Monday 30 June 2014

Raila Odinga: Our plan for saba saba and after

Daily Nation; Monday, June 30, 2014

Cord leaders will ask Kenyans to make a resolution on how to force the government to accept demands for dialogue when the coalition holds its Saba Saba rally in Nairobi next Monday, according to Mr Raila Odinga.
Kenyans would also be given the chance to recommend how their suggestion would be implemented, Mr Odinga told theDaily Nation on Monday in an interview.
He hinted that the country should brace for a repeat of the mass action which eventually forced President Daniel arap Moi to accept a return to multi-party politics in the early 1990s.
The Saba Saba rally will be held at Uhuru Park.
“On Monday, people are coming to demand their rights. It will be a strong demonstration that Kenyans are concerned with the latest developments and the danger it poses for the future,” said the Cord co-principal.
Cord will then implement the resolutions reached.
Mr Odinga did not disclose what the resolutions would be, saying that would pre-empt the views of Kenyans.
Mr Odinga has promised Jubilee “a storm” if it does not convene what he has described as structured dialogue.
The demands for dialogue and the threats of a storm have caused disquiet in Jubilee.
Mr Odinga said the level of insecurity, corruption, disunity, devolution, electoral bias and “amendments to the Constitution” were entering the danger zone and could only be dealt with through national dialogue involving all Kenyans.
He said Cord had given Saba Saba Day as the deadline for the talks, arguing that the Monday rally, which he wants declared a public holiday, would be the culmination of “consultative rallies” with Kenyans on the “crisis”.
“Once assembled (at Uhuru Park), representatives of the people will speak and a resolution will be made. I don’t want to pre-empt what the resolution of the gathering of the people of Kenya will be,” he said.
Pressed further about the resolution, he said: “It will be a resolution to avert the catastrophe of sliding back to the dark days of dictatorship. Let us cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Mr Odinga said the rally would bring together representatives of farmers, workers, women, youth, civil society and religious leaders who Cord leaders had consulted through the rallies.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy, Mr William Ruto and Jubilee MPs are opposed to the rally, arguing that it could result in chaos.
They have also questioned the platform on which the former Prime Minister is demanding dialogue, instead saying that issues raised by Cord can be addressed in Parliament.
DEADLINE FOR DIALOGUE
On Monday, Mr Odinga said: “Is there a case for dialogue? Our answer is yes. We have done a representative sample through rallies and the verdict is Yes. Our deadline for dialogue is Saba Saba Day. If dialogue takes place before, we will still hold the rally to say that is what we wanted. If it (dialogue) doesn’t, Saba Saba Day will be for the people to confirm that we need dialogue.”
At the weekend, President Kenyatta dismissed the dialogue calls, arguing that the Jubilee administration was not interested in political theatrics. Anyone with issues to discuss, he said, was welcome to State House.
“We cannot spend all the time as a country politicking as if we are in an election period when we concluded elections a long time ago,” he said.
Mr Ruto stated that no leader was elected by mistake and those in office should focus on developing Kenya instead of wasting time politicking.
“If it is Saba Saba, we heard of it 20 years ago. This demonstrates that they have nothing new to tell Kenyans. We will not spend our time on useless controversies,” he said.
But Mr Odinga argued that Saba Saba Day was historically important, signifying the fight for the second liberation from the dictatorship of President Moi.
He claimed that President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were part of the past system. That was why, he said, Parliament passed amendments to the Kenya Police Service to give the President powers on who becomes the Inspector General of Police, had enacted the Public Benefits Organisation Act and encroached on media freedom.
“We want to see if we are back to where we were (in 1990). We can see the red light is on the wall and the danger must be stopped,” he said.

Sunday 29 June 2014

No security threat in Limuru, police assure scared residents

Daily Nation

Security forces spent Saturday night patrolling villages in Limuru and Lari sub-counties.

This followed information from members of the public that people wielding machetes and guns had been seen alighting from lorries and hiding in a forest.

Scared residents also left their homes and camped in primary schools and Administration Police (AP) camps for the night following the reports.

The affected areas were Ngubi forest, Gitithia, Escarpment, Lare, Ngarariga, Bibirioni and Ndiuri in Ndeiya.

Area police boss Moses Owiti confirmed the incident, and said they received information about a probable attack on citizens.

This prompted security forces to immediately swing into action to contain the situation.

“We received conflicting reports that people were seen alighting from three lorries and entering Ngubi forest. Some reports said the people were wielding guns and others said they had pangas,” said Mr Owiti.

“We immediately left our posts and went out on night patrol until morning to secure and search the area. I can confidently confirm that there is no security threat. It was just a rumour that went round the villages,” he added.

OCPD Owiti added that even before daybreak, he had convinced those who had left their homes to go back since there was no cause for alarm. He, however, reassured them that the police would keep watch over the area even more vigilantly.

Meanwhile, Limuru MP John Kiragu on Sunday morning also visited homes in the area to reassure them of their security, and find out the truth behind the alarming report.

“I have driven along the Mai Mahiu road, from Limuru to Mai Mahiu and I can confidently say that there is no security threat and people are actually going to church as expected,” said Mr Kiragu.’

The MP also confirmed that they were in constant communication with the security forces.

He added that police had patrolled the forest and villages in the upper and lower Naivasha road and there was nothing tangible to show that there was any threat to security in the area. He said investigations were on-going to determine what led to the rumour.

Mr Kiragu and OCPD Owiti said that the incident showed that the public were on high alert since if the threat was real, the attackers would not have gone very far following the quick response by villagers and security forces.

“The quick response by villagers demonstrates that if the security threat was real, it would have been thwarted. Nyumba Kumi means sharing information between the community, police and leaders and this is what happened last night,” said the MP.

It was later, however, said that a lorry carrying cattle and goats broke down along the Mai Mahiu road near Ngubi forest. Another lorry came to the scene and also stopped to offer help in repairing the first lorry.

After the repairs were done, some of the men entered the forest to relieve themselves before embarking on their journey.

This is believed to be the source of the rumour that led security forces to conduct an all-night operation in the area.

The incident came weeks after several attacks in Mpeketoni, Lamu County that left over 60 people dead.

Evans Kidero Breaks Ranks with baba yenu Raila on Saba Saba

Daily Nation

Nairobi governor Evans Kidero differed with party leader Raila Odinga when he said the mass action planned by the Cord coalition would destabilise the country and scare away investors.

The governor spoke as debate about national dialogue took centre-stage at the weekend, with leaders opposing and supporting calls for Saba Saba mass action in equal measure.

Dr Kidero said he did not support the Cord public rallies either, and appealed to opposition leaders to find another avenue for addressing issues affecting the country.

“We should not be involved in activities that will affect the normal operations of the country,” he said.

Dr Kidero was speaking in Yimbo Village in Bondo during the burial the Mr Martin Okello Awuondo.

But the governor’s remarks were criticised by Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura who maintained that the Cord rallies would continue unless President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda also said Parliament was not an avenue for national dialogue since only elected members views were allowed.

Cord, Dr Ochanda maintained, desired a dialogue inclusive of religious leaders, humans rights activist, business community and the public.

But yesterday, TNA secretary-general Onyango Oloo and nominated Senator Joy Gwendo said the National Assembly and the Senate were better placed to handle the issues raised by Cord.

“The National Alliance is not opposed to dialogue; but that dialogue must be done using the institutions within the Constitution,” said Mr Oloo, adding that Cord must not be allowed to take power through the back-door by engaging the Jubilee coalition in a shadowy push for dialogue.

Ms Gwendo, while addressing youth and women leaders in Nyalenda, Kisumu Town at the weekend, also said dialogue must be in Parliament.

“Cord is only using the dialogue call when their agenda is power,” she said.

However, Busia Senator Amos Wako, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and his Matayos counterpart Geoffrey Odanga, renewed their calls to President Kenyatta to give national dialogue a chance.

Mr Otuoma made a passionate appeal to President Kenyatta not to take a hardline stance and instead embrace the matters put forward by Mr Odinga for the sake of the unity and prosperity of the nation.

“We call on President Kenyatta to extend his hand to Mr Odinga so that we avoid these unnecessary confrontations which may end up dividing the country,” said Mr Otuoma.

DRC families living with the dead

Source: New Vision; June 26, 2014 Lack of finance and land has forced dozens of families in DR Congo to build houses out of earth, bricks or sheet metal in the Kinsukka cemetery in the capital, Kinshasa, New Vision reported

A community has developed around the Kinsuka cemetery, despite the health risks involved. Photo: AFP

It is a case of the living moving in with the dead. What else can they do?

According to the New Vision report, their dwellings on the cemetery land are illegal and they pose serious health issues yet the cemetery dwellers attempt to lead ordinary lives in the unusual setting.

“You’re afraid you’re going to dig up a bone,” said 19-year-old Emile as he worked on the foundation for his older brother’s new house just steps away from a well-tended grave.

Neighbour Bibiche, 23, admits it’s a disturbing experience even after having lived in the cemetery for two years.

“You feel afraid sleeping amidst the graves, but we had no home,” she said. “The cemetery isn’t good, we have no electricity.”

Photo: AFP

Despite its vast mineral wealth, two-thirds of the DR Congo’s 68 million people live in poverty, made worse by continuous civil wars that tore up the country from 1996 to 2003 and left a myriad of rebel groups still terrorising the eastern provinces.

Finding housing or property is a constant struggle for many and large numbers of civilians have take to living beside the dead.

Even with the inconvenience of living illegally on land reserved for the deceased, it does not come free. Therese, 57, a long-time resident paid a local chief to buy four ‘plots’ with the assistance of her children. ”They cost between $2,500 to $4,000 each,” she said, giving only her first name like the other residents for fear of reprisals.

In some parts of the cemetery the construction of homes has made it harder to locate remaining burial plots. The graveyard was founded in 1978 and is the final resting place of several well-known figures, such as engineer Sita Barnabe Kinsumbu, the father of the DRC’s first lady Olive Lembe Kabila, according to a local burial tax collector.

DR Cong President and First Lady Joseph and Olive Kabila. The First Lady's father lives in the dwellings around Kinsuka. Photo: Jamie Mitchell

DR Cong President and First Lady Joseph and Olive Kabila. The First Lady’s father is buried in Kinsuka. Photo: Jamie Mitchell

Government officials say the homes in Kinsuka and other cemeteries across the country constitute a public health hazard. According to them, it takes as long as 50 years after a site’s last burial to ensure the ground is fully free of contamination. ”Sometimes people find a source of water but when you sniff it, it smells like a corpse,” said Dr Benjamin Mavard Kwengani, director of hygiene at Kinshasa’s health ministry.

“One day, a (state) tractor is going to come and knock down the houses and they will lose everything,” said Peter, a resident whose father and grandfather are buried in Kinsuka.

Former President Kibaki tells political leaders to stop wasting time in divisive politics

Former President Mwai Kibaki has hit out at political leaders for wasting time in divisive politics at the expense of wananchi. Kibaki said no meaningful development will be realized through mere politicking . He wants leaders to focus on constructive actions that will benefit the people who require their services.the former head of state made the remarks after he commissioned a water project in Kajiado County . The electrified borehole project sunk by the American millennium water alliance is meant to serve more than 5,000 residents .

Brazil fan dies of heart attack while watching World Cup penalty shootout

By AFP; Sunday, June 29th 2014

A 69-year-old Brazilian fan has died of heart failure while watching his country's World Cup penalty shootout win over Chile.

The man was watching the tense encounter, which Brazil won on spot kicks after the sides were locked 1-1 after extra time, in a nearby bar when he complained of feeling unwell.

The fan, who was diabetic, died shortly after being taken to hospital, web news portal G1 and the website of Estado de Minas newspaper reported.

The paper added local health officials had to treat some 100 people during the game, including a 50-year-old woman for a heart problem during the penalties and a young man whose nose was fractured in a fight.

CORD digs in, wants TJRC report implemented

By Steve Mkawale, Kipchumba Kemei and Charles Ngeno

Sunday, June 29th 2014

Cord leader Raila Odnga address a gathering at Ntulele Primary School in Narok County where he called on President Uhur to allow dialogue before sabasaba [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

NAROK COUNTY: The push by CORD for national dialogue intensified at the weekend, with the Opposition demanding the release and implementation of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report.

Led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, CORD leaders said the report would address historical injustices and end land conflicts.

Raila said the ghost of the injustices meted on Kenyan communities before and after independence should be exorcised through the proposed national dialogue and the full implementation of the findings of the TJRC.

“These are some of the issues that we want the President to address through the national dialogue because they are the main causes of disharmony and never-ending conflicts that have resulted in loss of lives,” said Raila.

Raila, who addressed a rally at Ntulele Trading Center, Narok County, further challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to implement national security sector reforms that he and former President Mwai Kibaki initiated. “The police force is rotten to the core and Ole Lenku (Interior Cabinet Secretary) cannot by himself tackle it,” said Raila.

NATIONAL SECURITY

He vowed to mobilise Kenyans to travel to Nairobi on July 7 (Saba Saba Day) for mass protest should the Jubilee administration fail to heed their dialogue call.

“We cannot wait for another five years, watching as people die of insecurity. It is time for Kenyans to take charge as the current leadership under President Kenyatta has failed,” he said.

Raila reiterated that the issue they were raising would not be addressed through constitutional institutions.

The rally in Narok went on uninterrupted despite earlier threats by local leaders to block it. Conspicuously absent was former Heritage minister William ole Ntimama.

In what Raila dubbed as “the Ntulele declaration”, CORD called for individuals inside and outside the Government to unconditionally return all the land they illegally acquired from the Maasai community.

Justifying their push for dialogue, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula said Kenyans only delegated their sovereignty to elected leaders but have the right to take it back if the leaders fail to use it properly.

“Corruption and tribalism have risen to unprecedented levels,” said Wetangula.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and his Homa Bay counterpart Otieno Kajwang accused the Jubilee administration of relying on bogus intelligence that had claimed their rallies in Rift Valley would be marred with chaos.

“There is a propaganda geared towards portraying the region as hostile towards CORD but we know this is an attempt to deny us a chance to meet with the people of Rift Valley,” said Khalwale, who told President Kenyatta to be aware of his real enemies who are misleading him. Kajwang said: “Those trying to portray that there will be tension in our rallies have lost the point. Kenyans continue to suffer and they demand that they be liberated.”

Siaya Senator James Orenga called for unconditional release of Lamu Governor Issa Timamy who has been arrested in connection with the Mpeketoni attacks in which more than 65 people were killed. “The governor has no capacity to sustain or even organize such an attack. The government is not dealing with the problem but is only trying to divert attention from the real issues,” said Orengo.

Boda boda cyclists target ladies in new wave of theft

By LEONARD KULEI

Sunday, June 29th 2014

Models re-enact how boba boda ridding thugs snatch bags from pedestrians. The new way of crime is gradually on the rise in Nakuru town. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

NAKURU COUNTY: The confidence which motorbike cyclists, commonly known as “boda bodas”, had gained from the public is slowly losing its sheen as a new wave of crime gains notoriety.

Our investigation has revealed a shrewd crime in Nakuru with worrying statistics of people robbed of their valuables while police remain clueless and many incidents go unreported. Robbers conspire with some boda boda operators, who amid the thrilling speed, they handbags and other items from innocent pedestrians, mostly ladies.

This happens within a twinkle of an eye, leaving victims confused and traumatised as the robbers vanish.

The crime is well planned, choreographed and executed that before a victim realises she has been robbed, the perpetrators will have fled. Catherine Mkusu, 28, a victim says she was recently robbed of her handbag as she strolled with a friend along the busy Kenyatta Avenue.

CHILLING REALITY

“I was walking along the street with a colleague when a motorbike slowed down near us and before I could turn to give way thinking that a passenger wanted to alight, the guy in the passenger seat snatched my handbag and they took off,” says Mkusu, a student at a local university.

The incident 6:30pm incident saw Mkusu also lose her laptop, phone and money. Though she raised alarm attracting the attention of passers-by, the perpetrators vanished as no one took the registration particulars of the motorbike.

The tale of motorbike robbery has left many ladies in Nakuru town cautious. It is a chilling reality of falling prey to a people so much entrusted with the easing mobility within the town.

Beatrice Wangari, a victim was met with a violent bang on the head that left her for the dead. She lost all her valuables and money leaving her stranded since she did not even have fare back home. She narrated her ordeal to passers-by who were not convinced by her account of events. However, she borrowed a phone and contacted a friend who sorted her out. “ I thank God I got home safely but I am yet to find my Identity card and other documents,” says Wangari.

ANOTHER VICTIM

These criminals are so ruthless and swing into action so swiftly that they rarely miss their target.

Miriam Tamey, another victim, wonders the audacity of the muggers who robbed her minutes after withdrawing money from an ATM machine. She notes that the two had been following her and they also parked their motorbike alongside her vehicle.

The duo, she says, unleashed their mission even as two armed police officers manning the bank watched from a distance.

Unnoticed, the robbers had been tracking her for a while. She says she tried to resist but she was overpowered by the man and was left wailing having lost Sh15,000. “They were so close to my car when I returned from the ATM. They seemed to have calculated their move as one sprung and pulled my hand bag off my arm. I was left desperate,” says Tamey.

She says one man was holding the motorbike ready to accelerate while the decoy passenger, both in helmets and reflector jackets, sat impatiently.

“The one who snatched my bag sat impatiently all the time since I left the ATM. I didn’t suspected anything since I knew police officers were around the facility,” she recounts. Sadly, majority of such cases go unreported. Majority of victims say they prefer to suffer in silence since reporting to police would see them incur more loses to procure investigation. However, police crime statistics in possession of The Standard on Sunday indicate only 1,130 crimes were reported in March.

With only four cases pending under investigations and another 100 pending before court , the report prepared by Nakuru OCPD Benard Kioko further reveals another 750 cases of crime have were finalised in the same month.

According to Kioko, stealing, which the boda boda form of crime falls under among other thefts, only reported 20 cases. He notes a decline in crime in Nakuru saying that the progress is impressive and caled on members of the public to report similar cases to assist the police carry out its mandate well. “We are doing very well. Recording 20 cases in such big town indicates an impressive performance by the police. People should report such new wave of theft.

The police will never relent in executing its duties,” says Kioko. He adds such cases have not yet been reported to the police. He calls on members of the public and victims to be swift in reporting the cases to avoid false accusations often pointed at police inefficiencies.

Uhuru, Moi, Raila differ on dialogue

by: The PeopleJune 29, 2014

By Samuel Owino

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left), Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, retired President Daniel Moi, CORD principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama at the late General Jackson Mulinge funeral at his home in Machakos county. photo: JOHN OCHIENG

Top leaders, who have been sparring over the contentious dialogue issue, came into rare contact yesterday at the funeral of Gen Jackson Mulinge, where President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga shook hands amid a short chat. The frosty relations between Uhuru and Raila, apparently caused by the preceding tension occasioned by the forceful Cord push for dialogue, was evident as the two leaders first avoided each other at the dais for almost one hour, until the speeches started when the Opposition leader approached the President and they shook hands.

Raila, accompanied by Minority Senate Leader Moses Wetang’ula had arrived first at Mulinge’s home in Kathiani, Machakos county, where he was ushered into the compound by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, Minority National Assembly Leader Francis Nyenze and members of the clergy. He joined his Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka at the dais, after viewing the body. Former President Daniel arap Moi arrived later then followed by Uhuru, who arrived alongside Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

They were received by the same entourage, but Raila, Kalonzo and Wetang’ula remained seated at the dais. After viewing the body, Uhuru proceeded to his chair at the dais where he sat without moving to the left side where the Cord leaders stood. Between Uhuru and Raila were Mutua, Moi and Kalonzo. The official programme of speeches was interrupted when Muthama, when given the chance to speak by the master of ceremonies Maj Gen (Rtd) Peter Waweru, proceeded to call the Cord leaders to speak, as they were set to leave earlier for a rally in Narok.

President Uhuru Kenyatta shakes hands with retired President Daniel Moi on arrival for the burial service of the late Gen Jackson Mulinge at Kathiani Boys High School, Machakos county. Photo/ JOHN OCHIENG

He invited Wetang’ula, then Raila. After their speeches, they shook hands with Uhuru’s, with Raila taking about a minute to speak with the President, as some people in the crowd started cheering. Raila, Wetang’ula, Muthama and the Cord entourage then left before the body was buried, leaving behind Kalonzo, who spoke later. Mutua took over after Muthama, to invite Moi, then Uhuru to make their speeches.

The issue of national dialogue featured in the speeches of Uhuru, Moi and Raila, with the President and the Cord leader seeming to stand the ground they have already taken. In the first face-to-face meeting with Uhuru since Raila returned from the United States on May 31, the leaders differed over whether the country should engage in national dialogue. While Uhuru told leaders to unite and avoid heightened politicking, Raila dismissed the calls to have the dialogue channeled through Parliament.

According to Raila, his call for the dialogue with Uhuru was as result of the current insecurity challenge in the country. “There is no dialogue that can be done in Parliament. Parliament is a debating place and therefore we cannot take that path. It is only by coming together that we can dialogue,” said Raila. But speaking last, Uhuru said the country can only develop if all the leaders unite and respect one another. Uhuru was categorical that he only wants leaders to work for Kenyans as this is the only way the country can move forward.

“The country won’t develop without peace and we cannot continue to politic all the time. Let us continue to unite the country for the development of the nation,” said the President. Former President Moi as well as Majority Leader Aden Duale sided with Uhuru and dismissed the Opposition’s call for dialogue, insisting the President should be given a chance to deliver on his mandate. Moi, who spoke after Raila had left, asked the Cord leader to leave Uhuru alone and allow him to work as this is his first year in office. Moi said those who feel unhappy with the way Uhuru has been running his government should wait for the 2017 elections.

Although he urged Uhuru to be friends with Raila’s party, Moi was categorical that those calling for dialogue should channel their concerns through Parliament. Moi reminded the Opposition that leaders are elected by the people and thus should be respected by all. “I urge leaders to desist from making careless statements as peace in the country can only be achieved though unity,” said Moi. Duale asked Uhuru to defend the Constitution and ensure that all engagements are done within the confines of the law.

Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko said Uhuru has not declined to hold dialogue with the Opposition. According to him, the problem with the Opposition is the language they have been using to address the President. “If the Opposition can talk the way they have talked today then we have no problem with dialogue, what we are concerned with is the language used in rallies,” said Sonko.

Cord leaders including Kalonzo, Wetang’ula, Muthama and Nyenze insisted that dialogue rallies are still on. Mulinge, the first General to be accorded full military funeral honours was given a colourful farewell, complete with a 21-gun salute. Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Julius Karangi led KDF chiefs to the funeral of the general who served both in the regimes of Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Moi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta snubs Raila Odinga’s calls for dialogue at rare meeting of leaders

By James Biketi

Saturday, June 28th 2014

President Uhuru Kenyatta greets Former President Daniel Moi, on arrival for the burial service of the late Gen Jackson Mulinge at Kathiani Boys High School, Machakos County Saturday. [PHOTO: STANDARD]

MACHAKOS COUNTY: President Uhuru Kenyatta and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga Saturday shared a podium for the first time since the latter’s sustained push on the government to dialogue with the Opposition began.

During the rare meeting at the burial of former Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces and one-time Cabinet minister Jackson Kimeu Mulinge, Raila even exchanged niceties with the President briefly and bade him goodbye after addressing mourners as he rushed out to attend another public function in Narok.

Other top political leaders in attendance were retired President Daniel arap Moi, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Leaders of Majority and Minority in the National Assembly, Aden Duale and Francis Nyenze, Leader of Minority in the Senate Moses Wetang’ula and Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua and Senator Johnston Muthama.

The funeral ceremony of Mulinge, who died aged 91, served as a perfect opportunity for speakers to urge a political ceasefire between Raila and Uhuru over heightened tension on dialogue. Reverend Timothy Ndambuki of the African Brotherhood Church, who presided over the function, set the ball rolling by asking the political leaders present to emulate the fallen hero by uniting the country.

“And I am glad that the President and the leader of CORD have been united in his (General Mulinge’s) death here in Kathiani. Let his death be a symbol of unity in Kenya,” said Ndambuki.

His sentiments were echoed by Raila and other CORD leaders, with the former PM maintaining that dialogue was the only way out of the current crisis: “What happens in Parliament is debate, which is restricted by the bell, and not dialogue. Parliament cannot dialogue — it is the wrong place!”

Speaking last among the CORD leaders, Kalonzo warned that the alternative to dialogue was chaos. But, he told the President that Kenyans do not want a chaotic State.

Wetang’ula assured Uhuru that he had nothing to lose in giving dialogue a chance: “We are not challenging your authority because we recognise you as President and we are not planning to overthrow your government because we do not even have the capacity to do so.”

Nyenze equally made a passionate appeal to Uhuru to save the country by inviting the Opposition to dialogue with the government: “If you do this, you will have saved this country from its current myriad challenges.”

But addressing the mourners, the President appeared to snub the CORD brigade’s pleas, opting instead to eulogise the departed great soldier: “If we all loved this country the way Mulinge did, then we can make — as a country— tremendous progress.”

Nonetheless, the President echoed Raila and Wetang’ula’s sentiments to the effect that the country’s political leaders should emulate the humility and peaceful nature of the late Mulinge.

“Let us respect each other as Kenyans and let us equally make a difference in the people’s lives so that we leave this a better place than we found it,” he said.

Moi and Duale were categorically opposed to dialogue, insisting that any such discussions must be channeled through the existing legal framework.

“Kwani bunge ilijengwa kwa sababu gani(Why was Parliament built?). And if the President errs in one way or another, then raise that issue in Parliament or wait for another five years and challenge him at the ballot, instead of doing so through public rallies,” said Moi.

And reminding the President that he took an oath of office to safeguard the Constitution, Duale advised the President against giving in to the push for dialogue or conducting talks outside the set institutional framework.

Local political rivalry also took centre stage at the funeral, with Muthama, who spoke in the local Kikamba dialect, declaring that it was time for Kalonzo to now take over the political leadership mantle. It was unclear from his sentiments whether he meant the leadership of CORD or the country.

And in an apparent reference to the perceived rivalry between Mutua and Kalonzo, Muthama asked the community to rally behind the former VP and not any other leader. But the governor asked the locals to embrace development and not empty political talk.

Belgium star Divock Origi proud of Kenyan heritage, speaks Kiswahili and four Luo words

IN FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER:

By Robin Toskin

Sunday, June 29th 2014

Origi Belgium’s Divock Origi reacts during a Group H match between South Korea and Belgium at the Corinthians Arena.[PHOTO/ AFP]

When you follow the path of your father, the Ashanti of Ghana say, you learn to walk like him. His father, by all accounts, is a wise person who always finds his way.
Of course it is about Divock Origi, the man of the moment. There is something about him. Just like his father Mike Okoth, he is amiable. A person you want to lazy about with.
As I am about to conclude my interview with him at the mixed zone, inside the Arena de Sao Paolo, his teammate and Tottenham Hotspur midfield Moussa Dembele dishes out a Suarez-eque bite on his right shoulder (Chiellini’s was on the left).
“Amazing lad. Unbelievable talent. Real talent,” Dembele pours the plaudits before drifting away.
Perhaps he had been informed of a Kenyan journalist who had asked coach Marc Wilmots how he was managing the precocious talent with Kenyan roots. Or maybe just a foreboding that a Kenyan journalist would be somewhere in the mixed zone.
He emerges from the dressing room and straight away asks: “Kenyan journalist? I’ve got to start with you because there are so many others waiting.”
Unlike most players who cast a reluctant demeanour, Origi leaned forward from the barrier separating them from a battery of journalists.
It is easy to tell from his tall height that he inherited his father’s gene, and like most of the Origi family like Austin Oduor (a Gor Mahia legend), Gerald and Anthony, he is well built — one of good stock, the villagers back home in Luoland, would say.
“I’m proud of my Kenyan roots,” the 19-year-old said in almost flawless Kiswahili, when asked how it feels playing with the knowledge Kenya was watching him.
The influence of French, you would often hear among the Kiswahili-speaking Congolese, is slightly discernible. He speaks English and is also fluent in Dutch and Flemish, all of which are spoken in Belgium.
“From what my father tells me and what I have experienced on numerous occasions I have been there, it is a great country. I can speak Kiswahili but not fluently. My parents speak it and they have taught me, too.
“I am also proud of Belgium because I was born and have lived there for most of my life,” he said. “He is a very humble youngster. I have known him since school and our time at Genk. I thought it was a matter of time before he hits it big. Now he is a very important part of this team. You saw how quick he is. He can hold up the ball until his teammates are in promising positions. Today, his shot made the difference (South Korea goalkeeper spilled his shot and Jan Vertonghen scored from the rebound).”
Despite his huge promise, his selection to the Diables Rouges squad was fortuitous. Wilmots’ preferred strikers were Romelo Lukaku and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.
As fate would have it, Benteke ruptured his tendons in April and had to undergo an operation, thus ruling him out of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Although Origi may not be of the same mould with Benteke, he was the obvious choice given his technical ability and also having scored six goals for Lille OSC of France.
On the day he was called up to join the squad, Belgium assistant coach Vital Borkelmans had chided his close pal and Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche that he will snatch Origi from under his nose.
Amrouche was really interested in the youngster, but a combination of many factors made it impossible to ensnare him to play for Kenya.
It appears the youngster is predisposed to taking difficult but prudent decisions like his father Okoth often did.
His father started out as a goalkeeper at Shabana FC in 1984. After being on the receiving end of strikers, he hung up his gloves for a centre forward’s role.
After tormenting goalkeepers while at Shabana, he moved to Tusker in 1989 before moving to Boshar in Oman two years later.
Before long he made the biggest and perhaps the most important move in his life when he joined KV Oostend of Belgium, where in 1995 his preeminent son Divock Origi was to be born.
Call it a chance move. Talent alone, however, is not enough to keep one in a place. Okoth is one such humble person and charming, too, as former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards midfielder Johnstone Keffa ‘Tasso’ once observed: “Mike is a really humble guy and nice to be around .”
Remarkably, Origi’s teammates also ascribe these values to him. Even his coach Wilmots said: “He is a very good and honest lad. He is eager to learn.

Saturday 28 June 2014

British troops stranded in Kenya as diplomatic row escalates

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta

By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent and Mike Pflanz in Nairobi; 26 Jun 2014

Delays in "diplomatic clearance" for British military training in Kenya are believed to be retaliation for the UK tightening travel advice to the country

Around 700 British soldiers are stranded in Kenya after Nairobi held up diplomatic permits for troops, as a row with London over UK travel advice for the country appeared to escalate.

Soldiers have been stuck in the country for several days after completing infantry training because the Kenyan government has delayed “diplomatic clearance” for their replacements to take over from them.

Sources said Nairobi was delaying clearance for troops from 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, to fly into the country, in what diplomats believe is a rebuke for Britain tightening travel advice to the East African nation.

The delay means troops from the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, who have finished training and were due to fly out on the planes delivering the Paras, have been stranded.

Diplomatic relations between London and Nairobi have been tested since Uhuru Kenyatta, the president, came to power alleging that Britain backed his rival, Raila Odinga.

“There has been a delay that we became aware of in the middle of last week in the receipt of diplomatic clearance from the Kenyan authorities for these troops,” said a spokesman for the British High Commission in Nairobi. "We hope this will be resolved shortly."

British troops have for many years cycled through Kenya for infantry training. A regular agreement between the two countries on the arrangement is not due for renewal for another two years, but it has become contentious in some Kenyan circles.

Nationalist elements of Mr Kenyatta’s party criticise his government for failing to withdraw the permission for the training as a reprimand for Britain’s perceived favouritism towards the opposition coalition.

One defence source said Britain may now have to charter extra flights to get the stranded troops back from the UK’s training base in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki.

He said: “3 Rifles have finished and are trying to get back. We are looking at options to do it.”

Recent warnings that Mombasa, Kenya’s second city, and some nearby beaches popular with Western tourists were no longer safe for Britons to visit were seen as further examples of British attempts to undermine Mr Kenyatta.

One security source in Nanyuki said: “It’s not clear why the paperwork’s being held up [for the soldiers] but it’s very hard to think it’s coincidence at a time when the Kenyans are pretty annoyed at the travel advisories and all the earlier stuff.”

“There is hope that this will be sorted out soon,” another source with knowledge of the discussions said. “But I think that the Kenyans might get a surprise, and pretty quickly, if they silly-bugger around on this for too long.”

British military cooperation with Kenya is worth £58 million a year, most of which flows directly into the local economy, largely in and around Nanyuki, Christian Turner, the High Commissioner, said at a speech at the Queen’s Birthday Party in Nairobi last week.

An MoD spokesman said: “The UK has a long-standing, mutually beneficial, defence relationship with Kenya and we hope that the delay in receipt of diplomatic clearances from the Kenyan authorities will be resolved shortly."

Defeat in three by-elections puts to question CORD's support in Kisii

By Protus Onyango

Saturday, June 28th 2014 Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's CORD has now lost three by-elections in Kisii County, which observers say points to its waning influence in the region.

The coalition lost the Bonchari seat in the Monday by-election after its flag-bearers John Oyioka (ODM) and Wiper's Charles Onyancha garnered 6,977 and 5,171 votes respectively.

The seat was won by Zebedeo Opore, who got 10,947 votes. Opore belongs to Ford People, an affiliate of the Jubilee coalition. But why did CORD lose given that ODM, is the most dominant party in Nyanza? The coalition lost despite the principals Raila and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka's campaign for their candidates.

Leaders blame this on disagreements between Wiper and ODM, poor decisions by the coalition's leadership, shambolic nominations and discord among local officials. Mr Oyioka was given direct nomination by ODM, a fact that annoyed many.

The coalition lost the Nyaribari Chache seat in a by-election last year after ODM's Chris Bichage was trounced by Ford People's Richard Tongi. In the Bomachoge Borabu by-election ODM's Peter Kimori lost to The National Alliance's (TNA) Joel Onyancha.

In the March 4th General Election last year, Zebedeo Opore of Ford People won the seat with 8,992 votes while Oyioka of Kanu emerged second with 8,987 votes, Charles Onyancha ODM, 6,897 and Albert Monyancha Wiper, 160 votes.

Political observers believe the fight for ODM ticket cost the party two by-elections in Gusii.

In Bonchari, ODM ditched Mr Onyancha and supported Mr Oyioka while Kisii Senator Chris Obure and Women Representative Sally Otara also changed their party loyalty.

The decision by ODM and Wiper to field candidates may have also been responsible for the loss. If ODM's Oyioka who garnered 6,977 votes and Wiper's Onyancha 5,171 votes had agreed to let one of them be the CORD flag bearer their 12,148 votes combined would have beat Opore who got 10,947.

Officials said the coalition's affiliate parties have a memorandum of understanding that a strong party in a region is the only one to field a candidate in an election.

"From the look of things, ODM is popular than Wiper in Kisii going by the number of seats ODM won in the last General Election. Hence pacts are meant to be honoured not to be discarded," says lawyer Philemon Onchwangi.

Onyancha blamed ODM for the dismal performance and wondered why the party gave the ticket to a different person yet he was a devoted member. "ODM has messed up my life. The party abandoned me and went to Oyioka and told him to resign from Kanu. They promised him the party ticket and hid it from me," he said.

"It was wrong for ODM leader Raila to endorse Oyioka knowing I have been in the party for a long time. I'll never respect him again and I am in Wiper to stay. We are going to rethink the CORD leadership in future. ODM shouldn't run riot and want to field candidates everywhere," Onyancha said.

Oyioka decamped from Kanu and was given direct nomination by ODM, a move that angered Onyancha who accused the party of being undemocratic.

Former Kenya National Union of Teachers Kisii branch chairman Geoffrey Mogire, who was the county's ODM co-ordinator in the last elections, says the party is still strong in the region and just needs to put its house in order.

Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang, who has been accused of benefiting from sham elections has come out to support the party's nominations. Mr Kajwang recommended that ODM appoints directors of elections in counties to be in charge of nominations.

ODM is facing a similar situation in the Mathare by-election slated for August 7. The party ticket was handed to Stephen Kariuki against the wish of other contenders. Lawyer Anthony Oluoch and Tom Alila, the Nyanza National Executive Committee member of the Football Kenya Federation have left the party.

Mr Alila will vie as an independent candidate while Mr Oluoch who contested for the seat in the March 4 General Election and garnered 8,000 will run on Ford Kenya ticket.

TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo described ODM party as a 'house of fire' that is crumbling at a high speed. He said TNA is displacing ODM in their strongholds and that is why it is gaining ground in the country. "We have pushed ODM from Coast, Kisii and Western region, that is why their popularity has waned," he said.

US, UK Envoys Urge Raila Odinga To Call Off the Rallies

Citizen TV can now report that the U.S and U.K governments have made attempts to have opposition leader Raila Odinga call off Cord planned political rallies.

Sources tell citizen TV that U.S ambassador Robert Godec and the British High Commissioner Dr. Christian Turnner separately called Odinga on Wednesday to express the international community concerns that the rallies were raising political and ethnic tensions in the country.

Time is running out, Raila tells Uhuru as Saba Saba approaches

By ALLAN KISIA and MICHAEL OLLINGA

Friday, June 27th 2014

CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula pass through the streets of Eldoret town on their way to Eldoret 64 Stadium to address their supporters Friday. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA]

Eldoret, Kenya: Opposition leader Raila Odinga has told President Uhuru Kenyatta to respond quickly to demands for national dialogue, saying time is running out as the much-hyped Saba Saba rally nears.

Raila was speaking in Eldoret in a rally that had been dogged by security fears following a ban by local leaders led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago. The rally was, however, peaceful as security was beefed up and no ugly incidents were reported.

“I am telling my brother, let us talk while we still can. We only have about 10 days left,” he told a huge crowd at 64 Stadium.
However, Raila did not say what the Opposition would do should the President decline to meet them for dialogue. Several contingents of police officers were deployed in the outskirts of Eldoret town and were on standby through out the day. The rally was allowed on Thursday after Mr Mandago consulted with local CORD leaders.

High cost of living

Raila castigated Kenyatta’s government and the local leadership for trying to ban opposition rallies, saying nothing would stop CORD.

“You cannot intimidate the Opposition by telling us what to do and what not to do,” he stated.

He said the rallies offered an opportunity to consult with Kenyans. During the rally, ordinary citizens were given an opportunity to speak on matters ranging from security, youth and jobs, farming and infrastructure. “The rallies are a meeting with the people. The sovereignty of Kenyans is vested on the people,” he added.

Wetang’ula, CORD co-principal, reiterated that the country had failed in executing numerous vital mandates, prompting them to pursue their oversight responsibility as the alternative government.

“This is a unique meeting where we are getting the people’s voices, they have raised a raft of concerns which we feel the Government should do something about,” he said.

The Bungoma Senator observed that insecurity, high cost of living, corruption and tribalism are issues affecting all Kenyans and wondered why the Government has been hard-headed to engage them in finding a solution.

He said there is urgent need for dialogue because it is the only remaining avenue to reverse the suffering of Kenyans and urged the President to meet with the Opposition before Saba Saba day comes.

Ignored grievances

“The MPs have failed to represent the people that voted for them, if the leaders cannot lead then the people they lead can lead them because the Government belongs to the citizens,” he explained.

According to Wetang’ula the sovereignty of the Government is vested in people and that is why they will go back to the electorate to confront the leadership that has ignored their grievances.

Midiwo said the Jubilee leadership should address the real issues facing Kenyans. “We are not begging for dialogue anyway, we are telling the Government that things are not well as people continue to die in various parts of the country. We need to know why Kenyans are angry with each other and devise a strategy to stem the hate,” he said.

Raila criticised Uasin Gishu leaders for opposing the CORD rally. “No state of emergency had been declared in Eldoret. If we can’t hold a rally in Eldoret then who can?” he wondered.

He continued: “Our licence in Eldoret was issued on June 16 and then on June 24 it was revoked on security grounds. It is the responsibility of the police to ensure security. That is what they are paid for,” he added.