How did the late Nelson Mandela, a mortal man; born and bred just like all of us, strode the earth with unprecedented tenacity and peculiar character which has earned him iconic status?
Before and after Mandela, passed on early this month, great words have been spoken about the fallen hero. The powerful, famous and ordinary people have given inspiring observations about Mandela's character and legacy; often imploring people especially leaders to emulate him.
Even places of worship have talked openly about the life and times of Mandela, his positive ideation, integrity and passion for a just and free South Africa.
As we continue to shower accolades to the departed South African patriot, we need to interrogate how he managed to endure suffering without faltering or wavering on the hands of the British Empire.
Many of us can collapse in the court room if we were sentenced to serve even two years in Kamiti maximum Prison. Mandela did it with zeal and perseverance. The mystery is how he derived the profound energy and passion to stick to a cause firmly and faithfully.
Mountaineer Edmund Hillary once said these, “people do not decide to become extraordinary.” They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” Mandela did it with tenacity and zeal; without knowing that the World will one day reverence his name with pomp and splendour as seen after his demise early this Month.
Those who thought that Mandela, will come out of jail tormented with rage to pursue revenge on his enemies were shocked when he employed a conciliatory tone. He was ready to mend fences for purposes of reconciliation, racial harmony, forgiveness and building a united post-apartheid South Africa.
We therefore need to question ourselves as to whether it’s easy to emulate the ideals of Nelson Mandela, and apply it in our everyday life because, saying is one thing and doing is another!
It’s ironical that even dictators; leading autocratic regimes have expressed admiration of Mandela, but I wonder if Mandela’s character has inspired them to build avenues of justice, freedom and equality for their citizens.
Mandela cherished freedom and justice. Through is fearlessness, he went ahead to challenge USA President George Bush, for invading Iraq during the second gulf war in 2003. He termed the invasion immoral and an aggression to a sovereign nation.
In fact, he never feared stating his position on controversial geo-political conflicts where many leaders usually remain ambivalent especially on the Israel and Palestinian conflict.
Urging people to emulate certain heroes in society is just mere talk. Mandela talked the talk and walked the walk. His faith kept him going. His jailers had every opportunity to hang him the way they did to our Dedan Kimathi and many other Kenyan freedom fighters but they would not.
From here, we need to look beyond his physical strength but also internalize on how he was able to withstand his tribulations by looking at his divine or spiritual path throughout the struggle.
God bestowed Mandela; with grace, which manifested itself through his passion for liberation and the bravery to endure 27 years behind bars. This is how God works in humans. He uses people to do extra ordinary things in all spheres of human existence. He used Mandela, to showcase his wisdom, based on love, compassion, meekness, humility forgiveness and tolerance.
These universal tenets envisioned by Mandela define the true character of God. While he never talked quite openly about his faith, if Mandela were to be a Christian Minister, a Rabbi, an Imam, a Buddhist or a Hindu Guru, he would have made the best. This is because; all these religions have a similar approach towards humanity.
They all have a consciousness grounded on love of self and love of neighbour; which Mandela, did with excellence; often mingling freely with all and sundry without prejudice or discrimination. He never respected the rich more than the ordinary poor.
In Christianity, God wants us to lead a life of denial, free of vengeance and bitterness. He wants our lives to be tampered in forgiveness, modesty, humility and meekness. As the scripture says in John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
As the fallen South African sage rests in peace, we will always revere him for pursuing the path of rekindling hopes for the afflicted through his own afflictions. Even though he is gone, he will always remain a true replica of heroes and heroines who came before him like: Mother Theresa, Matma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
Like Gandhi, Mandela was never aggressive in pursuing material things like most World leaders. Even if he did, it was for purposes of benevolence. Like Mother Theresa, he was charitable and always remembered the poor. Like King, he was prepared to die for a cause in order to liberate the South Africans from racial discrimination.
Unlike men who preach water and drink wine, Mandela’s actions spoke volumes about what he spoke. We knew him by his fruits and he was a good tree, because he bore good fruits if I borrow from the Gospel of Mathew 7:16-18.
Mandela has exited the stage but those who want to bequeath his legacy should evoke God for divine Wisdom to serve humanity well. Those who are fighting to conquer oppression, injustice, dictatorship, corruption prejudice and other vices in order to rekindle hope for the downtrodden, they need to ask God for guidance.
You may never know; the prayer Nelson Mandela said to his God. This is because, extra ordinary qualities by extra ordinary men in the World mostly takes a spiritual or divine dimension. Their efforts are mostly grounded on God for strength and bravery.
From Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa and Matma Gandhi all personified divine strength in their quest to help humanity. In a more direct bearing, our own heroes like Dr. Reverend Njoya, the late Archbishop Manases Kuria, Bishop Okullu and Bishop Alexander Muge; had bravery grounded on faith in God.
Mandela’s character is further illustrated in Paul’s letter to the Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. This is a reflection that it’s the power of God that worked in Mandela that made him overcome the torture, suffering, anger, hate, revenge and impatience. Fare thee well Madiba. You were born, suffered, endured and conquered. We will always cherish and relish your ideals.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
A REFERENDUM TO SCRAP THE SENATE OR MERGE SMALL CONSTITUENCIES WILL HELP REDUCE THE PUBLIC WAGE BURDEN
There is no doubt, the current constitution is better than the one we had. However, the crafters failed to adhere to one fundamental aspect: the ramifications of the bloated legislature and its impact on the national exchequer.
So far, we need to applause the Jubilee government for crafting a lean Cabinet, but the raging debate on the wage bill isn’t something that can be wished away when the national economic indicators reflect a downward trend.
Just recently, the Controller of Budget Ms Agnes Odhiambo, publicily expressed how the Country is being drained on paying salaries instead of development projects. This was the clearest indication that a small government is a panacea for Kenya’s economic success.
It’s through downsizing the public workforce and scrapping unnecessary bureaucracies nationally and at the County levels that Kenya can move forward to become a developed Country.
On the current constitution, we all know that laws are not carved on stones but formed by humans to be changed, augmented, scrapped or improved to suit prevailing governance systems and processes.
It can be remembered that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, hinted during the referendum that any anomalies can be rectified after the passage of the current constitution.
Therefore, since it was not a perfect document during its passage by the Kenyan masses, it means that it can be subjected to amendments to suit the needs of the Country.
The debate to downsize the national assembly has come at the right time when the country is gearing to celebrate 50 years of nationhood. It’s therefore healthy for Kenyans to point out the pros and cons of the current constitution in order to streamline the faulty areas through a referendum.
We need to look at how to scale down the bloated legislator, especially Parliament and see if the country real needs the Senate. There is no reason why Kenya; a nation of 40 million people should have 358 Members of Parliament and 67 Senators. It will make a lot of sense if we either scrap the Senate or reduce the current constituencies by merging them.
Additionally, weird as it may sound; if we had transformed the 8 provinces into Counties, it would have saved the treasury huge expenditure costs because, as it stands today, funding 47 Counties has proved to be a burden. Besides, it’s emerging that the Counties; once touted as the pillars of development are proving to be pillars of disunity and clanism especially those with one ethnic group like Gusiiland where we have Kisii and Nyamira Counties.
Secondly, we need to abolish the apportioning of seats to special interest groups in the Senate and Parliament because, it doesn’t serve any purpose. Laws are not made to benefit a particular group but to serve all every Kenyans fairly, justifiably and with impartiality.
Instead of apportioning seats for special interest groups, we need to strengthen our laws so that every person is empowered through equity and equality. In fact, when the interests of all Kenyans are catered for in the constitution; irrespective of their status, gender, creed, age, physical or mental abilities, we don’t need affirmative action in the legislature for women, youth or persons with disabilities.
Take for instance if our electoral body (IEBC) ensured that vulnerable candidates like youth, women and persons with disabilities were provided with a level playing field during election campaigns, we shall not be talking about merely nominating these groups to the Senate or Parliament.
Otherwise, if the trend is not halted, it will continue to reflect us as a Country with no regard to her vulnerable population. It’s just a piecemeal to merely nominate these people to the Senate or Parliament under the aegis of addressing their interests when we don’t have solid laws which protects all them across the board.
On restructuring our legislature to save tax payers, I support the deputy Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo, who brought up the debate during the burial of former Juja MP George Thuo last week. We need such mature bipartisan approach to scale down government expenditure.
This united spirit to reduce waste is pegged on the national good to help the growth of our economy and therefore, must be pursued from all political aisles - Cord and Jubilee.
I believe that our legislators will help us pursue a path to reduce government spending if they truly care about Kenya. As it stands, we will gnash our teeth to service the current structures under the aegis of devolution if we can’t revise the status quo.
The duplication of roles is also another area that needs to be looked into both at the national and county governments. In the Counties, there is glaring waste … no definite role for the County commissioners when we have elected Governors. This has often created not only a waste of funds but also conflict of interests between the two offices; thereby hampering service delivery.
It’s also worthy to note that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) need to be given more muscles to restructure the salaries of public servants without unnecessary contests especially the one we experienced recently from the members of Parliament.
Finally, a stitch in time saves nine. Flaws in the current constitution have emerged before Kenyans can access its fruits. The best way to go is to have a referendum in order to fix the anomalies.
So far, we need to applause the Jubilee government for crafting a lean Cabinet, but the raging debate on the wage bill isn’t something that can be wished away when the national economic indicators reflect a downward trend.
Just recently, the Controller of Budget Ms Agnes Odhiambo, publicily expressed how the Country is being drained on paying salaries instead of development projects. This was the clearest indication that a small government is a panacea for Kenya’s economic success.
It’s through downsizing the public workforce and scrapping unnecessary bureaucracies nationally and at the County levels that Kenya can move forward to become a developed Country.
On the current constitution, we all know that laws are not carved on stones but formed by humans to be changed, augmented, scrapped or improved to suit prevailing governance systems and processes.
It can be remembered that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, hinted during the referendum that any anomalies can be rectified after the passage of the current constitution.
Therefore, since it was not a perfect document during its passage by the Kenyan masses, it means that it can be subjected to amendments to suit the needs of the Country.
The debate to downsize the national assembly has come at the right time when the country is gearing to celebrate 50 years of nationhood. It’s therefore healthy for Kenyans to point out the pros and cons of the current constitution in order to streamline the faulty areas through a referendum.
We need to look at how to scale down the bloated legislator, especially Parliament and see if the country real needs the Senate. There is no reason why Kenya; a nation of 40 million people should have 358 Members of Parliament and 67 Senators. It will make a lot of sense if we either scrap the Senate or reduce the current constituencies by merging them.
Additionally, weird as it may sound; if we had transformed the 8 provinces into Counties, it would have saved the treasury huge expenditure costs because, as it stands today, funding 47 Counties has proved to be a burden. Besides, it’s emerging that the Counties; once touted as the pillars of development are proving to be pillars of disunity and clanism especially those with one ethnic group like Gusiiland where we have Kisii and Nyamira Counties.
Secondly, we need to abolish the apportioning of seats to special interest groups in the Senate and Parliament because, it doesn’t serve any purpose. Laws are not made to benefit a particular group but to serve all every Kenyans fairly, justifiably and with impartiality.
Instead of apportioning seats for special interest groups, we need to strengthen our laws so that every person is empowered through equity and equality. In fact, when the interests of all Kenyans are catered for in the constitution; irrespective of their status, gender, creed, age, physical or mental abilities, we don’t need affirmative action in the legislature for women, youth or persons with disabilities.
Take for instance if our electoral body (IEBC) ensured that vulnerable candidates like youth, women and persons with disabilities were provided with a level playing field during election campaigns, we shall not be talking about merely nominating these groups to the Senate or Parliament.
Otherwise, if the trend is not halted, it will continue to reflect us as a Country with no regard to her vulnerable population. It’s just a piecemeal to merely nominate these people to the Senate or Parliament under the aegis of addressing their interests when we don’t have solid laws which protects all them across the board.
On restructuring our legislature to save tax payers, I support the deputy Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo, who brought up the debate during the burial of former Juja MP George Thuo last week. We need such mature bipartisan approach to scale down government expenditure.
This united spirit to reduce waste is pegged on the national good to help the growth of our economy and therefore, must be pursued from all political aisles - Cord and Jubilee.
I believe that our legislators will help us pursue a path to reduce government spending if they truly care about Kenya. As it stands, we will gnash our teeth to service the current structures under the aegis of devolution if we can’t revise the status quo.
The duplication of roles is also another area that needs to be looked into both at the national and county governments. In the Counties, there is glaring waste … no definite role for the County commissioners when we have elected Governors. This has often created not only a waste of funds but also conflict of interests between the two offices; thereby hampering service delivery.
It’s also worthy to note that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) need to be given more muscles to restructure the salaries of public servants without unnecessary contests especially the one we experienced recently from the members of Parliament.
Finally, a stitch in time saves nine. Flaws in the current constitution have emerged before Kenyans can access its fruits. The best way to go is to have a referendum in order to fix the anomalies.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
THE ICC WILL BE RENDERED TOOTHLESS IF SUGGESTED AMMENDMENTS ARE MADE
Its my sincere hope that the Twelfth session of 122 nations who are also signatories to the Rome Statute congregating in The Hague will put emphasis on the genesis and intent to the founding of the ICC before they even contemplate any form of amendments majorly pursued by President Uhuru and his deputy.
Any hasty amendments to the Rome Statute will have dire consequences on the strength, respect and legitimacy of the court in fighting injustice and impunity in less democratic nations.
As they congregate in The Hague, from 21st November, we hope that the plight of the Kenyan victims of the post election violence and those from other nations will dominate the plenary and not the amendments pursued to protect the powerful.
Indeed, if the court was formed to deter people or leaders who use their powers to unfairly torture and kill the innocent, then the current arrangement where the accused are prosecuted irrespective of their status in society is the best option. Those who want to reverse this arrangement are enemies of justice, fairness and the war on impunity which continues to derail democratic success in Kenya.
For purposes of fairness, equality and access to justice, I don't agree with Britain's latest gesture where they suggest for President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto to be tried via video link.
Besides, why should an accused person- leaders attend court sessions from the comfort of their State palaces to the glare of the victims who are alleged to have been inflicted with pain by the same leaders?
Suppose the evidence adduced by the prosecution in court appears to implicate an accused national leader, will the flexibility pursued to amend the Rome Statute, not give that leader room to build more avenues for dictatorship in order to remain in power and therefore abscond the court process altogether?
I'm not savvy in criminal law, but I'm sure there is no court in the world where an accused criminal dictates the court on the way he or she should be tried. Mutilating the Rome Statue to make Uhuru and Ruto happy is killing the court which is the only haven for safeguarding justice to those who cannot easily get it in their countries.
Besides, perceived dictators and purveyors of impunity need to be kept in check and the surest way it to avoid tampering with the current structure of the Rome statute.
Take for instance the former candidate of the ICC, the late Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia, and former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor who has since been sentenced by the Hague court, would they have travelled from their respective countries to the Netherlands to serve their prison terms if they went on trial through video link?
Secondly, will the ICC indictee and President of Sudan Omar Albashir’s regime nurture any democratic reforms in the Country when he is an international fugitive? Mr. Bashir is only interested in shielding himself from trial while consolidating power in perpetuity-life presidency?
Suppose the Sudanese strongman opined to attend his trials via video link from his Khartoum palace, how would one expect him to leave office and travel to The Netherlands to start his jail term if he is found guilty?
Immunity from prosecution for all sitting heads of states will be the best way to make the ICC toothless, create more life Presidents and manufacture more despotic leaders especially in the Africa Continent.
Its ironical that President Kenyatta, who is exerting too much energy to stop his case and his handlers plus his defense team have hinted several times that his case is weak and that the prosecution witnesses were coached by the Civil Society to implicate him. Why can’t he just join his deputy to let justice take its cause while he continues with his Presidential duties?
When the motion for deferral for Uhuru and Ruto’s cases was defeated at the United Nations Security Council, the Kenyan Government has been ballistic; mostly excoriating two key world powers- the USA and Britain, whom they have consistently accused of wrongly targeting Kenya and Africa, unfairly.
It’s extremely undiplomatic for the Kenyan leaders to peg the Country’s foreign relations based on the cases they face at The Hague.
Truly, how can personal challenges facing a President and his deputy define a nation’s global policy? When mortal Ruto and Uhuru will exit the scene, does it mean Kenya will fade from this planet?
In fact, Deputy President William Ruto who openly professes the Christian faith should be the last person to castigate other nations on the nature of their friendship with Kenya. An entire society cannot be punished because of alleged inequities of a few individuals.
Ruto should remember that we are in a new Covenant where you take responsibility for your own actions.
For instance, in the book of Ezekiel 18:20, it's clearly written that, the soul that sinneth, it shall die; a son shall not be punished for his father's sins, neither shall a father be punished for his son's sins.
The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. That is why; I vehemently differ with the deputy President who early this week called the nations who voted against the deferral of their cases, enemies of 41 million Kenyans.
How can you call the USA and Britain, enemies of Kenya, when the two countries have always acted as our bigger brothers? In fact, they are the first to show up during our desperate moments.
If a leader has no intent to cause any atrocities, why is there too much energy from the Kenya leaders to amend the Rome Statute, and pave the way for immunity from prosecution? We will hate to see characters reminiscent to the late Bokassa, Mobutu, Idi Amin, Samuel Doe and Milosevic if the Rome Statute is amended.
The leaders who care about global peace, justice, security and checking impunity MUST resist the intended mutilation of the Rome Statute.
Any hasty amendments to the Rome Statute will have dire consequences on the strength, respect and legitimacy of the court in fighting injustice and impunity in less democratic nations.
As they congregate in The Hague, from 21st November, we hope that the plight of the Kenyan victims of the post election violence and those from other nations will dominate the plenary and not the amendments pursued to protect the powerful.
Indeed, if the court was formed to deter people or leaders who use their powers to unfairly torture and kill the innocent, then the current arrangement where the accused are prosecuted irrespective of their status in society is the best option. Those who want to reverse this arrangement are enemies of justice, fairness and the war on impunity which continues to derail democratic success in Kenya.
For purposes of fairness, equality and access to justice, I don't agree with Britain's latest gesture where they suggest for President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto to be tried via video link.
Besides, why should an accused person- leaders attend court sessions from the comfort of their State palaces to the glare of the victims who are alleged to have been inflicted with pain by the same leaders?
Suppose the evidence adduced by the prosecution in court appears to implicate an accused national leader, will the flexibility pursued to amend the Rome Statute, not give that leader room to build more avenues for dictatorship in order to remain in power and therefore abscond the court process altogether?
I'm not savvy in criminal law, but I'm sure there is no court in the world where an accused criminal dictates the court on the way he or she should be tried. Mutilating the Rome Statue to make Uhuru and Ruto happy is killing the court which is the only haven for safeguarding justice to those who cannot easily get it in their countries.
Besides, perceived dictators and purveyors of impunity need to be kept in check and the surest way it to avoid tampering with the current structure of the Rome statute.
Take for instance the former candidate of the ICC, the late Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia, and former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor who has since been sentenced by the Hague court, would they have travelled from their respective countries to the Netherlands to serve their prison terms if they went on trial through video link?
Secondly, will the ICC indictee and President of Sudan Omar Albashir’s regime nurture any democratic reforms in the Country when he is an international fugitive? Mr. Bashir is only interested in shielding himself from trial while consolidating power in perpetuity-life presidency?
Suppose the Sudanese strongman opined to attend his trials via video link from his Khartoum palace, how would one expect him to leave office and travel to The Netherlands to start his jail term if he is found guilty?
Immunity from prosecution for all sitting heads of states will be the best way to make the ICC toothless, create more life Presidents and manufacture more despotic leaders especially in the Africa Continent.
Its ironical that President Kenyatta, who is exerting too much energy to stop his case and his handlers plus his defense team have hinted several times that his case is weak and that the prosecution witnesses were coached by the Civil Society to implicate him. Why can’t he just join his deputy to let justice take its cause while he continues with his Presidential duties?
When the motion for deferral for Uhuru and Ruto’s cases was defeated at the United Nations Security Council, the Kenyan Government has been ballistic; mostly excoriating two key world powers- the USA and Britain, whom they have consistently accused of wrongly targeting Kenya and Africa, unfairly.
It’s extremely undiplomatic for the Kenyan leaders to peg the Country’s foreign relations based on the cases they face at The Hague.
Truly, how can personal challenges facing a President and his deputy define a nation’s global policy? When mortal Ruto and Uhuru will exit the scene, does it mean Kenya will fade from this planet?
In fact, Deputy President William Ruto who openly professes the Christian faith should be the last person to castigate other nations on the nature of their friendship with Kenya. An entire society cannot be punished because of alleged inequities of a few individuals.
Ruto should remember that we are in a new Covenant where you take responsibility for your own actions.
For instance, in the book of Ezekiel 18:20, it's clearly written that, the soul that sinneth, it shall die; a son shall not be punished for his father's sins, neither shall a father be punished for his son's sins.
The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. That is why; I vehemently differ with the deputy President who early this week called the nations who voted against the deferral of their cases, enemies of 41 million Kenyans.
How can you call the USA and Britain, enemies of Kenya, when the two countries have always acted as our bigger brothers? In fact, they are the first to show up during our desperate moments.
If a leader has no intent to cause any atrocities, why is there too much energy from the Kenya leaders to amend the Rome Statute, and pave the way for immunity from prosecution? We will hate to see characters reminiscent to the late Bokassa, Mobutu, Idi Amin, Samuel Doe and Milosevic if the Rome Statute is amended.
The leaders who care about global peace, justice, security and checking impunity MUST resist the intended mutilation of the Rome Statute.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
THE ICC WILL TEAR UHURU AND RUTO APART DESPITE BRINGING THEM TOGETHER
We must be worried about the unity of Kenya when the two largest communities- Kalenjins and Kikuyus who voted as a block in the March election to form the Jubilee government are now tearing each other down over the ICC cases.
The cases facing Uhuru and Ruto at The Hague is the major reason why their two communities came together to vote them as President and deputy President. It’s saddening that an issue-ICC, which was the glue in the March elections, is now the cause of tension in the Jubilee family.
Now that the closest confidants of Deputy President William Ruto, have come out openly to demand the resignation of key officials in the Jubilee government mostly from the Kikuyu community, for alleged coaching of witnesses against Ruto, it has put the nation in a quandary.
In the coming days, it will be hard for the two leaders to fully focus on nation building, their ICC cases as well as trying to pacify the animosity which is flaring up between Kikuyus and Kalenjins in the Jubilee government.
It’s very likely that the challenges facing Kenyans will be put at the back banner as Uhuru and Ruto tries to hold the TNA and URP government together.
Truly, it’s too early that history is repeating itself. Virtually 8 months in office, the Jubilee government is embroiled in a similar circus that we experienced in the Kibaki Raila grand coalition government. WILL THE UHURUTO GOVT SURVIVE THE CURRENT IMBROGLIO? TIME WILL TELL.
http://listernyaringo.blogspot.com/2013/11/will-uhuruto-govt-survive-current.html?spref=tw
The cases facing Uhuru and Ruto at The Hague is the major reason why their two communities came together to vote them as President and deputy President. It’s saddening that an issue-ICC, which was the glue in the March elections, is now the cause of tension in the Jubilee family.
Now that the closest confidants of Deputy President William Ruto, have come out openly to demand the resignation of key officials in the Jubilee government mostly from the Kikuyu community, for alleged coaching of witnesses against Ruto, it has put the nation in a quandary.
In the coming days, it will be hard for the two leaders to fully focus on nation building, their ICC cases as well as trying to pacify the animosity which is flaring up between Kikuyus and Kalenjins in the Jubilee government.
It’s very likely that the challenges facing Kenyans will be put at the back banner as Uhuru and Ruto tries to hold the TNA and URP government together.
Truly, it’s too early that history is repeating itself. Virtually 8 months in office, the Jubilee government is embroiled in a similar circus that we experienced in the Kibaki Raila grand coalition government. WILL THE UHURUTO GOVT SURVIVE THE CURRENT IMBROGLIO? TIME WILL TELL.
http://listernyaringo.blogspot.com/2013/11/will-uhuruto-govt-survive-current.html?spref=tw
Sunday, November 3, 2013
UHURUTO ICC CASES MAY BE A TOLL TO KENYA’S EXCHEQUER
For any questionable expenditure malpractices in the government, we have a right as Kenyan citizens and tax payers to voice our concerns because in the long run, if we fail, it will affect the larger spectrum of our country’s economic growth.
Therefore, knowing the way the government spends our taxes is not a preserve for those in government but a responsibility for every citizen.
For purposes of fiscal accountability and effective management of our taxes by the government, those tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all is well in the exchequer need to conduct an audit to divulge how the costs incurred on the ongoing ICC case of the deputy President William Ruto, and the shuttle diplomacy for deferral are paid off.
Kenyans need to know who incurred the costs for the recent delegation to the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, whose purpose was not the good of Kenya but to rally the AU for the deferral of the cases facing President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy at The Hague.
Secondly, the current delegation in New York which encompasses our national diplomats and several others from other African nations supporting Kenya for the deferral like Rwanda and Ethiopia is a costly affair. We need to know if Uhuru and Ruto are meeting these expenses and not Kenyan tax payers.
Besides, its note worthy that our two leaders are engaging the most expensive lawyers in the world in their cases. Kenyans will want to know who is meeting the hefty legal fees since not many people can afford to hire Stephen Kay, who is also the Queen’s Counsel and the combative Karim Khan for Uhuru and Ruto respectively.
Lastly, the travel and accommodation expenses for MPs who have been accompanying the Deputy President to the Netherlands, is now in a tune of millions. We also need to know who is footing the heavy bill since we all know that, life in Europe is extremely expensive which is often characterized by their strong currency- the Euro.
I’m not trying to imply that our two leaders cannot afford the said expenses but as a nation moving towards high levels of transparency and accountability in the way we conduct our national affairs, it’s better for the tax payers to know who is responsible for the high costs related to the current predicaments facing the President and his deputy.
Uhuru and Ruto are among the few billionaires we have in Kenya, but if they get a loophole to use our taxes for their cases, they may not touch their wallets. This is solid reality if the hustler’s jet scandal which cost Kenya taxpayers a whooping 25 million shillings for Ruto, is something to go by.
Since the ICC is a personal problem to the President and his deputy as they told the nation during the campaigns, wananchi don’t need to pay a penny for the delegation currently in New York and the recent one in Ethiopia. We therefore can’t pay for their personal cases when we are paying for their salaries and heavy benefits.
As taxpayers, we risk losing billions before the end of the ICC cases thus, the need not to assume that all is well, when a stitch in time saves nine.
Finally, as a concerned Kenyan, I evoke the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General to tell the nation the truth on the above. May they effectively monitor government spending lest we end up crying.
This is not an accusation and I do not have any evidence to conclude that our leaders have used state resources in their ICC cases.
Therefore, knowing the way the government spends our taxes is not a preserve for those in government but a responsibility for every citizen.
For purposes of fiscal accountability and effective management of our taxes by the government, those tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all is well in the exchequer need to conduct an audit to divulge how the costs incurred on the ongoing ICC case of the deputy President William Ruto, and the shuttle diplomacy for deferral are paid off.
Kenyans need to know who incurred the costs for the recent delegation to the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, whose purpose was not the good of Kenya but to rally the AU for the deferral of the cases facing President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy at The Hague.
Secondly, the current delegation in New York which encompasses our national diplomats and several others from other African nations supporting Kenya for the deferral like Rwanda and Ethiopia is a costly affair. We need to know if Uhuru and Ruto are meeting these expenses and not Kenyan tax payers.
Besides, its note worthy that our two leaders are engaging the most expensive lawyers in the world in their cases. Kenyans will want to know who is meeting the hefty legal fees since not many people can afford to hire Stephen Kay, who is also the Queen’s Counsel and the combative Karim Khan for Uhuru and Ruto respectively.
Lastly, the travel and accommodation expenses for MPs who have been accompanying the Deputy President to the Netherlands, is now in a tune of millions. We also need to know who is footing the heavy bill since we all know that, life in Europe is extremely expensive which is often characterized by their strong currency- the Euro.
I’m not trying to imply that our two leaders cannot afford the said expenses but as a nation moving towards high levels of transparency and accountability in the way we conduct our national affairs, it’s better for the tax payers to know who is responsible for the high costs related to the current predicaments facing the President and his deputy.
Uhuru and Ruto are among the few billionaires we have in Kenya, but if they get a loophole to use our taxes for their cases, they may not touch their wallets. This is solid reality if the hustler’s jet scandal which cost Kenya taxpayers a whooping 25 million shillings for Ruto, is something to go by.
Since the ICC is a personal problem to the President and his deputy as they told the nation during the campaigns, wananchi don’t need to pay a penny for the delegation currently in New York and the recent one in Ethiopia. We therefore can’t pay for their personal cases when we are paying for their salaries and heavy benefits.
As taxpayers, we risk losing billions before the end of the ICC cases thus, the need not to assume that all is well, when a stitch in time saves nine.
Finally, as a concerned Kenyan, I evoke the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General to tell the nation the truth on the above. May they effectively monitor government spending lest we end up crying.
This is not an accusation and I do not have any evidence to conclude that our leaders have used state resources in their ICC cases.
Monday, October 28, 2013
HALTING UHURU AND RUTO’S CASES IS DELAYING JUSTICE AND PERPETUATING IMPUNITY
Not many Kenyans are happy to see their President hounded in a foreign court for the worst crimes against humanity. However, the more we think deeper, the more we also reminisce the tragedy of post election violence and therefore, yearn to know exactly what happened, who caused the horror, and why?
Being a member of the Rome Statute in a Continent muddled with political upheavals, impunity and atrocities; which often affect the common citizens, it’s like having medical insurance to cover hospital bills when an illness occurs. Therefore, The ICC is a safeguard for justice and protection to the common citizens.
African leaders wrong on ICC
The recent chorus by African leaders who congregated in Addis Ababa for the AU Summit did a total disservice to their nations and Africa. Many Kenyans wonder where our next door neighbour, and one of the longest serving African presidents, Yoweri Museveni, was when our Country was smouldering as a result of the post election violence.
Pursuing for the deferral or a halt to the ICC cases facing the Kenyan leaders, as shown that President Museveni of Uganda is not fair even to his own people who continue to suffer untold misery as a result of Joseph Kony; an ICC indictee, who is also the leader of the Lords Resistance Army. Besides, the memories of torture meted by the regime of late President Idi Amin in 1970s is still fresh in the memories of many Ugandans and the World.
Secondly, I wonder where the Rwandan President Paul Kagame was during Kenya’s darkest moments during the post election violence; only to emerge from nowhere to support a move which if it succeeds, will put Kenya’s democratic gains and fighting impunity in dire straits.
Mr. Kagame has forgotten the genocide in his country where closer to one million Tutsis were slaughtered by the Hutus in 1994. He should be the last person to castigate the work of The ICC.
How soon do we forget Kenyans? Why are we allowing the charges facing Ruto and Uhuru at the ICC to ruin the future of our Country? Are the three accused larger than 40 million Kenyans or they have a superior human genome than the Post Election Victims?
Even our MPs who saw the role played by the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to trigger a truce between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki, to pave the way for a coalition government in 2008 are now hurling insults at the global diplomat.
Kenya’s security under Uhuru absence
Many Kenyans don’t buy the view that while President Uhuru Kenyatta, will be attending his trial at the ICC; his absence from the Country may jeopardize our national security especially the war on terror. For me, this is an oblique argument fronted by government sycophants and purveyors of impunity.
By the way, did the President protect us recently when terrorists attacked the Westgate? Was he not comfortably relaxing in State House; enjoying our taxes?
Besides, Kenyans have not forgotten that the Jubilee government and Kenya’s intelligence service were privy of an impending attack but failed to put up contingency measures.
The President will be tried as a regular citizen in the name of Uhuru Kenyatta and its high time he paddled his own canoe instead of dragging millions of Kenyans into his predicament. He contested for higher office knowing very well that he had serious charges in an international court.
President Uhuru doesn’t need to worry much about the security of Kenyans because he is not God. After all, he failed to protect us recently. He is not the police, the defense forces, the navy and the air force.
A cry for Justice
A cry for justice and end to impunity by Kenyans does not imply that Uhuru, Ruto or Sang are guilty of the charges they face at The ICC. In fact, whichever outcome the cases will take, even if it yields to an acquittal, it will be a shy of relief to the post election violence victims.
It dents many Kenyans’ hearts when the nation is imbued with a chorus of protecting two individuals- the president and his deputy from trials when over 1000 people were butchered with almost a million displaced. Uhuru and Ruto have never mentioned anything about the post election violence victims in their usual war drums against the ICC. Not even their supporters especially members of Parliament.
We need to remember that if Uhuru fails to cooperate with the ICC, he will still hang on as our President but the repercussions will be dire to the nation. This is when the real rain will start beating us in all spheres- economically, socially and politically.
Having a President who is a fugitive will be a recipe for dictatorship and perpetuation of impunity. Ask yourself if Omar al-Bashir of Sudan will ever allow free and fair elections in his country; leave alone providing a conducive atmosphere for an effective political opposition?
Kenyans are waiting with bated breath come next month when President Uhuru is supposed to travel to The Hague to for his trial. Justice delayed is justice denied. That is why I personally don’t see the logic for the African Union (AU) to have petitioned the United Nations Security Council for the postponement of the trials for a period of one year.
Why can’t they tell us what Kenya would achieve in one year if the trials are postponed? Secondly, those pressing the ICC to drop the charges altogether and bring the cases to an end haven’t told us what mechanisms they have put in place to compensate or offer reparations to the victims as a way of pacifying the nation!
Where on earth does a court of law yield to the dictates of an accused person? After all, Uhuru and Ruto are judged as individuals; not with their families, community and nation.
For purposes of fairness and justice, The ICC recently provided a detailed memo stating that the President and his deputy are accused as individuals and not based on their current status.
Using non ICC members as scapegoats
Those against the trials of Ruto, Uhuru and Sang have been making pronouncements which lack merit. For instance, isn’t it weird to question why the USA is not a member of the ICC, and that George Bush and Tony Blair committed genocide during the second Gulf War? Are the three Kenyans accused by the USA and Britain or by The ICC; a court which Kenya is a signatory to its founding?
The USA or the European Union has got nothing to do with the displacement and killing of innocent Kenyans during the post election violence in 2007/2008.
The time to put Kenya on a better footing is now where the mighty must face the rule of law. We are tired of hounding chicken thieves to jail and leaving the big guys.
If Kenyan fails this time, then these words by the late Francis Imbuga, in his play Betrayal in the City, will carry greater meaning: “it was better while we waited; we have killed our past and are busy killing our future.” Imbuga provides a glimpse on the characters of African dictatorship and how they have turned the fruits of the independence struggle into a mirage.
Being a member of the Rome Statute in a Continent muddled with political upheavals, impunity and atrocities; which often affect the common citizens, it’s like having medical insurance to cover hospital bills when an illness occurs. Therefore, The ICC is a safeguard for justice and protection to the common citizens.
African leaders wrong on ICC
The recent chorus by African leaders who congregated in Addis Ababa for the AU Summit did a total disservice to their nations and Africa. Many Kenyans wonder where our next door neighbour, and one of the longest serving African presidents, Yoweri Museveni, was when our Country was smouldering as a result of the post election violence.
Pursuing for the deferral or a halt to the ICC cases facing the Kenyan leaders, as shown that President Museveni of Uganda is not fair even to his own people who continue to suffer untold misery as a result of Joseph Kony; an ICC indictee, who is also the leader of the Lords Resistance Army. Besides, the memories of torture meted by the regime of late President Idi Amin in 1970s is still fresh in the memories of many Ugandans and the World.
Secondly, I wonder where the Rwandan President Paul Kagame was during Kenya’s darkest moments during the post election violence; only to emerge from nowhere to support a move which if it succeeds, will put Kenya’s democratic gains and fighting impunity in dire straits.
Mr. Kagame has forgotten the genocide in his country where closer to one million Tutsis were slaughtered by the Hutus in 1994. He should be the last person to castigate the work of The ICC.
How soon do we forget Kenyans? Why are we allowing the charges facing Ruto and Uhuru at the ICC to ruin the future of our Country? Are the three accused larger than 40 million Kenyans or they have a superior human genome than the Post Election Victims?
Even our MPs who saw the role played by the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to trigger a truce between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki, to pave the way for a coalition government in 2008 are now hurling insults at the global diplomat.
Kenya’s security under Uhuru absence
Many Kenyans don’t buy the view that while President Uhuru Kenyatta, will be attending his trial at the ICC; his absence from the Country may jeopardize our national security especially the war on terror. For me, this is an oblique argument fronted by government sycophants and purveyors of impunity.
By the way, did the President protect us recently when terrorists attacked the Westgate? Was he not comfortably relaxing in State House; enjoying our taxes?
Besides, Kenyans have not forgotten that the Jubilee government and Kenya’s intelligence service were privy of an impending attack but failed to put up contingency measures.
The President will be tried as a regular citizen in the name of Uhuru Kenyatta and its high time he paddled his own canoe instead of dragging millions of Kenyans into his predicament. He contested for higher office knowing very well that he had serious charges in an international court.
President Uhuru doesn’t need to worry much about the security of Kenyans because he is not God. After all, he failed to protect us recently. He is not the police, the defense forces, the navy and the air force.
A cry for Justice
A cry for justice and end to impunity by Kenyans does not imply that Uhuru, Ruto or Sang are guilty of the charges they face at The ICC. In fact, whichever outcome the cases will take, even if it yields to an acquittal, it will be a shy of relief to the post election violence victims.
It dents many Kenyans’ hearts when the nation is imbued with a chorus of protecting two individuals- the president and his deputy from trials when over 1000 people were butchered with almost a million displaced. Uhuru and Ruto have never mentioned anything about the post election violence victims in their usual war drums against the ICC. Not even their supporters especially members of Parliament.
We need to remember that if Uhuru fails to cooperate with the ICC, he will still hang on as our President but the repercussions will be dire to the nation. This is when the real rain will start beating us in all spheres- economically, socially and politically.
Having a President who is a fugitive will be a recipe for dictatorship and perpetuation of impunity. Ask yourself if Omar al-Bashir of Sudan will ever allow free and fair elections in his country; leave alone providing a conducive atmosphere for an effective political opposition?
Kenyans are waiting with bated breath come next month when President Uhuru is supposed to travel to The Hague to for his trial. Justice delayed is justice denied. That is why I personally don’t see the logic for the African Union (AU) to have petitioned the United Nations Security Council for the postponement of the trials for a period of one year.
Why can’t they tell us what Kenya would achieve in one year if the trials are postponed? Secondly, those pressing the ICC to drop the charges altogether and bring the cases to an end haven’t told us what mechanisms they have put in place to compensate or offer reparations to the victims as a way of pacifying the nation!
Where on earth does a court of law yield to the dictates of an accused person? After all, Uhuru and Ruto are judged as individuals; not with their families, community and nation.
For purposes of fairness and justice, The ICC recently provided a detailed memo stating that the President and his deputy are accused as individuals and not based on their current status.
Using non ICC members as scapegoats
Those against the trials of Ruto, Uhuru and Sang have been making pronouncements which lack merit. For instance, isn’t it weird to question why the USA is not a member of the ICC, and that George Bush and Tony Blair committed genocide during the second Gulf War? Are the three Kenyans accused by the USA and Britain or by The ICC; a court which Kenya is a signatory to its founding?
The USA or the European Union has got nothing to do with the displacement and killing of innocent Kenyans during the post election violence in 2007/2008.
The time to put Kenya on a better footing is now where the mighty must face the rule of law. We are tired of hounding chicken thieves to jail and leaving the big guys.
If Kenyan fails this time, then these words by the late Francis Imbuga, in his play Betrayal in the City, will carry greater meaning: “it was better while we waited; we have killed our past and are busy killing our future.” Imbuga provides a glimpse on the characters of African dictatorship and how they have turned the fruits of the independence struggle into a mirage.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
WHY PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA MUST ATTEND THE ICC TRIALS?
By Gordon Teti Ontario, Canada
While it is a fact that he was not validly elected by the Kenyan voters, what is factual is that during the presidential campaign debate, Uhuru Kenyatta was particularly asked not to vie for the presidency until he clears his name with the ICC.
During the entire campaigns including the presidential debates, Uhuru categorically and emphatically stated that the ICC case against him was a personal challenge and that at no point would he drag the entire nation into the case. He also promised the electorate that he would abide by the dictates of the ICC.
Six months after he forced himself into the office of the presidency of Kenya, Uhuru is telling Kenyans and the world that since his position has changed, he is not dealing with the ICC as Uhuru Kenyatta but as the President of Kenya, which is contrary to what he told the voters while campaigning for the same office.
To some people, it may appear as a sudden thought that Uhuru has realized the ICC case against him is no longer a personal challenge but to many this was the card that Uhuru hid under the table during the presidential campaign. Uhuru forced himself to the presidency to shield him from the ICC trials and the chicken have come home to roost with Uhuru declaring both in words and actions that Kenya is now part and parcel of what was hitherto a “personal issue” and he no longer wants to co-operate with the ICC.
Since forcing himself to the presidency, Uhuru has used every government resource available to him, including courting the African dictators like Yoweri Museveni, Paul Kagame, Robert Mugabe, to mention but a few, to subvert the course of justice by avoiding the ICC trials altogether. Uhuru almost succeeded in rallying the whole of the African dictators behind him thanks to massive personal wealth and government resources that has been used in bribing of the African dictators.
However, last Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Uhuru suffered a setback when many of the African big men who had previously pledged their support for mass withdrawal from the Rome statute that created the ICC developed cold feet like they did before when they abandoned Muamar Ghadaffi of Libya. The move left Uhuru with only Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Omar Al Bashir of Sudan as the only two die hard lords of impunity who are still clawing ferociously at ICC for obvious reasons. Both are suspected of mass murder, rape and genocide of their own citizens and as for Al Bashir, he has been indicted by the ICC.
The African dictators are using the principle of sovereignty in their crusade against the ICC while the reality is that it an attempt to insulate them against acts of Impunity. The question is, in the unlikely event that this ill campaign is granted, does it mean the African dictators can kill and maim while in office because they are immune to prosecution?
The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is still very fresh in our collective memories. In one voice, the world must unreservedly guard against the leadership of countries that may wittingly use the caveat of “sovereignty” and “immunity for sitting presidents” to discredit the ICC in an attempt to circumvent retributive justice.
When we all know that Omar Al Bashir of Sudan was indicted when in office, it is completely wrong for Amina Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary and the other government mandarins and sycophants of Uhuru Kenyatta to lie to Kenyans that it is unconstitutional for Uhuru to be prosecuted at ICC.
With the consequences of non-compliance with the Rome Statute so clear and decisively biting, Kenyans dread that their great country may be turned into a Harare or Khartoum. I am hopeful that like Harare and Khartoum, Kenyans will willingfuly accept to become collateral damage in the event Uhuru refuses to co-operate with the court.
This is why Kenyans of goodwill MUST not only exhort but demand from Uhuru that since this is his personal matter, he is obligated to go to ICC and defend himself. Uhuru has nothing to neither fear nor worry about if he has evidence of witness tampering and couching as he has said thousands of times. All Uhuru has to do is to go to ICC and prove his innocence.
While it is a fact that he was not validly elected by the Kenyan voters, what is factual is that during the presidential campaign debate, Uhuru Kenyatta was particularly asked not to vie for the presidency until he clears his name with the ICC.
During the entire campaigns including the presidential debates, Uhuru categorically and emphatically stated that the ICC case against him was a personal challenge and that at no point would he drag the entire nation into the case. He also promised the electorate that he would abide by the dictates of the ICC.
Six months after he forced himself into the office of the presidency of Kenya, Uhuru is telling Kenyans and the world that since his position has changed, he is not dealing with the ICC as Uhuru Kenyatta but as the President of Kenya, which is contrary to what he told the voters while campaigning for the same office.
To some people, it may appear as a sudden thought that Uhuru has realized the ICC case against him is no longer a personal challenge but to many this was the card that Uhuru hid under the table during the presidential campaign. Uhuru forced himself to the presidency to shield him from the ICC trials and the chicken have come home to roost with Uhuru declaring both in words and actions that Kenya is now part and parcel of what was hitherto a “personal issue” and he no longer wants to co-operate with the ICC.
Since forcing himself to the presidency, Uhuru has used every government resource available to him, including courting the African dictators like Yoweri Museveni, Paul Kagame, Robert Mugabe, to mention but a few, to subvert the course of justice by avoiding the ICC trials altogether. Uhuru almost succeeded in rallying the whole of the African dictators behind him thanks to massive personal wealth and government resources that has been used in bribing of the African dictators.
However, last Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Uhuru suffered a setback when many of the African big men who had previously pledged their support for mass withdrawal from the Rome statute that created the ICC developed cold feet like they did before when they abandoned Muamar Ghadaffi of Libya. The move left Uhuru with only Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Omar Al Bashir of Sudan as the only two die hard lords of impunity who are still clawing ferociously at ICC for obvious reasons. Both are suspected of mass murder, rape and genocide of their own citizens and as for Al Bashir, he has been indicted by the ICC.
The African dictators are using the principle of sovereignty in their crusade against the ICC while the reality is that it an attempt to insulate them against acts of Impunity. The question is, in the unlikely event that this ill campaign is granted, does it mean the African dictators can kill and maim while in office because they are immune to prosecution?
The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is still very fresh in our collective memories. In one voice, the world must unreservedly guard against the leadership of countries that may wittingly use the caveat of “sovereignty” and “immunity for sitting presidents” to discredit the ICC in an attempt to circumvent retributive justice.
When we all know that Omar Al Bashir of Sudan was indicted when in office, it is completely wrong for Amina Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary and the other government mandarins and sycophants of Uhuru Kenyatta to lie to Kenyans that it is unconstitutional for Uhuru to be prosecuted at ICC.
With the consequences of non-compliance with the Rome Statute so clear and decisively biting, Kenyans dread that their great country may be turned into a Harare or Khartoum. I am hopeful that like Harare and Khartoum, Kenyans will willingfuly accept to become collateral damage in the event Uhuru refuses to co-operate with the court.
This is why Kenyans of goodwill MUST not only exhort but demand from Uhuru that since this is his personal matter, he is obligated to go to ICC and defend himself. Uhuru has nothing to neither fear nor worry about if he has evidence of witness tampering and couching as he has said thousands of times. All Uhuru has to do is to go to ICC and prove his innocence.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
SENATOR SONKO'S BEHAVIOUR IS A SHAME TO NAIROBI VOTERS
by Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, Georgia
I don’t envy Senator Sonko’s spirit of giving or benevolence but, it’s high time we called a spade a spade not a big spoon. Giving or no giving, Sonko is not fit to lead the City as a Senator. His actions speak volumes about his capacity to make sound and effective legislative decisions on behalf of Nairobians in the Senate.
If we put aside the Senator’s philanthropic nature, and look at leadership, the affable and generous Sonko is totally unfit for elective office. I’m sure there are hundreds of people he has helped but still feel the Senator he has gone overboard.
From illegally recording a conversation he held with KNUT Secretary General Mudzo Nzili, and insulting radio journalist Carol Muthoko, to assaulting and allegedly dubbing Rachel Shebesh’s conversation with the political opposition, it’s just too much for a leader. I’m sure; Sonko has violated the law by recording conversations without the other parties’ consent.
Who will trust Sonko when he is out to record even toilet conversations and use it to score political points and fix political opponents? Even President Uhuru Kenyatta and other Jubilee leaders should be very careful with Sonko’s surreptitious character.
I’m not an admirer of Rachel Shebesh’s political styles, but I think Sonko is out to damage the Women Representative’s credibility in the Jubilee government.
I implore Kenyan voters to “THINK TWICE” before they vote. Money is good but Sonko cannot feed the whole nation even for a one-day breakfast.
No wonder, Carol Muthoko of Kisii 100, was right for questioning how Sonko intends to ensure that, the people he helps can sustain themselves after his handouts.
Voters need to vote for men and women who are capable of making sense in leadership as well as sound legislative decisions through effective debate. If we fail to do effective vetting on those vying for elective office, we will continue to be a tired nation in socio- economic development.
We need to disallow ourselves from being enslaved by rich politicians whom we don’t even question the source of their wealth.
As voters, let us not completely lose our moral campus because of poverty. Even if we are needy, it’s fair to critically question ourselves whether those we vote for as leaders have what it takes to represent us. Focusing only at what is in their wallets betrays our conscious.
Friday, September 27, 2013
PRESIDENT UHURU SHOULD RESIGN FOR THE WESTGATE TERRORIST ATTACK
How shall Kenyans and the global community have confidence and respect in the leadership of President Kenyatta, when his top security organs were aware of an impending terrorist attack in the Country but failed to take precautionary measures to avert it?
Virtually five months in office, the Jubilee government has proved to be weak, uncaring, petty, divisive, vulnerable and with no leadership strategy to pursue the interests of Kenyans. They have also failed to hold the nation together.
President Uhuru, his deputy and the entire national security do not deserve to be in office. If Kenya was one of the Western democracies like the USA, the most honourable thing Uhuru and his entire national security organs was to do is to relinquish office and pave the way for a new leadership with the capacity to put the interest of the nation above anything else.
No wonder, Kenyans made the worst mistake to elect a President and deputy with questionable records on integrity and justice. In fact, the international community is laughing at us as a nation. We are viewed from a negative prism; mostly as people who makes irrational decisions without no regard to the consequences.
Two key thing distracting Jubilee leaders
First of all, it is virtually certain that the Jubilee leaders have continued to celebrate their controversial victory in March and forgotten to focus on national interests and the challenges facing Kenya.
We also know that trappings of power come with glamour and prestige but Kenyans expected Uhuru and Ruto to also think about their interests; especially national security which is the genesis of success to any nation.
Leaders who focus on upbeat and good news always miss the larger picture especially warnings of a coming catastrophe. That is why Kenyans are shocked to learn that the government was aware early enough about the mall attack but failed to put up contingency measures.
Secondly, the ICC cases facing the President and his deputy have hit a toll on their brains. Their primary focus is to win the cases or pursue ways and means of having the cases moved to Kenya.
Besides, they are also engulfed on what to do in order to have the proceedings suspended as well as the likely repercussions in the event they decide not to comply with The Hague based court.
The latest terrorist attack in the Westgate Mall has clearly demonstrated that we have a President and deputy who are primarily fixated with their personal problems and cannot effectively discharge national responsibilities.
Four years is a long time to persevere with the JUBILEE GOVERNMENT. It’s also tragic to entrust the lives of 40 million Kenyans including foreigners who are serving as investors, diplomats and relief workers on the hands of President Uhuru and Deputy William Ruto, who have proved to have great limitations in discharging the mandate they were accorded by Kenyans in March.
Uhuru Kenyatta is the pillar of the nation and anything that happens in Kenya, hinges on the office he holds. That is why Kenyans will first look at what the President did as our Chief executive especially when he had wind from the national intelligence service that there was an impending terrorist strike in the Country.
We want to know why the President failed to avert the attack, before we lay blame on his deputy, as well as KDF chief Julius Karangi, Interior Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, Defense Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Police chief David Kimaiyo, and NSIS chief Micheal Gichangi.
It’s quite simple, when a major corporation goes under; it’s the CEO of that corporation who is held to account and not his junior officers.
I don’t mean that the other individuals do not play a role in our national security but key decisions especially on our national safety and security are on the hands of the President who is also the commander in chief of the Kenya defense forces.
By and large, each person has to take responsibility and therefore we demand to know what they all did to mitigate the impending Al-Shabaab terrorist attack which has traumatized many families especially those who lost loved ones in the attack. Failure to do so, they should vacate office.
Virtually five months in office, the Jubilee government has proved to be weak, uncaring, petty, divisive, vulnerable and with no leadership strategy to pursue the interests of Kenyans. They have also failed to hold the nation together.
President Uhuru, his deputy and the entire national security do not deserve to be in office. If Kenya was one of the Western democracies like the USA, the most honourable thing Uhuru and his entire national security organs was to do is to relinquish office and pave the way for a new leadership with the capacity to put the interest of the nation above anything else.
No wonder, Kenyans made the worst mistake to elect a President and deputy with questionable records on integrity and justice. In fact, the international community is laughing at us as a nation. We are viewed from a negative prism; mostly as people who makes irrational decisions without no regard to the consequences.
Two key thing distracting Jubilee leaders
First of all, it is virtually certain that the Jubilee leaders have continued to celebrate their controversial victory in March and forgotten to focus on national interests and the challenges facing Kenya.
We also know that trappings of power come with glamour and prestige but Kenyans expected Uhuru and Ruto to also think about their interests; especially national security which is the genesis of success to any nation.
Leaders who focus on upbeat and good news always miss the larger picture especially warnings of a coming catastrophe. That is why Kenyans are shocked to learn that the government was aware early enough about the mall attack but failed to put up contingency measures.
Secondly, the ICC cases facing the President and his deputy have hit a toll on their brains. Their primary focus is to win the cases or pursue ways and means of having the cases moved to Kenya.
Besides, they are also engulfed on what to do in order to have the proceedings suspended as well as the likely repercussions in the event they decide not to comply with The Hague based court.
The latest terrorist attack in the Westgate Mall has clearly demonstrated that we have a President and deputy who are primarily fixated with their personal problems and cannot effectively discharge national responsibilities.
Four years is a long time to persevere with the JUBILEE GOVERNMENT. It’s also tragic to entrust the lives of 40 million Kenyans including foreigners who are serving as investors, diplomats and relief workers on the hands of President Uhuru and Deputy William Ruto, who have proved to have great limitations in discharging the mandate they were accorded by Kenyans in March.
Uhuru Kenyatta is the pillar of the nation and anything that happens in Kenya, hinges on the office he holds. That is why Kenyans will first look at what the President did as our Chief executive especially when he had wind from the national intelligence service that there was an impending terrorist strike in the Country.
We want to know why the President failed to avert the attack, before we lay blame on his deputy, as well as KDF chief Julius Karangi, Interior Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, Defense Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Police chief David Kimaiyo, and NSIS chief Micheal Gichangi.
It’s quite simple, when a major corporation goes under; it’s the CEO of that corporation who is held to account and not his junior officers.
I don’t mean that the other individuals do not play a role in our national security but key decisions especially on our national safety and security are on the hands of the President who is also the commander in chief of the Kenya defense forces.
By and large, each person has to take responsibility and therefore we demand to know what they all did to mitigate the impending Al-Shabaab terrorist attack which has traumatized many families especially those who lost loved ones in the attack. Failure to do so, they should vacate office.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
PRESIDENT KENYATTA HAS GONE OVERBOARD ON TRIBAL APPOINTMENTS
By Albert Nyakundi Amenya
Kisii County(Kitutu Chache)
Here comes another serious medical attention seeker by the name Uhuru Kenyatta. The last time I checked, this psychiatric client was supposed to be the President of the republic of Kenya but instead, he has preferred to be the President of Mt. Kenya. Being a president does not mean that you reward your tribesmen and women by overlooking those who didn’t vote for you.
Uhuru is a perfect skimmer and calculative opportunist who never lose a chance whenever it emerges. He always waits for tragedies to befall so that he capitalizes on them. For instance, the West Gate Mall attack was a perfect highway for him to contravene the constitution by appointing a fraudster, to a nonexistent position. For sure, this man is generous and selfless to his tribesmen.
I am sure that the Commander in Speech Mr. William Ruto was not consulted before the appointment was effected. In fact, I pity him whenever he goes public boasting about their position as Kalenjins in the Jubilee government. I am not being tribal on this one, but I must say that Kalenjins are in for a surprise as long as the likes of Mutea Iringo, Francis Kimemia et al are alive.
Today I was dazed beyond restrain, when I received mesmeric news that Mister Joseph Kinyua had been appointed head of Public Service and chief of staff. Astoundingly, the position does not exist in the constitution of the Republic of Kenya, but it does in the constitution of Mount Kenya. Interestingly, the constitution is categorical when it comes to public servants appointment but on this one, no public vetting was conducted.
Recently, there have been massive openings in the government. However, what alarms me is the damnable manner in which these positions are filled with brothers and sisters from Mount Kenya. If anyone has doubt about what I am talking about, ask for the list and I will deliver it before time. I always do my homework painstakingly. I always filter the authenticity of whatever I inscribe on paper to avoid being speculative. My mind is always engraved on facts and truths.
Immediately after President Kenyatta was controversially declared winner by Justice Mutunga, he vowed to be a president of every Kenyan irrespective of whether they voted for him or not. However, his daredevilry of infringing the constitution denotes how Kenya is inclined to tribalism, corruption and impunity.
Just to capsulize this issue, I can readily confirm that this son of the former dictator and land grabber has turned out to be a contemptuous cardinal sinner. I have a feeling that we are yet to see more. For those who always berate me whenever I speak, kindly sit back and think twice. Kindly ask yourselves whether what you are defending is worth your heartfelt defense. I always try to speak up my mind, expound on coherent facts to justify my stand.
Tribalism is a serious cancer that is eating up our nation and it must be curbed at all costs. Other sycophants like William Ruto will always be used like the tissue papers they are. I am wondering why some of the appointments are not given to Ruto and his Jubilee battalion if indeed they are principal partners in the government.
Kisii County(Kitutu Chache)
Here comes another serious medical attention seeker by the name Uhuru Kenyatta. The last time I checked, this psychiatric client was supposed to be the President of the republic of Kenya but instead, he has preferred to be the President of Mt. Kenya. Being a president does not mean that you reward your tribesmen and women by overlooking those who didn’t vote for you.
Uhuru is a perfect skimmer and calculative opportunist who never lose a chance whenever it emerges. He always waits for tragedies to befall so that he capitalizes on them. For instance, the West Gate Mall attack was a perfect highway for him to contravene the constitution by appointing a fraudster, to a nonexistent position. For sure, this man is generous and selfless to his tribesmen.
I am sure that the Commander in Speech Mr. William Ruto was not consulted before the appointment was effected. In fact, I pity him whenever he goes public boasting about their position as Kalenjins in the Jubilee government. I am not being tribal on this one, but I must say that Kalenjins are in for a surprise as long as the likes of Mutea Iringo, Francis Kimemia et al are alive.
Today I was dazed beyond restrain, when I received mesmeric news that Mister Joseph Kinyua had been appointed head of Public Service and chief of staff. Astoundingly, the position does not exist in the constitution of the Republic of Kenya, but it does in the constitution of Mount Kenya. Interestingly, the constitution is categorical when it comes to public servants appointment but on this one, no public vetting was conducted.
Recently, there have been massive openings in the government. However, what alarms me is the damnable manner in which these positions are filled with brothers and sisters from Mount Kenya. If anyone has doubt about what I am talking about, ask for the list and I will deliver it before time. I always do my homework painstakingly. I always filter the authenticity of whatever I inscribe on paper to avoid being speculative. My mind is always engraved on facts and truths.
Immediately after President Kenyatta was controversially declared winner by Justice Mutunga, he vowed to be a president of every Kenyan irrespective of whether they voted for him or not. However, his daredevilry of infringing the constitution denotes how Kenya is inclined to tribalism, corruption and impunity.
Just to capsulize this issue, I can readily confirm that this son of the former dictator and land grabber has turned out to be a contemptuous cardinal sinner. I have a feeling that we are yet to see more. For those who always berate me whenever I speak, kindly sit back and think twice. Kindly ask yourselves whether what you are defending is worth your heartfelt defense. I always try to speak up my mind, expound on coherent facts to justify my stand.
Tribalism is a serious cancer that is eating up our nation and it must be curbed at all costs. Other sycophants like William Ruto will always be used like the tissue papers they are. I am wondering why some of the appointments are not given to Ruto and his Jubilee battalion if indeed they are principal partners in the government.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Kibaki Presidency; his score card and the 2013 vote
I personally think that in terms of national cohesion and integration, Kenya was in a better place before Kibaki was sworn in as Kenya’s 3rd president.
The old man took over the presidency amid lot of expectations from an impoverished nation by the Kanu misrule but what happened? Did Kibaki lead according to the creed of the Rainbow revolution of 2002? The answer is no!
Yes I agree, he restored sanity in the cabinet by giving Ministers a free hand to do their jobs; increased revenue collections which made the devolution of recourses through the CDF, Road levy and Local authorities Trust fund possible.
Kibaki injected a sense of hard work and self determination to the Kenyan populace by stressing the need for citizens’ hard work unlike the Moi style of dishing handouts. His administration ensured that freedom of speech and assembly was safeguarded although the Standard media raid and the first lady’s escapade at the nation media group still linger in the memory of Kenyans.
He rarely portrays the big man syndrome which often characterized Kenyatta and Moi’s leadership. Often plays it simple with a sense humour and humbleness. His undoing: tribalism on government appointments, stealing elections, indecision even when the country needed urgent leadership intervention especially during the post election violence.
As we head to the ballot in March 2013, if we are not careful we may end up voting in wrong leaders. The biggest challenge we face as progressives in social media forums and daily arguments is lack of unity and a sense of patriotism.
Rather than shape the debate to identify the men and women who truly stand for the good of Kenya, many of us have brooded unto our ethnic cocoons. Even in this forum, an argument from a Luo is likely to gravitate towards Raila while from a Kikuyu to Uhuru Kenyatta. Soon, we will start seeing most contributions from Luyias solidly behind their man; Musalia Mudavadi. To be honest, where will my argument anchor as a Kisii, when we don't have a Presidential candidate?
Why should I support a fellow tribesman for the simple reason that we share a tribal lineage even when my conscience is very clear that such tribesman or woman has got nothing to offer the people of Kenya in terms of good leadership practices? It's worrying that as a subscriber to several forums, Im usually shocked with what I read especially coming from the new generation of thinkers- youth and intellectuals.
If it's not hate, it's tribalism/ negative ethnicity, If it's not insults and epithets, it's hate speech and incitement, if it's not threats and obscene rumours, it's malice and propaganda. We have become purveyors of hate and tribalism instead of purveyors of patriotism.
The name Kenya has taken a back banner. Many of us have reverted to our tribal lineages and will support criminals just because we share a similar dialect! Folks, it's not too late to take stock of the men and women who are parading themselves to vie not only for the Presidency but also other key elective positions in our country's leadership hierarchy in order to identify those who can represent our people well.
Rather than dwell on simple things like Raila wearing a graduation gown all the way from the USA; which I personally cannot do, why can't we start putting a microscope on all Presidential candidates and analyze them one by one based their records, their understanding of the predicaments bedeviling Kenya and the workable remedies they have to get us out of the mess. I do believe every presidential candidate has something to offer.
We cannot underrate anybody. Let us start with Kalonzo, Ruto, Raila, Wetangula, Kiyiapi,Mutava, Eugene, Uhuru,Karua, Saitoti and Peter Kenneth. Rather than focus so much on individuals, let us try to interrogate where all candidates stand on issues like alleviating poverty, unemployment and how serious they appear on bringing reforms especially under the new dispensation.
Finally, when are done doing so, we move a notch lower to those who will stand as governors in our 47 Counties and also try to scan them, since these are very challenging seats which will also define the future of our nation. This way, I believe will help us make good judgment and advise the voters.
Otherwise, throwing tribalistic jabs here and there will not differentiate us from the regular 'noise' out there. These are my thoughts. Do feel free to correct me.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA AND HIS DEPUTY HAVE LOST THE REFERENDUM ARGUMENT
BY Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, Georgia
To scare the bird is not best way to catch it. When a President and his deputy talk with rancour at government critics before the eyes of the nation, it portrays them as weak and insecure. Indeed, it’s also a poor show of leadership, disrespect to democracy and freedom of expression.
Portraying open anger over an idea or individual shows that you are totally robbed of your peace in private. You cannot kill dissent, or stifle freedom which is entrenched in our laws.
Leaders who get aggravated on every criticism leveled against their government are undemocratic, dictatorial and will make the citizens to feel like they have enemies of freedom controlling their national affairs.
How does the government expect the counties to develop without adequate revenue? Secondly, why are President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto scared of referendum costs when it’s the tax payers who will foot the costs which in the long run, will benefit all sundry?
Just recently, the deputy President spent a whooping Sh100 million to hire a luxury jet for his trip abroad. Besides, the President’s recent trips to Russia and China, with a bloated delegation of 60 people will soon send the tax payers gasping. I therefore disqualify the government’s argument on referendum costs.
While those agitating for a referendum are accused of playing the political card, the government needs to remember that governors and Senators are political leaders elected to safeguard the interests of the 47 County governments as focal points for socio economic development.
Times are over when the Central government in Nairobi used to determine which road, school or hospital should be constructed where and when.
We don't want county governments to beg the President or his deputy for development money which in fact belongs to the tax payers. That is why, even if there was an agreement to increase funding to the Counties, a referendum will be necessary to revise our law on devolution when the situation is conducive. This will help curb roadside declarations and buying political royalty by the executive.
Surely, if the end result of a referendum is to benefit the nation, why should the government feel that it’s a score card on their performance by the opposition yet they have been in office for less than 150 days?
Laws are not carved on stones. I remember former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in the last referendum campaigns saying that any anomalies in the current constitution will be rectified; implying that although it was passed enmassee, it’s not perfect and therefore can be revised as needed to accommodate the prevailing governance systems and practices.
The hard-line stand exhibited by the Central Government on the matter is a clear demonstration of trying to incapacitate the counties. The executive needs to be reminded that devolution is so popular that if you go against it, you will be riding an empty wagon! You can’t win the argument even with much verbose.
And if it’s too soon to subject Kenyans to another contest six months after the last election, let the Jubilee government increase funding to the Counties and negotiate the right timeline for the referendum when the changes will be legally anchored in the constitution.
I’m sure the Senate, County governments and the political opposition is more than willing to dialogue on the matter. This inclusive approach will thaw mistrust and political animosity which has characterized the referendum debate in the Country.
Portraying arrogance like the one from the URP Party to discipline Governor Ruto as portrayed by former Speaker Francis Kaparo, cannot scale down the clamour to change the law on devolution. Kaparo should be at the frontline to apply his experience in advising the executive instead of adding fuel into the fire on the referendum.
On the other hand, President Uhuru and his deputy need to sober up and focus on serving the nation lest they break down. Their supporters also need to tone down their sycophantic arguments which do not hold any water.
The more persistent the Government gets to halt the clamour for a referendum, the more they are exposing their true colours as enemies of constitutional implementation. Silence to criticism should be the best sheep home for Uhuru and Ruto. Mentioning Raila or Cord in all their public functions shows how they fear the opposition.
My best advice to our CEO and deputy is this, you can force people to obey you in a dictatorship but you cannot make them love you. Encouragingly, Kenya isn't a dictatorship, and therefore, citizens have a right to criticize or hold leaders to account for their actions. In the current global order, if you hate criticism, go private and lead your life and enjoy.
However, since our two leaders accepted the challenge of lead Kenya, let them wear a thick skin like President Obama; who for the last 6 years has never seen a kind word from his political opponents. In fact, Obama does not respond. He operates freely like nothing is happening.
This is a strength Uhuru and Ruto should borrow to enjoy their leadership and deliver services to the Kenyan people before the end of their 5 years term.
We want spurred growth- better infrastructure and improved standard of living in the whole nation. Full implementation of devolution will be a recipe to spur regional development and liquidate historical discriminatory practices in the Country since independence.
Those against devolution are enemies to the counties like Samburu, Turkana, Pokot and Garissa. Otherwise, the quest for more funding for the Counties is not a Jubilee or Cord affair but a Kenyan one.
It must be remembered that there is still a red flag on the President's commitment to devolution following the assenting of the revenue allocation bill into law, and whose interpretation is pending in the Supreme Court after a petition was lodged seeking legal opinion on the bill.
Secondly, it must also be remembered that the deputy President campaigned all over the nation with red cards against the current constitution and therefore, it does not surprise any Kenyan when he is fighting tooth and nail to nail Isaac Rutto, the key architect of devolution.
Atlanta, Georgia
To scare the bird is not best way to catch it. When a President and his deputy talk with rancour at government critics before the eyes of the nation, it portrays them as weak and insecure. Indeed, it’s also a poor show of leadership, disrespect to democracy and freedom of expression.
Portraying open anger over an idea or individual shows that you are totally robbed of your peace in private. You cannot kill dissent, or stifle freedom which is entrenched in our laws.
Leaders who get aggravated on every criticism leveled against their government are undemocratic, dictatorial and will make the citizens to feel like they have enemies of freedom controlling their national affairs.
How does the government expect the counties to develop without adequate revenue? Secondly, why are President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto scared of referendum costs when it’s the tax payers who will foot the costs which in the long run, will benefit all sundry?
Just recently, the deputy President spent a whooping Sh100 million to hire a luxury jet for his trip abroad. Besides, the President’s recent trips to Russia and China, with a bloated delegation of 60 people will soon send the tax payers gasping. I therefore disqualify the government’s argument on referendum costs.
While those agitating for a referendum are accused of playing the political card, the government needs to remember that governors and Senators are political leaders elected to safeguard the interests of the 47 County governments as focal points for socio economic development.
Times are over when the Central government in Nairobi used to determine which road, school or hospital should be constructed where and when.
We don't want county governments to beg the President or his deputy for development money which in fact belongs to the tax payers. That is why, even if there was an agreement to increase funding to the Counties, a referendum will be necessary to revise our law on devolution when the situation is conducive. This will help curb roadside declarations and buying political royalty by the executive.
Surely, if the end result of a referendum is to benefit the nation, why should the government feel that it’s a score card on their performance by the opposition yet they have been in office for less than 150 days?
Laws are not carved on stones. I remember former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in the last referendum campaigns saying that any anomalies in the current constitution will be rectified; implying that although it was passed enmassee, it’s not perfect and therefore can be revised as needed to accommodate the prevailing governance systems and practices.
The hard-line stand exhibited by the Central Government on the matter is a clear demonstration of trying to incapacitate the counties. The executive needs to be reminded that devolution is so popular that if you go against it, you will be riding an empty wagon! You can’t win the argument even with much verbose.
And if it’s too soon to subject Kenyans to another contest six months after the last election, let the Jubilee government increase funding to the Counties and negotiate the right timeline for the referendum when the changes will be legally anchored in the constitution.
I’m sure the Senate, County governments and the political opposition is more than willing to dialogue on the matter. This inclusive approach will thaw mistrust and political animosity which has characterized the referendum debate in the Country.
Portraying arrogance like the one from the URP Party to discipline Governor Ruto as portrayed by former Speaker Francis Kaparo, cannot scale down the clamour to change the law on devolution. Kaparo should be at the frontline to apply his experience in advising the executive instead of adding fuel into the fire on the referendum.
On the other hand, President Uhuru and his deputy need to sober up and focus on serving the nation lest they break down. Their supporters also need to tone down their sycophantic arguments which do not hold any water.
The more persistent the Government gets to halt the clamour for a referendum, the more they are exposing their true colours as enemies of constitutional implementation. Silence to criticism should be the best sheep home for Uhuru and Ruto. Mentioning Raila or Cord in all their public functions shows how they fear the opposition.
My best advice to our CEO and deputy is this, you can force people to obey you in a dictatorship but you cannot make them love you. Encouragingly, Kenya isn't a dictatorship, and therefore, citizens have a right to criticize or hold leaders to account for their actions. In the current global order, if you hate criticism, go private and lead your life and enjoy.
However, since our two leaders accepted the challenge of lead Kenya, let them wear a thick skin like President Obama; who for the last 6 years has never seen a kind word from his political opponents. In fact, Obama does not respond. He operates freely like nothing is happening.
This is a strength Uhuru and Ruto should borrow to enjoy their leadership and deliver services to the Kenyan people before the end of their 5 years term.
We want spurred growth- better infrastructure and improved standard of living in the whole nation. Full implementation of devolution will be a recipe to spur regional development and liquidate historical discriminatory practices in the Country since independence.
Those against devolution are enemies to the counties like Samburu, Turkana, Pokot and Garissa. Otherwise, the quest for more funding for the Counties is not a Jubilee or Cord affair but a Kenyan one.
It must be remembered that there is still a red flag on the President's commitment to devolution following the assenting of the revenue allocation bill into law, and whose interpretation is pending in the Supreme Court after a petition was lodged seeking legal opinion on the bill.
Secondly, it must also be remembered that the deputy President campaigned all over the nation with red cards against the current constitution and therefore, it does not surprise any Kenyan when he is fighting tooth and nail to nail Isaac Rutto, the key architect of devolution.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
KENYA’S SHUTTERED DREAM
Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, Georgia
Look at the optimism Kenyans had after the rainbow coalition came to power in 02? Kibaki was sworn in on a wheel chair and the nation was united. We saw hope just for a moment.
When the tribal gear accelerated, we started being torn a sunder little by little until it reached a crescendo; culminating to the PEV of 07/08; just because of the clamour to retain power.
I agree with the sage of Buddhism, Gautama Budha that all the sorrows in the world are caused by selfishness; which begets greed for money, power, favourism, nepotism, tribalism, poor values, immorality, murder; name it!
I wish we had 10 leaders; the caliber of ailing freedom icon Nelson Mandela, or even the late Julius Nyerere, who left Tanzania less rich but more united and less tribalized through his Ujamaa philosophy.
Nyerere's foundation continues to solidify the largest Country in East Africa. What went wrong with Kenya? Does the current leadership have the backbone to put Kenya on a good footing? Time will tell but the future looks bleak but not hopeless.
Atlanta, Georgia
Look at the optimism Kenyans had after the rainbow coalition came to power in 02? Kibaki was sworn in on a wheel chair and the nation was united. We saw hope just for a moment.
When the tribal gear accelerated, we started being torn a sunder little by little until it reached a crescendo; culminating to the PEV of 07/08; just because of the clamour to retain power.
I agree with the sage of Buddhism, Gautama Budha that all the sorrows in the world are caused by selfishness; which begets greed for money, power, favourism, nepotism, tribalism, poor values, immorality, murder; name it!
I wish we had 10 leaders; the caliber of ailing freedom icon Nelson Mandela, or even the late Julius Nyerere, who left Tanzania less rich but more united and less tribalized through his Ujamaa philosophy.
Nyerere's foundation continues to solidify the largest Country in East Africa. What went wrong with Kenya? Does the current leadership have the backbone to put Kenya on a good footing? Time will tell but the future looks bleak but not hopeless.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
ON EQUITY AND EQUALITY, MOI WAS FAIR THAN HIS TWO SUCCESSORS
The best way to unify our Country is to ensure that there is equity. Every community whether small or large should have a sense of belonging in the government of the day; whether it’s of Jubilee, Amani or Cord coalitions.
Can you imagine we have communities in Kenya who have never had even a senior clerk in a government Ministry since independence, yet we boast of being a diverse nation?
When a government of the day appoints a Cabinet, Parastatal chiefs, Defense chiefs, Police Chiefs etc from government friendly communities and purport to reflect the face of Kenya in their leadership isn’t this bad news?
What will prevent Kenyans from demanding fairness using every available means? What we are seeing in Kenya today is a recipe for open revolt against nepotism and direct favourism. A government representing 42 communities cannot do what they are presently doing for Kenyans in the 21st Century.
No wonder, Moi ruled Kenya with an iron fist but many of us have come to discover that he was far much better that what we saw in former President Kibaki and now perfected by his ‘son’ President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In as much as Moi wasn’t the best for Kenya, he was much fair especially when it came to appointing men and women to serve in his government than Kenyans have been seeing since the year 2002.
It’s tragic that those of us who speak against these vices are branded as purveyors of hate speech when we are merely speaking the reality.
What Kenyans hunger for is the need for fairness, equality and equity from the current government. Nobody is against the President or his deputy but as young leaders with fresh and vibrant minds, they should know better than tearing our Country apart through nepotic mindsets.
Can you imagine we have communities in Kenya who have never had even a senior clerk in a government Ministry since independence, yet we boast of being a diverse nation?
When a government of the day appoints a Cabinet, Parastatal chiefs, Defense chiefs, Police Chiefs etc from government friendly communities and purport to reflect the face of Kenya in their leadership isn’t this bad news?
What will prevent Kenyans from demanding fairness using every available means? What we are seeing in Kenya today is a recipe for open revolt against nepotism and direct favourism. A government representing 42 communities cannot do what they are presently doing for Kenyans in the 21st Century.
No wonder, Moi ruled Kenya with an iron fist but many of us have come to discover that he was far much better that what we saw in former President Kibaki and now perfected by his ‘son’ President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In as much as Moi wasn’t the best for Kenya, he was much fair especially when it came to appointing men and women to serve in his government than Kenyans have been seeing since the year 2002.
It’s tragic that those of us who speak against these vices are branded as purveyors of hate speech when we are merely speaking the reality.
What Kenyans hunger for is the need for fairness, equality and equity from the current government. Nobody is against the President or his deputy but as young leaders with fresh and vibrant minds, they should know better than tearing our Country apart through nepotic mindsets.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: Uhuru and Ruto should choose between self and national...
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: Uhuru and Ruto to choose between self and national...: By Joseph Lister Nyaringo USA The current state of our nation begs for this critical question: how can a government led by sharp and fres...
Uhuru and Ruto should choose between self and national good
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
USA
The current state of our nation begs for this critical question: how can a government led by sharp and fresh minds encounter too many false starts just 4 months after taking office? President Uhuru and his deputy took office with fervent optimism to lay a firm foundation that will transform Kenya into a regional hub for prosperity.
Is it lack of preparedness from the two leaders after the hotly contested election in March, if the emotions often exhibited by Ruto in Churches are given credence? The President and his deputy have in a couple of times stated publically that they never thought the Jubilee ticket would win the elections.
Another reason perceived to be behind the premature start by the government is the ICC cases facing the President and his deputy. With an imminent case in court, whether you have high chances of vindication, it’s normal to be nervous especially when you are accused of the worst crimes in the history of mankind. There is every reason for Uhuru and Ruto to worry about their future before they worry about the future of those they lead- Kenyans.
The above bring this critical point to the fore, who will bear the burden of leadership lapses when the President and his deputy will be attending court sessions in Europe? Suppose the citizens rise up and demand for the stepping down of the President and his deputy so that Kenyans can elect new leaders, will this be a popular decision?
Who is to blame for all the challenges bedeviling the new administration? Did Kenyans make a mistake to vote for Jubilee, or did the Judiciary err to give the Uhuru and Ruto, a free hand to vie for office?
The adage of new blooms sweep clean does not apply to the current government. When an infantile leadership still in a celebratory mode for victory fails to quell minor challenges, it leaves many Kenyans in Queer Street.
Majority of Kenyans knows the challenges of leadership but they need to see hope, like they did in 2002 when Narc under Kibaki, came to power. They need reassurance from the government that the myriad challenges they face will be tackled.
Kenyans want government to succeed by fulfilling the campaign promise they made. We don’t want see a situation where the words spoken by the former US secretary of State for African Affairs; John Carson before the last elections coming to fruition.
Despite the fierce court battle which followed the last elections, it will reflect us as a nation prone to doomed choices if the current government fails flat, thereby, justifying Mr. Carson’s warning of far-reaching consequences in the event Jubilee leaders were elected.
It’s upon the President and his deputy to weigh between what is good for them at individual level and 40 million Kenyans who rely on their leadership for the future of our nation. If the heat turns to be too high, resigning from office the way one of the USA Presidents; Richard Nixon did in 1974 as a result of the Watergate scandal will be the best option so that Kenyans will get an opportunity to elect a new slate of leaders with less baggage to steer the nation forward.
We want to see our two leaders thaw the confusion in government. The imbroglio between the President and
Telecommunication companies over the ICC evidence, the discontent from governors over devolution, hostility from members of the public who are hard hit by the tough economy need to be addressed to build public confidence. Besides, we hope the doctors, lecturers, civil servants; the KDF who raised an alarm few days ago about their remuneration has been addressed by the government.
One of the worst challenges facing the government of Uhuru and Ruto is the polarized status of our nation. We are more disunited as a people more than 2008 when the country was embroiled in the post election violence. Ethnic disharmony is on high ebb and continues to be perfected by the government especially through allocation of senior government jobs with no regard to meritocracy, ethnic and regional balance.
How does it help to build ethnic harmony and a united nation, when the Head of anti-terrorism unit Boniface Mwaniki; CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro, Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau; KAA Chief Security Officer Eric Kiraithe; KAA GM Stephen Gichuki are the top names of the team tasked to investigate the JKIA fire tragedy; all from the President’s community?
There is no doubt about the knowledge level and professional prowess of the said individuals but truly, does this picture of open-nepotism boost the diversity of our nation?
Kenya is a nation of 42 ethnic communities but its worrying when 65% of the Jubilee Cabinet is comprised of people from Uhuru and Ruto’s communities. We also have big ethnic imbalance in the army and the national intelligence service.
How can the Jubilee government keep sacking people from perceived ant-government communities and expect not to face resistance? We cannot condone excuses from a government which is full of nepotism and instead of building bridges between the 42 Kenyan communities, its burning them down.
Just recently, the Secretary for labour Kazungu Kambi; sacked the NSSF managing Trustee Mr. Tom Odongo and replaced him with Hope Mwashumbe who is from his region. As if this was not enough, Mr. Zachary Ayieko from Kisii was shown the door as the CEO of Kenya Rural Electrification Authority and replaced with Ng'ang'a Munyu; the President’s tribeman.
If the Jubilee leadership cared about building a united voice after the disputed 4th March elections, professionals like Ole Kiyiapi, Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, Eugene Wamalwa, and strong voices representing community interests like Abdalla Dida and Musalia Mudavadi should be at the help to help pacify current disunity in the Country.
Remember, Kambas, Kisiis, Luyias, Turkanas, Luos and majority of Coastalians are fully behind the political opposition yet Jubilee is in a spree of axing professionals from the said communities from public assignments and replacing them with their cronies.
Too bad for President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto. Truly, if the heat is too much for our two leaders as the signs reflect, the most honourable thing to do is to yield their positions to pave the way for an opportunity where Kenyans will elect a new slate of leaders able and ready to move the Country forward.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jubilee government has lost focus on serving Kenyans (Part One)
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, Georgia
We all understand Rome, was not built in a day but even with this ancient adage, the challenges facing the Jubilee government have proved to be so gigantic that it has left many Kenyans in a state of quandary.
Many are wondering whether it’s a deliberate move by the Jubilee government to create a crisis and find a quick fix in order to build public trust; which to me is a populist maneuver for leaders with a confidence crisis.
What we are seeing in President Uhuru’s government is not a sign of good things to come for the Country.
It is purely a normal phenomenon for citizens to have high expectations for any new government, especially when all
campaign promises are still fresh in their memories.
Kenyans expected a new approach in governance from the Uhuru and Ruto led government especially since we are under a new dispensation which has many safeguards to spur social, economic and political development in the Country.
Nobody has forgotten the fact that even great leaders in different spheres always start from rocky bottoms before they are able to effectively pursue the path which is appealing and is productive to the aspirations of the population they serve.
What we cannot dispute however is this: the foundational structures that a new government puts in place will always define its failure or success. The Jubilee government hasn’t been able to say or do anything tangible that will nurture patience and confidence from members of the public.
Many Kenyans are asking these queries: Will the Jubilee government rise to overcome the adverse circumstances it’s currently in and claw their way to the waned public confidence? Or will it blow off all the Policy promises they made on a wide variety of issues which, if pursued to completion will prosper the country?
My consolation to President Uhuru and his deputy is this: great personalities have dusted their ways from the ground to rise into giants in business and national leadership depending on the catastrophes they were in and how they managed to tackle it on their way up.
Notable examples are, Abraham Lincoln who overcame many odds to become one of the greatest US Presidents in the 19th Century. Even the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs faced challenges which almost crumbled his company at inception but by the time of his death, Jobs, left Apple a global ICT giant.
Is the Jubilee leadership ready to put aside all the sideshows which have dominated their 100 days in office and focus on the campaign promises they made to Kenyans?
Are they ready to understand and accommodate the fact that political opposition in any democracy is a solid reality and that if the President and his deputy hate criticism, then they have no business staying in political leadership.
Thinking they will wake up one morning to find jubilations all over the Country about their performance is a pipe dream. Come on Mr. President and deputy, you fought to get it, live with it or quit and be a regular citizen rather leaving Kenyans in Queer Street.
The condemnation mooted towards Cord leaders is cowardly, infantile and dictatorial. In fact, it has become so monotonous that many Kenyans think that the Jubilee leaders are incompetent to lead the nation.
You can’t talk negative consistently about the political opposition and expect to vanquish them. Remember, Wananchi knows that Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka are not on the steering wheel to take responsibility for Jubilee’s current quagmire.
The current circus on the security of the two Cord leaders has dented the image of the Jubilee government and if Kenyans were to go for an election, Uhuru and Ruto will suffer a humiliating defeat.
What is the role of political advisors like Prof. Sam Ongeri and Joshua Kutuny, when the leaders they serve continue to make myopic and nauseating decisions detrimental to the aspirations of the nation?
It’s not the first time that Uhuru and Ruto have faced challenges in their political careers. In 1992, Ruto, Cyrus Jirongo, Sam Nyamweya, and Isaac Ruto through the YK 92, sneaked Moi of Kanu back to power despite the harshest opposition from Kenneth Matiba of Ford Asili.
The deputy President did it again in 2007 while in ODM when he managed to galvanize the Kalenjin vote for Raila Odinga. The election results were disputed which culminated to the formation of a coalition government between Kibaki and Raila.
President Uhuru has equally faced challenges in his political career. He unsuccessfully vied for the Presidency in 2002 but lost. It was a tough balancing act to stand as leader of opposition in parliament against a government led by his tribesman; Mwai Kibaki. He finally dethroned himself as opposition leader and joined the Kibaki government.
All hope is not lost; Kenyans want service delivery. They want to feed, clothe and educate their children. Above all, they want security. The Youth, whose platform Jubilee rose to power want jobs.
It’s very clear that if Kenya was a multi-national company, President Uhuru, and his deputy would have been fired long ago as CEOs based on the way they are handling the current crisises in their government.
I think the worst is yet to come when our two leaders will start attending the court sessions in Europe, whose outcome may be an outright acquittal which many of us are praying for, payment of fines or life imprisonment.
While the future looks bleak, all hope is not lost. We want the government to succeed so that our nation will be at par with the developing world. The Millennium development goals and Vision 2030 are all staring at us as a nation.
Atlanta, Georgia
We all understand Rome, was not built in a day but even with this ancient adage, the challenges facing the Jubilee government have proved to be so gigantic that it has left many Kenyans in a state of quandary.
Many are wondering whether it’s a deliberate move by the Jubilee government to create a crisis and find a quick fix in order to build public trust; which to me is a populist maneuver for leaders with a confidence crisis.
What we are seeing in President Uhuru’s government is not a sign of good things to come for the Country.
It is purely a normal phenomenon for citizens to have high expectations for any new government, especially when all
campaign promises are still fresh in their memories.
Kenyans expected a new approach in governance from the Uhuru and Ruto led government especially since we are under a new dispensation which has many safeguards to spur social, economic and political development in the Country.
Nobody has forgotten the fact that even great leaders in different spheres always start from rocky bottoms before they are able to effectively pursue the path which is appealing and is productive to the aspirations of the population they serve.
What we cannot dispute however is this: the foundational structures that a new government puts in place will always define its failure or success. The Jubilee government hasn’t been able to say or do anything tangible that will nurture patience and confidence from members of the public.
Many Kenyans are asking these queries: Will the Jubilee government rise to overcome the adverse circumstances it’s currently in and claw their way to the waned public confidence? Or will it blow off all the Policy promises they made on a wide variety of issues which, if pursued to completion will prosper the country?
My consolation to President Uhuru and his deputy is this: great personalities have dusted their ways from the ground to rise into giants in business and national leadership depending on the catastrophes they were in and how they managed to tackle it on their way up.
Notable examples are, Abraham Lincoln who overcame many odds to become one of the greatest US Presidents in the 19th Century. Even the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs faced challenges which almost crumbled his company at inception but by the time of his death, Jobs, left Apple a global ICT giant.
Is the Jubilee leadership ready to put aside all the sideshows which have dominated their 100 days in office and focus on the campaign promises they made to Kenyans?
Are they ready to understand and accommodate the fact that political opposition in any democracy is a solid reality and that if the President and his deputy hate criticism, then they have no business staying in political leadership.
Thinking they will wake up one morning to find jubilations all over the Country about their performance is a pipe dream. Come on Mr. President and deputy, you fought to get it, live with it or quit and be a regular citizen rather leaving Kenyans in Queer Street.
The condemnation mooted towards Cord leaders is cowardly, infantile and dictatorial. In fact, it has become so monotonous that many Kenyans think that the Jubilee leaders are incompetent to lead the nation.
You can’t talk negative consistently about the political opposition and expect to vanquish them. Remember, Wananchi knows that Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka are not on the steering wheel to take responsibility for Jubilee’s current quagmire.
The current circus on the security of the two Cord leaders has dented the image of the Jubilee government and if Kenyans were to go for an election, Uhuru and Ruto will suffer a humiliating defeat.
What is the role of political advisors like Prof. Sam Ongeri and Joshua Kutuny, when the leaders they serve continue to make myopic and nauseating decisions detrimental to the aspirations of the nation?
It’s not the first time that Uhuru and Ruto have faced challenges in their political careers. In 1992, Ruto, Cyrus Jirongo, Sam Nyamweya, and Isaac Ruto through the YK 92, sneaked Moi of Kanu back to power despite the harshest opposition from Kenneth Matiba of Ford Asili.
The deputy President did it again in 2007 while in ODM when he managed to galvanize the Kalenjin vote for Raila Odinga. The election results were disputed which culminated to the formation of a coalition government between Kibaki and Raila.
President Uhuru has equally faced challenges in his political career. He unsuccessfully vied for the Presidency in 2002 but lost. It was a tough balancing act to stand as leader of opposition in parliament against a government led by his tribesman; Mwai Kibaki. He finally dethroned himself as opposition leader and joined the Kibaki government.
All hope is not lost; Kenyans want service delivery. They want to feed, clothe and educate their children. Above all, they want security. The Youth, whose platform Jubilee rose to power want jobs.
It’s very clear that if Kenya was a multi-national company, President Uhuru, and his deputy would have been fired long ago as CEOs based on the way they are handling the current crisises in their government.
I think the worst is yet to come when our two leaders will start attending the court sessions in Europe, whose outcome may be an outright acquittal which many of us are praying for, payment of fines or life imprisonment.
While the future looks bleak, all hope is not lost. We want the government to succeed so that our nation will be at par with the developing world. The Millennium development goals and Vision 2030 are all staring at us as a nation.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: CHALLENGES OF THE JUBILEE GOVERNMENT
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: CHALLENGES OF THE JUBILEE GOVERNMENT: ON DEVOLUTION AND RECONCILIATION! We whine about poor implementation of devolution when Kibaki vividly hinted that Kenya is a unitary State...
CHALLENGES OF THE JUBILEE GOVERNMENT
ON DEVOLUTION AND RECONCILIATION!
We whine about poor implementation of devolution when Kibaki vividly hinted that Kenya is a unitary State during his last days in office. He said it openly even after signing a new constitution which they now want to spend millions to erect a monument in his honour!
How can nepotism, looting, corruption, greed and selfishness be gotten rid of in Kenya when the top coalition leaders are masters of the vice?
How will the nation reconcile when a single community holds a greater stake in the Country’s factors of production- land, labour, capital and entrepreurship; pushing smaller communities to the periphery?
How will the nation reconcile when members from communities perceived to be anti- Jubilee are fired from employment and replaced with those from the President and his deputy’s’ communities?
How will Kenyans respect constitutional bodies founded through acts of Parliament but still operating with extreme partiality as if they were branches of government for instance the Isaak Hassan led IEBC and the Willy Mutunga led Supreme Court?
Is the above not a recipe for disharmony, mistrust and ethnic balkanization? Does this help to build a united nation once torn a sunder after the disputed Presidential election results of 2007 and 2013?
Where is transparency and accountability when journalists are gagged by a government calling itself digital team? It sounds fishy to prevent journalists from covering a petition where the President has sued a public corporation where citizens have bought shares- SAFARICOM. Is this not an affront to freedom of information?
Why is the government scared of a mundane matter like issue of mourners who heckled Sam Ongeri and Matiang’i during a Prayer service for accident victims in Gusii as if it was the first time to see a similar incident?
Did the President and his deputy expect the Abagusii people to carry twigs in jubilation singing Alleluia before Jubilee government functionaries?
World over, any government that want all citizens to sing its chorus is a pure dictatorship. We are seeing the Moi style of conducting State business creeping back into our country and Kenyans MUST be prepared resist it.
These are pregnant points we expected the government to address if they want majority of Kenyans to have confidence in what they do. Otherwise, the Jubilee leadership has started on a wrong footing.
ON GUSII FUNERAL and MORE!
First of all, we always respect the departed souls of those the Lord has called to their final home. Those who are using last week’s saga where mourners expressed displeasure by shouting down government officials to reflect Abagusii on bad light are ‘WRONG.’
No youths were given changaa or bribed to heckle government officials the way it has been purported by a section of the current government.
Was there a mistake for Kisiis to shout down government officials since they supported Kibaki several times but he forgot them when he ascended to power? How can they trust Uhuru Kenyatta, who is cut from the same clothe?
Kisiis were killed because of supporting Kibaki in 2007 but he didn’t even thank them or ensure that the IDPs from the community got monetary compensation or land the way the government did to those from Mt. Kenya region.
Is it prudent to remain silent whenever things are going wrong in our society? Secondly, how can we endure suffering when God has given us a great nation endowed with immense natural resources for all and not for a single community or a small click of the ruling elite?
Bravo the people of Gusii for the bravery. We need to take a stand always through siding with the oppressed. Neutrality is likely to spur the ego of the oppressor- Jubilee government, and never the victim; us- the common Mwananchi. Our Silence will encourage the tormentor- Uhuru’s government to use us and dump us the way Kibaki did.
We whine about poor implementation of devolution when Kibaki vividly hinted that Kenya is a unitary State during his last days in office. He said it openly even after signing a new constitution which they now want to spend millions to erect a monument in his honour!
How can nepotism, looting, corruption, greed and selfishness be gotten rid of in Kenya when the top coalition leaders are masters of the vice?
How will the nation reconcile when a single community holds a greater stake in the Country’s factors of production- land, labour, capital and entrepreurship; pushing smaller communities to the periphery?
How will the nation reconcile when members from communities perceived to be anti- Jubilee are fired from employment and replaced with those from the President and his deputy’s’ communities?
How will Kenyans respect constitutional bodies founded through acts of Parliament but still operating with extreme partiality as if they were branches of government for instance the Isaak Hassan led IEBC and the Willy Mutunga led Supreme Court?
Is the above not a recipe for disharmony, mistrust and ethnic balkanization? Does this help to build a united nation once torn a sunder after the disputed Presidential election results of 2007 and 2013?
Where is transparency and accountability when journalists are gagged by a government calling itself digital team? It sounds fishy to prevent journalists from covering a petition where the President has sued a public corporation where citizens have bought shares- SAFARICOM. Is this not an affront to freedom of information?
Why is the government scared of a mundane matter like issue of mourners who heckled Sam Ongeri and Matiang’i during a Prayer service for accident victims in Gusii as if it was the first time to see a similar incident?
Did the President and his deputy expect the Abagusii people to carry twigs in jubilation singing Alleluia before Jubilee government functionaries?
World over, any government that want all citizens to sing its chorus is a pure dictatorship. We are seeing the Moi style of conducting State business creeping back into our country and Kenyans MUST be prepared resist it.
These are pregnant points we expected the government to address if they want majority of Kenyans to have confidence in what they do. Otherwise, the Jubilee leadership has started on a wrong footing.
ON GUSII FUNERAL and MORE!
First of all, we always respect the departed souls of those the Lord has called to their final home. Those who are using last week’s saga where mourners expressed displeasure by shouting down government officials to reflect Abagusii on bad light are ‘WRONG.’
No youths were given changaa or bribed to heckle government officials the way it has been purported by a section of the current government.
Was there a mistake for Kisiis to shout down government officials since they supported Kibaki several times but he forgot them when he ascended to power? How can they trust Uhuru Kenyatta, who is cut from the same clothe?
Kisiis were killed because of supporting Kibaki in 2007 but he didn’t even thank them or ensure that the IDPs from the community got monetary compensation or land the way the government did to those from Mt. Kenya region.
Is it prudent to remain silent whenever things are going wrong in our society? Secondly, how can we endure suffering when God has given us a great nation endowed with immense natural resources for all and not for a single community or a small click of the ruling elite?
Bravo the people of Gusii for the bravery. We need to take a stand always through siding with the oppressed. Neutrality is likely to spur the ego of the oppressor- Jubilee government, and never the victim; us- the common Mwananchi. Our Silence will encourage the tormentor- Uhuru’s government to use us and dump us the way Kibaki did.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
JUBILEE GOVERNMENT IS DISCRIMINATIVE TOWARDS RAILA ODINGA!
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo,
Atlanta, Georgia
The revelation by the government that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has refused to surrender 6 government vehicles has left many Kenyans in a state of quandary. Many are questioning why it’s coming after the burial incident in Gusii attended by Raila and where a government official was shouted down by Cord supporters.
Was Raila given conditions he should uphold to keep the vehicles by the Jubilee government which he has violated? Besides the burial in Gusii, Raila has experienced a series of humiliations from government officials especially when flying in and out of the Country in our national airports.
To my understanding, it’s not the first time that funerals have turned acrimonious especially when key speakers are politicians. Even when political speakers try to shun political talk, mourners often demand to be addressed especially when a leader they reverence is in attendance.
In fact, trying to stop a Kenyan politician from talking politics in a funeral or any non- political gathering is like telling a Priest attending a farmers’ meeting not to evoke the name of God.Judging from the March elections, Raila Odinga commands more support in the Kisii community than Uhuru Kenya and all the jubilations from attendees at the funeral were expected. Those who voted for him in March would do it again if elections were held today.
Thank God there was no violence during the showdown. It’s therefore illogical for the Jubilee government to cry foul that a former Cabinet Minister and current Cabinet Secretary were shouted down.
As a Kisii, I’m 100% sure that our people are civilized and would not shout down a seating President especially if President Uhuru Kenyatta was in attendance.
Early this year during the campaigns, former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae; a respected elder in Gusii, was shouted down at the same venue by the masses while campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta.
I’m sure those who shouted Nyachae down didn’t do so out of disrespect. They differed with his support of the Uhuru candidature. After all, Kisiis respect Nyachae more than Ongeri, Uhuru, Raila and Matiang’i combined.
On the 6 government vehicles the former PM has, I think it’s high time the government carried a forensic inventory of all public properties on the hands of past and current office holders.
If the government spokesman has revealed that Raila has 6 vehicles, those who held public offices and are friendly to the Jubilee government should be having more especially Moi, Kibaki, Mudavadi, and President Uhuru himself.
Are we not being ripped off as a nation in broad daylight and the rippers are using Raila as a scapegoat?
Watching the pronouncements from Mr. Muthui Kariuki; the government spokesman, his rancorous undertones reflects a government not ready to respect dissent and positive criticism from the political opposition.
Kariuki, is a great candidate for the old order of the Joseph Kamotho days. No wonder, Professor Mutua Makau was right when he once questioned why Jubilee mandarins get angry even at the slightest criticism to the coalition.
I hope Jubilee strategists are taking stock of the silly, verbose and childish talk from the unprofessional government spokesman, which cannot build the confidence of Kenyans in the current government.
If I were President Uhuru, I will fire Kariuki kesho asubuhi and replace him with someone who is sober and with a good PR.
Kenyans expect service delivery devoid of any form of discrimination. However, going by the current show from the Jubilee government, it’s clear that those seen to be critical are likely to be marginalized.
This gesture has been vividly reflected on the lack of impartiality while allocating public positions, where communities of the President and his deputy have taken a lion share.
Recently, the Parastatal reform commission was given 10 names of appointees where six of them are from the Kikuyu community. I’m not against Kikuyus and I’m sure those shortlisted meet the threshold of professionalism but we need to respect the constitutional order of ethnic balancing to boost our nation’s diversity.
If this negative trend by the Jubilee government goes undeterred, healing the nation will be an elusive venture. It also casts a dark shadow to other communities like Kisiis, Luyias, Luos and Kambas, for the simple reason that they voted for different candidates during the March elections.
We can’t afford further polarization and disharmony in our nation. We are looking for a final cure since we are reeling from the sharp divisions caused by the 2007 and 2013 presidential election results. President Uhuru and his deputy hold the yardstick to make us float and swim as a nation or sink and drown completely.
Atlanta, Georgia
The revelation by the government that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has refused to surrender 6 government vehicles has left many Kenyans in a state of quandary. Many are questioning why it’s coming after the burial incident in Gusii attended by Raila and where a government official was shouted down by Cord supporters.
Was Raila given conditions he should uphold to keep the vehicles by the Jubilee government which he has violated? Besides the burial in Gusii, Raila has experienced a series of humiliations from government officials especially when flying in and out of the Country in our national airports.
To my understanding, it’s not the first time that funerals have turned acrimonious especially when key speakers are politicians. Even when political speakers try to shun political talk, mourners often demand to be addressed especially when a leader they reverence is in attendance.
In fact, trying to stop a Kenyan politician from talking politics in a funeral or any non- political gathering is like telling a Priest attending a farmers’ meeting not to evoke the name of God.Judging from the March elections, Raila Odinga commands more support in the Kisii community than Uhuru Kenya and all the jubilations from attendees at the funeral were expected. Those who voted for him in March would do it again if elections were held today.
Thank God there was no violence during the showdown. It’s therefore illogical for the Jubilee government to cry foul that a former Cabinet Minister and current Cabinet Secretary were shouted down.
As a Kisii, I’m 100% sure that our people are civilized and would not shout down a seating President especially if President Uhuru Kenyatta was in attendance.
Early this year during the campaigns, former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae; a respected elder in Gusii, was shouted down at the same venue by the masses while campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta.
I’m sure those who shouted Nyachae down didn’t do so out of disrespect. They differed with his support of the Uhuru candidature. After all, Kisiis respect Nyachae more than Ongeri, Uhuru, Raila and Matiang’i combined.
On the 6 government vehicles the former PM has, I think it’s high time the government carried a forensic inventory of all public properties on the hands of past and current office holders.
If the government spokesman has revealed that Raila has 6 vehicles, those who held public offices and are friendly to the Jubilee government should be having more especially Moi, Kibaki, Mudavadi, and President Uhuru himself.
Are we not being ripped off as a nation in broad daylight and the rippers are using Raila as a scapegoat?
Watching the pronouncements from Mr. Muthui Kariuki; the government spokesman, his rancorous undertones reflects a government not ready to respect dissent and positive criticism from the political opposition.
Kariuki, is a great candidate for the old order of the Joseph Kamotho days. No wonder, Professor Mutua Makau was right when he once questioned why Jubilee mandarins get angry even at the slightest criticism to the coalition.
I hope Jubilee strategists are taking stock of the silly, verbose and childish talk from the unprofessional government spokesman, which cannot build the confidence of Kenyans in the current government.
If I were President Uhuru, I will fire Kariuki kesho asubuhi and replace him with someone who is sober and with a good PR.
Kenyans expect service delivery devoid of any form of discrimination. However, going by the current show from the Jubilee government, it’s clear that those seen to be critical are likely to be marginalized.
This gesture has been vividly reflected on the lack of impartiality while allocating public positions, where communities of the President and his deputy have taken a lion share.
Recently, the Parastatal reform commission was given 10 names of appointees where six of them are from the Kikuyu community. I’m not against Kikuyus and I’m sure those shortlisted meet the threshold of professionalism but we need to respect the constitutional order of ethnic balancing to boost our nation’s diversity.
If this negative trend by the Jubilee government goes undeterred, healing the nation will be an elusive venture. It also casts a dark shadow to other communities like Kisiis, Luyias, Luos and Kambas, for the simple reason that they voted for different candidates during the March elections.
We can’t afford further polarization and disharmony in our nation. We are looking for a final cure since we are reeling from the sharp divisions caused by the 2007 and 2013 presidential election results. President Uhuru and his deputy hold the yardstick to make us float and swim as a nation or sink and drown completely.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
MY PREDICTION ON KETHI KILONZO’S CASE
The lack of credibility on the IEBC is likely to trigger a fair ruling for Kethi Kilonzo, and therefore, she is likely to be on the ballot on 26th July by elections. The confusion and mystery surrounding her voter registration and the stolen slip is a blame touching both parties- Kethi and the IEBC.
The Makueni returning officer who issued Kethi the nomination Certificate without proper scrutiny of her documents reminds me of a guy who offered a friend of mine a bank Statement to procure a Student Visa to the USA in early 2000.
The deal went sour after my friend got a Visa and would not honour to pay in full as agreed before he was given the bank statement. To fix the guy, the owner of the statement threatened to approach the USA embassy so that my friend’s Visa will be revoked.
Did bank statement owner succeed even after subjecting my friend to sleepless nights while he was struggling to raise money for a flight ticket from Kenya? Never!
Remember, he wrote a letter to the embassy saying that the documents the guy presented were fraudulent but all landed on deaf ears. He even wanted an appointment to talk to a USA consular; all to no avail. It's not easy for the Americans to revoke a document/ Visa they have issued unless circumstances force. They trust and respect the judgement of their professionals.
Now, who is to blame when Kethi was given a genuine nomination certificate? Why is the negligent returning officer at Makueni still under the IEBC payroll when he wouldn’t discharge his responsibilities effectively?
It may appear like Kethi has more faulty lines in her argument but she is just an individual dealing with a gigantic institution whose mandate she put to task three months ago during the Presidential election petition. She is a David and IEBC is a Goliath. She may end up scoring this time unlike March. Remember, Mutunga's Court has been rated as one of the most distrusted public institution. They may want to build some face before the eyes of the public. They also know Kethi has goodwill from Kenyans- Youth, women and the entire political opposition.
You can’t give food to an individual and go back to demand for it when it has already been consumed. I'm not a psychic, but I think the above may be the ruling three judge bench is likely to make on Monday. What are your neutral thoughts?
The Makueni returning officer who issued Kethi the nomination Certificate without proper scrutiny of her documents reminds me of a guy who offered a friend of mine a bank Statement to procure a Student Visa to the USA in early 2000.
The deal went sour after my friend got a Visa and would not honour to pay in full as agreed before he was given the bank statement. To fix the guy, the owner of the statement threatened to approach the USA embassy so that my friend’s Visa will be revoked.
Did bank statement owner succeed even after subjecting my friend to sleepless nights while he was struggling to raise money for a flight ticket from Kenya? Never!
Remember, he wrote a letter to the embassy saying that the documents the guy presented were fraudulent but all landed on deaf ears. He even wanted an appointment to talk to a USA consular; all to no avail. It's not easy for the Americans to revoke a document/ Visa they have issued unless circumstances force. They trust and respect the judgement of their professionals.
Now, who is to blame when Kethi was given a genuine nomination certificate? Why is the negligent returning officer at Makueni still under the IEBC payroll when he wouldn’t discharge his responsibilities effectively?
It may appear like Kethi has more faulty lines in her argument but she is just an individual dealing with a gigantic institution whose mandate she put to task three months ago during the Presidential election petition. She is a David and IEBC is a Goliath. She may end up scoring this time unlike March. Remember, Mutunga's Court has been rated as one of the most distrusted public institution. They may want to build some face before the eyes of the public. They also know Kethi has goodwill from Kenyans- Youth, women and the entire political opposition.
You can’t give food to an individual and go back to demand for it when it has already been consumed. I'm not a psychic, but I think the above may be the ruling three judge bench is likely to make on Monday. What are your neutral thoughts?
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
SAFARICOM BOB COLLYMORE GOOFED BIG TO SNUB OBAMA
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Atlanta, Georgia
As a CEO of a public company whose majority shareholders are Kenyans and mostly admirers or the USA President, his decision does not help Safaricom as the market leader in the telephone mobile industry.
He has made the biggest blunder to the company. In fact, many Safaricom subscribers will see him as stooping too low to please a small clique in the Country critical to Obama’s failure to feature Kenya in his Africa itinerary.
Mr. Collymore should remember that more than 50% of Safaricom subscribers are Obama admirers. What will prevent them from switching or porting their phone numbers to different mobile providers in protest of his move in the competitive mobile industry?
Failing to feature Kenya in his itinerary of the African tour does not make the USA President, an enemy of corporate Kenya or the general public. We have to remember that Obama avoided Kenya because of the USA’s strict diplomatic standards especially on how she interacts with global nations.
The Safaricom CEO has goofed big by blindly following Mr. Chris Kirubi; who was the first to decline the Obama invitee to Dare- Salaam. Kirubi’s move may be justified because is a Private entrepreneur unlike Collymore who heads a public company.
In my opinion, public Companies are delicate entities and when a CEO makes a decision, he or she must consider the implications such decision will create to the company. It therefore remains to be seen what positive impact the Obama snub will bring to Safaricom subscribers and shareholders.
When the CEO of a public company takes a political path, it does not reflect well on his leadership and the expansion plans of a company.
Mr. Collymore, is neither a politician nor a private entrepreneur like Chris Kirubi, to go public and create unnecessary controversy about a courteous invitation to meet the President of a neigbouring Country.
What message is he sending to other CEOs who will congregate in Tanzania to boost their company’s expansion?
Atlanta, Georgia
As a CEO of a public company whose majority shareholders are Kenyans and mostly admirers or the USA President, his decision does not help Safaricom as the market leader in the telephone mobile industry.
He has made the biggest blunder to the company. In fact, many Safaricom subscribers will see him as stooping too low to please a small clique in the Country critical to Obama’s failure to feature Kenya in his Africa itinerary.
Mr. Collymore should remember that more than 50% of Safaricom subscribers are Obama admirers. What will prevent them from switching or porting their phone numbers to different mobile providers in protest of his move in the competitive mobile industry?
Failing to feature Kenya in his itinerary of the African tour does not make the USA President, an enemy of corporate Kenya or the general public. We have to remember that Obama avoided Kenya because of the USA’s strict diplomatic standards especially on how she interacts with global nations.
The Safaricom CEO has goofed big by blindly following Mr. Chris Kirubi; who was the first to decline the Obama invitee to Dare- Salaam. Kirubi’s move may be justified because is a Private entrepreneur unlike Collymore who heads a public company.
In my opinion, public Companies are delicate entities and when a CEO makes a decision, he or she must consider the implications such decision will create to the company. It therefore remains to be seen what positive impact the Obama snub will bring to Safaricom subscribers and shareholders.
When the CEO of a public company takes a political path, it does not reflect well on his leadership and the expansion plans of a company.
Mr. Collymore, is neither a politician nor a private entrepreneur like Chris Kirubi, to go public and create unnecessary controversy about a courteous invitation to meet the President of a neigbouring Country.
What message is he sending to other CEOs who will congregate in Tanzania to boost their company’s expansion?
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: Will the President thaw anger from Senators and G...
SHARING IDEAS BY JOSEPH LISTER NYARINGO: Will the President thaw anger from Senators and G...: By Joseph Lister Nyaringo Senators from Cord and Jubilee demonstrated a great spirit which majority of Kenyans have been yearning for from...
Friday, June 14, 2013
Will the President thaw anger from Senators and Governors over the revenue bill?
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Senators from Cord and Jubilee demonstrated a great spirit which majority of Kenyans have been yearning for from elected leaders. At last, there is a shy of relief for the common man since we now have representatives who share our hurt and tribulations.
It was commendable to see our Senators walk hand-in-hand with their Speaker Ekwe Ethuro, to challenge the President for assenting into law the revenue allocation bill, which will drastically reduce funds allocated for development in the Counties; therefore derailing devolution as provided in the current constitution.
The bi-partisanship show in the Senate is commendable as it puts to rest the controversy on seniority between the Senate and Parliament. Our Senators have conducted themselves with maturity, dignity and decorum which clearly reflect their patriotism and commitment to serve the Kenya people hence, a big contrast with Parliamentarians.
There is no doubt, our Senators can boast of seniority. The Senate is the upper house and therefore senior than Parliament.
Forging a working partnership with County Governors on devolution has made Senators score high marks. Indeed, we can bank on them to protect the common interests of Kenyans if they continue with the current spirit unwaveringly.
Holding rallies throughout the Country by Senators is likely to send shivers to the infantile Jubilee government. This is because; nobody knows how the rallies will impact upon the national psyche.
Secondly, Senators are in one accord as pertains to the petition they lodged at the Supreme Court challenging President Kenyatta’s assent to the Revenue Bill. This may not augur well for the President who seems to give more credence to parliament which, is in a supremacy battle with the Senate, besides being dominated by mistrust and partisanship.
Even though the Senate Majority leader, Kithuri Kindiki, clarified that the petition was merely seeking interpretation and clarity on the law, the fact of the matter is, it’s the President who is being sued for violating the constitution.
Critically, this is not a good start for President Uhuru when Senators and governors from his ruling coalition are against him on the Revenue Bill. Things are likely to get murky especially now that Senators and County governors are in the same page on revenue allocation.
Holding rallies around the Country with the likes of the fiery chairman of the Council of Governors Isaac Ruto is likely to be a big hiccup for the President.
Indeed, devolution was the clarion of Cord during and after the campaigns and it remains the most admirable subject to the Kenyan majority. In fact, the Cord leader, Raila Odinga and the Senate majority leader did appeal to the President not to assent to the contentious bill.
I don’t see how Raila; an opposition leader, with all senators and governors will avoid an opportunity to tell Kenyans about a subject which is closer to his heart.
People-power can be lethal even to powerful governments. The most recent example is the Arab Spring which culminated to the ouster of Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak of Tunisia and Egypt respectively. Secondly, what happened to Nicolae Ceauşescu of Romania in 1989 and Ferdinand Marcos of Philippines in 1986 can happen any global leader.
No government is immune from popular uprising. The challenges of poverty, the wide gap between the haves and have not, youth unemployment, skyrocketing of prices of essential good now that 16% VAT has been introduced on essential commodities will force citizens to go to the extreme.
The Chief executive need to take a neutral line when dealing with legislators. Since he took office, he has appeared to gravitate towards MPs more than Senators and yet MPs have become a disgrace to the nation for their unrealistic demands for salary hikes.
The Senators are angry, Governors are angry; majority of the Kenyan especially the poor are angry and hungry.
The political opposition- Cord is literally angry and will not falter to utilize any available chance to score political points when senators and governors will converge in rallies to tell the public about how the President is trying jeopardize devolution. They will be trigger happy at the rallies to and this is something that must worry the President.
The President should rescind his assent to the bill in order to save his skin. If not, majority of Kenyans will see him as an enemy of devolution and therefore against the implementation of the constitution.
Giving a deaf ear to the Senators who have demonstrated their willingness and passion for equitable distribution of national resources to benefit the Kenyan majority will not help the President.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Humility will be a defense for Raila’s airport humiliations
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo My advice to the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is to use the regular citizens’ lounges at the airports. This will serve him well as a man of the people. After all, according to the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta, we learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully. Im sure Raila understands the genesis of his current humiliations and the worst is yet to come. He ain't seen anything yet; even worse than what he went through as a co- principal to Kibaki! Losing the Presidency twice does not change one's valiant spirit. If truly, there is a scheme from the Jubilee government to humiliate the former Prime Minister; those responsible will suffer the same fate at the right point in time. If its Uhuru or Ruto or Kimemia behind the humiliations, they will not stay in their current positions forever. Wembe ni ule ule. We had Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and the most recent, Mwai Kibaki, where are they? Uhuru will retire one day, and if he thinks of how he will want to be treated, he should stop his attack dogs from humiliating Raila Odinga. By and large, Uhuru and Ruto’s CV or resume cannot be matched to that of Raila. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, reminds us the Holy Bible. Bwana Raila, God calls us to be humble… Humility is a great defense against humiliation. Remain mute, and let the Kenyan citizens watch the drama and judge. As Kenyans, it’s not prudent to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliations at our watch. We must always take sides to stand with the oppressed because; neutrality will spur the ego of the oppressor, and never the victim. Our Silence will encourage the tormentor- Jubilee govt not the tormented-Raila Odinga.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Kudos TJRC but, can we see actions?
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
USA
How can one be trusted to dispense or build avenues for justice in a society when they are accused of violating the same justice? This critical question lingers in the minds of many Kenyans following last week’s release of the Truth and Justice Reconciliation Commission’s Report (TJRC), led by former Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat.
Redressing old wounds require collective and individual sacrifices. It entails forgiveness, acknowledging wrongs, and payment of reparations to victims, surrendering of ill-gotten assets to victims or state, confessions by perpetrators or serving in jail.
It remains to be seen how President Uhuru Kenyatta will handle the TJRC findings, which implicates him and his deputy for the Post election violence of 2008. Secondly, majority of Kenyans sees the report as authentic and a true reflection of the gross human rights violations and other historical injustices in the Country since independence.
We can’t ignore a report which implicates its own chairman. TJRC report is the surest hope for Kenya for a good beginning to a better future.
We expect President Uhuru to reverse the negative cycle started by his father as first President; perpetuated by former President Moi and perfected by his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki.
The really task has begun for the Attorney general, Director of Public Prosecution, the legislature, Judiciary and the Executive to help heal the nation through the TJRC report. It’s perturbing to see a report implicating 400 Kenyans; including the mighty, who have contributed to various violations in our nation since independence.
Going through the nitty gritty of the report, one will cringe in disgust; seeing the names of people mentioned. Whom can we trust, if those whose litany we recite are the same people who work to destroy the nation either as elected representatives or appointees? Many of them are either in the Senate, legislature or executive.
Others are marked for various public appointments even when they don’t meet the integrity threshold.
Tragically, others are dead while some are enjoying their loot in retirement when the really hustlers and sufferers- Kenyan tax payers are living from hand-to-mouth. What a man-eat-man society?
The TJRC findings have exposed the nakedness of our nation. Since it was formed to provide Kenyans with a footage on past ills for purposes of nurturing accountability to enhance national peace and justice, it’s of cardinal importance for the government not to white-wash the commission’s recommendations if it cares about the future of Kenya.
This is the biggest test for our justice and legal systems to ensure that recommendations arrived at by the TJRC are followed conclusively.
Despite the fact that Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy are mentioned, they need to focus on the larger picture and apply the current wave of our democratic transformation to work on a “paradigm shift” which will address our nation’s violent past through the TJRC recommendations. Kenya is larger than their tittles.
Justice is a universal right to all in any society.
If our Prison jails are dominated by petty offenders like chicken thieves, Kenyans will not be comfortable to see the ‘big fish’; the really law breakers, who steal, rape, murder, incite, maim and kill being on the loose.
We are perhaps the only Country in the World where people with dubious backgrounds are revered and offered public responsibilities. Our shaky justice system, propaganda, and a low grasp by citizens on civic matters like voting, has continued to dwarf our success as a nation. These vices must be critically addressed and a long lasting remedy sorted.
The Kiplagat report must help us to salvage Kenya by curbing the monster of impunity, corruption, injustice, and respect for the rule of law based on the current constitution. It will be extremely tragic to let the TJRC report go down the drain.
Those who have gone ballistic after their names featured in the report like former Chief Whip Norman Nyaga, and former Minister Franklin Bett should remember that the report is not intended to demonize any individual or community but act as a healing recipe for lasting justice, peace and security in our County.
We can’t afford to dim the pursuit of Kenya’s prosperity. The realization of the Millennium Development Goals as well as Vision 2030, are all pegged on our capacity as a nation to curb social evils.
On whether President Uhuru will act upon the TJRC recommendations to heal the nation, is a mystery since a cow cannot lead itself to a slaughter house. Its worthy for him to remember that an infected wound if not treated can be fatal.
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