A dream doesn't become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination and hard work.

Sunday 31 March 2013

The importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU”

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally
. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, “she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

Premier League - Paper Round: Mourinho bringing Ronaldo to Chelsea

FOOTBALL 2012 Real Madrid - Ronaldo et Mourinho

Jose Mourinho will become manager of Chelsea in the summer - and he will bring Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with him, according to a report in Sunday's papers.

Chelsea's shocking 2-1 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Southampton prompts all manner of Blues-related speculation in the Easter Sunday papers.

Economy gets a boost from court decision on poll

  Tight security outside the Supreme Court in Nairobi during the ruling on PM Raila Odinga’s presidential petition on Saturday. Photo/JENIFER MUIRURI

Tight security outside the Supreme Court in Nairobi during the ruling on PM Raila Odinga’s presidential petition on Saturday. Photo/JENIFER MUIRURI 

By GALGALLO FAYO


IN SUMMARY
  • The unanimous decision delivered on Saturday and the relative calm that followed is expected to put economic activity back on track.
  • PM Raila Odinga, who challenged Mr Kenyatta’s victory in the Supreme Court, accepted the decision and appealed to his supporters to keep the peace.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth president has lifted the dark clouds that hung over East Africa’s largest economy in the past three months, analysts said.

Why new Chinese president chose Dar over Nairobi in first Africa tour


Russia’s PM Dmitry Medvedev (right) and President Xi Jinping toast during a breakfast in Moscow on March 23, 2013. The answer to Mr Xi’s sidestepping of Nairobi may lie in Kenya’s political situation at this time and fear of wading into a political minefield. AFP  Russia’s PM Dmitry Medvedev (right) and President Xi Jinping toast during a breakfast in Moscow on March 23, 2013. The answer to Mr Xi’s sidestepping of Nairobi may lie in Kenya’s political situation at this time and fear of wading into a political minefield. AFP  
By Bob Wekesa

IN SUMMARY
  • Beijing is probably sending a strong message of equal treatment of countries.
As newly inaugurated Chinese President Xi Jinping makes Tanzania his first destination on the African continent shortly after taking over the reins of power, the high-level visit brims with pragmatism and symbolism.
China-Africa analysts concur that historically as well as ideologically Tanzania is China’s foremost ally on the continent.

Kibaki sets up agency to run Lamu port project

   President Kibaki (right) with Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre) and Transport minister Amos Kimunya at a past forum on the Lamu port project. It will be managed by an independent authority. Photo/File

President Kibaki (right) with Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre) and Transport minister Amos Kimunya at a past forum on the Lamu port project. It will be managed by an independent authority. Photo/File 

By ALLAN ODHIAMBO


IN SUMMARY
  • Lamu Port Southern Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor Development Authority will manage the project on behalf of the government.
  • The headquarters of the authority shall be in Nairobi with field offices in Lamu, Isiolo, Lokichoggio, Marsabit and Moyale.
  • It will be run by a director-general under an 11-member board that includes five State officials, five private sector representatives and a chairman appointed by the President.
Kenya has set up an autonomous agency to manage the implementation of a mega infrastructure project targeted at improving trade with its neighbours South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Raila holds the yam and knife to his political career after third time loss


By MACHARIA GAITHO

IN SUMMARY

  • How Mr Odinga takes defeat could be crucial. He can take it in his stride as just another stumble to stand up from and soldier on; or he can grow old, bitter, disillusioned and defeated
  • If he takes defeat in his stride, Mr Odinga can still remain a formidable figure. He first has to keep his base intact, and there he will be under a strong onslaught from Mr Kenyatta, who will be well-placed to take advantage of incumbency to  lure  key regional blocs— especially Coast, Western and outgoing Vice-President Musyoka Kalonzo’s lower Eastern—away from Cord alliance
  • Whatever happens, Mr Odinga’s has cemented his place in history as a fighter for justice and human rights, but now has to seriously consider whether it might be time to call it a day
Mr Raila Odinga must be aware that he will be 73 years old when the next General Election comes along.
That is why the Supreme Court ruling upholding the victory of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta deals him such a serious political blow, for it might well signal the end of an enduring but ultimately unfulfilled political career.
With a third presidential election defeat under his belt, Mr Odinga has good reasons to ponder whether he is fated, like his father, the late Oginga Odinga, or another icon of protest politics, the late Masinde Muliro, to be eulogised as “the best president Kenya never had”.

Why former President Moi is a political genius



By MAKAU MUTUA





IN SUMMARY
  • Stories are legend – mostly recorded by historians – of the humiliations that VP Moi suffered at the hands of the Kikuyu elite.
It could be concluded that former President Daniel arap Moi is Kenya’s most influential politician.
He easily outranks Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, President Mwai Kibaki, opposition doyen Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The man is simply a political genius.

What next for the man seen as an enigma of Kenyan politics

 Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre), his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Cord member Moses Wetang’ula at a media conference at the PM’s office in Nairobi on Saturday. Mr Odinga lost a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the election of Mr Uhuru Kenyatta in the March 4 elections.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre), his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Cord member Moses Wetang’ula at a media conference at the PM’s office in Nairobi on Saturday. Mr Odinga lost a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the election of Mr Uhuru Kenyatta in the March 4 elections.  
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com

IN SUMMARY
  • While a section of Kenyans see him as a champion of reforms and a force of good, others perceive him as a dictatorial, corrupt, opportunistic, anarchist, tribalist nepotist and a Western lackey keen to acquire power at any cost — a man with a great sense of self-entitlement.
He has been described as the enigma of Kenyan politics, a cunning, scheming, restless and indomitable mobiliser and campaigner. But no single adjective can capture the character and temperament of Raila Amolo Odinga.

I’m a self-made man: Uhuru

PHOTO | FILE Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his son Uhuru. With them is former President Daniel arap Moi (centre).


PHOTO | FILE Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his son Uhuru. With them is former President Daniel arap Moi (centre).  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com
IN SUMMARY

  • In interviews, the President-elect has tried to move out father’s shadow
President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta, though he will not admit it, appears to have been groomed from an early age to rule Kenya.
In an old black and white photo in President Kibaki’s public album, a boy of about 12 is seen sneaking glances as the country’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, signed a visitor’s book at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

IDPs challenge Uhuru to keep relocation promise

By Antony Gitonga

NAIVASHA, KENYA: Hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from various camps in Naivasha and Gilgil have challenged President elect Uhuru Kenyatta to keep his promise of resettling them in a hundred days.

While welcoming the decision by the Supreme Court the victims of the post election said that their hope of being resettled lay with the new president.



In various camps it was song and dance as the IDPs celebrated the court decision and thanked Kenyans for being peaceful.

Raila pledges to carry on the fight peacefully


Defeated Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga has said he will seek peaceful ways to end a row over poll results, which gave a narrow first round victory to rival Uhuru Kenyatta.

He was speaking after Kenya's Supreme Court upheld Mr Kenyatta's victory, rejecting Mr Odinga's challenges.

He said he accepted the court verdict because he wanted to avoid bloodshed.

But two people died and 11 were hurt as Odinga supporters clashed with police in his western stronghold of Kisumu.

So what next for Raila and Kalonzo?

By Oscar Obonyo

KENYA: At the height of the infamous political impasse in 2008, Prime Minister Raila Odinga commented that it was not his birthright to be President.

Raila hilariously teased that he could after all retire to the expansive Kibera slum in his former Lang’ata Constituency and sell mandazi for a living.
Five years later, Raila finds himself in another post-election dilemma and some may be tempted to ask whether that mandazi moment is finally here. A similar question is bound to be asked of his running mate on the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) ticket, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who before teaming up with Raila indicated he would retire to his Tseikuru rural village in Kitui County, “to take care of my goats” if he lost the elections.

The powermen behind Raila Odinga unveiled

GLANCE FACTS
Political career
•Raila Odinga has been a central player in Kenya’s politics for over three decades now and during this period he has built, discarded, re-built or freshened up his kitchen cabinet many times over

By Mwenda Njoka

The term ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ was coined some 200 years ago by opponents of US President Andrew Jackson to describe an informal coterie of trusted friends, associates and advisers on whom the leader relied upon to govern.

Riots break out in Nyanza after court endorses Uhuru win


GLANCE FACTS
The situation
Travelers from Siaya on their way to Nairobi had to stop their journey in Kisumu
Markets were also affected as all the traders closed down their stalls for fear of looting
Protestors hurled stones at police officers and barricaded roads

A bodaboda operator goes round a bonfire in Kisumu when protests broke out, on

By Rushdie Oudia and James Omoro

KISUMU; KENYA: Police in parts of Nyanza Province had a difficult time controlling angry residents protesting the declaration of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta’s election as valid.

US calls for unity, implementation of new Constitution

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: US President Barack Obama has sent a message of congratulation to President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for conducting a peaceful election.

Obama also commended Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court’s Saturday decision on the March 4 General elections.

It was supreme test for the top court

By Abdikadir Sugow

The Supreme Court judgement on presidential election petitions was not only historic for its profound interpretation of the law, but also because of its immense political significance.

During the marathon sittings before the six judges in the country’s highest court, Kenyans witnessed live proceedings involving the cream of the legal profession argue before a live TV audience, in a remarkable judicial process affirming the coming of age of the 2010 Constitution.

It was certainly not only a Kenyan affair since Africa and the world was keenly following the unfolding legal drama as the Supreme Court became the final arbiter of a case with far-reaching implications for the growth of democracy and constitutionalism.

Mathare youths protest court ruling, destroy properties

Mathare youth destroy properties as they loot in business premises on March 31, 2013 after protesting the ruling by Supreme Court that upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as president. Photo/DENISH OCHIENG' NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION REPORTER and AFP
Posted Sunday, March 31 2013

Several properties in Mathare North were on Sunday morning destroyed by rowdy youths who said they were unhappy with the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president.

Saturday 30 March 2013

Court says yes, its President Uhuru, Elections were free and fair, judges say



President elect Hon Uhuru Kenyatta addresses a press conference after the Supreme Court upheld IEBC declaration as the duly elected president.

President elect Hon Uhuru Kenyatta addresses a press conference after the Supreme Court upheld IEBC declaration as the duly elected president.  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PAUL OGEMBA pogemba@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, March 31   2013 at  00:30
The Supreme Court has paved the way for transition from the coalition government by upholding the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth president.
The six judges, in a unanimous judgment, said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission conducted the elections in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner and that the elections were indeed conducted in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws.

US President Barack Obama congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta

By ANTONY KARANJA and Jambonewspot News Team in DALLAS, TX

The US President Barack Obama has congratulated President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta following the Supreme Court ruling which declared him duly elected. The White House congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta on being elected Kenya’s president. Obama also commended Prime Minister Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court ruling.
Here is the full statement by White House press secretary Jay Carney delivered on Saturday afternoon about 3pm EST.
“On behalf of the President and the people of the United States, we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as president of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the peaceful conduct of the election and commend Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court’s decision,” Carney said in a statement. “We urge all Kenyans to peacefully accept the results of the election. The electoral process and the peaceful adjudication of disputes in the Kenyan legal system are testaments to the progress Kenya has made in strengthening its democratic institutions, and the desire of the Kenyan people to move their country forward.”
“Now is the time for Kenyans to come together to fully implement the political, institutional, and accountability reforms envisioned in the Kenyan constitution,” he continued. “Kenya is an important member of the international community. We welcome and wish to underscore the importance of Kenya’s commitment to uphold its international obligations, including those with respect to international justice.”
Carney said the United States had been “strong partners” with Kenya for more than 50 years and he doesn’t expect that to change.
“Our relationship is based on a shared commitment to democracy, security, and opportunity,” he said. “The United States remains committed to our long-standing partnership with the Kenyan people.”

Raila wishes Uhuru "well" in running government


Prime Minister Raila Odinga (Center), with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (2nd Left) addresses the media at a press conference at his office in Nairobi on March 30, 2013. Photo/AFP Prime Minister Raila Odinga (Center), with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (2nd Left) addresses the media at a press conference at his office in Nairobi on March 30, 2013. Photo/AFP   NATION MEDIA GROUP
By  LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, March 30   2013 at  18:38
 
In Summary
  • Cord says it respects court’s judgement but is disappointed that judges disallowed evidence

Full Statement: British PM David Cameron congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta


CAMERONThe British PM David Cameron has congratulated President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta following the Supreme Court ruling which declared him duly elected. The UK had withheld any communication regarding the elections pending the Supreme Court ruling.
Cameron said that  the Kenyan people had made their sovereign choice, and resolved disputes through the rule of law and the strong institutions of the Supreme Court and due Constitutional process.
He welcomed the President-elect’s commitment that his new Government will work with all Kenyans in a spirit of inclusivity and reconciliation, and that the Government of Kenya will continue to meet its international legal obligations.

Kenya's top court upholds Kenyatta win in disputed election

Kenya's Deputy Prime Minister and presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta speaks to the press after casting his vote at the Mutomo primary school in Kiambu, north of Nairobi on March 4, 2013 during the nationwide elections.By Faith Karimi. Nima Elbagir and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
March 30, 2013 -- Updated 1615 GMT (0015 HKT)
Kenya's Deputy Prime Minister and presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta speaks to the press after casting his vote at the Mutomo primary school in Kiambu, north of Nairobi on March 4, 2013 during the nationwide elections.
HIDE CAPTION
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: Kenyatta's main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, says he accepts the court decision
  • NEW: UK Prime Minister David Cameron congratulates Kenyatta on his election win
  • Court upholds the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta, son of Kenya's founding leader
  • Presidential election was "free and fair," says Kenya's Supreme Court

Court Upholds Election Results in a Tense Kenya

Connect With Us on Twitter

Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.
The decision eliminated the last hurdle for Mr. Kenyatta to take office, but it could leave Western nations with a serious headache. He has been charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity, accused of using his vast family fortune to bankroll death squads during the chaos that erupted after Kenya’s last election in 2007.

PM letter to President-elect Kenyatta

http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-letter-to-president-elect-uhuru-kenyatta/
Saturday 30 March 2013
The Prime Minister has written to President-elect Kenyatta to congratulate him and all others elected in Kenya’s elections
Following the decision of the Kenyan Supreme Court to uphold Kenya’s recent election results, the Prime Minister has written to President-elect Kenyatta to congratulate him and all others elected.
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
“The Prime Minister wrote to President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta today. He congratulated the President-elect and all others elected in Kenya’s elections, upheld today by the Kenyan Supreme Court. He stressed that this represented the end of a remarkable process, in which more Kenyans than ever before turned out to vote. The Prime Minister urged the Kenyan people to be proud of the strong signal they have sent to the world about their determination to exercise their democratic right peacefully. He encouraged all Kenyans to continue this spirit of peace and accept the decision of the Court as final.

RAILA ODINGA to hold a Press Conference at 6 PM today

Saturday, the 30th of March 2013 - News just in indicates that CORD leader Raila Odinga will hold a press conference an hour after the Supreme Court makes its ruling on the Presidential election petitions at 5:00 p.m today.

Raila is the main petitioner in the Presidential election petitions currently before the Supreme Court which seek to challenge the IEBC’s declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of the March 4th elections.

Raila’s press conference is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Supreme Court upholds Uhuru's election as president



Uhuru Kenyatta displays the presidential results certificate issued by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Issack Hassan March 9, 2013. The Supreme Court March 30, 2013 upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president. FILE
Uhuru Kenyatta displays the presidential results certificate issued by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Issack Hassan March 9, 2013. The Supreme Court March 30, 2013 upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president. FILE 
By NATION TEAM
Posted  Saturday, March 30   2013 at  15:46

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president.
Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said Mr Kenyatta and William Ruto were validly elected as President and Deputy President respectively.

Kenyans await ruling in disputed presidential election


NAIROBI | Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:52am GMT
(Reuters) - Kenya's Supreme Court said on Saturday it would issue its ruling no later than 1400 GMT on legal challenges to Uhuru Kenyatta's win in a presidential election seen as a test of democracy, five years after vote disputes triggered widespread bloodshed.
The country's outgoing president called for calm ahead of a decision that will either confirm the victory of Kenya's richest man Kenyatta or force another vote.

M-Pesa! Ushahidi! IEBC! Nairobi’s rivals say LOL





By Charles Onyango-Obbo

Posted  Saturday, March 23  2013 at  13:53
IN SUMMARY
  • Johannesburg, Lagos and Accra beat Nairobi in the range of digital innovations that make money. But Nairobi takes the biscuit when it comes to the sexy stuff that the media love.
There has been a silent technology race in Africa in recent years between Nairobi, Johannesburg-Cape Town, Lagos and Accra to settle which capital will emerge as the continent’s Digital Mecca.

Moving From Tyranny To Safety Of Numbers

March 29, 2013|Posted in: Opinion
By: Okiya Omtatah Okoiti

Kenya is a multi-ethnic state, composed of 42 officially recognised tribes. The 2009 census figures give the ethnic composition as follows (out of a total population of 38.6 million): Kikuyu 17%, Luhya 14%, Kalenjin 13%, Luo 10%, Kamba 10%, Kisii 6%, Mijikenda 5%, Meru 4%, Turkana 2.5%, and Maasai 2.1%. About 9% of the population consist of smaller groups below 1% each, and Non-African groups (Arabs, Indians and Europeans) are estimated to total to about 1%.

Ever since Kenya’s independence in 1963, Kenyan politics have been characterized by ethnic tensions and rivalry between the larger groups, escalating into the 2007–2008 postelection violence that nearly plunged the country into a civil war.

There is need to raise one million signatures as required under the popular initiative (article 257) to amend article 136 of the constitution to provide for the election of the president through a county based electoral system as opposed to the current one-person-one-vote system which has been reduced to a mere census of tribal numbers.

The beauty of Kenya’s diversity is such that there is no majority tribe. There are large tribes but none is more than 50% of the population. For example, its largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, make up for less than a fifth of the total population. In reality, therefore, Kenya has a safety of numbers, and not a tyranny of numbers, among its ethnic groups. However, to exploit this reality, Kenya must institute a presidential electoral system where all ethnic groups, large and small, feel safe and important in the prosecution of national affairs, especially as embodied in the election of the President and the Deputy President, who are symbols both of national consensus and of the unity of the Republic.

The system must move the country away from the current state of affairs where large tribes tyrannise smaller ones during elections, and where the main criteria for occupying the Presidency is the numerical size of the ethnic blocks backing a candidate. The system must boost the process of devolving power from Nairobi, an act designed to improve local governance and to reduce marginalization and the risk of conflict between communities.

Such as system is only possible where the President and the Deputy President are not elected directly in a popular vote nationally. Instead, they are elected indirectly by popular vote on a county-by-county basis.

The United States of America elects its politically powerful president via an electoral college designed to ensure the election of the president through a popular vote and to protect the interests of the states. The founders of the USA wanted each state to have a voice in the election of the president and, therefore, even small states have political influence nationally. The US Constitution specifies that the president and vice president be chosen through the votes cast by electors chosen by the states, rather than by a direct popular vote. Hence, the President and Vice President are not elected directly by the voters. Instead, they are elected indirectly by “electors” who are elected by popular vote on a state-by-state basis. And a candidate can become president without having obtained the highest number of votes nationally in the sole or final round of popular voting.

The county electoral system is a block, or weighed, voting system that is designed to give more power to the counties with more votes, but allows for small counties to swing an election. Under this system, each county is assigned a specific number of votes that is proportional to its population, so that each county’s power is representative of its population. So, while winning the popular vote may not ensure a candidate’s victory, a candidate must gain popular support of a particular county to win the votes in that county.

Each county is apportioned electoral votes equal to the number of its elected Members of National Assembly plus one elected Senator. Hence, there would be 337 electoral votes, being 290 Members of the National Assembly and 47 Senators elected into Parliament. The county electoral votes are taken on a “winner-take-all” basis. That is, all electoral votes in a county are given to the winning presidential candidate. To be elected President, one must get at least 169 votes, being 50% + 1 of the electoral votes. The goal of any candidate would be to put together the right combination of counties that will give him or her 169 electoral votes.

Lawyers: Vote Re-tallying Revealed Grave Discrepancies

March 29, 2013|Posted in: News
By Standard Digital Reporter

The re-tallying of votes from 22 polling stations and an audit of all Forms 36 used in the March 4 election revealed errors that were disclosed to the Supreme Court on Friday.

Lawyers representing electoral officials immediately dismissed these “clerical errors” as insignificant to the final outcome.

Lawyers representing petitioners said the scrutiny revealed there were ten missing Forms 34 out of the 18,000 looked at in the retally. There were also errors in some of the Forms 36 used to declare results at the national tallying centre.

Form 34 is the statutory Declaration of Results at Polling Station in respect of the Presidential Election. Form 36 is the Declaration of aggregated tally of Results in a Constituency/county in respect of Presidential, National Assembly, County Women Representative, Senator, Governor and County Assembly Representative elections.

Lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, representing Africog, singled out Laikipia West constituency where the team said they got two Forms 36 hence “were not able to verify the votes cast”. Uhuru got 70,760 votes in the area.

She took issue with the fact that ten Forms 34, all for polling streams in different constituencies, were not provided to the scrutinising team.

“Under article 138 (4) a candidate must meet two thresholds of getting more than 25 per cent of votes cast in more than half of the counties and 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast,” she added. “The IEBC were under responsibility to tally and verify all 33,400 polling stations. The formula is mathematical and the constant is ‘all votes cast’. If there are Forms 34 missing, where are they and what are the results of those?”

She pointed out that the results were compiled by March 5 adding: “Even if returning officers were walking to Nairobi they would have reached by now,”

She said the IEBC made a decision to announce the winner without completing tallying from all polling stations.

“Even if it was one polling station, the chairman could not announce the results without that form in his hand,” she added, “In the 10 constituencies can the court state with certainty what the results were?”

She said with the results of the scrutiny ordered by the court, the judges should ask if the constant formula of tallying all votes cast had been used.

She asked the court to decide if the IEBC carried out its mandate as required by law and whether its declaration of winner should be upheld.

Lawyer George Oraro representing Prime Minister Raila Odinga said there were grave errors in Forms 36 from seven constituencies. He said in some instances, there were two Forms 36.

He said there were “huge discrepancies” in the Forms 36 used in the final tally of presidential results and added Uhuru Kenyatta could not have garnered the 50 per cent plus one vote based on the errors.

But the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission through lawyer Nani Mungai said the discrepancies in Forms 34 and Forms 36 were explained by Returning Officers in affidavits filed in the case.

Lawyer Fred Ngatia for Uhuru Kenyatta said there were clerical errors across the country but added they were not substantial.

“Voting, counting and tallying of the presidential election was done to a substantial degree of accuracy,” he said.

Lawyer Katwa Kigen representing Deputy-president elect William Ruto said the elections were conducted fairly.

“The elections were conducted by humans and humans commit errors, mistakes and oversight but in this case they are insignificant and do not suggest malice or collusion,” he said.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said they have retreated to write the judgment and will deliver the ruling on Saturday.

The Supreme Court Report On Scrutiny Of 22 Constituencies

March 29, 2013|Posted in: Facing Justice

REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE SUPREME COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI Petitions Nos 3, 4 and 5 of 2013 REPORT OF THE SCRUTINY OF 33,400 POLLING STATIONS.

Pursuant to the orders made by the Supreme Court on the 25th March 2013,the Judiciary conducted a scrutiny of Form 34 and Form 36 which were used by the IEBC in tallying of the 33,400 polling stations in the country including the form 34 used by IEBC in tallying the Diaspora votes. Due to the stringent time frame, the exercise was carried out within a period of three days.

The following are the general findings:

1. Out of 33,400 polling stations more than 18,000 polling stations were scrutinized.

2. Form 34s were missing in some of the polling stations including the following:

Kilifi North, Kapenguria, Loima, Magarini, Matuga, Narok West, Kurosoi South, Likuyani, Kabondo Kasipul, Mwingi North

3. Aggregate results of Form 36 registered voters from 75 constituencies were missing. Some of the discrepancies observed include the following:

Mvita – No aggregate provided for votes cast.

Kinango – Registered voters inserted by hand.

Ganze – Contains two form 36. Registered voters inserted by hands.

Isiola South – Copy of the first form, Registered voters not indicated.

Maara – Form not serialized.

Mathioya – Two form 36 but for votes cast are similar, Registered voters entered manually and stamped, 2nd form 36 does not indicate registered number of voters.

Githunguri – Two forms 36 with different number of votes cast, second form has a value of 72987 for votes cast. Second form does not indicate number of registered voters, while the first form registered voters.

Laikipia West – Two form 36 no able to verify votes cast.

Malava – Incomplete, figure for registered voters handwritten.

Mt. Elgon – No registered voter aggregate.

Open Letter To The Young Kikuyu And Young Luo

March 29, 2013|Posted in: Opinion
By: Ephraim Njenga

I write to you young Luos and young Kikuyus because you have not only been overcome by tribalism but have also been overtaken by it. If you voted for Raila because you hate Uhuru or voted for Uhuru because you hate Raila you are a tribalist by any other name. Many of you see the ongoing case at the Supreme Court as an opportunity to defeat and humiliate each other rather than advance the prosperity of our country. If that is how you see things you should be exceedingly ashamed of yourself and everything you believe in.

The case is just about two individuals pursuing a job to perpetuate their fortunes and those of their close associates and relatives. If you are not an associate or a relative mind your own business. The Luo tribe is not the petitioner and the Kikuyu tribe is not the respondent. So stop behaving as if you are a party to the case.

This country has been made great by our diversity. If this country was made up of only Luos and Kikuyus there would be coups, counter coups, civil strife and eternal chaos. We owe our relative stability as a country to our ethnic diversity not magnanimity of politicians. As for you young people there can be nothing more stupid than appearing to have inherited hatred from your parents. Hatred is not a birthright.

Tribalism is a path reserved for lowly mortals and weak souls. Many of you are closeted tribalists preaching the waters of cohesion by day and drinking the wine of tribalism as soon as darkness sets in. If you are such I put it to you that you are morally inefficient, spiritually clueless, socially unfit and intellectually bankrupt. Now you better repent because the cup of your wrath is quickly filling up. May Eternal God the rejuvenator and redeemer of weak souls have mercy on you and hear your hearts to cherish and love one another.

Uhuru and Raila To Be Notified Of The Ruling An Hour Before The Public

March 30, 2013|Posted in: Facing Justice

The Registrar of the Supreme Court has just finished addressing the media, and by extension, the entire country.

She has said that the Supreme Court has retreated to deliberate on its ruling.

She said that the Supreme Court will deliver its judgment, today, Saturday, March 30, 2013 “later this afternoon”, latest by 5 pm and stressed that the Supreme Court will alert all parties at least one hour in advance of the ruling which is expected to be relayed live from the Supreme Court.

Please ignore all other RUMOURS, MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION coming from other sources, including K24 to the country.

The Impact of Kenya?s Polls On the Region

BY JERRY OKUNGU, 29 MARCH 2013
Kenya hosts the third largest UN complex outside the US and Europe. For decades now, Kenya has been the landing pad for many operations - military, humanitarian and rescue missions - in the Horn of Africa and the larger Great Lakes Region, South Sudan, Ethiopia and to some extent Uganda during the civil war in the early 1970s.

The Port of Mombasa has been the lifeline of many countries in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region. Beneficiaries of this gateway to the Indian Ocean have included Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the DRC, Northern Tanzania and at one time served Zambia before theTazara Railway line was built to connect Zambia to the port of Dar es Salaam.

The unique position that Kenya commands in East Africa is the reason why the elections early this month became the business of every organisation and government with interest in the development of the region. The international community has invested heavily in the country and continues to do so in the hope that all will be well. If Kenya falls apart, many things can go wrong. Many organisations, governments, humanitarian agencies, individuals and the thousands of refugees will suffer irreparable damage.

We have a new constitution which will be three years old this August. The recent elections were the first to be held under the new dispensation. Kenyans had very high hopes that it would go well and catapult the country to new levels of economic development.

The Kenyan voters thoroughly scrutinised the campaign manifestos of the main political parties which focused on infrastructure, regional trade, regional integration and freedom of movement of people, goods and services and peace within the EAC.

President Kibaki is in office on borrowed time. He will vacate the office as soon as a new President is confirmed by the Supreme Court of Kenya.

If the Supreme Court nullifies the results, Kenyans will go back to the polls in 60 days with another possible rerun if none of the candidates garners more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.

If this happens, Kenya may not get a new President for the next four or five months, if one factors in three weeks following completion of elections before a new President is sworn in.

Kibaki's departure will have a direct impact on the region's economic development. Together with President Museveni, they have toyed with the idea of having a more efficient railway line running from Mombasa through Malaba and Busia to Kampala and a possible extension to Kigali and Bujumbura in the foreseeable future. It remains to be seen whether the new regime will pursue such ventures with vigor and whether the new President will find chemistry with Museveni.

Five months before Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia passed away, the three leaders of the region - Zenawi, Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Kibaki performed a groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu to launch a multibillion dollar infrastructure project that would connect South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia and facilitate the export of South Sudan oil through the new Lamu Port. The road, rail and oil pipeline will open up trade and human traffic between the peoples of Eastern Africa.

The pace and completion of this massive project will very much depend on the new Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and whether he, Salva Kiir and the new Kenyan President will appreciate the need for this project. Or will the ongoing talks between Salva Kiir and Omar El Bashir stall the project should South Sudan choose to deal with the old foe?

As Kenya puts its political house in order, it may be necessary for other member states of the East African Community to play their part and move some common projects forward.

One such project is the Lake Victoria Basin Commission launched in 2006 with its headquarters in Kisumu. This is the greatest natural asset that belongs to all the member states of the East African Community. The lake needs to be restored to its former glory by carrying out massive environmental clean up, removal of the hyacinth that has become a menace choking fish and denying the region's fishing community their time honoured livelihood.

The lake has an idle dry dock at the Port of Kisumu which used to be the conveyor belt for goods and passengers ferried from Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to Northern Tanzania's Mwanza and Musoma and Uganda's Entebbe and Jinja during the days of the East African Railways and Harbours under the then East African Common Services.

With stable governments in the Great Lakes region, water transport around the lake should be revived to reactivate trade among the states sharing the waters of Lake Victoria. Investments in tourism ventures including luxury yatches should freely ply the ports in Kisumu, Entebbe, Mwanza and Jinja. If transport across the lake is revived, pressure on our roads will be greatly reduced as bulk commercial products including oil can be transported across the lake to Northern Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and DRC.

As Kenya awaits the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict this weekend, the rest of Africa must wish Kenya well during these trying moments.

Kenya: Bank Loans Still Expensive Despite Drop in CBK Rates

BY PETER KIRAGU, 29 MARCH
Most commercial banks have ignored Central Bank's push for lower lending rates through the reduction of its lending rate to spur growth.

Inquiries by the Star revealed that commercial banks are charging interest rates of up to 28 per cent on personal loans despite the fact the CBK has drastically reduced its key indicative rate that it charges on loans to commercial banks.

Treasury Bill rates that are also used by banks to price loans have also been on a downward trend for months now. Deposit rates are also falling meaning banks are accessing their funds for on-lending at much lower rates.

Measures such as integration with mobile phone financial platforms and adoption of the agency banking network have lowered transaction costs for banks. Credit Reference Bureaus have also reduced the costs of information search and risk.

"The high interest rate spreads indicate that the various initiatives formulated by the CBK and Kenya Bankers Association to reduce the cost of doing business in banks are yet to be fully transferred to bank customers," according to the latest Monetary Policy Committe report.

From a high of 18 per cent last year, the CBR is now at 9.5 per cent while the 91-day Trasury Bill rate has fallen from a high of 20.6 per cent in January last year to 10.3 per cent this week.

The country's five major banks are charging between 19 and 25 per cent on unsecured personal loans. Equity Bank with more than 50 per cent of the country's bank accounts charges between 19 and 23 per cent depending on the amount borrowed and the repayment period.

The bank's chief executive James Mwangi told its shareholders on Wednesday that the bank is considering lowering its interest rates to match the prevailing conditions. The bank is still cautious though. "We are managing the interest rate risk which is very high in this country," Mwangi said.

Kenya Commercial Bank is charging between 19 and 22 per cent for walk-in customers seeking unsecured loan. The rate is reduced if the borrower works for a company that has a loan agreement with the bank.

Barclays charges a high of 24.9 per cent on its unsecured personal loan while Standard Chartered charges 19.9 per cent to 22.5 per cent depending on if one has a payroll account with the bank or not.

Co-op Bank is charging 24.9 per cent while CfC Stanbic has recently slashed its lending rate from 27 per cent to 24 per cent. National Bank charges 23 per cent for a 36-month loan and 24 per cent on a loan above that maturity period.

Retail-focussed bank Family is perhaps the cheapest for walk-in customers at the moment charging an average of 18 per cent. The bank's chief executive said interest rates are likely to drop further in the next six months.

Tourists cancel bookings after travel advisories

By Kipchumba Kemei
Security fears: Most tourists who had booked earlier to stay during the Easter weekend have cancelled because of the US and UK advisories which we believe was uncalled for. This will be the first time in many years that we will not be receiving tourists

Hoteliers in Masai Mara Game Reserve have decried massive cancellation of bookings by foreign tourists after the US and UK issued travel advisories.

“Most tourists who had booked earlier to stay during the Easter weekend have cancelled because of the advisories, which we believe was uncalled for. This will be the first time in many years that we will not be receiving tourists,” said Mr Ben Kipeno, who owns a tented camp.

He said Britain and US are Kenya’s leading markets and asked the Inspector General of Police to beef up security in the reserve and Narok town during the long weekend.

He disclosed that since January, most hotels sent their workers on leave because of low arrivals, and warned should violence break out after the Supreme Court ruling, the tourism industry will be adversely affected.

However, the hoteliers are optimistic of recovering losses they incurred in July when the tourism peak season kicks off. They appealed to the Government to aggressively market the country abroad and diversify tourism products to stop reliance on game and beach Safaris.

They spoke as other stakeholders appealed to Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to upgrade Sekenani Police Outpost to a police station to boost security.

National Tour Guides and Drivers Association Chairman Joseph Parpai said police in the park should be equipped with vehicles, weapons and other equipment to fight criminal activities.


This is why Africog went to court

NAIROBI, KENYA:
Africa Centre for Open Governance ( Africog) filed a petition to challenge the presidential elections results and wanted the Supreme Court to invalidate the results as electoral malpractices had been committed.

The organisation stated the presidential results that were announced at various counties were different from those declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at the national tallying centre.

Through Kethi Kilonzo, Africog narrowed down to Nyeri and Bomet County tallying centres to prove that the results of the presidential elections were indeed altered.

Kethi played video clips of the announcements of the presidential results in the two counties, which she said was different from those finally announced by the Issack Hassan-led commission and reflected in Form 36.

She said for example that after the vote count, President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta garnered 317,881 votes from Nyeri County, which was announced by the county returning officer.

However at the Bomas of Kenya, the IEBC gave Uhuru 318,880 votes, which is an increment of 999 votes.

However, CORD presidential candidate Raila Odinga who scored 6,075 votes as announced at the county level had his votes reduced to 5,638 according to results announced by the IEBC.

According to Kethi, Raila was not the only one, James ole Kiyiapi , Martha Karua and Musalia Mudavadi lost votes and the only candidate who then benefited from the difference were the President-elect and Peter Kenneth.

Kilonzo also said in Othaya constituency, Uhuru garnered 42,431 votes, which were inflated at the Bomas of Kenya to 42,957.

She also poked holes in the IEBC register of voters insisting that it was inaccurate and not a reflection of the principal register published before the election.

According to her, Form 36 obtained from the electoral commission showed that the number of registered voters stood at 13,557,365.

She, however, maintained that the principal register published by the IEBC on February 18 had 14,352,533 registered voters.
She also faulted the electoral commission for having different registered voters for parliamentary and presidential elections in different parts of the country.

Giving the example of Makueni County, Kilonzo pointed out that the number of registered voters for presidential election stood at 64,525 while that of voters registered to elect MPs was 64,976.

She maintained that according to the Election Act, for one to take part in presidential election, one must be registered to vote in a parliamentary election. She said according to Article 86 of the Constitution, whatever voting method is used, it must be verifiable, simple, accurate, accountable and secure as enshrined in the law.

Security tightens ahead of ruling

By Augustine Oduor and Felix Olick

Nairobi, Kenya: Movement around the Supreme Court has been restricted as the police heightened security ahead of the much awaited election petition ruling.

All roads around the highest court remain cordoned with only accredited journalists allowed to walk through.

Wabera street area next to Nakumatt supermarket, City hall way and the Parliament road junction next to Intercontinental Hotel have been blocked.

Sections of Harambee Avenue also remain closed to random public movement.

Armed GSU, administration and regular police are stationed at strategic points around the court with some patrolling the area.

One of the police officers told the Standard that they have been in the area from as early as 3am.

Speaking on Friday, Inspector General of police David Kimaiyo asked the public to stay away from the areas surrounding the Supreme Court.

Kimaiyo said the police is aware of plans by some individuals to stage demonstrations when the ruling doesn’t favour their side.

He said in Nairobi, supporters have been briefed to converge outside the court with a view of kick-starting widespread demonstration.

“This is aimed at attracting both local and international attention portraying the country as ungovernable,” he said.

He said some university students, teachers, and medical personnel, trade unions and some tertiary colleges students have been mobilized to participate in the demonstrations.

“Criminal groups have also been detailed to stage confrontations in case the court ruling goes against their expectations,” he said.

He however warned that the law is supreme and noted that the police will be vigilant to quash any forms of lawlessness.

“We will deal firmly with any individuals or groups bent on advancing insecurity and lawlessness in the guise of freedom to associate, assemble or demonstrate,” he said.



Kimaiyo asked Kenyans to remain calm and observe peace as the Supreme Court makes their ruling on the election petition today.

At the same time, crowding outside the Supreme Court during proceedings has been prohibited.

He asked Kenyans for being peaceful and managed to hold together the entire period of the hearings and asked them to be patriotic once more.

“We expect Kenyans to show national solidarity by displaying high level of maturity and calmness that we portrayed during this post election period,” he said.

But he also warned that ‘some people’ are distributing dangerous crude weapons among communities living in various parts of the country.

Addressing the press in his office, Kimaiyo named Kibera, Mathare, Dandora, Kariobangi and some ‘known areas in the coastal regions’ are the places under watch.

“These weapons are not meant for any good but to cause harm and mayhem to innocent and unsuspecting Kenyans,” he said.

Kimaiyo also said that some reports point at some evictions of persons in Nairobi, Nakuru, Wajir, Eldoret, Kericho, Bomet, Coast and Nyanza.

He warned on any possible evictions of persons adding that everyone shall be held accountable for their actions.
The Criminal Investigations Director Ndegwa Muhoro was also present at the media brief. Police also said they are investigating some individuals over remarks they made verbally of through social media.

“We wish to advise leaders issuing statements that are tantamount to incitement, hate speech and negative stereotype to desist from doing so,” he said.

“Police and other law enforcement agencies are monitoring those suspected to be inciting people to violence with a view of arresting them,” he added.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has said the Supreme Court will deliver its ruling "not later than 5pm".

CJ Mutunga: Supreme Court ruling 'not later than 5pm'

By NATION Reporter
Posted Saturday, March 30 2013 at 10:31

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has said the Supreme Court will deliver its ruling "not later than 5pm".

"COMPATRIOTS. The Supreme Court will deliver its decision NOT LATER than 5pm today InshALLAH," said Dr Mutunga on Twitter Saturday.

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Gladys Shollei said the Supreme Court judges retreated to deliberate on the evidence and write their judgement.

She said the ruling will be delivered "this afternoon but not later than 5pm".

"The media and the public will be alerted an hour in advance before ruling," she said during a news conference in Nairobi Saturday.

The Supreme Court will deliver a historic judgment that will either clear the way for the swearing in of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President, a run-off pitting Mr Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, or a fresh election.

On Saturday, all roads leading to the Supreme Court were closed.

A contingent of armed GSU, administration and regular police sealed the junctions of Wabera and Mama Ngina streets, City Hall Way, Parliament Road, and Taifa Road.

On Friday, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo vowed a crackdown on illegal demonstrations ahead of the landmark ruling.

Mr Kimaiyo said crowds would not be allowed to mill around the Supreme Court.

Friday 29 March 2013

LEAKED: Supreme Court will reject RAILA’s petition …. Plan to swear UHURU on APRIL 9 underway

Friday March 29,2013 - After waiting anxiously for the last 14 days, the Supreme Court will tomorrow announce the verdict on whether President elect -Uhuru Kenyatta won the just concluded Presidential election in a fair, credible and transparent manner.

But as millions of Kenyans wait for the historical verdict, credible sources from the National Security Intelligence Services (NSIS) indicated that the Supreme Court had earlier indicated that it will uphold the election of President–elect Uhuru Kenyatta as the fourth President of Kenya.

By Friday morning, the committee formed to steer the handing over of power, chaired by Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia, met at the Office of the President’s along Harambee Avenue and started planning on how President–elect Uhuru Kenyatta will be sworn on April 9 at Kasarani International Stadium.

The Government officials who met on Friday morning include Francis Kimemia, NSIS director Brigadier Michael Gichangi, Chief of Defence Staff Julius Karangi and President Kibaki’s private secretary Prof Nick Wanjohi.

At some point K24 Television wanted to inform the public on the latest development but later withdrew due to the sensitivity of the matter.

“It is only a matter of time before the public knows that Uhuru Kenyatta is the fourth President of Kenya,” a top government official was overheard telling an international journalist on Friday afternoon.

Recount shows we did a clean job electoral commission, tells judges

By Wahome Thuku
NAIROBI; KENYA: The electoral commission has declared the scrutiny of electoral forms and re-tallying of results ordered by the Judiciary, prove the elections were free and fair.
“The scrutiny largely confirms our case that there was no mischief or abuse of law in the election exercise,” Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ( IEBC) lawyer Nani Mungai told the court yesterday.  Mr Mungai said the commission had explained all discrepancies spotted by the scrutiny team.

Anxiety as country awaits final verdict on presidential poll

Kenya's Chief Justice Willy Mutunga (3rdL) heading a six-judge bench of the country's Supreme court, presides on March 25, 2013 over the hearing of a petition challenging the outcome of the General Election of March 4. The Supreme Court will on Saturday deliver a historic judgment that will either clear the way for the swearing in of Mr  Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President, a run-off vote involving Mr Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga or a fresh election. Photo/FILEKenya's Chief Justice Willy Mutunga (3rdL) heading a six-judge bench of the country's Supreme court, presides on March 25, 2013 over the hearing of a petition challenging the outcome of the General Election of March 4. The Supreme Court will on Saturday deliver a historic judgment that will either clear the way for the swearing in of Mr Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President, a run-off vote involving Mr Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga or a fresh election. 
Photo/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By JULIUS SIGEI jsigei@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, March 30  2013 at  00:30

When a ‘miracle’ proves a violation of natural law


 By L. Muthoni Wanyeki

Posted  Saturday, March 23  2013 at  13:53

A colleague comments: “I feel as if I am right in the middle of the 1990s... ill-tempered attacks on foreign journalists... virulent attacks on civil society... growing government siege mentality... angry search for foreign puppeteers behind every local critic.”