Although none of them will admit it, all major political parties are in a crisis of sorts after the recent fiasco that some of them are calling party nominations.
What everybody is missing is the reason for the crisis in the first place. Before I go into that it is important for Kenyans to note that this is not a petty issue that can just be brushed aside. After all these are the same politicians promising us all sorts of goodies and the word “change” which we all crave for is on all their lips. But we need to ask ourselves a simple question. If these guys were not able to foresee the nomination crisis that was so obvious and forestall it, how the hell do we expect them to lead us with the increasing problems that we are facing as a nation? Chew on that one.
The reasons for the current nomination crisis include the following;
i) Contempt of voters by leaders of political parties and especially presidential candidates who do not want to respect the will of the people. Don’t even dare mention the word democracy.
ii) A determination by incumbent MPs to hang on to their political seats at all costs. The huge sums of money they have fleeced from tax payers in the last 5 years has blinded them to believing that they can fool the people and get back to parliament. These guys will do anything and I mean anything. Including murder, violence rigging, cheating bribing, witchcraft etc. These guys who have been a major thorn in the flesh to Kenyans over the last 5 years will not go quietly and are still a major pain (you know where) even as we go to the polls.
iii) Lack of proper planning by political parties despite the fact that some of them have collected hundreds of millions of shillings in nomination fees. Where has all; that money gone? Into people’s pockets, most probably.
iv) ODM stands accused because the party’s top organs were well aware that they had many contestants in most constituencies and they would therefore need to be the best organized to get through the process successfully. Instead they assumed that they would do the same thing they did with the National rainbow Coalition in 2002. Sorry guys the clear message from the people of Kenya is that they are much wiser than they were in 2002 and they have had enough nonsense and will not take any more.
Many Kenyans are now no longer convinced that ODM has what it takes to run a government and fulfill even a fraction of their promises. How can they when they can’t handle a much simpler task like internal party nominations?
Interestingly even the incumbent MPs who have lost at nominations by several thousand votes and are still defecting to other parties in an effort to ensure that their names are in the ballot box. This is really sick. Don’t they get it? Don’t they get the message that the electorate are passing to them loud and clear? Why not cut their losses and go quietly?
Money is indeed such a dangerous thing because it completely blinds people so that they cannot see even the obvious. Top on the list of incumbents who just don’t get it are Chris Murungaru and Norman Nyagah. There are many others but these are the two that come to mind immediately (probably because of their legendary arrogance). This blindness is not limited to one political party but is rampant in politicians in all major political parties.
I want to make a terrible prediction based n the nonsense going on. This election will see the highest number of election petitions ever. They will probably be more than in all past elections put together. If you’re a lawyer just get ready for a windfall in January 2008 onwards.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Why Kumekucha Is Glad To Belong To The Lower Class
I take this opportunity to humbly thank all of you who came out in my defense over the recent venomous comment left in this blog by somebody whom I believe is an old school mate whom I know very well. I am only puzzled at their possible motives in leaving the comment which most of you hit out at.
To be honest I am shocked that some Kenyans still think in terms of the class they belong to. However I am delighted to discover that I belong to the lower class. No wonder I seem to understand the masses so well.
I am very touched by your strong support and faith in me. Let me also say that I am following to the letter, the excellent advice given to me by most of you that I simply ignore the “sour grapes” and continue with my work, which many of you seem to appreciate. Ahsante sana.
So the aim of this post is not to go back to where I have said I will not go. It is to highlight an interesting truth that has emerged from the whole incident.
The main point I want to draw Kenyans attention to is to the reason why we do not seem able to attract enough younger people to stand for elective office. While it is agreed that age is not a factor in these things, it is also agreed that Kenyan politics badly needs a fresh infusion of new and mostly younger blood. Folks who can attempt (or is it dare) to think out of the box.
The venomous comment left here proves something that has happened to many people who are about my age (mid forties and below). These people have never really stopped being school boys and they live to impress their friends and to do what is right according to public opinion and peer pressure. One of the most important rules in this game is that one should never make a fool of themselves. In other words, one should never lose face in front of their peers. Standing for political office and losing is losing face badly, after all these guys live in an illusionary world where everything has to succeed at the first try. Businesses must be established and prosper immediately, like in the movies. And this is where corruption comes in. Some of these age mates of mine whom I know personally have made money from deals like supplying the city council with chalk labeled as chlorine for treating city drinking water. Imagine the damage to people’s health, deaths etc. And these guys are very proud of the fortunes that they have raked in doing this sort of thing.
The really sad thing is that in the process of playing to the gallery some of these talented individuals completely lose their calling and end up as nothing better than corrupt Kenyans calling themselves entrepreneurs.
That is the new generation of Kenyans we are looking up to to take over the reigns of power as soon as possible. May the good Lord have mercy on us. Let me also be the first to apologize to all you readers for misleading you and selling an unfeasible idea in this blog. Despite the evils of the older generation, one thing I am sure they never did was to sell chalk to the city council labeled as chlorine for treating drinking water.
Yet another business practice by some of these so-called young entrepreneurs is that of supplying stuff and then stealing it back from the stores to re-supply again. Of course this is done with a lot of help from insiders. In one particular case this entrepreneur supplied street lights to the city council and then stole the whole lot and marched to City Council for an order to replace the stolen street lights.
These are the characters whom you will find at popular night spots in the city on Fridays and weekends oozing “success in business.”
When we cry for new younger leadership we will have to be very careful in scrutinizing the characters who present themselves for public office.
Incidentally the person who left the venomous comment has stood for political office before and failed to be elected. I will say no more.
To be honest I am shocked that some Kenyans still think in terms of the class they belong to. However I am delighted to discover that I belong to the lower class. No wonder I seem to understand the masses so well.
I am very touched by your strong support and faith in me. Let me also say that I am following to the letter, the excellent advice given to me by most of you that I simply ignore the “sour grapes” and continue with my work, which many of you seem to appreciate. Ahsante sana.
So the aim of this post is not to go back to where I have said I will not go. It is to highlight an interesting truth that has emerged from the whole incident.
The main point I want to draw Kenyans attention to is to the reason why we do not seem able to attract enough younger people to stand for elective office. While it is agreed that age is not a factor in these things, it is also agreed that Kenyan politics badly needs a fresh infusion of new and mostly younger blood. Folks who can attempt (or is it dare) to think out of the box.
The venomous comment left here proves something that has happened to many people who are about my age (mid forties and below). These people have never really stopped being school boys and they live to impress their friends and to do what is right according to public opinion and peer pressure. One of the most important rules in this game is that one should never make a fool of themselves. In other words, one should never lose face in front of their peers. Standing for political office and losing is losing face badly, after all these guys live in an illusionary world where everything has to succeed at the first try. Businesses must be established and prosper immediately, like in the movies. And this is where corruption comes in. Some of these age mates of mine whom I know personally have made money from deals like supplying the city council with chalk labeled as chlorine for treating city drinking water. Imagine the damage to people’s health, deaths etc. And these guys are very proud of the fortunes that they have raked in doing this sort of thing.
The really sad thing is that in the process of playing to the gallery some of these talented individuals completely lose their calling and end up as nothing better than corrupt Kenyans calling themselves entrepreneurs.
That is the new generation of Kenyans we are looking up to to take over the reigns of power as soon as possible. May the good Lord have mercy on us. Let me also be the first to apologize to all you readers for misleading you and selling an unfeasible idea in this blog. Despite the evils of the older generation, one thing I am sure they never did was to sell chalk to the city council labeled as chlorine for treating drinking water.
Yet another business practice by some of these so-called young entrepreneurs is that of supplying stuff and then stealing it back from the stores to re-supply again. Of course this is done with a lot of help from insiders. In one particular case this entrepreneur supplied street lights to the city council and then stole the whole lot and marched to City Council for an order to replace the stolen street lights.
These are the characters whom you will find at popular night spots in the city on Fridays and weekends oozing “success in business.”
When we cry for new younger leadership we will have to be very careful in scrutinizing the characters who present themselves for public office.
Incidentally the person who left the venomous comment has stood for political office before and failed to be elected. I will say no more.
The 5 Most popular stories on Kumekucha today Nov-20th
The 5 Most popular stories on Kumekucha today Nov-20th
1. Party nominations: old tricks fail to work
2. Making of a nation documentary: srengths and weaknesses
3. Missed opportunity by PNU to bury ODM
4. Do you know where Kabogo lives?
5. ODM ad that no media house will touch
1. Party nominations: old tricks fail to work
2. Making of a nation documentary: srengths and weaknesses
3. Missed opportunity by PNU to bury ODM
4. Do you know where Kabogo lives?
5. ODM ad that no media house will touch
Monday, November 19, 2007
Party Nominations: Old Tricks Fail To Work
The old tricks that worked like a gem during the 2002 party nominations have this time failed to work.
Let me explain. In 2002 the Summit as it was then called made unilateral decisions and over-ruled the voters concerning various candidates who had lost party nominations countrywide and instead ended up handing over the precious nomination certificate to many losers. Many folks did not even know what the real nomination outcome had been in many areas of the country.
This time round things were very different. Voters have just said “No” and have complained bitterly. Using technological gadgets like the mobile phone and instant messaging online, as well as email, most Kenyans were very well informed on what was going on on the ground. What most people noticed was that those who had emerged as winners on the ground were often the losers when party headquarters released the names of nominated candidates to the press.
In some areas voters have been very incensed by what they see as a deliberate effort to impose candidates on them. Impeccable sources from the ground tell me that a significant number of voters in Kisumu rural have vowed not to vote in the general elections as a way of protesting the direct nomination of Prof Anyang Nyong. While these threats may quickly be forgotten when the campaign gets under way, it is clear how parties often shoot themselves in the foot by denying the electorate a say and instead imposing a candidate on them.
But even more disheartening are the candidates who campaign for months on end using hundreds of thousands of shillings and even millions, only to have rude shock when their bid is halted by a direct nomination.
Both PDM and PNU have been affected by nomination controversy although ODM seems to have been the hardest hit which is quite understandable considering the colossal number of aspirants the party had. The big question here is how many votes have been lost by presidential candidates as a result of trying to impose candidates on the people? And how many parliamentary seats will be lost?
Interestingly ODM-Kenya is the party that has most successfully managed the nomination process. Despite a few complaints (mainly from Ukambani), it is clear that Hoo Ndii Emmm (as we call them here in Kumekucha) were very well organized and have also gained some very strong candidates countrywide who were defeated unfairly.
P.S. The beating up of KJ (John Kiarie) who is the ODM aspirant for the Dagoretti parliamentary seat should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. The police should also move quickly to arrest those involved including the rival candidate who is said to have sent the goons to attack KJ. However the comedian’s resolve as he was interviewed in hospital while on his back is a clear message to the perpetrators of the violence that their actions have badly backfired and there is no doubt that KJ has won many sympathy votes from the incident.
It really is idiotic for somebody to have a rival beaten up simply because they have lost to them.
Let me explain. In 2002 the Summit as it was then called made unilateral decisions and over-ruled the voters concerning various candidates who had lost party nominations countrywide and instead ended up handing over the precious nomination certificate to many losers. Many folks did not even know what the real nomination outcome had been in many areas of the country.
This time round things were very different. Voters have just said “No” and have complained bitterly. Using technological gadgets like the mobile phone and instant messaging online, as well as email, most Kenyans were very well informed on what was going on on the ground. What most people noticed was that those who had emerged as winners on the ground were often the losers when party headquarters released the names of nominated candidates to the press.
In some areas voters have been very incensed by what they see as a deliberate effort to impose candidates on them. Impeccable sources from the ground tell me that a significant number of voters in Kisumu rural have vowed not to vote in the general elections as a way of protesting the direct nomination of Prof Anyang Nyong. While these threats may quickly be forgotten when the campaign gets under way, it is clear how parties often shoot themselves in the foot by denying the electorate a say and instead imposing a candidate on them.
But even more disheartening are the candidates who campaign for months on end using hundreds of thousands of shillings and even millions, only to have rude shock when their bid is halted by a direct nomination.
Both PDM and PNU have been affected by nomination controversy although ODM seems to have been the hardest hit which is quite understandable considering the colossal number of aspirants the party had. The big question here is how many votes have been lost by presidential candidates as a result of trying to impose candidates on the people? And how many parliamentary seats will be lost?
Interestingly ODM-Kenya is the party that has most successfully managed the nomination process. Despite a few complaints (mainly from Ukambani), it is clear that Hoo Ndii Emmm (as we call them here in Kumekucha) were very well organized and have also gained some very strong candidates countrywide who were defeated unfairly.
P.S. The beating up of KJ (John Kiarie) who is the ODM aspirant for the Dagoretti parliamentary seat should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. The police should also move quickly to arrest those involved including the rival candidate who is said to have sent the goons to attack KJ. However the comedian’s resolve as he was interviewed in hospital while on his back is a clear message to the perpetrators of the violence that their actions have badly backfired and there is no doubt that KJ has won many sympathy votes from the incident.
It really is idiotic for somebody to have a rival beaten up simply because they have lost to them.
The Making Of A Nation: Strengths And Weaknesses Of Historical Series
There is no doubt that the historical documentary The Making Of A Nation is a high quality timely project that is pulling in huge audiences across the world (because NTV is available on the web).
After the first two episodes on Sunday and today (Monday) at 9:45pm, we will have to wait until next Sunday for the next riveting episode.
The writer and director of the documentary, Hilary Ng’weno is a nuclear physicist turned journalist who was the first African Editor in Chief of the Daily Nation in the early 60s. The kind of man who not only understands Kenya’s history but unlike Kumekucha was actually around practicing as a journalist as the events were unfolding.
This strength comes out very clearly in his coverage of events shortly after independence where today the documentary dwelt at length with the effect that instability in neighboring countries had on President Kenyatta and most notably in hardening his resolve to fully control the military and key security forces by appointing mostly trusted members of his own tribe. The year covered was 1964.
I was absolutely fascinated. While I was well aware of most of the events, I had never linked them to developments locally and neither had many historians who have written about the same period of Kenya’s history. It brings a whole new powerful perspective into the events of the time and go a long way in explaining some of Kenyatta’s actions. Admittedly I was not aware of the military mutiny at Lanet Army barracks in 1964.
For a man who displays such insight, I was disappointed that the documentary failed to take note of the fact that the only reason that Kenyatta was released from detention was because Jaramogi Oginga Odinga campaigned vigorously for it and only because he wanted to frustrate Tom Mboya who was a clear front runner to be independent Kenya’s first president. Was this information left out because of Raila’s candidacy for the president? Did somebody fear that it would paint the ODM presidential candidate in poor light? Jaramogi is Raila’s late father.
Still I enjoyed immensely the portrayal of Kenyatta’s Machiavellian tactics of staying in control by playing his key lieutenants against each other.
I can’t wait for Sunday.
After the first two episodes on Sunday and today (Monday) at 9:45pm, we will have to wait until next Sunday for the next riveting episode.
The writer and director of the documentary, Hilary Ng’weno is a nuclear physicist turned journalist who was the first African Editor in Chief of the Daily Nation in the early 60s. The kind of man who not only understands Kenya’s history but unlike Kumekucha was actually around practicing as a journalist as the events were unfolding.
This strength comes out very clearly in his coverage of events shortly after independence where today the documentary dwelt at length with the effect that instability in neighboring countries had on President Kenyatta and most notably in hardening his resolve to fully control the military and key security forces by appointing mostly trusted members of his own tribe. The year covered was 1964.
I was absolutely fascinated. While I was well aware of most of the events, I had never linked them to developments locally and neither had many historians who have written about the same period of Kenya’s history. It brings a whole new powerful perspective into the events of the time and go a long way in explaining some of Kenyatta’s actions. Admittedly I was not aware of the military mutiny at Lanet Army barracks in 1964.
For a man who displays such insight, I was disappointed that the documentary failed to take note of the fact that the only reason that Kenyatta was released from detention was because Jaramogi Oginga Odinga campaigned vigorously for it and only because he wanted to frustrate Tom Mboya who was a clear front runner to be independent Kenya’s first president. Was this information left out because of Raila’s candidacy for the president? Did somebody fear that it would paint the ODM presidential candidate in poor light? Jaramogi is Raila’s late father.
Still I enjoyed immensely the portrayal of Kenyatta’s Machiavellian tactics of staying in control by playing his key lieutenants against each other.
I can’t wait for Sunday.
Troon's decision (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 33
From the moment Sandra got to the office, she was hopelessly distracted. She was worried about her mother. Fearful for her. And now she was sure, her stubborn was really going to Nairobi.
She opened her closet door, grabbed her lab coat and put it on..... Mami loved Kenya ..... but why still now, after all these years? .....
She sat on her swivel chair and pulled a drawer. The first thing she saw was a picture of her holding a baby cheetah. Then another one, showing her feeding a banana to some monkeys. She laughed.
Pushing aside these pictures, she pried further and finally found the one she was really looking for. She had been hiding it from her mother who wanted her to destroy all the memories of the man standing next to her in this photo.
It had been taken on the terrace of the Salt-Lick-Lodge in the Tsavo-Park. He had put her on a chair - so she could see better. Steadying her with one arm around her shoulders, he was pointing at some elephants who had come to drink at the nearby pond. She was looking at him, smiling.
She remembered how she had adored him because he seemed to share her feelings for the animals and for nature.
She put the picture back and for most of the morning, she sat in the office day-dreaming. She started thinking about all the adventures she had in Kenya as a child. How the people had loved her. How she had made many friends there - State House, Kabarnet Gardens, their house at the Coast, the game parks ..... will my childhood dream ever come true - will I one day be able to go back and take care of the animals in that beautiful country?
At 6:00 p.m. she finally finished her work and left for the Airport to meet her mother.
***
In London, Supt. Troon arrived at the downtown office of Scotland Yard at about 11:00 a.m. He was glad that Marianne was going to Kenya to testify. All along, he had wanted her to talk, to tell the world what she knew.
But that had not been possible in the past. The Gicheru Inquiry was disbanded just days before she could make her appearance. And everything she had told him in London had come under scathing attacks, discredited as the rambling of a bitter mzungu.
He knew better .....
He knew Marianne had told the truth. He knew she had subjected herself to a lot of risk by saying as much as she did under oath.
But the fact that she had said it to him in England, had made her testimony vulnerable to attacks. It had made it possible for Biwott and his spin machine to ruthlessly attack the credibility of her words.
Now she finally had a chance to talk in Nairobi. In Biwott's own backyard..... tell them the truth, Marianne!
Supt. Troon got to his former office. It was on the 11th floor. Most of the men up here had been with Scotland Yard through decades, investigated the IRA bombings in Northern Ireland and through the high-profile spate of murders that rocked London, Liverpool and Leeds in the nineties.
He had asked for an appointment with his former Superior. After greeting him with a smile and knowing that the man had not much time, he immediately came to the point, "It's about that Kenyan case," Supt. Troon said, "I wonder if Scotland Yard are at the point where I can write about it."
"Write about it?"
"It's the only way for the truth to come out. And I think, there is a lot to learn from it. Future generations of detectives will benefit from what they can learn from it."
His Superior scratched his head, "But nobody seems to want the truth to come out, Supt. Troon. No. 10 - Downing Street doesn't, nor does the business community or the Kenyan leaders ....", he paused, "the only one who wants it is you - and as much as I commend you for staying on this case, I wish you could let go ..... enjoy your retirement. You did all you could."
Supt. Troon looked down, "Can I at least go to Nairobi?"
"To do what?"
"To testify."
"Don't, Supt. Troon. It's not a good idea. As an adjunct member of Scotland Yard, this organization still relies on you for your advise; it would be aterrible loss if anything should happen to you in Nairobi. Your many admirers would never forgive me. I am sure, you understand my concern."
Supt. Troon nodded. Shaking his hand, he said, I respect your decision, Sir. I won't go."
From the moment Sandra got to the office, she was hopelessly distracted. She was worried about her mother. Fearful for her. And now she was sure, her stubborn was really going to Nairobi.
She opened her closet door, grabbed her lab coat and put it on..... Mami loved Kenya ..... but why still now, after all these years? .....
She sat on her swivel chair and pulled a drawer. The first thing she saw was a picture of her holding a baby cheetah. Then another one, showing her feeding a banana to some monkeys. She laughed.
Pushing aside these pictures, she pried further and finally found the one she was really looking for. She had been hiding it from her mother who wanted her to destroy all the memories of the man standing next to her in this photo.
It had been taken on the terrace of the Salt-Lick-Lodge in the Tsavo-Park. He had put her on a chair - so she could see better. Steadying her with one arm around her shoulders, he was pointing at some elephants who had come to drink at the nearby pond. She was looking at him, smiling.
She remembered how she had adored him because he seemed to share her feelings for the animals and for nature.
She put the picture back and for most of the morning, she sat in the office day-dreaming. She started thinking about all the adventures she had in Kenya as a child. How the people had loved her. How she had made many friends there - State House, Kabarnet Gardens, their house at the Coast, the game parks ..... will my childhood dream ever come true - will I one day be able to go back and take care of the animals in that beautiful country?
At 6:00 p.m. she finally finished her work and left for the Airport to meet her mother.
***
In London, Supt. Troon arrived at the downtown office of Scotland Yard at about 11:00 a.m. He was glad that Marianne was going to Kenya to testify. All along, he had wanted her to talk, to tell the world what she knew.
But that had not been possible in the past. The Gicheru Inquiry was disbanded just days before she could make her appearance. And everything she had told him in London had come under scathing attacks, discredited as the rambling of a bitter mzungu.
He knew better .....
He knew Marianne had told the truth. He knew she had subjected herself to a lot of risk by saying as much as she did under oath.
But the fact that she had said it to him in England, had made her testimony vulnerable to attacks. It had made it possible for Biwott and his spin machine to ruthlessly attack the credibility of her words.
Now she finally had a chance to talk in Nairobi. In Biwott's own backyard..... tell them the truth, Marianne!
Supt. Troon got to his former office. It was on the 11th floor. Most of the men up here had been with Scotland Yard through decades, investigated the IRA bombings in Northern Ireland and through the high-profile spate of murders that rocked London, Liverpool and Leeds in the nineties.
He had asked for an appointment with his former Superior. After greeting him with a smile and knowing that the man had not much time, he immediately came to the point, "It's about that Kenyan case," Supt. Troon said, "I wonder if Scotland Yard are at the point where I can write about it."
"Write about it?"
"It's the only way for the truth to come out. And I think, there is a lot to learn from it. Future generations of detectives will benefit from what they can learn from it."
His Superior scratched his head, "But nobody seems to want the truth to come out, Supt. Troon. No. 10 - Downing Street doesn't, nor does the business community or the Kenyan leaders ....", he paused, "the only one who wants it is you - and as much as I commend you for staying on this case, I wish you could let go ..... enjoy your retirement. You did all you could."
Supt. Troon looked down, "Can I at least go to Nairobi?"
"To do what?"
"To testify."
"Don't, Supt. Troon. It's not a good idea. As an adjunct member of Scotland Yard, this organization still relies on you for your advise; it would be aterrible loss if anything should happen to you in Nairobi. Your many admirers would never forgive me. I am sure, you understand my concern."
Supt. Troon nodded. Shaking his hand, he said, I respect your decision, Sir. I won't go."
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today 19th November
The 5 Most Popular Stories in Kumekucha Today 19th November
1. Missed opportunity by PNU to bury ODM
2. ODM ad that Kenyan media won't carry
3. Do you know where Kabogo lives?
4. Old school mate attacks Kumekucha
5. What impact will Matiba's entry into presidential race have?
1. Missed opportunity by PNU to bury ODM
2. ODM ad that Kenyan media won't carry
3. Do you know where Kabogo lives?
4. Old school mate attacks Kumekucha
5. What impact will Matiba's entry into presidential race have?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
A Missed Opportunity By PNU To Bury ODM
There is no doubt that the popularity of ODM and Raila Odinga has slipped significantly over the last few weeks. One of the reasons for this has been what started out clearly as mere propaganda over the Internet to the effect that Raila had signed a secret MOU with Muslim leaders in Kenya to introduce Sharia law into the Coast and North Eastern province Jimbos shortly after the introduction of the majimbo system of governance as proposed by ODM.
It was a ridiculous claim that many readers here quite rightly dismissed. However, one thing led to another and very soon Raila found himself under considerable pressure to reveal the details of his alleged MOU with the Muslims. He actually put more pressure on himself than was necessary by initially denying the existence of any such agreement. He later changed his mind and admitted that an agreement of sorts had been reached between himself and the Muslims, Coming so soon after the famous Kadhi courts battle in the proposed Bomas draft between Christians and Muslims in Kenya, the issue has caused considerable anxiety amongst Christians all over the country and this has without doubt considerably reduced the momentum in the Raila presidential campaign. Several polls have clearly shown his popularity slipping.
It is quite likely that the hiring of the controversial Dick Morris (a gifted but controversial pollster who former President Clinton talks of very highly of in his biography—My Life.) was one of the measures taken by Raila’s handlers to try and reverse the situation. It really isn’t a crisis yet but in politics at this level anything can happen and what starts out as a minor incident can quickly snowball into an election-losing issue.
In fact Dick Morris is one of the main reasons why Bill Clinton earned the nickname “The come back kid.” It was because there were several potentially election-losing issues that came up during his initial presidential campaign and in his re-election bid (mostly from his private life). But with the help of Morris and others Clinton handlers were able to spin him out of trouble every time. In hiring Morris, Raila handlers were probably hoping for the same miracle for their man.
President Kibaki’s handlers no doubt saw the opportunity when they put in the president’s itinerary a prayer service shortly after he presented his papers to the ECK. The idea was to portray him as a staunch Christian in sharp contrast to Raila.
The truth is that the Christian vote in Kenya is enough to make or break a presidential bid and in my view President Kibaki’s handlers did not make enough of the situation. Please excuse my saying so, but they should have gone for the jugular—that is the nature of politics. They really had a good opportunity to completely bury Raila Odinga which they missed. If I was on the president’s team I would have emphasized the need to keep on hammering on the Christian affiliation of the president.
In fact the big effort made by the president to reach out to the Muslims a few weeks back was mainly designed to secure his much required 25 per cent at the Coast province, otherwise the ideal thing to have done would have been to position the president as close to the Christians as possible (without saying anything that would offend our Muslim brothers). That alone would have earned him numerous votes across the country. That is what spin experts like Dick Morris specialize on. The stuff that changes the direction of a political campaign so dramatically that one easily snatches victory right from the jaws of defeat.
Now it is a little late because the Raila team seems to be slowly but surely recovering from that crisis. The focus on the party nominations has diverted public attention from it and chances are that this issue will not emerge again so high in the thoughts of voters because the stage where the campaign has entered now will usher in other pertinent debates and issues covering a very wide range of subjects.
P.S. In politics like in marketing, there is really no point wasting time and resources on lost causes. In my informed view, the Muslim vote is a lost cause for the president, thanks mainly to the Americans and their bullying ways in dealing with terrorism. Too many Muslims have been affected and the wounds are still too raw for the President to change Muslim minds. The President should therefore focus all his energies elsewhere. For instance the influential but few Hindus, who have benefited greatly from the Kibaki economic policies, professionals, many small businesses countrywide who have made a killing from importing with the strong shilling that president Kibaki has emphasized on throughout his administration, to name a few. This would have been the firm bedrock of support that would have helped launch and create a winning presidential campaign. In my view the president should have reduced his public meetings where Raila looks better and is much more gifted in playing to the gallery.
If the president loses this campaign, his handlers will have a lot to answer about the strategy they have employed. If I was one of them and the president kept on over-ruling me, then the right and honorable thing to do is to resign early rather than wait to take blame later for something that you did not agree with.
It was a ridiculous claim that many readers here quite rightly dismissed. However, one thing led to another and very soon Raila found himself under considerable pressure to reveal the details of his alleged MOU with the Muslims. He actually put more pressure on himself than was necessary by initially denying the existence of any such agreement. He later changed his mind and admitted that an agreement of sorts had been reached between himself and the Muslims, Coming so soon after the famous Kadhi courts battle in the proposed Bomas draft between Christians and Muslims in Kenya, the issue has caused considerable anxiety amongst Christians all over the country and this has without doubt considerably reduced the momentum in the Raila presidential campaign. Several polls have clearly shown his popularity slipping.
It is quite likely that the hiring of the controversial Dick Morris (a gifted but controversial pollster who former President Clinton talks of very highly of in his biography—My Life.) was one of the measures taken by Raila’s handlers to try and reverse the situation. It really isn’t a crisis yet but in politics at this level anything can happen and what starts out as a minor incident can quickly snowball into an election-losing issue.
In fact Dick Morris is one of the main reasons why Bill Clinton earned the nickname “The come back kid.” It was because there were several potentially election-losing issues that came up during his initial presidential campaign and in his re-election bid (mostly from his private life). But with the help of Morris and others Clinton handlers were able to spin him out of trouble every time. In hiring Morris, Raila handlers were probably hoping for the same miracle for their man.
President Kibaki’s handlers no doubt saw the opportunity when they put in the president’s itinerary a prayer service shortly after he presented his papers to the ECK. The idea was to portray him as a staunch Christian in sharp contrast to Raila.
The truth is that the Christian vote in Kenya is enough to make or break a presidential bid and in my view President Kibaki’s handlers did not make enough of the situation. Please excuse my saying so, but they should have gone for the jugular—that is the nature of politics. They really had a good opportunity to completely bury Raila Odinga which they missed. If I was on the president’s team I would have emphasized the need to keep on hammering on the Christian affiliation of the president.
In fact the big effort made by the president to reach out to the Muslims a few weeks back was mainly designed to secure his much required 25 per cent at the Coast province, otherwise the ideal thing to have done would have been to position the president as close to the Christians as possible (without saying anything that would offend our Muslim brothers). That alone would have earned him numerous votes across the country. That is what spin experts like Dick Morris specialize on. The stuff that changes the direction of a political campaign so dramatically that one easily snatches victory right from the jaws of defeat.
Now it is a little late because the Raila team seems to be slowly but surely recovering from that crisis. The focus on the party nominations has diverted public attention from it and chances are that this issue will not emerge again so high in the thoughts of voters because the stage where the campaign has entered now will usher in other pertinent debates and issues covering a very wide range of subjects.
P.S. In politics like in marketing, there is really no point wasting time and resources on lost causes. In my informed view, the Muslim vote is a lost cause for the president, thanks mainly to the Americans and their bullying ways in dealing with terrorism. Too many Muslims have been affected and the wounds are still too raw for the President to change Muslim minds. The President should therefore focus all his energies elsewhere. For instance the influential but few Hindus, who have benefited greatly from the Kibaki economic policies, professionals, many small businesses countrywide who have made a killing from importing with the strong shilling that president Kibaki has emphasized on throughout his administration, to name a few. This would have been the firm bedrock of support that would have helped launch and create a winning presidential campaign. In my view the president should have reduced his public meetings where Raila looks better and is much more gifted in playing to the gallery.
If the president loses this campaign, his handlers will have a lot to answer about the strategy they have employed. If I was one of them and the president kept on over-ruling me, then the right and honorable thing to do is to resign early rather than wait to take blame later for something that you did not agree with.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Will ODM-Kenya Be The Surprise Party Of the 2007 General Elections?
Long before the elections we discussed an interesting strategy that KANU was putting in place then that would position the party perfectly to receive the inevitable fall out from the nominations.
Well Kanu bigwigs changed their minds and threw in their lot with incumbent Mwai Kibaki, but their strategy now seems to have been taken up by Hoo Ndii Emm.
Details are still emerging but ODM-K top officials have been busy today receiving defectors from both sides of the divide.
Actually this puts the party in a stronger position than most people may realize. It means that the party has a good chance of spreading its’ tentacles into both PNU and ODM strongholds. The end result is that this party of all parties will end up with the most nationalistic outlook of all 3 major political parties. From my quick projections it could also mean that ODM-K will end up with the second largest number of seats in the 10th parliament.
Clearly this is not a party that can be ignored. In fact those Kenyans who have not being paying enough attention to what Kalonzo Musyoka is saying (including your truly) needs to wake up and start listening carefully. It is very possible that this will be the most important political party in the house and could form the backbone of the opposition in the 10th parliament.
Admittedly Hoo Ndii Emms’ Chungwa House was also packed with complaining aspirants who claim that they had lost in unfair polls. These were mostly from Ukambani and many were demanding a refund of their nomination fees. Fortunately the impact of these losers will be very minimal and will hardly affect the results in Hoo Ndii Emm’s favour right across the Ukambani districts.
There is one other key issue that many political analysts have been ignoring. It is the fact that the more MPs a political party gets into parliament, the more votes its’ presidential candidate will end up with. The reality on the ground is that when a parliamentary candidate convinces the electorate, they will tend to also vote for his or her presidential candidate. Keen observers need to start considering the possibility of Kalonzo Musyoka ending up in the top two, when the results are tallied up.
As I did this post, the results from the nominations were still trickling in but the general feeling is that as I said here months ago, politicians are for the first time facing some very angry voters who have a point to prove. The latest information indicates that giants have fallen en masse. See my other post.
Well Kanu bigwigs changed their minds and threw in their lot with incumbent Mwai Kibaki, but their strategy now seems to have been taken up by Hoo Ndii Emm.
Details are still emerging but ODM-K top officials have been busy today receiving defectors from both sides of the divide.
Actually this puts the party in a stronger position than most people may realize. It means that the party has a good chance of spreading its’ tentacles into both PNU and ODM strongholds. The end result is that this party of all parties will end up with the most nationalistic outlook of all 3 major political parties. From my quick projections it could also mean that ODM-K will end up with the second largest number of seats in the 10th parliament.
Clearly this is not a party that can be ignored. In fact those Kenyans who have not being paying enough attention to what Kalonzo Musyoka is saying (including your truly) needs to wake up and start listening carefully. It is very possible that this will be the most important political party in the house and could form the backbone of the opposition in the 10th parliament.
Admittedly Hoo Ndii Emms’ Chungwa House was also packed with complaining aspirants who claim that they had lost in unfair polls. These were mostly from Ukambani and many were demanding a refund of their nomination fees. Fortunately the impact of these losers will be very minimal and will hardly affect the results in Hoo Ndii Emm’s favour right across the Ukambani districts.
There is one other key issue that many political analysts have been ignoring. It is the fact that the more MPs a political party gets into parliament, the more votes its’ presidential candidate will end up with. The reality on the ground is that when a parliamentary candidate convinces the electorate, they will tend to also vote for his or her presidential candidate. Keen observers need to start considering the possibility of Kalonzo Musyoka ending up in the top two, when the results are tallied up.
As I did this post, the results from the nominations were still trickling in but the general feeling is that as I said here months ago, politicians are for the first time facing some very angry voters who have a point to prove. The latest information indicates that giants have fallen en masse. See my other post.
Quick Quiz: Do You Know Where William Kabogo Lives?
During my brief absence, one very interesting piece of information I came across concerns controversial immediate former Juja legislator William Kabogo. I always thought that the guy lives somewhere near Thika or at the very least in Nairobi.
Actually he lives in Mombasa in a palatial house that I saw hidden deep in the leafy Nyali suburb. The house is right next to a bush that was cleared for his helicopter to be landing as he returns almost daily to his “palace”. A neighbor tells me that the helicopter has not landed in the bush for quite a while and the cleared vegetation has started growing again, and so nobody seems to know where it lands these days. But Kabogo still lives in the huge imposing house and is regularly seen in a car coming and going.
Neighbours inform me that the house was a spectacle to watch when it was being constructed. Kabogo would quite often order entire walls to be demolished and re-constructed and it seems that he continued to design his house and make adjustments even as construction was going on.
The house boasts of a huge theatre, a gym, swimming pool and every amenity you can think of. The grey rare stones used to construct it are said to have been imported from Israel. There is no doubt that the house is very unique and extremely impressive, although a lot of it is hidden from passersby by a very high perimeter wall.
Meanwhile on the political front, my informants on the ground assure me that Mr Kabogo will have absolutely no problem winning back his Juja parliamentary seat despite stiff competition. The immediate former legislator who was in the 9th parliament courtesy of the Sisi Kwa Sisi party was shown in TV news clips a few hours ago, addressing his constituents and assuring them that his name would definitely be in the ballot paper for the constituency while arrogantly claiming that both PNU and ODM bigwigs have desperately been courting him.
EXTRA:
How did William Kabogo Gitau (he celebrated his 47th birthday on 4th April this year) make his money? This remains a mystery. But even more fascinating is the link between Kabogo and John Harun Mwau. The two legislators are related by marriage. Kabogo is married to Mwau's daughter and so calls the embattaled Kilome MP his father-in-law.
But it is deeper than that because the two are actually very close business associates. One can only guess the kind of business they deal in that has brought them such untold riches. Kabogo graduated from the university of Nairobi penniless only to get stinking wealthy overnight.
Actually he lives in Mombasa in a palatial house that I saw hidden deep in the leafy Nyali suburb. The house is right next to a bush that was cleared for his helicopter to be landing as he returns almost daily to his “palace”. A neighbor tells me that the helicopter has not landed in the bush for quite a while and the cleared vegetation has started growing again, and so nobody seems to know where it lands these days. But Kabogo still lives in the huge imposing house and is regularly seen in a car coming and going.
Neighbours inform me that the house was a spectacle to watch when it was being constructed. Kabogo would quite often order entire walls to be demolished and re-constructed and it seems that he continued to design his house and make adjustments even as construction was going on.
The house boasts of a huge theatre, a gym, swimming pool and every amenity you can think of. The grey rare stones used to construct it are said to have been imported from Israel. There is no doubt that the house is very unique and extremely impressive, although a lot of it is hidden from passersby by a very high perimeter wall.
Meanwhile on the political front, my informants on the ground assure me that Mr Kabogo will have absolutely no problem winning back his Juja parliamentary seat despite stiff competition. The immediate former legislator who was in the 9th parliament courtesy of the Sisi Kwa Sisi party was shown in TV news clips a few hours ago, addressing his constituents and assuring them that his name would definitely be in the ballot paper for the constituency while arrogantly claiming that both PNU and ODM bigwigs have desperately been courting him.
EXTRA:
How did William Kabogo Gitau (he celebrated his 47th birthday on 4th April this year) make his money? This remains a mystery. But even more fascinating is the link between Kabogo and John Harun Mwau. The two legislators are related by marriage. Kabogo is married to Mwau's daughter and so calls the embattaled Kilome MP his father-in-law.
But it is deeper than that because the two are actually very close business associates. One can only guess the kind of business they deal in that has brought them such untold riches. Kabogo graduated from the university of Nairobi penniless only to get stinking wealthy overnight.
Friday, November 16, 2007
What Impact Will The Entry Of Kenneth Matiba Have?
Kenneth Stanley Njindo Matiba has made a surprise entrance into the presidential race. He turned up seemingly from nowhere and presnted his papers, yesterday.
Interestingly this heroic freedom fighter who paid for his fight for democracy dearly when his detention witthout trial by the Moi government resulted in stroke that almost killed him, can’t read and neither can he sign documents. So the question arises, if he was elected president what would happen? Who would sign those important and highly confidential documents? Who would read those equally confidential reports for him?
In my view the contributions made by Matiba in the fight for democracy is so big that he deserved to be treated better. If for no other reason then at least because of the rather devastating consequences that he has to live with for the rest of his life. But alas, that is how we Kenyans treat our heroes. I have seen several times in this blog, some Kenyans rubishing the heroic nature one John Githongo. That is Kenyans for you. While Matiba was fighting Moi, Kibaki was saying in parliament that proponents of change were trying to fell a Mugumo tree with a razor blade. To reward Kibaki, Kenyans elecvted his president in 2002 and ignorted Matiba even as he struiggled to save his crumbling empire from auctioneers.
But I shouldn’t get emotional. Let me stick to the present.
There is no doubt that Matiba has near-fanatical support in many parts of Central province, especially his native Muranga. Which leads us to the big question; will his candidacy take votes away from Mwai Kibaki?
Judging from what has happened in the recent past, and especially the ruthlessness with which the Mungiki affair was handled, which caused the death of many innocent young men in the hanbds of the police (and then to rub those raw wopunmds with salt, the police has denied any involvement in the dissapearnce and death of many of these youths), Matiba’s candidature is definitely NOT good news for Mwai Kibaki’s re-election bid.
The president will remember only too clearly his humiliating defeat in the hands of Matiba in the 1992 elections when the contropversial Kiharu politician surprised everybody by coming second to the eventual winner, President Daniel Arap Moi. Of course, this time things are very different and President Kibaki is the incumbent. However the danger here is that Matiba does not really need to get more votes than the president to mess up the latter’s re-election plans. All he needs to do is deny him substantial votes in the greater Muranga area and the entire presidential race equation will change.
This has to be giving the president’s handlers sleepless nights.
Interestingly this heroic freedom fighter who paid for his fight for democracy dearly when his detention witthout trial by the Moi government resulted in stroke that almost killed him, can’t read and neither can he sign documents. So the question arises, if he was elected president what would happen? Who would sign those important and highly confidential documents? Who would read those equally confidential reports for him?
In my view the contributions made by Matiba in the fight for democracy is so big that he deserved to be treated better. If for no other reason then at least because of the rather devastating consequences that he has to live with for the rest of his life. But alas, that is how we Kenyans treat our heroes. I have seen several times in this blog, some Kenyans rubishing the heroic nature one John Githongo. That is Kenyans for you. While Matiba was fighting Moi, Kibaki was saying in parliament that proponents of change were trying to fell a Mugumo tree with a razor blade. To reward Kibaki, Kenyans elecvted his president in 2002 and ignorted Matiba even as he struiggled to save his crumbling empire from auctioneers.
But I shouldn’t get emotional. Let me stick to the present.
There is no doubt that Matiba has near-fanatical support in many parts of Central province, especially his native Muranga. Which leads us to the big question; will his candidacy take votes away from Mwai Kibaki?
Judging from what has happened in the recent past, and especially the ruthlessness with which the Mungiki affair was handled, which caused the death of many innocent young men in the hanbds of the police (and then to rub those raw wopunmds with salt, the police has denied any involvement in the dissapearnce and death of many of these youths), Matiba’s candidature is definitely NOT good news for Mwai Kibaki’s re-election bid.
The president will remember only too clearly his humiliating defeat in the hands of Matiba in the 1992 elections when the contropversial Kiharu politician surprised everybody by coming second to the eventual winner, President Daniel Arap Moi. Of course, this time things are very different and President Kibaki is the incumbent. However the danger here is that Matiba does not really need to get more votes than the president to mess up the latter’s re-election plans. All he needs to do is deny him substantial votes in the greater Muranga area and the entire presidential race equation will change.
This has to be giving the president’s handlers sleepless nights.
Kumekucha’s Old Schoolmate Mounts A Scathing Attack On The Popular Blogger
Although this was an annonymous comment left at this blog, I have a very good idea of who the author is and I am a little surprised at the venom that emerges in certain parts of the message. I hereby reproduce his entire comment in full;
I have read your blogspot almost since it started. I have a little advice for you.
1) At the beginning when you were more neutral, you got more balanced readership. There are young entrepreneurs of Kenya who will survive P.N.U and O.D.M and you should have retained their faith in you as a balanced commentator. This group is critical to you as a businessman.
2) When you write about your frustrations as a publisher in Nairobi, you omit the following basic reasons for your failure:
a)You had zero knowledge about marketing. In addition, your opinions were shallow and could only cater to the type of people who had been reading 'Scandal' at Lenana School.
b) Your failure to go and study Architecture limited your general Education and scope of life. You could still have gone on to University and pursued a better Education, which would reflect in the quality of your articles. Currently your lack of further education comes through in your writing, e. g you are unable to support your views on issues like Majimbo with well reasoned argument.
3) Your grammar also requires some improvement, but this is tied to number 2(b) above.
4) I know you must add colour to your stories but at times, it is a tad much for those of us who know you well. You were a pretty good sportsman no doubt, but you were not the star player you implied playing for the first eleven in Form One. In Rugby you did well but failed to stay at the top long enough because you lacked some real hardness, you were surprisingly timid for a big guy.
Most of all, your sporting ability was not derived because you were naturally athletic, it had much to do with the fact that you came to Form One a couple of years older and hence much bigger than the average boy. Age advantage in the tender years gives clear sporting superiority.
Your recent suffering at the hands of your son and grandson reported by you are not because of age. Unless you have done something about it, I last saw you ten years ago and you were at least 20kg overweight..
Many international sportsmen today are 40 plus and doing well, so your analogy was misplaced. The problem is how you have handled your age.
5) I recommend you to be a bit more open and balanced. Avoid personal attacks, after all how would you feel if all those old stories about you and the likes of the young beautiful Muchiru made their way to the web? I do wish you success in Kumekucha however and do try to cater for all the readers that you have. This is part of that business savvy I mentioned above, and you must appreciate that lobby groups fade all the time while real business ventures survive regimes.
A business in which I have substantial shares is advertising on Kumekucha. Let me know when you are in Nairobi and I will take some time to say hello. I hope you are coming for the Elections...
Publish Reject (Anonymous) 12:48 AM
My (Kumekucha’s) answers in bold below
I have read your blogspot almost since it started. I have a little advice for you.
1) At the beginning when you were more neutral, you got more balanced readership. There are young entrepreneurs of Kenya who will survive P.N.U and O.D.M and you should have retained their faith in you as a balanced commentator. This group is critical to you as a businessman.
Thank you for your constructive criticism. Point taken. Although my being neutral has got more to do with perception than reality. Still I am working hard on that. By the way I do agree that both groups are important to me as a web entrepreneur.
2) When you write about your frustrations as a publisher in Nairobi, you omit the following basic reasons for your failure:
a) You had zero knowledge about marketing. In addition, your opinions were shallow and could only cater to the type of people who had been reading 'Scandal' at Lenana School.
I would hate to be seen to be bragging so I have to be very careful how I put this; But the fact is that my knowledge of marketing (especially online marketing) is much more than what you think it is and is one of my major strengths. I have read a lot and observed a lot to get to where I am today.
My friend you were an avid reader of Scandal yourself. Do you include yourself in this group?
What you refer to as "shallow" is my deliberate policy of simplifying complex issues so that people can grasp and understand them quickly. I was wildly sucessful with it in my Nairobi publishing operations. It is one of the reasons why Kumekucha is so popular. The publisher I admire most is Alfred Hamsworth (Lord Northcliff) whose guiding principal was "simplify, explain, clarify." No wonder he was the greatest publisher who ever lived. Surely even you do not come here at the end of a hard day to read some thesis, do you?
b) Your failure to go and study Architecture limited your general Education and scope of life. You could still have gone on to University and pursued a better Education, which would reflect in the quality of your articles. Currently your lack of further education comes through in your writing, e. g you are unable to support your views on issues like Majimbo with well reasoned argument.
OK I have no problem with constructive criticism and I will revise and refine my arguments on Majimboism amongst other topics that will be covered here in the days to come. But what does architecture have to do with publishing and writing?
Your quick judgment about my failing to take the opportunity to study architecture at Nairobi University and attributing my early struggles to that is misplaced and confirms a lot of what I already know about your conservative old hat values and outlook in life. Whatever assets you gained from your University education, a sober understanding of what life is really all about was not one of them.
Read any biography and you will observe that every successful person went through early struggles to arrive at their destiny. It is called paying the price to reach your destiny. It is an experience that is critical in building character and which to me (in retrospect) is the most valuable education I have ever had.
You take an arrogant assumption about my life and education not withsanding the fact that education is not always formal learning. Especially in this Information age.
I am also aware that many guys from our year in school support the view that the end justifies the means and have no problem making money from corruption or as a result of contacts with corrupt persons (some of whom feature prominently in the Kroll report.) This eliminates the need for any "struggle". And as long as they can impress everybody else in town, nothing else matters. Sad, because they never stopped being school boys.
You seem to be sure that I struggled at the beginning because I did not do architecture at the university. Correction, it is because I chose to follow the straight and narrow. One of our schoolmates once told me; "it is so difficult to make it in what you are doing."
3) Your grammar also requires some improvement, but this is tied to number 2(b) above.
My grammar seems to be good enough to allow me to generate content for very fussy clients (all based in North America). I suggest that you study the nature of blogs a little more and you will quickly realize that your criticism is a little on the harsh side. Read any leading blog in the world today and compare the grammar standards there to Kumekucha's and then judge me on that.
Still I always endeavor for very high standards and I will be more careful in future amid all the chaos and hectic nature of creating content for blogs.
4) I know you must add colour to your stories but at times, it is a tad much for those of us who know you well. You were a pretty good sportsman no doubt, but you were not the star player you implied playing for the first eleven in Form One. In Rugby you did well but failed to stay at the top long enough because you lacked some real hardness, you were surprisingly timid for a big guy.
FACT: I played for the school first 11 towards the end of the season when still in Form 1. Was in the starting 11 for the first match of the season in Form 2 but was cut down by a serious ankle injury.
FACT: This chap you say is surprisingly timid for a big guy, was invited for Kenya national rugby team trials when I was in Form 5. In that same year I was voted the best combined schools player in Kenya. I played for Kenya in the year I did my form six (shortly after my final exams).
Correction: what ended my rugby playing career a little prematurely was not the fact that I lacked “real hardness.” Rather it was women and booze in that order. Rugby players are of course famous for these vices, but then I was an extreme case. Mercifully I met JC and all that changed. You see, you really don’t know me as well as you think you do.
Most of all, your sporting ability was not derived because you were naturally athletic, it had much to do with the fact that you came to Form One a couple of years older and hence much bigger than the average boy. Age advantage in the tender years gives clear sporting superiority.
Please elaborate and clarify what you mean by that last sentence. You appear to be contradicting yourself. And besides how was this “age factor” an advantage when I was playing International rugby with much older people while barely out of school?
Your recent suffering at the hands of your son and grandson reported by you are not because of age. Unless you have done something about it, I last saw you ten years ago and you were at least 20kg overweight..
Many international sportsmen today are 40 plus and doing well, so your analogy was misplaced. The problem is how you have handled your age.
I know you visit a gym regularly, but I wonder how fit you are after that stroke you suffered shortly after the Central Police issue.
5) I recommend you to be a bit more open and balanced. Avoid personal attacks, after all how would you feel if all those old stories about you and the likes of the young beautiful Muchiru made their way to the web?
Are you suggesting that I was a homosexual in school? I challenge you to publish here evidence that I was involved in that kind of relationship. The truth for the record is that I have never had a weakness for my fellow men, if anything my biggest problem/weakness shortly after high school was women and NOT men. The fact that I befriended persons in lower forms was not a unique thing in the strict rigidly hierarchal system that relied a lot on bullying and the creation of fear at Lenana in those days. The fact that I hated the system and went against it by befriending people whom I should have bullied instead probably speaks volumes about my true character, but let me not be the judge of that. By the way, you too had quite a number of very close friends in lower classes, and I know you are straight. So where did this come from?
I do wish you success in Kumekucha however and do try to cater for all the readers that you have. This is part of that business savvy I mentioned above, and you must appreciate that lobby groups fade all the time while real business ventures survive regimes.
Thank you fo the advice. Will carefully consider it.
A business in which I have substantial shares is advertising on Kumekucha. Let me know when you are in Nairobi and I will take some time to say hello. I hope you are coming for the Elections...
How do I let you know when I am next in Nairobi and yet your comment is anonymous? To be honest, although I strongly suspect I know who you are, I could be wrong. Please drop me an email at umissedthis@yahoo.com if you are serious about this invitation. It seems that in a way you’ve accepted me for who I am, I gladly extend my hand of friendship to you on the same terms. You were not such a bad guy.
I have read your blogspot almost since it started. I have a little advice for you.
1) At the beginning when you were more neutral, you got more balanced readership. There are young entrepreneurs of Kenya who will survive P.N.U and O.D.M and you should have retained their faith in you as a balanced commentator. This group is critical to you as a businessman.
2) When you write about your frustrations as a publisher in Nairobi, you omit the following basic reasons for your failure:
a)You had zero knowledge about marketing. In addition, your opinions were shallow and could only cater to the type of people who had been reading 'Scandal' at Lenana School.
b) Your failure to go and study Architecture limited your general Education and scope of life. You could still have gone on to University and pursued a better Education, which would reflect in the quality of your articles. Currently your lack of further education comes through in your writing, e. g you are unable to support your views on issues like Majimbo with well reasoned argument.
3) Your grammar also requires some improvement, but this is tied to number 2(b) above.
4) I know you must add colour to your stories but at times, it is a tad much for those of us who know you well. You were a pretty good sportsman no doubt, but you were not the star player you implied playing for the first eleven in Form One. In Rugby you did well but failed to stay at the top long enough because you lacked some real hardness, you were surprisingly timid for a big guy.
Most of all, your sporting ability was not derived because you were naturally athletic, it had much to do with the fact that you came to Form One a couple of years older and hence much bigger than the average boy. Age advantage in the tender years gives clear sporting superiority.
Your recent suffering at the hands of your son and grandson reported by you are not because of age. Unless you have done something about it, I last saw you ten years ago and you were at least 20kg overweight..
Many international sportsmen today are 40 plus and doing well, so your analogy was misplaced. The problem is how you have handled your age.
5) I recommend you to be a bit more open and balanced. Avoid personal attacks, after all how would you feel if all those old stories about you and the likes of the young beautiful Muchiru made their way to the web? I do wish you success in Kumekucha however and do try to cater for all the readers that you have. This is part of that business savvy I mentioned above, and you must appreciate that lobby groups fade all the time while real business ventures survive regimes.
A business in which I have substantial shares is advertising on Kumekucha. Let me know when you are in Nairobi and I will take some time to say hello. I hope you are coming for the Elections...
Publish Reject (Anonymous) 12:48 AM
My (Kumekucha’s) answers in bold below
I have read your blogspot almost since it started. I have a little advice for you.
1) At the beginning when you were more neutral, you got more balanced readership. There are young entrepreneurs of Kenya who will survive P.N.U and O.D.M and you should have retained their faith in you as a balanced commentator. This group is critical to you as a businessman.
Thank you for your constructive criticism. Point taken. Although my being neutral has got more to do with perception than reality. Still I am working hard on that. By the way I do agree that both groups are important to me as a web entrepreneur.
2) When you write about your frustrations as a publisher in Nairobi, you omit the following basic reasons for your failure:
a) You had zero knowledge about marketing. In addition, your opinions were shallow and could only cater to the type of people who had been reading 'Scandal' at Lenana School.
I would hate to be seen to be bragging so I have to be very careful how I put this; But the fact is that my knowledge of marketing (especially online marketing) is much more than what you think it is and is one of my major strengths. I have read a lot and observed a lot to get to where I am today.
My friend you were an avid reader of Scandal yourself. Do you include yourself in this group?
What you refer to as "shallow" is my deliberate policy of simplifying complex issues so that people can grasp and understand them quickly. I was wildly sucessful with it in my Nairobi publishing operations. It is one of the reasons why Kumekucha is so popular. The publisher I admire most is Alfred Hamsworth (Lord Northcliff) whose guiding principal was "simplify, explain, clarify." No wonder he was the greatest publisher who ever lived. Surely even you do not come here at the end of a hard day to read some thesis, do you?
b) Your failure to go and study Architecture limited your general Education and scope of life. You could still have gone on to University and pursued a better Education, which would reflect in the quality of your articles. Currently your lack of further education comes through in your writing, e. g you are unable to support your views on issues like Majimbo with well reasoned argument.
OK I have no problem with constructive criticism and I will revise and refine my arguments on Majimboism amongst other topics that will be covered here in the days to come. But what does architecture have to do with publishing and writing?
Your quick judgment about my failing to take the opportunity to study architecture at Nairobi University and attributing my early struggles to that is misplaced and confirms a lot of what I already know about your conservative old hat values and outlook in life. Whatever assets you gained from your University education, a sober understanding of what life is really all about was not one of them.
Read any biography and you will observe that every successful person went through early struggles to arrive at their destiny. It is called paying the price to reach your destiny. It is an experience that is critical in building character and which to me (in retrospect) is the most valuable education I have ever had.
You take an arrogant assumption about my life and education not withsanding the fact that education is not always formal learning. Especially in this Information age.
I am also aware that many guys from our year in school support the view that the end justifies the means and have no problem making money from corruption or as a result of contacts with corrupt persons (some of whom feature prominently in the Kroll report.) This eliminates the need for any "struggle". And as long as they can impress everybody else in town, nothing else matters. Sad, because they never stopped being school boys.
You seem to be sure that I struggled at the beginning because I did not do architecture at the university. Correction, it is because I chose to follow the straight and narrow. One of our schoolmates once told me; "it is so difficult to make it in what you are doing."
3) Your grammar also requires some improvement, but this is tied to number 2(b) above.
My grammar seems to be good enough to allow me to generate content for very fussy clients (all based in North America). I suggest that you study the nature of blogs a little more and you will quickly realize that your criticism is a little on the harsh side. Read any leading blog in the world today and compare the grammar standards there to Kumekucha's and then judge me on that.
Still I always endeavor for very high standards and I will be more careful in future amid all the chaos and hectic nature of creating content for blogs.
4) I know you must add colour to your stories but at times, it is a tad much for those of us who know you well. You were a pretty good sportsman no doubt, but you were not the star player you implied playing for the first eleven in Form One. In Rugby you did well but failed to stay at the top long enough because you lacked some real hardness, you were surprisingly timid for a big guy.
FACT: I played for the school first 11 towards the end of the season when still in Form 1. Was in the starting 11 for the first match of the season in Form 2 but was cut down by a serious ankle injury.
FACT: This chap you say is surprisingly timid for a big guy, was invited for Kenya national rugby team trials when I was in Form 5. In that same year I was voted the best combined schools player in Kenya. I played for Kenya in the year I did my form six (shortly after my final exams).
Correction: what ended my rugby playing career a little prematurely was not the fact that I lacked “real hardness.” Rather it was women and booze in that order. Rugby players are of course famous for these vices, but then I was an extreme case. Mercifully I met JC and all that changed. You see, you really don’t know me as well as you think you do.
Most of all, your sporting ability was not derived because you were naturally athletic, it had much to do with the fact that you came to Form One a couple of years older and hence much bigger than the average boy. Age advantage in the tender years gives clear sporting superiority.
Please elaborate and clarify what you mean by that last sentence. You appear to be contradicting yourself. And besides how was this “age factor” an advantage when I was playing International rugby with much older people while barely out of school?
Your recent suffering at the hands of your son and grandson reported by you are not because of age. Unless you have done something about it, I last saw you ten years ago and you were at least 20kg overweight..
Many international sportsmen today are 40 plus and doing well, so your analogy was misplaced. The problem is how you have handled your age.
I know you visit a gym regularly, but I wonder how fit you are after that stroke you suffered shortly after the Central Police issue.
5) I recommend you to be a bit more open and balanced. Avoid personal attacks, after all how would you feel if all those old stories about you and the likes of the young beautiful Muchiru made their way to the web?
Are you suggesting that I was a homosexual in school? I challenge you to publish here evidence that I was involved in that kind of relationship. The truth for the record is that I have never had a weakness for my fellow men, if anything my biggest problem/weakness shortly after high school was women and NOT men. The fact that I befriended persons in lower forms was not a unique thing in the strict rigidly hierarchal system that relied a lot on bullying and the creation of fear at Lenana in those days. The fact that I hated the system and went against it by befriending people whom I should have bullied instead probably speaks volumes about my true character, but let me not be the judge of that. By the way, you too had quite a number of very close friends in lower classes, and I know you are straight. So where did this come from?
I do wish you success in Kumekucha however and do try to cater for all the readers that you have. This is part of that business savvy I mentioned above, and you must appreciate that lobby groups fade all the time while real business ventures survive regimes.
Thank you fo the advice. Will carefully consider it.
A business in which I have substantial shares is advertising on Kumekucha. Let me know when you are in Nairobi and I will take some time to say hello. I hope you are coming for the Elections...
How do I let you know when I am next in Nairobi and yet your comment is anonymous? To be honest, although I strongly suspect I know who you are, I could be wrong. Please drop me an email at umissedthis@yahoo.com if you are serious about this invitation. It seems that in a way you’ve accepted me for who I am, I gladly extend my hand of friendship to you on the same terms. You were not such a bad guy.
Monday, November 12, 2007
My animals need me (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 32
I went back into the kitchen und continued with my omelette. But before it was ready, my phone rang again.
"It's Troon."
"Nice of you to call."
"I had to. What time are you leaving?"
"I'll fly out at 4:30 p.m."
He kept quiet. He could fully understand why I was going to Kenya. Why this trip was so important for me.
"You have a message for Biwott?" I asked, teasing him.
He laughed, "The message I have for that murderer, I would rather like to pass to him myself."
"Then what may I do for you?"
"It's not much. All I am asking is that you lay a firm foundation for the truth to come out. Should the Committee agree to sit in London, I will build on your work in Kenya. I will back up your testimony, make it crystal clear who killed Dr. Ouko and why he was killed. I will present a detailed chronology of the events, tie Dr. Ouko's death inextricably not only to the Molasses Plant but mainly to the Corruption Report he had painstakingly written."
I flipped my omelette, "Sounds excellent."
"Then let's play it like that," Supt. Troon said.
"We will."
I got the omelette off the stove and set it on the side, "Supt. Troon, I intend to have this Ouko tragedy finally resolved. Once it is resolved, and once Kenyans have a more responsible Government, I could even go back and complete some of the projects my company started to work on."
"That would be fantastic."
I liked his optimism and then said, "While I have you on the line, did you ever have been told about the real extent of projects my company was willing to undertake?"
He hesitated. He did not want to hurt my feelings, but knowing he had to be candid, he said, "You know, they tried to paint your company to me as a fñy by night company ..... did you know that?"
"I did."
"And you still believe, you have a chance in Kenya?"
"I do," I said, "I have a chance, but that is not the issue. The issue is - will the Kenyans have another chance?"
"I hope, they do."
"When I am done telling my story, explaining to the Kenyans the role the late Dr. Ouko played in helping secure funds for projects not only in his region but across the whole country, and when I am done exposing the devilish kickback schemes the likes of Biwott, Prof. Saitoti and their friends had put in place, I can assure you that I will have another chance."
He liked that ..... go for it, Marianne!
"Then the Kenyans will have another chance, too." I repeated.
I heard him drawing a deep breath. "Good luck, Marianne. Remember to say everything. Let's make Dr. Ouko proud. And let's try to put back a smile on Christabel's face."
"I will do my best."
"Have a safe trip ....". .....Click.....
***
Since the letter by the Kenyan Government giving Philipp permission to accompany me to Kenya had arrived indicating that he was also allowed to carry his own pistol but did not as requested state that he was also authorized to use his weapon should such a case arise, his Superiors had decided that the whole matter was too risky from the legal point of few - and had sent him on another assignment miles across the globe.
"You are already there?" I asked, stunned.
Only two days ago, when we last spoke together, there had been no indication that he would be called to a different location halfway around the world that soon. But that's what had happened.
"Do you know when you may be back home?" I asked.
"No. Seems like we will take it a day at a time."
I knew what that meant ..... he was on special duty accompanying some high-profile politician.
He then continued, "I just called to wish you a safe trip. I hope, the Germans will take care of you."
"They will," I assured him.
For a moment, he said nothing. Finally, aware that there was nothing else he could do about my travel arrangements, he asked, "Sandra will be at the Airport to se you off?"
"She will," I confirmed.
Philipp's breath caught, "Pass my regards to her. Tell her, I love her very much."
"I will."
"As for you, we will talk when you come back from Nairobi. Be safe!"
"I promise - bye for now." ..... Click .....
***
"I am leaving for work, Mami. Are you still travelling?"
I smiled as I listened to Sandra's question, "What makes you think, I would change my mind?"
"Fear?"
"I have none."
"The possibility to get killed?"
"I try not to think about that."
"Anyway," Sandra paused, then finally said, "I am off to work right now. My animals need me. I guess, we will meet at Kloten-Airport."
"Have a good day, sweetheart."
"I love you, Mami."
***
..... my animals need me .....
As I put back the phone, I remembered these words ..... my animals ..... they brought joy to my heart. I recalled how Sandra's love for animals had started.
It was at the game parks in Kenya ..... Moi and a little girl sharing the same feelings for the wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Kenya .....
I went back into the kitchen und continued with my omelette. But before it was ready, my phone rang again.
"It's Troon."
"Nice of you to call."
"I had to. What time are you leaving?"
"I'll fly out at 4:30 p.m."
He kept quiet. He could fully understand why I was going to Kenya. Why this trip was so important for me.
"You have a message for Biwott?" I asked, teasing him.
He laughed, "The message I have for that murderer, I would rather like to pass to him myself."
"Then what may I do for you?"
"It's not much. All I am asking is that you lay a firm foundation for the truth to come out. Should the Committee agree to sit in London, I will build on your work in Kenya. I will back up your testimony, make it crystal clear who killed Dr. Ouko and why he was killed. I will present a detailed chronology of the events, tie Dr. Ouko's death inextricably not only to the Molasses Plant but mainly to the Corruption Report he had painstakingly written."
I flipped my omelette, "Sounds excellent."
"Then let's play it like that," Supt. Troon said.
"We will."
I got the omelette off the stove and set it on the side, "Supt. Troon, I intend to have this Ouko tragedy finally resolved. Once it is resolved, and once Kenyans have a more responsible Government, I could even go back and complete some of the projects my company started to work on."
"That would be fantastic."
I liked his optimism and then said, "While I have you on the line, did you ever have been told about the real extent of projects my company was willing to undertake?"
He hesitated. He did not want to hurt my feelings, but knowing he had to be candid, he said, "You know, they tried to paint your company to me as a fñy by night company ..... did you know that?"
"I did."
"And you still believe, you have a chance in Kenya?"
"I do," I said, "I have a chance, but that is not the issue. The issue is - will the Kenyans have another chance?"
"I hope, they do."
"When I am done telling my story, explaining to the Kenyans the role the late Dr. Ouko played in helping secure funds for projects not only in his region but across the whole country, and when I am done exposing the devilish kickback schemes the likes of Biwott, Prof. Saitoti and their friends had put in place, I can assure you that I will have another chance."
He liked that ..... go for it, Marianne!
"Then the Kenyans will have another chance, too." I repeated.
I heard him drawing a deep breath. "Good luck, Marianne. Remember to say everything. Let's make Dr. Ouko proud. And let's try to put back a smile on Christabel's face."
"I will do my best."
"Have a safe trip ....". .....Click.....
***
Since the letter by the Kenyan Government giving Philipp permission to accompany me to Kenya had arrived indicating that he was also allowed to carry his own pistol but did not as requested state that he was also authorized to use his weapon should such a case arise, his Superiors had decided that the whole matter was too risky from the legal point of few - and had sent him on another assignment miles across the globe.
"You are already there?" I asked, stunned.
Only two days ago, when we last spoke together, there had been no indication that he would be called to a different location halfway around the world that soon. But that's what had happened.
"Do you know when you may be back home?" I asked.
"No. Seems like we will take it a day at a time."
I knew what that meant ..... he was on special duty accompanying some high-profile politician.
He then continued, "I just called to wish you a safe trip. I hope, the Germans will take care of you."
"They will," I assured him.
For a moment, he said nothing. Finally, aware that there was nothing else he could do about my travel arrangements, he asked, "Sandra will be at the Airport to se you off?"
"She will," I confirmed.
Philipp's breath caught, "Pass my regards to her. Tell her, I love her very much."
"I will."
"As for you, we will talk when you come back from Nairobi. Be safe!"
"I promise - bye for now." ..... Click .....
***
"I am leaving for work, Mami. Are you still travelling?"
I smiled as I listened to Sandra's question, "What makes you think, I would change my mind?"
"Fear?"
"I have none."
"The possibility to get killed?"
"I try not to think about that."
"Anyway," Sandra paused, then finally said, "I am off to work right now. My animals need me. I guess, we will meet at Kloten-Airport."
"Have a good day, sweetheart."
"I love you, Mami."
***
..... my animals need me .....
As I put back the phone, I remembered these words ..... my animals ..... they brought joy to my heart. I recalled how Sandra's love for animals had started.
It was at the game parks in Kenya ..... Moi and a little girl sharing the same feelings for the wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Kenya .....
The Big Sasanet Con: Nairobi Man Invested Kshs 10 Million In Collapsed Pyramid Scheme
During my controversial visit to Nairobi and then on to the Rift Valley some months back and which I talked about here, something very fascinating happened which I have not mentioned until now. (The visit was “controversial” because I admitted that it was the first time in many years that I was visiting the Kenyan capital and many of my readers felt cheated because they had always assumed that I was based in Nairobi.)
Anyway, during that visit, I sat at a dinner table somewhere in Nakuru with some relatives and listened as they explained to me in great detail how Kenyans were making a killing investing short term in some “solid investment companies.” One of the companies mentioned was Sasanet. They vehemently denied that it was a pyramid scheme and went on to tell me this amazing story about some smart lady who collects her cheques every month and then spends the rest of her time touring the world on some mercy missions and on holiday too.
What struck me was that I was not talking to some ordinary gullible wananchi on the streets. These were highly educated persons. The cream of society, so to speak. Some of the people on that table were the kind that regularly visited those capitals of the world the rest of us only hear about or see in movies and world news. New York, Washington, Paris, London etc.
Still, I only needed to ask a few questions and I was sure that what they were referring to were pyramid schemes (at the end of this article I explain how to tell a pyramid scheme instantly and the difference between pyramid schemes (illegal in most of the world) and Multi-level marketing (MLM) or Network marketing companies which is a very legitimate business. But what puzzled me even more was the fact that some companies mentioned like Sasanet had a very good image and were considered to be reputable businesses. Sasanet is one of the companies that had passed scrutiny and been licensed by the CCK Communication Commission of Kenya.
I asked where the money was being invested so as to yield such high returns and I was promptly told that it was being invested “off shore.” I could hardly prevent myself from giggling. Most of the returns “offshore” were usually very low, in the region of single digit percentages. Certainly not what would provide cash for the amazing returns of almost 20% for a brief 3 month periods being paid out by the likes of Sasanet in this case.
I took time to quietly explain to everybody why the investment schemes were definitely scams. But I could see that they were hardly convinced. After all I had no track record as a known investor. Who was I? In fact a couple of the people I was talking to on that table had leant me some cash during some hard times I had passed through not too long ago. And besides these “investment companies” were paying, and conmen never pay. And the investment contracts were even being drawn and signed with lawyers.
That last part really amused me but it was difficult to laugh because of the amounts of money that I was hearing being thrown around on the table, which just made me feel sick. Even if one wished bad things to happen to others you would have to be sick to wish for them to lose hundreds of thousands of shillings of their hard earned money just like that.
All this came flooding back to my mind yesterday when I heard that a large number of Kenyans were meeting at Garden Square Restaurant (on the grounds of the Kenyatta International Conference centre) to map out a strategy of how to recover their cash from Sasanet whose directors have vanished. One Asian businessman, a Mr Aman Sharma invested a staggering Kshs 10 million in what was clearly the Sasanet pyramid scheme. Others invested a couple of millions. Thousands invested hundreds of thousands.
What is really surprising is how all this happened right under the nose of the government without anybody asking any questions. It is difficult to believe that no government officials were paid to look the other way.
Folks should know that the first rule of investment is never invest anything that you are not prepared to lose. The reality with investments is that your investment can easily go either way—the higher the returns the higher the risks. And there are in fact very few specific investments with a guarantee (and these usually have much lower returns). However in the Sasanet scheme, investors were given contracts guaranteeing them a very high return. That is fraud, pure and simple. In a legitimate investment investors should be made to understand the basic rules of virtually any genuine investment.
I highly suspect that the so called “offshore destination” where these funds were being invested was in fact very local and more specifically, the Nairobi Stock Exchange. My suspicions here are based on the fact that most of these high profile pyramid schemes suddenly came crashing down at around the time the Nairobi Stock Exchange went through what analysts were calling “a correction.” But which was obviously much more than that. Thousands of speculator investors lost billions of shillings as the prices of many stocks suddenly tumbled. If my suspicions are true then this market upheaval must have dealt a serious blow to the cash-flow projections that had been put in place. And the irony of it all is that it is very possible the sudden invasion of the market by these short-term speculators could have contributed to the sudden dramatic fall in share prices. Just imagine the simple law of supply and demand at work. What happens when the market is flooded with maize from all the shambas around?
The thing with pyramid schemes is that they will always collapse at some point, and the directors of Sasanet must have considered themselves very smart investing the money in the stock exchange and then paying hefty monthly returns while retaining the principle. With some careful cash flow projections and relatively high short term returns (like what used to be enjoyed at the NSI) you can keep a pyramid scheme going for a long period of time. Long enough to fleece most Kenyans out of a fortune.
The Sasanet strategists were of course trying to re-invent the wheel by ignoring all the basic rules of investing. Like the critical need to diversify a portfolio and the basic rule that you cannot pay short term returns when entering into long term investments like property (which some insiders say Sasanet had already started venturing into. It was really just a matter of time before some small thing like the tumbling of shares at the Nairobi stock exchange was bound to bring everything crashing down.
What we now have in our hands are many Kenyan families going through a lot of suffering.
The main difference between a pyramid scheme and a genuine MLM program is the fact that there is no emphasis on the promotion or sale of any product. The emphasis is always on recruiting even more members and convincing friends and colleagues to join the scheme while focusing on a high short term return for joining or investing. Hardly any product is mentioned. Genuine MLM companies will emphasize on an excellent product that is useful and will encourage members to refer others only as a part of the business but certainly not the most important part of it all. In this way MLM companies are able to move huge volumes of products and this is what easily sustains the business even as some members get rich from building a large chain of referrals.
Anyway, during that visit, I sat at a dinner table somewhere in Nakuru with some relatives and listened as they explained to me in great detail how Kenyans were making a killing investing short term in some “solid investment companies.” One of the companies mentioned was Sasanet. They vehemently denied that it was a pyramid scheme and went on to tell me this amazing story about some smart lady who collects her cheques every month and then spends the rest of her time touring the world on some mercy missions and on holiday too.
What struck me was that I was not talking to some ordinary gullible wananchi on the streets. These were highly educated persons. The cream of society, so to speak. Some of the people on that table were the kind that regularly visited those capitals of the world the rest of us only hear about or see in movies and world news. New York, Washington, Paris, London etc.
Still, I only needed to ask a few questions and I was sure that what they were referring to were pyramid schemes (at the end of this article I explain how to tell a pyramid scheme instantly and the difference between pyramid schemes (illegal in most of the world) and Multi-level marketing (MLM) or Network marketing companies which is a very legitimate business. But what puzzled me even more was the fact that some companies mentioned like Sasanet had a very good image and were considered to be reputable businesses. Sasanet is one of the companies that had passed scrutiny and been licensed by the CCK Communication Commission of Kenya.
I asked where the money was being invested so as to yield such high returns and I was promptly told that it was being invested “off shore.” I could hardly prevent myself from giggling. Most of the returns “offshore” were usually very low, in the region of single digit percentages. Certainly not what would provide cash for the amazing returns of almost 20% for a brief 3 month periods being paid out by the likes of Sasanet in this case.
I took time to quietly explain to everybody why the investment schemes were definitely scams. But I could see that they were hardly convinced. After all I had no track record as a known investor. Who was I? In fact a couple of the people I was talking to on that table had leant me some cash during some hard times I had passed through not too long ago. And besides these “investment companies” were paying, and conmen never pay. And the investment contracts were even being drawn and signed with lawyers.
That last part really amused me but it was difficult to laugh because of the amounts of money that I was hearing being thrown around on the table, which just made me feel sick. Even if one wished bad things to happen to others you would have to be sick to wish for them to lose hundreds of thousands of shillings of their hard earned money just like that.
All this came flooding back to my mind yesterday when I heard that a large number of Kenyans were meeting at Garden Square Restaurant (on the grounds of the Kenyatta International Conference centre) to map out a strategy of how to recover their cash from Sasanet whose directors have vanished. One Asian businessman, a Mr Aman Sharma invested a staggering Kshs 10 million in what was clearly the Sasanet pyramid scheme. Others invested a couple of millions. Thousands invested hundreds of thousands.
What is really surprising is how all this happened right under the nose of the government without anybody asking any questions. It is difficult to believe that no government officials were paid to look the other way.
Folks should know that the first rule of investment is never invest anything that you are not prepared to lose. The reality with investments is that your investment can easily go either way—the higher the returns the higher the risks. And there are in fact very few specific investments with a guarantee (and these usually have much lower returns). However in the Sasanet scheme, investors were given contracts guaranteeing them a very high return. That is fraud, pure and simple. In a legitimate investment investors should be made to understand the basic rules of virtually any genuine investment.
I highly suspect that the so called “offshore destination” where these funds were being invested was in fact very local and more specifically, the Nairobi Stock Exchange. My suspicions here are based on the fact that most of these high profile pyramid schemes suddenly came crashing down at around the time the Nairobi Stock Exchange went through what analysts were calling “a correction.” But which was obviously much more than that. Thousands of speculator investors lost billions of shillings as the prices of many stocks suddenly tumbled. If my suspicions are true then this market upheaval must have dealt a serious blow to the cash-flow projections that had been put in place. And the irony of it all is that it is very possible the sudden invasion of the market by these short-term speculators could have contributed to the sudden dramatic fall in share prices. Just imagine the simple law of supply and demand at work. What happens when the market is flooded with maize from all the shambas around?
The thing with pyramid schemes is that they will always collapse at some point, and the directors of Sasanet must have considered themselves very smart investing the money in the stock exchange and then paying hefty monthly returns while retaining the principle. With some careful cash flow projections and relatively high short term returns (like what used to be enjoyed at the NSI) you can keep a pyramid scheme going for a long period of time. Long enough to fleece most Kenyans out of a fortune.
The Sasanet strategists were of course trying to re-invent the wheel by ignoring all the basic rules of investing. Like the critical need to diversify a portfolio and the basic rule that you cannot pay short term returns when entering into long term investments like property (which some insiders say Sasanet had already started venturing into. It was really just a matter of time before some small thing like the tumbling of shares at the Nairobi stock exchange was bound to bring everything crashing down.
What we now have in our hands are many Kenyan families going through a lot of suffering.
The main difference between a pyramid scheme and a genuine MLM program is the fact that there is no emphasis on the promotion or sale of any product. The emphasis is always on recruiting even more members and convincing friends and colleagues to join the scheme while focusing on a high short term return for joining or investing. Hardly any product is mentioned. Genuine MLM companies will emphasize on an excellent product that is useful and will encourage members to refer others only as a part of the business but certainly not the most important part of it all. In this way MLM companies are able to move huge volumes of products and this is what easily sustains the business even as some members get rich from building a large chain of referrals.
The 5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-12th Nov
The 5 Most popular stories in Kumekucha today-12th Nov
1. ODM advert that Media will not dare air.
2. Did Steadmann consultant mellow after State House visit?
3. Shocker as devolution makes it to PNU manifesto
4. President Kibaki loses his temper on national TV
5. Kenyans are too British
1. ODM advert that Media will not dare air.
2. Did Steadmann consultant mellow after State House visit?
3. Shocker as devolution makes it to PNU manifesto
4. President Kibaki loses his temper on national TV
5. Kenyans are too British
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Shocker As Devolution Makes It In To Kibaki’s PNU Manifesto
It is now clear that devolution (Usamabazaji wa mamlaka or majimbo or whatever you want to call it) is an idea whose time has come. The concept sneaked in, albeit at No 10 (the last item), in the PNU Manifesto.
But here’s the comedy; speaker after speaker at the PNU manifesto launch spoke against ODM’s Majimbo plan apparently oblivious of the fact that PNU had now sneaked in the exact same idea into their own elections “contract with Kenyans” as president Kibaki referred to his manifesto.
Of course the president pointed out quite clearly that the devolution they had in mind was “very” different from the ODM one. But then let us be honest here. This is like saying the multi party democracy Kanu was planning to introduce in 1991 was quite different from what the opposition then had in mind. Pure meaningless semantics, if you ask me.
So what has happened to change the president’s mind? What has caused this about turn from the same man who called those pushing for devolution “dreamers” barely 2 weeks ago?
The first very noticeable thing any analyst will tell you is that the president is now listening a lot more to some of the brilliant minds surrounding him. It is also apparent that he is making much more use of the excellent intelligence information he is receiving every week via the State-run but highly efficient NSIS. This information comes in from every corner of the country and is bound to be much more accurate than any Steadman poll in terms of measuring the pulse of the country and the likely way Kenyans will vote.
In one sentence, things in the PNU camp have changed and they have changed a lot. To be honest I am quite relieved because now we have a real contest in our hands—a little late in the game but better late than never.
No doubt this change was inevitable. After spending most of his presidency locked away in the luxury of State House and shielded from reality, the president has over the last few weeks gotten out a lot and has on many occasions come face to face with Kenyans and the reality on the ground. The truth is that he now has a much better “feel” of the country than he did when he launched his campaign without a clear message or even direction a few weeks ago. Some hostile encounters from ODM die hard supporters have no doubt helped his reality check to some alive quite a lot.
If the ODM brigade does not re-group fast, then chances are that they could be staring defeat in the face.
Actually President Kibaki’s strategy for victory is very clear and is based on playing the numbers game that Moi became quite good at in 1992 and 1997.
The president’s handlers are already aware that the near fanatical support he has in his Mount Kenya stronghold is intact and will give him a couple of million votes. So what the president is focusing on now is putting all his effort in areas where voters are still undecided and where the vote can easily swing in his direction. This includes areas like Coast province, Nairobi, certain pockets in the Rift valley and Western Kenya. Calculations have shown that just a few million votes in those key areas added to the voluminous Mount Kenya vote, would carry the President comfortably back into the comfort of State House.
Still the good news for all Kenyans whatever side of the divide you fall is that now it is clear that whoever wins the elections, devolution is coming to Kenya. So far the devolution debate has been carried out very emotionally and without clarity or solid points in support or against because people on both sides of the debate are talking out of a lot of ignorance. It is hoped that now that there is no debate on who is for or against devolution (since all major political parties have embraced it) that we will finally start to carefully look at the details of a devolved system that will take into account the current weaknesses of Kenyans.
But here’s the comedy; speaker after speaker at the PNU manifesto launch spoke against ODM’s Majimbo plan apparently oblivious of the fact that PNU had now sneaked in the exact same idea into their own elections “contract with Kenyans” as president Kibaki referred to his manifesto.
Of course the president pointed out quite clearly that the devolution they had in mind was “very” different from the ODM one. But then let us be honest here. This is like saying the multi party democracy Kanu was planning to introduce in 1991 was quite different from what the opposition then had in mind. Pure meaningless semantics, if you ask me.
So what has happened to change the president’s mind? What has caused this about turn from the same man who called those pushing for devolution “dreamers” barely 2 weeks ago?
The first very noticeable thing any analyst will tell you is that the president is now listening a lot more to some of the brilliant minds surrounding him. It is also apparent that he is making much more use of the excellent intelligence information he is receiving every week via the State-run but highly efficient NSIS. This information comes in from every corner of the country and is bound to be much more accurate than any Steadman poll in terms of measuring the pulse of the country and the likely way Kenyans will vote.
In one sentence, things in the PNU camp have changed and they have changed a lot. To be honest I am quite relieved because now we have a real contest in our hands—a little late in the game but better late than never.
No doubt this change was inevitable. After spending most of his presidency locked away in the luxury of State House and shielded from reality, the president has over the last few weeks gotten out a lot and has on many occasions come face to face with Kenyans and the reality on the ground. The truth is that he now has a much better “feel” of the country than he did when he launched his campaign without a clear message or even direction a few weeks ago. Some hostile encounters from ODM die hard supporters have no doubt helped his reality check to some alive quite a lot.
If the ODM brigade does not re-group fast, then chances are that they could be staring defeat in the face.
Actually President Kibaki’s strategy for victory is very clear and is based on playing the numbers game that Moi became quite good at in 1992 and 1997.
The president’s handlers are already aware that the near fanatical support he has in his Mount Kenya stronghold is intact and will give him a couple of million votes. So what the president is focusing on now is putting all his effort in areas where voters are still undecided and where the vote can easily swing in his direction. This includes areas like Coast province, Nairobi, certain pockets in the Rift valley and Western Kenya. Calculations have shown that just a few million votes in those key areas added to the voluminous Mount Kenya vote, would carry the President comfortably back into the comfort of State House.
Still the good news for all Kenyans whatever side of the divide you fall is that now it is clear that whoever wins the elections, devolution is coming to Kenya. So far the devolution debate has been carried out very emotionally and without clarity or solid points in support or against because people on both sides of the debate are talking out of a lot of ignorance. It is hoped that now that there is no debate on who is for or against devolution (since all major political parties have embraced it) that we will finally start to carefully look at the details of a devolved system that will take into account the current weaknesses of Kenyans.
Kenyans Are Too British And Conservative And It is Dangerous
I will tell a very personal story to get an important point across.
I believe that I was born to write and publish and not too long ago I was extremely frustrated and at the end of myself because my prosperous publishing business collapsed and nothing that I tried worked. This was mainly due to the damaging blow against the gutter press in Kenya (which the Nairobi Star is still struggling with today) that the mainstream press had successfully engineered. Every publication I tried to come up with (no matter how ingenious the concept was) completely failed to take off. There was of course also the hard economic times Kenyans were facing, but that was a secondary reason for my persistent failure. You will not believe how many times I tried. Finally in deep frustration I left Kenya for a foreign land and in my mind promised myself that I would never again go into publishing, at least not for the Kenyan market.
Employed full time working for somebody else, the opportunity to publish on the World Wide Web suddenly presented itself. But everybody I talked to told me I was dreaming. Not enough people had access to the Internet (that was early 2005). And how did I hope to make money from the exercise? I did not know enough about the web to succeed, I was bluntly told repeatedly. Actually I soon had a million and one reasons why it would never work.
At about the same time an interesting new conventional publishing opportunity in East Africa quite suddenly presented itself.
My choice was very simple. Either try something totally new and blaze the trail in a new direction or keep on doing what I had been repeatedly doing in recent times without much success.
You know the choice I took because you are reading this. Publishing on the web has so many advantages that I have lost interest completely in ever going back into conventional offline publishing.
The point I want to make is this. How do Kenyans expect change and success without trying something new? A centralized government system has NOT brought success. In fact it has caused so many problems (inevitable when so much power and resources are put in the hands of one person or a few people).
Yes blazing new trails has its’ risks. In fact it often involves very big risks. When I went into Internet publishing I was in a foreign land with nothing to fall back on and so I gambled everything including my family continuing to have regular meals on the table, on one roll of the dice so to speak.
In my view we as Kenyans don’t have a choice when it comes to embracing devolution. The truth is that we desperately need to try something different.
Despite all the noise they make, it is shocking how conservative Kenyans really are at heart. The Britishness in us has never really left.
I believe that I was born to write and publish and not too long ago I was extremely frustrated and at the end of myself because my prosperous publishing business collapsed and nothing that I tried worked. This was mainly due to the damaging blow against the gutter press in Kenya (which the Nairobi Star is still struggling with today) that the mainstream press had successfully engineered. Every publication I tried to come up with (no matter how ingenious the concept was) completely failed to take off. There was of course also the hard economic times Kenyans were facing, but that was a secondary reason for my persistent failure. You will not believe how many times I tried. Finally in deep frustration I left Kenya for a foreign land and in my mind promised myself that I would never again go into publishing, at least not for the Kenyan market.
Employed full time working for somebody else, the opportunity to publish on the World Wide Web suddenly presented itself. But everybody I talked to told me I was dreaming. Not enough people had access to the Internet (that was early 2005). And how did I hope to make money from the exercise? I did not know enough about the web to succeed, I was bluntly told repeatedly. Actually I soon had a million and one reasons why it would never work.
At about the same time an interesting new conventional publishing opportunity in East Africa quite suddenly presented itself.
My choice was very simple. Either try something totally new and blaze the trail in a new direction or keep on doing what I had been repeatedly doing in recent times without much success.
You know the choice I took because you are reading this. Publishing on the web has so many advantages that I have lost interest completely in ever going back into conventional offline publishing.
The point I want to make is this. How do Kenyans expect change and success without trying something new? A centralized government system has NOT brought success. In fact it has caused so many problems (inevitable when so much power and resources are put in the hands of one person or a few people).
Yes blazing new trails has its’ risks. In fact it often involves very big risks. When I went into Internet publishing I was in a foreign land with nothing to fall back on and so I gambled everything including my family continuing to have regular meals on the table, on one roll of the dice so to speak.
In my view we as Kenyans don’t have a choice when it comes to embracing devolution. The truth is that we desperately need to try something different.
Despite all the noise they make, it is shocking how conservative Kenyans really are at heart. The Britishness in us has never really left.
Avoid violence for Kenya, It is a generation issue
Guest post
These elections have promised to be the most contested in the History of Kenya. It is a defining moment for Kenya. May the best candidate win.
While there are issues that many are ignoring, I am confident that The President has in him dignity and interests of the country at heart. My belief is based on the fact that he humbly accepted the results of the 2005 referendum. Very hard for a seating President, if you asked me.
I am still of the view that HE will facilitate a free and a fair elections. Whether he is to win or to lose. That's what will be his legacy. That he allowed and accepted the voters verdict.
Those who have read history will confirm that generational change usually happens in or about 40 years.This might turn out to be true for Kenya. Only Kenyans will confirm this on the election day.
I read the PNU manifesto today and wondered whether they were actually serious. How could they ignore the issues pertaining to a New constitution and efforts to control Corruption?.None of the 3 candidates shouldn't ignore these. They are universal as far as Kenya is concerned.
However smart any president is elected, the current constitutions is not right for democracy.The president yields too much absolute power and his/her good intentions easily consumed before delivery.
I expected the PNU strategists to "mention" these issues in a clever way.They didn't, which gives competitators( ODMs) the necessary arsenals-That PNU is not serious about the constitution or corruption which has been the worst enemy for Kenya?
2002, many people said enough with KANU. Today, same KANU is swallowing PNU affiliate parties. Not the other way round. Thats where the problem lies. Ask Ngilu (in ODM) and Prof Maathai (in PNU). Both speak of TRUST. Even moi has said it that Kenyans must trust the president. It was his employees/appointees who have let him dowm.Tue. But where does the buck stops?
May Kenyans vote those they TRUST, for any contract runs on Trust. Presidential contract with the people is sacronant.
Whichever way Kenyans decide, individually, Kenya is greater than any person. Please safeguard that Peace. No leader worth any salt would want to wake up every morning and see blood painted in their whole bedroom. That is, why celebrate when you are the cause of that blood. Is it worth it? In Kibera, Muthaiga, Machakos or State House (that Museum as we have been told).
Gatheru Rwamba
Former secretary General,KMDJ, London
These elections have promised to be the most contested in the History of Kenya. It is a defining moment for Kenya. May the best candidate win.
While there are issues that many are ignoring, I am confident that The President has in him dignity and interests of the country at heart. My belief is based on the fact that he humbly accepted the results of the 2005 referendum. Very hard for a seating President, if you asked me.
I am still of the view that HE will facilitate a free and a fair elections. Whether he is to win or to lose. That's what will be his legacy. That he allowed and accepted the voters verdict.
Those who have read history will confirm that generational change usually happens in or about 40 years.This might turn out to be true for Kenya. Only Kenyans will confirm this on the election day.
I read the PNU manifesto today and wondered whether they were actually serious. How could they ignore the issues pertaining to a New constitution and efforts to control Corruption?.None of the 3 candidates shouldn't ignore these. They are universal as far as Kenya is concerned.
However smart any president is elected, the current constitutions is not right for democracy.The president yields too much absolute power and his/her good intentions easily consumed before delivery.
I expected the PNU strategists to "mention" these issues in a clever way.They didn't, which gives competitators( ODMs) the necessary arsenals-That PNU is not serious about the constitution or corruption which has been the worst enemy for Kenya?
2002, many people said enough with KANU. Today, same KANU is swallowing PNU affiliate parties. Not the other way round. Thats where the problem lies. Ask Ngilu (in ODM) and Prof Maathai (in PNU). Both speak of TRUST. Even moi has said it that Kenyans must trust the president. It was his employees/appointees who have let him dowm.Tue. But where does the buck stops?
May Kenyans vote those they TRUST, for any contract runs on Trust. Presidential contract with the people is sacronant.
Whichever way Kenyans decide, individually, Kenya is greater than any person. Please safeguard that Peace. No leader worth any salt would want to wake up every morning and see blood painted in their whole bedroom. That is, why celebrate when you are the cause of that blood. Is it worth it? In Kibera, Muthaiga, Machakos or State House (that Museum as we have been told).
Gatheru Rwamba
Former secretary General,KMDJ, London
The 5 Most Popular articles in Kumekucha today 11th Nov
The 5 Most Popular articles in Kumekucha today 11th Nov
1. President Kibaki Loses his temper on national TV
2. Kenyans speak bluntly about 2007 elections
3. PNU manifesto launch; another chance
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian church in Kenya to panic
5. Why has Njoki Ndungu resigned from PNU elections board?
1. President Kibaki Loses his temper on national TV
2. Kenyans speak bluntly about 2007 elections
3. PNU manifesto launch; another chance
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian church in Kenya to panic
5. Why has Njoki Ndungu resigned from PNU elections board?
Saturday, November 10, 2007
President Kibaki Loses His Temper On National TV
President’s outburst in a fit of rage: Wewe toka hapo. Kamata Huyo. Mtoe hapo mara moja
The joy of a blog like Kumekucha is the fact that there is no censorship. Self-censorship or those uncomfortable calls from State House “demanding to know why?”.
The truth is that especially now when the campaigns have started in earnest, our poor newspaper editors have to be very careful about what they put on their pages or allow to go on air. My heart goes out to them.
Let me give a very recent example of self-censorship.
During president’s Kibaki’s recent campaign trip to the Coast, there were a number of nasty incidences (unfortunately I have to censor myself because if I give them in detail I will be branded an ODM sympathizer). Anyway a few Kenyans left President Kibaki in no doubt how they intended to vote and at it finally became too much for the President and he lost his temper on camera. At one point he ordered the security personnel close to the crowd to deal with a poor mwananchi (oops I meant to say “to deal with the president’s employer”).
Part of that clip was shown on the popular KTN News Shot feature last night, except that the cameras did not show what had caused the president to lose his temper in the first place which included a large ODM placard.
Anybody who has been employed for any length of time knows the golden rule; you never, ever, ever lose your temper with your employer. The minute you do, it is just a matter of time before the sack comes. But you can be sure that it will come. Your employer will of course look for some other excuse to get rid of you, but it will all have started with your tantrum or fit of temper.
The same rule applies to any politician.
Locally President Kibaki is not the only presidential candidate to have lost it. Most Kenyans will remember the famous ODM Kenya incident in Mombasa (before the split into ODM and Hoo Ndii Eemm). Kalonzo Musyoka was booed by a section of the crowd and he promptly lost his head. Tat, tat. You just don’t do that.
ODM presidential aspirant, Raila Odinga is famous for his temper but now seems to have matured tremendously as a politician. There are days when it would not take much to spark off that famous temper, but Agwambo now seems to have become a professional politician.
Early in Raila’s campaign before Mwai Kibaki had made him so popular countrywide, in Mombasa a cheeky “employer” asked his a straight question; what was it with this circumcision thing and his seeking the presidency? There was pin drop silence at the meeting in the famous Tononoka grounds as some handlers started castigating the person who had asked the question. But Raila silenced them all and rose to the occasion beautifully by answering the question with another question. Who should be asking that question, he asked? A woman or a man? The crowd burst into prolonged laughter and the question has never been asked again to date.
There are of course still other questions about Raila’s character that will need to be addressed by his handlers. Like the time he vengefully went out of his way to block the appointment of a former colleague in LDP Shem Ochudho to the Kenya Pipeline Company. It is said he was vengeful and still upset over an earlier encounter the two had had.
Mark Anthony in that political classic from the pen of William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar was extremely angry at the funeral of Julius Caesar his friend, because of the brutal senseless way in which Caesar had been killed for such flimsy reasons. But he controlled his temper and humbly asked for permission to address the people starting with those famous but very deceiving words; “I do not come to praise Caesar but to bury him.” By the time he was done with that little speech the revolt that would thrust him into power and cause Caesar’s assassins to flee was well under way.
You just never, ever lose your temper in public at your employer. You Just don’t.
But to president Kibaki’s credit his health has never been the same after that terrible road accident in 2002 before the elections that put him in State House. The truth is that after 4 years of relaxing in State House and rarely being seen in public, he is now going through a very punishing daily schedule of campaigns. Something had to snap, he’s human after all.
The joy of a blog like Kumekucha is the fact that there is no censorship. Self-censorship or those uncomfortable calls from State House “demanding to know why?”.
The truth is that especially now when the campaigns have started in earnest, our poor newspaper editors have to be very careful about what they put on their pages or allow to go on air. My heart goes out to them.
Let me give a very recent example of self-censorship.
During president’s Kibaki’s recent campaign trip to the Coast, there were a number of nasty incidences (unfortunately I have to censor myself because if I give them in detail I will be branded an ODM sympathizer). Anyway a few Kenyans left President Kibaki in no doubt how they intended to vote and at it finally became too much for the President and he lost his temper on camera. At one point he ordered the security personnel close to the crowd to deal with a poor mwananchi (oops I meant to say “to deal with the president’s employer”).
Part of that clip was shown on the popular KTN News Shot feature last night, except that the cameras did not show what had caused the president to lose his temper in the first place which included a large ODM placard.
Anybody who has been employed for any length of time knows the golden rule; you never, ever, ever lose your temper with your employer. The minute you do, it is just a matter of time before the sack comes. But you can be sure that it will come. Your employer will of course look for some other excuse to get rid of you, but it will all have started with your tantrum or fit of temper.
The same rule applies to any politician.
Locally President Kibaki is not the only presidential candidate to have lost it. Most Kenyans will remember the famous ODM Kenya incident in Mombasa (before the split into ODM and Hoo Ndii Eemm). Kalonzo Musyoka was booed by a section of the crowd and he promptly lost his head. Tat, tat. You just don’t do that.
ODM presidential aspirant, Raila Odinga is famous for his temper but now seems to have matured tremendously as a politician. There are days when it would not take much to spark off that famous temper, but Agwambo now seems to have become a professional politician.
Early in Raila’s campaign before Mwai Kibaki had made him so popular countrywide, in Mombasa a cheeky “employer” asked his a straight question; what was it with this circumcision thing and his seeking the presidency? There was pin drop silence at the meeting in the famous Tononoka grounds as some handlers started castigating the person who had asked the question. But Raila silenced them all and rose to the occasion beautifully by answering the question with another question. Who should be asking that question, he asked? A woman or a man? The crowd burst into prolonged laughter and the question has never been asked again to date.
There are of course still other questions about Raila’s character that will need to be addressed by his handlers. Like the time he vengefully went out of his way to block the appointment of a former colleague in LDP Shem Ochudho to the Kenya Pipeline Company. It is said he was vengeful and still upset over an earlier encounter the two had had.
Mark Anthony in that political classic from the pen of William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar was extremely angry at the funeral of Julius Caesar his friend, because of the brutal senseless way in which Caesar had been killed for such flimsy reasons. But he controlled his temper and humbly asked for permission to address the people starting with those famous but very deceiving words; “I do not come to praise Caesar but to bury him.” By the time he was done with that little speech the revolt that would thrust him into power and cause Caesar’s assassins to flee was well under way.
You just never, ever lose your temper in public at your employer. You Just don’t.
But to president Kibaki’s credit his health has never been the same after that terrible road accident in 2002 before the elections that put him in State House. The truth is that after 4 years of relaxing in State House and rarely being seen in public, he is now going through a very punishing daily schedule of campaigns. Something had to snap, he’s human after all.
Moi's planned meeting with Marianne (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 31
Moi put down the phone..... what does this mean? Is Nicholas really crazy enough to try to kill Marianne? And in my presence? Has he become that much insane? .....
He walked to his bedroom, picked up the secure line, then dialed. The instant Mutula Kilonzo answered, he blurted, "The meeting cannot go through."
"What? Why not?"
Cough, "Bad things could happen."
"So you want me to cancel?"
"No. Let the Committee believe that I am still meeting Marianne."
"So what are we doing then?"
"We just don't appear." .....Click .....
***
Over at Parliament Buildings, Chairman Sunguh got the Committee going. Today, the witnesses were low-key. They covered a lot of ground in just a few hours.
By 4:00 p.m., they adjourned.
***
Bozo, from his Korogocho hide-out, called Bad Boy and Osiris. He told them, plans were changing. He filled them in on their new roles, taking care to warn that Moi would be in that vicinity, so everything had to be done with military precision.
***
Like I had promised to Sandra, I called the German Embassy in Nairobi and was assured of protection should I need it.
Since I had dual nationality - Swiss and German - and they knew about the risks I was taking, the Embassy informed me that they had already received 'green light' from Berlin granting me the status of utmost security.
They assured me to be at my disposal and would also get into contact with me immediately should they receive information regarding any security risk.
***
The following day I was awake by 6:00 a.m. This was the D-day. Later this afternoon, I was going to fly from Malaga to Zurich and from there a few hours later to Nairobi. My ticket was ready. My luggage was pretty much ready too.
The only thing that was not in place yet was the security at Jomo Kenyatta Inernational Airport and during my stay in Nairobi. I had asked Chairman Sunguh about it and he had promised me to get back.
He had not called up to now .....
I made a mental note regarding this.
Sweeping away the comforter, I sat on the bed for a while, then decided it was time to get going. I went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, brushed my teeth - then got back into the bedroom to dress.
Before I drew the curtains to see what the weather looked like. I was stunned. The sun was just getting up and painted the Mediterranean Sea with a pinkish glow. I turned on the TV to check what they were saying: Sunny, but cold.....
I decided to make a real 'English' breakfast and just as I was cracking the eggs for the omelette, the phone rang..... at six-thirty? ..... I answered it.
It was a quite upset Dr. Njoroge Mungai, "Why do I have to find out via the Media that you are coming to Nairobi?"
"I thought I would call you when I am there ..... kind of surprising you ..... because I want to see you while I am there. Do you think, this will be possible?"
"It depends - where are you staying?"
"Sunguh did not tell me yet. But I will call you and let you know. Will you also come to the Hearing?"
"I would like to - but maybe it would attract too much publicity if I would also attend. But I will for sure follow it on the Television. You know that there will be a life transmissation on all channels?"
"Sunguh told me about that."
"Anyway, I do not think that I will be able to help you with your evidence. There is not much I know about this matter. I told you already at that time that this Molasses Plant was a project tainted by the involvement of too many politicians. You and also Dr. Ouko should have never tried to get involved...... you should have also been much more careful with the people you were dealing with. Remember, I had warned you more than once - but you did not want to listen ..... by the way, did Sandra tell you that I am now also growing roses? In fact my company is already one of the biggest and well-known all over the world. We have just been proclaimed the winner as the best company of Agriculture, Food and Beverages in all Africa by the renowned South African University of Stellenbosch's Africa Centre for Investment..... I told Sandra about this new venture last time I had dinner with her in Zurich. I explained to her - and I am sure you are smiling now like she did - that it was most appropriate for me to exchange politics for flowers, governing for business and United Nations for roses."
I laughed loud, "Yes, Sandra told me about it. She liked your explanation. You know that she actually told me that now she understands me why I had fallen in love with you..... she admires especially your sense of humor. She is very happy about your contacts."
"I am happy too. She is very intelligent and very beautiful. I only hoped, she and Philipp could decide to come to Kenya and live here."
"I hope so too. But I am not sure that it would be advisable at the moment."
"Let's bring this Ouko thing behind us and we will talk again. Just be careful what you say - but stay to the truth."
When I did not reply, he must have sensed how depressed I suddenly had become, so he added, "To cheer you up ..... just remember something I wrote to you only a short while ago ..... I told you that I hope that one day, you will come back to Africa and then you and me, Sandra and Philip, will go together to the spot facing Mt. Kenya, the land of Kenyatta ..... this is still valid. Just think about it and how wonderful it would be."
Finally he got me smiling because as usual he had found the right words, "Thank you..... I also hope, it will come true. Anyway, I will call you when I am in Nairobi. Let's try to meet."
"I will see that I can do ..... and if the Committee agrees. In the meantime, give my regards to Sandra. I am sure, she will see off in Zurich?"
"Yes, she will be at the airport."
"Have a good flight. And remember, be very careful in Nairobi."
"I will. Good bye and thank you."
Moi put down the phone..... what does this mean? Is Nicholas really crazy enough to try to kill Marianne? And in my presence? Has he become that much insane? .....
He walked to his bedroom, picked up the secure line, then dialed. The instant Mutula Kilonzo answered, he blurted, "The meeting cannot go through."
"What? Why not?"
Cough, "Bad things could happen."
"So you want me to cancel?"
"No. Let the Committee believe that I am still meeting Marianne."
"So what are we doing then?"
"We just don't appear." .....Click .....
***
Over at Parliament Buildings, Chairman Sunguh got the Committee going. Today, the witnesses were low-key. They covered a lot of ground in just a few hours.
By 4:00 p.m., they adjourned.
***
Bozo, from his Korogocho hide-out, called Bad Boy and Osiris. He told them, plans were changing. He filled them in on their new roles, taking care to warn that Moi would be in that vicinity, so everything had to be done with military precision.
***
Like I had promised to Sandra, I called the German Embassy in Nairobi and was assured of protection should I need it.
Since I had dual nationality - Swiss and German - and they knew about the risks I was taking, the Embassy informed me that they had already received 'green light' from Berlin granting me the status of utmost security.
They assured me to be at my disposal and would also get into contact with me immediately should they receive information regarding any security risk.
***
The following day I was awake by 6:00 a.m. This was the D-day. Later this afternoon, I was going to fly from Malaga to Zurich and from there a few hours later to Nairobi. My ticket was ready. My luggage was pretty much ready too.
The only thing that was not in place yet was the security at Jomo Kenyatta Inernational Airport and during my stay in Nairobi. I had asked Chairman Sunguh about it and he had promised me to get back.
He had not called up to now .....
I made a mental note regarding this.
Sweeping away the comforter, I sat on the bed for a while, then decided it was time to get going. I went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, brushed my teeth - then got back into the bedroom to dress.
Before I drew the curtains to see what the weather looked like. I was stunned. The sun was just getting up and painted the Mediterranean Sea with a pinkish glow. I turned on the TV to check what they were saying: Sunny, but cold.....
I decided to make a real 'English' breakfast and just as I was cracking the eggs for the omelette, the phone rang..... at six-thirty? ..... I answered it.
It was a quite upset Dr. Njoroge Mungai, "Why do I have to find out via the Media that you are coming to Nairobi?"
"I thought I would call you when I am there ..... kind of surprising you ..... because I want to see you while I am there. Do you think, this will be possible?"
"It depends - where are you staying?"
"Sunguh did not tell me yet. But I will call you and let you know. Will you also come to the Hearing?"
"I would like to - but maybe it would attract too much publicity if I would also attend. But I will for sure follow it on the Television. You know that there will be a life transmissation on all channels?"
"Sunguh told me about that."
"Anyway, I do not think that I will be able to help you with your evidence. There is not much I know about this matter. I told you already at that time that this Molasses Plant was a project tainted by the involvement of too many politicians. You and also Dr. Ouko should have never tried to get involved...... you should have also been much more careful with the people you were dealing with. Remember, I had warned you more than once - but you did not want to listen ..... by the way, did Sandra tell you that I am now also growing roses? In fact my company is already one of the biggest and well-known all over the world. We have just been proclaimed the winner as the best company of Agriculture, Food and Beverages in all Africa by the renowned South African University of Stellenbosch's Africa Centre for Investment..... I told Sandra about this new venture last time I had dinner with her in Zurich. I explained to her - and I am sure you are smiling now like she did - that it was most appropriate for me to exchange politics for flowers, governing for business and United Nations for roses."
I laughed loud, "Yes, Sandra told me about it. She liked your explanation. You know that she actually told me that now she understands me why I had fallen in love with you..... she admires especially your sense of humor. She is very happy about your contacts."
"I am happy too. She is very intelligent and very beautiful. I only hoped, she and Philipp could decide to come to Kenya and live here."
"I hope so too. But I am not sure that it would be advisable at the moment."
"Let's bring this Ouko thing behind us and we will talk again. Just be careful what you say - but stay to the truth."
When I did not reply, he must have sensed how depressed I suddenly had become, so he added, "To cheer you up ..... just remember something I wrote to you only a short while ago ..... I told you that I hope that one day, you will come back to Africa and then you and me, Sandra and Philip, will go together to the spot facing Mt. Kenya, the land of Kenyatta ..... this is still valid. Just think about it and how wonderful it would be."
Finally he got me smiling because as usual he had found the right words, "Thank you..... I also hope, it will come true. Anyway, I will call you when I am in Nairobi. Let's try to meet."
"I will see that I can do ..... and if the Committee agrees. In the meantime, give my regards to Sandra. I am sure, she will see off in Zurich?"
"Yes, she will be at the airport."
"Have a good flight. And remember, be very careful in Nairobi."
"I will. Good bye and thank you."
The 5 Most Popular stories in Kumekucha today-10th Nov
The 5 Most Popular stories in Kumekucha today-10th Nov
1. Kenyans speak bluntly about elections 2007
2. Latest Steadmann opinion polls, Raila still tops
3. Rumour yet to be verified
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian Church In Kenya to panic
5. Why has Njoki Ndungu resigned from PNU elections board?
1. Kenyans speak bluntly about elections 2007
2. Latest Steadmann opinion polls, Raila still tops
3. Rumour yet to be verified
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian Church In Kenya to panic
5. Why has Njoki Ndungu resigned from PNU elections board?
Friday, November 09, 2007
Kenyans Speak Bluntly About Elections 2007
I love nothing more than going out to chat politics with ordinary folks from all walks of life. This time I managed to get some pretty good comments from PNU strongholds as well. What I have done below is to give you all the comments and opinions I got right across the political divide. Many were unprintable, even in kumekucha.
Before I list the comments, I would like to appeal to all Kumekucha readers for support to launch a Middle ground movement to sell the idea to Kenyans that whichever side wins, life must continue. One thing I was able to sense is that to many people if their side does not win, there will be no Kenya left which is pure nonsense.
Having said that, let me emphasize once again that there is a lot of suffering going on in the rural areas of Kenya and whichever candidate wins, they should address this problem as a top priority. It is OK for the economy to grew, but surely we cannot turn a blind eye to milions of starving Kenyans, especially when they are in such high numbers.
If Raila wins the presidency, there will be no peace in Kenya. Nairobi will be full of stone throwers 24/7. The capital city will also be moved to Kisumu. Luos will sh** on our heads.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
There are enough young progressive people in Dagoretti to ensure a KJ victory irrespective of which party ticket he stands with.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
If KJ stands with the Mujaruo party (ODM) he will not get any votes.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
Beth Mugo in the 10th parliament!! Is the earth flat?
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
The day I hear Kibaki has won the election is the day I will pack my bags and leave Kenya, most probably for Tanzania. Not because I hate the guy, but because Kenyans cannot take another 6 months of Kibakism. There will be matata shortly after a Kibaki victory.
Dagoretti, Nairobi
People will die in large numbers in Langata constituency in the forthcoming polls because the area people will not allow any of the outsiders who have been registered to vote. So who will take responsibility for the deaths?
Dagoreti, Nairobi.
You cannot rule a country and take the people for granted and then at the last minute start distributing goodies to appease them. Kenyans are not children. I am certain that mzee Kibaki is going back home to Othaya to rest after 27th Dec.
Changamwe, Mombasa.
The NSIS must have told Kibaki that he is losing. Even the mad man in our Market knows that. But he is still in the race. He is a very proud man and so I ask myself what exactly is he up to when he must know he is losing? This is what should worry Kenyans a lot.
Machakos, Kenya
I am sure Kalonzo will win. Just consider the following; Kibaki is out and most Kenyans cannot vote for Raila. So who does that leave?
Machakos, Kenya.
Even if I wanted, I cannot vote for Raila because if I do, my elderly mother will remove all her clothes and that is a very bad curse in our community. The reason she will do this is because in our community we cannot vote for people who have not been cut (circumsized).
Tharaka Nthi, man living in Changamwe
These people trying to play dirty against Raila should know that Raila also knows more dirty tricks than they do. Come what may, Raila will win in Langata. People will die but Raila will win.
Kibera, Nairobi.
These people (the Kikuyu) want to rule Kenya forever. Why must it be them every time? Why? Why? Why?
Changamwe, Mombasa.
The day Raila is announced President; I will take a holiday and go to Nairobi for one week. It will be the happiest day of my life.
Luo lady living in Changamwe, Mombasa
You are wasting your time, young man. Nobody ever fought the government of Kenya and won. Kibaki is coming back as president. We don’t like him but there is nothing anybody can do about it. Just wait and see the rigging that will happen. You ddi nothing when Moi did it and you will certainly do nothing when Kibaki does it.
Changamwe, Mombasa.
Mark my words. Whichever MP (it doesn’t matter who they are) makes it back to parliament this time. They should kneel down, thank God and take a big gift to their church. They should also sacrifice something like not sleep with a woman for one week. My point is that they’ll not be many of them.
Machakos, Kenya.
Before I list the comments, I would like to appeal to all Kumekucha readers for support to launch a Middle ground movement to sell the idea to Kenyans that whichever side wins, life must continue. One thing I was able to sense is that to many people if their side does not win, there will be no Kenya left which is pure nonsense.
Having said that, let me emphasize once again that there is a lot of suffering going on in the rural areas of Kenya and whichever candidate wins, they should address this problem as a top priority. It is OK for the economy to grew, but surely we cannot turn a blind eye to milions of starving Kenyans, especially when they are in such high numbers.
If Raila wins the presidency, there will be no peace in Kenya. Nairobi will be full of stone throwers 24/7. The capital city will also be moved to Kisumu. Luos will sh** on our heads.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
There are enough young progressive people in Dagoretti to ensure a KJ victory irrespective of which party ticket he stands with.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
If KJ stands with the Mujaruo party (ODM) he will not get any votes.
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
Beth Mugo in the 10th parliament!! Is the earth flat?
Dagoretti, Nairobi.
The day I hear Kibaki has won the election is the day I will pack my bags and leave Kenya, most probably for Tanzania. Not because I hate the guy, but because Kenyans cannot take another 6 months of Kibakism. There will be matata shortly after a Kibaki victory.
Dagoretti, Nairobi
People will die in large numbers in Langata constituency in the forthcoming polls because the area people will not allow any of the outsiders who have been registered to vote. So who will take responsibility for the deaths?
Dagoreti, Nairobi.
You cannot rule a country and take the people for granted and then at the last minute start distributing goodies to appease them. Kenyans are not children. I am certain that mzee Kibaki is going back home to Othaya to rest after 27th Dec.
Changamwe, Mombasa.
The NSIS must have told Kibaki that he is losing. Even the mad man in our Market knows that. But he is still in the race. He is a very proud man and so I ask myself what exactly is he up to when he must know he is losing? This is what should worry Kenyans a lot.
Machakos, Kenya
I am sure Kalonzo will win. Just consider the following; Kibaki is out and most Kenyans cannot vote for Raila. So who does that leave?
Machakos, Kenya.
Even if I wanted, I cannot vote for Raila because if I do, my elderly mother will remove all her clothes and that is a very bad curse in our community. The reason she will do this is because in our community we cannot vote for people who have not been cut (circumsized).
Tharaka Nthi, man living in Changamwe
These people trying to play dirty against Raila should know that Raila also knows more dirty tricks than they do. Come what may, Raila will win in Langata. People will die but Raila will win.
Kibera, Nairobi.
These people (the Kikuyu) want to rule Kenya forever. Why must it be them every time? Why? Why? Why?
Changamwe, Mombasa.
The day Raila is announced President; I will take a holiday and go to Nairobi for one week. It will be the happiest day of my life.
Luo lady living in Changamwe, Mombasa
You are wasting your time, young man. Nobody ever fought the government of Kenya and won. Kibaki is coming back as president. We don’t like him but there is nothing anybody can do about it. Just wait and see the rigging that will happen. You ddi nothing when Moi did it and you will certainly do nothing when Kibaki does it.
Changamwe, Mombasa.
Mark my words. Whichever MP (it doesn’t matter who they are) makes it back to parliament this time. They should kneel down, thank God and take a big gift to their church. They should also sacrifice something like not sleep with a woman for one week. My point is that they’ll not be many of them.
Machakos, Kenya.
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today - Nov 9th
The 5 most popular stories in Kumekucha today - Nov 9th
1. Latest opinion poll Raila still tops
2. Why has Njoki Ndungu resignied from PNU elections board?
3. Rumour yet to be verified
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian church in Kenya to panic
5. I successfully recommended that my boss should be fired so that I take over
1. Latest opinion poll Raila still tops
2. Why has Njoki Ndungu resignied from PNU elections board?
3. Rumour yet to be verified
4. PNU propaganda causes Christian church in Kenya to panic
5. I successfully recommended that my boss should be fired so that I take over
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Why Has Njoki Ndungu Resigned From PNU Election Board?
That all is not well within the PNU election board was further confirmed a few hours ago when Njoki Ndungu suddenly tendered her resignation. But what was even stranger was the fact that the usually very open Ms Ndungu was tight lipped as to her reasons for resigning.
Actually the PNU election board appears to have been hit by confusion right from the word go, because they started by appointing a man who had already been named to the ODM-K election board and the fact had been publicized widely in the media. Meaning that none of the folks making decisions bother to read the daily newspapers or catch the news bulletin on TV and radio.
But why exactly has Ms Ndungu resigned?
Some members of the press have speculated that it was because a section of the aspirants were very strongly against her appointment right from the word go because they did not have any confidence that she would be impartial. The MP who was one of the biggest achievers of the 9th parliament is known to be very tight with the top brass at PNU. This is in a backdrop where it is being increasingly felt that the PNU will force certain “favoured” candidates through the nomination process and leave many aspirants who are popular on the ground out in the cold. This in a nutshell is the bone of contention that has made it impossible for parties affiliated to the PNU to agree on a joint nomination exercise despite several meetings, some of which have been attended by President Kibaki himself.
Ms Njoki Ndungu is known to be a die hard backer of some of these characters whom it is expected will be given automatic nominations. One of these people is of course the influential Chris Murungaru.
Actually the reality of the situation is that the president will require a few trusted and experienced foot soldiers on the ground and for this reason there are some people who cannot be left out of the PNU line-up. If this is indeed what is going to happen, then PNU will have committed yet another critical mistake that will cost it dearly in the forthcoming polls.
In fact one hawk-eyed avid reader of thus blog has already seen what is happening and has predicted that Hoo Ndii Emm’s Kalonzo Musyoka will have a surprisingly good showing in Central Kenya from all those voters totally fed up with President Kibaki and also those who have lost loved ones to the Mungiki menace that swept through most of the province earlier this year but who can’t bring themselves to vote for Raila. Recent utterances by the Kibaki administration that bodies dumped in mortuaries all over the country had nothing to do with the police or government have only served to add salt to some very raw wounds. Indeed it is now emerging that much of the president’s support in central province is from voters who are not really voting for him but are voting against Raila Odinga and ODM in giving their votes to PNU. This is the feed back that I am getting from impeccable sources on the ground.
The mistake many Kenyans make in generalizing their attacks against the Kikuyu is to forget that this community has suffered untold misery under the Kibaki administration, especially in the issue of the so-called Mungiki purge. It is also a fact that many younger members of this community are not going to vote tribally this time round. It is instructive that John Kiarie (KJ of Redyculus fame) is standing on an ODM ticket and not PNU in Dagoretti constituency. I recently spoke to one of my in-laws who lives in the constituency and he told me bluntly that KJ will not get much in terms of votes if he stands with ODM. The younger people think different of course.
I must quickly add that I have always had an excellent relationship with my in-laws whom at the beginning used to call me Mujaruo for a reason I did not quite understand because they were told clearly that my Father is Kamba and my mother a Bukusu. My Kikuyu beauty once explained to me that my features are not quite what my in-laws expected from a Kamba man. They expected a thin almost-malnourished, small man. So my guess is that they linked me more closely to my Bukusu side which many of my in-laws think is right next to Luo Nyanza.
Still they love me to bits after all these years and I have no doubt that if I stood for the parliamentary seat in Dagoretti, I would receive overwhelming support from them and their influential friends in the constituency. You can be sure that I will work very hard to push that support in the direction of KJ.
Actually the PNU election board appears to have been hit by confusion right from the word go, because they started by appointing a man who had already been named to the ODM-K election board and the fact had been publicized widely in the media. Meaning that none of the folks making decisions bother to read the daily newspapers or catch the news bulletin on TV and radio.
But why exactly has Ms Ndungu resigned?
Some members of the press have speculated that it was because a section of the aspirants were very strongly against her appointment right from the word go because they did not have any confidence that she would be impartial. The MP who was one of the biggest achievers of the 9th parliament is known to be very tight with the top brass at PNU. This is in a backdrop where it is being increasingly felt that the PNU will force certain “favoured” candidates through the nomination process and leave many aspirants who are popular on the ground out in the cold. This in a nutshell is the bone of contention that has made it impossible for parties affiliated to the PNU to agree on a joint nomination exercise despite several meetings, some of which have been attended by President Kibaki himself.
Ms Njoki Ndungu is known to be a die hard backer of some of these characters whom it is expected will be given automatic nominations. One of these people is of course the influential Chris Murungaru.
Actually the reality of the situation is that the president will require a few trusted and experienced foot soldiers on the ground and for this reason there are some people who cannot be left out of the PNU line-up. If this is indeed what is going to happen, then PNU will have committed yet another critical mistake that will cost it dearly in the forthcoming polls.
In fact one hawk-eyed avid reader of thus blog has already seen what is happening and has predicted that Hoo Ndii Emm’s Kalonzo Musyoka will have a surprisingly good showing in Central Kenya from all those voters totally fed up with President Kibaki and also those who have lost loved ones to the Mungiki menace that swept through most of the province earlier this year but who can’t bring themselves to vote for Raila. Recent utterances by the Kibaki administration that bodies dumped in mortuaries all over the country had nothing to do with the police or government have only served to add salt to some very raw wounds. Indeed it is now emerging that much of the president’s support in central province is from voters who are not really voting for him but are voting against Raila Odinga and ODM in giving their votes to PNU. This is the feed back that I am getting from impeccable sources on the ground.
The mistake many Kenyans make in generalizing their attacks against the Kikuyu is to forget that this community has suffered untold misery under the Kibaki administration, especially in the issue of the so-called Mungiki purge. It is also a fact that many younger members of this community are not going to vote tribally this time round. It is instructive that John Kiarie (KJ of Redyculus fame) is standing on an ODM ticket and not PNU in Dagoretti constituency. I recently spoke to one of my in-laws who lives in the constituency and he told me bluntly that KJ will not get much in terms of votes if he stands with ODM. The younger people think different of course.
I must quickly add that I have always had an excellent relationship with my in-laws whom at the beginning used to call me Mujaruo for a reason I did not quite understand because they were told clearly that my Father is Kamba and my mother a Bukusu. My Kikuyu beauty once explained to me that my features are not quite what my in-laws expected from a Kamba man. They expected a thin almost-malnourished, small man. So my guess is that they linked me more closely to my Bukusu side which many of my in-laws think is right next to Luo Nyanza.
Still they love me to bits after all these years and I have no doubt that if I stood for the parliamentary seat in Dagoretti, I would receive overwhelming support from them and their influential friends in the constituency. You can be sure that I will work very hard to push that support in the direction of KJ.
Nervous that I might die in Kenya (Kenya Betrayed)
Chapter 30
Today I felt very nervous. The fear that I might die in Kenya, kept gnawing at me, making me unable to be focused. Whenever I tried to read my notes, go through my earlier testimony at Scotland Yard's Office in London, my mind chewed a lock. And my body tensed. Was I going to be safe? And being that Philipp's letter approving his travelling alongside me had not come yet - was it sensible to take chances?
I walked into my study and started looking at some pictures on the wall. I saw a photo of the founding couple, Jomo and Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
..... decent people .....
I saw a picture of other friends - Grace and Bethwel Ogot.
..... fantastic people .....
Then a picture of Moi ......
I don't know that to think..... he could have been a wonderful President ..... a real Statesman ..... what has happened to the man I once knew and loved? Can I have been that wrong? When I meet him, I will let him know that is not too late to make things right. He can apologize to Christabel and to the nation. I even believe, Kenyans will forgive him. I will tell him that.....
Finally, I looked at a picture of Sandra. She was wearing a sleeveless dark-blue evening dress. There was a soft chandelier handing slightly to the left making her long flowing hair shine like black ebony - she was stunningly beautiful - and like Dr. Mungai once said: like a cover girl on People Magazin....
Looking at Sandra's photo, I thought again about Moi. What would he say when he could see Sandra now? Would he still recognize the little girl he once knew? Would he be proud like me that she had fulfilled her childhood dream and really had become a Veterinary - a dream he had planted in her when they visited together the game parks in his beautiful country?
I knew that Sandra was still hoping to be able to go back to Kenya and also live up to the other part of that dream: to look after the animals in the game parks. But would she ever be able to do this? Would it be safe for her to go?
Suddenly I felt very sad - there were so many lost opportunities - so many open gaps - so many chances to be happy gone for all of us - destroyed by a man called Nicholas Biwott.
When my phone rang, it startled me, "Hello?"
"It's Sandra, Mami."
"Hello, sweetheart, how are you?"
"Only one day left, Mami, and I am very worried about your trip. Are you still going?"
"I told you, I have to."
"Have you made arrangements for your security like you promised?"
I hesitated. When I informed Philipp a few days ago about the delay in processing his letter, he had told me that his Superiors may send him to another destination which would make it impossible for him to accompany me.
But I decided not to go into this new situation with my daughter, so instead I said, "Sandra, I am going to call the German Embassy. I will let them handle my security."
"Is this a promise? And will they agree?"
"I hope so."
Sandra kept quiet for a minute. She wiped a tear. Finally, she said, "Mami, if you travel tomorrow, I will meet you at the Zurich-Airport. What time is your flight?"
"10:30 p.m. - but I will arrive from Malaga already around 6 p.m. - so we have some time to talk and maybe have also a small dinner together."
"Then I will see you at Zurich-Kloten, Mami," she sighed, "I love you."
"I love you too - actually, do you know I was just looking at your picture, the one in the blue dress. You look adorable."
I heard her laughing and then saying, "Of course I do ..... it runs in the family, remember?"
I smiled, "See you tomorrow, darling."
Today I felt very nervous. The fear that I might die in Kenya, kept gnawing at me, making me unable to be focused. Whenever I tried to read my notes, go through my earlier testimony at Scotland Yard's Office in London, my mind chewed a lock. And my body tensed. Was I going to be safe? And being that Philipp's letter approving his travelling alongside me had not come yet - was it sensible to take chances?
I walked into my study and started looking at some pictures on the wall. I saw a photo of the founding couple, Jomo and Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
..... decent people .....
I saw a picture of other friends - Grace and Bethwel Ogot.
..... fantastic people .....
Then a picture of Moi ......
I don't know that to think..... he could have been a wonderful President ..... a real Statesman ..... what has happened to the man I once knew and loved? Can I have been that wrong? When I meet him, I will let him know that is not too late to make things right. He can apologize to Christabel and to the nation. I even believe, Kenyans will forgive him. I will tell him that.....
Finally, I looked at a picture of Sandra. She was wearing a sleeveless dark-blue evening dress. There was a soft chandelier handing slightly to the left making her long flowing hair shine like black ebony - she was stunningly beautiful - and like Dr. Mungai once said: like a cover girl on People Magazin....
Looking at Sandra's photo, I thought again about Moi. What would he say when he could see Sandra now? Would he still recognize the little girl he once knew? Would he be proud like me that she had fulfilled her childhood dream and really had become a Veterinary - a dream he had planted in her when they visited together the game parks in his beautiful country?
I knew that Sandra was still hoping to be able to go back to Kenya and also live up to the other part of that dream: to look after the animals in the game parks. But would she ever be able to do this? Would it be safe for her to go?
Suddenly I felt very sad - there were so many lost opportunities - so many open gaps - so many chances to be happy gone for all of us - destroyed by a man called Nicholas Biwott.
When my phone rang, it startled me, "Hello?"
"It's Sandra, Mami."
"Hello, sweetheart, how are you?"
"Only one day left, Mami, and I am very worried about your trip. Are you still going?"
"I told you, I have to."
"Have you made arrangements for your security like you promised?"
I hesitated. When I informed Philipp a few days ago about the delay in processing his letter, he had told me that his Superiors may send him to another destination which would make it impossible for him to accompany me.
But I decided not to go into this new situation with my daughter, so instead I said, "Sandra, I am going to call the German Embassy. I will let them handle my security."
"Is this a promise? And will they agree?"
"I hope so."
Sandra kept quiet for a minute. She wiped a tear. Finally, she said, "Mami, if you travel tomorrow, I will meet you at the Zurich-Airport. What time is your flight?"
"10:30 p.m. - but I will arrive from Malaga already around 6 p.m. - so we have some time to talk and maybe have also a small dinner together."
"Then I will see you at Zurich-Kloten, Mami," she sighed, "I love you."
"I love you too - actually, do you know I was just looking at your picture, the one in the blue dress. You look adorable."
I heard her laughing and then saying, "Of course I do ..... it runs in the family, remember?"
I smiled, "See you tomorrow, darling."
The 5 Most Popular Stories On Kumekucha 8th Nov
The 5 Most Popular Stories On Kumekucha 8th Nov
1. Is Maj Gen Hussein Ali telling the truth?
2. Marianne Briner releases statement from hospital
3. PNU propaganda causes panic in Kenyan christian church
4. PNU manifesto launch another chance...
5. I once successfully recommended sacking of my boss so that I replace him
1. Is Maj Gen Hussein Ali telling the truth?
2. Marianne Briner releases statement from hospital
3. PNU propaganda causes panic in Kenyan christian church
4. PNU manifesto launch another chance...
5. I once successfully recommended sacking of my boss so that I replace him
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Is Maj Gen Hussein Ali Telling The Truth?
Over 500 bodies dumped in mortuaries country-wide: who killed these youngsters?
Before we examine this disturbing development where there is a war of words between the police and the Chairman of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (over the issue of 500 dead bodies) , let me tell you a little background story I know you will love.
My knowledge of the police and the way they operate is rather deep although I have never been a police officer myself (I almost became one though, but that is a story for another day). You see I grew up living with a very senior police officer who happened to be the man who sired me.
In primary school I distinctly remember my Dad, suddenly, and out of the blue starting to carry a large automatic firearm around with him everywhere he went. I was puzzled and did not know why until many years later.
You see the old man was trained by the colonial government and for some reason certain basic principals stuck with him that were to put him on a collision course with the new direction the police force took shortly after independence. He probably only survived because he was quite senior and had a very powerful friend in the Kenya Army who was equally principled and had to step in once or twice to “cool down” things for him.
In this particular case my dad as a matter of principle refused to look the other way when coffee belonging to Mama Ngina Kenyatta came in and those escorting it, cockily demanded a police escort to Mombasa for it (it was during the coffee boom). I hope you’ve seen the very funny joke here—police escorting criminally smuggled goods.
The old man flatly refused and played it by the book, in fact he impounded the smuggled goods. Naturally he received threats and this was not a joke because he was dealing with people closely affiliated to the then dreaded Jomo Kenyatta kitchen cabinet. I have told you many times about the kind of things those “nice” guys used to do to other Kenyans, so I will not repeat myself.
Although the coffee still got to Mombasa (his boss over-ruled him) things got so bad that for weeks on end the cop who refused to go crooked never slept at home but spent the night in different hotels under an assumed name. He had been told that a contract was out for him to be killed. That crisis passed but they were many others that followed until finally during the Moi era, they forced him out of the police and into early retirement.
Ironically a few months later he read in the newspapers that a police officer whom he had wanted to prosecute for stealing money belonging to the police canteen in a certain province where they served together once, had been appointed police commissioner. Yep, that’s what the police force degenerated into when politics happened to it.
And then we ask ourselves today why the police seem to be losing the war against criminals. Strange people, we Kenyans are!
Let me admit that when I was growing up I believed that my dad was making a mistake being so stringent and principled. Especially when he worked hard to instill the same principles in us, his children. For years we joked how our house was an extension of the police station.
I watched with envy as other policeman’s kids showed off their expensive toys (delivered by some “Asian friend of their dad”) and later as they drove around in expensive cars given to them as gifts by “family friends”. I continued to be dropped in school by a ramshackle jalopy of a car that the other kids made fan of because it looked like it would give way at any moment. Mercifully on rare occasions when the jalopy gave in, I was dropped by a police car and they didn’t make fun then.
That old man is one of the reasons why I am here with all you good folks doing the thankless task of writing this blog, instead of chasing Ken-Ren-like contracts with government departments and so called family contacts and friends—like intelligent sane Kenyans do. Or receiving some smuggled sugar from speed boats somewhere in Mombasa. It is the reason why unlike many Kenyans my hero is John Githongo and not Kamlesh Pattni or some other stinking rich tycoon that many Kenyans hero worship.
Now onto this latest saga involving the police.
Let me start by asking you some simple questions that you need to ask yourself?
If John Githongo issued a statement and then Stanley Livondo contradicted what he said, whom would you believe?
If Ndingi Mwana Nzeki issued a statement and Cardinal designate John Njue issued another one contradicting him, whom would you believe?
Finally if the chairman of the Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a carefully worded statement and then the Police commissioner issued a statement contradicting what he had said, whom would you believe?
I think the simple answer to this war of words is right there.
I have a simple test I use with all public figures. I look them straight in the eye and observe carefully how they react. Many of them have this shifty look in their eyes that gives them away and the moment they fail my test, I will never believe anything they say in public. I am especially wary of press conferences called “to clear the air.” The truth is that most of the time they do the very opposite, they pollute the air with lies. The truth is that there are too many lies flying around in Kenya today. The normal thing is for public figures to rush to the press and deny things.
Peter Kenneth the assistant minister for finance and his senior ministry officials called a press conference yesterday to strongly deny that the Ken-Ren deal exists. But payments of that contract are clearly documented in black and white in the budget. Anybody who can read English will be able to see them. And besides when the civil society first raised this issue months ago (we published their statement here in Kumekucha), the government said nothing.
It is virtually impossible to come up with any evidence to link the police to the extra-judicial killings of hundreds of young, Kikuyu youths whose bodies were dumped in mortuaries all over the country (we reported here based on information from impeccable sources that some of those bodies were dumped at the Nairobi National Park to be eaten by wild animals).
The truth is that the police who undertook these killings based on instructions from the Minister in charge of Internal security (that were not that secret, but which Kenyans have now forgotten about) could not have been stupid enough to leave any calling cards or even a shred of evidence.
My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones and know the truth about how innocent the Kenya police are in this matter. Be strong, one day the truth shall be known.
This post is dedicated to relatives of all those who lost their loved ones and who find it extremely painful to hear grown men who are supposed to protect them, tell lies on national television. It is also dedicated to all those straight policemen who refused to be corrupt. Those gallant sons of Kenya some of whom lost their lives because of their principles.
I salute you all.
I thank you all…
and I bless the day Kenyan mothers gave birth to you.
Before we examine this disturbing development where there is a war of words between the police and the Chairman of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (over the issue of 500 dead bodies) , let me tell you a little background story I know you will love.
My knowledge of the police and the way they operate is rather deep although I have never been a police officer myself (I almost became one though, but that is a story for another day). You see I grew up living with a very senior police officer who happened to be the man who sired me.
In primary school I distinctly remember my Dad, suddenly, and out of the blue starting to carry a large automatic firearm around with him everywhere he went. I was puzzled and did not know why until many years later.
You see the old man was trained by the colonial government and for some reason certain basic principals stuck with him that were to put him on a collision course with the new direction the police force took shortly after independence. He probably only survived because he was quite senior and had a very powerful friend in the Kenya Army who was equally principled and had to step in once or twice to “cool down” things for him.
In this particular case my dad as a matter of principle refused to look the other way when coffee belonging to Mama Ngina Kenyatta came in and those escorting it, cockily demanded a police escort to Mombasa for it (it was during the coffee boom). I hope you’ve seen the very funny joke here—police escorting criminally smuggled goods.
The old man flatly refused and played it by the book, in fact he impounded the smuggled goods. Naturally he received threats and this was not a joke because he was dealing with people closely affiliated to the then dreaded Jomo Kenyatta kitchen cabinet. I have told you many times about the kind of things those “nice” guys used to do to other Kenyans, so I will not repeat myself.
Although the coffee still got to Mombasa (his boss over-ruled him) things got so bad that for weeks on end the cop who refused to go crooked never slept at home but spent the night in different hotels under an assumed name. He had been told that a contract was out for him to be killed. That crisis passed but they were many others that followed until finally during the Moi era, they forced him out of the police and into early retirement.
Ironically a few months later he read in the newspapers that a police officer whom he had wanted to prosecute for stealing money belonging to the police canteen in a certain province where they served together once, had been appointed police commissioner. Yep, that’s what the police force degenerated into when politics happened to it.
And then we ask ourselves today why the police seem to be losing the war against criminals. Strange people, we Kenyans are!
Let me admit that when I was growing up I believed that my dad was making a mistake being so stringent and principled. Especially when he worked hard to instill the same principles in us, his children. For years we joked how our house was an extension of the police station.
I watched with envy as other policeman’s kids showed off their expensive toys (delivered by some “Asian friend of their dad”) and later as they drove around in expensive cars given to them as gifts by “family friends”. I continued to be dropped in school by a ramshackle jalopy of a car that the other kids made fan of because it looked like it would give way at any moment. Mercifully on rare occasions when the jalopy gave in, I was dropped by a police car and they didn’t make fun then.
That old man is one of the reasons why I am here with all you good folks doing the thankless task of writing this blog, instead of chasing Ken-Ren-like contracts with government departments and so called family contacts and friends—like intelligent sane Kenyans do. Or receiving some smuggled sugar from speed boats somewhere in Mombasa. It is the reason why unlike many Kenyans my hero is John Githongo and not Kamlesh Pattni or some other stinking rich tycoon that many Kenyans hero worship.
Now onto this latest saga involving the police.
Let me start by asking you some simple questions that you need to ask yourself?
If John Githongo issued a statement and then Stanley Livondo contradicted what he said, whom would you believe?
If Ndingi Mwana Nzeki issued a statement and Cardinal designate John Njue issued another one contradicting him, whom would you believe?
Finally if the chairman of the Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a carefully worded statement and then the Police commissioner issued a statement contradicting what he had said, whom would you believe?
I think the simple answer to this war of words is right there.
I have a simple test I use with all public figures. I look them straight in the eye and observe carefully how they react. Many of them have this shifty look in their eyes that gives them away and the moment they fail my test, I will never believe anything they say in public. I am especially wary of press conferences called “to clear the air.” The truth is that most of the time they do the very opposite, they pollute the air with lies. The truth is that there are too many lies flying around in Kenya today. The normal thing is for public figures to rush to the press and deny things.
Peter Kenneth the assistant minister for finance and his senior ministry officials called a press conference yesterday to strongly deny that the Ken-Ren deal exists. But payments of that contract are clearly documented in black and white in the budget. Anybody who can read English will be able to see them. And besides when the civil society first raised this issue months ago (we published their statement here in Kumekucha), the government said nothing.
It is virtually impossible to come up with any evidence to link the police to the extra-judicial killings of hundreds of young, Kikuyu youths whose bodies were dumped in mortuaries all over the country (we reported here based on information from impeccable sources that some of those bodies were dumped at the Nairobi National Park to be eaten by wild animals).
The truth is that the police who undertook these killings based on instructions from the Minister in charge of Internal security (that were not that secret, but which Kenyans have now forgotten about) could not have been stupid enough to leave any calling cards or even a shred of evidence.
My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones and know the truth about how innocent the Kenya police are in this matter. Be strong, one day the truth shall be known.
This post is dedicated to relatives of all those who lost their loved ones and who find it extremely painful to hear grown men who are supposed to protect them, tell lies on national television. It is also dedicated to all those straight policemen who refused to be corrupt. Those gallant sons of Kenya some of whom lost their lives because of their principles.
I salute you all.
I thank you all…
and I bless the day Kenyan mothers gave birth to you.
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