achievement in the war against corruption. It is rubbish. My sense is that this could backfire like hell on Mr. Lumumba and the KACC and could turn out to be a big blessing to ODM.
The more Kenyans look at the charges, the more people are shaking their heads, wondering whether it is worth their while to pay a guy Kshs 2.5 million a month to do this mundane stuff that could be done by an administrative assistant somewhere.
I personally don't like what Kosgey was doing, but by golly this is not what the country pays Lumumba and the KACC to fret over.
In any event just as job says ODM should have used that press conferences to outline the corruption cases that are being glossed over.
ODM should have also asked Lumumba and KACC who gave them the power to give amnesty to people who return stolen land without even bothering to disclose all the details. How about if I robbed thousands of acres of land and return 10 acres to Lumumba? Do I get to keep the rest without KACC bothering me? Isn't this a form of land laundering with the assistance of Lumumba and the KACC.
Those are some of the hard questions Lumumba need to be confronted with and also explained to Kenyans. ODM needs to calm down and get their act together. It was good that the ODM M.Ps did say that they have nothing against people from their party being brought to book on matters of corruption but they want a fair prosecution. That to me is the key to any party dealing with the matter.
But yes, there is more than meets the eye on this developments. If Lumumba thinks he is putting pressure on the likes of Kosgey and ODM, let him wait and see the amount of pressure he is going to be under.
It is quite annoying really that once again the so called war on corruption is a fake political theatre and Kenyans may have to wait for another five years. That is what bothers me the most.
adongo
|
|
|
Post by adongo23456 on Jan 5, 2011 22:09:47 GMT 3
Job,Apparently PLO also has some serious power ambitions and envisions himself as the future Obama of Kenya in fact as early as 2012. For that possibility he needs to kill ODM kabisa working with the myriad of forces fighting the party. It is very possible that PLO sees this as the best opportunity he will ever have to be a national figure in Kenya and what better way than to start with seriously denting ODM. PLO is from Yimbo in Bondo district. He probably thought of running against Oburu in the last election but opted to run in the city where he was born. That was actually a good move on his part to demonstrate that he is not going for any tribal support. But nobody should be deceived that PLO does not consider Raila's influence in Luo Nyanza as a big hindrance to whatever political ambitions he may have. Anyways my word to him is that we will meet in the field where we have always met the others. As for ODM, I see no reason for them to panic. Nothing good ever comes from "hurried" press conferences. Kosgey has been charged with what in my opinion amounts to frivolous charges. People should remember that the specific charge against Kosgey is that he issued exemptions without "advice" from the National Standards Council. Kosgey is not charged with issuing exemptions. They accept that he has the power to do so. He is charged with doing so "irregularly". And this is supposed to be Lumumba's biggest achievement in the war against corruption. It is rubbish. My sense is that this could backfire like hell on Mr. Lumumba and the KACC and could turn out to be a big blessing to ODM. The more Kenyans look at the charges, the more people are shaking their heads, wondering whether it is worth their while to pay a guy Kshs 2.5 million a month to do this mundane stuff that could be done by an administrative assistant somewhere. I personally don't like what Kosgey was doing, but by golly this is not what the country pays Lumumba and the KACC to fret over. In any event just as job says ODM should have used that press conferences to outline the corruption cases that are being glossed over. ODM should have also asked Lumumba and KACC who gave them the power to give amnesty to people who return stolen land without even bothering to disclose all the details. How about if I robbed thousands of acres of land and return 10 acres to Lumumba? Do I get to keep the rest without KACC bothering me? Isn't this a form of land laundering with the assistance of Lumumba and the KACC. Those are some of the hard questions Lumumba need to be confronted with and also explained to Kenyans. ODM needs to calm down and get their act together. It was good that the ODM M.Ps did say that they have nothing against people from their party being brought to book on matters of corruption but they want a fair prosecution. That to me is the key to any party dealing with the matter. But yes, there is more than meets the eye on this developments. If Lumumba thinks he is putting pressure on the likes of Kosgey and ODM, let him wait and see the amount of pressure he is going to be under. It is quite annoying really that once again the so called war on corruption is a fake political theatre and Kenyans may have to wait for another five years. That is what bothers me the most. adongo hehehehe Even before the ink dries, Wako now declares his interest in politics. What better way to do that than to work for those who will sponsor him, namely the people he has worked to protect during the last 19 years. Wako just let the cat out of bag. May be too early. Wako should resign from office immediately and pursue his political interests instead of using the AG's office to do the same. www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Wako%20now%20sets%20eyes%20on%20politics%20/-/1064/1084468/-/14lgl52z/-/index.html
|
|
|
Post by reporter911 on Jan 5, 2011 22:41:34 GMT 3
AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET US ALL FREE AMEN
like I said PLO and his clones must be brought at the forefront in their own corrupt dealings. why let the rattle snake keep rattling? cut the head off and let the body swing without any power it will land on the road side.. PLO should be pushed out of office.. before he causes more damage.. it is all about impunity and the school of corrupt individual that want to control and run Kenya including DRUG dealers
|
|
|
Post by reporter911 on Jan 5, 2011 22:51:21 GMT 3
Job,Apparently PLO also has some serious power ambitions and envisions himself as the future Obama of Kenya in fact as early as 2012. For that possibility he needs to kill ODM kabisa working with the myriad of forces fighting the party. It is very possible that PLO sees this as the best opportunity he will ever have to be a national figure in Kenya and what better way than to start with seriously denting ODM. PLO is from Yimbo in Bondo district. He probably thought of running against Oburu in the last election but opted to run in the city where he was born. That was actually a good move on his part to demonstrate that he is not going for any tribal support. But nobody should be deceived that PLO does not consider Raila's influence in Luo Nyanza as a big hindrance to whatever political ambitions he may have. Anyways my word to him is that we will meet in the field where we have always met the others. As for ODM, I see no reason for them to panic. Nothing good ever comes from "hurried" press conferences. Kosgey has been charged with what in my opinion amounts to frivolous charges. People should remember that the specific charge against Kosgey is that he issued exemptions without "advice" from the National Standards Council. Kosgey is not charged with issuing exemptions. They accept that he has the power to do so. He is charged with doing so "irregularly". And this is supposed to be Lumumba's biggest achievement in the war against corruption. It is rubbish. My sense is that this could backfire like hell on Mr. Lumumba and the KACC and could turn out to be a big blessing to ODM. The more Kenyans look at the charges, the more people are shaking their heads, wondering whether it is worth their while to pay a guy Kshs 2.5 million a month to do this mundane stuff that could be done by an administrative assistant somewhere. I personally don't like what Kosgey was doing, but by golly this is not what the country pays Lumumba and the KACC to fret over. In any event just as job says ODM should have used that press conferences to outline the corruption cases that are being glossed over. ODM should have also asked Lumumba and KACC who gave them the power to give amnesty to people who return stolen land without even bothering to disclose all the details. How about if I robbed thousands of acres of land and return 10 acres to Lumumba? Do I get to keep the rest without KACC bothering me? Isn't this a form of land laundering with the assistance of Lumumba and the KACC. Those are some of the hard questions Lumumba need to be confronted with and also explained to Kenyans. ODM needs to calm down and get their act together. It was good that the ODM M.Ps did say that they have nothing against people from their party being brought to book on matters of corruption but they want a fair prosecution. That to me is the key to any party dealing with the matter. But yes, there is more than meets the eye on this developments. If Lumumba thinks he is putting pressure on the likes of Kosgey and ODM, let him wait and see the amount of pressure he is going to be under. It is quite annoying really that once again the so called war on corruption is a fake political theatre and Kenyans may have to wait for another five years. That is what bothers me the most. adongo hehehehe Even before the ink dries, Wako now declares his interest in politics. What better way to do that than to work for those who will sponsor him, namely the people he has worked to protect during the last 19 years. Wako just let the cat out of bag. May be too early. Wako should resign from office immediately and pursue his political interests instead of using the AG's office to do the same. www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Wako%20now%20sets%20eyes%20on%20politics%20/-/1064/1084468/-/14lgl52z/-/index.htmlAmos Wako, Kenya’s attorney general for the last 19 years, Wako is largely responsible for the fact that no politician has ever been seriously taken to task for graft-related activities. Wako was originally appointed to the position by President Moi, but he held onto his office due to his excellent relationship with the country’s current president, Mwai Kibaki. NOTHING MORE TO ADD ON THIS CORRUPT INEPT INDIVIDUAL HE BELONGS IN KAMITI JAIL NOT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT POSITION TO PUSH HIS CORRUPT AGENDA "
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jan 6, 2011 14:32:28 GMT 3
Job
My present judgement on whether ODM inspires Kenyans or not, it certainly does not. The party is only but inspiring fear and disappointement. As you rightly put it, the so-called professors of political science within ODM have been a total let down. Political wars must be fought politically and smartly.
Right now, ODM is being beaten to a pulp in so far as the propaganda wars go. There are big fishes who have multiple cases which are worse than Kosgey's yet it is only Kosgey that is dorminating the headlines.
The ODM even finds it difficult to utilize cost-free resources like the internet! It is shunning thousands of volunteers who should otherwise be the party's engine and prefer instead to meet in exclusive clubs because they are now in government. What a let down!
Spokesperson Denis Onyango prefers to fax (Not email) outlets like Nation, Citizen and Standard with monotonous press releases while in actual fact, this is not what young voters want to hear/see. I hope some of ODM mandarins who read jukwaa will see what our thoughts are on them. ODM is not the only party, and Kenyans will soon judge.
adongo
What an expose! I knew this Lumumba guy had to have a hidden agenda. Is this not the same politician who was rejected by Kamkunji voters in 2007? Once a politician, always a politican.
PLO has always wanted to Martin Luther King. He now wants to be the Obama of Kenya. Ataweza kweli? Does he really think those crowds he is working with currently will ever give him any votes? Perhaps he should ask James Orengo of the Muungano Wa Mageuzi - Orengo aliambulia patupu.
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 6, 2011 20:48:53 GMT 3
Phil,
In this choreographed script, as parliament remains in recess, the field has been left for PLO Lumumba to tear down ODM's pillars on behalf of Ranneberger and PNU – and when Bunge resumes, MPs from both sides should forget the recess, come together, sing “Kumbaya My Lord” and resume the “important business of implementing the constitution!”
Of course ODM’s Agwambo is apparently paralysed by the dicey transition clauses in the constitution. He seems unwilling to upset the delicate rappourt he currently has with Kibaki, even as the latter's PNU & ODM-K (& US Embassy)allies vigorously attempt to shake the relationship apart. Driving a wedge between the two is the best tactic by the anti-Katiba status-quo forces to slow down the implementation of the new constitution.
So, it looks like Tinga has to play Mr Nice to the election thief just to exercise his nusu-mkate mandated “consultation” role in the appointment of new constitutional office holders.
The new Chief Justice must be appointed by next month. Even as Wako hopes to stay on till August, it is prudent if the new CJ, new AG & new DPO are all appointed at the same time by next month February.
As Agwambo plays nice by sitting like a duck, watching helplessly as his allies like ICC targetted Kosgey are destroyed (by Ranneberger, PLO, PNU & the so called parliamentary reform caucus), Kibaki is definitely constructing his succession firewall and cleaning the aftershock of the announcement of the names of ICC-suspects Muthaura & Uhuru.
ODM must crawl out of its current paralysis and reactivate all its wings into action. I think the ODM Parliamentary group should assign and delegate a team of its idle MPs to comb all recent PAC & PIC reports, Commissions of Inquiries, and corruption dossiers then follow through in the floor of the House - by the time sessions resume.
I used the terms assign and delegate very deliberately - to ensure no excuses, laziness, or ineptitude is encouraged. Feedback must be received before MPs start making excuses for spending premature campaign time in the gound as we approach 2012. If they can't handle it - let them pay some consultation fee to appropriate firms and get some real whistle-blowing job done.
At best, the theatrics, daily headline reminders & exposition of PLO’s double standards would do, even if the sacred cows of PNU (Anglo-Fleecers, Triton, FPE, IDP fund looters, Grand Regency, Ken Ren robbers, Railways privatization cons, and architects of budget typos) don’t go down. PLO must also be challenged to state what he did with the rest of the (4) cabinet minister files, and the 45 PSs!
From a stack of past PIC & PAC reports, even with eyes closed, you will find astounding recommendations to pin the thieves in PNU. One recommends that someone like Amos Kimunya should not even hold public office (supported by the Cockar Inquiry report). Another report recommends forensic audits of all budgets presented by the typo fella (aka Uhuru wa Naivasha massacre) Another PIC report also bars Wetangula from holding public office.
It is quite annoying that as Kosgey is hounded on frivolous “abuse of office” charges, and Ngilu smoked for small change “family related conflicts of interest”, a PIC report recommending investigation of Francis Muthaura for engagement in the same on a massive scale, is gathering dust inside ODM MPs offices.
We all remember how Francis Muthaura rushed & forced the transfer of Safaricom’s shareholding from Telkom Kenya, a deal that got sealed just six days before the 2007 voting (elections), with Muthaura's own 33 year old inexperienced daughter, Suzanne Muthaura, being hand-picked as the multi-million paid legal advisor of the transaction.
Even our impunity-embodied AG Wako wrote a letter to Treasury objecting to the same for that obvious conflict of interest. But then Finance Minister Kimunya & PS Kinyua forced Muthaura’s daughter down the throat of this deal. The PIC noted this is in their report.
Using the new Ngilu & Kosgey anti-corruption model for action, this Muthaura family matter of conflict of interest similarly needs parliamentary action, KACC action, AG action, and court action! What's good for the gander is good for the goose![/b]
This is the same Muthaura daughter who has BLATANTLY and irregularly received at no-bid, multi-million shillings transaction fees for legal advice on: government construction of a Sh 7.5 billion diesel electricity generation plant in Mombasa(via KPLC) and numerous other infrastructure projects.
Even as we speak today, Suzanne Muthaura (obviously representing her father’s direct interest) is involved in more legal work for the government on privatisation of Consolidated Bank and National Bank of Kenya. Why has PLO not investigated these serious matters - where AG Wako himself (Mr Impunity), expressed discomfort. Why is PLO instead wasting precious time tooth-combing small change “conflict of interests” about Tee shirts printed by Ngilu’s daughter? Why not start with the bigger fish then come to the smaller fish?[/b]
I think this anti-corruption farce will soon explode right in the faces of those who think Kenya is a conglomeration of 40 million idiots. As I heard from Nairobi's grapevines, a special audit team focusing on the activities of one Francis Muthaura alone, colluding with Treasury, Energy Ministry, and the AG Chambers, will be launched this weekend by sympathisers of Ngilu (all government insiders) to expose this screaming hypocrisy & double standards.
Since the trajectory of this war on corruption seems skewed towards conflicts of interest, that's a good precedent. Let KACC with a watchdog of civil society whistle-blower organizations apply the laser comb of conflict of interests on the VW-Passat deal by Uhuru, Grand Regency deal by the President's daughter, Safaricom IPO by Muthaura, and the likes. Let this war on corruption continue as scheduled.
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Jan 6, 2011 21:36:31 GMT 3
Reading all this could lead one to shed a tear for the injustice visited upon Kosgey by the americans and their local cohorts at KACC and PNU.
But nothing could be further from the truth. Kosgey is a thief with a history nearly a whole generation old. But then for all the conspiracy that he fell for by General Motors fighting the Nissan matatu - where is that short japanese fellow at Upper Hill?
First to clarify the 14 seater rule only affects transport within the city and all peri-urban and cross country transport using the Nissan is unaffected. But are they being replaced by the Isuzu matatu? On my way home I thought I should count the matatus that operate on my route and looking at the Citi Hoppa 29 seaters quite a number were Nissan UD mini-buses so Mr Lay may not be getting it all!
What we all fail to see is that Kosgey has run this scam for a rather long time and has been warned by two PS's in his ministry to exercise his powers correctly by waiting for the standards council to recommend and then he can run his scam. When he became greedy he went behind his PS and KEBS to appoint his village mate who would easily pass on the applications for him to approve. It was never going to take long before the scammers in the motor industry knew that someone was taking a cut and even dealers with car sale yards were getting the exemptions! But as you know, if you leave in a glass house, you never throw stones - so I am not surprised that the two key witnesses are his current PS and the one he helped push out!
So why shed a tear for this man?
....as for ODM, me thinks it was always overrated!
|
|
|
Post by adongo23456 on Jan 6, 2011 21:56:42 GMT 3
|
|
|
Post by adongo23456 on Jan 6, 2011 22:11:46 GMT 3
Folks,
Salim Lone (in the post above)has pointed out something I learned about today morning and was mulling over before I throw it in here. Now that Salim Lone has touched on it I will tell you what I know.
Mr. Lumumba, the warrior fighting corruption was just a few weeks ago the Master of Ceremonies at the wedding of Wetangula's daughter. This was at the time when the same Lumumba was supposed to be investigating the same Wetangula over very serious corruption charges that run into billions, forget these "irregularity" brouhaha with Henry Kosgey.
Obviously Lumumba was not aware of the terrible image he was projecting to the public and damage he was doing to his credibility by hobnobbing with the same people he was investigating. I asked how did this come about. Surely Wetangula did not just wake up one day and say " you know what I am inviting PLO to be the MC in my daughter's wedding"
Turns out Lumumba has been a long term business partner of Mr. Wetangula and that business relationship may still be going on. I do not blame Lumumba for having been a friend and a business partner of Wetangula but surely once he was appointed as the KACC Director, wouldn't it be more prudent for him to severe such relationships. Certainly Lumumba has NO business being the MC of the person he is investigating.
This is like the mafia kingpin of New York under investigation inviting the Chief of Police as his chief guest. Such a police boss would be fired immediately.
Obviously in their private moments they talked about the case. They probably do over the phone etc. But with this brazen show of being a public event covered by the media, what message is PLO sending to Kenyans? Is he really serious about his work or this is just another platform for him to make money, something he has been doing ruthlessly.
We also now know that PLO pretty much cleaned out Hezekiah Oyugi's immense wealth after acting for him as his lawyer. Poor Hezekiah must be turning in his grave. I will try to get the nitty gritty of that.
Basically as the tit bits role in the image emerging of Lumumba is that of a ruthless operator out to make money. Oh boy was this ever a huge blunder. But we are on his case as we promised him.
I know some people will start crying about a smear campaign, but we are not the ones who told PLO to go hobnobbing with the same people he is supposed to be investigating. You make blunders like that we are going to put it at your doorstep without mercy. The issue of PLO's credibility or lack thereof is now a matter of national concern.
He is in my list of open letters too which he will recieve early next week. He should be ready for very tough questions.
adongo
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 7, 2011 1:09:04 GMT 3
Kosgey is a thief with a history nearly a whole generation old. Multi-generational thieves like the Kenyattas, Mois, Kibakis, Saitotis, Nyachaes, Michukis and the latter-day but vicious thieves like Mwiraria, Kiraitu, Murungaru and Kimunya - responsible for Kenya's biggest thievery via land grabbing, Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing, Grand Regency et al - have left gigantic shoes of impoverishment that Kosgey's feet can't fill.This exposes the extent (or lack thereof) of your grasp on imperial wars being waged right under your nose. That a Yankee would apply cut-throat tactics to secure near-exclusive control of foreign markets is not a conspiracy but brutal reality. What's that " short Japanese fellow at Upper Hill" (your words) gonna do to Kimunya's new rules? Better revise Kimunya's rules which clearly unveil a gradual and phased process that only begins with the city (& other urban centers). Of course if you don't integrate (or appreciate) the multi-pronged lobbying by GM, ACCK & US Embassy to simultaneously police the enforcement of 25% common external tarrifs on importations, and curb illegal used vehicle importations, then you can't see the connection between Mr Lay and the future of that City Hoppa Nissan UD mini-bus operating your Kawangware route.Until Mr. Lay & local assemblers see some tipping of the 1:5 ratio of new car sales vs used imported vehicles, these intrigues will continue. Your statement embodies the same sense of entitlement that certain PSs feel over their bosses - ministers! Like you accurately point, these audacious characters actually "WARN" their bosses - ODM ministers like Kosgey - and "DIRECT" them how to use their powers conferred in law...to effect what you phrase "run (the) scam."
The armtwisting insinuation is obvious - "take our instructions and we do the scam together; exclude us and you're out!" This is the current gang-ho environment that the Mt. Kenya mafia under civil service boss Muthaura are trying to stamp in the public service. Time will tell whether that was indeed smart of the mafia. These things often backfire terribly, watch this space. Ati going behind the PS's back! Are you brazenly saying that Kosgey's PS was required to do the appointment on his behalf? Did Kosgey need his PS's permission or consent to exercise his discretionary powers? Gud lawd! Of course the vicious, back-stabbing mafia can dance all they want and parade these mother teresa PSs as witnesses...didn't Githongo after all say "It's Our TurnTo Eat!"Yup! That's what election robbers always say when they think they've outlasted scrutiny. All I can say is- hold your horses for the fat lady. It ain't over till it's over!
|
|
|
Post by einstein on Jan 7, 2011 2:49:35 GMT 3
Job,
You are one in a million!! You rebut like no other! Thanks! And to cap it all, you add this "It ain't over till it is over"! To emphasise that phrase, I also add what my all time best Formula One world drivers champion, Mr. Michael Schumacher, used to say before any race. It goes something like this "To finish first, you got to finish first"!!! Yeah, he meant, no race is over till it is over!! So let's keep racing!
|
|
|
Post by njamba on Jan 7, 2011 3:04:57 GMT 3
kosgey record of corruption is big i wonder how he ended up being the chairman of party of change. I seriously doubt ODM will make it again and nor do I care for PNU. One thing I have to say is that defending Kosgey when it comes to corruption is a waste of space and time.
If PLO has political ambitions and he knows he can achieve them by using his political appointment then I see no problem as long as he plays his game within the rule of law. They say if you live in a glass house do not throw stones.
ODM want to be corruption fighting party then I demand its pointmen for RV or Mars better be squeaky clean.
Raila must distance himself from Kosgey and other official that he thinks may be nabbed due to corruption that is what leadership is all about.
RANNEBERGER is getting rid of a corrupt man who is deterimental to US interests that is all
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Jan 7, 2011 8:56:02 GMT 3
Job
When you guys constantly remind us of other 'thieves' when we talk about Kosgey, it reminds me of the Chris Rock show (know the one he does J'burg, London and New York?) and in his reference to John Mccain's claim to being a hero for being captured, Chris in his usual funny self says that he does not want one that got caught (not smart) but prefers the one that got away (smart).
Which is where the PS's come in. You cannot hope as minister that you will run a scam and be rough to your technocrats. Kosgey must remember when he was appointed he found an existing structure of theft and if he wants to dismantle it and steal alone, then he can be sure that the statement 'corruption strikes back' will come to haunt him. In government, it is those that stole in concert with their technocrats that get away - so if the head technocrat is your halleluyah type; do not steal there!
A certain PS once told me that after the inauguration of the GCG, one ODM minister sat him down and on the face asked him "how do people eat in this ministry". Now that is what you call a wise minister, and I can tell you that there are ministers who have a very fine working relationship with their PS's on matters regarding eating. The have set ceilings on what goes to whom and the love and theft is spread right through the ministry - hence you never get to hear a whiff of controversy in such ministries. Look for a copy of yesterday's Star newspaper and you have Kajawang complaining about being unable to give work permits or IDs because of an edict from Muthaura. I had gone to immigration to pick up a new passport yesterday morning and when I asked a senior official friend of mine what the noise was all about (and whether it was connected with the fact the department only has 32 page passports rather than the larger ones for frequent travellers like me), the guy laughed and saifd it is because a tap has been closed and Kajwang is under pressure from the ID company to meet his part of the bargain which was to extend temporary contract for ID printing. This is a classic case of the Minister not working with his PS and Director of Immigration and hoping that he can cut them out - moral? We either all eat together or you do not eat!
Job - Why do I highlight this? It is because the culture of theft in our government is still alive both at political and technocrat levels and what you now see is not a fresh push to expose corrupt ministers, it is the wronged blowing whistles on their ministers. For instance, are you entirely convinced that there is no graft in the Lands Ministry? I am not, but I know for sure that I will not be hearing of such a saga as the minister, PS and commissioner of lands work very well as a team. Co-operative stealing? I frankly do not know, but when whistle gets blown, it hits all three. Now that is the same thing that happened to Wetangula and his PS. They were a team unlike say Ongeri and Karega who were not a team or Raila and Caroli where things were done behind the minister's back.
I prefer to be a realist on some of these things.
As for GM thinking that it now has the sun shining on Mombasa road with the phasing out of the 14 seater, then he something else coming! I spent my new year holidays in Mombasa and I did notice that Kenyan folk seem to be very adaptive. If you remember the advent of the big matatu, whilst every other route went for "half lorry" models of the Canter etc, Eastleigh route 6 and 9 had the nice looking Rosa matatus. Now these are the ones I saw being off-loaded some car carrier in Mombasa. I anticipate that this will replace the Nissan as the Isuzu matatus are certainly not that cheap to get on the road after Dodi's and others have been through your pockets!
|
|
|
Post by Daktari wa makazi on Jan 7, 2011 10:22:25 GMT 3
I thought Job once told us he has invested on 14 seater matatus. I see therefore the criticism of the Kimunya rules on 14 seater matatus as simply soar grapes.
GM angle is simply nonsense. I hate the Americans but I doubt if they can be so stupid to engage is such cheap innuendo. I understand the 128 vehicles Kosgey is accused of importing are mostly cars. However, for the purposes of argument, there maybe some 14 seater vans, which could equally be used in others areas, tourists travel being one of them. Would the Americans get worked out about a few 14 seaters imported illegally as a threat to their Isuzu model? I seriously doubt it.
The main competition to Isuzu brand, and many other brand new vehicles is the second hand market. Most vehicles in second hand market are perfectly legal but cheaper in comparison to the new ones. As Kamalet noted, Canters and Rosas are already a serious competition for the Isuzu. Furthermore, Isuzu's biggest market is pickups, where it is facing the biggest onslaught from second hand pickups not the matatus.
Let us not created useless conspiracy theory.
The simple fact is Kosgey as political force is gone, he is no longer an asset to ODM. Raila's chances of the presidency are dwindling away as the Kalenjins votes are now becomes more of a mirage for him. We all know without the Kalenjin block, Raila must say bye-bye to State House. As ODM, let us face that stark reality and regain lost ground.
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jan 7, 2011 11:47:30 GMT 3
Job .....yada yada yada........A certain PS once told me that after the inauguration of the GCG, one ODM minister sat him down and on the face asked him "how do people eat in this ministry". Now that is what you call a wise minister, and I can tell you that there are ministers who have a very fine working relationship with their PS's on matters regarding eating. The have set ceilings on what goes to whom and the love and theft is spread right through the ministry - hence you never get to hear a whiff of controversy in such ministries. Look for a copy of yesterday's Star newspaper and you have Kajawang complaining about being unable to give work permits or IDs because of an edict from Muthaura. I had gone to immigration to pick up a new passport yesterday morning and when I asked a senior official friend of mine what the noise was all about (and whether it was connected with the fact the department only has 32 page passports rather than the larger ones for frequent travellers like me), the guy laughed and saifd it is because a tap has been closed and Kajwang is under pressure from the ID company to meet his part of the bargain which was to extend temporary contract for ID printing. This is a classic case of the Minister not working with his PS and Director of Immigration and hoping that he can cut them out - moral? We either all eat together or you do not eat! You guys surely know how to spin, dont you? We have our ears to the ground Kamale. The tender for supply of new 3rd generation IDs and well as printing of passports and new driving licences were stopped, not because a tap had supposedly been turned off for Minister Kajwang, but because the government of Kenya is intent on building internal capacity at the Government Printer to be able to produce these security documents for Kenya and the region. It is a project associated with at least four government ministries led by the internal security ministry under which the Government Printer falls. Otieno Kajwang issues passports and IDs, but it is Saitoti who orders them. Printing of secure, terrorist proof passports and IDs are also an agenda for all of the 5 East African Federation states (And soon to join Southern Sudan) who have all been given a deadline to do so as a precondition of forming the federation. I would therefore kindly request you Kamale to renew you passport quietly like any other Kenyan and ask your immigration clerk buddy to shut up if he/she is too junior to grasp what is going on within the highly acclaimed e-government project. What we understand from KACC is that Kajwang is being investigated for issuing undeserving work permits. Not a temporary contract for printing ID cards. A clear manifestation of how PLO's KACC is engaged in a false fight against grand corruption. Why should Kosgey and Kajwang be charged for doing their jobs? If there is a question of abuse of office, that is not PLO's mandate but a mandate of other official watchdogs. Yet again another misguided assumption. Dont we all know that Mombasa Port serves the entire region and that is not that all containers and goods being offloaded at Kilindini are destined for Kenya market? Rosa matatus were a failure since they were suited more for the luxurious longer haul market. Right now they are more popular in Tanzania than in Kenya where they serve as dala dala (matatu). The 14-seater ban within the CBD under the guise of decongesting the city is a lame and unprofessional order that will cost jobs while no visible descongestion will be seen in Nairobi. It is a perfect excuse for Kimunya to act on behalf of his imperial masters. Why is Kimunya arrogating himself the role of Nairobi Metropolitan ministry? The fact is that Kosgey did what Mukhisa and other PNU ministers had recently done, which is perfectly within the law. The issue of whether Kosgey is a political force does not arise here. In any case were we not told not so long ago while Kosgey was still minister that ODM are finished in Rift Valley? What has changed now?
|
|
|
Post by kamalet on Jan 7, 2011 16:00:16 GMT 3
Job .....yada yada yada........A certain PS once told me that after the inauguration of the GCG, one ODM minister sat him down and on the face asked him "how do people eat in this ministry". Now that is what you call a wise minister, and I can tell you that there are ministers who have a very fine working relationship with their PS's on matters regarding eating. The have set ceilings on what goes to whom and the love and theft is spread right through the ministry - hence you never get to hear a whiff of controversy in such ministries. Look for a copy of yesterday's Star newspaper and you have Kajawang complaining about being unable to give work permits or IDs because of an edict from Muthaura. I had gone to immigration to pick up a new passport yesterday morning and when I asked a senior official friend of mine what the noise was all about (and whether it was connected with the fact the department only has 32 page passports rather than the larger ones for frequent travellers like me), the guy laughed and saifd it is because a tap has been closed and Kajwang is under pressure from the ID company to meet his part of the bargain which was to extend temporary contract for ID printing. This is a classic case of the Minister not working with his PS and Director of Immigration and hoping that he can cut them out - moral? We either all eat together or you do not eat! You guys surely know how to spin, dont you? We have our ears to the ground Kamale. The tender for supply of new 3rd generation IDs and well as printing of passports and new driving licences were stopped, not because a tap had supposedly been turned off for Minister Kajwang, but because the government of Kenya is intent on building internal capacity at the Government Printer to be able to produce these security documents for Kenya and the region. It is a project associated with at least four government ministries led by the internal security ministry under which the Government Printer falls. Otieno Kajwang issues passports and IDs, but it is Saitoti who orders them. You cannot come and lie to all that Saitoti is responsible for all security printing! The tap that was closed was the attempt at the extention of the temporary contract to print the IDs and this is what Kajwang is whining about. If you claim to know, you should know why the tendering is stalling and who is doing it with regard to the 3rd generation IDs. It is nothing but another Anglo leasing in the making and you know it! Printing of secure, terrorist proof passports and IDs are also an agenda for all of the 5 East African Federation states (And soon to join Southern Sudan) who have all been given a deadline to do so as a precondition of forming the federation. I would therefore kindly request you Kamale to renew you passport quietly like any other Kenyan and ask your immigration clerk buddy to shut up if he/she is too junior to grasp what is going on within the highly acclaimed e-government project. Kenya already has tamperproof anti-terrorist passports and I can confirm that is what was issued to me yesterday and which is different from the one that I had issued to me in 2009. Sometimes you need to keep your ujuaji under check and you embarrass yourself when you drag in the e-government project to this. [What we understand from KACC is that Kajwang is being investigated for issuing undeserving work permits. Not a temporary contract for printing ID cards. A clear manifestation of how PLO's KACC is engaged in a false fight against grand corruption. Why should Kosgey and Kajwang be charged for doing their jobs? If there is a question of abuse of office, that is not PLO's mandate but a mandate of other official watchdogs. I have not anywhere said that Kajwang is being investigated for for a temporary contract by KACC and this one about him being investigated for work permits may be a new one as he is not on the current list of 4 - or do you know something we do not (and no pun intended!)? [As for GM thinking that it now has the sun shining on Mombasa road with the phasing out of the 14 seater, then he something else coming! I spent my new year holidays in Mombasa and I did notice that Kenyan folk seem to be very adaptive. If you remember the advent of the big matatu, whilst every other route went for "half lorry" models of the Canter etc, Eastleigh route 6 and 9 had the nice looking Rosa matatus. Now these are the ones I saw being off-loaded some car carrier in Mombasa. I anticipate that this will replace the Nissan as the Isuzu matatus are certainly not that cheap to get on the road after Dodi's and others have been through your pockets! Yet again another misguided assumption. Dont we all know that Mombasa Port serves the entire region and that is not that all containers and goods being offloaded at Kilindini are destined for Kenya market? Rosa matatus were a failure since they were suited more for the luxurious longer haul market. Right now they are more popular in Tanzania than in Kenya where they serve as dala dala (matatu). Rosas were used on routes 6 & 9 many years until they became uneconomical when it came to filling them up with customers because of their seat configuration. If they work in Dar as dala dalas why should they not work in Nairobi? [The 14-seater ban within the CBD under the guise of decongesting the city is a lame and unprofessional order that will cost jobs while no visible descongestion will be seen in Nairobi. It is a perfect excuse for Kimunya to act on behalf of his imperial masters. Why is Kimunya arrogating himself the role of Nairobi Metropolitan ministry? This should explain why you should restrict yourself to ODM politics and sucking up. Kimunya is minister for Transport and yes matatus fall under his docket as is the transport policy for Kenya which covers Nairobi as well. Now you know! The fact is that Kosgey did what Mukhisa and other PNU ministers had recently done, which is perfectly within the law. The issue of whether Kosgey is a political force does not arise here. In any case were we not told not so long ago while Kosgey was still minister that ODM are finished in Rift Valley? What has changed now? Yes Mukhisa and those before him did it......but they were not as greedy as Kosgey and that is why they were not caught and he was caught!
|
|
|
Post by gachquota on Jan 7, 2011 16:54:57 GMT 3
I find it hard to defend Kosgey.Corruption iz corruption end of story.
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jan 7, 2011 18:25:22 GMT 3
You cannot come and lie to all that Saitoti is responsible for all security printing! The tap that was closed was the attempt at the extention of the temporary contract to print the IDs and this is what Kajwang is whining about. If you claim to know, you should know why the tendering is stalling and who is doing it with regard to the 3rd generation IDs. It is nothing but another Anglo leasing in the making and you know it! Oh yes I can. Simply because government printers is a department is Saitoti's ministry; I mean everyone knows that. All government printing is done at that department, while all security printing is outsourced from private companies who import on behalf of government at huge costs. The first thing the ODM did when it came to govt in 2008 was to propose the rehabilitation of government printer to international standards. The aim was to save the exchequer billions of shillings spent in printing and importing passports, ID cards and even currency, when an upgrade of existing facilities could easily make GP capable of doing this for Kenya (and the region for extra revenues). It is a proposal that has justified the suspension of ordering new passport books and ID cards because there is a lot of sense in it, as well as opening a possible revenue stream for government, if it can privatise GP or make it part of KRA. The whole project is part of e-government that aims to keep the biodata of all Kenyan citizens in one central location which is accessible to all relevant departments for ease reference and also for purposes of mobile registration of births, deaths, issuance of driving licences, IDs, passports and tracking of numerous government data. This is not information you expect immigration clerks to know and it is obvious where your ignorance is emating from. The basic reason PNU's Saitoti is resisting upgrade of government printers is because it will cut-off their own personal revenue stream of receiving kickbacks from provate contractors who print passports, ID cards, currency and so forth, on behalf of GoK. If this was going to be another Anglo-Leasing, then Saitoti was going to preside over it. FYI, the books are preprinted and supplied blank, and the only thing Immigration does is to input personal details and seal the book. They do this after verification by NSIS. Personalisation and issuance is the job of immigration while the job of ordering security material is the job of the OP. Kenya does not have tamperproof passports and even your renewed book can be duplicated in downtown Nairobi by the notorious Nigerians in a matter of minutes. If you knew how advanced biometric technology has become you wouldnt be making such statements. For instance, does you current passport have iris identification technology? Yours is a simple microchip based passport which can easily be manipulated by anyone with the right equipment. However, if GP were to be allowed to adopt current technology, Kenya would have first world technology locally and this would also open a huge export market in sub-sahara africa for the Kenyan tax payer. The question is; why are PNU players resisting this proposal? Using your warped logic that rosas were longtime eastleigh matatus, why dont we all then revert to the old 404 pick-ups which were for a longtime national matatus in Kenya? Rosas failed because of their unsuitability to run as metro buses in the Kenyan context. Other models performed better and economic factors forced demand for Rosas to dwindle. Nothing on the ground appears to have changed apart from the artificial demand that Kimunya wants to create. Gotta run, will come back for you later.
|
|
|
Post by job on Jan 7, 2011 18:28:45 GMT 3
I thought Job once told us he has invested on 14 seater matatus. I see therefore the criticism of the Kimunya rules on 14 seater matatus as simply soar grapes. GM angle is simply nonsense. I hate the Americans but I doubt if they can be so stupid to engage is such cheap innuendo. I understand the 128 vehicles Kosgey is accused of importing are mostly cars. However, for the purposes of argument, there maybe some 14 seater vans, which could equally be used in others areas, tourists travel being one of them. Would the Americans get worked out about a few 14 seaters imported illegally as a threat to their Isuzu model? I seriously doubt it. The main competition to Isuzu brand, and many other brand new vehicles is the second hand market. Most vehicles in second hand market are perfectly legal but cheaper in comparison to the new ones. As Kamalet noted, Canters and Rosas are already a serious competition for the Isuzu. Furthermore, Isuzu's biggest market is pickups, where it is facing the biggest onslaught from second hand pickups not the matatus. Let us not created useless conspiracy theory. The simple fact is Kosgey as political force is gone, he is no longer an asset to ODM. Raila's chances of the presidency are dwindling away as the Kalenjins votes are now becomes more of a mirage for him. We all know without the Kalenjin block, Raila must say bye-bye to State House. As ODM, let us face that stark reality and regain lost ground. Sadik, Slow & tone down Sadik! What’s up with this emerging pattern of angry and emotional salad of words? It’s one thing to butt into debate like a wounded buffalo and quite another to reason with facts. Where did I state I run a 14 seater Nissan Matatu (please post evidence)? How do sour grapes therefore come in?Secondly, in your adrenaline rush, you failed to notice that I listed a host of issues Americans had against Kosgey which were well documented in the Wikileak cables by none other than the US Ambassador Ranneberger himself - not just the vehicle importation issue- including failure to stop the dumping of cheap counterfeit Chinese goods into Kenya which has virtually shut out American competition in communications, technology, agricultural machinery, etc etc. Kosgey had that lock via KEBS. Thus a concerted American effort to preserve their interest (aka profit seeking avenues) can never be equated as “cheap innuendo” by any sane and cognitively alert mind. Am I surprised the link is blurred to some? Absolutely not! After Kimunya’s very significant and consequential directive to decongest the city, Nairobi alone will require 7,000 vehicles to replace the 14-seater vans according to Kimunya’s own (government) data. Can you imagine the implementation of this with Kosgey still exercising his discretionary powers to exempt certain waivers on importation of used vehicles? It is the shudder of such thought that informs the US push to guard Kimunya’s “reforms” on behalf of American interest in GM. Add to Kosgey's failure to dance to the American tune of blocking cheap Chinese counterfeit products into Kenya! Put yourself in the capitalist American's shoes.
Kosgey had to be covertly and surreptitiously pushed out of this docket important to the US - using PLO & the parliamenatry reform caucus as Wikileaks cables suggest. Of course, that doesn't mean local politics by PNU rivals and the stop-Raila brigade didn't contribute to this ouster.
I do not expect that all locals (including elites and intellectuals) will see the former connection! Many only see the latter.
Consider my position solid...whether you call it conspiracy or not doesn't matter...For now, I'll hold against characterizing your own views with readily available adjectives! I'll just dissect them instead.It’s not the sheer numbers of vehicles so far exempted that had GM, ACCK & US Embassy worried. It was the emerging pattern where dealers and mass importers were beginning to exploit this loophole that they wanted stopped. Put in other terms, GM was more worried about the numbers yet to be imported, not numbers already imported - especially right in the middle of a windfall demand for 7,000 Mini-buses in Nairobi alone! The trend and continued exploitation of that loophole was potentially fatal for their business.To casually dismiss a valid American-interest complaint well documented in an official cable dispatch from the head of Nairobi’s US Embassy to the US State Department at Washington DC as “useless conspiracy theory” clearly betrays logic being relegated at the altar of rugged emotion.I can almost bet you didn’t even watch the video clip (I posted) where the GM executive discusses market problems of exports (within COMESA) and competition by importers. It is precisely that serious competition from the Canters and Rosas that makes GM fight for its survival. GM is trying to survive by using all means including leverage in government (via Kimunya). Part of collateral damage- aided by other factors- is Kosgey's hounding out.GM has a simple vision where it wants COMESA borders opened to enable them export cars to these countries without border/customs restrictions while armtwisting these regional governments to curb importation of used vehicles. They want these governments to SUBSIDIZE loans taken by matatu owners (& coops) so that matatu investors can still find it profitable to purchase brand new locally assembled vehicles. You must have heard Ranneberger talking about "reforms" all the time! Here they start coming with such directives on the 14 seater Nissans! Is there enough empirical evidence of deep-pocketed Kalenjin politicians (& most other Kenyan communities) implicated in improprieties automatically losing political force or no longer being political assets? Do you think William Ruto’s implication in graft makes him less popular amongst his locals? Are any of these politicians - Zakayo Cheruiyot, Franklin Bett, Isaac Ruto, Sammy Mwaita etc – shunned by voters based on past improprieties? Even outside Kalenjin… Saitoti, Ntimama, Kimunya, Mwakwere… etc Lastly, Henry Kosgey is indeed a strong regional pillar of ODM in North Rift but heck not the sole glue holding the entire Kalenjin voting bloc. You know that quite well! Say hi to him bwana wakili!
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jan 8, 2011 13:42:17 GMT 3
Job, ;D do not expect any evidence to be posted any time soon.
These brothers are quick to dismiss your well researched piece without any tangible evidence to back up their own arguments.
You see kamale wants us to believe the laugh he had with an immigration clerk who most likely has no idea about what goes on in the minister's or ps's office.
Sometimes Jukwaa is just a circus.
|
|