Letter to all Luyias especially the Bukusu Sub-tribe

By Kisiang'ani Khwa Nakumincha and Albert Musasia

The hullabaloo about Namwamba and others just got me thinking. So many have called Raila names including "a betrayer of the luhya people" etc. While we blame other tribes for our woes ( non-delivery of services to our people and our misfortunes), we myopically and ignorantly forget to look at our own selves. Our own history is full of betrayals.

In 1969, Masinde Muliro campaigned for Elijah Wasike Mwangale for the Elgon East seat later renamed Bungoma East, against the incumbent Mark Barasa to ensure his Maiden stint in parliament and he made it. We forget that after the 1979 elections and the subsequent appointments of Mwangale and Moses Mudavadi into Cabinet, the two declared war on Muliro under the directive of Moi.

In the snap election of 1983 after the attempted coup in 1982, Gumo rigged out Muliro in the elections which later the court nullified. In the subsequent by-election in 1984, Gumo and other aspirants stepped down and rallied behind Daniel Biwott arap Yego, a Kalenjin. Muliro won anyway.

At the same time, Gumo knowing that Wamalwa Kijana, who had then won the Kitale west seat by the support of Muliro, had been a witness in the nullified election, fabricated evidence against Wamalwa in the njonjo commission investigating his (Njonjos) illegal attempted power takeover. However, the evidence was thrown out on cross examination.

In 1985, when the Kakamega Branch decided to expel Martin shikuku from KANU, its Muliro who ran to his defense. This earned Muliro attacks instigated by the then KANU secretary general Burudi Nabwera and a moi confidant Moses Mudavadi. Kibiwott arap Koross, Muliro's vice chairman in Trans Nzoia, called for muliros expulsion from the party. It took the intervention of the KANU executive council to pardon Muliro.

When Muliro won the newly created Cherangany Constituency parliamentary seat in 1988, Dr Noah Wekesa, then the Kanu Branch treasurer led an onslaught against him and Wamalwa. Muliro lost the seat through a petition and in the subsequent by-election of 1990, they (Noah Wekesa+others) rallied behind Kipruto arap Kirwa who eventually won the seat.

Shikuku after muliro putting his life on the line for him ended up eating ugali in state house and betraying luhya/opposition unity.

1999....George Kapten dies suspiciously. "Leave moi out of kaptens death" said William Ruto.......Was George kapten betrayed by someone?? Who was it? Could it have been the same people that betrayed Muliro???

Do we remember when Moi deceived Mudavadi to remain in KANU and become Vice president to break the Rainbow movement??And eventually forced him to be Uhurus running mate instead of vice versa in 2002!!!! And we forget it’s because of Ruto that Uhuru called Musalia a demon and reneged on a Musalia presidency in 2013. This split the luhya vote giving Uhuruto a disputed win.

On the flip side, when Luhyas (Muliro) united with Luos (Jaramogi), 1991, we got multiparty democracy back. When Raila moved from Ford Kenya, Wamalwa Kijana became the undisputed Chairman of the party and went on to become VP after 'Kibaki Tosha' declaration by Raila in 2002. Do we even forget how Raila and Ngilu campaigned for the win to come.

In 2007, Raila, against all odds and at the expense of losing the Rift Valley support, chose Mudavadi as his running mate. The same Raila chose Mudavadi as Deputy Prime minister in the Nusu mkate Government. This led to the Raila-Ruto fall out.

Ababu Namwamba picked as Minister for Sports and youth affairs, PAC chair (ODM rallied to counter vote of no confidence), ODM Secretary General..........besides running to Baba for protection.

Among the controversial assignments that had been handled by Namwamba's committee included the probe on the Sh25 million hiring of a luxury jet for Deputy President William Ruto and his entourage of 15 on a tour of four African countries. The parliamentary watchdog was rocked by claims that some of its members had been taking bribes to change some of its investigative reports. To date everything was swept under the carpet.

Those who voted to have Ababu out were  Gonzi Rai (TNA), Joel Onyancha (TNA), Jude Njomo (TNA), Kareke Mbiuki (TNA), Jackson Rop (URP), Julius Melly (URP), James Bett (URP), Arthur Odera(URP), Mathias Robi (URP) Fathia Mahbub (URP), Stephen Manoti (Ford People), Joseph Manje (TNA) and Edick Anyanga (ODM).

Suna East MP Junnet Mohammed led others in saving Ababu but they were outnumbered. Luckily, the victors could not muster the requisite numbers to oust the Budalangi MP, which made him retain his seat.

Those who voted to save Namwamba included ODM Chairman John Mbadi, MPs Alice Nyanchoka(ODM), Manson Nyamweya(ODM), Charles Geni(ODM), Silvance Osele (ODM), Jessica Mbalu (Wiper), Sakwa Bunyasi (UDF) and Katatha Maweu (Independent). Finally, though, the parliaentary committee on selection threw him out.

I have not even touched the Chesoni/Wako issues, Kituyi/Kombo, Wetangula/Mudavadi etc etc
If we treasure the Muliro who charismatically invited the Bukusu and other luhyas to buy land and settle in Trans Nzoia, who fought for the underprivileged in society, who fought for free speech and freedom of expression, who fought tribalism etc etc, we need to soberly look at who has done us more damage.

Jomo Kenyatta used luhyas to fight luhyas. Moi did the same. Kibaki did the same. I find it not strange that Uhuruto(a combination of Jomo and Moi) are doing the same. The only good thing is that those used ended up miserable fellows politically. Mwangale, Shamallah, Kituyi (saved by a UN appointment), Kombo etc.

In my personal judgement, under the leadership of the Kikuyu and Kalenjin governments, we have done ourselves more harm than good. BUT the Kalenjin followed by the Kikuyu, have done more harm to the Bukusu and luhya nation than the Luo. Mgala muue lakini haki yake umpe. I welcome any better prove that states otherwise.

The question I keep asking myself is, when Namwamba chest thumps and says "the luhyas", which luhyas is he speaking on their behalf??? And who has send him to speak on behalf of the Luhyas?

 Abamulembo clan should tell Namwamba, their son, that he still has a long way to go to become the luhya spokesperson. Let him tackle Busia first. Namwamba, we know where you are headed despite all the denials.

 Nowadays you deny everything. Be a man and speak out. It’s your democratic right. We are waiting. I rest my case.

Letter to all Luyias especially the Bukusu Sub-tribe

By Kisiang'ani Khwa Nakumincha and Albert Musasia

The hullabaloo about Namwamba and others just got me thinking. So many have called Raila names including "a betrayer of the luhya people" etc. While we blame other tribes for our woes ( non-delivery of services to our people and our misfortunes), we myopically and ignorantly forget to look at our own selves. Our own history is full of betrayals.

In 1969, Masinde Muliro campaigned for Elijah Wasike Mwangale for the Elgon East seat later renamed Bungoma East, against the incumbent Mark Barasa to ensure his Maiden stint in parliament and he made it. We forget that after the 1979 elections and the subsequent appointments of Mwangale and Moses Mudavadi into Cabinet, the two declared war on Muliro under the directive of Moi.

In the snap election of 1983 after the attempted coup in 1982, Gumo rigged out Muliro in the elections which later the court nullified. In the subsequent by-election in 1984, Gumo and other aspirants stepped down and rallied behind Daniel Biwott arap Yego, a Kalenjin. Muliro won anyway.

At the same time, Gumo knowing that Wamalwa Kijana, who had then won the Kitale west seat by the support of Muliro, had been a witness in the nullified election, fabricated evidence against Wamalwa in the njonjo commission investigating his (Njonjos) illegal attempted power takeover. However, the evidence was thrown out on cross examination.

In 1985, when the Kakamega Branch decided to expel Martin shikuku from KANU, its Muliro who ran to his defense. This earned Muliro attacks instigated by the then KANU secretary general Burudi Nabwera and a moi confidant Moses Mudavadi. Kibiwott arap Koross, Muliro's vice chairman in Trans Nzoia, called for muliros expulsion from the party. It took the intervention of the KANU executive council to pardon Muliro.

When Muliro won the newly created Cherangany Constituency parliamentary seat in 1988, Dr Noah Wekesa, then the Kanu Branch treasurer led an onslaught against him and Wamalwa. Muliro lost the seat through a petition and in the subsequent by-election of 1990, they (Noah Wekesa+others) rallied behind Kipruto arap Kirwa who eventually won the seat.

Shikuku after muliro putting his life on the line for him ended up eating ugali in state house and betraying luhya/opposition unity.

1999....George Kapten dies suspiciously. "Leave moi out of kaptens death" said William Ruto.......Was George kapten betrayed by someone?? Who was it? Could it have been the same people that betrayed Muliro???

Do we remember when Moi deceived Mudavadi to remain in KANU and become Vice president to break the Rainbow movement??And eventually forced him to be Uhurus running mate instead of vice versa in 2002!!!! And we forget it’s because of Ruto that Uhuru called Musalia a demon and reneged on a Musalia presidency in 2013. This split the luhya vote giving Uhuruto a disputed win.

On the flip side, when Luhyas (Muliro) united with Luos (Jaramogi), 1991, we got multiparty democracy back. When Raila moved from Ford Kenya, Wamalwa Kijana became the undisputed Chairman of the party and went on to become VP after 'Kibaki Tosha' declaration by Raila in 2002. Do we even forget how Raila and Ngilu campaigned for the win to come.

In 2007, Raila, against all odds and at the expense of losing the Rift Valley support, chose Mudavadi as his running mate. The same Raila chose Mudavadi as Deputy Prime minister in the Nusu mkate Government. This led to the Raila-Ruto fall out.

Ababu Namwamba picked as Minister for Sports and youth affairs, PAC chair (ODM rallied to counter vote of no confidence), ODM Secretary General..........besides running to Baba for protection.

Among the controversial assignments that had been handled by Namwamba's committee included the probe on the Sh25 million hiring of a luxury jet for Deputy President William Ruto and his entourage of 15 on a tour of four African countries. The parliamentary watchdog was rocked by claims that some of its members had been taking bribes to change some of its investigative reports. To date everything was swept under the carpet.

Those who voted to have Ababu out were  Gonzi Rai (TNA), Joel Onyancha (TNA), Jude Njomo (TNA), Kareke Mbiuki (TNA), Jackson Rop (URP), Julius Melly (URP), James Bett (URP), Arthur Odera(URP), Mathias Robi (URP) Fathia Mahbub (URP), Stephen Manoti (Ford People), Joseph Manje (TNA) and Edick Anyanga (ODM).

Suna East MP Junnet Mohammed led others in saving Ababu but they were outnumbered. Luckily, the victors could not muster the requisite numbers to oust the Budalangi MP, which made him retain his seat.

Those who voted to save Namwamba included ODM Chairman John Mbadi, MPs Alice Nyanchoka(ODM), Manson Nyamweya(ODM), Charles Geni(ODM), Silvance Osele (ODM), Jessica Mbalu (Wiper), Sakwa Bunyasi (UDF) and Katatha Maweu (Independent). Finally, though, the parliaentary committee on selection threw him out.

I have not even touched the Chesoni/Wako issues, Kituyi/Kombo, Wetangula/Mudavadi etc etc
If we treasure the Muliro who charismatically invited the Bukusu and other luhyas to buy land and settle in Trans Nzoia, who fought for the underprivileged in society, who fought for free speech and freedom of expression, who fought tribalism etc etc, we need to soberly look at who has done us more damage.

Jomo Kenyatta used luhyas to fight luhyas. Moi did the same. Kibaki did the same. I find it not strange that Uhuruto(a combination of Jomo and Moi) are doing the same. The only good thing is that those used ended up miserable fellows politically. Mwangale, Shamallah, Kituyi (saved by a UN appointment), Kombo etc.

In my personal judgement, under the leadership of the Kikuyu and Kalenjin governments, we have done ourselves more harm than good. BUT the Kalenjin followed by the Kikuyu, have done more harm to the Bukusu and luhya nation than the Luo. Mgala muue lakini haki yake umpe. I welcome any better prove that states otherwise.

The question I keep asking myself is, when Namwamba chest thumps and says "the luhyas", which luhyas is he speaking on their behalf??? And who has send him to speak on behalf of the Luhyas?

 Abamulembo clan should tell Namwamba, their son, that he still has a long way to go to become the luhya spokesperson. Let him tackle Busia first. Namwamba, we know where you are headed despite all the denials.

 Nowadays you deny everything. Be a man and speak out. It’s your democratic right. We are waiting. I rest my case.

President Uhuru Kenyatta needs to think about his legacy

President Uhuru Kenyatta scores highly as an affable person who mingles freely with the lowly in society. He has demystified the presidency; making himself accessible to Kenyans from all walks of life.

However, Uhuru hasn’t done well on good governance, inculcating better leadership practices, respecting the rule of law, nurturing accountability and accommodating dissent from critics since taking power in 2013.

The sixty-four-thousand-dollar question many Kenyans have been asking is this: What shall President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto pass to the next generation when they shall have gone to meet their Lord?

Kenyans have seen Uhuru and Ruto lead a government littered with mega corruption scandals, impunity, land grabbing and looting of public funds. They have seen the importation of expensive anti-riot gear to suppress dissenters hence, killing democracy.  

Deputy President Ruto just like Uhuru, is an amiable person. He is easily approachable. His close friends say, he is one of the most generous political leaders in Kenya who shares his money and in huge bills.

It’s imperative that the two Jubilee coalition leaders attended to their legacies with only 14 months left before the next general election if they truly care about bequeathing a positive legacy to the next generation. They should reflect on their political journey and ask themselves what future generations will find in record about them-verbatim, written, and oral.

Current events in the country if not urgently addressed will put the legacy of Uhuru and Ruto in jeopardy unless they make a fast ‘u’ turn.

Today, if Uhuru agreed to a new IEBC created jointly with the opposition that will see a free and fair elections in 2017, he is likely to go down in history as a very transformative president. He has a chance to slay another dragon of tribal bigotry, corruption and open doors for a free society devoid of nepotism and inequality.

As the adage goes, “a good name is better than riches.” The good you do in life to rekindle hopes, offer counsel, share kindness and mercy will determine the immortality you will leave and will define quality and not the quantity that you shall be remembered for.

Most Kenyans are proud that they have a president and deputy who mingles freely with all and sundry but this is not enough. They want to see more positive things; they want to enjoy their freedom as enshrined in the constitution.

The legacies of the late Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King of South Africa and USA respectively, are  unsurpassed. Their families and nations proudly associate with these legends with confidence.

In Kenya, the late Tom Mboya, Masinde Muliro, JM Kariuki, and Chelagat Mutai, will forever be remembered for their patriotism through the quest for freedom, fairness (equity) and an inclusive government. 

Cord leader Raila Odinga, Gitobu Imanyara and James Orengo, to mention but a few remain living agents of our freedom and a representation of the future worthy fighting for.

It’s tragic that late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta bravely fought for independence but dented his legacy through greed and political assassinations. Who knows that is why the current president rarely invokes his father’s name publically. May be he fears the controversy its likely to generate!

What our leaders forget is that, wealth is not everything. In fact, the greatest men and women who have made history in the world like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Matma Gandhi of India were not rich. They never lived in mansions, but left a rich legacy when they passed on.

Mother Theresa is immortalized for her service to the poor, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King for their bravery in the quest for emancipation of their people from injustices. Raila Odinga and Kenneth Matiba are likely to be immortalized for their bravery in the fight for wider democratic space in Kenya.

Activist Boniface Mwangi once said these words to President Uhuru: “Long after you’re gone, we shall remember you not by your net worth but by your deeds. Your father, who Kenyans fundraised for so that he could build a house after his release from prison in 1961, turned around and decided to grab land.”

The late Dr Myles Munroe, of the Bahamas Faith Evangelistic Ministries while on a visit to Kenya shortly before he died in a plane crash, said that Kenyans are blessed to have a President from an affluent family. The motivational speaker was optimistic that Uhuru’s government is likely fight graft since the President is self-reliant materially.  

When good things happen in any society, the world looks at the leadership of that country. That is why President Uhuru is applauded when things are right but discredited when things are wrong.

As the 4^th President of the republic of Kenya under Uhuru Kenyatta has got room to redeem his legacy so that he can leave an indelible mark in Kenya. Just as God looks at our deeds, human beings too watch our steps. When the good outnumbers the bad, we leave a legacy.

Quality Education Key to Progress

The recent expose dubbed 'Certificate of Doom' by Kenya's NTV television channel was a commendable piece. That is why we need to encourage members of the fourth estate to keep unraveling the truths on academic fraud and impropriety in Kenya. The truth must be told if we truly care about building and nurturing a society with academic competency and respect through integrity.

Now that the cat is out of the bag on academic fraud, the Ministry of Education, Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) must be put on the spotlight because they are tasked to ensure quality education and effective testing procedures for all learners in the country.

First of all, does the Ministry of Education conduct thorough vetting of all tertiary institutions to ensure that they conform to learning standards like: presence of qualified instructors, upholding entry grades of students based on the courses they take, the institutions’ affiliations to examination testing bodies at home and abroad and the suitability of the learning environments? It is pathetic that many public and private learning institutions in Kenya have lost their credibility either because of being commercialized, lack of integrity during registration, learning and testing or operating in an environment not equipped with the right facilities.

With modern technology, to start a proprietary institution, you only require two rooms, five desktop computers and a receptionist to open a computer college on Tom Mboya Street. Many parents from upcountry who are unfamiliar with what goes on in our urban centres are often duped to enroll their children in such fake institutions. These fake institutions can be found in Nairobi and other Kenyan small towns like Kisii, Embu, Voi, Eldoret etc. They lack operating credentials from the Ministry of Education and perhaps the only validation they have is a license from the municipalities in which they operate.

With the mushrooming of malpractices in professional and career development, we cannot blame the operators who want to make quick bucks or the end user students but the Ministry of Education which is tasked with regulating the standards of learning and testing in the country. The recent revelation by Dennis Okari of NTV about malpractices in the education sector puts the efficiency of the Ministry of education, KNEC and KICD on the line.

In the academic world, higher learning institutions like the University of Nairobi enjoy the power of setting up curriculum standards and study modules for students through the department of higher education.

However, tertiary institutions must operate under strict curriculum disciplines provided by the Ministry of Education. In the NTV expose, I was shocked to see Nairobi Aviation College granting a diploma certificate in aeronautical engineering. I just wondered which examining body provided the final testing for the award of such diploma, which was on the college’s logo. Besides, I just wonder how a company like Kenya Airways can hire an Aerospace technician diploma holder from an institution with no capacity to train or even test their students in such a sensitive course.

It is only a desperate employer who would accept a diploma certificate bearing a tertiary College logo on it transcripts. It can also be noted that, tertiary institutions often offer internal courses like basic computer literacy, computer repair, communication, math tutoring etc whose certificates are often printed in the institution’s logos and this is acceptable, but not high calibre courses like aeronautical engineering.

Just like the Kenya Bureau of standards (KBS) and Pharmacy and Poisons Board (KPPB) which ensures the quality, potency, and validity of goods, chemicals and medicines manufactured or imported into the country, the Ministry of Education should ensure that, knowledge imparted into Kenyans’ brains is up to standard and can conform to competency in human capital in the labour market. 

To avoid cheating through impersonation, KNEC, which is the umbrella testing body in the Country together with other bodies like KASNEB needs to ensure that the exams are proctored with the strictness it deserves. Since the institutions registered by the Ministry of Education offering KNEC and KASNEB exams are known, it’s their responsibility to safeguard integrity during testing. It must be remembered that foreign testing bodies like The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), City and Guilds International (CGI), Association of Business executives (ABE) etc, rely on KNEC to ensure that integrity is maintained during testing. There are many Kenyan students who study the curriculum of the said colleges locally.

Just like in government, corruption has permeated in the education field. The old trend where children of the rich excelled academically is now reciprocal. When children from poor families are toiling and moiling to acquire college education, those from rich families register and attend few classes and in less than 48 months, they are in the arena marching in academic gowns ready to be awarded with degrees and diplomas. Your guess is as good as mine on how they compromised their way up due to their financial muscles. The end result is total incompetency in the job market.

I’m not against the mushrooming of proprietary and tertiary institutions because they benefit students who do not qualify to join national universities to achieve professional careers. My problem with these institutions is their failure to follow standard practices to ensure quality in their training. 

Academic integrity is the first impression on how an individual is likely to behave in their professional life. A student who participates in plagiarism or cheating is likely to carry the same trend to the job market. A lecturer who rewards a student because of money or sexual favours is as worse as a physician who knowingly gives wrong medication to his patients. Such lecturers destroy not only the student but all individuals who will seek the services of the student in professional life.

We must remember that, a well-educated society will lead to accelerated socio-economic development, a boost in efficiency, effective service delivery in the public and private sectors. One common reality is that, even with increased number of Universities and tertiary colleges in Kenya, challenges in the education sector continue to spiral since we transitioned from the 7-4-2-3 to 8-4-4 system of education in 1985. It is therefore prudent that the education policy makers review our education system to make it conform to the challenges of the modern century.

{First publicized in February 2015 Joseph Lister Nyaringo}

How CORD can beat the tyranny of numbers in 2017

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo and Albert Obulukhu Musasia

Politics being like a game of chess, it’s quite evident that the number of registered voters currently with IEBC favours the Jubilee Alliance led by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The ruling coalition has almost 6 million votes from Central Kenya and Rift valley combined while Cord has almost 5 million votes from Western, Coast, Nyanza and Eastern, which leaves Nairobi with 1.8 Million and North Eastern with a paltry 500,000 registered voters.

If we use the last election metrics to predict the turnout for next year, it will be fair then to conclude that CORD strongholds have a poor voter turnout as opposed to Central Kenya and Rift valley of Uhuru and Ruto’s turves respectively.

All arguments about the electoral malpractices we have experienced as a nation in previous elections have taught us great lessons to predict the future. We all understand that some areas in the Rift Valley like Kitale, Nakuru and Eldoret are cosmopolitan and so as Mombasa and other major urban centers.

Cord can scoop votes in the Rift Valley not only from non-natives but also from local communities like: Turkana, Samburu, and Maasai where indications reflect these areas as swing vote regions within the larger Rift Valley.

Tribal alignments are a reality in our politics. Even as leaders take advantage of this scenario to advance their political interest and selfish endeavours, there is room for Cord to play a wise card to beat the Jubilee coalition in next year’s general election.

In order for the three Cord principals- Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula, to be seen as liberators from the Jubilee misrule, they need to constitute a formidable challenge like the one meted on Kanu in 2002 through the Rainbow Coalition

They should fore-go their ambitions for Presidency if they want to get rid of Jubilee from power in order to lift Kenya from decay.

The three should rally behind a compromise candidate who will easily neuter the tyranny of numbers and catalyze the coalition into victory. This will be the surest way to show Kenyans that they are selfless, patriotic and above self-serving politics.

The best compromise candidate for CORD to behind next year is non rather than lawyer Gitobu Imanyara, former MP for Central Imenti. Imanyara has the gravitas to appeal to Kenyans because of his embraceable record in the struggle for the second liberation. He is an incorruptible man with unquestionable integrity.

Many Kenyans have cried many tears for a Raila Presidency but the stakes are very high as he hits sunset years of his political life.

While majority of Kenyans know how the Cord leader has been unjustifiably denied victory twice due to the phobia of Kenya’s ruling elite especially from Central Kenya, all hope is not lost in Raila to influence who our next CEO will be next in 2017.He did it in 2002 through the “Kibaki Tosha” declaration at Uhuru Park and this time round, he can do the same by declaring “Imanyara Tosha.”

Some may question why Imanyara and not Kalonzo or Wetangula! The game is simple. The former MP will without doubt harvest 80% of the Meru, Tharaka, Mbeere, and Embu votes denying Uhuru dominance in the Mount Kenya region; drastically weakening the tyranny of numbers.

After an Imanyara victory, the CORD principals can be key pillars in the new administration by focusing on service delivery under the coalition’s manifesto.

To ensure effective participation in the new administration, former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga can coordinate the national Government, the County government and international investments. This will scale down foreign trips made by county leaders; thus strengthening devolution as well as catalyzing economic growth at the grassroots.

On the other hand, former Vice President Kalonzo and Senator Wetangula who are both experts in law and foreign affairs help to craft laws to nurture reconciliation and cohesiveness in the country, ensuring equity, equality and the dispensation of justice and the rule of law.

Note that, an Imanyara Presidency may not be pegged on ethnic loyalties but the unity of all Kenyan communities; each having equal share of the national cake through county and national governments.

It’s true some leaders from Mt Kenya may brand Imanyara a traitor; used by outsiders to derail the Kenyatta dynasty but this might not hold water since former the MP is known to be principled.

To add more meat to the ticket by shifting from ethnic baggage, Gitobu’s deputy should be the renowned economist Mr. Robert Shaw. The Caucasian writer and economist has been part of the struggle for reforms in the country especially when he worked with the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the 1990s. He has the capacity to link the country with the rest of the world on investment opportunities.  

Finally, the Cord government under Imanyara, can hold a constitutional referendum after two years in office to improve the laws on devolution and also entrench a Parliamentary system of government.

We can them have a President in charge of the nation and a Prime Minister, who may be leader of the party with parliamentary majority to run the day-to-day affairs of government.

Raila should bring back Miguna Miguna to tackle Jubilee

The 2017 General Elections will be, most probably, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s last shot in his quest for the presidency. Should he get his equation wrong, his goose is cooked and the more reason he should hung-up his political boots.

Even as he continues with his offensive against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Administration, he needs to get his act together – and probably reconsider reconstituting his team of ‘defenders’.

Raila needs to change tact, get rid of hangers-on and incorporate fresh minds in his final quest for the presidency. He needs to gauge the value of those who purport to be closer to him.

If I may ask, where is the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Ababu Namwamba at a time when he should be articulating the party agenda before the nation now that we are a year to the next election?

Where is the energy Namwamba portrayed when he traversed the country in choppers under “team fresh” fighting to become Secretary General of ODM which he eventually won? Even nominated Senator Agnes Zani, Namwamba’s deputy, has since gone mute.

These Party leaders have left Raila to cook, serve and wash the dishes! I’m sure the two are intelligent enough to know the work of a Secretary General in a political party.

And the most worrying trend now is that the CORD Governors are nowhere to be seen, their silence is deafening. They have forgotten that they are politicians with a responsibility to defend the coalition’s agenda in order to successfully seek re-election in 2017.

Raila is an enigma in Kenyan politics, and his ground cannot be matched. In the recent past, he has unraveled deep scandals within the Jubilee government but his crusade decapitates immediately because he lacks people in his party and the CORD coalition to stir the momentum which eventually gives Jubilee’s Aden Duale, Kithure Kindiki and Deputy President William Ruto room to launch vicious attacks at him as well as spin the truth in their favour.

Have you ever wondered why Jubilee MPs cannot replace Duale as Majority Leader in Parliament despite making many misleading statements which tarnish the name of Jubilee?

Ruto’s words flow like honey when he takes the microphone and especially when addressing gullible voters. He has the capacity to cry and evoke sympathy from the hoi polloi. The most powerful propaganda which cost Raila in 2013 was when he successfully convinced his community that it is Raila who took him to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Listening to Uhuru, he sounds like an Obama replica – a super statesman, focused, intelligent and sharp. It’s like he has all the solutions to the problems facing Kenya which is not the case.

On whether, CORD has built any contingency measures to dispel the ICC notion, tackle Duale, Ruto and Uhuru, as we stride towards 2017, remains to be seen. In fact, people in Ruto’s turf still reflect Raila in as far as his (Ruto’s) woes at the ICC are concerned.

To tackle this, Raila needs strong people who will spur the momentum of his charm offensive against Jubilee. That is why he needs to bring back Mr. Barrack Muluka, a witty and calm strategist to articulate the CORD agenda to Kenyans.

Secondly, he needs to ask Miguna Miguna to rejoin CORD. After all, Raila forgave former President Moi, who detained him for almost a decade and ended up working with him in Kanu.

Even if they parted ways, Miguna has always proved to be one of the strongest defenders of Raila before and after the grand coalition government. He has enough fire in his belly to tackle the vicious Jubilee led by Uhuru, Ruto and Duale in readiness for 2017.

Raila has sacrificed so much for Kenya. Today, he is on the same trajectory with his late father during the early 1990s. Many Kenyans who support him are afraid that his ascendancy to the Kenyan throne is on a delicate phase.

It’s sad that Raila is surrounded by people who don’t advance his political philosophy. Governors, Senators, MPs, MCAs, are only waiting to queue at Orange House to “buy” nominations and start singing “Baba” sarcastically in 2017 in order to be elected.

He also needs to take a tactical retreat from the limelight. He needs to start using the 16th law of power; Use absence to increase respect and honor.

Appearing on media in perpetuity will reflect you as a King without Prince and Princes. I don’t mean that he should completely hibernate from the limelight but just to play it cool and let others fight his wars.

There is no doubt the scandal-ridden Jubilee government has failed and needs to be replaced next year.

Corruption and tribalism have hit a crescendo. Dubious deals are done to make people billionaires overnight.

Therefore, those in the front line as an alternative government need to put their act together before 2017.

It’s worthy to remember that; Elections are literally won now, not in the election year.

Money will determine between Raila and Uhuru, who becomes President in 2017

By
Joseph Lister Nyaringo and
William Ntoina

The political opposition Coalition for reform and Democracy (Cord) should remember that it will not be a walk in the park for President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee Coalition to hand over power in 2017.

 However, if Cord will garner votes resoundingly like what NARC did in 2002 when Kibaki was first elected, then President Uhuru Kenyatta may find himself with only one option- to concede.  

The incumbent Uhuru, may also want to safeguard his legacy if Cord wins resoundingly. Such move is likely to ensure that he doesn’t soil family’s name in future contests. This will maintain the trust of Kenyans to the family.

However, if the elections will be too close like what happened in Tanzania between President John Magufuli and his main rival Edward Lowassa last year, Jubilee will take advantage of this where Cord will cry foul but to no fruition. On the other hand, the metrics of 2013 election results will equally be a disaster for Cord.

Cord, should avoid handling their campaign the way they did in 2013.They need a clear strategy devoid of complacence, craft a catchy manifesto which appeals to the populace and ensure a fair and orderly handling of fallouts after party nominations. Above all, identifying a formidable Presidential candidate democratically will deflect a Musalia Mudavadi scenario of 2013.

The Jubilee coalition is lethal in its calculations. Whichever strategy Uhuru used to kill the ICC dragon, the lesson he has learnt as president, and his closeness with two East African leaders- Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda whose democratic curriculum vitae are questionable, should put Cord on the alert.  

What may help Cord to strengthen itself is to pursue the OKOA Kenya referendum with gusto and determination. This will ensure that, the proposed recommendations like reforming the IEBC to provide a level playing field in the contest are factored in law before the next election.

The opposition should also remember that in Africa, incumbency is pivotal in determining election outcomes. This is because, they control all tentacles of governance which is often used to catalyse victory.

The Jubilee government has been embroiled in numerous financial scandals. Funds have vanished like the Malaysian aircraft without a trace. If the end users happen to be top politicians in Jubilee, this will critically affect the outcome of the election. The stolen money is likely to be used to entice voters, funding candidates and buying defectors from the opposition.

The yet to be launched Jubilee Party of Kenya is riding on a high horse. Through a charm offensive carried out by deputy president Ruto, it is luring opposition legislators with goodies in the Coast and Western Kenya. Things will get murky for Cord as we stride towards 2017.

Many mysterious financial improprieties have been reported on public expenditure. Notably, the government has been fuzzy on the Eurobond and the projects it funded. This was brought to the fore by Raila Odinga.

Secondly, the auditor General’s revelation last year how a whopping Kshs 67 billion could not be accounted for remains as mysterious as the dark side of the moon. To add insult to injury, Kshs 303 was declared unaccounted for during the transition from Kibaki presidency to Uhuru Presidency. The informed can figure out where the money may have disappeared to.

This should catalyze the opposition Cord not to sleep on its tail and expect victory on a silver platter. Since Raila Odinga of Cord is likely to face the incumbent, next year, he needs to think critically with his co-principals- former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Senator Moses Wetangula on how they will face the moneyed Jubilee in 2017.

Cord needs to build their campaign on a better strategy as opposed to Jubilee which is only riding on money. Bringing to the fold former politicians like Dr Sally Kosgey, Henry Kosgey, and Kipruto Arap Kirwa who are currently silent will spur Cord’s support base in the vote-rich Rift Valley. In the North eastern Kenya, Senator Billow Kerrow who is one of the dissenting leaders in Jubilee needs to be prevailed upon to join Cord.

It is up to the cord coalition to do its math well if indeed they are serious with taking power from Jubilee which is swimming from crisis to crisis.

Cord should wake up from its slumber bed and craft a technical and well planned election victory formula to outshine the moneyed jubilee which has the advantage of incumbency. Until then, we are closely watching. 

Raila surrounded by people waiting to buy ODM nomination tickets

January 16, 2016
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

In a do-or-die contest by Raila Odinga next year, my free advice to him is this, even as he continues to give Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee government sleepless nights, he needs to review the way he plays his politics.

For instance, Raila needs to change tact, get rid of hangers-on and incorporate fresh minds in his final quest for the presidency. He needs to gauge the value of those who purport to be closer to him.
If I may ask, where is the Orange Democratic Movement secretary general Ababu Namwamba when he should be articulating the party agenda before the nation now that we are a year away to the next election?

Where is the energy Namwamba portrayed when he traversed the country in choppers under “team fresh” fighting to become secretary general of ODM which he eventually won? Even nominated senator Agnes Zani who is Namwamba’s deputy is muted.

These party leaders have left Raila to cook, serve and wash the dishes! I’m sure the two are intelligent enough to know the work of a secretary general in a political party. Even most Cord governors are silent. They have forgotten that they are politicians with a responsibility to defend the coalition’s agenda in order to win in 2017.

Raila has unraveled deep scandals in Jubilee government but his crusade decapitates immediately because he lacks people in his party and the Cord Coalition stir the momentum which eventually gives Jubilee’s Duale, Kithure Kindiki and William Ruto room to launch vicious as well as spinning the truth.
Have you ever wondered why Jubilee MPs cannot replace Duale as majority leader in parliament despite making many misleading statements?

Ruto’s words flow like honey when he takes the microphone. He has the capacity to cry and evoke sympathy from the hoi polloi. The most powerful propaganda which cost Raila in 2013 was when he successfully convinced his community that it’s Raila who took him to the ICC.

Listening to Uhuru, he sounds like a Barack Obama replica – a super statesman, focused, intelligent and sharp. It’s like has all the solutions to the problems facing Kenya which is not the case.
On whether Cord has any contingency measures to dispel the ICC notion, it remains to be seen. In fact, people in Ruto’s turf still reflect Raila on bad light as far as his woes in the ICC are concerned.
Raila needs strong people who will spur the momentum of his offensive against Jubilee. That is why I suggest that he brings on board Barrack Muluka who is witty and a calm strategist to articulate the Cord agenda to Kenyans.

Secondly, he needs to ask Miguna Miguna to rejoin Cord. After all, Raila forgave former President Moi, who detained him for almost a decade and ended up working with him in Kanu.

I say so because even if they broke apart, Miguna proved to be one of the strongest and fiercest defenders of Raila before and after the grand coalition government. He has enough fire in his belly to tackle the vicious Jubilee led by Uhuru, Ruto and Aden in readiness to 2017.

Raila has cried so many tears for Kenya. Today, he is on the same trajectory with his late father during the early 1990s. Many Kenyans who support him are afraid that his ascendancy to the Kenyan throne is on a delicate phase.

It’s sad that Raila is surrounded by people who don’t advance his political philosophy. Governors, senators, MPs, MCAs, are only waiting to queue at Orange House to “buy” nominations and start singing “baba” in 2017 in order to be elected.

He also needs to take a tactical retreat from the limelight. He needs to start using the 16th law of power where you use absence to increase respect and honour. Appearing on media cameras in perpetuity will reflect you as a king without prince and princes. I don’t mean that he should completely hibernate from the limelight but just to play it cool and let others fight your wars.

There is no doubt the scandal-ridden Jubilee government has failed and needs to be replaced next year.Corruption and tribalism have hit a crescendo. Dubious deals are done to make people billionaires overnight.

Therefore, those at the frontline as an alternative government, needs to put their acts before 2017. It’s worthy to remember that, elections are literally won now, not in the election year.

KENYA IS AT CROSSROADS

Kenyans, where do we run to if the Executive is a wreck, the Judiciary a total failure and the Legislature (Parliament) a fraud?  Where do we run to when most voters are extremely tribal and gullible during election time, since they can even vote for a dog so long as it barks like the one they see in their villages?

We need to change our thinking that it’s only a good President who can turn things around for Kenya!  A president is just an individual; with one mind, heart and soul. A good President with a greed and corrupt legislature and Judiciary and other cartels in government can’t do anything. He is like a prisoner manacled in a cage.

 Be reminded that if our legislators were value-driven, Uhuru Kenyatta won’t be behaving or running the country the way he currently doing. A governor won’t buy a mere wheel barrow for a thousand dollars.

With incorruptible Parliament, corrupt individuals like Anne Waiguru, would have been hounded out of office immediately she was mentioned in the NYS scandal because she was vetted and confirmed by the same Parliament.

Remember, Alfred Keter’s vote of no confidence on Waiguru was watered down by the same MPs we entrust with vetting members of the Cabinet. Soon and very soon, don’t be surprised to see them confirming even Kamlesh Patni as a Cabinet Secretary!

 We need to remember that, Governors, Senators, MPs, MCAs mean a lot for the success of our Country. Many will argue that the mess starts from the top but I disagree because it’s the pillars which make the house stronger. Even if the main pillar is strong, if it lacks support pillars, it will eventually collapse. If legislators are wicked, Kenya will continue to sink and a President can’t do anything.

Where do we run to when most voters are extremely tribal and gullible during election time, since they will vote for a dog so long as it barks like the one they have in the village? A Kikuyu, Kalenjin, and Luo can die for Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Raila Odinga, respectively just because of tribal foolishness and leanings.

When we shall end this mentality, it will be the beginning of a better Kenya. Otherwise, voters continue to be initial purveyors of tribalism because they follow what their big boys and girls in politics tell us.

They don’t care about the public records, backgrounds, character and values of those they vote for. The major consideration is sharing a dialect and handouts (cash) and from here, one is in as an MCA, MP, Senator, Governor or President.