RAILA SHOULD SKIP TONIGHT'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

[Sam Ochola]

It is my opinion that Raila should skip today’s Presidential debate or send a lieutenant like Hon Abu Namwamba to stand for him.
I take fault with CORD Presidential strategy team lacking foresight and committing the candidate to this worthless exposure. The only serious Presidential contender of Raila’s stature and therefore CORD’s concern is Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta and to a lesser extent Amani’s Musalia Mudavadi.
It adds zero value for a Presidential front-runner debating prime with a crowd of political minions for the sake of it. With due respect to PK, Karua and the lot, they stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this election. Empirically they are non- starters with nothing to loose. To them therefore this debate is a God-sent platform & exciting opportunity to heckle, bash & punch above their weights; all for the attention their bids have so far failed to attract on the “political free market”.
Back in 2007 count-down to the polls, Kalonzo Musyoka then running distant third insisted on a debate with Raila. ODM out-rightly rebuffed the calls on account that Raila would only debate with main challenger Kibaki, then of PNU. Similar wisdom should have prevailed this time in CORD.
I understand the excitement of staging this event but even in USA and the democracies (which I believe we’re trying to shadow) there are benchmarks and thresholds of whom to put where. There were other candidates running alongside Obama and Romney for the Presidency. They were simply accorded scopes of their worth in the race.

Narrowing the field would have been easier if both Jubilee and Cord for once got in one accord and insisted to the debate organizers to exclude jokers as a condition for their participation. My point is a true Presidential debate ought to be between/among two or three heavy-weights whom the public ought to interrogate and compare/contrast for the very fact that have realistic chance of assuming the office.
Finally I’m also concerned about the moderators of this debate. I find most of our Kenyan journalist to be either shallow (lacking the acumen), biased or timid to rebut politicians and pundits in a manner that brings them to accountability. For example Julie Gichuru (selected for this evening) is one such awesome TV star, I thoroughly adore this lady but she is a tick-box and hollow with respect to political discussions/shows. She shows little mastery of this field. I could be too colored by British standards but that it is my take of the media in my native homeland... Someone like Jeff Koinange (assuming he was not-at large) has impeccable talent for such task but yet too compromised to referee an impartial debate.
I hope the moderators will prove me wrong by setting the natural tempo for the debate as opposed a boring academic presentations among the contenders.

[kamalet]

I would have given a different excuse for Raila to miss the debate tonight.

Raila is not a consumate debator and his very good at a public rally or when reading a written script. He becomes a danger even unto himself when allowed to take an interview that is not scripted for that is when he is most reckless.

Tonight presents this opportunity for Raila to make an ass of himself when he meets debaters such as Peter Keneth, Martha and Uhuru!

[cheshirecat]

Feb 11, 2013 5:34:05 GMT 3 Sam Ochola said:

It is my opinion that Raila should skip today’s Presidential debate or send a lieutenant like Hon Abu Namwamba to stand for him.
I take fault with CORD Presidential strategy team lacking foresight and committing the candidate to this worthless exposure. The only serious Presidential contender of Raila’s stature and therefore CORD’s concern is Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta and to a lesser extent Amani’s Musalia Mudavadi.
It adds zero value for a Presidential front-runner debating prime with a crowd of political minions for the sake of it. With due respect to PK, Karua and the lot, they stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this election. Empirically they are non- starters with nothing to loose. To them therefore this debate is a God-sent platform & exciting opportunity to heckle, bash & punch above their weights; all for the attention their bids have so far failed to attract on the “political free market”.
Back in 2007 count-down to the polls, Kalonzo Musyoka then running distant third insisted on a debate with Raila. ODM out-rightly rebuffed the calls on account that Raila would only debate with main challenger Kibaki, then of PNU. Similar wisdom should have prevailed this time in CORD.
I understand the excitement of staging this event but even in USA and the democracies (which I believe we’re trying to shadow) there are benchmarks and thresholds of whom to put where. There were other candidates running alongside Obama and Romney for the Presidency. They were simply accorded scopes of their worth in the race.

Narrowing the field would have been easier if both Jubilee and Cord for once got in one accord and insisted to the debate organizers to exclude jokers as a condition for their participation. My point is a true Presidential debate ought to be between/among two or three heavy-weights whom the public ought to interrogate and compare/contrast for the very fact that have realistic chance of assuming the office.
Finally I’m also concerned about the moderators of this debate. I find most of our Kenyan journalist to be either shallow (lacking the acumen), biased or timid to rebut politicians and pundits in a manner that brings them to accountability. For example Julie Gichuru (selected for this evening) is one such awesome TV star, I thoroughly adore this lady but she is a tick-box and hollow with respect to political discussions/shows. She shows little mastery of this field. I could be too colored by British standards but that it is my take of the media in my native homeland... Someone like Jeff Koinange (assuming he was not-at large) has impeccable talent for such task but yet too compromised to referee an impartial debate.
I hope the moderators will prove me wrong by setting the natural tempo for the debate as opposed a boring academic presentations among the contenders.

ohhh the arrogance dripping from this article! I thought your newly minted reform champion Kalonzo musyoka advocates for Servant -Leadership lol

Be humble like Kalonzo

[nowayhaha]

Feb 11, 2013 5:34:05 GMT 3 Sam Ochola said:

It is my opinion that Raila should skip today’s Presidential debate or send a lieutenant like Hon Abu Namwamba to stand for him.
I take fault with CORD Presidential strategy team lacking foresight and committing the candidate to this worthless exposure. The only serious Presidential contender of Raila’s stature and therefore CORD’s concern is Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta and to a lesser extent Amani’s Musalia Mudavadi.
It adds zero value for a Presidential front-runner debating prime with a crowd of political minions for the sake of it. With due respect to PK, Karua and the lot, they stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this election. Empirically they are non- starters with nothing to loose. To them therefore this debate is a God-sent platform & exciting opportunity to heckle, bash & punch above their weights; all for the attention their bids have so far failed to attract on the “political free market”.
Back in 2007 count-down to the polls, Kalonzo Musyoka then running distant third insisted on a debate with Raila. ODM out-rightly rebuffed the calls on account that Raila would only debate with main challenger Kibaki, then of PNU. Similar wisdom should have prevailed this time in CORD.
I understand the excitement of staging this event but even in USA and the democracies (which I believe we’re trying to shadow) there are benchmarks and thresholds of whom to put where. There were other candidates running alongside Obama and Romney for the Presidency. They were simply accorded scopes of their worth in the race.

Narrowing the field would have been easier if both Jubilee and Cord for once got in one accord and insisted to the debate organizers to exclude jokers as a condition for their participation. My point is a true Presidential debate ought to be between/among two or three heavy-weights whom the public ought to interrogate and compare/contrast for the very fact that have realistic chance of assuming the office.
Finally I’m also concerned about the moderators of this debate. I find most of our Kenyan journalist to be either shallow (lacking the acumen), biased or timid to rebut politicians and pundits in a manner that brings them to accountability. For example Julie Gichuru (selected for this evening) is one such awesome TV star, I thoroughly adore this lady but she is a tick-box and hollow with respect to political discussions/shows. She shows little mastery of this field. I could be too colored by British standards but that it is my take of the media in my native homeland... Someone like Jeff Koinange (assuming he was not-at large) has impeccable talent for such task but yet too compromised to referee an impartial debate.
I hope the moderators will prove me wrong by setting the natural tempo for the debate as opposed a boring academic presentations among the contenders.

I feel your pain . Raila is challenged when it comes to articulating issues and giviving a stand on a particular points. Dont worry one thing which will be advantageous to him is the number of participants in the debate thus he would be able to camouflage his weaknesses.

He also needs to remember he is more like an incumbent thus he should be ready to answer questions like why could he have solved most of the problems while he was the prime minister , if he goes the route of vitendawilis then he will have backstabbed himself before 40 million viewers .Tonight will be the day the presidency will be won based on the swing voters making up their minds

elections.nation.co.ke/news/All-set-for-first-presidential-debate-/-/1631868/1690288/-/12drj4/-/index.html

RAILA ODINGA

The Cord alliance torch-bearer projects himself as the reform candidate, but he has garnered more attention in recent days for his attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta over the sensitive land question.

He would probably want to continue an onslaught that would keep his main rival on the defensive, but the format of the debate might not allow for direct confrontation.

Mr Odinga is a master hectoring crowds on the campaign soapbox, but a more structured debate might cramp his freewheeling style.

Mr Odinga rose in politics grounded in mastery of issues and defined policy platform, but he also has a tendency to shoot from the hip.

He might also easily disregard the discipline—hours of preparation and rehearsal—required to ensure a winning performance in debate.

That could expose him tonight, especially if he goes off message and brings out the rabble-rouser of the campaign platform rather than the statesman required to steer the ship of state.

Mr Odinga might also need a few lessons to stop mumbling and speaking through clenched teeth.

[gakungu]

By: Osugo Moseti
Deputy Prime Minister and Jubilee flag bearer Uhuru Kenyatta will be the candidate under more curious scrutiny in today’s presidential debate than the rest. He comes on stage carrying a lot of baggage some which is self loading. Many are eager to see how he will perform.
Doubts are emerging among Kenyans as to Uhuru’s ability to deal with issues among them insecurity in the country. It is alleged that he has had close association with the dreaded Mungiki, an outlawed group that terrorized parts of Central Province, Rift Valley and Nairobi. It is this close association that is the basis of the ICC case against him at The Hague.
Uhuru’s associates in TNA were rumoured to have had contact with the fake assistant commissioner of police – Mr Waiganjo. The fake Assistant Commissioner is yet to make public his damning revelation to the Prime Minister as promised. Such allegations, if true are likely to compromise national security were Uhuru to be elected the next Commander In Chief.
The threat of sanctions by Kenya’s trading partners puts Uhuru’s ability to deal with insecurity into question; Kenya has been relying heavily on American, Britain, French and even Israeli intelligence and logistical support in the war against terrorism.
Let it not be forgotten that the French Navy played a crucial role in conquering Kismayu. With sanctions, an Uhuru Kenyatta government (sic) will not be able to deal effectively with terrorism.
On the Economy, Uhuru is already weakened to talk authoritatively how to fix the economy. His tenure at the Treasury saw the economy take a downward spiral with the Shilling hitting the lowest exchange rate to the USA dollar in the history of Kenya. The famous computer error won’t make matters easy either.
On land reforms; Uhuru is expected to offer nothing tangible as his manifesto clearly tries to justify his family’s land acquisition and instead shift the focus onto land adjudication that targets community or trust land. The Kenyatta family is accused of owning land through proxies in Rift Valley and Coast province the size of which if put together can equal to a ninth province.
Land being an emotive issue, Uhuru’s manifesto is also said to be causing discomfort in regions where land is scarce for instance Gusii land. Many people interviewed do not understand how they will benefit from the tractors Uhuru is promising to import to cultivate farming land.
“There is no land here, even for a family using traditional hoe to till” said a subsistence farmer in Kisii. To many in Kisii, importing tractors is just a waste of money. That alone is reason enough to move on to another candidate who may be better placed to care of their interests.
At the Coast, the people we interviewed especially the elderly, were full of memories of 1960’s about how the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta promised to buy tractors for the area residents only to get people from up country moving to settle at the Coast.
Uhuru is also viewed as the rock of the Kibaki presidency with others speculating that Uhuru rules Kenya through Kibaki, this argument is premised on the fact that Uhuru’s friends got influential positions in the cabinet at the expense of more deserving people like the former Gatanga MP and Eagle Coalition presidential candidate Hon Peter Kenneth.
Uhuru is a very smart politician but his ability to articulate issues is in question. His prep team must prepare him well otherwise it will be a disaster in the premier presidential debate.
Uhuru has often displayed anger and high temperament; he was once caught in camera banging tables at a press conference in Parliament buildings.
His TV interviews have been reviewed badly often due to his arrogance and juvenile tactics “Uhuru is a smart politician, very sharp but he must learn to relax, give the interviewer or host time to ask a question and stop lording it on the host, I am sure you saw his disastrous interview with Al Jazeera two or three weeks ago, that is what he needs to avoid” noted Nicholas Mutembei a Nairobi based media critic.
Lands minister James Orengo at a rally in Kwale asked Kenyans who between Raila and Uhuru is more likely to wake up early enough to deal with the many problems Kenya is facing, to which the crowd responded Raila!
Well, we hope Uhuru will wake up on time and show up for the debate, sober enough to excite his base!

[nowayhaha]

Feb 11, 2013 15:17:04 GMT 3 gakungu said:

By: Osugo Moseti
Deputy Prime Minister and Jubilee flag bearer Uhuru Kenyatta will be the candidate under more curious scrutiny in today’s presidential debate than the rest. He comes on stage carrying a lot of baggage some which is self loading. Many are eager to see how he will perform.

Check his performance one on one with Ocampo at the Hague(ICC Court ) in 2011.

Feb 11, 2013 15:17:04 GMT 3 gakungu said:

By: Osugo Moseti
Doubts are emerging among Kenyans as to Uhuru’s ability to deal with issues among them insecurity in the country. It is alleged that he has had close association with the dreaded Mungiki, an outlawed group that terrorized parts of Central Province, Rift Valley and Nairobi. It is this close association that is the basis of the ICC case against him at The Hague.

Maina Njenga the Mungiki leader is in a union with Raila Odinga of ODM under the Cord umbrella -so who has the most recent association with Mungiki well you have it there Mungiki is a partner of Cord by voting for Cord you will be voting for Mungiki

Feb 11, 2013 15:17:04 GMT 3 gakungu said:

Uhuru’s associates in TNA were rumoured to have had contact with the fake assistant commissioner of police – Mr Waiganjo. The fake Assistant Commissioner is yet to make public his damning revelation to the Prime Minister as promised. Such allegations, if true are likely to compromise national security were Uhuru to be elected the next Commander In Chief.

Where as these are just mere allegations and cant be substantiated (puting into consideration TNA member )the latest news was that Raila was ready to meet and dine with Waiganjo .Now who would want to vote for apresident who has criminals in his kitchen cabinet (Maina Njengas and is ready to meet criminals at will as long as you have become famous the Waiganjo of Baragoi Killings .

Feb 11, 2013 15:17:04 GMT 3 gakungu said:

The threat of sanctions by Kenya’s trading partners puts Uhuru’s ability to deal with insecurity into question; Kenya has been relying heavily on American, Britain, French and even Israeli intelligence and logistical support in the war against terrorism.
Let it not be forgotten that the French Navy played a crucial role in conquering Kismayu. With sanctions, an Uhuru Kenyatta government (sic) will not be able to deal effectively with terrorism.

Obama clearly clarified that US is ready to work with Uhuru once he becomes the president, furthermore out of all Kenyas trading partners none has indicated the intention to stop trading with Kenya .

Do note that its not countries which impose sanctions of Irans magnitude but the United Security Council with members doing the voting this is not a simple task as you might wish for its a process which includes lobying et all.

Feb 11, 2013 15:17:04 GMT 3 gakungu said:

On the Economy, Uhuru is already weakened to talk authoritatively how to fix the economy. His tenure at the Treasury saw the economy take a downward spiral with the Shilling hitting the lowest exchange rate to the USA dollar in the history of Kenya. The famous computer error won’t make matters easy either.

See Uhurus achievements when he was the Finance Minister

Uhuru brought radical reforms in the Treasury, which has transformed the way public finances are being handled. It is a pity that such changes, which will be felt for a long while, risk being swept under the rot of politics-as-usual.

Economic Stimulus Programme is almost on the lips of policy makers daily. However, few know that Uhuru spearheaded its introduction.

The programme, abbreviated as ESP, aims to spur economic growth and create jobs for thousands of youth. The project also seeks to encourage entrepreneurship and enable poor Kenyans to lift themselves out of poverty. Several health facilities have been set up in rural areas thanks to the programme.

Food security in the country is in a precarious situation more than before thanks to unpredictable weather patterns. Year in year out, Kenyans have been ravaged by hunger and this is bound to get worse if watertight measures are not put in place. The ESP seeks to find lasting solutions to this challenge.

The food security objective under the initiative is tied to conservation of the environment, which is now a critical aspect of development. All over the world going green is the dominant currency as it is the only way to ensure sustainable development.

It was also during Uhuru’s tenure at the Ministry of Finance when the integrated financial management information system. This initiative brings in its wake a novel way to check corruption, a cancer that has ravaged the economy for decades.

The system was designed to foster transparency and accountability in managing public funds. Hitherto, the management of public coffers was, to paraphrase wartime British PM Winston Churchill, shrouded in a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

Uhuru also established a kitty from which micro and small entrepreneurs access loans to expand their businesses. The programme, unveiled in March last year, has already made great strides with the government now partnering with Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank and K-Rep — to advance loans to traders. Without doubt, SMEs can play a central role in spurring economic growth and reducing poverty if given an enabling environment.

The Deputy PM also played a vital role in bringing back investor confidence that had been terribly shaken after several stockbrokers collapsed and with them, millions of Kenyans money. Uhuru introduced the Investor Compensation Fund to compensate such investors.

Down garden path

Last but not least, Uhuru in 2009, replaced the fuel guzzling Mercedes Benz that ministers and top governments officials were using with Volkswagen Passats. The initiative considerably cut public costs, saving millions of shillings, which are now being channelled to other more deserving and worthy projects.

His opponents, who have nothing to show for all the years they have held public position, want us to give these stellar achievements a blind eye and focus on distractions such as the charges at The Hague.

Kenyans should not be led down the garden path in the next elections by demagogues whose stock-in-trade is empty rhetoric and sterile political machinations.

www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000064948&pageNo=2&story_title=Uhuru-accomplishments-risk-being-buried-in-mud

Heck we even saw Raila congratulating Uhuru


[quote author=gakungu board=general thread=7917 post=116133 time=1360585024

On land reforms; Uhuru is expected to offer nothing tangible as his manifesto clearly tries to justify his family’s land acquisition and instead shift the focus onto land adjudication that targets community or trust land. The Kenyatta family is accused of owning land through proxies in Rift Valley and Coast province the size of which if put together can equal to a ninth province.
Land being an emotive issue, Uhuru’s manifesto is also said to be causing discomfort in regions where land is scarce for instance Gusii land. Many people interviewed do not understand how they will benefit from the tractors Uhuru is promising to import to cultivate farming land.
“There is no land here, even for a family using traditional hoe to till” said a subsistence farmer in Kisii. To many in Kisii, importing tractors is just a waste of money. That alone is reason enough to move on to another candidate who may be better placed to care of their interests.
At the Coast, the people we interviewed especially the elderly, were full of memories of 1960’s about how the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta promised to buy tractors for the area residents only to get people from up country moving to settle at the Coast.

[/quote]


The notion being put forward by Cord that Uhuru cant resolve Land issue having inherited land from his father is illogical . What about the vast pieces of land Raila grabbed from the public , Opad farm, Molasses plant Nandi farm e.t.c.
Find a thread on the subject issue

jukwaa.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7896

As Cord are busy accusing others of owning land as if this will solve land problems Uhuru articulated clearly the steps they are going to take to tackle and arrest the land issues during the Jubilee Manifesto launch - you can go through the manifesto -Remember ODM wing of the coalition govnt had Lands Ministry under its arm what did Orengo do in 5 years - imagine this time period is enough for student to make it from Form 1 to first year in the university

jukwaa.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7893

[quote author=gakungu board=general thread=7917 post=116133 time=1360585024

Uhuru is also viewed as the rock of the Kibaki presidency with others speculating that Uhuru rules Kenya through Kibaki, this argument is premised on the fact that Uhuru’s friends got influential positions in the cabinet at the expense of more deserving people like the former Gatanga MP and Eagle Coalition presidential candidate Hon Peter Kenneth.
Uhuru is a very smart politician but his ability to articulate issues is in question. His prep team must prepare him well otherwise it will be a disaster in the premier presidential debate.
Uhuru has often displayed anger and high temperament; he was once caught in camera banging tables at a press conference in Parliament buildings.
His TV interviews have been reviewed badly often due to his arrogance and juvenile tactics “Uhuru is a smart politician, very sharp but he must learn to relax, give the interviewer or host time to ask a question and stop lording it on the host, I am sure you saw his disastrous interview with Al Jazeera two or three weeks ago, that is what he needs to avoid” noted Nicholas Mutembei a Nairobi based media critic.
Lands minister James Orengo at a rally in Kwale asked Kenyans who between Raila and Uhuru is more likely to wake up early enough to deal with the many problems Kenya is facing, to which the crowd responded Raila!
Well, we hope Uhuru will wake up on time and show up for the debate, sober enough to excite his base!
[/quote]

My froend we have internet with us and you can google Uhurus interviews and you will suprised from the bbc hardtalk to the ALjazera and also local interviews let the banging of tables not confuse you that was not an interview but a press conference and by extension was a political statement what we have today is a Presidential debate.

When Uhuru decided to be on the dock at ICC many thought he had played himself but after the exemplary performance against Ocampo same doubters came out congratulating him and were even saying they were sure the cases will be dropped . Hope to see you later in the evening

[b6k]

Feb 11, 2013 8:39:11 GMT 3 kamalet said:

I would have given a different excuse for Raila to miss the debate tonight.

Raila is not a consumate debator and his very good at a public rally or when reading a written script. He becomes a danger even unto himself when allowed to take an interview that is not scripted for that is when he is most reckless.

Tonight presents this opportunity for Raila to make an ass of himself when he meets debaters such as Peter Keneth, Martha and Uhuru!

When you see the "reformers" back-pedalling from a fight then you know things are thick ! Maybe they should recall Miguna Miguna to take the other candidates head on for Jakom... ;D ;D ;D ;D