Address to Kenyan professionals.
By NJONJO MUE
Garden Court Southern Sun Hotel, Milpark, Johannesburg, South Africa
Thursday, 25th October 2007
Ladies and gentlemen; fellow countrymen and women, good evening.
It is always such a delight for me to be back among friends in Johannesburg and I am immensely grateful to be able to share this evening with you.
As some of you know, this is a homecoming of sorts for me. I lived here for almost five years between 1997 and 2001, when I worked as Head of the Africa Office of the freedom of expression watchdog, ARTICLE 19. It was during the same time that many of you relocated to Johannesburg from an increasingly troubled motherland.
The period of my sojourn in South Africa was a time of great transition. I arrived here during the third year of the Mandela presidency and left two years after Thabo Mbeki stepped into his big shoes. As we were busy setting up our modest office on 87 Juta Street in Braamfontein and as I was settling into my little flat in Montgomery Park, the ANC was just getting its feet wet on the driving seat of government, after decades of being an outlawed movement trying to overthrow a racist regime in a blatantly unequal contest.
Desmond Tutu and his truth commissioners were helping the country to come to terms with its horrid past, and black people were beginning to enjoy their place under the sun after four hundred years of colonial domination and apartheid rule.
Back home in Kenya, 1997 was also a year of transition. The Kanu government was still standing menacingly in the way of a new people's constitution and intimidating anyone who thought they might have a new idea on how their motherland should be governed. I remember participating in public rallies, declared illegal, in Kamukunji in early March and at Uhuru Park on the eve of Madaraka Day, alongside thousands of other young Kenyans demanding change under the slogan, "No Reforms, No Elections!" We were beaten and tear-gassed, vilified and jailed, but we would not relent in our chorus of disapproval against the cabal of kleptocratic lootocrats who went by the name of the government of the day.
It was the year of saba saba, nane nane, tisa tisa, kumi kumi. These were all demonstrations held with ever increasing public support in Nairobi and elsewhere in the country, demanding fundamental changes in the governance of our country. They were all violently broken up by Moi's security forces.
Then, just when change appeared imminent, the politicians, who were our
erstwhile comrades in arms, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by
abandoning us when Moi dangled the carrot of IPPG before them. They did not even bother to entrench in law the few concessions they claimed to have won before running off to look for votes when the election was called. Ten years later, we are still staring at the fog of the promise of a new constitution, no nearer to our goal than when we first began.
Many of us in the civil society felt betrayed by the IPPG deal cobbled up by politicians to enable them to share our chicken before it was cooked, but this is not the place to recount the long tale of lost opportunities on the road to a new constitutional dispensation in Kenya. The reason I bring up these momentous events of 1997 in both Kenya and South Africa is that they mirror our present struggles in two important respects.
First, as we all know, it is election season once again in Kenya and
politicians are out on the beat promising us all a piece of the moon. It is time for the country to make important decisions that will determine the direction Kenya takes for the next five years and beyond.
Second, the South African transition from apartheid, especially the
truth-telling process aimed at helping uncover and heal the wounds inflicted on the majority by the minority, still offers an object lesson for Kenya at this time. For no matter who wins the election, there is much unfinished business on our psycho-social landscape that will not go away until we have the courage to face up to our sometimes painful history. It is this aspect of our own transition that I would like us to take the next few moments to reflect on tonight.
Over the last 44 years of our independence, successive governments have
studiously refused to undertake and lead a process of dealing with painful periods of our past and to bring perpetrators of gross injustices to account. Year after year, we have continued to celebrate our achievements while failing to acknowledge the very real pain and suffering unjustly visited upon our sisters and brothers by people who hitherto lived side by side with them as neighbours.
Survivors of ethnic cleansing, like children of a lesser god, continue to roam landless in our towns and countryside scavenging for food; women who have no platform to speak of the sexual violence they endured during the clashes in Molo, Burnt Forest and elsewhere, bear their pain silently, with only bitter tears shed quietly to avoid spoiling the party, as they are casually invited by the government spokesperson to juvunia kuwa waKenya; families of assassinated politicians still wait for official acknowledgment that government agents actively took part in the demise of their loved ones and the subsequent elaborate cover-up.
We have also decided that bringing to justice the perpetrators of gross
economic sabotage through the massive looting of the public purse and the misappropriation of public land by a well connected few is a luxury that Kenya cannot afford.
It is natural to feel anxious about the effect that addressing the past
might have on our national fabric, especially since lawlessness, looting and pillaging of public resources for private gain was at some point regarded as unofficial government policy. It is also the case that it is virtually impossible to find anyone among our political elite who is untainted by the corruption of the past. And so we continue to pretend that the past did not happen.
But the poet Maya Angelou has some comforting words for societies such as ours that hesitate to come to terms with their past. In her moving poem during the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993, she reminded us that "history, despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
And this is precisely what we need to do in Kenya as we contemplate the next five years. We must face our history with courage. The current government attempted to go down that road early in its life when it appointed a task force on the establishment of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission. But it seems to have developed cold feet despite the findings of the task force that the Kenyan people were overwhelmingly in favour of some form of accounting for the past.
And yet, whether the next government - whoever heads it - offers the needed leadership on this issue or continues to bid us bury our heads in the sand, this is an issue that just won't go away. A casual look around the world, from South Africa to Liberia to Chile to Argentina, shows that people are refusing to allow history to be silenced. Succeeding generations refuse impunity and demand moral accountability for past criminal acts and a modicum of justice to ensure it. Kenya will be no different, and the longer we leave our issues unresolved, the more complicated they are likely to become. We should not forget that the perennial troubles in the Balkans can be directly traced to the battle of Kosovo fought in 1389!
Perhaps the reluctance by the establishment to ask people to account for the past, results from ignorance of why the process is necessary and what it would entail. This ignorance breeds fear and paralysis. I remember a story that appeared in the Daily Nation of 27 June 2003, reporting on submissions to the task force on the Truth Commission. It screamed, "DON'T OPEN UP OLD WOUNDS, TRUTH TEAM TOLD." There were also mixed interpretations of what accounting for the past really meant. While one body of opinion wanted to legislate a national amnesia of forgive and forget, another wanted criminals identified, prosecuted and duly punished.
But it is still important even in the midst of this confusion to find a way forward. We must open up old wounds if they did not heal properly in the first place, in order to air them and let the puss out. For as philosopher George Santayana cautions us, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Our country is badly in need of reconciliation. But there can be no reconciliation without forgiveness and there can be no forgiveness without truth.
But many have asked, what is truth in this context? Simply put, truth
entails giving a right and a forum for those who have endured suffering in silence to tell their stories and an opportunity to know and understand what exactly transpired in the old dispensation - what led to their suffering, in what context it occurred, and who was involved. As one survivor told the Truth Commission here in South Africa, "We do want to forgive, but we don't know whom to forgive."
Truth in the context of reconciliation expresses itself in acknowledgment of injustice committed during violent conflict or oppression. It includes full disclosure of misdeeds; publication of accounts of formerly hidden injustices and violence; and storytelling by victims in the context of therapy.
Truth telling is also important in order to establish an accurate record of a country's past, and lift the lid of silence on particular periods or incidents that we are ashamed to face up to. In seeking the truth, victims and survivors are not driven by mere curiosity. The massacre of helpless villagers on the runway of a remote airstrip in the North-East; the torture endured at Nyayo House; the flight by night to makeshift refugee camps in the Rift Valley; the loss of a loving father to hired assassins outside a pharmacy, in Ngong or on a lonely hill in Koru. These are all now an indelible part of the identity of the survivors, and denying that these atrocities happened is denying an integral part of who these people are.
Miroslav Volf puts it poignantly in his book, Exclusion and Embrace:
By wanting to know "what happened" they are wanting to insure that the
insult of occultation is not added to the injury of oppression; they are seeking to restore and guard human dignity, protect the weak from the ruthless. The truth about what happened is here often a matter of life and death.
Tutu brings it closer home. In his book, No Future Without Forgiveness, he explains why forgetting the past is wholly unacceptable:
Accepting [national amnesia] would have victimized the victims of apartheid a second time round. It would have meant denying their experience, a vital part of their identity.. Our nation sought to rehabilitate and affirm the dignity and humanity of those who were cruelly silenced for so long, turned into anonymous, marginalized victims. Now through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission they would be empowered to tell their stories, allowed to remember and in this public recounting, their individuality and inalienable humanity would be acknowledged.
In some cases, victims already substantially know what happened but they still need an official acknowledgment from the perpetrators and the state, where it was involved. As Juan Mendez points out in an article in the New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, "Knowledge that is officially sanctioned, and thereby made 'part of the public cognitive scene' acquires a mysterious quality that is not there when it is merely 'truth'. Official acknowledgment at least begins to heal the wounds."
I remember having tea recently with the daughter of a popular politician whose murder has never quite been resolved. She confessed that as a child, she grew up believing that her father must have been a very bad man since, in her innocent imagination, only bad people got killed. To such a person, official acknowledgment would go a long way to providing healing.
Truth is also important in ensuring the reform of structures that
facilitated the abuses. The truth must be placed on the public record to enable society to take a long hard look at itself and ensure that the violations of the past do not recur. This is the only way that the truth will lead to transformation of society.
As Janet Cherry reminds us in a chapter in Looking Back, Reaching Forward, "Personal and individual histories of suffering or evil-doing are usually intrinsically related to systemic conditions. Provision should therefore be made for a comprehensive socio-ethical approach when dealing with the past."
We in Kenya must ask ourselves, what sort of value system would lead us to construct a building whose name means 'Peace, Love and Unity' with a
basement designed for the worst forms of torture known to humanity?
"Forgive and forget," is the famous mantra of the morally lazy. We must
forgive and remember because the process of reconciliation depends a great deal on how we remember the past. We have just come out of celebrating Kenyatta Day and there would be no point in doing so if we bought into the conventional wisdom of sweeping our past under the rug; after all, the events of 20th October 1952 are not in themselves a cause for celebration.
As John De Gruchy points out in Reconciliation, "Memories can return with a vengeance unless they are redeemed and become a way of transforming the future."
But we should not go excavating the past for the purpose of inflicting
revenge upon our fellow citizens. There is a healing way that can bring hope for the future along with our sorrow for the past. We must collectively find this way.
This more excellent way involves forgiveness. This is at the core of the reconciliation process. Many commentators are agreed that this is the most difficult part of the process. Revenge is the most natural reaction of a human being when unjustly treated.
The trouble with revenge, however, is that it enslaves both the victim and the perpetrator in a vicious cycle. What to one is a justified act of vengeance is to the other an unwarranted injustice that calls for
counter-revenge. This dynamic has led to some societies being caught in a spiral of violence for generations.
Forgiveness breaks the power of the remembered past and transcends the
claims of the affirmed justice and so makes the spiral of revenge grind to a halt. But it must not be cheap forgiveness that does not acknowledge the hurt visited upon the victims. True reconciliation, according to Tutu, "exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the degradation, the truth.. Spurious reconciliation can bring only spurious healing."
And so we arrive at this threshold in our history with three choices to make regarding the injustices of the past: impunity; trials and punishment; or reconciliation.
We have already seen that impunity threatens the social fabric because it undermines justice which is the essence of organized society. Impunity prevents the full rehabilitation of victims, reconciliation and the building of genuine democracy. Impunity is the option normally favoured by members of an outgoing autocratic regime who would rather that their record while in power remained beyond scrutiny.
In Latin American countries such as Chile and Argentina, outgoing military dictators in the late 1980s passed laws granting themselves and their supporters blanket amnesty from prosecution for human rights abuses as a condition for agreeing to hand over power to democratically elected governments. But as Chilean strongman Augusto Pinochet found out in his last days, and as his family continues to find out today, you cannot silence history. Our leaders and their families would be wise to heed this lesson.
Trials and punishment of past criminals are also not a practical option. In the first place, in most cases there would not be sufficient evidence to convict those suspected of human rights violations. Some of the violations happened in the 1960s and most witnesses would be dead by now. Even after the Second World War with the evidence of Nazi atrocities still relatively fresh, less than 6,500 of the 90,000 cases brought to court resulted in convictions.
Secondly, even if sufficient evidence could be found and considering the pervasive culture of corruption that gripped our country during the time in question, bringing to trial all the culprits would overwhelm the judiciary.
Many of the key perpetrators have enough money to keep their cases tied up in the courts for years. Also, criminal trials are not the best placed for seeking a comprehensive truth about the past. Many facts are kept out of court by strict rules of evidence.
It is important to avoid the two extremes of impunity and punishment, and find a 'third way' that deals with the past in a manner that will promote a new political culture and a shared vision for the future. That 'third way' should balance the requirements of truth, forgiveness, accountability and the restoration of justice leading to national healing and reconciliation.
Reconciliation can take many different forms. As a Christian, I naturally turn to the Bible for guidance. The biblical concept of Shalom (wholeness) is the image that comes closest to expressing the complex and multifaceted reality of reconciliation. There has to be wholeness resting on a balance between Truth and Mercy, Justice and Peace. In the language of Psalm 85, this is where 'truth and mercy have met together, justice and peace have kissed.'
Wherever the social fabric has been ruptured by conflict, dictatorship or autocratic rule as happened in Kenya over the last four decades, most people agree on the need for reconciliation between victims and perpetrators of human rights violations, but they have different understandings of what reconciliation entails.
For some, it involves contrition, confession and forgiveness (i.e. mercy); others call for 'peace in the land' through the improvement of people's social and economic conditions (i.e. peace); yet others call for justice through the prosecution of perpetrators and the establishment of a culture of democracy and human rights (i.e. justice); lastly there are those who say that there can be no reconciliation without public acknowledgment of crimes through a truth- telling process (i.e. truth).
Reconciliation in action, in my view, is inclusive of all aspects of Shalom: justice, peace, truth and mercy. A successful reconciliation process should integrate all these key elements.
In August 2000 while I was based here in South Africa, some friends and I proposed just such a model with regard to Kenya's public wealth stolen and siphoned abroad by corrupt leaders and their unscrupulous friends. We launched the BOMB -'Bring Our Money Back' - initiative whose key proposals were to set a time frame within which anyone who had money illegally banked or invested abroad was to publicly declare and account for it. If they did so and told the whole truth as to how they acquired it to enable the sealing of loopholes, they would be granted amnesty from prosecution and even allowed to keep 15% of the money, provided they invested it at home and returned the rest to the public purse.
We drafted a Bill to create a framework for tracing and repatriating such moneys, which unfortunately did not see the light of day, as the new government subsequently chose to engage Messrs Kroll & Co to prepare a glossy report to tell us what we already knew without giving us a clue as to how we would ever get our money back.
In conclusion and contrary to what our political elite would have us believe, the crimes committed against the people of Kenya in the past cannot be simply forgotten. To carry on with business as usual while ignoring the walking wounded in our midst would be, in the words of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah, to "heal the wound of My people lightly, saying 'peace peace' when there is no peace."
We have to build a culture of respect for human rights and democracy in our country. There has to be a genuine commitment to break with the past, to heal the wounds, to forgive but remember in redemptive ways in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. This way, we can build a shared vision of the future; a vision of a great nation at peace with itself, for the sake of ourselves, our children and our children's children.
God bless you and God bless Kenya.
I thank you.
Njonjo Mue
Legal Counsel / Principal Human Rights Officer
Campaigns & Advocacy Programme
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
1st Floor, CVS Plaza, Lenana Road
P.O. Box 74359-00200 Nairobi
TEL: 254-20-2717908 / 2717928 / 2712624
FAX: 254-20-2716160
njonjo@knchr.org
www.knchr.org
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Biwott (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 27
It was finally 9:00 p.m., the time Nicholas Biwott had been waiting for. He went to the bathroom, away from his nosy Jewish wife, and flipped his cell phone. He dialed.
"Hello?" Bozo said.
"Bozo, it's Biwott."
"What do you want?"
"I need to know that everything is okay."
Bozo was in his maskan when this call came through. This squalid, right in the center of Korogocho, was the very definition of squalor. It was leaking .... it had roaches ..... and it smelt like last year's urine.
He had a bed in the same room as the living room. Right in the middle of the room, he used an off-white bed sheet to partition it. That partioning created an extra room. It was the kitchen.
"You want to know if things are okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Do you have everything you need?"
"I do."
"So how will you do it?"
Bozo walked out. He stood in front of the squalid where fresh sewage was flowing in from somewhere, "You want me to update you over the phone?"
"I am secure."
"All right. I have everything. I managed to track down Bad Boy and Osiris."
"Where have they been?"
"That's not important," Bozo said, "The important thing is - they have agreed to help."
"So you will share the loot with them?"
"That's none of your business."
"Why so testy tonight?"
Bozo laughed, "You think I am testy?"
"Listen. I don't care about your mood. Just make sure you do your job. I can't afford to have that woman alive anymore."
"I got you."
"Don't blow this!"
***
Chairman Sungu got home at about 10:30 p.m. He seemed exhausted. Standing at the door, he took a minute to study his wife's mood, " Is everything okay today?" he asked.
His wife nodded, "No strange letters, if that's what you mean."
He walked to the refrigerator, fished out a bottle of Tusker Premium, then sat at the dining table with it. "You can¡t believe what happened today."
"I have watched the news."
"You saw Mrs. Ouko."
She nodded, "Amazing!"
"I can't believe she has kept herself up like that."
..... kept herself up? ..... She looked at her husband, "Men are strange. You looked at Christabel Ouko and all you saw was a woman who has kept herself up? - Did you not see a grieving widow? - Did you not see a dazed mother? - Did you not see a woman who still fears that her husband's killers may come also after her?"
Sunguh's brows furrowed, "You saw all that on TV?"
"Women are perceptive," she said. "I'll bet you, your women Committee members saw the same thing I saw: Christabel is a very unhappy and sad woman."
"I don't doubt you. But I was not meaning Mrs. Ouko. I am talking about Marianne."
She poured the beer into his glass, "You talked to her?"
"She called me this morning."
"What for?"
"She wants to know if she can meet Moi."
His wife frowned, "Will you let her?"
"The Committee voted that she could."
"Bad move," she warned, "I cannot believe you would allow that to happen ..... what if Biwott takes advantage of the meeting and harms her? Did you think of that?"
He turned pale, "What?"
"It seems that all of you continue to underestimate Nicholas Biwott. That's a big mistake. Don't create a situation that a pervert like him can take advantage of. If I were you, I would consider revoking that authorization."
"But the Committee voted already."
She rubbed his back, "Terrible mistake."
It was finally 9:00 p.m., the time Nicholas Biwott had been waiting for. He went to the bathroom, away from his nosy Jewish wife, and flipped his cell phone. He dialed.
"Hello?" Bozo said.
"Bozo, it's Biwott."
"What do you want?"
"I need to know that everything is okay."
Bozo was in his maskan when this call came through. This squalid, right in the center of Korogocho, was the very definition of squalor. It was leaking .... it had roaches ..... and it smelt like last year's urine.
He had a bed in the same room as the living room. Right in the middle of the room, he used an off-white bed sheet to partition it. That partioning created an extra room. It was the kitchen.
"You want to know if things are okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Do you have everything you need?"
"I do."
"So how will you do it?"
Bozo walked out. He stood in front of the squalid where fresh sewage was flowing in from somewhere, "You want me to update you over the phone?"
"I am secure."
"All right. I have everything. I managed to track down Bad Boy and Osiris."
"Where have they been?"
"That's not important," Bozo said, "The important thing is - they have agreed to help."
"So you will share the loot with them?"
"That's none of your business."
"Why so testy tonight?"
Bozo laughed, "You think I am testy?"
"Listen. I don't care about your mood. Just make sure you do your job. I can't afford to have that woman alive anymore."
"I got you."
"Don't blow this!"
***
Chairman Sungu got home at about 10:30 p.m. He seemed exhausted. Standing at the door, he took a minute to study his wife's mood, " Is everything okay today?" he asked.
His wife nodded, "No strange letters, if that's what you mean."
He walked to the refrigerator, fished out a bottle of Tusker Premium, then sat at the dining table with it. "You can¡t believe what happened today."
"I have watched the news."
"You saw Mrs. Ouko."
She nodded, "Amazing!"
"I can't believe she has kept herself up like that."
..... kept herself up? ..... She looked at her husband, "Men are strange. You looked at Christabel Ouko and all you saw was a woman who has kept herself up? - Did you not see a grieving widow? - Did you not see a dazed mother? - Did you not see a woman who still fears that her husband's killers may come also after her?"
Sunguh's brows furrowed, "You saw all that on TV?"
"Women are perceptive," she said. "I'll bet you, your women Committee members saw the same thing I saw: Christabel is a very unhappy and sad woman."
"I don't doubt you. But I was not meaning Mrs. Ouko. I am talking about Marianne."
She poured the beer into his glass, "You talked to her?"
"She called me this morning."
"What for?"
"She wants to know if she can meet Moi."
His wife frowned, "Will you let her?"
"The Committee voted that she could."
"Bad move," she warned, "I cannot believe you would allow that to happen ..... what if Biwott takes advantage of the meeting and harms her? Did you think of that?"
He turned pale, "What?"
"It seems that all of you continue to underestimate Nicholas Biwott. That's a big mistake. Don't create a situation that a pervert like him can take advantage of. If I were you, I would consider revoking that authorization."
"But the Committee voted already."
She rubbed his back, "Terrible mistake."
Monday, October 29, 2007
Should Raila Odinga Abandon His Plan To Venture Into Enemy Turf?
It is quite clear that those mapping out strategy for ODM presidential aspirant Raila Odinga must include a very serious think tank who know exactly what they are doing.
Quite a number of very interesting moves made by Raila recently clearly show this. Before I go into them let me make a very important point here. Many people leaving comments here have been eager to claim that this blog has degenerated into an ODM campaign tool. Naturally these persons have the right to express their views no matter how false and misplaced they may be. And irrespective of the fact that the possibilities are high that such comments are made with a clear agenda against this popular site in mind. However I would like to point out that I have made every effort to keep this blog as balanced as possible. I have done this by including in my team of commentators who can make comments without my approval, people of divergent views. Proud Kikuyu Woman (is a self-confessed strong PNU supporter) while Vikii is a die hard ODM-Kenya man. Taabu is “horseless”, meaning that he is not backing any presidential candidate. Phil is of course ODM damu but is a skilled debater who often disagrees even with other ODM supporters on certain details and issues. Luke aka “admiring economic growth” also says he is “horseless.”
The other thing I have done is to favor PNU commentators who leave comments here and allow the kind of comments I would not allow from ODM supporters. I do this deliberately to create a balance of sorts because the PNU side is a little short on ideas and debating skills as has been evidenced by the quality of debate from their side both in this blog and nationally, right up to the very top. I am NOT being biased just do an audit in this blog of the abusive comments and language and you will clearly realize that virtually all of them are from one side.
Having said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this blog siding with a candidate of its’ choice. Newspapers and media houses in the most developed democracy in the world , The United States, usually back presidential candidates after carefully scrutinizing their policies. The only thing I want to emphasize is that if and when we make such a move we will announce it publicly. I take this opportunity to urge al others participating here to always state their agenda and position clearly when making comments.
Like the time recently when I declared this blog a campaigner for the proposed majimbo system of governance and even declared Kumekucha a Jimbo.
Now back to my main point for today.
The move by the Raila camp to introduce the majimbo debate early in the home stretch of this campaign was no accident. It is obviously the most controversial issue and with Raila and ODM’s clear lead in most polls, this was obviously the best time to do this.
An interesting aside to note here is the fact that the initiative in this campaign has been with ODM right from the beginning. Before they introduced this debate which has been a major face saver for PNU troops, the latter side was shouting itself hoarse with abusive language and personal attacks on Raila that were beginning to sound cumbersome even to their most ardent supporters. Now they have quickly grasped on the majimbo issue the way a sinking man would clutch on straws and suddenly they have something to say that is a little more palatable than what they were saying earlier.
The really sad thing here is that the PNU side boasts of some of the most astute and experienced political thinkers in the land some of whom are capable of halting the ODM groovy train very suddenly in its’ tracks with just a move or two. But alas, their voices are not being heard and in most cases they have been pushed to the periphery mostly by a president who is very sure of himself and feels that he does not need their input. Instead President Kibaki feels that he can run the whole show mostly on his own and with a little help from his golf buddies, Makerere alumni and even relatives like his own daughter (a very smart lady no doubt, but politics is a very different ball game where fools sometimes thrive). The fact that the president is relying more and more on close relations and friends to run his campaign has clearly been signaled by the recent development where First Lady L:ucy Kibaki is now running her own campaign schedule. She is currently in Mombasa drumming up support from the Bui bui crowd. In my view Lucy is a lose canon who can easily lose the president tens of thousands of votes with a single remark. Like the one she made recently that she wished she had money to hire helicopters to fly countrywide to show Kenyans the good work that her husband has done. Many Kenyans on the ground that I interviewed over this remark got upset and understandably so. You need to take a brief tour into rural Kenya in almost every corner of the republic to see for yourself how standards of living have deteriorated and how desperation has risen rapidly in the last 5 years, despite the wonderful so-called economic growth the country has experienced under Kibaki. The desperation is really sad to behold, really sad and the reason why anybody opposing the current regime was bound to have gotten such widespread grassroots support as ODM and their previously “unelectable” candidate now enjoy. Many of these folks with no understanding of economics tell me that they now want a president to promise them negative economic growth because they have noticed that they have more money in their pockets whenever the growth is negative but are in danger of starving to death when growth is positively high.
Anyway, let me leave it to history to be the final judge over this issue and to answer the question as to whether the president really needed the advice he is now shunning or not.
My apologies for that lengthy digress but it was necessary.
One of the clear moves the Raila campaign team is now making is to aggressively venture into the heart of the PNU support base. This is mainly central Kenya and the Mount Kenya region as a whole. While the party has growing pockets of support in these regions, these are solid PNU strongholds.
The question that is now emerging is how wise this strategy is. Not in terms of its’ effectiveness in securing more votes and weakening the presidents support base, but in its’ viability in ensuring a peaceful general election which is more important to Kenyans than which side ends up wining. After all we are basically voting for the same people who have been around for decades and are only now promising us heaven on earth under great pressure mostly from voters who are very disappointed with the performance of the 9th parliament.
The red flags over poll violence resulting from this latest Raila strategy have to go up because already it has been reported that one life has been lost in the ODM campaign violence in Meru yesterday. All signs point to this just being the beginning of a nightmare of an election.
In a quarter page advertisement placed by a lobby group, the Central Kenya Initiative (CKI) in the Sunday Nation, of 28th October 2007 on page 6, the organization calls for a national healing and reconciliation prayer day today (29th October). In the ad signed by convenor, Tony Gacoka, it is insinuated that young Kenyans from central province are not being allowed to fully participate in campaigning for ODM and Raila Odinga freely and an appeal is made to the government to allow this to happen.
One wonders what will happen when the campaigns being spearheaded by this group really get going in the region.
It may just be a wiser decision for Raila and ODM to campaign in this region through the media and save Kenyan lives.
Quite a number of very interesting moves made by Raila recently clearly show this. Before I go into them let me make a very important point here. Many people leaving comments here have been eager to claim that this blog has degenerated into an ODM campaign tool. Naturally these persons have the right to express their views no matter how false and misplaced they may be. And irrespective of the fact that the possibilities are high that such comments are made with a clear agenda against this popular site in mind. However I would like to point out that I have made every effort to keep this blog as balanced as possible. I have done this by including in my team of commentators who can make comments without my approval, people of divergent views. Proud Kikuyu Woman (is a self-confessed strong PNU supporter) while Vikii is a die hard ODM-Kenya man. Taabu is “horseless”, meaning that he is not backing any presidential candidate. Phil is of course ODM damu but is a skilled debater who often disagrees even with other ODM supporters on certain details and issues. Luke aka “admiring economic growth” also says he is “horseless.”
The other thing I have done is to favor PNU commentators who leave comments here and allow the kind of comments I would not allow from ODM supporters. I do this deliberately to create a balance of sorts because the PNU side is a little short on ideas and debating skills as has been evidenced by the quality of debate from their side both in this blog and nationally, right up to the very top. I am NOT being biased just do an audit in this blog of the abusive comments and language and you will clearly realize that virtually all of them are from one side.
Having said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this blog siding with a candidate of its’ choice. Newspapers and media houses in the most developed democracy in the world , The United States, usually back presidential candidates after carefully scrutinizing their policies. The only thing I want to emphasize is that if and when we make such a move we will announce it publicly. I take this opportunity to urge al others participating here to always state their agenda and position clearly when making comments.
Like the time recently when I declared this blog a campaigner for the proposed majimbo system of governance and even declared Kumekucha a Jimbo.
Now back to my main point for today.
The move by the Raila camp to introduce the majimbo debate early in the home stretch of this campaign was no accident. It is obviously the most controversial issue and with Raila and ODM’s clear lead in most polls, this was obviously the best time to do this.
An interesting aside to note here is the fact that the initiative in this campaign has been with ODM right from the beginning. Before they introduced this debate which has been a major face saver for PNU troops, the latter side was shouting itself hoarse with abusive language and personal attacks on Raila that were beginning to sound cumbersome even to their most ardent supporters. Now they have quickly grasped on the majimbo issue the way a sinking man would clutch on straws and suddenly they have something to say that is a little more palatable than what they were saying earlier.
The really sad thing here is that the PNU side boasts of some of the most astute and experienced political thinkers in the land some of whom are capable of halting the ODM groovy train very suddenly in its’ tracks with just a move or two. But alas, their voices are not being heard and in most cases they have been pushed to the periphery mostly by a president who is very sure of himself and feels that he does not need their input. Instead President Kibaki feels that he can run the whole show mostly on his own and with a little help from his golf buddies, Makerere alumni and even relatives like his own daughter (a very smart lady no doubt, but politics is a very different ball game where fools sometimes thrive). The fact that the president is relying more and more on close relations and friends to run his campaign has clearly been signaled by the recent development where First Lady L:ucy Kibaki is now running her own campaign schedule. She is currently in Mombasa drumming up support from the Bui bui crowd. In my view Lucy is a lose canon who can easily lose the president tens of thousands of votes with a single remark. Like the one she made recently that she wished she had money to hire helicopters to fly countrywide to show Kenyans the good work that her husband has done. Many Kenyans on the ground that I interviewed over this remark got upset and understandably so. You need to take a brief tour into rural Kenya in almost every corner of the republic to see for yourself how standards of living have deteriorated and how desperation has risen rapidly in the last 5 years, despite the wonderful so-called economic growth the country has experienced under Kibaki. The desperation is really sad to behold, really sad and the reason why anybody opposing the current regime was bound to have gotten such widespread grassroots support as ODM and their previously “unelectable” candidate now enjoy. Many of these folks with no understanding of economics tell me that they now want a president to promise them negative economic growth because they have noticed that they have more money in their pockets whenever the growth is negative but are in danger of starving to death when growth is positively high.
Anyway, let me leave it to history to be the final judge over this issue and to answer the question as to whether the president really needed the advice he is now shunning or not.
My apologies for that lengthy digress but it was necessary.
One of the clear moves the Raila campaign team is now making is to aggressively venture into the heart of the PNU support base. This is mainly central Kenya and the Mount Kenya region as a whole. While the party has growing pockets of support in these regions, these are solid PNU strongholds.
The question that is now emerging is how wise this strategy is. Not in terms of its’ effectiveness in securing more votes and weakening the presidents support base, but in its’ viability in ensuring a peaceful general election which is more important to Kenyans than which side ends up wining. After all we are basically voting for the same people who have been around for decades and are only now promising us heaven on earth under great pressure mostly from voters who are very disappointed with the performance of the 9th parliament.
The red flags over poll violence resulting from this latest Raila strategy have to go up because already it has been reported that one life has been lost in the ODM campaign violence in Meru yesterday. All signs point to this just being the beginning of a nightmare of an election.
In a quarter page advertisement placed by a lobby group, the Central Kenya Initiative (CKI) in the Sunday Nation, of 28th October 2007 on page 6, the organization calls for a national healing and reconciliation prayer day today (29th October). In the ad signed by convenor, Tony Gacoka, it is insinuated that young Kenyans from central province are not being allowed to fully participate in campaigning for ODM and Raila Odinga freely and an appeal is made to the government to allow this to happen.
One wonders what will happen when the campaigns being spearheaded by this group really get going in the region.
It may just be a wiser decision for Raila and ODM to campaign in this region through the media and save Kenyan lives.
John Troon's Wife (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 26
Tonight, when Supt. Troon came home, he could tell he had questions to answer. Even though he was now retired, and even though he preferred to spend his days with family and friends, his wife knew he was still bothered by the fact that the Ouko murder had not been resolved yet.
She knew that her very professional, extremely dedicated husband would never find peace until Dr. Ouko's murderers were apprehended, tried and justice served.
What troubled her though was that over the last couple of years, the Ouko ghost seemed to have finally gone to rest.
In Nairobi, nobody talked about the case anymore - except one maverick MP from Ugenya.
In London, the powers that be were no longer interested in finding out who killed Dr. Ouko, if anything they had gone back to was putting relations between Kenya and Britain on a firmer bilateral footing.
She knew, her husband did not like that.
Then came this new Committee. And suddenly there was a scramble in Nairobo ti find out who filled the former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
.... is this the chance ? .....
As Supt. Troon took off his coat, he could feel his wife's eyes. They were on him. And as usual, very sympathetic.
....what's the matter, sweetheart ? ....
He did not have to ask that question aloud. Before he could grab his PJ's from the base of the walk-in-closet, his wife said, "I don't mean to spoil the mood, but I have some questions I need to ask."
He turned, "That's okay."
"Come sit here," she said.
He did.
"All right. Today you told me something that has been disturbing me since I heard it," She clasped her hands, "You conducted a throrough investigation in kenya. You got to mingle with the top leaders of that country." She sighed, "Do you believe they could have misled you in any way?"
His demeanour changed. He became more pensive, "Misled?" He shook his head, "I don't think so."
"You didn't find it strange that when you got to Nairobi, the people who met you were all government officials, including Mr. Anguka, whom you later even implicated in the murder? Given those strange circumstances, don't you think, you may have been compromised?"
"Why are you asking so many questions all of the sudden?"
She paused, "Or when you went to Oyugi's home and they fed you that garbage about Dr. Ouko committing suicide ..... didn't that bother you?"
"No ...... I went to Nairobi and did what any professional detective could do. I practically told the Kenyan authorities who killed Dr. Ouko..... what bothers me is that fifteen years later those murderers are still free ..... and are still killing more Kenyans ..... and even worse, continue pretending to be 'honourable' members of Kenya's political life ....... it's enough to make me go crazy!"
She shrugged, "I know, you worked hard .... so don't get me wrong .... but do you think, you could have been more categorical about who ordered the murder?"
Supt. Troon's jaws parted. He looked pale, "I still wonder whether I would have left Kenya alive if I had categorically said who killed him. But look, I as well as did it. I told the Gichery Inquiry that Biwott and Oyugi were the prime suspects. Knowing how Kenya works, there is no way in the world that those two could have killed Dr. Ouko without the Top Man's blessing. It's that simple."
"I know."
"It's him who killed Dr. Ouko."
"I know."
"Do you still think, I should go back to Nairobi to testify and say this?"
She shrugged, "No."
"You are scared?"
She stood up, "The last time you were in Kenya - at the Sunset Hotel - those goons almost killed you. That poison could have knocked you out if not for Dr. Singh's quick action. You were very lucky."
"I know I was. So you don't want me to go?"
"Do you think, it will do any good?"
"Yes."
"What if they try to kill you again?"
"I will be careful."
"You can't be careful enough. Kenya is still Moi's and Biwott's country. They may seem to be out of power, but they still call the shots with all the corrupt money they have collected. They are just as dangerous, sweetheart."
"I agree."
She sat next to him, "I am worried. I would like you going back to Kenya, tell the world in no uncertain terms who killed Dr. Ouko, but I would much rather you did it here." She rubbed his back, "Is there a chance the Committee could meet here in London?"
He looked glum, "I don't know."
"Look, sweetheart," she said, "All I am saying is - I fully support your desire to bring this matter to a close. I have seen how it is eaten into you, denied you happiness in your deserved retirement, but I am hoping you can ask the Kenyan authorities to hold hearings here in London. It doesn't hurt to ask."
"I will ask," he said.
"Do it early tomorrow morning."
"I will. But did I tell you that the business community in this city doesn't want to rock the boat?"
"You did."
"And are not keen on this Committee's work?"
"You said so."
He scooted next to her, "That's what really troubles me."
..... I know it does. You have proved yourself over the years to be one of the best detectives at Scotland Yard. In Kenya, you worked like a tornado, turned everything upside down. I know, Dr. Ouko is proud of you ....
"That's what bothers me," he repeated.
***
After having told her husband how she felt, she draw the fuzzy comforter over her head and in minutes felt asleep.
As for Supt. Troon, it was the beginning of a strategic night.
He went on his back and looked aimlessly at the ceiling..... how can I persuade Chairman Sunguh to come to London? .... He flew back in time to the days he concluded the investigation.
***
Supt. Troon recalled how suspicious he was of the government handlers and most of the witnesses. How coached they seemed to be. How scared they all were to talk.
He remembered how everybody had been afraid of mentioning the names of Nicholas Biwott and President Moi..... could I have missed anything? .....
His wife turned .... searched for him with her arm.
..... Could I have been misled? ....
She put the arm around him.
..... If they misled me, could I have arrived at the conclusions I did? ....
He gently took his wife's arms away, slowly got up and then went to the living room. In there, he looked at the collection of family photos, some beautiful flower arrangement on the table. He sat on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair.
The question on his mind was: Are the Kenyans finally serious about dolling justice to Dr. Ouko's killer/s?
..... Tell the world who killed Dr. Ouko ....
"I definitely will," he said, answering that inner voice. The voice of his sleeping wife, "I have no choice."
And though he knew others were fully capable of picking from where he left off, the Ouko killing was one he was not willing to let go. The brutal nature of it troubled him. Christabel Ouko's anguish bothered him. Even worse, he knew exactly who killed Dr. Ouko. He had recommended arrests which were done - only for the killers to be let go for 'lack of evidence' ...... Shame on you, Your Excellency! ....
He got up and walked around. He wondered what more evidence the Kenyan authorities needed.
..... I would rather you do it in London .....
"I wonder what difference it will make," he growled. "I told the world that Biwott and Oyugi did it. You know what the Kenyans did? They arrested those goons .... kept them in jail for a couple of days ..... then let them walk free. If there is a shame here, it's on the Kenyan side, not mine."
..... Tell the world who killed him ....
"I must!" He inhaled sharply, "It's the only way I will ever enjoy my retirement. Besides, I owe it to Dr. Ouko..."
When Supt. Troon went back to the bedroom, he saw his wife smiling. Was she awake? He quickly realized she was dreaming. He tiptoed to bed, slipped in quietly, then drew the conforter over his head.
But just before he could switch the world out, he heard his wife talking, "You are my hero!"
He froze.
..... Me ? ......
Tonight, when Supt. Troon came home, he could tell he had questions to answer. Even though he was now retired, and even though he preferred to spend his days with family and friends, his wife knew he was still bothered by the fact that the Ouko murder had not been resolved yet.
She knew that her very professional, extremely dedicated husband would never find peace until Dr. Ouko's murderers were apprehended, tried and justice served.
What troubled her though was that over the last couple of years, the Ouko ghost seemed to have finally gone to rest.
In Nairobi, nobody talked about the case anymore - except one maverick MP from Ugenya.
In London, the powers that be were no longer interested in finding out who killed Dr. Ouko, if anything they had gone back to was putting relations between Kenya and Britain on a firmer bilateral footing.
She knew, her husband did not like that.
Then came this new Committee. And suddenly there was a scramble in Nairobo ti find out who filled the former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
.... is this the chance ? .....
As Supt. Troon took off his coat, he could feel his wife's eyes. They were on him. And as usual, very sympathetic.
....what's the matter, sweetheart ? ....
He did not have to ask that question aloud. Before he could grab his PJ's from the base of the walk-in-closet, his wife said, "I don't mean to spoil the mood, but I have some questions I need to ask."
He turned, "That's okay."
"Come sit here," she said.
He did.
"All right. Today you told me something that has been disturbing me since I heard it," She clasped her hands, "You conducted a throrough investigation in kenya. You got to mingle with the top leaders of that country." She sighed, "Do you believe they could have misled you in any way?"
His demeanour changed. He became more pensive, "Misled?" He shook his head, "I don't think so."
"You didn't find it strange that when you got to Nairobi, the people who met you were all government officials, including Mr. Anguka, whom you later even implicated in the murder? Given those strange circumstances, don't you think, you may have been compromised?"
"Why are you asking so many questions all of the sudden?"
She paused, "Or when you went to Oyugi's home and they fed you that garbage about Dr. Ouko committing suicide ..... didn't that bother you?"
"No ...... I went to Nairobi and did what any professional detective could do. I practically told the Kenyan authorities who killed Dr. Ouko..... what bothers me is that fifteen years later those murderers are still free ..... and are still killing more Kenyans ..... and even worse, continue pretending to be 'honourable' members of Kenya's political life ....... it's enough to make me go crazy!"
She shrugged, "I know, you worked hard .... so don't get me wrong .... but do you think, you could have been more categorical about who ordered the murder?"
Supt. Troon's jaws parted. He looked pale, "I still wonder whether I would have left Kenya alive if I had categorically said who killed him. But look, I as well as did it. I told the Gichery Inquiry that Biwott and Oyugi were the prime suspects. Knowing how Kenya works, there is no way in the world that those two could have killed Dr. Ouko without the Top Man's blessing. It's that simple."
"I know."
"It's him who killed Dr. Ouko."
"I know."
"Do you still think, I should go back to Nairobi to testify and say this?"
She shrugged, "No."
"You are scared?"
She stood up, "The last time you were in Kenya - at the Sunset Hotel - those goons almost killed you. That poison could have knocked you out if not for Dr. Singh's quick action. You were very lucky."
"I know I was. So you don't want me to go?"
"Do you think, it will do any good?"
"Yes."
"What if they try to kill you again?"
"I will be careful."
"You can't be careful enough. Kenya is still Moi's and Biwott's country. They may seem to be out of power, but they still call the shots with all the corrupt money they have collected. They are just as dangerous, sweetheart."
"I agree."
She sat next to him, "I am worried. I would like you going back to Kenya, tell the world in no uncertain terms who killed Dr. Ouko, but I would much rather you did it here." She rubbed his back, "Is there a chance the Committee could meet here in London?"
He looked glum, "I don't know."
"Look, sweetheart," she said, "All I am saying is - I fully support your desire to bring this matter to a close. I have seen how it is eaten into you, denied you happiness in your deserved retirement, but I am hoping you can ask the Kenyan authorities to hold hearings here in London. It doesn't hurt to ask."
"I will ask," he said.
"Do it early tomorrow morning."
"I will. But did I tell you that the business community in this city doesn't want to rock the boat?"
"You did."
"And are not keen on this Committee's work?"
"You said so."
He scooted next to her, "That's what really troubles me."
..... I know it does. You have proved yourself over the years to be one of the best detectives at Scotland Yard. In Kenya, you worked like a tornado, turned everything upside down. I know, Dr. Ouko is proud of you ....
"That's what bothers me," he repeated.
***
After having told her husband how she felt, she draw the fuzzy comforter over her head and in minutes felt asleep.
As for Supt. Troon, it was the beginning of a strategic night.
He went on his back and looked aimlessly at the ceiling..... how can I persuade Chairman Sunguh to come to London? .... He flew back in time to the days he concluded the investigation.
***
Supt. Troon recalled how suspicious he was of the government handlers and most of the witnesses. How coached they seemed to be. How scared they all were to talk.
He remembered how everybody had been afraid of mentioning the names of Nicholas Biwott and President Moi..... could I have missed anything? .....
His wife turned .... searched for him with her arm.
..... Could I have been misled? ....
She put the arm around him.
..... If they misled me, could I have arrived at the conclusions I did? ....
He gently took his wife's arms away, slowly got up and then went to the living room. In there, he looked at the collection of family photos, some beautiful flower arrangement on the table. He sat on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair.
The question on his mind was: Are the Kenyans finally serious about dolling justice to Dr. Ouko's killer/s?
..... Tell the world who killed Dr. Ouko ....
"I definitely will," he said, answering that inner voice. The voice of his sleeping wife, "I have no choice."
And though he knew others were fully capable of picking from where he left off, the Ouko killing was one he was not willing to let go. The brutal nature of it troubled him. Christabel Ouko's anguish bothered him. Even worse, he knew exactly who killed Dr. Ouko. He had recommended arrests which were done - only for the killers to be let go for 'lack of evidence' ...... Shame on you, Your Excellency! ....
He got up and walked around. He wondered what more evidence the Kenyan authorities needed.
..... I would rather you do it in London .....
"I wonder what difference it will make," he growled. "I told the world that Biwott and Oyugi did it. You know what the Kenyans did? They arrested those goons .... kept them in jail for a couple of days ..... then let them walk free. If there is a shame here, it's on the Kenyan side, not mine."
..... Tell the world who killed him ....
"I must!" He inhaled sharply, "It's the only way I will ever enjoy my retirement. Besides, I owe it to Dr. Ouko..."
When Supt. Troon went back to the bedroom, he saw his wife smiling. Was she awake? He quickly realized she was dreaming. He tiptoed to bed, slipped in quietly, then drew the conforter over his head.
But just before he could switch the world out, he heard his wife talking, "You are my hero!"
He froze.
..... Me ? ......
5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today
5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today
1. Kumekuchans seek to sponsor candidate
2. Why is John Njue And The Catholic Church So Hypocritical?
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata Parliamentary seat
4. Why married women have affairs.
5. Pros and Cons of the Majimbo system in Kenya
1. Kumekuchans seek to sponsor candidate
2. Why is John Njue And The Catholic Church So Hypocritical?
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata Parliamentary seat
4. Why married women have affairs.
5. Pros and Cons of the Majimbo system in Kenya
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Kumekuchans Seek To Sponsor Candidates For MP
Okay Luke and company… I have finally thrown in the towel and agreed that we need to focus on 2012 to get the right kind of candidates into parliament.
However I hope that you agree with me that that does not mean resting until the 2012 elections is around the corner. Work must start NOW!
For starters we should all work as hard as possible to get as many progressive candidates into parliament as we possibly can. Irrespective of what political parties they are standing with. We will openly campaign for such candidates. PKW (proud Kikuyu woman) I am with you concerning your preferred candidate for Kieni. Can you please start posting info about them here in Kumekucha or pass it on to me via email so that I can organize it for posting?
I also have a preferred candidate for Cherangany, but first a little background on this constituency. News from the ground indicates that Kipruto arap Kirwa will have great difficulties making it back to parliament like many others who were in the Kibaki cabinet. Interestingly for the first time in his long political career Kirwa was actually booed by a large crowd two days ago. This is very ominous for a candidate who has been very popular in the past.
PNU is generally out of site in this constituency while the ODM front runner for the ticket, Nathaniel Tum has a bad CV as are most of the others who can possibly wrest the ODM mantle for this constituency from him.
The chances of this Kumekucha candidate Jesse Masai winning are very high. He has campaigned hard and long on the ground for a very long time now. Do your own research and you will find that he is being regarded as fresh, visionary, credible and everything else the other candidates are not. In short his chances of winning are very good. In fact the race is currently his to lose according to my impeccable sources on the ground.
Sadly this exercise is very expensive and his name is not in the Kroll report meaning that he does not have inexhaustible source of finances tucked away in some Swiss account like some other characters.
I therefore find him a very worthy candidate to sponsor for this parliamentary seat. I welcome all you regular readers to pitch in. You can send funds directly to his Mobile phone via Mpesa. His telephone number is 0723-941876. For Kenyans in the diasporas you can Paypal your donation to the email address strongwallafrica (at) yahoo.com and I will be happy to pass on the funds to our candidate Jesse Masai through our representatives in Kenya. To enforce transparency those who Paypal funds, I will pass on your details to the candidate who will email you a personal thank you confirming the amount he receives.
Now is the time to prove that your money is where your mouth is guys.
Kindly let me know of any other worthy candidates out there that we can support in terms of finances and publicity.
Our preparations for 2012 are now in full swing guys.
See previous article in our archives on Jesse Masai
Or visit his website now to get to know him better.
However I hope that you agree with me that that does not mean resting until the 2012 elections is around the corner. Work must start NOW!
For starters we should all work as hard as possible to get as many progressive candidates into parliament as we possibly can. Irrespective of what political parties they are standing with. We will openly campaign for such candidates. PKW (proud Kikuyu woman) I am with you concerning your preferred candidate for Kieni. Can you please start posting info about them here in Kumekucha or pass it on to me via email so that I can organize it for posting?
I also have a preferred candidate for Cherangany, but first a little background on this constituency. News from the ground indicates that Kipruto arap Kirwa will have great difficulties making it back to parliament like many others who were in the Kibaki cabinet. Interestingly for the first time in his long political career Kirwa was actually booed by a large crowd two days ago. This is very ominous for a candidate who has been very popular in the past.
PNU is generally out of site in this constituency while the ODM front runner for the ticket, Nathaniel Tum has a bad CV as are most of the others who can possibly wrest the ODM mantle for this constituency from him.
The chances of this Kumekucha candidate Jesse Masai winning are very high. He has campaigned hard and long on the ground for a very long time now. Do your own research and you will find that he is being regarded as fresh, visionary, credible and everything else the other candidates are not. In short his chances of winning are very good. In fact the race is currently his to lose according to my impeccable sources on the ground.
Sadly this exercise is very expensive and his name is not in the Kroll report meaning that he does not have inexhaustible source of finances tucked away in some Swiss account like some other characters.
I therefore find him a very worthy candidate to sponsor for this parliamentary seat. I welcome all you regular readers to pitch in. You can send funds directly to his Mobile phone via Mpesa. His telephone number is 0723-941876. For Kenyans in the diasporas you can Paypal your donation to the email address strongwallafrica (at) yahoo.com and I will be happy to pass on the funds to our candidate Jesse Masai through our representatives in Kenya. To enforce transparency those who Paypal funds, I will pass on your details to the candidate who will email you a personal thank you confirming the amount he receives.
Now is the time to prove that your money is where your mouth is guys.
Kindly let me know of any other worthy candidates out there that we can support in terms of finances and publicity.
Our preparations for 2012 are now in full swing guys.
See previous article in our archives on Jesse Masai
Or visit his website now to get to know him better.
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today
1. Why is John Njue And The Catholic Church in Kenya Being So Hypocritical?
2. Pros and Cons Of Majimbo in Kenya
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata
4. Why married women have affairs
5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband
1. Why is John Njue And The Catholic Church in Kenya Being So Hypocritical?
2. Pros and Cons Of Majimbo in Kenya
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata
4. Why married women have affairs
5. Regular violent wife rape by dutiful husband
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Did Kumekucha Know The Election Date All Along?
Many of our readers noticed that after the ECK Election Day announcement yesterday, our election countdown counter in Kumekucha did not need to be changed or altered in any way because we were spot on all along and once again we’ve been proved correct in our deductions and predictions.
Little wonder that an increasing number of Kenyans are looking to Kumekucha before making any important decisions. Or when they want to get information that is not in the daily newspapers.
This post is dedicated to all you wonderful dedicated informers out there who make this possible. I will use the words you always love to hear. My lips are sealed and your identities will forever remain secret. Thank you very much.
Little wonder that an increasing number of Kenyans are looking to Kumekucha before making any important decisions. Or when they want to get information that is not in the daily newspapers.
This post is dedicated to all you wonderful dedicated informers out there who make this possible. I will use the words you always love to hear. My lips are sealed and your identities will forever remain secret. Thank you very much.
Why Is John Njue And The Catholic Church Leadership In Kenya Being So Hypocritical?
Within days of being appointed only the second Kenyan Cardinal ever, John Njue has made a major goof that paints the Kenyan Catholic Church in very poor light.
Twice in public he has expressed his personal feelings about a very sensitive political issue, namely the proposed Majimbo form of government. Firstly on the day he was appointed, a journalist asked him about the issue and without thinking he blurted out his personal views showing clearly that he was against it. Yesterday Njue called a press conference to repeat his personal views but this time told the world that they were the views of the entire Catholic Church in Kenya.
Kenyans are generally a very religious lot but these developments have angered and confused many. Firstly this latest development is behind a backdrop of some very strange behaviour the Catholic church has displayed ever since President Mwai Kibaki took over power in late 2002.
During Moi’s tenure this church was at the forefront of criticizing the government and speaking out on behalf of the down-trodden masses of Kenya. Many have fond memories of the church coming out to talk very strongly against the politically instigated clashes in the Rift Valley at the onset of multi-party democracy in 1991. The church spoke when nobody else would dare speak and many Kenyans were very grateful for that. This is why the relative silence of the Catholic church during President Kibaki’s watch has been deafening to say the least. When the church has made a move it has been to support the Kibaki administration like their clear support of the Banana side during the 2005 referendum. Ironically that constitution the church supported then contained a Majimbo governance system.
As you read this tens of thousands of innocent Kenyans have been displaced in extremely violent land clashes in the Mount Elgon area. The Catholic Church has not said much. In fact addressing these clashes would have been an ideal initial statement for Njue to issue the day he was appointed Cardinal instead of getting entangled in a very hot political issue. Two days ago when Cardinal Njue made this statement he quickly added that the church is not supporting any presidential candidate which was ludicrous after expressing a clear stand on such a major issue that divided the two candidates. It is common knowledge that the president is a Catholic and has been very close to the Catholic church leadership for many years. President Kibaki has in fact got two names given to him by the church that he never uses. They are Emilio Stanley.
It does not help the cardinal’s case with skeptical Kenyans (who have seen years of tribalism in high places being practiced even as the government swears that it is fighting against it) that he hails from the Mount Kenya region.
Then there is the very real danger that the cardinal’s tactics could easily reduce the country into a Muslims versus Christian battle of wits, since it is clearly known that most Muslims strongly support the Majimbo system of governance.
This is the kind of behavior that would be serious enough to provoke a protest note to the Vatican because the entire image of the Catholic Church has been ruined by these goofs by the church and most recently by the newly appointed cardinal.
Twice in public he has expressed his personal feelings about a very sensitive political issue, namely the proposed Majimbo form of government. Firstly on the day he was appointed, a journalist asked him about the issue and without thinking he blurted out his personal views showing clearly that he was against it. Yesterday Njue called a press conference to repeat his personal views but this time told the world that they were the views of the entire Catholic Church in Kenya.
Kenyans are generally a very religious lot but these developments have angered and confused many. Firstly this latest development is behind a backdrop of some very strange behaviour the Catholic church has displayed ever since President Mwai Kibaki took over power in late 2002.
During Moi’s tenure this church was at the forefront of criticizing the government and speaking out on behalf of the down-trodden masses of Kenya. Many have fond memories of the church coming out to talk very strongly against the politically instigated clashes in the Rift Valley at the onset of multi-party democracy in 1991. The church spoke when nobody else would dare speak and many Kenyans were very grateful for that. This is why the relative silence of the Catholic church during President Kibaki’s watch has been deafening to say the least. When the church has made a move it has been to support the Kibaki administration like their clear support of the Banana side during the 2005 referendum. Ironically that constitution the church supported then contained a Majimbo governance system.
As you read this tens of thousands of innocent Kenyans have been displaced in extremely violent land clashes in the Mount Elgon area. The Catholic Church has not said much. In fact addressing these clashes would have been an ideal initial statement for Njue to issue the day he was appointed Cardinal instead of getting entangled in a very hot political issue. Two days ago when Cardinal Njue made this statement he quickly added that the church is not supporting any presidential candidate which was ludicrous after expressing a clear stand on such a major issue that divided the two candidates. It is common knowledge that the president is a Catholic and has been very close to the Catholic church leadership for many years. President Kibaki has in fact got two names given to him by the church that he never uses. They are Emilio Stanley.
It does not help the cardinal’s case with skeptical Kenyans (who have seen years of tribalism in high places being practiced even as the government swears that it is fighting against it) that he hails from the Mount Kenya region.
Then there is the very real danger that the cardinal’s tactics could easily reduce the country into a Muslims versus Christian battle of wits, since it is clearly known that most Muslims strongly support the Majimbo system of governance.
This is the kind of behavior that would be serious enough to provoke a protest note to the Vatican because the entire image of the Catholic Church has been ruined by these goofs by the church and most recently by the newly appointed cardinal.
Majimbo Constitution Will Birth A New Breed Of Kenyan Politicians
Let me declare today that it is my personal view that Majimbo is so important for Kenya that I will no longer be neutral on this particular issue here in this blog. Instead I will be a strong advocate and will do everything in my power to convince Kenyans of the merits of this system.
One of the great weaknesses we have had as a country is that we lack administrative politicians.
Let me explain. MPs and even councilors are basically legislators. Their powers are very limited to impact life directly on the ground. The Constitutional Development Fund has changed that somewhat but not enough.
With the implementation of the Bomas draft and the introduction of a Majimbo system, we will usher in a brand new kind of politician. What I call an administrative politician. For example the person elected to head a district will have to tackle the problems of that particular district together with his elected District government. This will be the perfect breeding ground of future presidents. Not only that. Ideas that have been successfully in a district can later be easily implemented nationally for the greater benefit of the people of Kenya.
It is interesting that the argument that is frequently being used is that the system is expensive. Let me ask a simple question. What is more expensive for the country; untapped potential countrywide or some extra administrative charges to set up the new system?
My prediction is that shortly after the Majimbo system is implemented in Kenya it will be so successful that it will be copied all over Africa and beyond. Before you scornfully dismiss that one just remember how many predictions we have made here that have come to pass.
One of the great weaknesses we have had as a country is that we lack administrative politicians.
Let me explain. MPs and even councilors are basically legislators. Their powers are very limited to impact life directly on the ground. The Constitutional Development Fund has changed that somewhat but not enough.
With the implementation of the Bomas draft and the introduction of a Majimbo system, we will usher in a brand new kind of politician. What I call an administrative politician. For example the person elected to head a district will have to tackle the problems of that particular district together with his elected District government. This will be the perfect breeding ground of future presidents. Not only that. Ideas that have been successfully in a district can later be easily implemented nationally for the greater benefit of the people of Kenya.
It is interesting that the argument that is frequently being used is that the system is expensive. Let me ask a simple question. What is more expensive for the country; untapped potential countrywide or some extra administrative charges to set up the new system?
My prediction is that shortly after the Majimbo system is implemented in Kenya it will be so successful that it will be copied all over Africa and beyond. Before you scornfully dismiss that one just remember how many predictions we have made here that have come to pass.
Dr Ouko Paid With His Life (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 25
So, we decided to leave without having come to any agreement with the National Housing Corporation.....
..... but I did not want to give up that easily - I had visited Kibera and had seen under which circumstances these people had to live ...... especially the expression in the eyes of the children still haunted me .................
..... and mainly because I did not want Biwott to succeed once again to have been able to get 'rid of me' ........
..... I decided that I had to beat him with his own weapon ....... so I registered an official Consultancy Company in Switzerland which was giving me real legal base........
..... and this was then also the time when Dr. Ouko contacted me for the Molasses Plant ..........
..... I had realized that the only way to be successful and to be able to help the country and its people - something I had always wanted to do and which for me remained the most important driving factor - was to stay out of Biwott's sphere and away from Moi. I thought, this was the only way to avoid more problems - at least this I hoped ...........
..... you remember that I had also again contacts with Dr. Mungai....... we had renewed our relationship which also included my daughter. I was very happy about that since before she had always preferred Moi to him. Njoroge had started to come to Switzerland regularly and I was also sometimes accompanying him on business trips in Europe. Sandra and Njoroge have still contacts up to to today. They use to meet whenever he passes through Zurich......
..... so also regarding this I had to be careful. Neither did I want to hurt Moi, nor Njoroge's feelings. I had set up the rule for myself not to meet Njoroge whenever I was in Kenya - nor was I accepting invitations where President Moi would be present .......
..... so I thought to have taken all precautions - but I was wrong as I soon had to learn - and Dr. Ouko paid with his life for it............
..... and here starts my guilt or at least, that's how I feel about it ...........
..... regarding your remarks about the money: you are right........ I have spent a lot since I was always proud to be able to pay all my expenses myself. None of these two men - President Moi or Dr. Njoroge Mungai - has ever spent one Shilling on me ....... in spite of what has been published during the last years ......... but since so much rubbish has been said, this does not matter to me ........
..... the only thing which had - and still has - a meaning to me is my goal to help to finally get Dr. Ouko's killers before court and have them in jail for the rest of their lives ...........
.... you see, they wanted to meet me in Switzerland a few years ago to settle 'my bill ' ..... there was a meeting planned between Moi, some of his advisers like Kulei and Raila Odinga, and me. I had given my accounts and it stood at almost 6 Million $. They had already agreed to pay it - but I would have had to sign a document in which I was taking back all my accusations regarding who killed Dr. Ouko and why .......... I would have had to declare the statement I signed at Scotland Yard in London in 1990 false..........
..... in short - in accepting this money from them - they would have made me their accomplice in this crime............
..... you know me. Do you believe, I would have been able to live with such a burden for the rest of my life?
Sue looked at me with tears in her eyes, "I realize only now how much you are till hurt and how much this all means to you. But do you also realize that you still could get killed? That Biwott is your enemy and that he still hates you, no matter how much time has passed since? He will never let you come out of Kenya alive."
"You really think, I could get hurt?"
"Of course, I believe that."
I smiled, " Look - like I told already Sandra and Philipp - I will take excellent care of myself. But I have to go because I have to tell them the whole story - every dirty part of it."
***
When I returned to my apartment and just started to prepare my dinner, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID, then answered, "Hello?"
"It's John Troon."
"Obviously."
"Guess what? I have just come from Scotland Yard."
"And?"
"I wanted to see if my former bosses would be comfortable letting me travel to Nairobi."
"What did they say?"
"That I can't."
"So what will you do? I thought, you have already received your Summon."
"Yes, I was summoned almost a month ago - I already told you. Anyway, I have to consider a lot of things before I make up my mi8nd whether I can go or not." He took a deep breath, "You know how much I would love to go. To me, my work is not done until Dr. Ouko's murder is resolved. Until his killers pay for their crime."
"Very admirable."
He took another deep breath, "Quite honestly, I have been wondering how best to handle this sitation. I know, I would like the truth to come out, but I want it to come out in a way that nobody else will loose his life. Not me .... nor others.•
"So what do you propose?"
"I am going to propose to Chairmain Sunguh to seat the Committee here in London. If he accepts, I am ready to recommend Nicholas Biwott's arrest. And for the first time, I am also ready to say that Moi was behind the murder. That he knew everything. Both should be made to talk."
"Supt. Troon, do you really believe the Kenyan authorities can arrest Biwott? Do you really think that they will gather enough courage to face Moi down?"
"They should."
"But will they?"
He sighed, "I dont' know. I don't expect it. I can only hope it. But look - you and me - we have done our part. You have told the Kenyans everything there was to say. As for me, I have revealed everything there was to reveal. If the Kenyan authorities are serious about bringing Dr. Ouko's killers to book, they have plenty to go on."
"But not everything."
"I don't think, there is anything to add," He drew another deep breatch, .... in fact, if Chairman Sunguh agrees to come to London, I will be very categorical. I will insist that Biwott be arrested. And made to talk. I will also recommend that Moi be officially probed."
"Supt. Troon, you are a tough detective. I am honoured to be your friend!"
A lump came up in this fine detective's throat. In his line of work, compliments were far between. Mostly, there was a lot of criticism and public pressure.
Aware that my compliment was heartfelt, he said, "The feeling is mutual, Marianne."
So, we decided to leave without having come to any agreement with the National Housing Corporation.....
..... but I did not want to give up that easily - I had visited Kibera and had seen under which circumstances these people had to live ...... especially the expression in the eyes of the children still haunted me .................
..... and mainly because I did not want Biwott to succeed once again to have been able to get 'rid of me' ........
..... I decided that I had to beat him with his own weapon ....... so I registered an official Consultancy Company in Switzerland which was giving me real legal base........
..... and this was then also the time when Dr. Ouko contacted me for the Molasses Plant ..........
..... I had realized that the only way to be successful and to be able to help the country and its people - something I had always wanted to do and which for me remained the most important driving factor - was to stay out of Biwott's sphere and away from Moi. I thought, this was the only way to avoid more problems - at least this I hoped ...........
..... you remember that I had also again contacts with Dr. Mungai....... we had renewed our relationship which also included my daughter. I was very happy about that since before she had always preferred Moi to him. Njoroge had started to come to Switzerland regularly and I was also sometimes accompanying him on business trips in Europe. Sandra and Njoroge have still contacts up to to today. They use to meet whenever he passes through Zurich......
..... so also regarding this I had to be careful. Neither did I want to hurt Moi, nor Njoroge's feelings. I had set up the rule for myself not to meet Njoroge whenever I was in Kenya - nor was I accepting invitations where President Moi would be present .......
..... so I thought to have taken all precautions - but I was wrong as I soon had to learn - and Dr. Ouko paid with his life for it............
..... and here starts my guilt or at least, that's how I feel about it ...........
..... regarding your remarks about the money: you are right........ I have spent a lot since I was always proud to be able to pay all my expenses myself. None of these two men - President Moi or Dr. Njoroge Mungai - has ever spent one Shilling on me ....... in spite of what has been published during the last years ......... but since so much rubbish has been said, this does not matter to me ........
..... the only thing which had - and still has - a meaning to me is my goal to help to finally get Dr. Ouko's killers before court and have them in jail for the rest of their lives ...........
.... you see, they wanted to meet me in Switzerland a few years ago to settle 'my bill ' ..... there was a meeting planned between Moi, some of his advisers like Kulei and Raila Odinga, and me. I had given my accounts and it stood at almost 6 Million $. They had already agreed to pay it - but I would have had to sign a document in which I was taking back all my accusations regarding who killed Dr. Ouko and why .......... I would have had to declare the statement I signed at Scotland Yard in London in 1990 false..........
..... in short - in accepting this money from them - they would have made me their accomplice in this crime............
..... you know me. Do you believe, I would have been able to live with such a burden for the rest of my life?
Sue looked at me with tears in her eyes, "I realize only now how much you are till hurt and how much this all means to you. But do you also realize that you still could get killed? That Biwott is your enemy and that he still hates you, no matter how much time has passed since? He will never let you come out of Kenya alive."
"You really think, I could get hurt?"
"Of course, I believe that."
I smiled, " Look - like I told already Sandra and Philipp - I will take excellent care of myself. But I have to go because I have to tell them the whole story - every dirty part of it."
***
When I returned to my apartment and just started to prepare my dinner, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID, then answered, "Hello?"
"It's John Troon."
"Obviously."
"Guess what? I have just come from Scotland Yard."
"And?"
"I wanted to see if my former bosses would be comfortable letting me travel to Nairobi."
"What did they say?"
"That I can't."
"So what will you do? I thought, you have already received your Summon."
"Yes, I was summoned almost a month ago - I already told you. Anyway, I have to consider a lot of things before I make up my mi8nd whether I can go or not." He took a deep breath, "You know how much I would love to go. To me, my work is not done until Dr. Ouko's murder is resolved. Until his killers pay for their crime."
"Very admirable."
He took another deep breath, "Quite honestly, I have been wondering how best to handle this sitation. I know, I would like the truth to come out, but I want it to come out in a way that nobody else will loose his life. Not me .... nor others.•
"So what do you propose?"
"I am going to propose to Chairmain Sunguh to seat the Committee here in London. If he accepts, I am ready to recommend Nicholas Biwott's arrest. And for the first time, I am also ready to say that Moi was behind the murder. That he knew everything. Both should be made to talk."
"Supt. Troon, do you really believe the Kenyan authorities can arrest Biwott? Do you really think that they will gather enough courage to face Moi down?"
"They should."
"But will they?"
He sighed, "I dont' know. I don't expect it. I can only hope it. But look - you and me - we have done our part. You have told the Kenyans everything there was to say. As for me, I have revealed everything there was to reveal. If the Kenyan authorities are serious about bringing Dr. Ouko's killers to book, they have plenty to go on."
"But not everything."
"I don't think, there is anything to add," He drew another deep breatch, .... in fact, if Chairman Sunguh agrees to come to London, I will be very categorical. I will insist that Biwott be arrested. And made to talk. I will also recommend that Moi be officially probed."
"Supt. Troon, you are a tough detective. I am honoured to be your friend!"
A lump came up in this fine detective's throat. In his line of work, compliments were far between. Mostly, there was a lot of criticism and public pressure.
Aware that my compliment was heartfelt, he said, "The feeling is mutual, Marianne."
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today
1. Pros and cons of majimbo in Kenya
2. Is Majimbo good for Kenya?
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata
4. Story of woman who loved two men that portrays presidentail elections In Kenya
5. Kumekucha's presidential campaign 2007
1. Pros and cons of majimbo in Kenya
2. Is Majimbo good for Kenya?
3. Why Raila Odinga will lose Langata
4. Story of woman who loved two men that portrays presidentail elections In Kenya
5. Kumekucha's presidential campaign 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Is Majimbo Good For Kenya?
It is instructive that the World Bank has declared that it is in favor of a Majimbo (devolved government) system for Kenya. But today the Catholic church in Kenya has declared that it is against Majimbo in what I consider one of the most irresponsible things the Catholic church in Kenya has ever done. The reason is that the move is an open provocation on Muslims most of whom are in favor of Majimbo and with the tensions in the country at the moment it is very easy for this issue to degenerate into a duel between Christians and Muslims which is the last thing any Kenyan would wish for.
The PNU (Party of National Unity) which has hardly shown any initiative in this general election has very quickly pounced on the issue of introducing a Majimbo system in Kenya sensing that it is ODM’s soft under belly where they can quickly accumulate votes in their favor and reverse the current situation. Many ODM supporters also fear that the party and its’ presidential candidate will lose votes on this issue.
Yet this is a classic issue pitting the two real tribes in Kenya against each other. Namely the filthy rich and the rest of Kenya. A Majimbo system is definitely not in the interest of the rich tribe because many of them have taken unfair advantage of resources in certain parts of the country to enrich themselves while conveniently hiding behind the skirts of the centralized government. In sharp contrast the system would be godsend for the other tribe—the majority of Kenyans who would be empowered for the first time to really be in control of their destiny.
What many Kenyans have also forgotten is that in the course of their work, Ghai’s commission, which was mandated to give the country a new constitution went all over the country and they then incorporated the views and aspirations of the majority into the Bomas Draft which was a majimbo draft, only that the word that was being used a lot then was “devolution.” Both words mean the same thing. So it is safe to say that the vast majority of Kenyans are in favour of Majimboism.
Still the naked truth is that devolution in Kenya has its’ real dangers. However one can say that those dangers are the same as those that the country faced in going back into a multi-party politics with the current of selfish politicians we have. Indeed the re-introduction of multi-partyism has done a lot to balkanize the country and reverse any gains we may have made against tribalism in the past, such that we no longer have any true national political parties in the country. What we have are alliances of various tribal chiefs. This truth applies to all political parties in the country.
So was it a mistake to re-introduce multi party democracy into Kenya? Of course NOT. And in the same way the possible dangers of Majimbosim are not a valid reason to trash this idea and just like the country will one day soon mature it’s multiparty democracy, Majimboism too will work very well in the end. After all, the wise man said that you cannot climb the ladder of success with cold feet of fear. The problem in Kenya currently is that we have too many old men with old ideas (including the Njues of the Catholic Church) determined to have the country solving the unprecedented problems of today’s world using yesterday’s thinking. Not only is this absurd, but it is a recipe for chaos.
We must get out of this time warp where we insist on the same old ideas that have failed us miserably in the past. The time to try out new solutions and to think out of the box is long overdue and this Majimbo thing is a classic example.
Still let us examine in great detail the pros and cons of a devolved government system in Kenya, without fear or favour. Please see my next post.
The PNU (Party of National Unity) which has hardly shown any initiative in this general election has very quickly pounced on the issue of introducing a Majimbo system in Kenya sensing that it is ODM’s soft under belly where they can quickly accumulate votes in their favor and reverse the current situation. Many ODM supporters also fear that the party and its’ presidential candidate will lose votes on this issue.
Yet this is a classic issue pitting the two real tribes in Kenya against each other. Namely the filthy rich and the rest of Kenya. A Majimbo system is definitely not in the interest of the rich tribe because many of them have taken unfair advantage of resources in certain parts of the country to enrich themselves while conveniently hiding behind the skirts of the centralized government. In sharp contrast the system would be godsend for the other tribe—the majority of Kenyans who would be empowered for the first time to really be in control of their destiny.
What many Kenyans have also forgotten is that in the course of their work, Ghai’s commission, which was mandated to give the country a new constitution went all over the country and they then incorporated the views and aspirations of the majority into the Bomas Draft which was a majimbo draft, only that the word that was being used a lot then was “devolution.” Both words mean the same thing. So it is safe to say that the vast majority of Kenyans are in favour of Majimboism.
Still the naked truth is that devolution in Kenya has its’ real dangers. However one can say that those dangers are the same as those that the country faced in going back into a multi-party politics with the current of selfish politicians we have. Indeed the re-introduction of multi-partyism has done a lot to balkanize the country and reverse any gains we may have made against tribalism in the past, such that we no longer have any true national political parties in the country. What we have are alliances of various tribal chiefs. This truth applies to all political parties in the country.
So was it a mistake to re-introduce multi party democracy into Kenya? Of course NOT. And in the same way the possible dangers of Majimbosim are not a valid reason to trash this idea and just like the country will one day soon mature it’s multiparty democracy, Majimboism too will work very well in the end. After all, the wise man said that you cannot climb the ladder of success with cold feet of fear. The problem in Kenya currently is that we have too many old men with old ideas (including the Njues of the Catholic Church) determined to have the country solving the unprecedented problems of today’s world using yesterday’s thinking. Not only is this absurd, but it is a recipe for chaos.
We must get out of this time warp where we insist on the same old ideas that have failed us miserably in the past. The time to try out new solutions and to think out of the box is long overdue and this Majimbo thing is a classic example.
Still let us examine in great detail the pros and cons of a devolved government system in Kenya, without fear or favour. Please see my next post.
Pros And Cons Of Majimbo in Kenya
Disadvantages;
Majimbo may cause tensions between tribes
PNU are right when they suggest that devolution may cause tensions in certain parts of the country. The community that will be worst hit will be the Kikuyu who have invested heavily in almost every corner of the country which is a good thing. In some areas there has been resentment towards them and the re-introduction of Majimboism may affect a few of them. However it is NOT true that the problem will be rampant all over the country. And besides the constitution clearly protects every Kenyan wherever in the country they may wish to settle.
Will weaken the Central government
It is also true that the system will weaken the Central government in many ways including its’ ability to collect revenue. In all likelihood this will be the initial effect, however over time the Central government should be able to re-position itself and find a new role that will restore power and strength to it as the central overall governing authority. One can also argue that to strengthen the government in the medium term and long term devolution is vital so as to fully exploit the massive untapped potential we have in the country.
Certain areas in the country will be bankrupt before they start
It is also true that while certain regions will be very strong and prosperous, others will not only be weak but totally unviable. Take most of the vast North Eastern as an example. Prospects of raising revenue there are gloomy at best. The population is too low and there is not much in terms of viable commercial activity that can take place there. However this is not entirely a disadvantage because it will present the devolved government in that area with a challenge that they have to find a solution to.
If we can abandon the 60s thinking for a minute, the North Eastern province has vast potential to do many things. For instance lots of solar energy can be generated from the province to be sold to the national grid (energy is a major problem worldwide and we are going into a serious deficit in the next few years). Wind generators for the same purpose can also do extremely well in the province. Even agriculture can be successfully practiced (the soil and climate there is not very different from what there is in Israel today and that nation produces a huge amount of agricultural produce and most of it is exported). Without a Majimbo system North Eastern will never change but with devolution it stands a fighting chance of changing it’s fortunes. Just look at what the Americans did with Las Vegas (also a desert).
P.S. Here is yet another idea for revenue generation in the North Eastern province. It is clear that our cities are drowning in garbage (our politicians will only take note when people start drowning in it), the wide open spaces of the North eastern province are ideal for the operations of a waste disposal company that will concentrate on recycling as much of the waste as possible for environmental reasons. There is also plenty of space for landfills and no huge population. Enforcing city bylaws will be enough to guarantee such a company plenty of business from the 3 major cities in the country and many other towns.
P.S. 2 The traditional income generating activities in the province can also be enhanced. For example goat rearing and in some areas cows and other livestock as well. The ideal place to create beef-related factories. Also if it is successful in becoming a major energy generation area can attract IT and Internet-related businesses which are on the increase worldwide.
Advantages
The only way to ensure equitable distribution of wealth
Apart from ensuring equitable distribution of wealth countrywide, Majimboism is the best chance Kenya has of narrowing the gap between the rich and poor because many more opportunities will be created at location and even village level.
Poverty is something that has to be fought and this is much more urgent than many in the political class seem to realize. Because poverty can be directly linked to so many other serious problems in our society like crime and HIV Aids.
Will dramatically speed up development
There is no doubt that devolution will dramatically speed up development countrywide.
Will dramatically reduce corruption
A Majimbo system will help fight corruption. When ordering supplies for the whole country, it is much easier to play all sorts of games and overprice things. However when each region is responsible for its’ own supplies it will dramatically reduce and ultimately eliminate corruption because each region will be able to clearly see exactly what is going on on the ground and vote accordingly in the next elections. With the current structure of the country it will be much easier to prosecute corrupt persons in the district level than it has been to deal with the national heavyweights.
In the long term has a better chance of dealing with tribalism
In the long term, a majimbo system is ironically the best chance the country has of dealing with tribalism. What will happen is that there will be more interdependence between regions and a greater appreciation of each other over time.
Will solve rural to urban migration problem
Devolution will create a lot of jobs at the village and location level as well as small business opportunities and will therefore help reverse the current massive ruiral to urban migration that is of great concern and worsens many other problems the country is facing in its’ major cities and towns.
Conclusion
There seems to be a very deliberate effort to confuse ordinary Kenyans about Majimboism and to create fear. However majimboism as spelt out in the Bomas draft presents great opportunities for Kenya. We need to shun old ideas and old leaders who are bankrupt of new ideas and embrace the future. We cannot embrace that future by looking at the past and the way things have been done in the past.
Majimbo may cause tensions between tribes
PNU are right when they suggest that devolution may cause tensions in certain parts of the country. The community that will be worst hit will be the Kikuyu who have invested heavily in almost every corner of the country which is a good thing. In some areas there has been resentment towards them and the re-introduction of Majimboism may affect a few of them. However it is NOT true that the problem will be rampant all over the country. And besides the constitution clearly protects every Kenyan wherever in the country they may wish to settle.
Will weaken the Central government
It is also true that the system will weaken the Central government in many ways including its’ ability to collect revenue. In all likelihood this will be the initial effect, however over time the Central government should be able to re-position itself and find a new role that will restore power and strength to it as the central overall governing authority. One can also argue that to strengthen the government in the medium term and long term devolution is vital so as to fully exploit the massive untapped potential we have in the country.
Certain areas in the country will be bankrupt before they start
It is also true that while certain regions will be very strong and prosperous, others will not only be weak but totally unviable. Take most of the vast North Eastern as an example. Prospects of raising revenue there are gloomy at best. The population is too low and there is not much in terms of viable commercial activity that can take place there. However this is not entirely a disadvantage because it will present the devolved government in that area with a challenge that they have to find a solution to.
If we can abandon the 60s thinking for a minute, the North Eastern province has vast potential to do many things. For instance lots of solar energy can be generated from the province to be sold to the national grid (energy is a major problem worldwide and we are going into a serious deficit in the next few years). Wind generators for the same purpose can also do extremely well in the province. Even agriculture can be successfully practiced (the soil and climate there is not very different from what there is in Israel today and that nation produces a huge amount of agricultural produce and most of it is exported). Without a Majimbo system North Eastern will never change but with devolution it stands a fighting chance of changing it’s fortunes. Just look at what the Americans did with Las Vegas (also a desert).
P.S. Here is yet another idea for revenue generation in the North Eastern province. It is clear that our cities are drowning in garbage (our politicians will only take note when people start drowning in it), the wide open spaces of the North eastern province are ideal for the operations of a waste disposal company that will concentrate on recycling as much of the waste as possible for environmental reasons. There is also plenty of space for landfills and no huge population. Enforcing city bylaws will be enough to guarantee such a company plenty of business from the 3 major cities in the country and many other towns.
P.S. 2 The traditional income generating activities in the province can also be enhanced. For example goat rearing and in some areas cows and other livestock as well. The ideal place to create beef-related factories. Also if it is successful in becoming a major energy generation area can attract IT and Internet-related businesses which are on the increase worldwide.
Advantages
The only way to ensure equitable distribution of wealth
Apart from ensuring equitable distribution of wealth countrywide, Majimboism is the best chance Kenya has of narrowing the gap between the rich and poor because many more opportunities will be created at location and even village level.
Poverty is something that has to be fought and this is much more urgent than many in the political class seem to realize. Because poverty can be directly linked to so many other serious problems in our society like crime and HIV Aids.
Will dramatically speed up development
There is no doubt that devolution will dramatically speed up development countrywide.
Will dramatically reduce corruption
A Majimbo system will help fight corruption. When ordering supplies for the whole country, it is much easier to play all sorts of games and overprice things. However when each region is responsible for its’ own supplies it will dramatically reduce and ultimately eliminate corruption because each region will be able to clearly see exactly what is going on on the ground and vote accordingly in the next elections. With the current structure of the country it will be much easier to prosecute corrupt persons in the district level than it has been to deal with the national heavyweights.
In the long term has a better chance of dealing with tribalism
In the long term, a majimbo system is ironically the best chance the country has of dealing with tribalism. What will happen is that there will be more interdependence between regions and a greater appreciation of each other over time.
Will solve rural to urban migration problem
Devolution will create a lot of jobs at the village and location level as well as small business opportunities and will therefore help reverse the current massive ruiral to urban migration that is of great concern and worsens many other problems the country is facing in its’ major cities and towns.
Conclusion
There seems to be a very deliberate effort to confuse ordinary Kenyans about Majimboism and to create fear. However majimboism as spelt out in the Bomas draft presents great opportunities for Kenya. We need to shun old ideas and old leaders who are bankrupt of new ideas and embrace the future. We cannot embrace that future by looking at the past and the way things have been done in the past.
Excited (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 24
I was excited - the prospect of going back to Kenya, of stepping on the red Kenyan soil again, lifted my spirits wildly.
Because of the trip, I decided to go down to the galerias and buy some items I would need in Kenya. Before leaving, I called my girl-friend to accompany me.
Sue had been living in Zambia where her parents had a farm. Over the last years, she had become my best friend with whom I could exchange ideas and thoughts about Africa.
Minutes later, I was on the two-lane street that linked my neighbourhood to the main highway leading to Marbella. Here my friend was already waiting.
I told her about the developments of the last days and that I had decided to go to Nairobi.
When I finished, Sue looked at me curiously, "Why are you taking this risk? Are you not afraid that these goons may start accusing you to have had also a love affair with Dr. Ouko? That you are responsible for his death? Just think about all the lies which especially this crook of Nicholas Biwott has been distributed about you all these last years...."
I sighed, I knew Sue was right, still I said, "I will survive also that. I know - and so does Mrs. Ouko - that Bob was my best friend. The only person I could trust in that Government - and nothing else. And if I am responsible, then because I have given him the information and the documents regarding the corruption because I wanted him to beat their schemes...... and this is on my conscious and I will have to live with it forever. But exactly for this reason, I want his killers brought to justice - it's as easy as that."
"But what about all the projects you were involved with? All the money you have lost? All the money you have spent during your time in Kenya? You told me that you have paid all preliminary expenses out of your own pockets..... this must have been quite a big amount. What are you doing about that? Would you be willing to go back and continue your work if you would have a chance?"
"These are many questions at once," I said, sipping my coffee. "But let me reply one by one. - You know, I had been involved in the revival of the Molasses Plant which was a stalled project and Dr. Ouko wanted to revive it since Kenya was loosing a lot of money. The project had been financed in asking private loans by Swiss Banks - with the guarantee given by the Kenyan Government. So it was Kenya which had to take over the repay the loan - and I think the interest rate agreed was reaching more or less 12 % per year........ when I got involved the debts with the Swiss Banks had reached abt. 200 Million $ ........ this was the reason why they asked me to help.....
..... I started to work on this based on an official Mandate issued by the Government with Parliament and Attorney General approval - so by no means just because Dr. Ouko had asked me even calling the Molasses Project his 'pet' project - as certain people now try to say .......... my Mandate authorized me to look for a reputable Company to do this project and to arrange for the financing.......... and I was successful in both......
..... the Group I brought to Kenya was even willing to invest their own money and presented a document to the Kenyan Government in which they not only guaranteed the repayment of the loan but also an annual net profit for Kenya of min. 2 Million $ for its share of 51 % in the plant.......
..... everybody seemed to be happy - even President Moi. At least that's what he told a gathering in Kisumu ......
..... but there was one who hated the idea - and that was Nicholas Biwott. He feared that Dr. Ouko - who had already emerged as the most charismatic leader not only in Kenya, but mainly abroad - could get too much influence. So he started to boycott all our efforts......... I do not want to bother you with all details. But I will certainly disclose them in Nairobi ...... because there is one very important point which still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it:
..... besides the Molasses Plant - by the way my Mandate also included the construction of a new Cement Factory and also here I had already introduced a leading Cement Producer from Italy who was also willing to bring in own capital and form a joint-venture with the Kenyan Government ............
..... there was one project which I had set all my heart on and which was the real reason why I accepted Moi's request brought to me by his private Secretary, Abraham Kiptanui, to come back to Kenya ........
..... and that was the building of low- and medium rent houses to wipe out the slums not only in Nairobi like Kibera but also in other parts of the country .......... I had been able - together with some big international Groups - to secure the incredible amount of more than 300 Million US-$. We were planning to build decent houses for all the poor people living in the slum areas now, arrange for decent sanitation facilities, water supply, electricity etc.......
..... you remember, I left Kenya in April 1981 after Biwott had tried to kill me. I was almost hit by a car and narrowly survived a good poisoning. Biwott had envied my relationship with Moi and feared to loose the grip on him. At that time, Biwott had been used to spend the evenings with Moi where he could resume the day and make sure that at the end his own decisions were the ones ruling the following day .........
..... this had worked up to them very well. Mainly because he had planted all his people in State House - so he was in total control ........ no wonder, they started to call him 'Total Man' ...... he had warned me to stay away from Moi. He also told me about the Ugandan girls which he had selected for Moi (even claiming that he was 'testing' them first before passing them to Moi and that I should not even dream that I could 'compete' with them) ................
..... and just to show you, how dirty and how sick this man is ............
..... when I left, Biwott had told Moi that I had decided to go back to Dr. Mungai....... and it seems, Moi first also believed him - as he usually did - but then much to my surprise Moi has sent Abraham Kiptanui to meet me in Switzerland. Kip - how I called him - made the proposal that I should come back to Kenya and work officially for the Government. This would give me the necessary protection - also from Biwott.....
..... but again Biwott found a way to warn me and for some years I did not got ...........
..... then in 1985, I received this request for the Low Cost Housing Scheme ..... Moi knew my weak point .... and he was successful since I started to work on it. It was not easy because this is not a 'normal' business - this is a social matter not very much in the interest of companies here ........ but I was successful and found a big international Group willing to get involved with the private money of its owners ........... unbelievable ....... to find rich people willing to help Africa ..... Kenya ...... to help the poor people to come out of their misery ....... but sometimes also miracles are possible .....
..... and then I went back to Kenya for the first time together with some leading Company Representatives .....but again I had to face Biwott and his hate for me from the very first moment we arrived in Nairobi.....
..... he was especially furious because Moi had not informed him and he had to find out via his own 'sources' that I was coming. And he made sure that all our meetings were cancelled until I had not settled his 'demands'................
..... so for the first time I was confronted with corruption and asking bribes .........and latest at that moment I realized how much had changed during the last years - or was it just because I never had known about this before? Anyway, I got to know how much influence Biwott had gained .......
..... I tried to get into contact with Moi ..... with Kiptanui ......... but I was always told that none of them was available........
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today
1. Kenya's forgotten tribe
2. Are you married?
3. Jimnah Mbaru and NSE expose
4. Gor Sunguh (Kenya Betrayed)
5. Otieno Kajwang gets life line from Raila, but...
1. Kenya's forgotten tribe
2. Are you married?
3. Jimnah Mbaru and NSE expose
4. Gor Sunguh (Kenya Betrayed)
5. Otieno Kajwang gets life line from Raila, but...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Kenya’s Forgotten Tribe
Next to the Luo you will not believe the other Kenyan tribe that has suffered the most neglect in terms of development assistance from the central government. It is of course the Kikuyu.
Most people reading this would be incredulous at my assertion, but let me explain.
Contrary to what most Kenyans think many areas in Central province are the most underdeveloped in the country and things would have been much worse was it not for the enterprising and creative spirit that most of our Kikuyu brothers seem to possess naturally. The community has also been greatly aided by their proximity to Nairobi.
Under the Kenyatta regime, the president was very careful to be seen as a national figure and was uncomfortable about taking development projects to his Gatundu constituency. The result is there for all to see even today as this is one of the most backward areas in the entire Central province.
During the Moi era, the president did everything to sabotage the revenue generating activities that were perceived to give the Kikuyu economic might. Even at the expense of national interests. Just ask a few farmers what really happened to the coffee industry and the tea industry. To date things have never gone been the same again.
The situation during the Kenyatta years was replicated in uncanny detail during the Kibaki administration of the last 5 years but to make matters worse the house of Mumbi now finds itself in a precarious position where other Kenyans are claiming that they have had too long a time at the centre of power enjoying the national cake. Many members of the Kikuyu tribe get very angry at that suggestion and quite rightly so, because there is really nothing that they have enjoyed or benefited from directly from producing two of Kenya’s 3 president’s so far.
Sad;ly the truth is that most members of the community are gladly taking the flak on behalf of very few individuals who have used their position to rob the country blind but who are very quick to fall back on the community for support whenever they feel threatened.
Most Kikuyus are highly intelligent people, in fact exceptionally so and this is one reason why they have been able to survive many things and still come pout looking like they are on top of the situation. However now is as good a time as any for our Kikuyu brothers to disentangle themselves from those few wealthy individuals and draw a clear line. Now is as good a time as any for our Kikuyu brothers to join the rest of Kenyans in saying “No” to bad governance and many years of being lied to. Now is the time for them to realize that Kenya really has ONLY 2 tribes. The corrupt wealthy and the majority who are without wealth.
It is time they said “No” to being used by a few people to achieve their political objectives.
Most people reading this would be incredulous at my assertion, but let me explain.
Contrary to what most Kenyans think many areas in Central province are the most underdeveloped in the country and things would have been much worse was it not for the enterprising and creative spirit that most of our Kikuyu brothers seem to possess naturally. The community has also been greatly aided by their proximity to Nairobi.
Under the Kenyatta regime, the president was very careful to be seen as a national figure and was uncomfortable about taking development projects to his Gatundu constituency. The result is there for all to see even today as this is one of the most backward areas in the entire Central province.
During the Moi era, the president did everything to sabotage the revenue generating activities that were perceived to give the Kikuyu economic might. Even at the expense of national interests. Just ask a few farmers what really happened to the coffee industry and the tea industry. To date things have never gone been the same again.
The situation during the Kenyatta years was replicated in uncanny detail during the Kibaki administration of the last 5 years but to make matters worse the house of Mumbi now finds itself in a precarious position where other Kenyans are claiming that they have had too long a time at the centre of power enjoying the national cake. Many members of the Kikuyu tribe get very angry at that suggestion and quite rightly so, because there is really nothing that they have enjoyed or benefited from directly from producing two of Kenya’s 3 president’s so far.
Sad;ly the truth is that most members of the community are gladly taking the flak on behalf of very few individuals who have used their position to rob the country blind but who are very quick to fall back on the community for support whenever they feel threatened.
Most Kikuyus are highly intelligent people, in fact exceptionally so and this is one reason why they have been able to survive many things and still come pout looking like they are on top of the situation. However now is as good a time as any for our Kikuyu brothers to disentangle themselves from those few wealthy individuals and draw a clear line. Now is as good a time as any for our Kikuyu brothers to join the rest of Kenyans in saying “No” to bad governance and many years of being lied to. Now is the time for them to realize that Kenya really has ONLY 2 tribes. The corrupt wealthy and the majority who are without wealth.
It is time they said “No” to being used by a few people to achieve their political objectives.
The Implications On The NSE Of The Chairman's Political Affiliations
Guest post By John Maina
Many have been quick to politicise comments made by ODM Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga about the NSE. They have singularly associated the share index downward trend to his earlier comments on drug money finding its way to NSE also his concerns of share manipulation by a few well connected individuals. Paul Muite the chair of (Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs) similarly expressed the latter concerns albeit both politicians did not give details.
Chairman of the NSE, crafty Jimnah Mbaru
On Raila Odinga’s comments many have castigated him as an anti-development, alleged he is a communist, thus he would nationalise the listed companies. Others have even argued that he is a propagandist seeking political mileage.
However, many have overlooked the fact that Raila himself owns various private businesses and has strongly argued against his distracter that he has heavily invested at the NSE
Moreover, many people have glossed over others factors likely to be impacting on the downward trend. Such include, investors disposing of share in readiness to safcom IPO and the Christmas festival.
Other reasons as recently pointed by the NSE board are the rising inflation resulting in disposal of stocks so as to buy basic commodities.
Jittery investors holding back in anticipation of the political transition and uncertainty on the direction that the stock market is taking cannot be ruled out either.
One significant but overlooked factor that might also be contributing to the share index downward trend is that of the NSE chairman’s political affiliation and utterances.
Though as a presidential candidate Raila utterances and policies will have an impact on NSE, so too would the utterances and associations that the NSE chairman makes.
It is worth noting that, apart from being the current NSE chairman, Jimnah Mbaru also owes the largest investment bank/stock breakage firm in Kenya. His firm has won very many lucrative contracts from the current government. He is also a member of the presidential national advisory council on socio-economic issues. Also a member of T.C.L an investment clubs whose members are who is who in the current regime. This club has clinched top notch deals within a short period.
Contentiously, the NSE Chairman is also a staunch support of the current regime and is rumoured to be eying a parliamentary seat. He was recently in London with the president daughter and Equity bank CEO vilifying Raila. Not long ago he commented that an O.D.M win at the general election would cause the market to tumble. It is said that he has the regimes eye and ear.
Above issues may be interpreted by investors as resistance to changes likely to be introduced by and ODM government if it comes to power.
Yet it is clear to anybody that has been investing at the NSE that, just like the Capital Market Authority, both are screaming for revolutional transformation from the gentlemen’s club they are, into a modern efficient, effective and transparent stock market and regulatory body.
Other investors may foresee a conflictual relationship between NSE (If led by the current chairman) and a future ODM government when the chairman refuses to be politically neutral.
There are also concerns the chairman has not come out to strongly condemn recent alarmist and false remarks attributed to the finance minister on the NSE losing 200 billion whilst the actual figure was 5billion.
Ironically, the chairman’s has neither come out to reassure anxious investors about the increasingly politicisation of the NSE
From this one can conclude that the chairman cannot hold onto his seat and at the same time engage in politics without impacting on the share index. Indeed, stand presents a conflict of interest. Therefore, the best the chairman can do to reassure investors is to stick to one role rather than apportioning blame where it is not due.
The writer is a member of Kenya Capital Investment Group, www.mjengakenya.blogspot.com
Many have been quick to politicise comments made by ODM Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga about the NSE. They have singularly associated the share index downward trend to his earlier comments on drug money finding its way to NSE also his concerns of share manipulation by a few well connected individuals. Paul Muite the chair of (Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs) similarly expressed the latter concerns albeit both politicians did not give details.
Chairman of the NSE, crafty Jimnah Mbaru
On Raila Odinga’s comments many have castigated him as an anti-development, alleged he is a communist, thus he would nationalise the listed companies. Others have even argued that he is a propagandist seeking political mileage.
However, many have overlooked the fact that Raila himself owns various private businesses and has strongly argued against his distracter that he has heavily invested at the NSE
Moreover, many people have glossed over others factors likely to be impacting on the downward trend. Such include, investors disposing of share in readiness to safcom IPO and the Christmas festival.
Other reasons as recently pointed by the NSE board are the rising inflation resulting in disposal of stocks so as to buy basic commodities.
Jittery investors holding back in anticipation of the political transition and uncertainty on the direction that the stock market is taking cannot be ruled out either.
One significant but overlooked factor that might also be contributing to the share index downward trend is that of the NSE chairman’s political affiliation and utterances.
Though as a presidential candidate Raila utterances and policies will have an impact on NSE, so too would the utterances and associations that the NSE chairman makes.
It is worth noting that, apart from being the current NSE chairman, Jimnah Mbaru also owes the largest investment bank/stock breakage firm in Kenya. His firm has won very many lucrative contracts from the current government. He is also a member of the presidential national advisory council on socio-economic issues. Also a member of T.C.L an investment clubs whose members are who is who in the current regime. This club has clinched top notch deals within a short period.
Contentiously, the NSE Chairman is also a staunch support of the current regime and is rumoured to be eying a parliamentary seat. He was recently in London with the president daughter and Equity bank CEO vilifying Raila. Not long ago he commented that an O.D.M win at the general election would cause the market to tumble. It is said that he has the regimes eye and ear.
Above issues may be interpreted by investors as resistance to changes likely to be introduced by and ODM government if it comes to power.
Yet it is clear to anybody that has been investing at the NSE that, just like the Capital Market Authority, both are screaming for revolutional transformation from the gentlemen’s club they are, into a modern efficient, effective and transparent stock market and regulatory body.
Other investors may foresee a conflictual relationship between NSE (If led by the current chairman) and a future ODM government when the chairman refuses to be politically neutral.
There are also concerns the chairman has not come out to strongly condemn recent alarmist and false remarks attributed to the finance minister on the NSE losing 200 billion whilst the actual figure was 5billion.
Ironically, the chairman’s has neither come out to reassure anxious investors about the increasingly politicisation of the NSE
From this one can conclude that the chairman cannot hold onto his seat and at the same time engage in politics without impacting on the share index. Indeed, stand presents a conflict of interest. Therefore, the best the chairman can do to reassure investors is to stick to one role rather than apportioning blame where it is not due.
The writer is a member of Kenya Capital Investment Group, www.mjengakenya.blogspot.com
Gor Sunguh (Kenya Betrayed)
This morning, Chairman Sunguh did not feel like waking up at all.
He was mad at himself - mad at Moi - mad at Biwott - mad at Parliament - and strangely, he was mad at life in general. Of all the people in Parliament that fate could have placed this enormous responsibility on, why did it choose him?
He was bothered.
But then his wife - as normal the first to wake up - tapped him on the shoulder with a smile. She said, "Don't worry about last night."
"I am scared," he whispered.
She pushed away the comforter, "If I told you, I had slept this past night, I would be lying. I have been thinking."
He turned, "About what ?"
"This enormous responsibility. I have been wondering why God placed you in the middle of it."
He looked at her absently.
"Maybe the Lord wants the world finally to know who killed Dr. Ouko and why. Maybe it is the last best chance this nation has to deliver justice to those who robbed Kenya and Africa of one of the best brains this continent has ever produced."
Sunguh came up on his elbow ..... sat next to her, "So you really think, God has anything to do with this?"
She smiled at him, "No doubt."
"Then how do you explain the threats? The intimidation? The letter? How could God sanction this and subject my family to this kind of fear?"
She took his hand and gave it a light squeeze, "All I know is that if God was not in this, you could have been dead by now. You are up against devious forces, against one of the most dangerous creatures in the world."
"You mean Nicholas Biwott?"
She nodded, "Yes. And don't ever underestimate him."
"I won't".
"Even so, I want you to be focused. I want you to make your family proud. To make our Community proud. To make Kenya proud." She kissed his cheek, "Go out there and make Dr. Ouko have the last laugh."
"What if they harm us?" he asked.
She got up, "You would rather face harm and walk away with your dignity than live permanently with the scar of betrayal. I admit, I am scared. But I have to encourage you to go out there and do the right thing. God expects nothing less."
That got him up. He walked to the bathroom and showered. He had a hurried breakfast. An hour later, he was in his office.
***
On the other side of the city, Biwott was having breakfast at the New Stanley Hotel. He was aware that this was the day Christabel was going to make her appearance in front of the Committee.
Because he wanted to try to find out what would be said at this much-anticipated session, he decided to call Chairman Sunguh.
On a third ring, there was a reply, "Hello?"
"It's Nicholas Biwott."
Chairman Sunguh was baffled, "What do you want?"
"What I want is not important - what is important is what you want."
"And what would that be ?"
Biwott laughed. He drew a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. Finally, he said, "I take it, you want to live?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"I take it, you want your family to be safe?"
"Is that another threat?"
"I take it, you want to protect your property?"
"Is this intimidation?"
Biwott whispered, "I do not care what the hell you think this is. If you want to keep things safe and normal around you, don't ask Christabel Ouko anything beyond what she has already said before."
....... you would rather face harm and walk away with your dignity ......
"Chairman Sunguh, did you hear me?" Biwott asked - mad that the man was ignoring him, "Are you still there?"
.........than live permanently with the scar of betrayal ........
.... of betrayal .....
betrayal ......
"Chairman Sunguh?"
Sunguh stood up. He pulled the phone to this mouth, his hand shaking, then he barked, "Go to hell, Nicholas Biwott. I will do what is right." ........Click.
***
Chairman Sunguh sat down, trembling with unalloyed rage. .....how dumb is this guy? ...... Then he grabbed his briefcase, threw on his coat and was about to walk out of the office when his phone rang.
Thinking it was Nick again, he picked it up and said, "I do not want your shit anymore, Nicholas Biwott."
My breath stopped for a moment, then I said, "It's me, Chairman Sunguh, Marianne."
"Oh, I am sorry."
I hesitated - unsure that to make out of Chairman Sunguh's outburst, I said, "Is Biwott there with you?"
"No, he just called."
"I know, it is none of my business, but can you tell me what he wants?"
Chairman Sunguh rubbed the handle on his briefcase with his thumb, "I would love to tell you, but it would be unprofessional. I can only say this much - it is not about you that he called."
"Christabel?"
Sunguh's eyebrows went up in surprise - how could I have guess that - then he asked, "Well, what can I do for you?"
"It is only a couple of days till I come to Nairobi. I would like to know which arrangements you have made for my security."
"We have not finalized the details yet." he told me.
That was my cue, "Can I make a suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"My son-in-law is willing to accompany me. He is a licensed security man with the German Special Forces. If you could approve of it, he would come with me."
"Taking charge of your security here?"
"Yes."
"How will he work with the security on our side?"
"He has done similar jobs in other countries. That's his profession to protect endangered persons, mainly high-profile German politicians when they travel abroad. But if you mean specifically Nairobi, that's what I want you to figure out," I said, "If it is feasible for him to come, I would feel a lot more comfortable having him around."
"Does he realize how dangerous it may be out here?"
"He does."
"Does he know, he could get killed?"
"He does."
"And he would still risk?"
I cleared my throat, "He is doing it for me - and for my daughter."
"Then look, I will pass your request to the Committee and the CID and then get back to you. I am sure, there will be no problem."
"Thank you, Chairman Sunguh ....... and good luck today."
****************************************************************
Christabel Ouko was ready. All the preparations she needed were in place. Last night, she had gone through all the files, the press clippings and the pictures related to her husband's disappearance and subsequent murder.
That was all she had needed.
At 9:30 a.m., her lawyer, a hard-hitting criminal defence attorney, appeared at her gate. He was in a silver Toyota Land Cruiser. The truck had tinted windows, a power sunroof and some other security outfit installed on his request before the car was delivered. It was rumoured that this lawyer was the only one in the country having this special model.
He parked at the gate and hooted twice.
Christabel ran out.
Within minutes, they were gone.
***
At this office, Moi's attorney, Mutula Kilonzo, thought about the former Head of State's proposal which he had issued just before their meeting finished the day before......... arrange for a meeting with Marianne ......
Was Moi really seriously intending to meet Marianne? It sounded so unwise ..... and also impractical.
How in the world was he going to do it? And would she agree?
Realizing that there was no other way than to find out from myself, he dialed my number. When I answered, he hit it on, "We need to talk!"
I was in the middle of doing some laundry, so I had to shut the door first to keep out the sound of the washing machine, then I said, "It's you, Mr. Kilonzo? What do you want?"
Surprised he said, "So to recognize my voice?"
"That's because I have heard it many times," I said, "All right, what is it about?"
"My client wants to to meet you when you come down here."
"Moi?"
"Yes."
"That's not going to be possible," I replied.
"I will personally arrange it."
I sat down and after a short while I told him, "Look, I am coming in as a guest of the Committee. If anything must be arranged, it will therefore have to be through Chairman Sunguh. And given how worried he is about my security, I doubt he will let a meeting happen between Moi and me."
"You could request it." he suggested.
And when I did not respond immediately, he continued, "You can say, you want to have Moi clarify some issues from the past, even private ones."
I had to laugh, this was typical Kilonzo, "Very clever idea..... anyway, I would definitely love to meet Moi - have him to answer some questions I have kept inside for a long time. But I cannot request the meeting. You would have to do it. And if Chairman Sunguh agrees on it, I will accept."
"We will work it out," he promised, "And one more thing ..... I hope, you won't broaden the scope of your testimony."
"What do you mean with that?" I asked.
"In the past, you have only spoken about the business angle of this case, tied Dr. Ouko's death to the Molasses Plant .... are you going to do the same this time around?"
I tried to stay calm and said, "I cannot tell you that I will say - neither can I tell you what I will do."
"But you can limited your testimony," he insisted.
Again I had to control my anger and replied, "Don't you think, it is time for everything to come out? I do not see what Moi has to fear ......... after all, he is no longer in power..... so the moment to talk has finally come."
"So you have really decided to talk and say everything?"
And when I did not answer, the added, "Then look, if you are coming to talk, I want to let you know that I will have to mount a spirited defense of my client. We will attack your character, your credibility and your morals. We will make sure when you leave Kenya that nobody will ever believe anything coming out of your mouth again. I am sorry, but that's what my client will ask me to do ......"
I understood - it was not his personal opinion - but more than Moi I heard Biwott talk through this ........ my old enemy had started the war already ..................
***
After finishing his phone call, Kilonzo sat down at his desk ......was Marianne coming to finally reveal everything? ......
He stood up, eyed the phone oddly, then dialed Kabarnet Gardens. When Moi answered, he said, "Bad news!"
Cough, "How bad?"
"She won't do the meeting with you unless Chairman Sunguh agrees. So it will not be possible to do it secretly. She insists that it has to be okayed before by the Committee."
"Then talk to the Chairman."
"I will do that ..... but that's not the only reason why I called you."
"What else?"
"Marianne is coming to talk ......"
******************************************************************************
Christabel and her high-flying attorney arrived at the Parliament Buildings to a round of flash and clicks. There was a huge scramble by the Press to get the best view of her.
It had been years since the public had seen her, so the journalists knew that the pictures and the description of her they ended up putting in their respective outlets, were going to matter.
And because it had been announced that she would be here, many Nairobi residents - eager to catch a glimpse of her - had come also out in droves.
Suddenly, here she was.
As stately as ever.
Her hair was meticulously palmed. It looked shiny, and it felt flat on her head like is was painted there. Her eyes remained as sharp as they were before the tragedy. She wore a flowing African Kitenge .... it added to the sense of honor and dignity she had cultivated ever since the death of her beloved husband.
Noticing the curious public, she lifted her right hand and waved.
People waved back ..... screamed her name ..... and then that of Bob.
Right there she knew, Kenyans had not forgotten him. He was still loved. It made her proud. Gave her energy.
As she started her slow walk into the Parliament Building, shielded by a beehive of security personnel, she hoped she would have the courage to face the Committee. She still could not understand why they had summoned her. She had said all there was to say in the previous investigations.
She had also informed Chairman Sunguh that the men who killed her husband remained just as dangerous - that they could still kill her too.
But he had not listened.
She walked into the building, holding her attorney's hand, and headed straight to the Old Chambers where Chairman Sunguh together with all other Committee members were waiting.
When they saw her, they stood up.
She was immediately led to her seat ... handed the Bible. Within minutes, she was ready.
She went on to recount the events as she could recall them. She told the Committee how Bob had sent her back to Nairobi from Koru, insisting he needed some time on his own since he had to work on some papers which he had brought from Nairobi and some others which Marianne had sent to him directly to Kisumu.
She revealed how uneasy she was with the way things had played out between Bob and Nicholas Biwott in the last couple of years.
She told them that her husband had also spoken about the problems created by Nicholas Biwott and that he feared not only for himself but also for her and the children with a friend - Marianne Briner-Mattern - whom they both had trusted and who was like family to them.
"Mrs. Ouko, can you recall what happened the day after it was announced that Dr. Ouko's body had been discovered at Got Alia ?" Chairman Sunguh asked.
Before she could reply, Mutula Kilonzo got up raising an objection, "That was fifteen years ago, Chairman. Do you really expect her to remember that deep in time?"
"Let the Committee hear what she can remember," the Chairman insisted.
"Even if it is speculation?" Kilonzo pressed.
Chairman Sunguh brought down the gravel, "You may proceed, Mrs. Ouko."
"A lot has happened that day...... I cannot recall everything. But I can remember vividly that President Moi came to Loresho to console my family."
She remembered the picture ...... Moi's arms around her ...... tens of dignitaries in her living room ..... hundreds of mourners in her compound ....... her children looking dazed ......
"Mrs. Ouko?"
"I can remember seeing Nicholas Biwott and wondering what he was doing in my house."
"Let's back up a little," one of the female members of the Committee said. "Can you recall when you first had an inkling your husband was dead?"
Christabel nodded, "The very night he died."
Now Biwott's attorney, normally quiet throughout the proceedings, got up and asked, "What night are you talking about?"
She replied, "February 13, 1990........... and what I have always found strange is that only person has ever mentioned that date with precision."
She found the attorney's eyes and held, "Not even Supt. Troon and the forensic expert of Scotland Yard could say the exact date Bob died .................. but that one person did!"
Biwott's attorney leaned forward, "So what you are saying is that all you had was an inkling? Don't you think, your inkling might be ...... wrong?"
She shook her head, "I loved my husband. We were soul-mates. The minute he died, I felt it. Even when statements were coming from the KBC that he had gone to Gambia, left the country, I never bought the crap." She wiped a tear, "I knew, my husband was dead."
"Were you fearful?" Chairman Sunguh asked.
"I am still fearful."
"Why?"
"Because my husband's killers are still alive. And I don't have to tell you how many witnesses have died. You will recall that one of the killers said ...... only dead people don't talk ....."
Chairman Sunguh then said, "Mrs. Ouko, I appreciate your coming before this Committee. Before you leave, I would like to ask you pointedly - do you know who killed your husband?"
She looked down,......everybody knows who killed Bob ...... Gicheru as good as dropped their names ...... Supt. Troon from Scotland Yard pointed us in their direction ....... Marianne has trumpeted for years who she believes the killers are ............... I am sure that all of you in this Committee exactly know who did it and why.........
"Mrs. Ouko?"
She looked up, "We all know who killed Dr. Ouko."
***
As soon as Christabel Ouko wound up her testimony, she stood up. She shook hands with Chairman Sunguh, then whispered in his ear, "Be very careful!"
On that note, she left.
***
After the long day, Chairman Sunguh was ready to bring the Committee's business to a close, but before doing so, he informed the members that there was one more issue to handle.
He quietly told them, "The former Head of State wants to meet Mrs. Marianne Briner-Mattern in private if this Committee can okay it."
Mutula Kilonzo took it from there, "My office stands ready to facilitate the process. And let is be known that both parties are interested in this meeting."
"So ...... there it is, Ladies and Gentlemen, what do we do?"
They voted for it.
He was mad at himself - mad at Moi - mad at Biwott - mad at Parliament - and strangely, he was mad at life in general. Of all the people in Parliament that fate could have placed this enormous responsibility on, why did it choose him?
He was bothered.
But then his wife - as normal the first to wake up - tapped him on the shoulder with a smile. She said, "Don't worry about last night."
"I am scared," he whispered.
She pushed away the comforter, "If I told you, I had slept this past night, I would be lying. I have been thinking."
He turned, "About what ?"
"This enormous responsibility. I have been wondering why God placed you in the middle of it."
He looked at her absently.
"Maybe the Lord wants the world finally to know who killed Dr. Ouko and why. Maybe it is the last best chance this nation has to deliver justice to those who robbed Kenya and Africa of one of the best brains this continent has ever produced."
Sunguh came up on his elbow ..... sat next to her, "So you really think, God has anything to do with this?"
She smiled at him, "No doubt."
"Then how do you explain the threats? The intimidation? The letter? How could God sanction this and subject my family to this kind of fear?"
She took his hand and gave it a light squeeze, "All I know is that if God was not in this, you could have been dead by now. You are up against devious forces, against one of the most dangerous creatures in the world."
"You mean Nicholas Biwott?"
She nodded, "Yes. And don't ever underestimate him."
"I won't".
"Even so, I want you to be focused. I want you to make your family proud. To make our Community proud. To make Kenya proud." She kissed his cheek, "Go out there and make Dr. Ouko have the last laugh."
"What if they harm us?" he asked.
She got up, "You would rather face harm and walk away with your dignity than live permanently with the scar of betrayal. I admit, I am scared. But I have to encourage you to go out there and do the right thing. God expects nothing less."
That got him up. He walked to the bathroom and showered. He had a hurried breakfast. An hour later, he was in his office.
***
On the other side of the city, Biwott was having breakfast at the New Stanley Hotel. He was aware that this was the day Christabel was going to make her appearance in front of the Committee.
Because he wanted to try to find out what would be said at this much-anticipated session, he decided to call Chairman Sunguh.
On a third ring, there was a reply, "Hello?"
"It's Nicholas Biwott."
Chairman Sunguh was baffled, "What do you want?"
"What I want is not important - what is important is what you want."
"And what would that be ?"
Biwott laughed. He drew a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. Finally, he said, "I take it, you want to live?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"I take it, you want your family to be safe?"
"Is that another threat?"
"I take it, you want to protect your property?"
"Is this intimidation?"
Biwott whispered, "I do not care what the hell you think this is. If you want to keep things safe and normal around you, don't ask Christabel Ouko anything beyond what she has already said before."
....... you would rather face harm and walk away with your dignity ......
"Chairman Sunguh, did you hear me?" Biwott asked - mad that the man was ignoring him, "Are you still there?"
.........than live permanently with the scar of betrayal ........
.... of betrayal .....
betrayal ......
"Chairman Sunguh?"
Sunguh stood up. He pulled the phone to this mouth, his hand shaking, then he barked, "Go to hell, Nicholas Biwott. I will do what is right." ........Click.
***
Chairman Sunguh sat down, trembling with unalloyed rage. .....how dumb is this guy? ...... Then he grabbed his briefcase, threw on his coat and was about to walk out of the office when his phone rang.
Thinking it was Nick again, he picked it up and said, "I do not want your shit anymore, Nicholas Biwott."
My breath stopped for a moment, then I said, "It's me, Chairman Sunguh, Marianne."
"Oh, I am sorry."
I hesitated - unsure that to make out of Chairman Sunguh's outburst, I said, "Is Biwott there with you?"
"No, he just called."
"I know, it is none of my business, but can you tell me what he wants?"
Chairman Sunguh rubbed the handle on his briefcase with his thumb, "I would love to tell you, but it would be unprofessional. I can only say this much - it is not about you that he called."
"Christabel?"
Sunguh's eyebrows went up in surprise - how could I have guess that - then he asked, "Well, what can I do for you?"
"It is only a couple of days till I come to Nairobi. I would like to know which arrangements you have made for my security."
"We have not finalized the details yet." he told me.
That was my cue, "Can I make a suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"My son-in-law is willing to accompany me. He is a licensed security man with the German Special Forces. If you could approve of it, he would come with me."
"Taking charge of your security here?"
"Yes."
"How will he work with the security on our side?"
"He has done similar jobs in other countries. That's his profession to protect endangered persons, mainly high-profile German politicians when they travel abroad. But if you mean specifically Nairobi, that's what I want you to figure out," I said, "If it is feasible for him to come, I would feel a lot more comfortable having him around."
"Does he realize how dangerous it may be out here?"
"He does."
"Does he know, he could get killed?"
"He does."
"And he would still risk?"
I cleared my throat, "He is doing it for me - and for my daughter."
"Then look, I will pass your request to the Committee and the CID and then get back to you. I am sure, there will be no problem."
"Thank you, Chairman Sunguh ....... and good luck today."
****************************************************************
Christabel Ouko was ready. All the preparations she needed were in place. Last night, she had gone through all the files, the press clippings and the pictures related to her husband's disappearance and subsequent murder.
That was all she had needed.
At 9:30 a.m., her lawyer, a hard-hitting criminal defence attorney, appeared at her gate. He was in a silver Toyota Land Cruiser. The truck had tinted windows, a power sunroof and some other security outfit installed on his request before the car was delivered. It was rumoured that this lawyer was the only one in the country having this special model.
He parked at the gate and hooted twice.
Christabel ran out.
Within minutes, they were gone.
***
At this office, Moi's attorney, Mutula Kilonzo, thought about the former Head of State's proposal which he had issued just before their meeting finished the day before......... arrange for a meeting with Marianne ......
Was Moi really seriously intending to meet Marianne? It sounded so unwise ..... and also impractical.
How in the world was he going to do it? And would she agree?
Realizing that there was no other way than to find out from myself, he dialed my number. When I answered, he hit it on, "We need to talk!"
I was in the middle of doing some laundry, so I had to shut the door first to keep out the sound of the washing machine, then I said, "It's you, Mr. Kilonzo? What do you want?"
Surprised he said, "So to recognize my voice?"
"That's because I have heard it many times," I said, "All right, what is it about?"
"My client wants to to meet you when you come down here."
"Moi?"
"Yes."
"That's not going to be possible," I replied.
"I will personally arrange it."
I sat down and after a short while I told him, "Look, I am coming in as a guest of the Committee. If anything must be arranged, it will therefore have to be through Chairman Sunguh. And given how worried he is about my security, I doubt he will let a meeting happen between Moi and me."
"You could request it." he suggested.
And when I did not respond immediately, he continued, "You can say, you want to have Moi clarify some issues from the past, even private ones."
I had to laugh, this was typical Kilonzo, "Very clever idea..... anyway, I would definitely love to meet Moi - have him to answer some questions I have kept inside for a long time. But I cannot request the meeting. You would have to do it. And if Chairman Sunguh agrees on it, I will accept."
"We will work it out," he promised, "And one more thing ..... I hope, you won't broaden the scope of your testimony."
"What do you mean with that?" I asked.
"In the past, you have only spoken about the business angle of this case, tied Dr. Ouko's death to the Molasses Plant .... are you going to do the same this time around?"
I tried to stay calm and said, "I cannot tell you that I will say - neither can I tell you what I will do."
"But you can limited your testimony," he insisted.
Again I had to control my anger and replied, "Don't you think, it is time for everything to come out? I do not see what Moi has to fear ......... after all, he is no longer in power..... so the moment to talk has finally come."
"So you have really decided to talk and say everything?"
And when I did not answer, the added, "Then look, if you are coming to talk, I want to let you know that I will have to mount a spirited defense of my client. We will attack your character, your credibility and your morals. We will make sure when you leave Kenya that nobody will ever believe anything coming out of your mouth again. I am sorry, but that's what my client will ask me to do ......"
I understood - it was not his personal opinion - but more than Moi I heard Biwott talk through this ........ my old enemy had started the war already ..................
***
After finishing his phone call, Kilonzo sat down at his desk ......was Marianne coming to finally reveal everything? ......
He stood up, eyed the phone oddly, then dialed Kabarnet Gardens. When Moi answered, he said, "Bad news!"
Cough, "How bad?"
"She won't do the meeting with you unless Chairman Sunguh agrees. So it will not be possible to do it secretly. She insists that it has to be okayed before by the Committee."
"Then talk to the Chairman."
"I will do that ..... but that's not the only reason why I called you."
"What else?"
"Marianne is coming to talk ......"
******************************************************************************
Christabel and her high-flying attorney arrived at the Parliament Buildings to a round of flash and clicks. There was a huge scramble by the Press to get the best view of her.
It had been years since the public had seen her, so the journalists knew that the pictures and the description of her they ended up putting in their respective outlets, were going to matter.
And because it had been announced that she would be here, many Nairobi residents - eager to catch a glimpse of her - had come also out in droves.
Suddenly, here she was.
As stately as ever.
Her hair was meticulously palmed. It looked shiny, and it felt flat on her head like is was painted there. Her eyes remained as sharp as they were before the tragedy. She wore a flowing African Kitenge .... it added to the sense of honor and dignity she had cultivated ever since the death of her beloved husband.
Noticing the curious public, she lifted her right hand and waved.
People waved back ..... screamed her name ..... and then that of Bob.
Right there she knew, Kenyans had not forgotten him. He was still loved. It made her proud. Gave her energy.
As she started her slow walk into the Parliament Building, shielded by a beehive of security personnel, she hoped she would have the courage to face the Committee. She still could not understand why they had summoned her. She had said all there was to say in the previous investigations.
She had also informed Chairman Sunguh that the men who killed her husband remained just as dangerous - that they could still kill her too.
But he had not listened.
She walked into the building, holding her attorney's hand, and headed straight to the Old Chambers where Chairman Sunguh together with all other Committee members were waiting.
When they saw her, they stood up.
She was immediately led to her seat ... handed the Bible. Within minutes, she was ready.
She went on to recount the events as she could recall them. She told the Committee how Bob had sent her back to Nairobi from Koru, insisting he needed some time on his own since he had to work on some papers which he had brought from Nairobi and some others which Marianne had sent to him directly to Kisumu.
She revealed how uneasy she was with the way things had played out between Bob and Nicholas Biwott in the last couple of years.
She told them that her husband had also spoken about the problems created by Nicholas Biwott and that he feared not only for himself but also for her and the children with a friend - Marianne Briner-Mattern - whom they both had trusted and who was like family to them.
"Mrs. Ouko, can you recall what happened the day after it was announced that Dr. Ouko's body had been discovered at Got Alia ?" Chairman Sunguh asked.
Before she could reply, Mutula Kilonzo got up raising an objection, "That was fifteen years ago, Chairman. Do you really expect her to remember that deep in time?"
"Let the Committee hear what she can remember," the Chairman insisted.
"Even if it is speculation?" Kilonzo pressed.
Chairman Sunguh brought down the gravel, "You may proceed, Mrs. Ouko."
"A lot has happened that day...... I cannot recall everything. But I can remember vividly that President Moi came to Loresho to console my family."
She remembered the picture ...... Moi's arms around her ...... tens of dignitaries in her living room ..... hundreds of mourners in her compound ....... her children looking dazed ......
"Mrs. Ouko?"
"I can remember seeing Nicholas Biwott and wondering what he was doing in my house."
"Let's back up a little," one of the female members of the Committee said. "Can you recall when you first had an inkling your husband was dead?"
Christabel nodded, "The very night he died."
Now Biwott's attorney, normally quiet throughout the proceedings, got up and asked, "What night are you talking about?"
She replied, "February 13, 1990........... and what I have always found strange is that only person has ever mentioned that date with precision."
She found the attorney's eyes and held, "Not even Supt. Troon and the forensic expert of Scotland Yard could say the exact date Bob died .................. but that one person did!"
Biwott's attorney leaned forward, "So what you are saying is that all you had was an inkling? Don't you think, your inkling might be ...... wrong?"
She shook her head, "I loved my husband. We were soul-mates. The minute he died, I felt it. Even when statements were coming from the KBC that he had gone to Gambia, left the country, I never bought the crap." She wiped a tear, "I knew, my husband was dead."
"Were you fearful?" Chairman Sunguh asked.
"I am still fearful."
"Why?"
"Because my husband's killers are still alive. And I don't have to tell you how many witnesses have died. You will recall that one of the killers said ...... only dead people don't talk ....."
Chairman Sunguh then said, "Mrs. Ouko, I appreciate your coming before this Committee. Before you leave, I would like to ask you pointedly - do you know who killed your husband?"
She looked down,......everybody knows who killed Bob ...... Gicheru as good as dropped their names ...... Supt. Troon from Scotland Yard pointed us in their direction ....... Marianne has trumpeted for years who she believes the killers are ............... I am sure that all of you in this Committee exactly know who did it and why.........
"Mrs. Ouko?"
She looked up, "We all know who killed Dr. Ouko."
***
As soon as Christabel Ouko wound up her testimony, she stood up. She shook hands with Chairman Sunguh, then whispered in his ear, "Be very careful!"
On that note, she left.
***
After the long day, Chairman Sunguh was ready to bring the Committee's business to a close, but before doing so, he informed the members that there was one more issue to handle.
He quietly told them, "The former Head of State wants to meet Mrs. Marianne Briner-Mattern in private if this Committee can okay it."
Mutula Kilonzo took it from there, "My office stands ready to facilitate the process. And let is be known that both parties are interested in this meeting."
"So ...... there it is, Ladies and Gentlemen, what do we do?"
They voted for it.
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today.
1. Story of woman who loved 2 men that depicts presidential elections in Kenya Part 2
2. What is the ECK up to in Kisauni?
3. Why Raila will lose Langata Parliamentary seat
4. Otieno Kajwang gets life line from Raila but...
5. Why Kenya is in big trouble.
1. Story of woman who loved 2 men that depicts presidential elections in Kenya Part 2
2. What is the ECK up to in Kisauni?
3. Why Raila will lose Langata Parliamentary seat
4. Otieno Kajwang gets life line from Raila but...
5. Why Kenya is in big trouble.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What Is The Electoral Commission Up To?
The Electoral Commission has at this eleventh hour adjusted the constituency boundary between Kisauni in Mombasa and neighboring Mvita consitituency in a move that affects close to 10,000 voters.
ODM has gone to court to block the move and as the electoral commission asked for more time to prepare their case, an incredulous High court judge yesterday bluntly told the ECK that they have no case.
Meanwhile in Kisauni there have been demonstrations over the last 3 days against this puzzling move by the ECK. The voters on the ground are very clear in their mind where all this is coming from. They blame the outgoing MP of the area Anania Mwaboza for ganging up with the government to ensure that he is voted back to parliament in an area that is rabidly ODM. Interestingly the part of Kisauni ceded out to Mvita by the ECK is a stronghold of Mwaboza’s main challenger Ali Hassan Joho.
Could this have been one of the reasons behind the recent appointment of a new commissioner who has been practicing law in Mombasa?
I am getting a very bad feeling here. Many strange events reported recently remind me very much of Moi’s arithmetical games in those shams that Kenyans dared call General elections in the 90s. The idea here is to not only get Mwaboza back into parliament but to mainly secure the incumbent president’s 25% in the province, which is looking increasingly remote as the majimbo debate heats up.
I will deal with this Majimbo issue here soon but what you need to know now is that Coast voters will hear of nothing else but majimboism. The last nail on PNU’s coffin in Coast province came earlier today when the Shirikisho party distanced itself from Ali Mwakere’s support of the President and announced that they would officially withdraw from being a PNU affiliate party at a Shirikisho delegates conference slated to take place soon.
Some PNU officials may not be very sad to see Shirikisho go. The PNU campaign at the Coast, led by Uhuru Kenyatta has been very confusing for voters because PNU are breathing fire against Majomboism while Mwakere stands up in the same meeting and supports the majimbo agenda but says that Shirikisho are supportinmg President Kibaki instead of supporting the presidential candidate pushing for Majimboism or devolution of government as spelled out in the trashed Bomas Draft.
ODM has gone to court to block the move and as the electoral commission asked for more time to prepare their case, an incredulous High court judge yesterday bluntly told the ECK that they have no case.
Meanwhile in Kisauni there have been demonstrations over the last 3 days against this puzzling move by the ECK. The voters on the ground are very clear in their mind where all this is coming from. They blame the outgoing MP of the area Anania Mwaboza for ganging up with the government to ensure that he is voted back to parliament in an area that is rabidly ODM. Interestingly the part of Kisauni ceded out to Mvita by the ECK is a stronghold of Mwaboza’s main challenger Ali Hassan Joho.
Could this have been one of the reasons behind the recent appointment of a new commissioner who has been practicing law in Mombasa?
I am getting a very bad feeling here. Many strange events reported recently remind me very much of Moi’s arithmetical games in those shams that Kenyans dared call General elections in the 90s. The idea here is to not only get Mwaboza back into parliament but to mainly secure the incumbent president’s 25% in the province, which is looking increasingly remote as the majimbo debate heats up.
I will deal with this Majimbo issue here soon but what you need to know now is that Coast voters will hear of nothing else but majimboism. The last nail on PNU’s coffin in Coast province came earlier today when the Shirikisho party distanced itself from Ali Mwakere’s support of the President and announced that they would officially withdraw from being a PNU affiliate party at a Shirikisho delegates conference slated to take place soon.
Some PNU officials may not be very sad to see Shirikisho go. The PNU campaign at the Coast, led by Uhuru Kenyatta has been very confusing for voters because PNU are breathing fire against Majomboism while Mwakere stands up in the same meeting and supports the majimbo agenda but says that Shirikisho are supportinmg President Kibaki instead of supporting the presidential candidate pushing for Majimboism or devolution of government as spelled out in the trashed Bomas Draft.
Story Of Woman Who Loved Two Men Depicts Kenyan Presidential Elections Politics Perfectly -Part 2
Dorothy was now in a real panic. She tried his cell phone again. The mobile phone subscriber could still not be reached.
She decided to send him a message so that when he finally switched on his phone, he may just be able to get it.
PLEASE CALL ME BACK VERY, VERY, URGENTLY-DOROTHY.
Then the real agony began. She was sure that Rai was dead by now. Kib came late in the evening as usual. Naturally he could not understand her mood and got even more confused when she gave herself to him. But it was all mechanical. The way you would go to the toilet for a long call. Her heart was with Rai, if he was alive that is.
She kept her mobile phone on the whole night. She got up to go to work in the morning more exhausted than she had been going to bed the previous night. She was now sure that Rai was dead. He had probably committed suicide. She blamed herself and quietly mourned for him.
What was wrong with her anyway. When women everywhere would have given anything to be with such a sensitive man as Rai, she had rejected him. Look where it had landed her, she chided herself repeatedly.
The call came in at 9:45 when she was in a meeting. She had forgotten to switch off her phone and everybody looked at her angrily. She quickly reached into her purse and was just about to switch off the phone when her eyes caught the caller ID. It couldn’t be. She must be seeing things.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this one, it is a matter of life and death,” she said getting up hurriedly from the table and breaking every company rule and risking everything to take this one call. “It’s an emergency. A matter of life and death,” she repeated before slamming the door to the board room and hurriedly walking towards the reception and the lifts.
“Rai?” was all she could call out into the phone. Not knowing quite what to say
“Dorothy. Is There a problem?” his voice sounded anxious.
“Why did you switch off your phone?”
That one caught Rai off balance. What was wrong with this woman?
“Why were you looking for me?” Rai asked directly.
That caught Dorothy off balance too. She panicked.
“I’m really sorry to bother you.” She hang up.
He called back immediately. She did not take his call. By this time she was in the ladies. She walked into an empty cubicle placed the cover down and sat. Her mobil;e phone was still ringing. She disconnected the call and Rai called again. When she had disconnected the call for the fourth time she started crying again, feeling very confused.
SO NOW YOU HAVE DECIDED TO PLAY WITH MY HEART? Was the SMS she suddenly received from Rai.
I’M NOT PLAYING WITH U, I WAS SO WORRIED 4 U. she replied finding messaging a much easier way to communicate.
THEN CAN U TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON?
CAN WE MEET?
I AM IN MALINDI
She got the idea suddenly and it grabbed her so that she could not let go.
PLS TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE U ARE?
She went back into the office and locked her desk. She told one of her colleagues that there was an emergency situation she had to deal with, ignoring all the company rules and procedures. She felt good as the morning sun bathed her the minute she stepped out into the streets. She felt happy fopr the first time in a long, long time.
* * *
There was a young attractive woman with Rai in the hotel room in the Malindi hotel where Dorothy had gone to surprise him. Rai was so shocked to see her there that he was lost for words when he opened the door. He just opened and shut his mouth like a fish that was out of air.
He finally recovered and leaving the woman in the room gently guided Dorothy to the Hotel restaurant. Three stiff drinks later she felt a little giddy and started telling him off.
* * *
To date Kib doesn’t know what hit him. How his bride of two months moved in with that struggling accountant called Rai. A man whom Kib would have easily employed in his company. What really got to him was the loss of face. A woman leaving you was not good for any man’s CV.
Once he met them at a restaurant somewhere in the Kilimani area, behaving like some high school kids in love. He was totally disgusted. What he did not know and would never know is the fact that he was the one who had pushed his wife to Rai and in just two months flat of marriage had caused Dorothy to fall passionately in love with Rai.
He would never know that had he not come along Dorothy would never have loved Rai the way she did now. Let alone taken a bus all the way from Nairobi to a Malindi hotel to be with him.
...Ends
She decided to send him a message so that when he finally switched on his phone, he may just be able to get it.
PLEASE CALL ME BACK VERY, VERY, URGENTLY-DOROTHY.
Then the real agony began. She was sure that Rai was dead by now. Kib came late in the evening as usual. Naturally he could not understand her mood and got even more confused when she gave herself to him. But it was all mechanical. The way you would go to the toilet for a long call. Her heart was with Rai, if he was alive that is.
She kept her mobile phone on the whole night. She got up to go to work in the morning more exhausted than she had been going to bed the previous night. She was now sure that Rai was dead. He had probably committed suicide. She blamed herself and quietly mourned for him.
What was wrong with her anyway. When women everywhere would have given anything to be with such a sensitive man as Rai, she had rejected him. Look where it had landed her, she chided herself repeatedly.
The call came in at 9:45 when she was in a meeting. She had forgotten to switch off her phone and everybody looked at her angrily. She quickly reached into her purse and was just about to switch off the phone when her eyes caught the caller ID. It couldn’t be. She must be seeing things.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this one, it is a matter of life and death,” she said getting up hurriedly from the table and breaking every company rule and risking everything to take this one call. “It’s an emergency. A matter of life and death,” she repeated before slamming the door to the board room and hurriedly walking towards the reception and the lifts.
“Rai?” was all she could call out into the phone. Not knowing quite what to say
“Dorothy. Is There a problem?” his voice sounded anxious.
“Why did you switch off your phone?”
That one caught Rai off balance. What was wrong with this woman?
“Why were you looking for me?” Rai asked directly.
That caught Dorothy off balance too. She panicked.
“I’m really sorry to bother you.” She hang up.
He called back immediately. She did not take his call. By this time she was in the ladies. She walked into an empty cubicle placed the cover down and sat. Her mobil;e phone was still ringing. She disconnected the call and Rai called again. When she had disconnected the call for the fourth time she started crying again, feeling very confused.
SO NOW YOU HAVE DECIDED TO PLAY WITH MY HEART? Was the SMS she suddenly received from Rai.
I’M NOT PLAYING WITH U, I WAS SO WORRIED 4 U. she replied finding messaging a much easier way to communicate.
THEN CAN U TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON?
CAN WE MEET?
I AM IN MALINDI
She got the idea suddenly and it grabbed her so that she could not let go.
PLS TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE U ARE?
She went back into the office and locked her desk. She told one of her colleagues that there was an emergency situation she had to deal with, ignoring all the company rules and procedures. She felt good as the morning sun bathed her the minute she stepped out into the streets. She felt happy fopr the first time in a long, long time.
* * *
There was a young attractive woman with Rai in the hotel room in the Malindi hotel where Dorothy had gone to surprise him. Rai was so shocked to see her there that he was lost for words when he opened the door. He just opened and shut his mouth like a fish that was out of air.
He finally recovered and leaving the woman in the room gently guided Dorothy to the Hotel restaurant. Three stiff drinks later she felt a little giddy and started telling him off.
* * *
To date Kib doesn’t know what hit him. How his bride of two months moved in with that struggling accountant called Rai. A man whom Kib would have easily employed in his company. What really got to him was the loss of face. A woman leaving you was not good for any man’s CV.
Once he met them at a restaurant somewhere in the Kilimani area, behaving like some high school kids in love. He was totally disgusted. What he did not know and would never know is the fact that he was the one who had pushed his wife to Rai and in just two months flat of marriage had caused Dorothy to fall passionately in love with Rai.
He would never know that had he not come along Dorothy would never have loved Rai the way she did now. Let alone taken a bus all the way from Nairobi to a Malindi hotel to be with him.
...Ends
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