Funua

Travelling with a Kenyan Passport

2009-07-20T03:17:00.001+01:00

Last week while I was at work, my boss told me that it was time I took leave. I could not believe my ears. I normally have fought to take leave in previous jobs. I know that she is worried,as I have a lot of leave, and the rule is you can take a maximum of two weeks at a time. They have made exceptions for me, and said that I can take three weeks to go home. The rule annoys me, as before in other jobs, I could take however many days I had at a time.

So, I was thinking of planning a short break, and not doing the long haul trip home, yet. I don't like travelling during high season, as it is the most expensive time to travel, and I don't like the crowds everywhere. It is hard for parents to travel with school children here, outside of school times, as they get penalised.

I have browsed on the net for places to go, and finding places that I can travel to that are shorthaul, without the visa hassle is a challenge. In my search I wondered which countries Kenyan passport holders can travel to without having to apply for a visa. This is what I came up with, although I am not sure how accurate it is. If anyone has any other information, let me know. I could have applied for a British passport years ago,but have held onto my Kenyan one. I am waiting to see what will happen in 2012, and also what they do about the whole dual citizenship thing. This is when having a British passport makes travelling easier.

I like to travel, but don't like flying. My anxiety levels are pretty high after 9/11. I don't relax until I get to my destination. So reading about airlines flying to Nairobi hiring private guards, scares me. The last time I was in Nairobi, checking in with British Airways, I went through a number of security checks, and have to say I found it excessive, and hope that noone can bypass the systems. I was just puzzled that the checks in London travelling to Nairobi, were nothing like what I experienced in Nairobi.

It looks like the only place I can go to without a visa in Europe is Kosovo, and am not keen to go there. Everything else is longhaul, in which case I may as well go home, or join the long visa queues.

Trying to shut the stable door when the horse has bolted

2009-07-13T21:03:00.002+01:00

The last ditch effort meeting that Raila and Kibaki have summoned to salvage plans for trials of Post election violence , is too little too late.

Ocampo is on the case, and will spill the beans this week. All will be named. However Ruto wants those who rigged the election to be tried first.

I am with Sue and thank Annan for handing over the envelope, and agree with her view that had Mr Kiviuitu behaved differently,we would not have this discussion.

The long arm of justice will come after some of the culprits, whether they like it or not.

I see the Hague as the only option. The local tribunal option I have no faith in whatsoever.

Update related article:What next after handing of Waki ‘envelope’ to ICC? A legal perspective from Paul Muite

Diaspora dollars down the drain

2009-07-09T20:22:00.000+01:00

Reading this article earlier today on why diaspora dollars elude local real estate, brought back some memories.

I have a Ghanaian friend who is now retired, who used to send money to his brother, each month. My friend had not been back to Kumasi, in over twenty years. He was working to build properties back home, and assumed his brother was taking care of business. The plan was, he would leave the UK when he retired, and live comfortably at home. He went home, just before retirement, to check on the state of his properties. Sadly, there were no properties, no bricks, nothing, nada, niente! When he told me what happened, I cried. This guy worked day and night to send money home. I am surprised that he can still talk to his brother.What his brother has done, is wicked.

I have uncles in Kenya who have done the same thing to members of my family, and am at a loss for words. The same uncles who know where to go when they are in a bind, and need money for their children's school fees, or to pay for some emergency.

Life sucks, if you can't trust your family.

My mother is always going on about blood being thicker than water. I don't think so.

Kenya and the Failed state Index

2009-07-01T18:34:00.002+01:00

I get home from work, and come across this article on Kenya's decline and fall.

The keywords for me in the article are Kenya and the Annual failed state index 2009. I am relieved that we are not in the top ten rankings, yet.Kenya ranks at 14 in 2009.

I am still getting my head round the idea that we are a failed state, denial ,or wishful thinking, still don't know what it is .

I look back at 2008 and Kenya was ranked 26 on the list. In 2007 we were ranked at 37. So since, 2007, things seem to have gone downhill. I thought that things had improved somewhat, but then I look at the social indicators and political indicators . The truth is staring me in the face loud and clear. We could be in the top ten, and seem to be on the way there.

I live in hope, regardless.

Update related article:The Kenya police is the most corrupt institution in East Africa

The Somalia threat

2009-06-28T10:50:00.000+01:00

I am for Kenya closing the border with Somalia, and feel very uneasy while it is open. Our security on our border posts is not the best, I have Somali friends here who have tales of how they travel across borders across East Africa, and it is down to money, corruption rules. However, security on our borders seems to have improved in the past few weeks.

It will be difficult for Somali refugees , if we close our border. However, I believe this may be the best option in terms of damage limitation.

I do not think our military forces should intervene in Somalia, unless we are attacked.

Michael Jackson RIP

2009-06-26T07:25:00.002+01:00

What a legend. Takes me back to the Jackson Five. I grew up with them. Thriller, Off the Wall, Rock with you.

May your soul rest in peace Michael Jackson.

These Kenyan bishops should not be shocked

2009-06-17T07:37:00.001+01:00

Catholic bishops of Kenya have expressed shock at allegations of child sex abuse by a prominent missionary priest and promised "to investigate the matter to its final conclusion."

I am not surprised that the Catholic church is on the defensive.

You need to read the finds of this enquiry into endemic rape and abuse of Irish children in Catholic care.

I know someone who was a victim of abuse, who has just received some compensation.

The abuse has wrecked her life, and the life of her brothers and sisters.

I wonder how anyone can be compensated for these sorts of atrocities.

It is not easy for victims of abuse to come out, and divulge what has happened, so I hope the Catholic church in Kenya, investigate this case properly.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga says that you have a simplistic view of Kenyan politics if you believe it is ethnic

2009-06-09T19:26:00.001+01:00

We've met with a number of university students here, some of whom were very adamant that it was time for Kenyan politics to move beyond ethnic politics and community politics, that it was time for Kenyan politics to focus on national politics and ideological politics. Does Kenya need to have a more ideological base of party politics, rather than these coalitions of ethnic communities running against each other or alternating power?
I don't agree. It's a very simplistic view of Kenyan politics. Kenyan politics are much more complicated than that, and they are fairly ideological. ODM party [Odinga's party] is more of a social democracy [party]. PNU [Kibaki's party] is a more conservative political party. But ideology has even died in America. What is the difference between Republicans and the Democrats? Go to Britain. Labor and the Tories. It is not just only Africa. That is a very simplistic view of what's happening here.
Our politics are not ethnic. Look at elections last time. My party won seats in all the eight provinces in the country. Look at the presidential elections. I won the vote in six of the eight provinces. I did not win in [President Kibaki's province], but I also got some votes there. I did not win in Eastern Province, but I also got some votes there.
If you look at the Democrats and the Republicans in the United States when they are voting, there are some states that are purely Democratic, the others which are purely Republican. Your political parties are stronger in some regions than others. In Britain, there are what they called the Labor-safe seats and the Tory-safe seats. If you are a Labor and you want to run for a Tory-safe seat, they will give you a ticket, but not [funds], because they know you stand no chance of winning.
Tell me how ODM is an ethnic grouping. We have forty-two different tribes in this country. Who are my alliances in all those? Yesterday I was in Samburu [in northern Kenya], where I got 90 percent of the vote. Who are my ethnic allies in Samburu? In Somali, in Northeastern Province, I won the majority vote there. Who are my ethnic allies there? The people just voted for me because of what I represented. I got the votes of the Kambas [an ethnic group]; I got votes from [the coast]. I won the majority vote, not because of ethnic alliances, but because of what my political party stood for. This idea that politics in Africa is ethnic-based tribalism completely misses the point. It does not understand the sophistication of African [politics].

You have made some public statements of frustration and exasperation with the government and threatened at points to pull out. First, do you have any intention of doing so, and under what conditions?
I have not threatened to pull out. We will not pull out because pulling out would amount to surrender. Our position is that we won an election but our victory was stolen. We agreed to compromise so that the country can move on and that we use this position to produce reforms that will ensure this country does not in this future get itself in the difficult situation that it found itself in last year.
We want to devolve power to give the regions more say in planning and execution of the development agenda. We want parliament to play an oversight role and the executive to implement the vision.
What we have been doing sometimes is to criticize from within so that we can act as a catalyst to the process of reforms. There are difficult areas where the two sides of the coalition are not in agreement. For example, the issue of police reform. Also in the area of judicial reform.
In a coalition, it is not always the case that two sides will agree. Sometimes there are different positions. That's how coalitions work the world over. Even in Germany, where they have a grand coalition, sometimes you see that the coalition partners disagree.

Quotes from Prime Minister says Kenyan politics are not ethnic

Related article: Did the government change its report in Geneva

The ripple effect

2009-06-07T15:08:00.001+01:00

Mac Maharaj believes the instability radiating from Kenya and Zimbabwe will affect neighbouring countries.

The immediate and pressing matter, however, is what should be done about Kenya and Zimbabwe.
In the Kenyan crisis, Kibaki may have appeared reluctant about entering a deal. But it was Odinga who, if he stayed out, would have been seen as the spoiler.
In the case of Zimbabwe, SADC painted Morgan Tsvangirai as the impediment to peace. Mugabe was not put under pressure to make real concessions.
In both instances, the incumbent leaders who were determined to cling to power, retained their seats.
What we are seeing is how both presidents are using their positions to pare down the effects of the deal on their powers and diminish the powers of their coalition partners.
The instability radiating from Kenya and Zimbabwe is going to ripple through their neighbouring countries.
South Africa is in danger of being caught in the middle: on the one hand is the impact of the global economic crisis, and on the other the instability spilling out of Zimbabwe.
Leaving matters to drift along will only increase the instability in the present, and may well spell disaster in the future. It is time to put Kibaki and Mugabe under pressure.

I think of Gordon Brown and the pressure he is under and feel for him.

The sins of the fathers

2009-06-01T00:21:00.001+01:00

I have heard this expression, and wonder to what extent some of us suffer for the sins of our fathers.

Joe Kadhi thinks that if Jimmy Kibaki is thinking of succeeding his father he will pay for his sins.

Happy Madaraka day.

Update Related article:The Partnership for change message for Madaraka day-46 years later it is not yet Uhuru but change is coming.

Politicians are the same the world over

2009-05-24T23:14:00.002+01:00

Reading the paper on the underground after work a few days ago, this story caught my eye.

Conservative MP Anthony Steen had claims for expenses of up to £87,000, and part of the expenses included inspections of more than 500 trees, and guarding against shrubs.

To add insult to injury he says ati his critics are jealous because he lives in a big house. I wonder whether he has any chance of getting selected at the next election with this attitude. Some people just don't get it.

This is all tax payers money that pays for this. I was so not amused. I had a look round the train, and was watching faces as they read the story, not good.

I think about how much I am taxed each month, and this is where some of my money goes,WTF!

If I decide not to pay my taxes I know that I will be spending time at her majesty's pleasure. No ifs, buts or maybe's.

The MP's expenses scandals here are outrageous. Some MP's have resigned, others have decided to pay back what they claimed for. Okay they shouldn't have put in such outrageous claims in the first place, but I think it is a good thing, that some are paying it all back.

I wondered whether any politician in Kenya would ever consider paying back the money they had stolen in the various scandals, I don't see it happening.

M makes some strong points about how the UNDP need to get serious.

Related article: Leadership incompetence the cause of Africa's woes

Then we have Somali pirates who take early retirement , and launder their money easily by investing in property, hotels, shopping arcades, and trucking companies in Kenya.

Update Related article: Chasing the Somali piracy money trail

Life goes on as always.

No more raiding broadcasting houses by Kenyan government

2009-05-21T20:45:00.001+01:00

The Kenyan government has amended the communications act which deletes a clause that allowed the government to raid broadcasting stations. They no longer have the power to control content on TV and radio.

Will this really happen in practice?

I doubt that the happy slapper Lucy will pay any attention to the amendments in this bill.

Barack Obama will not be visiting Kenya on his Africa trip

2009-05-19T09:16:00.005+01:00

I dread going to work when my Ghanaian colleague will be in. As I know he will ask me why Obama chose Ghana instead of Kenya for his first trip to Africa.

My initial reaction when I read about this was charity begins at home, at least that is what my mother always drummed into me. So, I couldn't get it.

On reflection, I see it as tough love. Barack Obama will not visit Kenya until we have sorted ourselves out. Whenever that will be.

Clearly Ghana had free and fair elections and has a good model of governance.

It can happen in Africa, but will it happen in Kenya despite our history.

I live in hope.

Update:Related article Why Obama will not visit Kenya

Update two Related article:Kenya: Country's Honeymoon With Obama Has Turned Sour

Big man syndrome lives on in Malawi

2009-05-18T08:56:00.001+01:00

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has summoned a meeting with Commissioners of Police and their deputies, all District Commissioners at Sanjika today to technically brief them on how to rig the Tuesday elections.

Mutharika who has openly conceded that the race is between him and Tembo has promised to double-kick the opposition coalition in a "Kibaki style" in reference to Kenyan elections which were fraudulent.
Sources have revealed that Mutharika has told close party faithful and aides that they should not worry about losing the elections next week as the DPP is not accepting anything less than victory.
"I and the DPP are not going anywhere. We will not be moved even if we lose the vote. I know Malawians love me and want to see the DPP government continuing. It is that Muluzi and Tembo who want to stop the people's will so why accept the loss if the majority in all corners of the country want us," Mutharika is reportedly to have said.
Mutharika went to assure his politburo that any pockets of violence will be crashed by the police and the army within seconds.

Quotes from Malawi ruler plans to do a Kibaki

Well, what can I say, other than I hope that there is no violence in Malawi when this happens. I will be watching closely.

Africa jameni!

Honest Scrap Award

2009-05-18T00:54:00.002+01:00

Marvin K Tumbo of Proud to be Kenyan blog has awarded me with the Honest Scrap Award.

Big Thanks to you Marvin for the honour.

*blushes*

Things you need to do if you receive the award

Brag about the award.

Include the name of the blogger who gave you the award, and link back to them in your blog post.

Choose a minimum of seven bloggers who you find brilliant in content or design.

Show their names and links and leave them comments on their blogs to let them know you have awarded them.

List at least ten honest things about yourself.

I have a rule about not writing anything too personal about myself on this blog, but hey this is an exception.

I have a very sweet tooth and love liquorice, and treacle toffees.

Everything I eat at home is organic, but I have to compromise when I go out to friends, or eat out. There are too many additives in the food here, in London. So Wholefoods is where I do my food shop. Most of my friends and colleagues make fun of me, and think I am a new age nutter. I use organic skincare, haircare,and all my household cleaning products are chemical free.

I have lived in London for half of my life.

I love to be by the sea, and find that it chills me out. I cry whenever I touch down at Mombasa airport, as I love the Kenyan coast, and have so many good memories there. Swahili men, make me smile when they tune.

Several strangers have come up to me in churches and told me that I am a healer.

Most Black people that I meet in the UK think I am from the Carribean(from the small islands not Jamaica),and think I am lying when I tell them I am Kenyan. I always ask them what an African is supposed to look like, and the standard response is you can tell the difference. What a load of rubbish. When I was at the coast last , the hotel staff thought we were all African American, until my mum broke into vernacular, and the deep one at that, lol.

Most men that I meet think that I am ten years younger than I am. It is problematic,as I get a lot of younger guys chatting me up, and I don't feel comfortable dating anyone younger than me.

I love to read. My flat has floor to ceiling bookshelves, and I spend a fair amount on books.

I don't drink or smoke.

I once went to work with my trousers on inside out. I worked in a team of six people, and saw clients throughout the day. Noone told me until 1.00pm, but I had noticed some funny looks on the underground in the morning. You see I love my sleep,and am clearly not vain.

The seven bloggers that I am tagging with the Honest Scrap award, and who I think are brilliant in content and design are :

Daudi Were at Mental Acrobatics

Kenyan Kangas in fashion this season in LA

2009-05-12T10:57:00.001+01:00

Suno has taken kangas to LA and has introduced a limited edition .

I love going to Mombasa,down Biashara st, and adding to my collection of Kangas whenever I visit.

I always buy a number for the relas, when I am there. I gave my grandmother a set, that she loved,a number of years ago.The saying on the bottom of the kanga was that we get lots of blessings from our grandparents, and cannot shower them with enough love. She was so moved when I gave her this set.She wore them all the time, and when she passed over,asked that they be given back to me.

Update Related article: We have Obama fries

When a title deed means nothing

2009-05-10T20:36:00.000+01:00

Kenyans in the diaspora who have invested in land back home could lose what they have worked so hard for. They claim agents colluded with the government to sell them public land.

Over the past six years, the Government has spent a lot of resources wooing Kenyans in the Diaspora to invest back home.

And the move has borne fruits. Money transfers from the Diaspora now stand at Sh78 billion, an amount that has shot up from about Sh59 billion in 2005.

In Kiambu West District, about seven such investors could lose over Sh150million they have invested in residential houses.

Quotes from Kenyans abroad could lose big in land scandal.

This is so not funny. Hard earned money down the drain.

I feel for these guys who could lose their money, I know a number of people who have worked some crazy hours, with several jobs to raise the money.

You know, at this point I don't think anything will shock me.

Kenyan man could not take the sex strike

2009-05-08T21:34:00.000+01:00

A Kenyan man has sued activists who encouraged women to give up sex with their partners for a week.

He claims the lack of sex caused him distress. I wonder what this guy does when his wife has her period.

It reminds me of a friend of mine who had some gynaecological surgery. She needed a few weeks to heal, it was obvious. Yet her husband still wanted to have sex with her regardless. He knew how much pain she was in, and that it was harmful, and still insisted.

I guess some people can't control themselves.

It will be interesting to see what the outcome of this court case is.

Does the Kenyan judicial system have time for men who don't get some for a week?

People help me understand

2009-05-07T17:55:00.001+01:00

I read about the Kenyan Arsenal fan who hung himself when Arsenal lost, and could not believe it.

I would like to believe that this poor man had some other underlying issues, and the Arsenal loss, was the straw that broke the camel's back.

If not, I cannot understand how a man can kill himself over a football match.

I cannot understand how some men become extremely violent when their team has lost, and you have to make sure, that you don't make them aware that you were not supporting their team.

Why do some men want to fight after footie?

Okay to an extent I know booze is involved, but still.

I live pretty close to a football ground, and can remember sometime last year, when a certain team was playing the cops were out in force. I am talking, horses, riot police in their hundreds. They were expecting some serious violence from this team. I wondered what was going to happen to our neighbourhood. These guys were also known to be racist,and I live in a very multicultural area, so made sure not to manga manga after the match.

Then on the tube home this evening, I read about the Chelsea referee, who had to be smuggled out of Britain because of death threats.

Now, is it just me or are these guys mad?

Help me understand please?

More of the same in some parts of Africa

2009-05-02T21:02:00.000+01:00

Zimbabwe’s bloated government is heading the same way as Kenya's

The core of the problem in both Kenya and Zimbabwe is that incumbent parties which lost elections refuse to hand over power. The winners were persuaded to accept negotiated settlements by the promise that the resulting unity governments would be temporary, but have ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Neither Kibaki nor Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe are prepared to risk a free and fair election, so they are content to drag things out indefinitely. The longer there is no progress, the weaker the position of the opposition.

Nkazwi Mhango raises the question that power sharing deals could be Africa's Anathema.

Africa has come a long hard way. Before this anathema-power sharing was devised, the barrel of the gun used to be the means for power hungry monsters. We saw Yoweri Museveni ( Uganda ) Meles Zenawi ( Ethiopia ), Jonas Savimbi ( Angola ), Paul Kagame ( Rwanda ), Pierre Nkurunzinza (Burundi), Laurent Kabila (DRC) and others coming to power by the barrel of the gun.

After some of them overstayed in power, we wrongly thought that the current monsters supported by hoi polloi, opposing them would be a solution. Nay! They are all the same. To me whoever does not fight graft and listen to the electorate, is as good as any power hungry monster.

That power sharing has proved to be an abracadabra… what should Africa do? The hoi polloi should stop allowing themselves to be used by power barking mad monsters. Instead of pinning hopes onto a wrong horse, people must agitate for real changes. They must use the same popularity they rendered to their traitors in question, to oust them as they strengthen democratic institutions such as the constitution. With civic disobedience, no looter can rule any hank of land in Africa. This is but a new and sure way forward.

Global press freedom declines

2009-05-02T20:36:00.000+01:00

There were setbacks highlighted in Israel, Italy, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Kenya should be in there somewhere.

Following is Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for World Press Freedom Day, observed 3 May:

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone the right "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers". On World Press Freedom Day, we reiterate the central importance of this right -- and the need to protect the journalists and media outlets on the frontlines of exercising it.

Attacks on journalists remain shockingly high in number. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 11 journalists have been killed in the line of duty so far this year. Among them was Lasantha Wickrematunge, a prominent Sri Lankan journalist assassinated in January on his way to work. I call on the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that those responsible for his murder are found and prosecuted. UNESCO has honoured Mr. Wickrematunge posthumously with its World Press Freedom Prize for 2009, to be presented in a Press Freedom Day ceremony in Doha.

The CPJ also reports that, as of 1 December 2008, 125 journalists were in prison. Some have been incarcerated for years -- and some for more than a decade. Three countries -- China, Cuba and Eritrea -- account for half of those cases. I urge all Governments that have detained journalists to ensure that their rights are fully respected, including the right to appeal and defend themselves against charges.

I am also concerned that some Governments are suppressing Internet access and the work of Internet-based journalists and others using the "new media". Not surprisingly, blogging has flourished in countries where restrictions on media are toughest. Now, according to the CPJ, some 45 per cent of all media workers jailed worldwide are bloggers. I urge all Governments to respect the rights of these citizen journalists, who may lack the legal resources or political connections that might assist them in gaining their freedom.

Quotes from Free, independent media essential agent of human rights, development, peace, says Secretary-General, in World Day message.

The Kenyan blogosphere definitely keeps me up to date with what is going on at home. December 2007, it was a lifeline, even if it involved me having to log onto Mashada. I am grateful for the all the differing content that is out there, that enables me to get a sense of what is happening on the ground.

It was great to be able to text the folks,relatives, and friends during those times, and tell them to avoid certain trouble spots.Sad that they had to rely on information from outside, to get the whole picture.

Amnesty International says the Kenyan government has a duty to protect the rights of all citizens

2009-04-28T10:45:00.001+01:00

Over the past three weeks vigilante groups have been active in Kirinyaga district, ostensibly to provide community protection or security against the operations of Mungiki members who have been demanding money as protection fees from residents of the area.

Amnesty International emphasizes that the state has an obligation to respect and protect the right to life of everyone within its jurisdiction.

The Kenyan Government must not abdicate its duty to respect and protect life by explicitly or tacitly supporting the activities of vigilante groups. If the state permits vigilante or similar groups to carry out security or law enforcement functions, any abuses they commit in doing so, including extrajudicial executions or other unlawful killings of criminal suspects, are human rights violations for which the state is responsible. The Kenyan authorities cannot evade their obligations by letting vigilante groups carry out unlawful killings.

It is likewise an abdication of their duty for the police to state that they will not act because whenever they do, they are accused of extrajudicial executions. It is the role of the state, through its law enforcement agencies, to provide adequate security and protection against violent crime. In doing so, the police must use only such force as is strictly necessary and proportionate for the performance of their duty. The government must ensure that the police or any other bodies which carry out law enforcement functions comply with Kenya's international human rights obligations. Deliberately killing a criminal suspect rather than arresting them is an extrajudicial execution.

As the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions said, following his visit to Kenya in February 2009, "all Governments have to deal with criminals, and it is one of the central duties of a Government to protect its citizens from such persons. But ... the proper response to criminality is not to shoot a suspect in the back of the head ..., but to investigate, arrest, and try the suspect in accordance with law".

Amnesty International calls on the Kenyan authorities to ensure that independent and impartial investigations are carried out into all these killings, whether by suspected Mungiki members, by members of vigilante groups, or by the police. Those suspected of being responsible should be arrested and prosecuted in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty, and families of those killed should receive reparations.

Amnesty International also calls on the Kenyan authorities to investigate the role of the police and relevant security personnel in expressing support for the operations of vigilante groups carrying out killings of Mungiki members.

Quotes from Kenya government must protect the rights of all.

The Mungiki menace, and other militant groups need to be dealt with. It is alarming when some of the police force express their support for the Mungiki.

When I first heard about the Mungiki years ago, I assumed that part of their philosophy was not to kill their own people. These guys take butchering to another level altogether, and give me the creeps.

My prayers are with everyone who lost their lives, or was harmed by them last week.

Somali government has condemned the hard line islamic group invading Kenya

2009-04-28T10:22:00.001+01:00

The new Somali government has sharply condemned threats of fresh attacks on neighboring Kenya by hard-line Islamic insurgent group al-Shabab. The group, which has refused to recognize President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government threatened Monday to annex parts of northern Kenya and implement Islamic Sharia law. Nairobi on the other hand has begun strong measures to counter such an attack by deploying extra troops to man the Kenya-Somali border and maintain the disarmament of residents in the province.

Somali cabinet minister Abdirashid Irro Mohammed told VOA that Mogadishu stands in unison with its neighbor to thwart the insurgent group's violent activities aimed to destabilize the region.

"Really, we are very sorry and we condemn such actions. Kenya is our neighbor state and our brotherly country, and they have their own constitution. So there is no reason that al-Shabab should attack them and endorse the sharia law. So here, that is a very bad action and we condemn it, and we don't accept those kinds of threats… so I can say they (al-Shabab) are the enemies for all the region," Mohammed said.

Quotes from Somali Government condemns insurgent moves to annex parts of Kenya

My concern is that I don't think President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, is any way able to control these militants.

I just hope that sufficient troops are sent to the border to deal with this.

No rest for Kenya

2009-04-27T08:58:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I met a Somali friend of mine. His view on what was happening in Kenya, was that Raila and Kibaki were just a smokescreen. He believed that the Somali government *coughs* were trying to destablilise Kenya. I laughed it off as another conspiracy theory. He kept on telling me that Kenyans should not go down the violence route, or we will end up like Somalia. I wish I had the power to make things right, but hey, I wait to see what will unfold, as always.

Then I came across this article,a Somali rebel group has threatened to invade Kenya, and think that my friend may have been talking sense.

A Somali rebel group which is fighting the transitional government of the Horn of Africa nation have threatened fresh attacks on Kenya, seeking annexing part of the east African nation's northern region and subject it to Islamic law

I think our neighbours are capitalising on our instability.

Update: That border needs to be tightened, but I guess that is not a priority for the powers that be, at this moment and time.

I wonder whether there is any truth in Chris's post on Kumekucha, that Kibaki insiders are plotting a third term.

A quote I like

2009-04-27T00:32:00.001+01:00

I would rather tread with cautious pessimism than wild optimism. If two bulls are put in one kraal, expect no peace in that kraal, for both bulls but also for the other cows. The older bull will always want to flex its muscle and apply its authority on the young and new one. To do so, it has no choice but to use violence. But of course, the young and new bull won't take kindly to this. It will resist any moves to be sidelined. At the back of it's mind, the young bull is convinced that the old has no real stamina, and that in any case this is the moment for a new leader in the kraal.

Quote from Behkinkosi Moyo, after the swearing in of Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister.

He could have been talking about Kenya.

Related article:Its animal farm all over again

Different voices on challenging the Kikuyu Oligarchy

2009-04-27T00:02:00.002+01:00

Despite Mwai Kibaki's stated commitment to operate a meritocracy with regard to the diversity of Kenya, his appointments to the most sensitive and crucial offices have been biased towards members of a Kikuyu oligarchy, write Maina Kiai and Paul Muite.

Calling for their fellow Kikuyus to abandon 'blind ethnic loyalty to decisions made by some wealthy old men' who have 'nothing but disdain for the majority of Kikuyu, who are poor and struggling', Kiai and Muite reject the elevation of ethnicity 'beyond all other identities and interests' in favour of a national outlook and perspective. 'For us, it does not matter what ethnic group the leadership comes from: We expect and demand a government which has the interests of the nation at heart, which is fair, honest, effective, accountable and transparent. And we expect the government to follow the law, especially with regard to human life, and fundamental rights'.

Consider the following. It is during the time of a Kikuyu president, with a Kikuyu minister for internal security, a Kikuyu intelligence chief, a Kikuyu head of CID (Criminal investigation department), a Kikuyu PS in internal security, when there are extra-judicial killings of poor young Kikuyu men, claimed to be Mungiki. More than 600 cases are documented of these deaths in 2006, and hundreds more disappeared. For the sake of argument, lets assume they were Mungiki, despite the fact human rights defenders are sure that more than two-thirds of them were not. There are laws that govern these matters. Why were they not used? Killing poor young Kikuyu men, illegally, does not solve the problem of Mungiki. It shows utter contempt for the poor. It shows us that although we are expected to 'speak with one voice'; the Kikuyu community is certainly not one. There is the powerful, old class and there is the 'other' Kikuyu.

Quotes from Challenging the Kikuyu Oligarchy by Maina Kiai and Paul Muite.

Maina Kiai,Paul Muite, and John Githongo (who is not mentioned in the article), are seen as traitors by some Kikuyus.

I wonder why there is an expectation from some Kikuyus that they should all speak with one voice.

I feel that the violence towards Kikuyus after the rigged elections, was because some people believed all Kikuyus spoke with one voice, and took it upon themselves to harm them, which is wrong.This was a tragedy. The culprits were sitting in their ivory towers untouched, while other innocent Kikuyus were butchered.

Joe Ndungu in his post Maina Kiai, Paul Muite autophobia extreme, on his Kikuyu nationalism blog takes things further by stating Maina Kiai, Paul Muite and Binyanvanga are Kikuyus who suffer from self hatred.

Joe Ndungu acknowledges that Kibaki and co, may have failed in some areas.

*coughs*

However,I struggle with his view that Kikuyus who challenge the Kibaki style of government, corruption, theft etc have self hatred.I cannot see the link at all. As far as I am concerned John Githongo, Maina Kiai and Binyanvanga, are Kenyans first.

They are serving their country, and because they will not collude with the Mt Kenya Mafia that amounts to self hatred?

He also adds that these individuals are out to destroy the community.

What I am unsure of is what is Joe Ndungu's definition of the Kikuyu community, and would all Kikuyus, accept his definition?

I am not sure about his comment, that these men loathe everything Kikuyu. I have met some of these men, and have no recollection of them hating all things Kikuyu.

To draw a parallel if you are a parent, and you find out that your child has raped, or murdered someone, would you turn them in?

It is a tough call, and we are programmed to protect our families. However some parents will turn their children in, and others will not.

The big family is Kenya in this instance, and in my view these men are out to protect the family, ie Kenya first. If one child chooses to take all they can get at the expense of the others, some other members of the family will step in and challenge that behaviour. By challenging the behaviour, and trying to see that each child is accepted and valued does not mean that as a parent, you are trying to destroy the child who had attempted to take everything. You are modelling that things should be shared within the family, if you are to live in harmony.

My view is that constructive criticism is healthy,and expected, in all relationships.

Clearly if we are living under a dictatorship, then that is not going to happen.

I shudder at the thought of living in a society where individuals challenging leaders from their own tribe is seen as unacceptable.

No freedom of speech or justice.

I appreciate that Joe Ndungu may be experiencing hurt,anger and rejection by the positions that Binyanvanga, Paul Muite, and Maina Kiai have taken. My sense from his blog post, is that Kikuyus should not behave in this manner.

I question his need to be a part of a community where it is not acceptable to challenge your leaders who try to destroy our country,if they come from your own tribe.

However I accept that this may be his idea of Kikuyu nationalism.

Related article: This is not about Uhuru, its about a contemptuos Kikuyu Kingdom

US based Human Rights groups worried about Key Western Allies in East Africa

2009-04-23T20:54:00.002+01:00

A US based human rights group is alarmed about the number of governments in East Africa and the Horn, which use repressive and violent tactics to stay in power and silence their opponents.

Kenya is featured on the list, no surprises there.

Albin-Lackey says one of the biggest disappointments has been the government of political rivals President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kenya.

The coalition government, considered one of the most important regional partners for the United States and the European Union, was formed last year after disputed presidential elections sparked country-wide riots and tribal fighting. Both Kenyan leaders had pledged to work together to heal the nation and to tackle poverty and corruption.

But Albin-Lackey says renewed allegations of high-level corruption, a government attempt to implement a law designed to muzzle the media and U.N. charges that Kenyan security forces were authorized to carry out hundreds of extrajudicial killings in 2007 have all raised questions about the government's commitment to democracy and reform.

"Kenya is so hobbled by corruption and by the quality of governance that the threat of poverty and ethnic violence boiling over again into something like what we saw after the elections is becoming more and more real," he said.

Something needs to be done, but will it be done?

How much power do our human rights groups have in Kenya, to effect change?

Update

Related article: Kenya's crumbling government

Another slap in the face

2009-04-22T19:22:00.001+01:00

I have just read Gladwell Otieno's article about how rewarding ECK chiefs is like throwing good money after bad.

I agree with his sentiments. The send off packages that the former ECK commissioners will get, I feel is an insult. I see it as rewarding bad behaviour, disrupting the healing process that a lot of Kenyans are going through,and refusing to acknowledge the role that the ECK played in the 2007 elections.

Kenya yetu.

The sick society we live in

2009-04-22T18:58:00.005+01:00

This video was brought to my attention by Prince Hamilton.Did any of these killers ever get tried?

I ask the question, and wonder whether in some parts of Kenya today it is standard practice to kill a person, knowing that you are above the law.

I have to confess that when I go home these days, I am fearful of gun crime, and car jacking in a way that I wasn't before. Back in my day ie the eighties, things were very different.

On my way to work this morning, I read this story about a twelve year old boy who took part in a gang killing.

Flipping hell, at twelve years old, I didn't have the guts or know how to do something like this. Here in London, when I see kids, or teens up to trouble, I don't intervene. Doing so, could cost me my life, and I am aware these kids are of another breed altogether.

Life is cheap.

I remember going to Dar es Salaam in the eighties, and staying with some friends. I was struck by how well behaved the children were in Dar. They respected their elders to the point that when you walked on the street, they made way for you. They made a point of greeting you first, as you passed them playing. It touched me. I don't expect children to bow down to their elders, however having some respect for them I believe is a good thing.

These are changing times.

Related article:Slaughter of the innocents

What is undermining Kenya's peace agreement

2009-04-20T20:56:00.001+01:00

The European Union on Monday raised their concerns that impunity and accountability are key constraints to the peace agreement signed last year.

Priorities for the coalition partners:

Establishment of a tribunal to deal with Post election violence.

Accountability for extra judicial killings, and an establishment of the police review board.

Constitutional reform.

Freedom of association, freedom of speech,and freedom of assembly need to be safeguarded.

A determined Kenyan deportee in Kansas who prefers jail to being sent back home

2009-04-20T20:31:00.000+01:00

The authorities in Kansas are having difficulty deciding what to do with David Kihuha. He would rather stay in jail than be sent back to Kenya, as he fears violence when he returns to Kenya. He has been in the US for 13 years.

The government want to sedate him, but it is proving difficult. Previous attempts have stopped them ,as Kihuha has covered himself in his own shit,and has been known to spit and bite. The commercial airlines have declined to carry a passenger, who behaves in this way.

This guy has been segregated, and put in four different facilities, but that is still a better option for him than going home.

The government have said he is not mentally ill, and his behaviour is acceptable.

Wow, smearing oneself in your own shit is acceptable or normal?

Since when?

In which culture people?

They still want to sedate him, but some civil liberties groups say this is life threatening.

I know of people who are not given that choice in the UK, the security company usually manages to wake them up in the early hours of the morning, ie 5am, and the next day they are back in their country of origin. Here in the UK they don't mess about, and the guards show no mercy.

I have questions about his mental health.

Inequality getting under my skin in Kenya

2009-04-19T14:24:00.001+01:00

I have just finished reading an article on poverty and mental health. The report shows the importance of the poverty gap to both individual and collective mental health. The report by Dr Lynne Friedli, Mental Health , Resilience and Inequalities Gap, reveals how the gap between rich and poor affects the mental health of individuals by causing psychological and physiological changes.

A new book the Spirit level, by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett,covers a number of issues.

Countries with the greatest inequalities of income came out worst: higher levels of mental illness and addiction, higher homicide levels and prison populations, lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality, poorer educational performance, lower levels of trust, higher levels of obesity, more teenage births and lower social mobility.

The book gives us the evidence at a macro level that is needed to take a stand against inequalities. On a micro level, inequalities permeate every part of our lives. We are aware of where we stand in the pecking order and who is in our league. However it is something we don't readily acknowledge and often feel powerless to do anything about.
The authors collected data from the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations,and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development on health and social problems. They then combined this with data on income differences of 23 of the richest countries, ie the differences between the top 20% and bottom 20% of the population. The UK is amongst the most unequal, with the top 20 % having over seven times that of the bottom 20%.

Opinions of what will work differ widely, Colin Feltham, Professor of Critical Counselling Studies at Sheffield Hallam University feels that Government imposed equality would probably make life better for some, (higher taxes for the too rich) but feels that this doesn't at all get at the widespread greed.

Peter Morrall suggests that impossibilism ie the notion that nothing can be done about global suffering should be tackled.

I think about Poverty, inequality and Kenya , and feel are tasks are insurmountable,and wonder how and where we start.

I often read about some people wishing for Moi to return,and I wonder. The whole question of is it better or worse now, is something I think about. I remember reading on some blog, can't remember where now,(pole), that at least Moi left when he lost.

I just feel like it is more of the same, maybe before we knew what we were dealing with. It was blatant. Almost like you know you are going to die and how, but this time round, you are not quite sure what the death sentence is.

If there is anyone out there who has no idea what I am talking about It's our turn to eat by Michela Wrong, which is a book that is recommended on my sidebar, will fill you in on who are the people who have and have not in Kenya.

The result for me is disillusion with politicians, powerlessness and frustration.

The Economist, has an article about Jacob Zuma and voting for the people's man. South Africa a stable multi party democracy where elections are free, I felt envious that this is something that we lack in Kenya today.

We wait to see what happens to South Africa under Zuma, and whether he will follow in the footsteps of his other African brothers, where government is where you accumulate personal power,and give to your own, forgetting about the rest of the population.

I wonder whether I will go to my grave smiling knowing that the Kenyan society has been cured, or whether I will die of a broken heart?

I just don't get the sense it will happen in my lifetime, and I ain't middle aged yet.That said, I never thought I would live to see Barack Obama as the President of the United States.

So, maybe just maybe change will come to Kenya, but maybe not in my lifetime.

Migingo island this land is our land

2009-04-18T08:50:00.004+01:00

The Mgingo island issue puzzles me the more I read about it. Geography was not one of my best subjects, however I wonder why the Ugandan government feel that they can now claim that Migingo island belongs to them.

The Ugandan Minister of State and Foreign affairs claims that the island was submerged until 2004, and had been submerged for four decades.

Is he serious?

I agree with Raila Odinga, that it is embarassing for Ugandan troops to occupy our territory, while we watch. ODM also urged to have Ugandan troops removed from the island.

As a Head of State, Kibaki should take control and protect Kenyans from the invasion by having the Ugandan soldiers out of Migingo immediately," said Prof Anyang Nyong’o the party’s secretary-general

A number of thoughts go through my mind, when I read about Migingo:

What does it feel like for President Kibaki to have Kenyan land occupied, and maybe occupied for good, in broad daylight?

If the island was not submerged for four decades, and there are Kenyans who were born and bred there, how do they make sense of their land suddenly being part of Uganda, if the Ugandans do not leave.

I can remember reading an article about a couple in the UK who had some builders in, to do some work on their house while they were away. When they returned the builders refused to leave. What is astounding, is that the couple are still fighting for their property, and the issue is still in court. The house does not belong to the builders, but the builders seem to have some squatting rights. WTF.
Marvin Tumbo has an interesting post on land grabbing in Kenya, and how land grabbers come and stay because they are well connected.
I guess I am so accustomed to land grabbing taking place within Kenya, by Kenyans. It continues to sadden me that there are still Kenyans living in camps, homeless as a result of Post election violence.Yet, there are some Kenyans who continue to own vast amounts of land, which they grabbed.
What the Ugandans are attempting to do, is no better than the Kenyans within Kenya who have grabbed land, in my view. However I feel more uncomfortable with foreigners coming in, and occupying our territory.
I assumed that Museveni and Kibaki were friends,as Museveni was pretty upfront about his support of Kibaki during the disputed elections in 2007.
The words taste, and medicine, come to my mind when I think about Migingo, and Mwai Kibaki.
I hope the matter is resolved, as our list of problems in Kenya is endless.
Related article: Since bullets won't move Museveni to let Migingo go, deny him oxygen.

Update Related article: How Uganda seized Migingo
Update two Related articles : You do not reason with a military brat like Museveni, you draw your gun.
Kenya Diaspora in outrage against Yoweri Museveni

Grumblings and Mumblings in Kenya

2008-04-22T14:32:00.002+01:00

There are rifts within both ODM and PNU where members feel they have not been given a slice of the cake by their leaders, by the cabinet makeup.

The cabinet is bloated as it is, and it was impossible to please everyone.

Joe Kadhi raises some interesting questions in dealing with Mungiki the Raila way. Food for thought for those individuals who used the Mungiki and protected them after the election. I think the terror gang leadership need to talk, and let the Kenyan public know about their assignments. Something needs to be done about the Mungiki menace who are a force to be reckoned with, who have no qualms about turning against their own, in their usual beheading style.

For Better for Worse the Cabinet has been named in Kenya today

2008-04-13T18:42:00.002+01:00

After six weeks of negotiation, Odinga and Kibaki have now agreed on the cabinet.

1. Office of the President Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security- Hon. Professor George Saitoti Assistant Ministers: Hon. Simon Lesirma, Hon. Joshua Orwa Ojode
2.Ministry of State for Defence Minister: Hon. Yusuf Haji Assistant Ministers: Hon. David Musila Hon. General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaisserry
3. Office of the Vice President Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs: Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Assistant Minister: Hon. Lorna Laboso
4. Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration of Persons: Hon. Gerald Otieno Kajwang' Assistant Minister: Hon. Francis Baya
5.Ministry of State for National Heritage & Culture: Hon. William Ole Ntimama Assistant Minister: Hon. Joel Onyancha Omagwa
6. Office of the Prime Minister: Prime Minister: Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga Assistant Minister: Hon. Alfred. Khang'ati
7. Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision Twenty Thirty: Minister: Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Kenneth
8. Ministry of State for Public Service: Hon. Dalmas Anyango Otieno Assistant Minister: Hon. Aden Ahmed Sugow
9. Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Trade: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade: Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta Assistant Minister: Hon. James Omingo Magara
10. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Local Government Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government: Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi Assistant Minister: Hon. Robison Njeru Githae
11. Ministry of East African Community Minister: Hon. Amason Kingi Jeffah Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Munya
12. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Hon. Moses Wetangula Assistant Minister: Hon. Richard Momoima Onyonka
13. Ministry of Finance Minister: Hon. Amos Kimunya Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga
14. Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Minister: Hon. Martha Karua Assistant Minister: Hon. William Cheptumo Kipkorir
15. Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister: Hon. Mutula Kilonzo Assistant Minister: Hon. Elizabeth Ongoro Masha
16. Ministry of Roads Minister: Hon. Kipkalya Kones Assistant Ministers: Hon. Wilfred Machage, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui
17. Ministry of Public Works Minister: Hon. Chris Obure Assistant Minister: Hon. Dickson Wathika Mwangi
18. Ministry of Transport Minister: Hon. Chirau Ali Makwere Assistant Minister: Hon. John Harun Mwau
19Ministry of Water and Irrigation Minister: Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu Assistant Minister: Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri
20. Ministry of Regional Development Authorities Minister: Hon. Fredrick Omulo Gumo Assistant Minister: Hon. Judah Katoo Ole Metito
21. Information & Communications Minister: Hon. Samuel Poghisio Assistant Minister: Hon. George Munyasa Khaniri, Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana
22. Ministry of Energy Minister: Hon. Kiraitu Murungi Assistant Minister: Hon. Charles Keter, Hon. Maalim Mohamud Mohamed
23. Ministry of Lands Minister: Hon. Aggrey James Orengo Assistant Minister: Hon. Silvester Wakoli Bifwoli, Hon. Samwel Gonzi Rai
24. Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources Minister: Hon. John Michuki Assistant Ministers: Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe, Hon. Jackson Kiplagati Kiptanui
25. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Minister: Hon. Noah Wekesa Assistant Minister: Hon. Josphat Koli Nanok
26. Ministry of Tourism Minister: Hon. Mohamed Najib Balala Assistant Minister: Hon. Cecily Mtito Mbarire
27.Ministry of Agriculture Minister: Hon. William Samoei Ruto Assistant Ministers: Hon Japhet Kareke Mbiuki, Hon. Gideon Musyoka Ndambuki
28. Ministry of Livestock Development Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abdi Kuti Assistant Minister: Hon. Bare Aden Duale
29. Ministry of Fisheries Development Minister: Hon. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abu Abuchiaba
30. Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands Minister: Hon. Ibrahim Elmi Mohamed Assistant Minister: Hon. Hussein Tarry Sasura
31.Ministry of Cooperatives Development Minister: Hon. Joseph Nyagah Assistant Minister: Hon. Linah Jebii Kilimo
32. Ministry of Industrialization Minister: Hon. Henry Kiprono Kosgey Assistant Minister: Hon. Ndiritu Murithi
33. Ministry of Housing Minister: Hon. Peter Soita Shitanda Assistant Minister: Hon. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru Kariuki
34. Ministry of Special Programmes Minister: Hon. Dr. Naomi Namsi Shabani Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Muhamud Ali
35. Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs Minister: Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge Assistant Minister Hon. Atanas Manyala Keya
36. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Minister: Hon. Hon. Beth Wambui Mugo Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. James Ondicho Gesami
37. Ministry of Medical Services Minister: Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o Assistant Minister: Hon. Danson Buya Mungatana
38. Ministry of Labour Minister: Hon. John Kiyonga Munyes Assistant Minister: Hon. Sospeter Ojamaa Ojamong'
39. Ministry of Youth and Sports Minister: Hon. Dr. Helen Jepkemoi Sambili Assistant Minister: Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, Hon. Kabando wa Kabando
40. Ministry of Education Minister: Hon. Samson Kegeo Ongeri Assistant Ministers: Hon. Prof. Patrick Ayiecho Olweny Hon. Andrew Calist Mwatela
41.Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister: Hon. Dr. Sally Jepngetich Kosgey Assistant Ministers: Hon. Kilemi Mweria, Asman Abongotum Kamama
42. Office of the Attorney General Attorney General: Hon. Amos Wako

Quotes from Kibaki's 40 member cabinet(edit)

We still don't know what powers Odinga and Kibaki will have in practice.

The deal brokered in February says the coalition can be broken three ways: if parliament is dissolved, if the parties agree to it in writing, or if one party withdraws.

I hope the eat as much as you like mindset, that some Kenyan politicians are used to, will be curbed somewhat. I am aware that it is not realistic to believe that this will be stopped overnight, though.

I am sure we will hear some grumbling next week, as some people will not be happy with the lineup, but I hope that somehow Kenya can move towards some sense of stability.

Delaying power sharing prevents Kenyans from healing

2008-04-09T22:56:00.001+01:00

Kenyan leaders are under pressure to resume coalition talks.

I am not suprised that there was tension in Kibera when there was news that the talks had collapsed on Tuesday.

Diplomats from the European Union have said that the coalition cabinet must be acceptable to both parties.

The US has warned of action if the accord fails.

While ODM says it is ready for elections, which should involve a framework for free and fair polls which would include the dissolution of the Electoral Commission of Kenya.

I feel that Kibaki needs to make a decision.

Kibaki needs to honour the agreement.

It is clear, Kibaki, decisionmaking, and honouring agreements, are all oxymorons.

God help Kenya.

Will there be more talks and no action in Kenya this week

2008-04-07T14:27:00.001+01:00

I find the current situation in Kenya frustrating. I believe that Raila Odinga has been too accomodating, and like the Muslims feel that as the leaders cannot agree we need to call for fresh elections.

Kibaki is under pressure from his hardliners, with threats that he will risk being left in the dark.

Unlike Odegle Nyang I didn't expect Kibaki to respect the wishes of the Kenyan people, and stick to his part of the deal, however I am still disappointed.

In reality I don't see how the two parties can share power.

The talks that were supposed to resume today failed to happen as representatives from both sides failed to attend. The issue is clearly not important enough to these individuals, and so we shall be kept waiting.

I listened to a sermon yesterday, where a point was made about politicians being given wisdom by God to do what was best for their people. The message was that if these same politicians abused their power, they would pay for the consequences of their actions. Another part of the message was that there were enough resources for all of us to live comfortably, and I thought of Kenya, and all the inequalities, that have led to this crisis. The current deadlock, is about PNU in my view, refusing to share power equally.

In the meantime, IDP's are suffering in camps.

Can the politicians allow all Kenyans to live with dignity?

What gives them the right to think that living with dignity in Kenya is for a chosen few?

Deal or no deal in Kenya, swings and roundabouts

2008-04-06T16:23:00.001+01:00

Lean, bloated or clean cabinet.

What is going on, when on Thursday both parties released different lists of how the ministries would be shared out?

The government needs to take on board that part of the agreement is that everything needs to be shared 50/50, as that was part of the peace agreement. It seems that this government is incapable of doing that, and at this stage I feel that we are back to square one. We don't seem to be making any progress. Kenyans continue to be kept on edge waiting for a decision to be made.

Raila Odinga and Kibaki are still meeting to finalise the cabinet.

The past is always present with us, and the skewed distribution of land still haunts us.

Kibaki is supposed to leave for India tomorrow, will we make any progress today?

I wonder how this government will be run, when the cabinet is announced, given how challenging it has been for both sides to come to any agreement.

Related articles: When journalists become victims

Kenyan cabinet to be named on Sunday

2008-04-04T22:24:00.001+01:00

I agree with those who feel a jumbo coalition cabinet is a colossal waste. It seems that it is a one off arrangement, and this is the compromise that was needed to save the nation. Mwalimu Mati says that Kenyans should be prepared to pay through their noses for this cabinet, as we cannot afford it. So much for making it lean and making it clean. Mwalimu Mati estimates that 40 ministries might cost 352 Billion, and the Government of Kenya has asked donors for 31 billion to resettle IDP's.

Can you see any inconsistencies here?

Taxpayers get your wallets out, as if Kenyans are not struggling as it is.

So the cabinet will be announced on Sunday.

Then we have a DO stealing relief aid, some people are shameless.

Related articles: Life gets tough for consumers

Who is fooling who

More on the struggle of power sharing in Kenya

2008-04-01T11:34:00.001+01:00

The cabinet meeting yesterday was stormy as ministers differed over ODM's demands for a lean government and portfolio balance.

Some PNU ministers were not happy with the names ODM had submitted for cabinet postions, and stated they wanted a clean cabinet. Interesting that PNU feel they can decide what is clean and what is not. Pot and kettle come to mind.

The National Convention Executive Council has asked President Kibaki to dissolve the Cabinet.

If both leaders stick to the accord, and share power equally, then I believe we can move forward. It seems to me that the stumbling block for PNU is to share power equally. They cannot have it all, so I wait to see what happens.

Will there be any progress for Kenya this week?

2008-03-31T13:12:00.001+01:00

The president has summoned his members of the cabinet today, which consists of half the team of ministers that he chose after the December 2007 elections, where he is expected to tell his team what options he will take.

Are we covering any new ground here?

It feels like we are going round and round and round in circles,and I am frustrated.

Gitobu Imanyara blames Kibaki and PNU for the stalemate.

Time is running out, and if things do not move forward it does not look promising.

In the meantime, IDP's continue to suffer in the open, as the rains begin in Kenya.

Kenya still in Limbo

2008-03-29T23:04:00.001Z

Talks about the coalition are still in limbo. This is no easy task, and I sit and wonder how the hell Kenya will move forward.

Odinga said talks on the much-delayed formation of the cabinet -- a key step in the power-sharing deal aimed at ending Kenya's violent crisis -- yielded no consensus and had been indefinitely suspended.

We are at a standstill again, and someone has difficulty sharing power proportionately.

The most contentious issue of the day, and which could frustrate the naming of a new Cabinet soon was the Party of National Unity’s revision of its proposal on the size of the Cabinet from the 38 it has always pushed for to 44.

Barrack Muluka points out why it is vital that President Kibaki sees things as they really are.

The Orange Democratic Movement wants the World Bank to postpone reviewing of funding contracts until a new Cabinet is in place.

In the meantime Uncle Bob aka Robert Mugabe says

"We will succeed. We will conquer. We don't rig elections, you see; we have that sense of honesty. And I cannot sleep with my conscience if I have cheated on elections. Why should I cheat? The people are there supporting us, day in, day out."

My heart goes out to all my Zimbabwean brothers and sisters. Uncle Bob lost touch with reality years ago.

William Ruto has appeared before the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights to answer questions on post election violence.

Patiently waiting for the naming of the new cabinet in Kenya

2008-03-25T14:30:00.001Z

Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki have met today. Raila Odinga says the finalising of the new cabinet has been put on hold, as more consultations are needed.

I am waiting to see how the posts will be carved up on a 50/50 basis. I wonder whether the current cabinet will be dissolved, and there will be an overhaul.

Okoth Osewe makes some good points on why critics of Kenyans abroad are just naive, and instead of constantly attacking Diaspora Kenyans in articles loaded with sarcasm, Kenyans at home need to appreciate the role Diaspora Kenyans are playing in the development of the country.

Related articles: Diversity in Print Media strengthens politics

Kenya's peace deal goes before Parliament

2008-03-18T16:22:00.001Z

The power-sharing deal to end Kenya's post-election crisis went before parliament today.

Kenya's parliament has unanimously passed the first of two laws required to enact a power-sharing deal designed to end the country's bloody post-election crisis.
In a 200-0 vote, the legislature approved the constitutional amendment making positions in the cabinet for a prime minister and two deputies.

MPs are lobbying for cabinet positions at the moment, and the Rift Valley has its demands.

Kenyan police today rejected a report by a U.S.-based rights group that said officers had used excessive force and applied double standards during the country's deadly post-election crisis.

I am not surprised by this at all, are you?The photo and video coverage alone that we all saw, tells the story, despite what the police are saying.

Indivuduals in Kenya who organised post election violence need to brought to justice

2008-03-17T15:21:00.001Z

Human Rights Watch , in its report Ballot to Bullets says that the new coalition government in Kenya, can stabilize the country by prosecuting individuals responsible for post election violence.

This is one way of healing wounds and earning trust.

Maina Kiai says that the violence was bound to happen due to a failed constitution, that Kenyans had tried to change unsuccessfully since 1963.

The commission set up to investigate the failure of the December 27 presidential elections is scheduled to be inaugurated today.

Charles Khamala writes an interesting article wondering whether there is any room for mischief in this power sharing deal.

Raila Odinga walking a tightrope

2008-03-16T22:47:00.001Z

In his party, the Orange Democratic Movement, he is captive of competing inter-ethnic interests for vantage positions in the new pecking order.

He is fighting two wars, the first being to get "real power sharing and portfolio’’ balance in the Government, as well as the space and influence of the most powerful office outside State House.
In the backstage, there is the trickier game of juggling the interests of the influential personalities, without upsetting the inter-ethnic bonds that formed the Orange mosaic.
Thirdly, the leader of the party on the road to sharing government positions with Kibaki’s Party of National Unity has the arduous task of reaching out to the other side, as a signal he means well and is accommodating.
But even as he reaches out, there is the delicate balance, the act of spreading his tentacles without losing grip of ODM. Any sign he has been "swallowed, or is "carried away", could trigger trouble for him in ODM.

But the biggest headache for ODM is in the Rift Valley.
Like Nyanza, Rift Valley voted almost exclusively for ODM, has more MPs and bore the brunt of the violence that gripped the country after the polls. Inside the party, no one doubts that the region needs to be ‘rewarded’.
But at most, there could be only 17 slots for about 100 ODM MPs drawn from six provinces.
Some of the leaders from the Rift Valley think the region should get some five slots in the Cabinet, in recognition of the huge vote it brought to the party.

I wonder how Raila will manage to please everyone.

Related articles: State yet to approach IMF over funding.

Kenya’s Indy Media

Kenya Wildlife Service Suspends Fees to Heal Post-Election Crisis

Reconciliation in Kenya

2008-03-12T15:06:00.001Z

Joseph Mbatia, an internally displaced person (IDP) in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, would like to return home to Mathare, one of the city's larger slums, but only if reconciliation is part of the deal.
"It is well and good to see our leaders at the national level shake hands and agree to work together but the situation on the ground has not changed; I cannot go back home because no one has addressed the reasons for my displacement," Mbatia told IRIN on 12 March at the Mathare police post depot which he, and 648 other IDPs, have called home since 29 December when post-election violence erupted in parts of the country.

He said: "Someone needs to explain to me how I can go back to my house yet all the neighbours who showed me so much hostility are still there. Some of them are even occupying the rooms I used to let and they do not pay me any rent. How will I live with them? Who will explain to them that we need to live together without suspicion?"

ODM reads mischief into Muthuaura's comments

2008-03-10T22:56:00.001Z

Kenya's fragile power-sharing deal to end a bloody post-election crisis suffered a setback on Monday as a row broke out over the role of prime minister in the proposed coalition government.

Critics said Muthaura's statement appeared to downgrade the prime minister's role by saying the vice-president would remain the principal assistant of the president.

ODM has reacted sharply to a statement by Head of Civil Service, Mr Francis Muthaura, on the power deal between President Kibaki and the party leader, Mr Raila Odinga.
In a statement read by former Cabinet minister, Dr Amukowa Anangwe, the party termed Muthaura’s interpretation of the accord as "mischievous and unacceptable and must be rejected by all Kenyans".
"Any statement clarifying, interpreting or explaining the content of the National Accord must be jointly released by the two principals — Kibaki and Raila," he added.

Politicians from the Mt Kenya region are jittery about the shape and form of the coalition government, and have petitioned Kibaki.

Sir Edward Clay says only time will prove the outcome of Kofi Annan's achievement in Kenya

Raila a step away from being Prime Minister

2008-03-08T14:32:00.001Z

The process to making Mr Raila Odinga the Prime Minister was fast-tracked to the penultimate stage, with the publication of the Bills to be debated in Parliament.
As the process went on, Raila, who has already started enjoying the trappings of power that go with the position continued to play the role on Friday as he toured Kibera.
In Kibera, which was among the worst hit Nairobi estates in the election violence, Raila preached peace and told displaced persons to return to their houses.

It is expected that when the Tenth Parliament resumes on Tuesday for its first regular sitting, the House could be asked to waive the tradition of giving priority to debate the presidential speech and allow for the Bill to sail through the first reading.
Parliament may borrow from the happenings of 1975 when founding President Jomo Kenyatta changed the Constitution in a day, going through the three stages. On the third day it was given presidential assent.
The amendment Bill was published on December 9. It was tabled on December 10. It passed all the three stages of debate that afternoon. On December 11, it received presidential assent and was immediately backdated to January 1, 1975.
Ugenya MP, Mr James Orengo, who spoke earlier this week, said that after the PNU and ODM parliamentary group meetings agreed to fast track the Bills without subjecting them to the routine debate, parliamentary formality can be priority and have them passed within a day.
On Thursday night, when he appeared on KTN’s Newsline, the Prime Minister designate said the new-look Cabinet, which he is to head under the new role, will be unveiled after entrenchment into the statutes of the power-sharing pact.
Raila, in the Newsline interview, said the House Business Committee would be constituted on Tuesday next week, which will allocate time for the Bills to be debated.
Raila on Friday embarked on what would be the first peace mission representing the Government as he toured Lang’ata Constituency and told the displaced to return to their houses.
In a motorcade secured by State agents and a public address system the Ministry of Information supplied, he held three rallies in the Kibera slums.
Raila, accompanied by veteran politician Mr Martin Shikuku, former Makadara MP Mr Reuben Ndolo and his son Fidel, preached peaceful and national reconciliation.
"We want to begin working for the nation and its citizens. The era of mass action and violence is over and all displaced person can now return home," Raila said, after Kibera DO Mr Kepher Maruge, received him.

One of the issues the National Dialogue and Reconciliation team is tackling under Agenda Four is to ensure the violence fermented by ethnic hatred experienced after the announcement of the presidential poll results on December 30, would never recur.
Agenda Four also covers the objective and purpose of the Grand Coalition government. The issues being addressed include the resetting of the more than 500,000 displaced people and ensuring sustainable peace, security and justice and the comprehensive review of the Constitution.
The National Dialogue and Reconciliation team is expected to address historical injustices that include unfair land distribution, State sanctioned land "grabbing" and unequal share of the national cake, where development, employment and education among other issues are concerned.
Past cases of impunity are also to be dealt with.
This would include cases of grand corruption and formation of terror gangs by politicians. There is also the issue of irresponsible speeches and actions deemed as inciting, which led to clashes among Kenyans.
The team is also tasked with establishment of a truth, peace, justice, and reconciliation commission within three months. This outfit is to secure national healing and reconciliation following the post-election skirmishes. This would target victims and perpetrators of ethnic and political violence that rocked the country for more than two months.
The toughest assignment the team must undertake is the comprehensive review of the Constitution. This will chart the country's future path after the end of the Grand Coalition Government. A new Constitution is expected to be in place in 12 months.
This will have ended a journey that Kenyans began more than 12 years ago.

Related articles: Rebellion against Kilonzo heightens.

Kenya Media council insists on poll audit.

Is it too early to celebrate in Kenya

2008-03-06T22:50:00.001Z

The deal is not yet done until it is implemented. We will soon be getting into the untested waters of governance and the big question is; how prepared are we to navigate through the turbulent waters and avoid hitting jagged rocks that we might encounter?

The MPs agreed to fast track the deal through the procedures of Parliament and ensure it is enacted into law. This is expected to be followed by a rollout of a broad reform agenda to address challenges of governance.

They then have to try to "sell" the idea of power sharing to their constituents, among them people who are now homeless or who have lost loved ones in the violence.
There are still potential stumbling blocks ahead - in particular, how power will be shared and how cabinet posts and other senior positions will be allocated.
But for Thursday's ceremony the tone was conciliatory and upbeat.

This country is emerging from one of the darkest periods of its history and the coming weeks will be a real test of the commitment of all sides to a durable peace.

Some 1,500 people died in unrest after disputed poll resultsKenyans will be forced to confront some awkward realities with the establishment of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission to investigate past injustices and violence blamed on supporters on all sides of the political fence.
They will also be forced to compromise.
There are concerns that a grand coalition will rob Kenyans of a real opposition.

Raila is charismatic, but ambitious; will he manage to keep his men together? If he does; political, constitutional and physical development will take place. It is certainly in his interest to do so, since he is now well poised to be the next president. But if ODM leaders squabble and split up, PNU will capitalise on this, and the equitable development Kenya badly needs will not happen, and the situation will be back to square one.

How will the power-sharing work in practice?
Will both teams be ready to give way, as they did to enable the present agreement be signed, or will they play an endless game of power-jostling, legal quibbling and name-calling?
Kenyans have been sobered, even frightened at what happened. No-one wants a replay of events, except perhaps a few greedy people ready to benefit from any tragedy. It is the moment to make a fresh start, and re-assess one's stance, with regard to ethnicity, the wealth-poverty gap, and governance.
Many eyes were on Kenya last December, hoping that if Kibaki were defeated he would step down like a gentleman, but the waters were muddied. This is the chance for them to be cleansed. If the two leaders make this coalition work, it could set an interesting precedent for a continent, artificially divided along ethnic lines where power and tribe are inter-locked.
Kibaki is the old-style leader, surrounded by like-minded advisers, for whom power means wealth and the aloofness of top-down rule. Raila, however, is comfortable anywhere and with anyone, in a popular bar or soccer match, dressed in a Nigerian outfit, and with the younger generation. The two men are poles apart, in style, beliefs and approach, but united in their wish to govern Kenya. Govern Kenya together, or as individuals? Can this partnership work? This is the question on Kenyans' lips.

The political settlement, the third item on the mediation agenda, has been solved - on paper. It is everyone's hope and prayer it will work. The first item, stopping the violence, depended on this, and still depends on this. Militias, organised and armed, were ready to enter action at a signal, if these talks had failed, and the violence would have been as bloody as before. Will these be disbanded and disarmed, or are they waiting on standby?
The second item, however, the humanitarian crisis still needs to be addressed, and urgently. The thousands displaced within Nairobi itself do not have homes to go to; they were destroyed.
Hundreds of women walk long distances everyday to collect foodstuffs from church compounds; the food-stalls were destroyed in the violence.
In the camps, within Nairobi and outside, toilet facilities are rudimentary and filthy; people queue hours for the food. The Red Cross and other NGOs are doing good work, but need more support.
Yet many Kenyans have reacted heroically and generously; some have sheltered neighbours of different ethnic groups, risking their lives.
The leader of a mainly Luo youth group from Kibera told me they had been taking food to Kikuyu refugees camped in a public park.

Related articles: Kenya media didn't incite violence-report

Sheikh Mohamed Dor first Iman in Kenya's parliament, and Mungiki street protest

2008-03-05T22:09:00.002Z

ODM nominated MP and Muslim preacher, Sheikh Mohamed Dor, will become the first Imam in Kenya's Parliament.

Meanwhile, Ms Shakila Abdalla, nominated by ODM-Kenya, said her priority would be to champion the role of women in national leadership.
She said her party had followed its manifesto, which considers the marginalised.
"My first priority will be to fight for women to be in the first line of decision making at the national level," she said yesterday.
Abdalla said she would work with other Coast MPs to tackle problems in the region.
She also promised to fight drug abuse among the youth.

There are no hurdles expected as the MPs step up the power deal debate in parliament tomorrow.

However there are some faces to watch in parliament.

Hundreds of followers of the outlawed Mungiki sect staged a demonstration in Nairobi's Central Business District, where they demanded the release of their leader Maina Njenga.

It is alleged the sect enjoys high
political patronage, hence the audacity with which they emerged.
Streaming into the Central Business District in such large numbers on Wednesday, the Mungiki caused a momentary security scare, catching everyone by surprise.
Police action was delayed for a frighteningly long spell as the early morning drama unfolded.
The demonstrators, estimated to be close to 3,000, poured onto several streets waving placards bearing the portrait of their leader, Maina Njenga, who is presently languishing in jail. They insist he is innocent.

It appears the Mungiki may have taken advantage of the relocation of hawkers from the city streets to the new Muthurwa Market to mount a demonstration and pass their seemingly politically loaded message momentarily, catching police off-guard.
The Standard reliably learnt that the majority of the demonstrators were transported from Murang'a and Maragwa overnight and assembled at River Road ahead of the early morning march.
When the police finally showed up, they seemed reluctant to stop the protest. The sect members were later dispersed near the Central Police Station as they finished their protest. This was after several businesses in the city had hurriedly closed in fear of violence.

The Government has denied a BBC report indicating that the State sanctioned the recent violence in parts of the country.
The respected British broadcaster quoted sources alleging that meetings were hosted between the banned Mungiki militia and senior government figures.

"The aim was to hire them as a defence force in the Rift Valley to protect the Kikuyu community," the BBC story says.
But on Wednesday, the government called the allegations "preposterous".
A statement by Government Spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, said: "The Government of Kenya has been shocked by a story appearing on the BBC that alleges that members of the banned group Mungiki held meetings at State House, Nairobi, the Official Office of the President.
"No such meetings took place at State House or any government office...
Such "unfounded lies" are "injurious to the President, Government and the people of Kenya," the statement said.

A policeman who was on duty at the time, who has spoken to the BBC on condition of anonymity, has also pointed to clear signs of State complicity.
He alleges that in the hours before the violence in Nakuru, police officers had orders not to stop a convoy of minibus taxis, called "matatus", packed with men when they arrived at police checkpoints.
"When we were there... I saw about 12 of them [matatus] packed with men," he said. "There were no females... I could see they were armed. We were ordered not to stop the vehicles, to allow them to go."

Raila Odinga Interview with the Financial Times Correspondent

2008-03-05T21:29:00.001Z

Financial Times: According to the agreement you signed with president Kibaki, the prime minister’s role is to “coordinate and supervise” government business. But what seems crucial is who is setting policy and who is controlling spending. Could you tell me how much influence you expect to have over those two things?

Raila Odinga: Well, according to the agreement we’ve signed, policies are formulated by the cabinet. The cabinet is chaired by the president, but I am a member of the cabinet. I become responsible for the implementation of those policies and for ensuring that cabinet decisions are enforced by line ministries. That is part of the supervision work. Secondly, I also ensure that the government is working in harmony; that the ministries all work in tandem – that is the coordination work. Another role is to ensure there is efficiency in the running of government. And the other one is to deal with issues like corruption, so that there is no corruption in the workings of government, and there is also less bureaucracy, less of the red tape that scares away investment from the country. That will be my function, because what has happened in the past is a lot of good policies have been developed on paper, but you find they are not implemented. So there is a disconnect between rhetoric and practice.

FT: Given those arrangements, could you find yourself in charge of the implementation of policies you don’t necessarily agree with, because those policies come from the cabinet?

RO: If they have been approved by cabinet, it’s usually done by consensus. Then I have no option but to ensure they are implemented. I’ll use my position to try to influence the policies at cabinet level, but once they are approved at cabinet I have no option but to implement. But I will also be working with line ministries in their formulation of policies. The policies cabinet normally works through are contained in memoranda produced by the ministries.

FT: Do you accept the term “executive prime minister”, which is what people are calling your expected new role?

RO: That is exactly what it is. It’s more or less like the French model, where you have a president who is executive and a prime minister who is executive, so you are sharing the executive functions. They call it cohabitation. You are cohabiting, hence the need for constant consultation between the presidency and the premiership so there is no conflict.

FT: What issues are you going to face working with president Kibaki, given the alleged rigging of the election and the breaking of the 2002 memorandum of understanding [on power-sharing, signed by Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki ahead of the previous election]?

RO: I think, from our discussions yesterday [the two men met on Tuesday], and from what has happened since the election, that there is a general desire to see that this thing will work. I think that feeling is mutual. I sense it from president Kibaki himself. The success is going to depend very much on the trust and confidence built between us, so that there are no suspicions and fears.
You cannot forget the past but you can forgive it. That’s what [Kenya’s first president Jomo] Kenyatta said after those years in detention [during British colonial rule]. It remains as part of history. But you don’t want to live in the past. Everything in life is in the future. You don’t want to continue to be buried in the past.

FT: What do you think the policy priorities of this new government should be?

RO: The economy is very crucial. We are not picking up from where the last government left us before the elections, because we have this devastation that has come about as a result of the dispute, the crisis. So we need to start from reconstruction. That is urgent. You can call it almost an emergency measure that needs to be taken in the short-term. Then comes the medium-term and long-term.

FT: Reconstruction of what exactly?

RO: In a lot of urban areas businesses were destroyed. Premises were just burnt down by … you can call them protestors. There is a need to reconstruct, not just physical premises, but also capital, so people can be able to start again businesses that have been destroyed. There is the informal sector, where kiosks were burnt and you find people lost vehicles. Then there is the formal sector, where premises with all the merchandise were burnt, in Nairobi, in Kisumu, in Eldoret, in Kakamega, Mombasa and several other urban areas.
In my own vision statement, when I launched my [election] campaign, I talked of infrastructure three times. Now, when there’s been massive destruction, the economy is best revived through heavy investment in infrastructure.
In the US after the Great Depression, they invested heavily in infrastructure to create a lot of employment. In Germany after the war there was the Marshall plan for roads, rail, housing, energy, water and so on. That created massive employment after the devastation of the war and helped them to rebuild the country. So I think this is a route we want to follow.
We’ll use local resources, but we’ll also borrow from the international financial markets. And we want to make full use of the offer by the British prime minister Gordon Brown [to host a conference of international aid donors for Kenya]. I want to be thankful to him for this gesture at this time of need. He is a friend indeed. We will make full use of that to try to raise funds for reconstruction and to put up infrastructure so that Kenya can begin to work again.

FT: What about the issue of the internally displaced people? Can they be resettled back to places they’ve been displaced from? What’s the solution there?

RO: That is the big challenge, because as you know this is not the first time. We had this in ‘91, again in ‘97, and again in 2002. On each of those occasions homes were torched, people were displaced. Eventually in Kisii they went back and resettled, put up new shelters. But again they were burnt. So the question is where are the guarantees that if you settle them this time around it won’t happen again?

FT: It is possible to get that guarantee?

RO: That is what we want to get, a programme that is sustainable, where people will settle and they will be secure. This requires going beyond just the physical reconstruction, but creating a harmonious relationship among these various ethnic communities. So I’m suggesting a meeting between the leadership of these displaced people and of the communities from whence they’ve been displaced in order to reconcile the communities and address the issue of peaceful coexistence. I’m suggesting a national ethnic conference to deal with inter-ethnic relationships so we can develop a kind of a code of conduct that will be used by a permanent commission on ethnic relations, which will be established by an act of parliament.

FT: I don’t see how a conference alone can deal with these things, because they go back to issues of land distribution in the 1960s and, in Nyanza province for example, to a feeling the place has been ignored in terms of job creation?

RO: That’s why I’m talking about the leadership. There are animosities that have different backgrounds. You have for example the Kikuyu-Kalenjin, which is purely land. Then you have Kisii-Kalenjin, which is a boundary dispute. There’s Masai-Kisii, Masai-Kikuyu, which is about land and water. Luo-Kikuyu is more economic because they don’t have a common border. It’s more marginalisation, and it’s the same thing with the Kikuyu-Luhya.

FT: So how do you tackle these deeper issues?

RO: First, the solutions are not uniform. On land you need to find a way of settlement that will not create acrimony, which will not leave a feeling among the Kalenjins that they have been deprived of their land. That’s why it must be discussed at national level. We have in our manifesto a plan for comprehensive land reform, which will make land a factor of production, accessible and available to people who want to use it for production.

FT: So you’ll take that manifesto plan and try to make it government policy?

RO: Exactly. That’s why yesterday we agreed with the president to set up a six man team, three from my side and three from his side, to begin to work on harmonising the manifestos of ODM [the former opposition Orange Democratic Movement] and PNU [president Kibaki’s Party of National Unity] so that we have a common programme, more centrist, which we will be able to implement. We will have sectoral priorities, for example, so we will have a clear road map that we can use to check on the ministries to see that they are meeting the targets.

FT: The main difference between the ODM and PNU manifestos was on majimboism, or federalism. What’s going to happen to government policy on that?

RO: Majimbo is actually devolution, and devolution is a key issue. Now initially PNU was vehemently opposed to it, but as we packaged and marketed and sold it, it was brought by the people. And PNU toward the tail end of the campaign jumped on the bandwagon. So in the end we were actually on the same side, except their devolution was different, because they wanted to create so many tiny districts. That was their answer. In our view small districts are not viable. We cannot build county councils based on one single constituency. It doesn’t make sense because it does not have a sufficient revenue base to be able to provide the services that county councils are required to provide. Now that campaign is over. We are going to begin now to talk again and see where we can meet on the middle ground.
And the other difference between the manifestos was equity, which is tied in with devolution, because we want to distribute resources in a more equitable manner. We have also identified some marginalised areas where we want to pump more resources. And we want to create a ministry for northern Kenya. I’m going to put that on the table in the negotiations.

FT: What chance does the coalition have of surviving five years [the fixed term of a presidency] and what happens if it doesn’t’?

RO: The coalition is premised on reform. First constitutional reforms, then the land reforms I mentioned, and then institutional and legal reforms. Its survival is dependent on how far it succeeds in bringing these reforms. If at the end of these reforms the partners feel they are able to continue, then the coalition can last five years. But if after they have achieved these reforms the feeling of the partners is that they should go for an early election, then they’ll decide to go for an early election. But I don’t want to pre-judge that.

FT: What happens if the coalition breaks down because there’s some disagreement and one side pulls out. Is there an election then?

RO: At the moment we have a hung parliament. The two partners are almost equal in strength. So if one pulls out it will be very difficult for the other to continue. They’ll just be limping. They’ll be living on the precipice. It’ll be a dangerous existence. But sometimes people like to take risks.

Quotes from FT interview Raila Odinga by Barney Jopson

A new beginning in Kenya

2008-03-03T14:56:00.001Z

Hopefully this week we will be able to start to get things back on track in Kenya. The road to recovery has its challenges.

William Ruto says that there are some issues that need to be dealt with at the moment

What is remaining at the moment is how to get to a new constitution in two months and the issue of setting up a truth, justice and reconciliation commission," he said.
Parliament is due to meet on Thursday to pass a constitutional amendment to allow for a coalition government led by Kibaki. His opposition rival, Raila Odinga, will take a newly created post of prime minister.

Former head of South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission, Judge Christiaan Kriegler, is to chair the Independent Review Committee that will investigate the 2007 General Election.
The committee, which commences its sittings on March 15, will investigate all aspects of the presidential election and make findings and recommendations to improve future electoral processes.

Reconstruction of structures destroyed during the post-election violence has started after Thursday's signing of power-sharing deal between President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga.
The American Government will provide Sh1.75b ($25million) to help the reconstruction process. In Kibera, the rebuilding of Toi Market has started. Traders who had fled the area are returning.

Historic week for Kenya

2008-03-02T15:35:00.001Z

Kenya today enters what could be the historic week in which the power sharing deal President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga signed could be homed in the Constitution.The nation waits, albeit with baited breath, but with faces radiating optimism, for the State opening of Parliament on Thursday .

I spoke to the folks and friends this weekend, and they are in better spirits. I was told that Kenyans were wishing each other Happy New Year on Saturday, as the New Year had begun on Friday. I had a laugh with my folks about this.Apparently, it was bustling in town yesterday.

I just finished a piece of consultancy work with a Somali organisation here in the diaspora, and some of the people I worked with are Kenyan Somalis. There was definitely a different vibe on Friday,hope in the air with people now ready to fly home soon.

The President's Party of National Unity, which has a coalition arrangement with Mr Musyoka's ODM-Kenya, holds its PG tomorrow. Raila's Orange Democratic Movement meets on Wednesday.
The agenda for both sides will be the forging of a common stand on the proposed National Reconciliation Act 2008, which is an offshoot of the deal Raila and Kibaki signed.ODM will be holding a PG on Wednesday where they will formally take a common stand on the accord," Raila said on Saturday, after meeting Annan.With the signs it is just a matter of time before Kibaki and Raila become the pilot and co-pilot of aircraft Kenya, attention is now shifting to two former friends-turned- foes.
It is slightly over five years after necessity pushed them into a historic union that changed the politics of Kenya and defeated Kanu before parting ways in 2005.
The one-time liberation comrades when the nation cried for unity to defeat Kanu began to fall out soon after they took power in 2003, mainly over dishonoured Memorandum of Understanding.That journey will begin in real, concrete terms if Parliament, which convenes this week, ratifies the agreements the two leaders agreed on Thursday.
Unlike in 2002 when removing Kanu from power was seen to be good enough, Raila, Prime Minister-designate, and Kibaki, the President, have a daunting task.

The deal Raila and Kibaki signed last week, charges them with joint responsibility on issues they have viewed differently.

It charges both to preside over the overhaul of the Kenyatta State, which President Kibaki was seen to be reproducing and the Moi structures, which he fought briefly then embraced for political survival.
For Raila, it is a moment to dismantle what he has always wanted to; the leftovers of Kenyatta and Moi States, which he says have been characterised by gross inequalities and concentration of power and public resources, especially land, in the hands of a power elite. These are views for which he spent long years in detention, fighting.

Raila and Kibaki, despite radical differences in their political worldviews, cut the image of the last of the fading generation of politicians who still have some sense of ideology in politics.

A look into their politics over the years reveals an impression that Kibaki appears to believe that the way out of the problems that bedevil Kenya lies in the economy.
For Kibaki, from his early days in the Cabinet, through his days as DP chairman, all the way to his first term as president, he appears to believe that a strong and growing economy would heal the wounds and rifts in Kenya.
On the other hand, Raila's journey in politics leaves behind a strong impression that he believes the country's problems begin with the Constitution and its governance structures.
Raila appears to believe that however much the economy grows, if the country does not have a constitution and governance structures that define equal access to wealth and how power is used, national challenges will persist.

In contrast, Raila's campaign manifesto began with the promise of a new constitution. His party said it would guarantee a new constitution within six months to ensure equity, executive accountability and devolution of power.
Raila also promised a parliamentary system of government "where power will be shared and not concentrated in one person or office."
Those are just a few of the differences the two will have to integrate as they begin work in a new coalition.

They will also be required to address historical injustices, past cases of impunity, and secure national healing and reconciliation.

Kofi Annan has left Kenya now, I am so grateful to him for facilitating this deal; he has insisted Kenyans must still respect the rule of law while a final polical solution is sought.

I have had a numerous hits on my blog the past two days from readers looking for stories on Martha Rarua(tear apart) Karua aka PNU hardliner.

I guess it is to do with the stories circulating, that it is her heated exchanges, that led to the suspension of the talks on Tuesday.

The talks however almost collapsed when on February 26 a member of PNU team engaged the panel in heated exchanges.
The member made comments that stunned mediators and talks were suspended.

Some readers have asked for a transcript of that event, unfortunately, I have no access to that information.

The healing that needs to be done from now on, is huge, the internally displaced need to be resettled, to restore peace.

Related articles: Torturous road that led to a power deal.

Kenyans must seize democracry for themselves

2008-03-01T12:30:00.002Z

We applaud Kofi Annan for steering Kenya back to sanity. But we also have to understand that this peace deal is an emergency stopgap solution so that the wounds of rigged elections, mobilized militias, ethnic cleansing, and extra-judicial killings may not bleed the country to death.

The Kenyan people on whose backs this power sharing deal has been signed have to seize democracy for themselves if change is to be real and long lasting, and in service of the Kenyan people and not the competing politicians.
We applaud the deal for peace but also recognize the work for a democracy that serves the people and not the elite is just starting.
We have been offered the shell of democracy, but the struggle is for its content.
We call for a democracy with content of equal land redistribution because land was at the heart of this crisis.
We call for a democracy with the content of economic justice because it is our discontent with extreme poverty that was used against us by the same politicians we are going to reward with cabinet positions.
We call for a democracy with the content of justice. In 1963, our first authoritarian leader, Jomo Kenyatta, asked us to forgive but not forget British colonialism. What he meant was forgive and forget. Let justice be the keeper of our memory.
We call for a democracy that protects its citizens from the excesses of the state. The police killings of unarmed electoral protestors recalls the extra-judicial killings of hundreds of young men criminalized because they are poor in May to June, 2007.
The police force we inherited from British colonialism was trained to see the people as the enemy. We call not only for a retraining of the police, but also for the officers and politicians who gave the shoot-to-kill orders to be brought to justice
We call for a democracy that has the content of justice, if we are to end of cycle of violence and counter violence, revenge and counter-revenge.
We call for a systematic disarming of all militia and the bringing to justice all those responsible for killings, injuries and destabilization.
We call for guarantees of safe passage and return of those violently displaced from their homes. Those who have suffered loss need to be compensated.
We call on an immediate investigation on behalf of the victims of sexual violence and rape and the bringing to justice those responsible.
We call for an independent judicial inquiry into the allegations of election rigging that led to the current crisis.
We have been very good at forgetting - the February 25th anniversary of the Wagalla massacres of 1984 in which over a thousand Kenyan Somalis were killed by the Moi government just passed without as much as a murmur. The recent Eldoret Killings recall the Eldoret killings of 1992 in which over a thousand Kenyans lost their lives. We call for historical and present day crimes against the Kenyan people and humanity to be punished.
We welcome the calm that the agreement brings. But this must not be confused with peace: peace will only be possible through justice and the placing of the truth in the public arena and addressing injustice and inequality.
A process must begin now to consider whether the constitution as it exists, and as it will be amended by parliament shortly, is the constitution that can guarantee peace, or whether we need to establish one that reflects the vision and values of all citizens.
In short, we call for a democracy that serves the people, and not a democracy that dresses up thieves and political thugs in suits.

The real work begins now, resettling the displaced and reconciling all Kenyans.

This is a challenging task for all involved, but there is a lot of healing that needs to be done.

Details of the deal are being worked out,start of chapter two in Kenya

2008-02-29T18:15:00.001Z

Representatives on Friday began working out details of a power-sharing agreement aimed at ending two months of ethnic violence that killed more than 1,000 people after a disputed presidential election.Under the agreement, Odinga will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government — more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield.It was unclear when Odinga would take over as prime minister. Kibaki said he is reconvening parliament next Thursday to begin work on the needed constitutional changes.
Representatives for the two sides were meeting Friday to work out details and start hashing out some of the longer term reforms.

If Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki does not meet the terms of a power-sharing agreement it could lead to the disintegration of the country, opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Friday.
But Odinga said Kenyans had learned the lesson of their violent post-election crisis and would do all they can to make Thursday's peace deal work.
Asked by BBC radio what would happen if Kibaki's side didn't fulfil the deal, Odinga said: "That would be most unfortunate.... The coalition would break up and in my view that would lead to disintegration of the country."
But he added: "I feel confident that this period that we've gone through has been a teacher and that everyone is going to try and ensure that this coalition will work and succeed."

"We say we want to get a new constitution within one year. Kofi Annan has given it a maximum of two years life," he said.
"After the two years we will review. After the two years, if we have completed everything else, we would want to go for an election then ... We don't want to go beyond two years."

The main points
· The constitution will be amended to allow a coalition government to be formed. Cabinet posts will be divided based on the parliamentary strength of the respective parties, with the important portfolios balanced among the coalition partners.
· Mwai Kibaki remains president. As head of the largest party in parliament, opposition leader Raila Odinga will occupy a new post of prime minister, and will be responsible for running the affairs of the government. There will also be two deputy prime ministers elected by members of the coalition government.
· The prime minister and his deputies can only be removed by a parliamentary vote of no confidence. If Kibaki wishes to sack a cabinet minister he requires the written consent of the opposition leader. The coalition can be dissolved when parliament's term expires in 2012, if the parties agree in writing, or if one party withdraws from the coalition.

The power-sharing deal is a significant step forward, but the details of how power will be divided between Odinga and Kibaki and within the cabinet will be contentious, and the coalition government will be fragile and prone to deadlock. Worse, the threat of violence -- in places motivated by issues beyond the disputed election -- does not disappear with the announcement of a deal.

I wonder how this deal will be implemented, and wait to see what the cabinet will look like.

Nancy Wanjiru tells her story of how she was chased out of Mathare, yet some of her attackers were Kikuyu, and she says that the violence was more out of jealousy than tribalism.

Related articles:Kibaki,Odinga have a long history

Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki agree to a coalition government

2008-02-28T15:50:00.001Z

Kenya's rival politicians signed a power-sharing agreement Thursday and shook hands after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly postelection crisis.

"We do have a deal," Annan told reporters, saying the agreement creates the prime minister's post that the opposition has been demanding. "Thus our work on the government structure for Kenya has successfully been completed today."

I really hope and pray that things can start getting back to some sense of normality, if that is at all possible after all we have been through.

I am exhaling now.

Kofi Annan attempts to push for a deal in Kenya

2008-02-27T15:28:00.001Z

Kenya's opposition leader on Wednesday backed off plans for mass protests at the request of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is pushing the two rivals to share power.

Nathan Nyanjom feels that sharing presidency won't pacify Kenyans.

Annan and Rice argue that by having Kibaki and Odinga share power, peace will be ensured since both of these men's tribes will have an equal say in government.While it can be argued that the plan of shared power will bring peace to Kenya the quickest, peace will also come if Odinga is made the country's sole leader. After all, that was the form of presidency voted on by the majority of Kenya in the Dec. 27 election.Even if peace would ensue with Rice and Annan's plan in the short term, would it continue in the long run? Eventually Kikuyus would voice their frustration that Kibaki was only a co-president, and Luos similarly would be angered that Odinga shared his office seat.Since neither the solution of an individual president nor a shared presidency will eliminate all tribal tension, and since peace will arise regardless of the decision to have Odinga gain power that is sole or shared, the most democratic action should be taken, and that is installing the election's winner - Odinga - as Kenya's sole president.When people want change, they vote for it - that's the democratic way. American voters know this, and our government upholds it.Although the going in Kenya right now is tough, democracy must not go. The world community must uphold Kenya's democratic election and support a vision of Kenya led by only Raila Odinga.

Britain yesterday said that the Kenyan army is now "by far the best option" to stop a sectarian bloodbath as peace talks in Nairobi between the government and opposition were suspended.
The foreign office minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Mark Malloch-Brown, said that there was a serious risk of renewed bloodshed if talks broke down irrevocably. About a thousand Kenyans have been killed since disputed elections in December and 600,000 have fled their homes after rival gangs, organised largely on ethnic lines, went on the rampage. .

I never thought that I would consider this as an option, but right now, the way things stand I am not opposed to the army taking control temporarily.

On Monday, the PNU side came up with a totally different agenda items from what had been agreed the previous week. Progress had previously been made on the creation of the post of prime minister, who would be the leader of the party with majority MPs in Parliament and who would exercise reasonable power, including supervising ministries.
Consistency in matters agreed upon during a negotiation is not only a sign of good faith, but is the clearest testament to a desire for a speedy resolution.
The to-ing and fro-ing by PNU, which has openly exasperated the Annan team, leads many Kenyans to ask whether Mr Kibaki truly wants the best for this country - whether he cares for the thousands of displaced Kenyans languishing in refugee camps, the numerous others who paid with their lives for electoral ineptitude, whether he worries about an economy limping to a slump and if he is alive to the threat of civil war which hangs darkly over Kenya's deeply divided population.
We reject the fundamental objection of the PNU to the power-sharing proposal which had been fleshed out. We would like to state, yet again, that any new structure of government brokered by Dr Annan must be supported by a Constitutional amendment.
For one, any changes to the presidency as it exists today is itself an alteration of the Constitutional clause which created it, therefore the changes must go back to Parliament for a Constitutional amendment. They must be defined and sanctified with the same legal weight as the document it seeks to alter.
Secondly, the leaders of ODM and Mr Kibaki's side have a history of political betrayal. Surely, one can understand the insistence on a watertight agreement from a group of politicians who have yet to recover from the trashing by the President of the memorandum of Understanding they had reached in the previous election.

Thirdly, these changes are strictly not just about Mr Kibaki and Mr Raila. This is a golden opportunity for Kenya as a nation to tackle, in various phases, some of the lopsided political arrangements and economic injustices widely acknowledged to have caused the crisis we find ourselves in.

Related article: Kenya Post-Electoral Violence Wipes Out Businesses; Jobs

ODM says it is not to blame for stalled talks

Kofi Annan suspends talks in Kenya

2008-02-26T16:11:00.001Z

Mediator Kofi Annan said he has suspended talks between Kenya's government and the opposition to end the country's deadly postelection crisis.
The talks have dragged on for weeks with no tangible progress. Annan said he will speak to the rival leaders personally to try to rejuvenate them.

Do we know what the future holds for us as Kenyans?

Where are we going?

I was talking to a colleague at work today, who is from Ghana. His view on the situation was that maybe the burning and purging of Kenya needs to happen for a new beginning.

At this point, I don't know what to think, but I am very anxious.

Whatever I, or some others think, feel, say, or do makes no bloody difference. There are a small group of people who call the shots, and that is the way it is.

Lead us into an abyss why don't you?

Wondering whether Kenya will survive

2008-02-26T10:55:00.001Z

The U.N. humanitarian chief warned of the prospect of escalating violence in Kenya if the African nation's post-election turmoil is not resolved soon.
"If there is no quick resolution to the political crisis, the risk of a fresh surge in violence, more displacement and further polarization of society is very high," John Holmes, the United Nation's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the U.N. Security Council on Monday.

An environment of fear for Kenya Human Rights Chairman Maina Kiai, as he continues to receive death threats.

God Bless you Maina, you are a patriot, and you stood up to be counted.

Kofi Annan has threatened to leave if a quick agreement is not reached.

The search for a political settlement out of the post election crisis stalled after the Government side walked back several steps, changed positions on issues already agreed and threw the talks into a spin.
The Standard reliably learnt that when the talks resumed after an eventful weekend break, the Party of National Unity (PNU) made it clear it was no longer interested in sharing power. Last night, the task of making the hard choices appeared to lie with President Kibaki and bitter rival Mr Raila Odinga.

Yesterday's developments also meant that a deal may not be announced tomorrow or even later in the week as earlier anticipated and that the now increasingly perpetual state of uncertainty could still hold.

Until the dramatic twist of events yesterday, both Government and ODM had agreed in principle to create a prime minister's post and also appeared to have covered considerable ground on the sharing Cabinet positions.
But that changed at the weekend, but things went completely off tangent yesterday.

The talks also stalled after the negotiators failed to agree on whether the prime minister should have the authority to co-ordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of Government, including those of ministries and departments of the Government.
According to the Government document, the prime minister is to co-ordinate the performance of the ministries and perform any other duties as may be assigned to him by the President from time to time.
In the Legal Working Group document, any change in the Government affecting a person nominated by a parliamentary party of the coalition shall be made only after prior consultation and concurrence in writing with the leader of that party.
But yesterday, the PNU side went back on this by suggesting that the President have absolute discretion on who would be in Government.

It is a question of whether the state survives .

God help Kenya.

Raila Odinga says that the report was malicious

2008-02-25T15:46:00.001Z

Raila Odinga has taken exception to reports alleging that he went to Nigeria to ask President Umaru Yar’Adua to join the efforts to find a political settlement to the crisis in Kenya.
The Lang’ata MP said the report was "very malicious and aimed at creating disharmony in the mediation talks led by former UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan."

The talks must now assume a serious sense of urgency and conclude a political settlement within this week, mediators were told on a day Party of National Unity (PNU) threw another tantrum over the ongoing mediation.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said it acknowledged the difficult task of brokering a deal out of the impasse but insisted it was time Kenyans were given a solution.

Pentagon member Mrs Charity Ngilu said a deal to end the crisis should be reached quickly to ease tensions.
"Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for the government of their choice and should not be denied a chance to see their dream come true," said the Kitui Central MP, adding that the proposed grand coalition should be crafted in a "just and fair manner" with ODM and PNU sharing Cabinet slots according to their parliamentary strength.

We may have a deal this Wednesday.

However, Kibaki is a stumbling block to popular reforms.What this means is that if Kibaki is allowed to have his way, it will be practically impossible to effect the substantial constitutional and economic changes that Kenyans yearn for. Moreover, one can reasonably expect that a government that is so cavalier in its approach and so inimical to issues of consensus building will bring into Parliament legislative changes that, in content, are partisan, questionable and provocative, and which will have no chance of success. After all, it seems it is Kibaki’s primary tactic to stall any reforms through feet dragging and polarisation so that he can maintain the status quo. And why not, the prevailing constitutional and legal circumstances favour the imperial presidency that Kibaki seems to so much enjoy. Reforms will only take away some of the prestige that are bestowed in the presidency yet Kibaki has shown that he is not magnanimous enough to accede to the changes that lops off some of his powers for the sake of the country’s posterity.
In the end, Kenyans are faced with a simple decision. They will either have to let Kibaki — who only has at most less than five years of political life — maintain his egotistical hard line position and be ready to witness the breakdown of the State, or in the alternative, they will have to issue a stern ultimatum to him and his lieutenants that he has to concede to the popular dictate of the times and accept a genuine and real arrangement of power sharing which will facilitate meaningful and sustainable reforms.

I am feeling weary,and anxious about the situation. I read Mohsin Ahmed's article about the Pakistan election, and how it had given him hope that one day the country can once again become his home. Pakistan managed a free and fair election, and I am envious. I am left wondering what the future of Kenya will be, and also whether it will be a future of a sad and steady decline.

Waiting for a deal in Kenya

2008-02-24T11:33:00.001Z

A deal ending the impasse could be announced mid this week, if the parties agree on the sole divisive issue remaining at the talks chaired by former United Nations Secretary General Dr Kofi Annan.
If the two parties agree on Monday or on Tuesday, the fate of the country will remain in the hands of President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga.

President Kibaki and his PNU brigade seem to be borrowing from Chinese war strategist, Sun Tzu, to navigate through the current crisis.
Tzu, a decorated military general and one of the great Chinese thinkers of ancient times, says if you have an upper hand over an opponent, you must crush them totally. You must have no mercy; you must give them nothing to negotiate, no hope, and no room for manoeuvre.
By default or design, PNU is in the driver’s seat and is increasingly making it difficult for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to gain political ground.
Even as ODM politicians maintain Kibaki stole Raila Odinga’s victory, the ODM leader is vulnerable as hardline PNU tightens the noose. The party has placed a host of hurdles in the way and does not appear to be in a hurry to conclude the former United Nations Secretary-General Dr Kofi Annan-led negotiations.
But the rival ODM has apparently lived up to the grand law of physics; "To every action there is always an opposing reaction of equal measure". Indeed, it is because of these tough positions that the current political stalemate is yet to be unlocked.

Outside the negotiation room, "learned friends" are espousing the PNU agenda. Garsen MP, Mr Danson Mungatana, leads the hardliners.
He told The Sunday Standard that there was no way the party would allow ODM to walk away with executive premiership. He says Section 23 of the Constitution, vests executive powers only in the presidency. But he forgets this presidency is disputed.
Although President Kibaki and the PNU brigade have amplified this position, there has been a remarkable climb down by the party’s negotiating team.

I continue to hope for the best and expect the worst.

Related articles:Following IDPs moving from Tigoni to the Western Region

Media and waiting for a deal in Kenya

2008-02-22T14:17:00.001Z

The settlement to heal Kenya's political agony may be edging closer but will it be a meaningful one?If an agreement continues to elude the negotiators, or if one is produced and proves flimsy, the violence that has racked parts of the country since its disputed election on December 27th could return.

Raila Odinga has left for Nigeria today, he was still available for consultations while in Nigeria and was expected back Saturday, said opposition official Musalia Mudavadi.

Mr Paul Muite, said the Government was going against the Media Act that established the council.
"This is a blatant attempt to bring, through the backdoor, efforts to gag and intimidate the media," he said.

On Thursday, Muite described as "retrogressive" the attempt to scrutinise the media. He warned that the Government could take advantage of the post-election crisis to impose draconian regulations on the media.

"The Government is not in a position to judge what is within the conduct of journalists," he said.

Related articles:Political instability hurting economy.

Kenya government have agreed on Prime Minister post in principle

2008-02-21T14:43:00.001Z

Government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo said the two sides had agreed to create a post of "a non-executive prime minister but with substantial responsibilities." I wonder what the substantial responsibilities will be.This has been agreed in principle, so what will it look like in practice.

A PNU side, determined to preserve the status quo by keeping Kibaki's presidency intact through his second and last term, appeared worried about the powers that could be vested on the premier.

I wonder whether this is final, as over the weeks, I have read about power sharing, and then the power sharing being rejected, and at this point I don't know what to believe. The deal still has to brought to the whole negotiating committee.The two sides should finish work on Friday.

The development came as an international think tank warned that further violence could erupt unless a solution to Kenya's political crisis were found urgently. Fingers crossed.

Kibaki will be judged on how he resolves this crisis

2008-02-20T11:49:00.001Z

Today, he stands at a junction as a man who could be this country’s most important historical figure over how he handles the current crisis and nothing else may matter over the rest of his term and this will is also the true test of his leadership. This test is not whether he can steer an impressive domestic policy agenda to underwrite economic prosperity—which is probably a cake walk for him—but whether he can manage a decent foreign policy agenda. His foreign policy agenda will mainly be driven by how he resolves the current political crisis. For his economic agenda to succeed, it matters a lot that he reunites the country. In the short term, this will be by meeting his political enemies halfway and long term by enacting sweeping constitutional changes that will ensure that the current political crisis never happens again.

However, given that the current negotiators have all been experienced opposition politicians and agitators for democratic freedoms under the oppressive leadership of former president Moi, it is perhaps easier to look at the problem from the perspective of the kind of compromises they would seek at the same negotiating table if the tables turned assuming a worst case scenario. Would the Party of National Unity (PNU) want to be in opposition under the same terms of settlement they are proposing if the other party came into power and vice versa?Then it would be easy to unravel the hardened positions and start expanding the list of favourable options that would benefit the entire country in perpetuity. This is where the leadership of President Kibaki comes in to ensure that the negotiators move away from merely stating positions, but expanding the range of options.

Quotes from Kibaki will be judged on how he resolves crisis. I sit and wonder whether Kibaki has any concerns about how he will be judged at all.

Wangari Maathai, criticised politicians allied to the Party of National Unity, saying they were trivialising the suffering of Kenyans and playing politics with sensitive issues.

Kibaki says that a political solution to the current crisis must be constitutional. He is willing to share power with ODM, but clearly on his terms.

There is more bloodshed,as we wait for a solution,and rioters attacked a minibus in Mathare today, in response to police arrests for unpaid rent.

A positive sign to all this, is that Parliament may have the last word.

Related articles:New Danish aid to displaced persons in Kenya

John Githongo answers questions on whats the matter with Kenya

2008-02-19T11:15:00.001Z

FP: What is the root cause of the past few weeks of violence in Kenya? Is it economic, social, or tribal?
JG: The seeds of the current crisis were sown long ago, but the determined weeding took place between August 2004 and December 2007. Inequality is at the heart of it. In a place like Kenya, people can express their anger over economic inequality in regional or ethnic terms when the ruling elites aren't able to give people reasonable confidence that there is (or at least will be) equal access to economic opportunity and justice. Issues that give inequality meaning—the use of violence for political purposes, genuine land grievances, conspicuously corrupt leadership—have been bubbling under the surface for decades. These factors combined with rapid urbanization, high unemployment, especially among young males, ethnic political mobilization, the free flow of information, huge democratic expectations and, finally an incompetently rigged election, to ultimately boil over into a crisis. So, it's not just a 'tribal' thing.

FP: The international community has been a steady backer of President Mwai Kibaki. In June 2007, the United Nations even awarded the Kenyan government its "Global Prize for Progress in Governance." Do you think the international community—the U.N., the World Bank, Western governments—got Kibaki and Kenya wrong?
JG: Sections of the international community did not necessarily ‘get it wrong’ because they were well intentioned. But to an extent, they didn't ‘get it’ at all. It's not as though between June, when Kenya was awarded the governance prize, and December, when the election took place, things changed dramatically. Up to the last minute, the World Bank was effusive in its praise of Kenya’s development, despite its own statistics that showed something was wrong on the governance front, as did reports by other organizations. So, the analysis was not wrong. The underlying assumptions were.
They were also overly excited by the growth statistics. It’s true that the private sector is the key to the future of Africa, but one has to ask carefully what the private sector means politically in different contexts. In relatively small economies, it tends to be dominated by small groups of individuals linked together in a series of incestuous relationships that stretch across all sectors of business and into the political, security, and bureaucratic realms. In highly diverse societies with a history of structural domination by minorities, such as Kenya’s, 'growth' can lead to widespread ethnic or regional resentments when people start to compare their economic status with that of other groups. With enough repression, this can be sustainable. But Africa democratized in the 1990s as rapidly as it joined the global economy in the late 1980s.

FP: What do you think the West always gets wrong about Africa? What does it get right?
JG: Africans’ experience of the modern state is of an insecure, fierce, and secretive creature that extracts economically on behalf of an exclusive identifiable minority using disproportionate violence. This creature has too often served Western interests. The West is most effective in Africa when it engages around issues that cause the rest of the world to admire it: individual freedoms and liberties, the rule of law, rewarding private innovation etc. The lives of African women, for example, have been greatly transformed by Western encouragement. But when the West gets it wrong it tends to do so reverberatingly, such as backing dictators during the Cold War who laid parts of the continent to waste and oppressed their populations to the extent that the initial release from these contrived and externally backed conditions was accompanied by tremendous violence and dislocation. Similarly, the West remained steadfast in its support of apartheid in South Africa for too long. This explains in part the continuing ambivalence of the continent's leaders when confronted with the excesses of Robert Mugabe, who is an increasingly decrepit icon of the continent’s struggle against minority rule.

Quotes from Seven questions:What's the matter with Kenya?

Condoleeza Rice answered questions to reporters yesterday and outlined four items to which Kofi Annan, ODM, and PNU have agreed to. She acknowledged that a political settlement is urgent, but recognised that some of the reforms will take time to put in place.

This is ODM's proposal on how to stop the crisis.

Reforms could see the return of the powerful Prime Minister post.

Diplomats say Kibaki's strategy of playing for time in the hope of entrenching his position as opposition anger dissipates is dangerous. There are reports that some militia groups that caused much of the initial ethnic violence and subsequent reprisals in western Kenya and Nairobi are restocking their arsenals.The ODM needs to be able to show something tangible to their supporters soon," said one European diplomat. "If not, the violence could easily restart and neither they [the ODM] nor the government will be able to stop it."

Samuel Mohochi executive director of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit. With the help of the local cell phone company, his organization has set up a toll free service for people to report missing or dead relatives.

Condoleeza Rice says that a power sharing deal will enhance Kenya's relationship with the US

2008-02-18T12:24:00.001Z

I'm going to emphasize that there is a lot to be gained in a relationship with the United States through resolution of this political crisis," Rice said.
To the president, President Kibaki, I will say power-sharing means real power-sharing and the United States, as a friend of Kenya, expects that power-sharing to take place to show that you can make the electoral and constitutional reforms that frankly should have been made several years ago," she said before her meetings.

She added: "To Mr. Odinga, I will be saying that we understand that the election was problematic, the United States has said that, but again power-sharing does need to take place."

President Bush told reporters Sunday that the United States was looking at "how best we can help the process. Not what we should do to dictate the process but what America can do to help the process move along." Bush is in neighboring Tanzania, the second stop of a five-nation Africa tour.

While Kenya's political leaders have welcomed help from abroad in trying to end the crisis, the foreign minister insisted Sunday that any solution must come from Kenyans themselves.

The result of the talks "must be a Kenyan solution. Anything less will be superficial and perhaps counterproductive," Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, who is on the government's negotiating team at the talks, told reporters.

No one, he warned, should "make a mistake of putting a gun (to) anybody's head."

On Saturday, the top U.S. State Department official for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, warned that the U.S. is considering targeted sanctions against anyone who stands in the way of a power-sharing deal

Quotes from Deal in Kenya will enhance US ties by Tom Maliti of Associated Press.

In the meantime Meru elders have convened a meeting to discuss the incident where Gitobu Imanyara says Lucy Kibaki attempted to punch him.

Ida Odinga has said that Lucy Kibaki has not visited displaced Kenyans to address their plight, she questioned why Lucy Kibaki remained silent as innocent Kenyans suffered. She added that Lucy should come out of State House and join hands with other leaders in finding a solution to the political crisis.

My hunch is that Lucy is not coming out,as her behaviour is inappropriate,and she has some issues with anger management, discretion, tact and diplomacy.

PNU reject US pressure over power sharing

2008-02-17T14:43:00.002Z

The Kenya government issued a veiled threat to the US not to put a gun to anyone's head.

This was in response to George Bush's warning that Kenya needs to agree to a power sharing arrangement with the opposition.

Kilonzo's party faces a credibility test, is it in a postion to play referee between the main combatants, when Kilonzo is in bed with PNU.

I am waiting to see what deal will be made this week.

Samuel Kivuitu may face the music.

Twenty civil societies have given the Attorney General, Amos Wako a two-week ultimatum to prosecute Electoral Commission of Kenya Chairman, Mr Samuel Kivuitu.

Under the umbrella, Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice Initiative, the civil societies also want the 21 commissioners and another 21 senior staff to answer criminal charges for their conspiracy in the bungled presidential election.
A charge sheet prepared by the civil societies, accuses ECK of 112 offences including forgery, conspiracy to commit a felony, and making false documents.
The NGO’s spokesperson, Mr Haroun Ndubi led colleagues in presenting a petition to the AG’s office, on Friday.

He said the people named in the petition allegedly committed a series of criminal offences.
They said after the two-week ultimatum, they would initiate private prosecution against those who not only bungled the elections, but also those who incited people to violence.

Quotes from Prosecute Kivuitu, Wako told .

Samuel Kivuitu needs to take responsibility for his actions.

Is the attention that the West is giving Kenya to protect democracy?

Does the Kenyan government want validation from the West?

2008-02-16T21:04:00.001Z

I share Hapa Kenya's sentiments on the government's reaction to diplomats who have not given them any recognition.

If the Kenya government does not give a damn about the West, why is it threatening the West with remedial measures?

It may be my imagination, but the tempo seemed to change when diplomats stated that they would impose visa bans.

I have mixed feelings about the West intervening, but then I read stories like this, and this, and this, and I wonder whether we have the capacity to resolve our own problems without assistance.

Or do we watch ourselves self destruct?

Next week is crunch time, and I continue to wait and see what the future holds for Kenya. One thing I know for sure, Kenya will never be the same.

Related article: Village mourns as Were's body arrives.

Kenyan political rivals will review vote

2008-02-15T13:58:00.001Z

Kenya's political rivals have agreed to an independent review of the disputed presidential election, according to a copy of the deal obtained Friday.

The agreement called for an independent committee "to investigate all aspects of the 2007 presidential election." The committee will include Kenyan and non-Kenyan experts, start work March 15 and submit its report within three to six months. The report will be published two weeks later.

In the agreement, the government also acknowledged that the dispute cannot be resolved in court because the deadline for complaints has expired earlier this year. Kibaki's government had insisted the opposition take its complaints to the courts, while Odinga had argued he stole the vote and should step down.
The 10-point agreement also provides for a comprehensive reform of electoral laws and institutions and the creation of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission.

The report also said politicians must examine how long-standing land grievances, accusations of ethnic favoritism and frustration over poverty and corruption contributed to the violence.

Quotes from Kenya political rivals to review vote.

On its part, the European Union again warned it would sever all trade and bilateral links with Kenya if political leaders did not move fast to resolve the country's political crisis.
"The electoral process had a negative impact on the country, and until there is a willingness in the two opposing factions to work things out together, it will not be business as usual as regards EU member countries," Mr Harvey Rouse, the union's head of political and trade section in Kenya, said.

International election observers say there were numerous discrepancies in the way the votes were counted and results announced. The human rights groups have urged the Attorney General to order an investigation and warn that if their pleas are ignored they will opt for a private prosecution.

This is Debteraw's view on how Mwai Kibaki could say sorry to the Kenyan people.

Mwai Kibaki could very well apologize to the people of Kenya in the following terms:
“Beloved people of Kenya, I am sorry for proving you right and being just a genuine corrupted copy of Arap Moi. That I was not able to rig the election in such a way as to cheat you senseless is a weakness and I am sorry. I was also a failure when it came to doing a Zenawi on you. Sorry again for being pushed to negotiate and agree to share power with the opposition I had hoped you detested but I am sorry I read you wrong. A thousand dead and a few hundred thousand displaced: I know it compares not with what is seen in the Horn of Africa and I am sorry for being a disappointment. Give me some more years and I shall make you proud

enough to compete with the Ethiopians and Somalis in misery, poverty, chaos and casualties. Again, I am sorry. “

Quotes from If "Sorry, Sorry" was to spread.

Kenyan Rivals sign deal and 45 years too long

2008-02-14T22:30:00.001Z

Rival factions in Kenya's political crisis reportedly agreed Thursday to write a new constitution, a move that could allow for power-sharing as part of a deal aimed at ending weeks of violence in this East African country.

This came about after

President Bush said Thursday he will dispatch Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya to demand a halt to the violence that has left more than 1,000 people dead.

The Kenya government is going to probe radio hate speech.

Kenya may take "remedial measures" against the British high commissioner for failing to recognise President Mwai Kibaki's government, a minister says. I wonder what Moses Wetangula means by this.

In the run-up to the 2007 General Elections I came across a ghastly hate email against the ODM leader, written and undersigned by the son of a (re-elected) hardline minister. The same minister is widely seen as being associated with Mungiki. This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the inferiority of leadership in Kenya is concerned.

They had 45 years to address the burning land question in the country, but all they did was to steal and acquire huge tracts of land for themselves.

They had 45 years to prove to Kenyans that they are all equal in their aspirations, opportunities, human rights and cultural traditions, but all they did was to protect - at any cost as we now see - a resented Kikuyu-dominated hegemony and the selected rich from other tribes they need to spread their tentacles all over the country, while regional disparities and abject poverty (including among ordinary Kikuyus) continue to pester.

They had 45 years to respect and promote freedom and democratic rights, but all they did was keeping their flocks in bondage in order to control them in the pursuit of selfish interests and to issue death threats to heroes like Githongo, Maina Kiai, Muthoni Wanyeki, David Ndii and others.

The assassinations of Pio Gama Pinto, Tom Mboya, G.M. Kariuki, Alexander Muge, Robert Ouko and many others were all based on the same script: To defend an entrenched Mafia hegemony. They are those, who right now do not want the Kofi Annan mediation to succeed and sit tight in and around State House, those, who don't mind burning more of their flock, those who cling to their extremist stands and allow hate messages to circulate and protect their vernacular 'Mille Collines' radios, those who allow parochialism to erase better judgement, those who have completely lost semblance of human beings.

It is time for the still sober but shocked Kenyan citizens to stop their helpless praying or gently laying flowers at freedom corner. They should in their millions march to State House and stay there peacefully until the mayhem ends and the culprits are brought to The Hague. The tragedy is that this won't happen.

Quotes from 45 years too long by Philip Kiarie.

Related article: Beyond the politics of polarization.

Martha Karua expresses her anger at Kofi Annan over his comments

2008-02-13T12:37:00.002Z

Martha Karua expressed her anger over comments that Kofi Annan made, hinting that both sides had agreed on a transitional government. She said this had never been discussed, and Kofi Annan had undermined the government's position at negotiations.

Kofi Annan has defused the row saying that his statement represented his perspective, and does not imply a formal agreement between the two parties.

Graca Machel has said only a political solution can haul Kenya out of this crisis. She said that Parliament must lead the process by passing reforms that will lay the foundation for lasting peace.

Muthoni Wanyeki has also pinpointed some reforms to resolve the crisis.

In the meantime a diplomat talks about the tribal divide reaching the police force.

Analysts say Kibaki has been reluctant to use the military more fully to stop the violence because he is worried about losing control over it. He has also become alarmed by divisions in the police force, according to one high-ranking Kenyan diplomat with close ties to the country's security apparatus. A recent transfer of police commanders in western Kenya was intended to rid the force of Kalenjin officers whose loyalty to Kibaki was in doubt, the diplomat said.

It is no longer a national police force, or even a national armed force," he said on condition of anonymity because of his involvement in ongoing negotiations between the two sides. "It is skewed in terms of composition and command."
Analysts say the military and the security forces -- which include the police and a paramilitary force known as the General Service Unit, or GSU -- became heavily politicized when Kibaki took office in 2002. Both forces had previously recruited according to census. But Kibaki's government drew heavily from his own ethnic group and began placing Kikuyus in high-ranking positions, causing some resentment among the rank and file.

Many Kenyans had treated the police who patrolled their communities like neighbors, but that trust has nearly disappeared.

Quotes from Kenyans say tribal divide has reached police force by Stephani McCrummen of the Washington Post.

Karuti Kanyinga a senior research fellow explains why analysts have concluded that the December 's presidential election was rigged. He says The bottom line is that this election was fraudulent... that this election appears to have been rigged in favor of a certain presidential candidate, and all evidence seems to point fingers to President Kibaki's strongholds.

Update

The noose is waiting to be put around the necks of individuals who sabotage ongoing talks for a political settlement out of crippling crisis, The Standard can report.

The United Kingdom and Switzerland once again demonstrated that the international community is in no mood to entertain failure by issuing the sternest warning yet, to personalities perceived as pushing sectarian instead of national interests.

In Nairobi, British High Commissioner Mr Adam Wood maintained that his government still did not recognise President Kibaki as legitimately elected.
"Our pledge is to recognise states not governments. This has also been expressed by other British ministers. But given the irregularities reported by observers around the presidential elections, we do not recognise the Kenyan Government as presently constituted as representing the will of Kenyan people," Wood said in an interview with our sister television station KTN.

Even more assertive was the position taken by Switzerland in the matter. "To ensure success, Switzerland urges all parties to remain fully committed to the negotiation process," a statement issued from the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi read.
"If the mediation efforts nevertheless fail to resolve the crisis, Switzerland would consider taking appropriate measures such as restricting access to its territory to individuals responsible for the failure of the process."

Quotes from Renewed pressure as saboteurs warned.

Kofi Annan a deal could be announced in 48 to 72 hours

2008-02-12T11:47:00.000Z

Kofi Annan has announced that a deal could be struck between 48 to 72 hours. There is a media blackout on the talks, and they have been moved to a secret location to ensure confidentiality. All parties have been urged not to discuss negotiation issues outside the negotiating room.

Five foreign diplomats have warned that any party sabotaging the Annan-led mediation talks would earn the wrath of the international community.

One thing that is definite is that there will not be a recount of votes.

I share Sir Ken's sentiments on power sharing.

As we talk ceasefire and peace, let us commit ourselves to eliminating the injustices and disparities in wealth that is all too evident everywhere. Then we can begin to walk towards sustainable peace and nationhood.

The United Nations believes that the number of displaced has reached 600,000. This is tragic.

Here is a snapshot of the situation in some of the worst spots hit by post election violence.

Dorothy Kweyu argues that respect for the constitution, should start with the custodians.

Charles Mwanguhya says that the question everyone should be addressing: will stability be achieved in the face of such blatant intransigence by Mr Kibaki despite abundant evidence that this election was flawed.

Related articles: Post poll violence hurts global Pyrethrum trade.

African safari airways resumes UK charter flights, as things have been calm at the coast since December 30th.

UN postal body has cancelled its congress in Kenya.

Update

Related article :Mungiki behead Luo men and use their heads on roads as barricades, one woman was given her husband's head to take with her, and she carried it to a camp in Kisumu.

Update 2

Related articles: Raila wants the High Court to strike out petition.

Maina Kiai and Muthoni Wanyeki on a deal we can live with.

Requesting your ideas and support for Kenyan youth

2008-02-12T10:30:00.000Z

I had this email forwarded to me yesterday from a friend. The man who is in charge of the project has been involved in youth work in Bradford, and South Africa for over 20years. He is involved in training for sustainable community work.

Greetings from Moshi, Tanzania, where I’m temporarily resident whilst the situation in Kenya remains volatile. Amongst other things, I’m doing my best to support a network that I’ve been involved with called Nairobi Young People for Peace. The network is made up of about 15 youth formations and several NGOs spread across the city, especially in Eastlands, where most of the slum areas are located, including Huruma where I work. The network has undertaken a number of activities, so far including training, community dialogues and support for humanitarian efforts of other organizations, such as the Red Cross. The basic purpose of the network is to assist in the peace and reconciliation process through community based participation and youth empowerment. In the short to medium term, the network would like to develop a well-trained and supported team of youth peace builders, who implement a range of activities at community level that are appropriate to their different contexts and which assist in the re-building process.

I’m writing this to each of you to request your support and assistance. No, that doesn’t mean money (although the network does need that also!!!). Most of all we need your ideas, your contacts and your support. For example, can you please share any useful or relevant contacts with peace building / conflict resolution or transformation organizations that can potentially give project support to our network – for example, Quakers, Bradford Uni Peace Studies Dept, Responding to Conflict (Birmingham) all come to mind. Also, what ideas do you have that can give assistance to the network and its activities. For example, an adapted version of CARAS training on Anti-Oppression and ICA’s training methodologies on participation. Finally, what personal commitment are you able to give the network? For example, are you able to assist us with developing proposals and/or relationships with potential donors or commit your project to developing partnership with young people in Nairobi…. Etc etc etc!!!!

Hope to hear from you all soon – we are looking for practical and creative and innovative ideas of supporting the youth of Kenya to progress beyond this terrible point in the country’s history. Many thanks in advance!!

If anyone is interested in supporting this project send me an email, so I can provide you with details of who to contact.

Most of the violence in Nairobi, has been in the slums and has involved the youth which I pointed out here in point 3, and I think it is important that the youth are involved in negotiating peace, and rebuilding Kenya.

Ford Kenya threatens to quit PNU

2008-02-11T12:41:00.000Z

Ford Kenya has threatened to pull out from PNU over nominations in parliament. They feel they are being short changed by PNU.

It seems like the clashes in Molo were routine before the election, some Molo residents say that these clashes have been going on for the last two decades.

Thugs, and thieves have taken advantage of the situation in Kenya, to make some money.

The UN humanitarian chief repeated his call to continue assisting the displaced in Kenya.

Seven ODM and PNU MPs have accused the government of biased allocations of funds for victims of post election violence.

I find this sad if this is true, as unfair distribution of resources is one of the reasons why we find ourselves in this situation.

If it is true then the government is behaving in a way that it always has, but reassuring that some PNU MPs are not colluding with the system.

Holding my breath for Kenya

2008-02-10T18:02:00.000Z

Nothing has been finalised yet, and more talks continue next week.

If a joint government is an option, I wonder what that will look like in practice.

Raila Odinga has assured his supporters that he is committed to talks, but will not settle for a solution that betrays their cause. William Ruto said that changing the constitution was one of the resolutions that ODM had presented to the Annan team as a resolution to the crisis.

ODM have said they will seek consent from their supporters before committing their party to the resolutions of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation committee.

Here is a hilarious alternative, cultural foolproof peace formula that Jarius K'Onyiego proposes will not fail.

I believe that his approach is inclusive, but whether something like this could ever happen is another matter. He makes some good points.

I don't know where Kenya is going, but can only hope that peace will return to my country, and that constitutional reform, and distribution of resources are on the agenda, so that we can avoid another tragedy in future.

Postcard Kenya is gone for the moment

2008-02-09T12:24:00.000Z

Postcard Kenya has gone , we have to deal with the harsh realities of what people are going through in Kenya.

Kenya's minister of Internal security has lifted the ban on public rallies. He has urged leaders to preach peace rather than inciting violence.

The US has warned five more Kenyans that they may not have access to US visas. I wonder whether they will name and shame the culprits.

Kenyans agree on Joint government

2008-02-08T14:45:00.000Z

The two sides were still discussing who would lead the government and what roles each party would play.

"We have finally agreed there is a problem in the country and neither side can proceed on its own," said William Rutto, a lawmaker from the opposition Orange Democractic Movement. "We have agreed to form a joint government. Details of that government, its time and how to share it are under discussions."

There was no immediate comment from the government or President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity. But former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, who is heading talks aimed at resolving the crisis, was expected to make a statement later Friday.
Word of the power-sharing government came hours after Kibaki said he was "committed" to the negotiations.

Speaking at a prayer meeting in Nairobi, Kibaki said he was "encouraged" by progress in talks and reiterated "my personal support and that of my entire government to this process."

Quotes from Kenyans agree on joint government.

Update

Annan says no Kenyan deal yet.

Are you you going to bury your head in the sand Mwai Kibaki

2008-02-08T14:11:00.000Z

How long must Mwai Kibaki bury his head in the sand?

Bringing the entire building down on himself.

There is no easily enforceable way for outsiders to impose such sensible conditions on Mr Kibaki. Certainly, the United States and the European Union, if not the African Union, should impose targeted sanctions—with asset freezes and travel bans—against a clutch of the most venal ministers, some of whom Mr Kibaki has even promoted since his fraudulent re-election; they should be named, too. Kenya should be suspended from the Commonwealth and aid reconsidered.

But the most powerful pressure against Mr Kibaki is the sight of his country's economy threatening to implode. Many of his keenest Kikuyu supporters must realise that his refusal to budge is leading all Kenyans, whether supporters of himself or Mr Odinga, into a bloody and bankrupting dead end from which it may soon become impossible to retreat.

Quotes from Stop this descent into hell.

Watching the chaos that is threatening to tear Kenya apart today, it is easy to forget that just over a month ago Kenyans lined up in the millions to cast their votes in peace. If those voters’ rights had been respected to begin with, the members of this Committee would likely have been able to join the world in congratulating Kenya on a tremendous stride towards consolidating its democracy. Instead Kenyans are faced with a sudden tide of violence that threatens to derail hopes of socio-economic progress in Kenya and damage the prospects of democracy across the continent.

Of course, Kenya’s violence has roots that run far deeper than the disputed polls of last December. Underlying causes of the anger and division that have boiled over in recent weeks include longstanding injustices related to land ownership and political marginalization; the failure to enact important constitutional reforms; the political manipulation of ethnicity; impunity for past episodes of violence; and other core issues that successive Kenyan governments have completely failed to address. Whatever way forward Kenya finds from the current impasse must include serious and credible efforts to tackle these issues. It should now be belatedly clear to all of Kenya’s leaders just how dangerous a mistake it was to let these issues fester over time. At the same time, however, the complexity of the ongoing violence must not distract Kenya’s leaders or the international community from the problem that was the immediate trigger for the violence— the rigging of the Presidential polls. The solution to the broader crisis must include a guarantee that the right of Kenya’s voters to have their freely expressed choice of government respected is upheld in the end. Because of the number and complexity of the underlying issues and because of the terrible intensity of the ongoing violence, Kenya’s leaders and the international community may feel tempted to cobble together a political bargain that sweeps the causes of the chaos back underneath the rug. This would be a serious mistake. Such an attempt would lay the groundwork for future crises, just as the failure to address underlying causes in the past set the stage for today’s upheavals. The international community, including the United States, has a crucial role to play in seeing to it that any political settlement lays the foundations for lasting peace; ensures accountability for the crimes that have destroyed so many lives in recent weeks; and is grounded in an unequivocal respect for human rights and the principles of democratic governance.

Kenya’s December elections should have been an important milestone for Kenya and for Africa. After a closely-fought campaign Kenyans turned out in massive numbers to cast their votes in peace. There were serious irregularities reported on both sides in some areas. However, the most damaging acts of fraud were committed during the final stages of tallying, when the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) presided over what was by all appearances a desperate last-minute attempt to rig the Presidential contest in favor of incumbent Mwai Kibaki. In the closing hours of the tabulation process a lead of over one million votes for opposition candidate Raila Odinga evaporated under opaque and highly irregular proceedings and was transformed into a razor-thin margin of victory for Mr. Kibaki. The result was also entirely at odds with the ODM’s successes in the parliamentary vote. The entire process quickly fell apart in confusion. In the face of public outrage and mounting pressure to reverse the move, four electoral commissioners publicly denounced the apparent fraud. Even the head of the ECK later said that he could not determine who actually won the vote. Nonetheless Mr. Kibaki tried to pre-empt any challenge by having himself hurriedly sworn in to a second term in office before Kenyans even had time to register their outrage. Violence erupted even before the announcement of results as concern and suspicion about delays spread through the country. Within hours of the results’ announcement Kenya began to slide headlong into the violent chaos that has steadily grown worse ever since.

The violence that has followed Kenya’s disputed Presidential poll presents a complex picture that varies considerably across different parts of Kenya. Aside from opportunistic violence and looting the crisis so far has taken on three central dimensions. First, scores of Kenyans have been shot by police officers in circumstances that were generally unjustifiable and in some cases amounted to extrajudicial killings. Second, the announcement of the Presidential election results sparked ethnic violence which at first was primarily directed at members of Mr. Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe. That violence has now spawned a proliferation of ethnic-based reprisal attacks, some of them in communities that had been peaceful in the immediate aftermath of the elections. These reprisals are degenerating into a self-perpetuating cycle that has become more difficult to stop with every passing day. Third, violence has been accompanied by a rapid deepening of polarization characterized by attempts to silence, threaten and intimidate voices of moderation and dissent including human rights defenders, political dissidents and ordinary people. The most important fact that must be taken into account moving forward is that most of the violence cannot be seen as spontaneous. In many cases attacks were actively incited and in some cases directly organized by community leaders, local politicians and others. At the national level, the efforts of political leaders on both sides to rein in the excesses of their supporters have been woefully inadequate at best. Worse, there are allegations that prominent individuals on both sides have been actively involved in fomenting violence.

The first priority for Kenya is bringing about an end to violence and attending to the urgent needs of the thousands who have been affected by the crisis. But beyond a prolongation or worsening of civil strife there is another immediate danger: the temptation to attempt to secure short-term peace without addressing the real causes of the crisis. Such an attempt would likely end in failure and would certainly prove destructive in the longer term.

The Kibaki government has until now reacted to mediation efforts with cynicism and intransigence, clinging to the untenable position that it won the election fairly and will therefore not contemplate any settlement that does not legitimize its hold on power. Instead of working to resolve the issues the Kibaki government has occupied itself with using the violence as a tool to bludgeon the ODM leadership with as-yet unsubstantiated accusations of sponsoring ethnic cleansing and other international crimes. Practically speaking, progress on resolving the election issue is a prerequisite for progress on all of the other issues. The Kibaki government clearly stands as the primary obstacle to addressing that issue and must be pressured into giving ground so that broader progress is also possible.

Quotes from the immediate and underlying consequences and causes of flawed democracy in Kenya by Human rights watch.

Healthcare in Kenya may be threatened by the political crisis.

Internally displaced persons leave the city for their ancestral homes after they received leaflets threatening them with death.

Maina Kiai urges the US to push for an interim government

2008-02-07T13:23:00.000Z

Photo from humarightshouse.org

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights chairman has called for a transitional government to oversee reforms and organise repeat presidential elections in two years.

Mr Maina Kiai, who appeared before the US Congressional Committee on Africa and Global Health yesterday, urged the US to freeze military aid to Kenya until an interim government was formed.

In a speech The Standard obtained, Kiai said the assets of hardliners should also be traced and frozen to push the leaders to negotiate a political settlement.

Kiai said Kenya was at a crossroads and the Annan-led talks were the last hope.
"At this constitutional moment that Kenya has reached, the way forward must be centred on truth and justice as the only sustainable road to peace and development," he said.

He urged Congress to buttress the mediation talks by banning anyone who delayed the negotiations from travelling to the US.

Kiai asked America to give aid to Kenya through NGOs, an approach EU member countries had adopted.

The proposed interim government with limited powers, he said, should also be charged with the process of reconciliation through a Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission.

Kiai also said the killing of nearly 1,000 people could not be labelled genocide.
"The violence is neither genocide nor ethnic cleansing: The root of the problem is not that different ethnic groups decided they could no longer live together. The root of the problem is the inability of peaceful means to address grievances," he said.

For it to be regarded as genocide, Kiai added, there would have to be State complicity or collapse.

"Instead, we have uneven and selective policing with emphasis on preventing ODM's Mr Raila Odinga from holding protests in Nairobi rather than protecting displaced people and others at risk," he said.

Kiai claimed that the alleged rigged presidential election triggered the violence.
"We have documented some facts and analysis that make it clear that flaws in tallying presidential votes rendered untenable the conclusion that Mwai Kibaki was validly elected," Kiai said.

Quotes from Kiai urges US to push for Interim government

Britain has defended the Kiai team and journalists, and Lord Malloch Brown has expressed his concerns over threats against journalists and human rights champions in Kenya.

Lord Malloch-Brown spoke as he met the head of the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights, Mr Maina Kiai.

He reiterated his support for the commission and expressed "Britain's deep concern at the threats received by leading human rights defenders and media figures." He also met Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London and asked leaders to seek peace through the Kofi Annan-led mediation. Last week, several journalists received Short Text Messages allegedly from outlawed Mungiki sect members.

Those threatened included Nation Media Group managing editor Joseph Odindo, Robert Nagila, Macharia Gaitho and Muchemi Wachira.

Standard Group journalists threatened include Mr Kipkoech Tanui and Linus Kaikai.

Nairobi Star writer Mr Paul Illado also received the threat and has since left the country to an unknown country.

Officials of the Committee for Protection of Journalists have protested and called for thorough investigations into the threats and their sources.
Mr Tom Rhodes called newsrooms to confirm the names of the threatend journalists and promised to complain elsewhere and also arrange for their safety if need arose.

Quotes from Britain defends Kiai team and journalists.

The world is watching, and when the Mungiki start sending journalists and human rights champions threats, it gives you a good idea of the times we are living in.

Maina Kiai has mentioned that the government is using Mungiki and protecting them.

Sadly there may be a price to pay when you stand up to be counted in Kenya today.

I salute you Maina Kiai, John Githongo, Kipekemoi arap Kui, and all the journalists who are divulging what is really happening in Kenya.

I read this article Pandora's box of bugs which made me think about Kofi Annan's hotel room being bugged.

Update

Update 2

Related article: US restricts Kenyan politician's visas

Murder charges for Kenya police.

Kofi Annan's hotel room is bugged

2008-02-06T13:31:00.000Z

Kofi Annan's hotel room is bugged.

So much for the peace talks.

But the opposition said a planned meeting between regional foreign ministers with Kibaki in Nairobi would be tantamount to recognising him as head of state and vowed to hold protests.

"The very legitimacy of Kibaki's position as president is in itself in question at the mediation talks," said Anyang Nyongo, the secretary general of Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Tuesday.

The government has banned protests and police have opened fire and used tear gas against demonstrators since the December elections that the opposition claims was rigged.

Quotes from Kenyan crisis talks continue, opposition threatens protests.

"It was too hot," Mr Kofi Annan, the former UN chief tasked with brokering a deal out of the crippling impasse, declared soon after adjourning the afternoon session.

Like hot bricks, ODM is said to have dropped the matter of the allegedly stolen presidential election complete with alleged evidence and a raft of demands for electoral reforms.
Sources also intimated that the issue of a transitional government briefly featured, forcing an immediate stalemate.

For the first time, the two teams ate lunch separately.

Earlier in the day, The Standard reliably learnt that the delay to put the issue of the disputed presidential vote, which to a large extent is to blame for the crisis that has engulfed the country, was beginning to cause jitters within sections of the mediation circles.

The sense of unease appeared to stem from concerns - according to sources - that someone or a group of people seemed to be succeeding in bogging down the talks with the unfolding humanitarian crisis at the expense of the equally more urgent matter of what triggered it.

ODM stood its ground that President Kibaki steps down, arguing that its candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, won the election but it was stolen from him.

ODM's clarion call has been: "Truth, Justice and Reconciliation" - which they expound to mean that though the party is for peace and reconciliation, truth and justice must first prevail.
On its part, PNU dug in with the oft-repeated call that the Orange party should take its grievances to court.

Both sides are said to have tabled proof of a stolen election. Evidence and exchanges prompted Annan to adjourn the session and said they would be examined once Machel and Mkapa rejoined the team today.

Quotes from Disputed election results were too hot too handle in the mediation talks.

The US is preparing a visa ban for Kenyan officials who played a role in the violence.

The violence is slowing down relief efforts.

Related article: Uganda-Kenya crisis a lesson for country's opposition.

Different ways of expressing your anger towards the crisis in Kenya today

2008-02-06T11:03:00.000Z

There are some Kenyans who are not angry about the election results, and I do not share their feelings.

Some of us are angry, and have different ways of expressing that anger.

There are questions about what is an appropriate way of expressing your anger in this situation.

1.Signing up for petitions about the crisis.

2.Reporting acts of violence on Ushahidi.

3. If you are a youth the only way in which you may feel empowered is by going out and causing havoc, as you have nothing to lose, as you live in the slums, are jobless and educated.

4. Going onto sites like Mashada as a troll, or Kumekucha and expressing hate.

5. Setting up your own blog like D, Joseph, Gerald, Jac to express yourself.

6. Internalising your anger, and doing nothing.

7. Setting up initiatives.

8. Considering going to court to seek justice (sigh).

9. Funding militia groups to kill innocent Kenyans.

That is all that I could come up with at the moment.

Feel free to share what you feel Kenyans are doing, and what you feel is appropriate.

There are Kenyans out there who are trying to do everything in their power to try and get the country back on track.

I think that whatever we do, we need to think about the consequences of our actions.

Is it realistic to expect the internally displaced in Kenya to return to their homes

2008-02-05T13:27:00.000Z

There was a discussion on the need to move people to where they're safe, whether it is to their original regions or back to where they've been displaced from, but the issue in all cases is security," she said.

In a statement following the day's session, the Kenyan parties said that they would "assist and encourage displaced persons to go back to their homes or other areas and to have safe passage and security throughout."

The UN's top official on the human rights of IDPs, Walter KÃƒÂ¤lin, told IRIN said that basic principle for any movement of IDPs should be their own "free choice". However, he pointed out "you can only freely choose if you have different options available". It is "very common", he added, that IDPs "end up threatened from all sides and become political pawns". As well as efforts from the international community, "[national] authorities have the responsibility to create conditions that allow for such freedom to choose", he said, referring to rights and responsibilities laid out in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.

Abbas Gullet, head of the KRCS, told IRIN that organised relocation of IDPs to their places of ethnic origin had to be considered, even though it raised political, ethical and legal issues.

"We are at a critical point ... this is an issue that needs to be seriously considered." He proposed that at least IDP women and children could go "back" voluntarily until things improved.

"We haven't said we're going to do it," Abbas said, acknowledging the dilemmas. "We don't want to be involved in any form of ethnic cleansing," he stressed. However, he argued that the IDPs themselves were asking to be moved to their areas of origin, and for those economic migrants without property, land or businesses, the relative security and opportunities for earning a living at "home" were compelling reasons to move voluntarily.

But while the IDPs' wishes should be paramount, the rule of law needed to be applied to prevent a domino effect: those returning to their ethnic homelands in need of land and livelihoods should not then forcibly displace minorities already there, said an international official working on IDP issues. He cited the example of Bosnia, where a division of the population along ethnic lines due to insecurity became a "fait accompli".

An analyst familiar with the legal issues told IRIN that "reinforcing evictions" by assisting relocations posed major ethical questions, especially where families had owned land for a generation or more outside their "homeland". Nevertheless, private citizens have been helping their ethnic kin to get out, he said, by providing cash or trucks. Unless continuous pressure is maintained to enforce IDPs' right to return to their land, a dangerous precedent would be set, where in future any group might feel able to say "well it wasn't their land 40 years ago" and make further violent land grabs. "We shouldn't go down that road," the analyst said; people are "choosing between poor options".

Lwanga said "having them [IDPs] in police stations is not right. [In the short term] maybe it's better to have them go back to their homes ... if it is voluntary".

Quotes from Officials grapple with implications of sending IDP's home.

I think that sending the internally displaced back to the areas where they have fled from is insensitive. If those areas were safe, the internally displaced, would not have fled from them. The issue is security.

How would you feel about returning to the area where you were raped, beaten and witnessed your friends and family being butchered?

I know that if I had been in that situation, I would never return to that area, and could never live alongside the perpetrators.

I think to suggest this to the victims of torture, is insensitive. I thought that the government(sigh) had set up a fund to accomodate the victims.

Healing for torture victims, or people who are traumatised can only take place if the victims are in a place of safety, and anyone who has done any work with people who are traumatised should know this. Returning the victims to the place where they were tortured can cause a secondary form of trauma, in my view.

I have not been in any of these areas, but am very clear that when I go back to Kenya, there are certain areas that will be on my no go list.

I believe what tribe you are does matter now.

I am not fooling myself that things can go back to the way they were, yet. I believe Tribal paranoia is healthy at this time.

Related articles: Kenya rivals to discuss power sharing proposals.

Kenyan death toll reaches 1000.

Update

Related article: Peace corps suspends Kenya operations

I wonder what this week will have in store for Kenya

2008-02-04T11:53:00.000Z

The peace talks have resumed, but their are still clashes in the Rift Valley.

I hope that we have not returned to an era of assasinations. It is important to note that none of the political murders since independence have been conclusively solved.

Oduor Ong'wen has an interesting article on the role class and kinship has played in this crisis.

Ugandan opposition leaders are urging President Museveni to respond to persistent rumours that his country has military involvement in Kenya.Reports published in Uganda's media show that Ugandan troops are now attached to the Kenyan police. These reports have not been refuted and reveal that Mwai Kibaki is now guarded by members of the Ugandan Presidential Guard Brigade.

Update

Related articles: Kenya government forces out key mediator in political talks.

Interesting point in the article about Gitobu Imanyara resisiting attack from Lucy Kibaki. I thought it was a rumour when I heard it weeks ago, but it seems like there was some friction between the two.

Update 2

Foreign troops should be deployed through UN or AU to restore peace because local soldiers are partisan," he added.

Under the UN rules, foreign troops can only be deployed to other countries as peacekeepers during civil war or when the local military has no capacity to maintain law and order.

Foreign troops can also be deployed when the local military is non-existent or has lost control and moral authority to discharge duties with fairness.

ODM has previously said the military should be restricted to the barracks and the police entrusted with the maintenance of law order and peace among the civilians.

Raila admitted that police officers had the capacity to deal with acts of violence, but claimed that they were allegedly acting on wrong orders.

"Police officers have been poisoned. They are anti-citizens and this is why they have failed to deal with acts of violence that have claimed many lives and left thousands homeless," he added.

The Lang'ata MP also hinted that several European countries, including France, Italy and Spain, and the US, supported his quest for the presidency.

"Countries like America, France, Italy and Spain among others have urged me not to relent nor surrender," he said on Sunday.

He noted that ODM supported a local solution to the political crisis and once again appealed to ODM supporters to maintain peace and avoid violence that subjected innocent people to unnecessary suffering.

"We know our supporters are angry. I urge them to maintain peace. Let us respect Annan's call for peace," he said.

Raila added: "ODM supports peace, but the peace must be based on justice. Kenyans have moved from Mt Sinai and are now in Jordan and should be patient as a solution is around the corner," said Raila.

He told ODM supporters not to engage in acts that could undermine Annan's work.
He dismissed Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, as a traitor, adding that he was ready for a repeat presidential election between him and President Kibaki-Kalonzo side.

Raila was addressing his supporters outside Bondo ACK Church after a service. His wife, Ida, Kisumu Town West MP, Mr Olago Aluoch, and the Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Mr Riaga Ogalo, also addressed the meeting.

There was drama at the service as hundreds of ODM supporters cut short a sermon by pastor Silas Owala demanding that Raila address them.

"Maliza kuhubiri, rais ana haraka na tunataka atuhutubie (finish the sermon, the President is busy and we want him to address us)," they shouted at Owala.
The preacher cut short the sermon and prayed amid cheers from the congregation.

Quotes from Deploy foreign troops says Raila

Some of the power dynamics of the Kenyan crisis

2008-02-03T15:54:00.000Z

Kibaki's handling of the crisis, so far limited to one brief visit to displaced people and reading out a few pre-written statements insisting he won fairly, has invited fierce criticism. The normally pro-government Daily Nation newspaper warned Kibaki: 'If Kenya disintegrates, history books will record that the collapse of a once great, united and prosperous country happened on your watch'. The Nairobi Star was headlined: 'Where is Kibaki? ... as Kenya slips into anarchy'.

Even with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Nairobi this weekend, supporting mediation efforts chaired by Kofi Annan, Kibaki made a speech to the African Union that could hardly have been more antagonistic towards opposition supporters, already on edge after the murder of two opposition MPs last week. He reiterated that the election result was fair and that the opposition was to blame for the violence. It should take its election grievances to the courts, he said, and blamed unnamed foreign countries for suggesting a power-sharing. This hardline stance at a time when towns like Kericho are in flames - and his quiet dismissal of Murage a fortnight ago - means there is an increasing body of people who now believe that Kibaki alone must take the blame for the country's mess. 'I honestly believe he is the man driving the whole operation; the ineptly rigged election and the aftermath,' said David Ndii, a Nairobi-based analyst. 'Kibaki very much knows what is happening, and must be held responsible.

Quotes from wave of anarchy blamed on Kenya's general coward by Xan Rice for the Guardian.

A priest in Nakuru said that Mungiki were on the prowl last week under police protection, and there will be more blood.

Honourable Raila Odinga has called for the deployment of foreign peacekeepers, because the police have often been misused, and he does not trust the army to be neutral. He stated that ODM have confidence in ongoing mediation talks, but has a fall back plan if talks fail.

Canada have spelled out what their stand is on the position in Kenya. They will not conduct business as usual. Canadian law precludes the admissibility to Canada of foreign nationals considered responsible for subverting democratic institutions and processes.

Related article: Family members and colleagues insist that Honourable David Too, was not having an affair with the woman who was shot with him.

Shocked MP's in Kenya call out for protection

2008-02-02T14:37:00.000Z

Mr Magerer Langat,Kipkelion MP urged the Government to provide adequate security to MPs following the deaths of two opposition MP's.

More people died today after clashes in Anamoi, the home town of Honourable David Too.

Kenyan police scoured villages in Western Kenya trying to seek stolen weapons.

ODM has asked the Government to evacuate the displaced people stranded in Central province, Naivasha and Nakuru.

In a statement released at Orange House in Nairobi after the party's Parliamentary Group Meeting, ODM said thousands of people stranded in Nyahururu, Naivasha, Nakuru, Tigoni, Githurai, Kibera, Thika, Ruiru and Juja were at the mercy of security forces and criminal gangs.

The party therefore says the State should use military and NYS trucks to move those people to safer areas, as was done with those in other areas.

Quotes from ODM tells the state to evacuate the displaced.

The government should evacuate the displaced across the board, and not only in certain areas.

Kenya is criticised in Human Rights Watch Report.and, the UK and US are accused of hypocrisy over despots.

Kenyan policeman hanged by mob

2008-02-01T16:31:00.000Z

A Kenyan policeman was lynched by a mob in the Rift Valley, in revenge for the shooting of Honourable MP David Too.

The FBI has offered to probe the killing of the two ODM opposition MP's.

Then we have desperate Kenyans turning to gangs for protection.

I wonder how we are going to break this cycle of violence.

Revenge is breeding revenge.

Related article: Mayhem to mediation

A Kenyan in denial about this crisis

2008-02-01T15:55:00.000Z

Never in my life of attending this bi-annual event have I seen so many Kenyans. They came in droves; they are busy telling the world what has been in our purview for a month now. They have met whoever has weight on the continent to deliver their disquiet.

But even beneath this you get the feeling that Kenyans are divided even outside their country. One individual took to the podium and painted the glossiest picture about Kenya. He was mocked off the stage. He eloquently defended the government, saying the pictures we see on television about the dead and wounded were concoctions by international media meant to hurt the economy.
He said the dead bodies shown on TV around the world were taken from the main mortuaries in the country. He went on to say that no one had been killed in the post-election violence. Somehow he was cut short, told that if he continued his litany, he was going to be lynched. He fled for dear life.

So I asked other Kenyans where this particular individual came from. Without blinking they told me he was a Kibaki supporter. I asked how they knew that. The answer was chilling: "His name is Mwangi and he for sure is a Kikuyu". And what tribe are the others; "we are Luo," they said.

I attempt to ask them whether all Kikuyu supported Kibaki, considering that I know two Kenyans about to lose their lives for speaking against the election. Those are exceptions, I am told.

Indeed the head of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Maina Kiai, has been told in clear terms that he will be eliminated for the stance he has taken on the violence in Kenya. But for Maina, that has always been his life. He believes that truth is to be upheld at whatever cost, even if it's against your tribesmate. Yes, that cost that he is staring in the face right now.

In this conflict there are things that one will always remember. As a kid I read virtually all books written by James Ngugi, a.k.a. Ngugi Wa Thiong. His narrations in books like 'The River Between' or 'A Grain of Wheat' spoke volumes about a country ruled by a few at the expense of the majority.

But now, in this year and age, Ngugi my hero has turned his course. He has joined those who think that the Luo wronged the Kikuyu and that Kibaki won the elections fairly. As I finished reading his expose on the conflict in Kenya, it suddenly occurred to me that reason which we all aspire to have and use, is an illusion, a mirage! For if Ngugi can turn on tribal sentiments to assuage a government that he knows is illegitimate, then for sure things are no longer at ease.

Quotes from the country now reminds me of 1994 Rwanda by Dismas Nkunda

Mwangi, who the writer mentions in his article,who claims the pictures we have seen in the media have been concocted, clearly has a different perception of reality. He must have gone to the same school as the police officer who claimed the video of the policeman killing the two men in Kisumu, had been altered like the Rambo movies.

Each to their own.

I believe Mwangi is the type of guy who sees a green light, when the light is red.

William Ruto interview with Lindsay Hilsum on Channel Four News

2008-01-31T22:22:00.000Z

I watched Lindsay Hilsum interview William Ruto the chief negotiator for ODM on Channel Four News tonight.

These were her questions to Honourable William Ruto.

1.What is your reaction to the killing of David Too?

The margin in parliament is 3. We already have lost 2 MPS. It cannot escape our thinking that this could be something orchestrated so that our margins in parliament are watered down, and the other side can have an advantage over us.

2. Despite the killing today are you continuing with the negotiations?

We intend to get a political settlement of the crisis in our country. We will pursue peaceful means and that is why we will stay engaged in the negotiations.

3. What is your bottom line, are you still demanding a rerun of the election?

Our bottom line is that the will of the people of Kenya must be respected.

4. Does this mean a new election?

It means that everything that the will of the people of Kenya means. It is our position that it must be known to the people of Kenya who won the last general election.

5. It is too late for that, Kofi Annan is saying there is too much post election violence, post election conflict. There has to be compromise and that means compromise by you as well.

There has to be compromise and that is why we are sitting on the negotiating table. We wouldn't be sitting on the negotiating table otherwise.

6. Many people are saying you are one of the instigators of the violence. You whipped up the youth in your area?

Nothing could be further from the truth. Violence that erupted in the country was not violence in Eldoret alone. It was violence across the country. If it was planned at all, it must have been planned by the people who planned to manipulate the results of the election; and therefore planned the violence to cover up the theft of the general election. The violence is spiralling out of control. In fact if we are not careful in a matter of days, this country could be headed in the route of a civil war. Therefore it is really critical that leaders get ready to make tough choices and serious sacrifices so that we can get this country off this road; and get it onto the path of peace and security.

What tribe you are matters in Kenya today

2008-01-31T15:40:00.000Z

This is one of the most powerful pieces, on how this crisis in Kenya has had an impact on what tribe you belong to.

The obituary of Simiyu Barasa written by himself.

He illustrates how some of our lives have changed as a result of this crisis.

I am aware of my tribe in a way that I was not before.

I am angry, and sad that the freedom that I felt in Kenya before December 30th has been taken away from me.

Living in the diaspora and encountering racism, having to always watch my back because of the colour of our skin, is stressful. Going home was always different, and therapeutic for me.

It has been a relief going to Kenya, and being able to walk around freely, in different parts of the country.

Now that is not the case. I am very clear that there will be certain parts of Kenya that I will not travel to, when I go home this year, as I do not want to be butchered.

Related article: The threat of talking in your mother tongue.

Update

The idea of Kenya belonging to all Kenyans and Kenyans having the right to live where they like is dead in the water. For some of the victims of the violence in the Rift Valley, this is the second or third time they have lost everything. Many have vowed never to come back. The message being telegraphed by the violence is that the only really safe place to put down any roots is among your own kind. Rift Valley for the Kalenjins, Central Province for the Kikuyus, and so on.

The Rift Valley is the largest of Kenya's eight provinces and, bar Nairobi, the most populous and ethnically diverse. People from all over the country have flocked to its urban areas and rural plantations. So in addition to the indigenous Kalenjin, there are large numbers of Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kisii and others. Nothing wrong with that. Kenya, we were told over and over, was for all Kenyans. We were free to go where we wanted, live where we wanted.
For years this rhetoric concealed abiding anger surrounding land and its distribution: who had it, who didn't, why some had so little and others so much, how the land-rich had come to own what they did. But the lid was mostly kept on this disaffection until, in 1992, with the real possibility of losing power, Arap Moi cynically gave that anger a murderous outlet. Non-Kalenjin, we were told, were only visitors in the Rift Valley. They were welcome to stay as long as they toed the line, which meant voting for the right candidates.
Will any "outsiders" ever again stake their livelihoods on the existence of a country called Kenya and buy land in the Rift - or anywhere outside their districts of origin? Will we all retreat to the safety of our homogenous ethnic enclaves? Will we ever again be able to look each other in the eyes, to suppress the knowledge of the things we have done and are capable of doing to each other? And if not, what kind of country will we become?
The national memory is very long, and injuries are not easily forgotten or forgiven. The Rift is evidence of that. But now we are sowing a bitter wind of grievance, and unless we handle this cataclysm judiciously and with more courage and honesty than we have ever before mustered, we will certainly reap the whirlwind. National memory is long indeed. Let us never forget that our so-called leaders sold us all down the river.

Quotes from a bitter wind of grievance by Andia Kisia

More on talks and violence in Kenya

2008-01-31T11:35:00.000Z

The US has backed away from Jendayi Frazer's remarks that the post election violence was ethnic cleansing.

African leaders at the summit in Ethiopia have been told they must get involved with the crisis in Kenya.

Human Rights watch have urged the African Union to call for an independent enquiry into election fraud, and post-election violence.

Some of the faces that hold the key to Kenya's future.

Here are some quotes from political figures in and outside Kenya on the political violence.

Related articles:

More mayhem than mediation

Kibaki is a political rapist.

David Too(edit) Opposition MP shot dead

2008-01-31T10:58:00.000Z

David Too(edit) opposition Mp for Anamoi in Eldoret has been shot dead . I don't know what the details are at this point, but will update later, when I have more news.

I feel nervous about this,as it feels like the turn of events will not calm things down.

Update

An opposition MP has been shot and killed by a police officer in Kenya's Rift Valley - the second to be killed this week in violence sweeping the country.
David Too was shot by the officer at a road block as he was travelling from Nairobi to the city of Eldoret by car.

Quotes from Kenyan MP shot by Rift police by the Press Association.

Update 2

NAIROBI (AFP) — A Kenyan opposition MP was shot dead by a policeman on Thursday, raising fears of a fresh surge in post-election violence as negotiators for the country's feuding leaders met for the first time.
The incident followed the killing of another opposition lawmaker on Tuesday which sparked violent unrest in flashpoint western regions and Nairobi slums.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who insists President Mwai Kibaki cheated him of victory in December's presidential elections, said the killings were "part of a plot" to reduce his Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) majority in parliament.
The lawmaker killed Thursday was identified as David Kiumtai Too. A police commander said he was killed by a traffic policeman in a suburb of Eldoret in western Kenya, but added that the motive did not appear political.
"He was with a girl who is a police officer. He was shot by another policeman believed to be her boyfriend," the commander said.

Quotes from Second lawmaker killed amid Kenya unrest.

I am hoping that it is a love triangle, and not an assasination.

Two ODM MPs dead in the space of a few days, is too much.

The situation is endless. Every single day, we are faced with something else that could take things to another level.

Nimechoka(I am tired).

May your soul rest in peace David Too, and my prayers and thoughts are with your family.

Update 3

Talks delayed after Kenyan MP shot dead.

Update 4

But ODM and the family of the slain officer last night took offence with the attempt to pass off the crime as a love triangle gone sour, even as it emerged that the killer policeman was married with children.
ODM said it was concerned by losing two MPs in 36 hours, and termed yesterday’s killing a political assassination.
Dismissing the love triangle theory, Pentagon member, Mr William Ruto, said the MP was related to the slain policewoman.
"For the Police Commissioner to conclude the cause of death of the MP without conducting investigations is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans," Ruto said while receiving the body of the MP at Wilson Airport, Nairobi, on Thursday night.
He was accompanied by Deputy Speaker, Mr Farah Maalim, and fellow Pentagon members, Mr Musalia Mudavadi and Mr Joe Nyagah, Ms Jebii Kilimo and several party MPs.
And the elder brother of the slain policewoman, Mr David Kirui, said: "I have known the late MP as a close friend to late Geoffrey Ng’etich, the husband of my
sister, and during his burial, the legislator was the master of ceremonies."

ODM shock as second MP killed.

Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki have pledged to reunite Kenya

2008-01-30T11:13:00.000Z

Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki have pledged to reunite Kenya.

I hope that a solution can be found that will address the underlying issues.Facilitating the meeting between these two, has to be challenging job.

Odinga has been slammed by Monica Juma of the African Policy Institute for failing to use the law.

Kenyan Jurist has an excellent post on why this position ignores the reality of the matter. I share his view.

Kenya police have now been ordered to shoot to kill looters,arsonists, people blocking roads or carrying weapons in order to stop the violence.

I hope that their approach is evenhanded and that they follow common orders.

The Australian government is staying neutral on Kenya at the moment.

Maina Kiai interview with Jon Snow on the police approach in Kenya

2008-01-29T21:20:00.000Z

I watched Maina Kiai the chairman of the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights on Channel 4 news.

Jon Snow asked Maina Kiai whether he thought the police approach was evenhanded in this crisis.

Maina's response was that the police were not evenhanded, and do not follow common orders. He pointed out that

In Kisumu police fire at the crowds, and we know they used live bullets in most cases.

In Eldoret the police were firing in the air, when civilians were burned.

However in Naivasha we witness the police negotiating with civilians.

Maina Kiai was then asked by Jon Snow whether he thought we were heading towards a Rwanda scenario. Maina felt that this was not an appropriate comparison, however he felt that there were several routes which Kenya could go down

Zimbabwe style, where the state dominates, and we live in fear under a dictator.

Ivory coast style, where the country is broken up, and we have internecine wars.

The news report implied that if the army were to take over in Kenya, that it would be fractured; as there would be local armed groups with local sympathies.

What route do you think Kenya will go down?

Victims of Mungiki killings in Naivasha

2008-01-29T14:48:00.000Z

My prayers for the souls of all these people who died yesterday, and all their families.

Update

Related article: Factbox developments in Kenya crisis.

Update 2

Related article: Paralysis as roads cut off in fresh violence

Mugabe Were ODM opposition Mp shot dead

2008-01-29T14:20:00.000Z

Women cry outside Mugabe Were's house.

Mugabe Were an ODM Mp for Embakasi was shot dead this morning, outside his home in Woodley.

The police are treating it as a murder, and have not ruled out political motives. Riots broke out in Nairobi, and sources on the ground say parts of Ngong Road, are no go areas today.

I find it outrageous that when mourners went to Mugabe Were's house to pay their condolences, they were teargased, at his house.

It is normal in Kenya for people to pay their condolences, and wail, why do the security forces teargas mourners who are unarmed?

This is disrespectful and not right, but then at this moment and time, nothing is right in Kenya.What upsets me is the people who should know right from wrong, do not.

Chris at Kumekucha wonders whether there is any link between Mp Mugabe Were's killing and the recent reshuffle in the Kenya police.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mugabe Were's family and all the people in Kenya who have been killed, hurt and displaced.

In the meantime the Mungiki are forcibly recruiting Kikuyus to fight.

Things are bad.

A state of unknowing in Kenya

2008-01-28T13:14:00.000Z

I find it hard to deal with the uncertainty in Kenya at the moment, it is unsettling, and scary for me.

Everyone that I spoke to in Kenya yesterday was very scared, and at several points in our conversations, I was asked to pray for friends and family. I am praying so hard, as I know most people out there are, that something shifts. I feel very uneasy.

I took the peace that I have valued in Kenya for granted. This whole situation makes it clear to me that nothing is permanent. I think our lives are so fragile, and the escalation of events these past weeks, has shown me that noone is in control.

Things have spiralled, and have formed a life of their own. I am holding on to the fact that the crisis that Kenya is in at the moment, is because of a stolen election, and the opposition maintains that the disputed elections led to the ongoing violence.

People have taken the law into their own hands, and innocent civilians have suffered as a result, and continue to suffer. Some people thought that the peaceful protests were the only reason why people were dying, well in Naivasha and Nakuru,

Mungiki were on the loose, with revenge killings.

Protection is the governments responsibility, and at the moment, it seems incapable and unwilling to protect citizens and their property from militia attacks.

I feel low, and realise that I have no power to effect any change. Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki need to make some hard choices for the sake of peace.

The press despair as the Kenyan crisis continues.

I wonder what the further cost to some Kenyan people will be if ,and when those choices are made?

Can the underlying issues be tackled so that there is an equitable distribution of resources for all Kenyans?

I feel like I am clutching at straws.

Do we know where things are leading to in Kenya

2008-01-27T15:59:00.001Z

More clashes in Naivasha's Kabati slums today. Sources on the ground say that anyone who has driven as far as Naivasha, is being told to turn back, as it is not safe to continue.Some residents say that the police are not doing enough to help and protect them.

I think it is sad when some of the local media are conspiring with the police, and are keeping a lid on what is really happening.

Update

It will take more than a handshake to heal the old, open wounds.

Related articles:Cargo airlines shun Eldoret.

Uganda do we share something with the Kikuyu

Update 2

Related articles: Kikuyu catholic priest killed as he pleas for mercy with Kikuyu mobs

Thousands flee as violence spreads to Naivasha

Kibaki should resign says Martin Ngatia

2008-01-27T15:34:00.000Z

This video is old, but I have a sense that Martin Ngatia's views have not changed at all. I felt sad when he said that Kenyans only enjoy democracy outside Kenya, and have not been liberated yet.

Does anyone know whether he has any new videos since the election results were announced?

Something else from Martin Ngatia here on why Raila is fit to lead Kenya. I enjoyed this video more.His predictions, in this video came true. Martin Ngatia loves Kenya, really and truly.

Update

Where is your evidence of ODM rigging Mr Rannerberger

2008-01-26T22:06:00.000Z

During the recent General Election, all the presiding and returning officers and polling clerks, whether in ODM strongholds or elsewhere, were appointed and posted by the ECK.
The registers, ballot papers and ballot boxes were all under the control of the Government and ECK.
The tallying mechanisms at polling stations, constituency tallying centres and KICC were under the control of the Electoral Commission.
In fact, ODM was so locked out that it was not even able to protect its own victory from being stolen in front of its very eyes, and in front of the eyes of the world.
How then is ODM supposed to have penetrated this system in order to introduce rigging?
These matters were carefully explained to the US envoy, Dr Jendayi Frazer, by Hon Raila Odinga himself.
It is therefore surprising to see Mr Ranneberger raising them again.
If the ambassador has “ample evidence” of ODM rigging, it would be interesting if he could produce it.

Quotes from Misguided bid to be even-handed by Sarah Elderkin