Raila Odinga can be compared to Jesus?

Raila: "When you see Raila, you see a leader who stands for the truth. I can be compared to Mandela, Galileo Galilei and Jesus.”

http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143970716

When I saw Mandela I said maybe. Galileo; I opened my eyes wider. Jesus! No! The few people that I have seen call themselves Jesus were on Prozac or were admitted to some mental facility for treatment. It is shocking for a future president to be arrogant enough to compare himself with God.

When Jesus was on earth, He did not brag about being the son of God. He never rode on the chariots –the era’s Hummers. The bible told us that Jesus rode a donkey to Jerusalem. As God, Jesus had the powers to say let there be white horses and a golden chariot but he did not. It is ridiculous for a man rides around in a Hummer and leaves people chanting ere mtoka to compare himself to Jesus.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He made the ultimate sacrifice. That cannot be said of Raila son of Odinga. The man who brags of leading the 82 coup attempt fought to save his skin as sons of peasants were led to the gallows. Raila didn’t offer to die for Ochuka, Oriwa Hongo, Odhiambo Ndege, Injeni Njeremani, Fenwicks Obuon, Ogidi Obuon, Mirasi Odawa, Odira Ojode, Pancras Oteyo, Adel Omolo, Odemba Otieno or Akoth Otila. Today he is a billionaire enjoying life while the families of his buddies wallow in poverty. A Jesus?

Jesus was never power hungry. That cannot be said of Raila who has gone as far as shedding tears as he sees his ambition disappear into thin air. This is a man who has even sworn with a bible in the air that his arch-rival made power promises that he did not deliver.

Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga lifts the Bible at Boito PAC Church,

Kericho District, and swears that in 2002, President Kibaki

pledged to govern for only one term.

Jesus was never violent. He was a democrat who believed in free will. Not once did He order his disciples to stone those opposed to His teachings. The same cannot be said of Raila who is known to be the de facto leader. Storming and stoning are words that are always on his lips. Anybody who dares oppose the Dear Leader is branded a tribalist and orders of his stoning are issued. The honorable MP even throws punches in Bunge when he is lost of words to support his stand. If Raila is like Jesus them Gumo can say the same on himself.

Brutal: Armed youths beat up an innocent bystander outside Parliament yesterday. The men circled are said to be aides of NDP leader Mr. Raila Odinga.

http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/15012000/index.html

The sage said: Chema cha jiuza, kibaya cha jitembeza. Raila should not go around blowing his own trumpet. Mandela has never compaired himself to Jesus or Martin Luther King Jnr. He is Mandela; a brand of it’s own. Galileo never called himself Aristotle. Let Raila be Raila. He cannot go around bragging that he is in a class of Jesus for he is not.

11th LDP NEB meeting held on July 1, 2003

The Following is an article published by the Dec 22, 2003 edition of the Standard.

11th LDP NEB meeting held on July 1, 2003

A part from the official meeting held, a brainstorm was conducted on a brief research paper presented by the chairman. It touched on how the LDP should be strengthened. It was recommended from the debate:

1. LDP must continuously show it is the one pushing for a constitutional reform while NAK is against constitutional reform as Kanu was depicted in the past.

2. LDP must explore all avenues of fruitful engagement with Kanu. Efforts must be made to reverse the nasty merger experience between Kanu and NDP, LDP should help Kanu look good among members of the public.

3. LDP must be shown as pro-people and for reforms whereas the government must be painted as anti-change.

4. The government must be isolated and shown as a Mt. Kenya backed government without national appeal.

5. We must continue to hold the government responsible for breaching the MoU so that Kenyans can see it as unfair and insensitive.

6. We must promote the view that government ministers are corrupt so that the government has no moral authority to pursue corruption and it looks bad in the eyes of the international community.

7. We must continuously paint the government and Narc-Nak as the same as the former Kanu.

8. LDP must seriously engage the media-owners — editors and journalists— to discredit the government, NAK and the people who are pro-establishment.

9. Every opportunity must be taken to destabilise the government in a way, which is not traceable to us.

10. Friendship of the security forces and the entire civil service should be sought. We must resist a civil service shake-up.

11. Finances must be raised including from foreign friends and domestic friends. Ministries we control should assist our friends to make money legally some of which can be contributed to the LDP kitty.

12. LDP must capture all influential civil society including COTU, Maendeleo, human rights groups etc.

13. Ministries we control should assist our MPs and regions where we are recruiting.

14. We must treat Bomas delegates well at all times. They are very important for the constitutional reform process.

15. We must demonstrate always that with our friends in Kanu we control parliament.

16. LDP can take a chunk of Kanu and most of Narc with time so that in 2007 we are independent and in control.

17. LDP must recruit nationally so that we have national elections. We should only accept Narc elections if we are sure we’ll take over Narc. Otherwise we must now not accept the convening of a summit we can’t control.

18. We must continuously destabilise NAK.

19. A strategy for 2007 elections must be put in place. Our research think tank should be tasked to prepare a confidential road map.

20. We must not relent on executive prime minister as well as a president who had limited powers. The vice president position should be deputy president. Three deputy prime ministers should exist. These positions will be used to a formidable coalition of LDP, friendly Kanu etc. We must seek new friends all the time.

21. We must invest in the underground media.

22. We must show government cannot perform; only LDP ministers can.

23. We must be careful that LDP elections do not create problems for us.

24. The credibility of all those who oppose our agenda must be destroyed.

25. We must also continuously woo NAK affiliate parties and personalities.

26. We must always create the impression that LDP is a big movement, which is popular.

27. Let’s get NAK affiliates to fight each other whenever it is possible.

28. We must dialogue with the international community to show them NAK has betrayed us and democracy. We must ask them to engage the government in a cautious way.

29. We must capture the local government movement.

30. If possible some strategic government motions should be defeated. A vote of no confidence should be an option.

31. Weak LDP legislators should be helped.

32. We must plant competitors to destabilise all those MPs and councillors who oppose us.

33. We must take Bomas very seriously. Attendance is a must.

34. LDP must continue to own and popularise the LDP-harambee-rainbow clarion call.

35. If we cant have Narc we must destroy it by 2006 or early 2007. Let it be a nominal party.

36. We must maintain an efficient secretariat and infiltrate Mwenge House.

37. LDP ministers and assistant ministers must act like they are the government.

38. LDP functionaries must always collect intelligence, which must be shared.

39. LDP must work tirelessly to have the youth, women and Muslims on its side.

40. Bonding activities for LDP must be organised continuously.

41. The research/think-tank group should be strengthened. LDP intellectuals who work abroad should be mobilised to contribute to the future of LDP.

42. We must continue to point our Narc election officials and Narc Mwenge House functionaries have not been paid since December 2002.

43. A sub-committee to vet all government appointments should be established. All past political appointments should be scrutinised.

44. The issue of the MoU between the Kodhek group and LDP should be settled.

45. Strategic and innovative ways of having political rallies and civic education meetings to be explored in Mombasa, Kericho, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Garissa, Nairobi and other places in our country. The main agenda should be constitutional review.

46. LDP must at all times support Yash Pal Ghai and show that the government does not and wants to scuttle the review process.

47. LDP civic support has been analysed and will be available to all members.

48. We must try to compromise secretaries and other workers in the offices of those close to the establishment.

49. LDP must stay in government for as long as possible. This is strategic in many ways

50. We must develop relations with other political parties abroad.

This information should only be shared on a strictly confidential basis with LDP officials including Hon. Kamotho, Hon. W. Ole Ntimama, Hon Job Omino and LDP summit members. This LDP Roadmap to 2007 will be subject to review and refinement from time to time.

Political capital from bashing Kenya?

Imagine yourself as a presidential candidate in the Kenyan general elections. You are invited as a keynote speaker in a meeting comprising of university students -drawn from all Tanzanian universities- at the University of Dar es Salaam. What will you tell these students? Will you use the forum to campaign for presidency?

During Barrack Obama’s tour in Africa, we saw him market the USA as a beacon of hope. He called on African government to develop a close relationship with the USA for the benefit of citizens of both continents. He also took a HIV test in Kenya to motivate Kenyans to participate in testing and prevention of AIDs. Please note that at the time, Mr. Obama had shown interest in running for office.

Back in Kenya, the countries interests take the back burner as personal ambitions are put on overdrive. This was clearly evident when Raila Odinga took his campaign overseas with claims that the Kenyan economy and the NSE thrives on drug money. Some may argue that he had every right to make such ridiculous claims because he was addressing a crowd comprising mainly of Kenyan citizens. But what do you make of his keynote speech to over 10,000 East African Community university students in Kampala? In the speech Raila lampooned president Mwai Kibaki telling him that he must meet all ODM-K demands for “minimum reforms” or else… He read ODM’s demands to these students even when it is clear that they cannot vote in Kenyan elections.

I think there are many issues affecting the three East African Community members that Raila could have talked about instead of using the inter-university forum to advance his campaign for presidency. Chief among these are the issues of the EAC economy and the political integration of these three countries.

In the realization that these students will be shaping up future policies that affect the EAC, Raila should have raised the issue of cross border trade, work permits, and development of infrastructure to ease movement within the region. As of today, Tanzania remains the only country in the region where Kenyans have to go through red-tape regulations to get work permits.

In march last year, Kenyan journalist were arrested in Tanzania and deported. Kenyan businesses in Tanzania have also had their employees deported as Tanzanians claim that Kenyans are too aggressive in business. Raila should have used this forum to reassure Tanzanians of our commitment to make the EAC a success by encouraging cross border employment and investment. Instead, Mr. Odinga chose to embrace party activism as he threw statesmanship out of the window.

The inter-university forum would have been the best venue to challenge students to think about how best the region can utilize resources from this lake. In the past we have seen Ugandan forces crossing into Kenyan waters to arrest fishermen. This issue touches the interests of Mfangano Islands residents who depend on fishing.

It is a shame that our leaders are behaving akin to the woman who requested King Solomon to split up the baby so that each can have a share. These leaders want to be president but they use foreign countries as platforms ridicule their motherland and spread bold lies. Will they have an intact country to govern if their preoccupation is selling Kenya as a dead horse?

MPs with For Sell sticker

I cannot help it but share yet another petty observation elicited by a story in the Standard (March 5th, 07). I promise that this will be the pettiest of them all.

The Standard tells us that MPs allied to ODM will visit London on a bonding mission. Their bonding session will be presided over by 10 UK MPs. While in London, Kenyan MPs will hold a dinner event for ‘investors’ with an entry fee ranging between 100 and 1,000 sterling pounds.

“What you pay will determine how close you sit to the aspirants,” the Standard quotes ODM Publicity Secretary in London who goes by the names, George Muruli.

It all sounds innocent unless you are one of the petty Kenyans like me. To a petty Kenyan, this marks the official auction of your MPs. The auction is a charitable act that will raise money to set up a theocracy in Kenya after Kibaki is kicked out. So it is all in the name of Wanjiku!

Skeptical me smells a fish! Why would British MPs be involved in a matter that is 100% Kenyan? And why would Kenyan MPs invite British MPs into an affair that is 100% Kenyan? This sounds odd unless you are a Kenyan who doesn’t indulge on petty issues. From what I understand, we elect officials to serve our interests as Wanjiku. By inviting foreigners into Kenyan affairs, our MPs are submitting themselves to be used as puppets by foreign nations as they (these nations) seek to serve their interests. Direct interference into our political system by foreign interests is one thing that Kenyans need to worry about because it amounts to colonialism by proxy.

And then there is the issue of the dinner where the highest bidder gets the seat closest to our MPs. Those of us who thrive on petty issues don’t see this as an activity where an investor will pay more than £1,000 for a piece of chicken and call it a night. Small-minded Kenyans like me see this as a dangerous precursor to a new mega corruption scandal. ‘Investors’ –especially those from the UK- don’t dish out money to Kenyan politicians without expectations from the politicians. Ask John Githongo and he will tell you that these infesters don’t live of chicken wings alone. Githongo will tell you that the so-called dinner is a vector for very infectious deals that can turn reformists into devils.

These pay-to-play games must be discouraged at all costs. Those bidding for our MPs ears might be the same people harming Kenya’s interests in the UK. Our MPs should ask themselves: What if the highest bidder happens to be the firm calling its self ‘The Kikoy Company UK Limited’? What if New Anglo Leasing and Fleecing Co. outbid everybody else for the seat at the high table? What if ...?

As Kiraitu said about Anglo Fleecing, campaign funding is the mother of all corruption in Kenya. Kiraitu said that future scandals can be mitigated by instituting campaign funding laws. Hate him or love him but he was right. It is only human that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

The London bonding meeting will not only bond ODM Luminaries but also conceive the future Anglo Goldenberg. The so-called investors are the good old infesters who have infested our country infesting it with various strains of corruption.

The sad part of this petty story is that educated Kenyans that are cheerleading for our Luminaries welcome pay-to-pay as long as it serves their Luminary’s interests. They have prepared a well-thought defense on how noble it is to have UK MPs and investors join hands with ODM and Wanjiku in kicking Kibaki out. Their upcoming defense reminds me of the fable, The Hunter and the Horse. I am looking forward to hear their side of the story.

Made in Kenya

While addressing Kenyans in Minnesota, our MPs Raila Odinga and Omingo Magara attributed the rise in crime to unemployment. It is ironic that they used the same forum to sell custom made attire made by Mr. Odinga's personal tailor in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

That simple action speaks volumes about Kenyan leaders who preach water while drinking wine. Jobs are not a creation of the government but as a result of trade. The government’s role is to stimulate growth and create an environment that is conducive for free trade.

There are many tailor in Kibera Constituency who will be more that happy to serve their MP Raila Odinga. There is a possibility that one among the thousands of tailors who call Kibera slums their home can do a better job than Raila’s personal tailor in Abidjan. I think it will make sense if Raila and his wife give Kibera residents a chance to work.

But I cannot whip Raila too much over this. The belief that foreign made stuff and foreign services are better than Kenyan goods and services is prevalent among our leaders and financially endowed citizens. When Kibaki was involved in an accident, he took a flight to London for treatment denying Kenyan doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc a chance to make a shilling. Recently Moi took a trip to Germany for treatment after being humiliated by the UK government. Moi’s family was denied UK Visas making it impossible for him to seek treatment there.

It reminds me of the Chadian PM Pascal Yoadimnadji who recently died of a cerebral haemorrhage a Paris hospital. It is a shame that Chad had no hospital to take care of the problem forcing him to take a long flight to Paris.

What is shocking is that those selling the ‘buy made in Kenya, make Kenya rich’ launder their suits in London. Without shame, they brag about it. Some Kenyans are known to import drinking water from abroad!

The mentality that foreigners are better than Kenyans drives our government into dishing out engineering jobs to foreign nationals at the expense of their own citizens. Little known to government officials is that there are many successful Kenyan engineers abroad who would be jobless had they remained in Kenya.

I think it is time we dealt with these notions of ‘International Standards’, ‘Foreign Experts’ etc. We should build our own institution and give our people a chance to work. Mama Atieno in Raila Slum, Nairobi, Kenya will be honored to tailor clothes for Raila and Ida.

Useless talk devoid of action

Here are some excerpts from a commentary carried in the Kenyan newspapers. Please have a look and at the end it, give me a guess of the writer’s profession. Ready?

“…the national defence policy should be reviewed…,” the author says.

“… operations of units sharing the national security mandate … should be harmonised. I do not see why the units should not routinely share intelligence and equipment, and support one another in emergency operations,” the author adds.

“…the veil of mystery and secrecy surrounding procurement of security hardware should be shredded,” he continues to argue.

Last but not least, the author says, “…private security is a service many Kenyans are paying for, and there is no reason we cannot enhance it through legislation and license competent private firms to have controlled armouries so that their guards can bear arms…”

You are wrong if you thought the writer’s profession was something other than legislating. At the end of his article, the byline at the bottom of the article says, “The writer is the Eldoret North MP and an ODM-Kenya presidential hopeful.”

In the byline they should have included this: He is also a former assistant minister in the Office of the President and former Minister for Home Affairs.

William Ruto is an example of the breed of people called legislators AKA Members of Parliament. It is common for them to address the public saying this or that should be done. But by whom?

MPs are given a mandate to make laws and amend laws. They have failed miserably to do this. Instead of making laws to rectify flaws, they take the higher moral ground and point the finger at ‘the Government.’ But what is government?

The four proposals –on how to improve security- that hon. Ruto made sound genuine if only Ruto was an ordinary citizen. Hon. Ruto served as an assistant minister in the Office of the President for some time. This position placed him in a position to give proposals on how to improve the security situation of Kenya. What did he do with that position? What will he be remembered for?

Hon. Ruto now admonishes the secrecy behind the National Security budget. This secrecy didn’t start today. It has been around for a long time. The masses have talked about this black-hole for as long as Ruto has been an MP. Did Ruto move any legislation to make the tendering system open to scrutiny by public institutions?

Parliament has powers to approve or reject the executive’s budget proposal. If we went to Ruto’s voting records in parliament, we will for sure find out that Ruto never cast a single vote against the security budget that he now describes as making “little economic sense.”

Most Kenyans will agree with me that nominated MPs Dr. Julia Ojiambo and Ms Njoki Ndung’u cannot be described as noisemakers. We never hear them say this or that should be done. They instead bring in legislation to address their concerns. In 2006 alone, Dr. Ojiambo’s initiative gave us two new bills and one amendment. In this 9th parliament new comer Njoki Ndung’u gave us a bill to address the rising cases of sexual assault and abuse. It is a shame that the biggest noisemakers in the land don’t have their names attached to single bill.

It is high time we told our MPs to slow down on their rhetoric and use their mandate as MPs to make laws that address what they whine about. These MPs should first exhaust their powers as MPs before seeking presidential powers. Their use of parliamentary powers should be an aptitude for their performance as presidents.

Of eating your cake and having it too

Welcome aboard the Mosaisi Time Travel Machine. Our first stop is Saturday, Nov 17 2002. Since you are now in that day, your brain has no memory of happened between that date and today. On that day, Kibaki’s presidential campaign is heated. The masses are singing yote yawezekana na Kibaki.

You are now in Ngong attending a Narc rally being addressed by Mwai Kibaki, George Saitoti and Raila Odinga among many other Narc luminaries. Now Raila has taken the microphone. The air is rent with Tinga chants.

“Kitendawili?” Raila screams out.

“Tega!” the masses answer him.

“Nauza hewa Napata pesa?” Raila throws his riddle.

The crowd has no answer so Raila asks for mji. He then solves the riddle by screaming out, “Goldenberg!”

Raila tears into Moi and Musalia Mudavadi and accusing them of plotting and executing the Goldenberg. He is saying: "Musalia and Moi know the whole truth about Goldenberg and they should come out clean.”

"Mudavadi was the Finance minister in 1993. He first paid out the Sh5.8 billion in export compensation and then the Sh13.5 billion. I know what I am talking about. I stand for the truth and the VP (Mudavadi) and the President (Moi) should come out and prove me wrong," He adds

I bet he is ready take the bible and swear that Moi and Musalia are responsible for the Goldenberg.

Here comes Professor George Saitoti weeping like a child as he remembers how Baba na Mama wa taifa Mtukufu Rais Mzee Baba Moi used him to do evil deeds.

"Anybody who wanted to serve the nation was not given a chance to do so. A trap was always laid out for you and all the dirt and blame was heaped on you," says the Prof Saitoti.

"Unachezewa kiswahili, unatemewa mate, unawekewa mtego,” Saitoti adds.

He ends by promising to spill all the Goldenberg beans.

Photos from the Profesa Kimya Play at Kisirani 1

Now I want to speed forward our second stop; Saturday, November 26, 2006. You are in Eldoret attending yet another rally addressed by Raila Odinga among others. As usual Raila –and not the other attendees- is going to be the next day newspapers’ headlines.

“Kitendawili?” Raila is shouting.

“Tega!” the crowd answers back.

“Panya alinaswa kwa mtego nikamuokoa!” Raila asks the crowd.

Once again the crowd has no answer … mji … and the answer is … Moi!

In the usual Railaistic ‘overjustifications’ and boastful take on his actions, Raila captivates the crowd detailing his political gains and favors.

"Moi should be grateful. I organised his first meeting with Kibaki at State House. He should thank me by not attacking ODM unfairly," Raila says.

"I came to Moi’s aid when the Government wanted to take away his houses and sue him over Goldenberg during my days as the Minister for Roads," Raila adds.

As usual the crowd applauds. A great leader has spoken! The great leader did not boast of obstructing justice -to save Moi- once. That is why I am taking you to our last stop of the day; Sunday, Feb 4th 2007.

On this date you are not in a political rally. You are in a house of God that we call church. You are in this church to witness Raila swear that he overheard Kibaki promise to run for one term before handing the reigns of Kenya to the late Kijana Wamalwa. Hata Mama Rainbow alikuwa when the promise was made.

After swearing in the name of the Almighty Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; Raila went on to tell the congregation that he saved Moi’s behind –not once but thrice- so Moi owes him one.

In reference to the Kanu-NDP merger, Raila says: "Moi detained me for over eight years. But when his leadership almost sank, I joined him with my National Development Party (NDP) team and enabled him to complete his wavering final term in office."

His braggadocio doesn’t stop there. He collects credit for defending Moi in a cabinet meeting where it had been decided that Moi should face prosecution over his role in Goldenberg and that he should be ejected for public owned -official residence of the VP- Kabarnet Gardens.

"I was censured at the Cabinet meeting for fiercely defending (note that he fiercely defended) Moi but as then Minister for Public Works, I said Moi still deserved to retain his Kabarnet Gardens home," Raila says.

And the congregation answers, “Amen!”

Did you realize what Raila just did? No? Civilized people will say he used his office to obstruct justice. In Kenya it will be just another entertaining piece from a pet politician.

At the time Raila tells us he protected 'Moi's house' from the evil Mt. Kenya Government (because that is how he wants us to see it,) he was the Minister for Housing, Roads and Public works and Housing. The Kibaki administration had just taken oath of office. On their plate was an orgy of land grabs that had to be brought to a halt. A Ministerial Committee on Public Properties was formed repossess grabbed public property. It was recommended that Moi, Michuki, Biwott among others surrender government property that was allocated to them. Key to implementation of this report was Raila Odinga in his capacity of Minister for Housing, Roads and Public works. Now we know that Raila used his office to feed the Nyayo Holy Cow with fodder. Today, the time has come for Raila to milk political capital out of his Holy Cow. Like any good farmer, he is reminding his Holy Cow where the fodder came from!

As they say, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.” Since Baba Moi retained his stolen property, Michuki, Biwott et al retained their too. That epitomises what we call the war on corruption.

Now that you have taken that long trip and learned a lot (I believe), I want you to answer one simple question: On whose side is Raila playing?

My answer will be on his own side. This man who champions himself as a public watchdog is turning out to be the biggest cry baby. Or is it cry puppy? He is now spending too much of his energy detailing how he scratched the backs of Baba Moi and Mzee Kibaki and how they have refused to scratch his back in return. He even has a bible handy to swear by it.

By now you should have noticed the pattern. When sanitizing Saitoti, Raila was in Ngong trying to appeal to the Maasai. When he made his first proclamation of obstructing justice in favor of Moi, Raila was in Eldoret. He was trying to appeal to the Kalenjin. The second pronouncement on protecting Moi was made in Kericho. Same thing! He was trying to appeal to the Kalenjin.

For how long will this Sungura games go on before Raila finds himself painted into a corner? Even in the good old fables, Apwuyo the hare runs of lies and tricks. You cannot eat your cake –of sanitizing corrupt tribal chiefs- and still expect to have it –in terms of being a public watchdog. One thing has to give!

The average Chepkoech was hurt due Moi and his sons milking KCC, CBK -through Goldenberg, etc. Should Chepkoech celebrate Raila as a hero for his role in bargaining for Moi and his cabal’s freedom? Should Atieno and Moraa who were nailed on the cross due to Baba Moi’s 24 year misrule and outright looting welcome Raila’s statements with joy?

The wolves have become too bold to wear its sheep skin as a disguise. They have shed the sheep skin exposing their pelt. We are drunk with euphoria till we cannot see the wolves for what they are! We still expect them to lock up the corrupt and recover our money. In our dreams I say!

This Tribal Monster!

This is in response to http://www.publiceyesite.org/blog/?p=50 .

As political campaigns heat up, the tribal chiefs and increasing the tempo of their drums as they try to awake the tribal monster. Anything and everything that happens is given a tribal twist. The in-thing is attributing crime and government control to the Kikuyu and to a certain extent to the Meru and Embu communities.

The article published by Public Eye made many allegations without giving any evidence to support them. For example, Public Eye alleged that promotions at the Kenya Police and international scholarships distributed based ones tribe. For one to make such allegations, he must also give us his source of information lest we dismiss his allegations as wild imagination.

The allegations that law enforcement is dominated by kikuyus may have no merit considering that the Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali is not a Kikuyu. Other senior police officers at Vigilance House including Senior Deputy Commissioners Lawrence Mwadime and David Kimaiyo, have never publicly identified themselves as Kikuyu. Other officers in the rank of Deputy Police Commissioner like Joel Biomdo, Gideon Mutua, Alice Kagunda, Christine Mutua, Edward Muchori, Mary Mwangangi, etc owe their ancestry to different parts of the country. People selling tribalism will ignore all these Kenyans and only focus on John Michuki as they seek to paint him as the image of the Police.

While I don’t rule out tribalism in the police force, I must remind you that what goes on the in the force is typical of Kenya. We are brought up knowing that you need somebody who knows somebody high-up to hook you with a job or a promotion. We have a police force where applicants bribe to be recruited. Focusing on the tribal aspect of it while ignoring the fact that corruption plays a big role in Kenya’s civil service is setting on the road to Rwanda.

Another wild allegation is that the judiciary is controlled by the Kikuyu. If the author took his time and surveyed all Court Clerks, Magistrates, and Judges; I bet that he would see a shade of all colors. The ethnic composition of our judiciary doesn’t in any way mean that ours is a clean machine. It is riddled with corruption. If you investigated a court in Machakos, you will find out that the clerks and the magistrates who are giving the masses a raw deal are predominantly of Kamba ancestry. That is the same in most parts of Kenya. Martha Karua –devil or angel- is in no way the defector judge or magistrate. Using her Kikuyuness to brand the judiciary a Kikuyu outfit is simply ignoring the real problems as you chase the tribal shadow.

We all have a right to decide what aspect of our ancestry we want to identify with. This right extends to George Saitoti. Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte) the French Emperor was never born French. Napoleon went on to conquer other countries in the name of France. Your Identity is your choice. We should let Saitoti enjoy his identity as a Maasai moran as much as his half Maasai brothers John Keen and Ole Ntimama.

Once again politicians and the media have pulled the stereotype that Kikuyus are genetically thieves. Public Eye was not left behind. That is why Public Eye said: “We are not surprised how thieves arrange with insiders in bank robbery from the same community to rob the nation.”

I am yet to understand why a Kenyan should make such an outrageous statement. Of what purpose is it to our nation? If the Public Eye team interviewed violent crime victims in the Gusii Higlands, it will be found out that a majority –if not all- were attacked by fluent Ekegusii speakers. These criminals have to date killed dozens of people in cold blood. We have heard of people being killed even after handing over all their money to these murderers. I am 100% sure that the Public Eye team will be red hot if one insinuated that Kisiis are cold killers. When will be start seeing crime as crime and criminals as criminals and not Taita or Ogiek?

Crime is an equal opportunity phenomenon. Perpetuators and victims of crime are as diverse as Kenya is. Attributing crime to one community is irresponsible and prejudicial. Those seeking to milk publicity out of stereotyping others should be condemned with the contempt that they deserve.

ODM is making a big blunder by making this a Kikuyu vs. Kenya campaign. ODM will rather see Mt. Kenya Mafia than see the crime that is corruption. Why? If ODM's campaign platform was to be on corruption in Government, very few of the luminaries will have the credibility to promise us a corruption free administration.

ODM chairman Henry Kosgey will not talk about efficient running of parastatals because we know what he did to Kenya National Assurance and the 4th all African games. His friend Mutula Kilonzo will have no credible words on rule of law because we know a lot about his role in the Goldenberg among many other looting expeditions. For sure Raila Odinga will be the offside if he promised to hold the corrupt individuals accountable after saying in public that he protected Moi from prosecution and handed him the government-owned Kabarnet Gardens. That is why they will rather tell Kenyans to kick the Kikuyu out because the Kikuyu are eating alone.

We need to see beyond the tribal euphoria that our politicians are serving. Mama Mboga in Nyeri is in a no better state than Mama Mboga in Mombasa. Citizens in Funyula and not having 3 meals a day just because their own in a VP. The roads in Nyaribari haven't been transformed into Turnpikes and Autobahns just because their own is minister for roads. On the contrary, the once tarmaked Kisii Kilgoris road that traverses Nyaribari is worse than a cattle track.

The above is reason why Kenyans should be cautious of the they-are-eating-alone and it-is-our-time-to-eat notion. In deed they are eating alone. But the they is no kikuyus or Luhyas. The they is social political and economic class where the Kibakis, Nyachaes, Odingas, Kenyattas etc belong. It is this cabal that is using us as bargaining chips to guarantee them a lifetime of eating. What is in it for you and I? Absolutely nothing!

We need to turn back because we are walking down a dangerous route. Tribalism has no place in modern Kenya. Ask the Baringoans living in abject poverty as the Moi and his sons lord over them.

The reality of being Kenyan

Before reading this article, please read what the late Wahome Mutahi said when he was campaigning to be president.

I will retire to Kisumu State House to receive defectors from the Opposition in Nyando and will smile as I receive cheques for 'projects of my choice' from the defectors. I will forget conveniently that I'm receiving money from the same people I had given relief food.

Then here is something for those who missed EA Standard's Feb O2, 07 edition.

Kham captured a "Kodak moment" of what makes us Kenyans. In Kenya, Mheshimiwa knows it all. Mheshimiwa in Kenya has the same status as that of Paris Hilton or Britny Spears of the USA. Mheshimiwa is an entertainer, an advisor, … an expert in everything! What Mheshimiwa says has to be right.

I was shocked when Prof. Ayiecho Olweny, MP, told the masses that they didn't have to read the Draft Constitution because Raila had read it and found it flawed. How could he say that and be applauded, I wondered. It is not till a friend of mine told me a few days ago that he had not read the draft that it hit me. Prior to that, this friend used to argue like he knew the contents of the draft inside out.

He profoundly lectured me on the demerits of the draft. He always talked about the Imperial president it would create. He showed his fears that the draft would take away land from Kenyans and bla bla bla. So a few days ago, I challenged him to tell me if or not he had read this draft. His honest answer was NO. He happened to be one of the millions of Kenyans who feel safe to let politicians interpret issues for them.

The in thing today is "Minimum Reforms." Everybody is singing "Minimum Reforms." Ask them what they want to be reformed and you will get a shock of your life. Those who may think they have the best knowledge will tell you: "we want a free Electoral Commission and reduced presidential powers."

When you demand for specifics, they will dismiss you as a Kibaki sympathizer. That is Kenya for you!

I think we put too much faith in politicians. It is time to take charge of our destiny. In Dholuo they say, Mhesmiwa ose rundo jowa mang'eny kendo nyaka koro watang'ne. Go ask for translation.

High-noon for British Empire

Those who said the sun never set on the British Empire are right!

In 2001, Tanzania signed a single-sourced $40m contract with a British arms supplier BAE Systems (British Aerospace Limited). In this deal, BAE was to supply Tanzania with an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system to serve the country’s eight -yes only 8- military aircraft!

The ATC system in question was described by the United Nation’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as being a dated technology. The agency said that upgrading the system to meet civil aviation demands would cost Tanzanians millions of dollars. The agency further argued that Tanzania’s needs would have been met with a $5m to $7m civil aviation system.

What is interesting is that the deal was pushed by none other than UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair’s argument was that the deal was good for the UK because it would protect 250 British jobs on the Isle of Wight that were at stake! (Who gives a damn about Tanzania Wanjiku who has to go to bed on an empty stomach to make such a purchase!)

Even more interesting is the revelation by a Tanzanian middleman Sailesh Vithlani that BAE paid him $12m (30% of the contractual amount) through a Swiss bank. The payment was done through Red Diamond Trading –one of BAE’s covert offshore companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Red Diamond is the same outfit alleged to have given a Sterling pound 1M to the late Chilean dictator Pinochet.

Vithlani’s business buddy Tanil Somaiya (no relation to Ketan Somaia) collaborated the bribery allegation saying that they (Somaiya and Vithlani) were paid 1% of the contractual amount to make sure the deal was signed and awarded to Vithlani’s Merlin International.

Tanil Somaiya Left Donating bikes to Tanzanian Police

The World Bank and IMF refused to extend a loan to Tanzania for this purchase claiming that it was waste of resources. This however did not stop the deal. The UK’s Barclays Bank stepped in and finance it at interest rates that were much higher than those charged by the Bretton Woods institutions. In the end Tanzanians were left with a huge bill stemming from the UK’s quest to create less than 300 jobs for Britons.

Politicians will always be politicians. In this case, there was more to the storyline than securing 250 jobs. Did the kickback extend to individuals in the UK? Vithlani has no comment because the most likely answer is yes. The zeal by which Blair pushed for the deal suggests that money may have changed hands. This will not be the first time that an East African has dished out money to UK politicians.

Proprietor of Shivacom Tanil Somaiya (Center) presenting an award to Miss Tanzania

During the Goldenberg proceedings, we learnt of the cozy relationship Ketan Somaia has with UK politicians. We were treated to juicy stories about Pattni’s trip to the UK where he attended a Tory fundraiser. Pattni and Somaia were privileged to share a table with former Conservative Party chief and Cabinet minister Lord Cecil Parkinson at the Tory Winter Ball. Pattni didn’t fail to brag about mingling with the likes of Mark Thatcher –the arms dealing son of Margaret Thatcher.

To cap it all, we learnt that upon retirement, Lord Parkinson became the chairman of Somaia’s offshore company, Dolphin Group the mother company of the collapsed Delphis Bank. Lord Parkinson also served as Kamani’s envoy to South Africa as to promote Kamani’s controversial 25-year monopoly in the development of Mpumalanga Game Park of South Africa.

The two Tanzanians in this mess have been linked to many other corruption scandals in Tanzania’s defense contracts. These crooks continue to travel in and out of the UK as they will. The UK’s seems to have a traditional stand of protecting companies and individuals who are plundering Africa. The Pattnis, the Kamanis, the Somaias and now the Vithlanis have a safe heaven in the UK. This reminds me of the colonial era companies like the British East Africa Co. that owned East Africa and plundered it with full support of the UK.

The UK doesn’t seem to mind about corruption as long as the proceeds benefit her and her politicians. For this reason economic hitmen are treated like loyalty while relatively smalltime thieves like neo-colonial Paramount Chief Murungaru are prohibited from stepping on the English soil. After all the UK has to hoodwink us to see them as protectors and not perpetuators of corruption. What the heck! Fry one Murungaru and Africans will sing God Save the Queen.

In this setting, our leaders come out as colonial paramount chiefs who sold their people and land for a blanket and a mirror. And we say we are independent countries!

The death of Anglo Fleecing

Kiraitu Murungi has persistently said that Anglo Leasing was a scandal that never was. He has gone on to declare it dead and buried. Now Amos 'Smiley' Wako has declared Kiraitu and former Finance minister, David Mwiraria as spotless as snow. This has awakened the top anti-corruption czar John Githongo from his winter hibernation. As usual, Githongo has promised to spill all beans on the scandal and name all the politicians involved. In short, he is their scariest nightmare.

Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck... It must be a duck!

The focus on the political aspect of Anglo Leasing is what in my opinion has killed the quest for justice over the scandal. The politicians will be killed while the master puppeteers have been spared to sack Central Bank another day.

The Anglo Fleecing schemes were hatched early 2001. On 16th of August 2001, Anglo Leasing signed a hyper inflated contract worth $54.56 million to build a Forensic Lab. On the same day, Silverson Establishment signed a $90 million contract to supply security vehicles. These two contracts opened a flood gate of multi-million dollar contracts by Apex Finance (AKA Sound Day Corp), LBA Systems, Universal Satspace, First Merchantile, and Nedemar (the company that wanted to sell the Kenyan embassy in Netherlands). All these contracts were signed and paid for by Nov. 2002.

5 months after the Narc government came to power; more firms joined the gravy train. These firms included; Midland Bank, Naviga Capital, Empressa, Euromarine, Infotalent, and Ciara Systems Inc. The eating through these deals went on till January 2004.

The common denominator in the 2 parts (the Kanu and Narc parts) of the scandal is the Kamani clan. Chamanlal Kamani, his daughter Sudha Ruparell, and his sons Rashmikant (Rashmi) and Deepak have been implicated in numerous economic scandals. There was the Mahindra saga where the Kamani’s though their company Kamsons supplied substandard vehicles to the police force at hyper inflated prices.

Deepak Kamani

Rashmi Kamani

The lion’s share of the contracts in the Anglo Fleecing went to entities owned by the Kamanis. These contracts include the Anglo Leasing where Sudha Ruparell’s company Saagar Associates was the main mover; Infotalent –a company registered in India and owned by the Kamani’s Unicorn Holdings; and Apex Finance.

The Kamani’s were also involved in Anura Perera’s Navy Ship deals that were signed in the Naviga Capital, Empressa, Euromarine contracts. And who is Anura Perera? He is the man who paid President Kibaki’s hospital bill after the 2002 road accident. Perera was also involved in numerous defense contracts during the Nyayo era. The benevolent Perera is also the man who loaned Githongo senior money to buy a piece of land in Kitusuru.

It is puppeteers like these who will keep corruption alive. We have put all our focus on Kibaki must go and forgotten that Kibaki will go but the interests of the puppeteers will remain intact.

In a recent interview, Githongo said: “I feel badly let down (by Kibaki). I truly believed in Kibaki’s commitment to fight corruption. Perhaps I was naive and should have realised earlier that I was merely part of a window dressing process.”

There is yet another surprise awaiting the man the UK media is describing as an urban-raised, Western-educated, non-tribal, new generation African. Githongo is yet to find out that the UK’s commitment to assist Kenyans in fighting corruption. The clue is in the do nothing approach that the UK is giving to the issue of Kenyan citizens and UK businesses domiciled in the UK. This may be the biggest huddle in the war against corruption.

I plead with anybody with Githongo’s ear to tell him to widen his war. Going after the current politicians while ignoring politicians from the former regime is simply digging a grave for the Anglo Fleecing. Focusing on politicians while ignoring the puppets is putting the last nail on the Anglo coffin. We can only win by looking at Anglo’s past and present.

Wanjiku and the Hunter

Fables sound silly and childish but in them is hidden a lot of knowledge. Give me a chance to tell you one such a story. Ready?

Story come!

Once upon a time, The Horse and the Stag were friends living together in the wild. A quarrel arose between the two friends, so the Horse went to a hunter to ask his help to take revenge on the Stag.

The Hunter agreed, but said: “If you desire to conquer the Stag, you must permit me to place this piece of iron between your jaws, so that I may guide you with these reins, and allow this saddle to be placed upon your back so that I may keep steady upon you as we follow after the enemy.”

The Horse agreed to the conditions, and the Hunter soon saddled and bridled him. Then with the aid of the Hunter the Horse soon overcame the Stag, and said to the Hunter: “Now, get off, and remove those things from my mouth and back.”

“Not so fast, friend,” said the Hunter. “I have now got you under bit and spur, and prefer to keep you as you are at present.”

The moral of the story is that you shouldn’t let people misuse you even when their mission sounds noble. But how many times do we let politicians misuse us?

Back in 2002, we had a quarrel with Kanu and Moi. We enlisted the services of Kanu hawks that had transfigured themselves into Narc. We knew that Saitoti, Gumo, Ntimama, Ruto etc were up to no good but we had a mission. They put us under under bit and spur. They placed the saddle on our backs. We conquered Kanu!

Tingisha!

Just when we though the enemy was vanquished, the new liberators hiked their pay and jumped into bed with the likes of Kamani and Pattni. The Anglo Leasing project that was set up by Kanu was inherited by Narc. These politicians went on to protect Moi and his cronies from prosecution. It was the same old Kanu minus Moi.

Now we have the same hunters in a new party they call ODM-Kenya. They are promising to help us vanquish Kibaki and his cronies. They are back in bed with the same old Kanu hit-men. Will they be our solution?

The Straw Man called Government

It is often gratifying to blame the monster called Central Government for every little misfortune that befalls our locality. It is common to hear people say, “Nairobi is stifling development of our area because we are not from the president’s tribe.” Some of those making such claims are MPs who sit in Nairobi and are part of the central government.

A close look at allocation of funds will show that Local Government and constituencies get a piece of the pie. This piece often ends up being privatized. Our local leaders will then point fingers to Nairobi when asked why services are not being rendered.

Districts, Local Authorities (LA), and constituencies receive money directly from the central government. The LAs receive budgetary support from the central government in form of Local Authorities Transfer Funds (LATF). 5% of the total income tax collected by the central government is allocated in this fund. 7% of this is shared equally among 175 Local Authorities while the remainder is distributed in consideration of population and other economic indicators. The central government and Kenya Local Government Reform Program’s secretariat –where Local Authorities have representatives- come up with the formula of distribution. More often than not, LAs do not account for these funds.
http://www.localgovernment.go.ke/LATF%20Alloc%20Since%20FY%2099-00%20to%20FY%202005-2006.xls

In addition, Local Authorities collect local taxes, duty for trading permits, parking fees, and collect levies for delivery of services. It is shocking to note that most LAs owe their employees several months of worth of salaries in arrears.

Citizens -through a mandate given by Local Service Delivery Action Plan (LASDAP)- are supposed to question how their moneys are being spent. They are supposed to participate in planning for development projects and evaluating if they met their expectations. We are also given a constitutional mandate to elect and fire councilors should we feel that we are being taxed without fair representation. It is a shame that we keep on electing empty heads as our councilors. Most of these councilors –if not all- don’t know what their duty is. That tells you a lot about the electorate.

There also exists a Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF). 16% of this fund goes to districts to maintain rural roads. MPs, Councilors and other opinion leaders sit in committees that share these funds among all constituencies in respective districts. So in any given year, every constituency gets a part of the RMLF. The monies end up in people’s pockets.

Constituencies receive money from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The fund shares 2.5% of our ordinary national revenue among 210 constituencies. This financial year, sh 5 billion was allocated to the fund. The CDF is intended to go into the development of capital projects in respective constituencies. More often than not, MPs’ cronies and their spouses manage the fund. A majority of MPs cannot account for this fund.

Tea farmers are surcharged a 1% Tea Cess. According to the Kenya Tea Board statistics, Kenya exported tea worth US $567.42 million in 2005. 1% of that amount went into the Tea Cess. 80% of the tea cess goes into road building and maintenance. The fund is distributed to every tea factory. It is a shame that most of the money if not all ends up in people’s pockets.

In my home (Mokomoni in N. Mogirango/Borabu Constituency) we have a number of tea factories; we receive the CDF, LATF, and RMLF. One would expect to the constituency to have average roads but this is not the case. The Nyaramba-Mokomoni road –which borders the Sang’anyi Tea Factory and a stone throw away from the area MP’s shop and residence- is a total mess. Right outside Sang’anyi factory there are deep gullies in the road from years of soil erosion. Even the huge trucks –popularly known as Toriti- that ferry tea find it rough navigating through these canyons. So what went wrong?

We pride ourselves as democratic citizens in a democratic country. What we have is a “once-in-five-years-democracy” where were trade our votes for money or we vote along tribal lines. Our local leaders have successfully created a straw man called central government to whom they attribute all our tribulations. This way they have succeeded in looting with impunity.

Steadman Polls

There has been a heated debate on the accuracy of Steadman Polls. Those who feel cheated are rubbishing it as poll financed by Colonialists and the Kibaki administration. Critics of the polls are not questioning the methodology used to conduct the polls. Their beef is that the results don’t make sense to them because they believe their candidate should be the next president.

These individuals use a classical fallacy of composition to validate their opinion. Sample this:

“Kenyans reported approval of Kibaki’s record is suspect. Have they forgotten his unfulfilled pledges, corruption, Arturs’ saga and the killing of civilians by police? Or what is Steadman up to?” http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143963304&date=4/1/2007

Miguna’s argument proclaims that if Kenyans are angry about the things he listed, then they must disapprove Kibaki with a vote of 100%. He also assumes that if he disapproves Kibaki because of the reasons he listed then all Kenyans must disapprove him on those grounds.

Miguna argues: “Take, for instance, the reported results of how Kenyans view their political parties. The first error the Steadman poll committed was to attempt to compare Narc, which is a coalition of more than ten political parties (including LDP), with LDP … if this question was to be considered valid, then people’s views should also have been sought of Narc versus DP; Narc versus Ford Kenya; Narc versus Ford People; Narc versus Safina; Narc versus Sisi kwa Sisi; Narc versus Kanu.” http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/print/news.php?articleid=33993

One point that Miguna ignores is that LDP does not count itself as part of Narc. LDP has been presenting herself as an opponent of Narc. I bet Miguna will be throwing a tantrum if LDP was not presented for polling.

Miguna goes on to say: “But there is something even more shocking in the Steadman poll claim that needs to be exposed. The most favoured presidential candidate is Kalonzo Musyoka of the LDP with about 35 percent. This is not unreasonable when we consider the popularity of LDP and ODM. What is shocking and completely unbelievable is the claim that one of the most recognised and leading lights in the LDP and ODM, Raila Odinga, did not even qualify to be polled.”

In that (Dec 2005) poll, Kalonzo Musyoka was in first place with a 35% vote. We should remember that Kalonzo had been selling himself a presidential material while Raila preferred to be considered for Premiership. It is only recently that Raila declared his interest in presidency. That Kalonzo beats Raila –the most vocal LDP chief hawk- should not be shocking. It is possible for somebody like Balala to beat Otieno Kajwang’ in a popularity contest.

In my opinion, Kalonzo is a more popular presidential candidate as compared to Raila because of the image Kalonzo has created. Kalonzo presents himself as a cool, diplomatic, intelligent, honest, and loyal guy. This is in contrast to Raila’s self created image of a forceful, cunning, coup loving, violent, and arrogant guy. When you complement this with what others think about him the result is a disaster.

A glimpse of past Steadman polls

Referendum
Steadman’s prediction
No – 42
Yes – 32
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=30953&date=22/10/2005

Results from real polls
No – 57
Yes - 43
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=32609
Note the difference in both results?

December 20006
Kibaki – 42%
Kalonzo – 20%
Raila – 14%
Uhuru – 5%
Ruto – 3%
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143962882

July 2006
Kibaki – 30%
Kalonzo – 27%
Raila – 14%
Uhuru – 13%
Ruto – 5%

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143955691&date=22/07/2006

March 2006
Kalonzo – 34%
Kibaki – 24%
Uhuru – 22%
Raila – 11%
Ruto – 4%
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=38826&date=1/4/2006

December 2005
Kalonzo – 35%
Kibaki – 26%
Uhuru – 17%
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=33956&date=21/12/2005

June 2005
Presidential elections
Kalonzo – 29%
Uhuru – 29%
Kibaki – 15%

Premiership
Raila - 35%
Kalonzo – 11%
Ngilu – 11%
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=22565&date=11/06/2005


July 2004
Uhuru – 27%
Kibaki – 24%
Kalonzo – 18%
Raila – 4%
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/july/sat10072004/headlines/news09070420.htm

Double faced liberators 2.0

The wise said, Uzuri wa mkakasi ndani kipande cha mti (Underneath that ornate jewelry box is a piece of wood.) This cannot be far from the truth in the case of Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. The man looks good; his hair always well kempt; always in nice suits; speaks like an angel; and above all professes to be saved by the blood of none other than Jesus Christ Himself. That was the image until Sarah Elderkin made an attempt to find out what lay beneath that flashy humble man.

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/sunday/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143963001&date=24/12/2006

Kalonzo Musyoka and Rev. Gilbert Deya

From what we know now, the holy man is not the saint he professes to be. He is a common criminal who has been saved by political connections. Just like the rest of our so-called leaders, Kalonzo has taken shelter under his tribe. Any attempts to make him face justice are always met by “our tribe-is-being-finished”. He survives to eat another day.

The holy man from Mwingi North inflates his mileage claims just like he has inflated his image. This man of God took the Summon on the Mountain (where Jesus fed a multitude with 2 fish and five loaves) into his own hands. In one month, Kalonzo cooked his mileage reimbursement claims to a tune of sh 559,000 above what he was justified to get! God must have really worked on Kalonzo’s odometer and trip setter.

What people do for political mileage!

.

Kalonzo did not fail to see his detractors’ hands when he was asked to pay back the money. “I think this is a witch-hunt. They have looked for skeletons in our cupboards but they have failed to find any. We have to call that bluff and that’s what I have just done,” Kalonzo said.
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=17239&date=6/4/2005

I think these so called liberators have hijacked our quest for a better Kenya and used it to sanitize their pasts. When they are caught with their hands in the cookie jar they will invoke the name of holy Wanjiku.

Double faced liberators 1.0

"I came to Moi’s aid when the Government wanted to take away his houses and sue him over Goldenberg during my days as the Minister for Roads."

Those are the words of a Raila Amolo Odinga. Yes the man who promises us that he will make sure that no stone will be left unturned until all the corrupt people are brought to book should he become Kenya's 4th president. Here he is telling us that he used his position as Minister for Public Works, Roads and Housing to protect Moi’s House! He is also proud to tell us that he protected Baba Moi from facing prosecution over GOLDENBERG! Looks like we have a new definition of corruption!
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/sunday/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143961640&date=26/11/2006

Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and George Saitoti pledging loyalty to

Mzee Baba na Mama wa Taifa, Mtukufu Rais Daniel Arap Moi.

We all know about Moi’s role in the Goldenberg; but what is this house that Raila is talking about?

The Kabarnet Gardens of course.

Raila Odinga knows more about the so-called Kabarnet Gardens because his family resided in it from 1963 to 1966. Raila is therefore in a position to know who the real owner of Kabarnet House is.

Kabarnet House was constructed in the 1940s to be the resident of the colonial deputy Governor. After independence, the house became home to Oginga Odinga –Kenya’s first Vice-President. Oginga was forced to resign terminating his tenancy at the residence. When Moi was appointed VP, he immediately moved into the house and continued to maintain it as his residence even when he was president. In the 80s, the Government built a new house on the property. The old building was maintained for it sentimental value.

In 2003 Kibaki took over from Moi with a promise to rectify past errors. Kibaki set up the Ministerial Committee on Public Properties. This committee’s work was to recover all government property that was grabbed and dished out to Kanu hawks. KICC and Kabarnet Gardens were top on the list.

Raila Odinga’s Minister for Public Works, Roads and Housing was to implement recommendations by public properties committee. Raila went of a frenzy of destroying kiosks that were located on road reserves. May buildings were condemned and bulldozers sent in. People who had bought such properties believing that they were legitimate were shocked to be chased like common criminals.

Now we know that as the small fries like Wanjiku were being rendered homeless, the big fish like Moi were given VIP treatment. The same people who cut deals to frustrate the war on corruption are now claiming that the government is not doing enough. It is this kind of hypocrisy that has created a systemic impunity where to fat cats cut deals with each other and get away with murder.

Raila Odinga in a photo op with a building under demolition

Here is what our children thought of the demolitions http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/ynation/current/story290220042.htm

As we sip the euphoria being served by ODM, let us do it with caution. These goons are pretending to be pro democracy, pro-justice and anti-corruption but their actions are no different from those of their friends in Narc. The culture of Ngo slow (as Githongo paraphrased Kiraitu) is here to stay as long as we keep on recyling the same faces who owe favors to each other.

They say actions speak louder than words. In this case Raila’s action of protecting corruption tells us a lot about his words that he will fight corruption. Be cautious with this breed of demagogues. They are out to protect their own interests and not yours.

Mosaisi

Kibera: Can clean guys please stand up!

Let me open by saying that I do not subscribe to Ndura Waruinge and his Mungiki doctrine. Ndura Waruinge is a cold murderer should be in jail. My opinion on what happened in Kibera should therefore not be taken or be used to support Mungiki’s cause –if at all they nave one.

Before I go on, I will like to point out that in a democracy, even the devil has a right to be heard. In any civilized country, the police are given an obligation to be custodians of the law and to enforce the law. Taking the law in ones hands is deemed illegal.

In Kenya we have such a police force. Its members are recruited from almost all ethnic groups of Kenya. I have never seen a Mr. Singh in police uniform. But I have also never met a Mr. Singh complaining that the force refused to hire him. We can however say that our police force is pretty much a picture of Kenya even though we have never met Singhs, Smiths, and Patels donning the blue outfit. I therefore will not be wrong if I said that ours is not a Kikuyu police force but a Kenyan one.

In the recent past, we have seen policemen engage the public in cat and mouse games. Some of these police actions were justified while others were a total abuse of power. We have seen some political interference in the way police conducts its operations.

When the police go into these operations, probability dictates that there will be a Mogaka, Atieno, Kiprotich, Wanjiru, Mohamed, Nafula, etc involved. I have never heard of a scenario where senior police officers only enlisted the services of Kamau, Maina and Njoki. It ridiculous when politicians come out a present it as though the police force is Kikuyu.

But what happened in Kibera?

If you are an Agwambonista you will say this was a clear case of a Kikuyu police force out to finish the Luos. You will go on to defend your fellow Agwambonistas claiming that they were justified to stone both Mungiki and the Kikuyu police force. In your opinion Ndura Waruinge is a criminal who should not address any meeting in Kibera.

If you are the Mungiki chief you will say: "I am going to stop at nothing until I make sure I express my feelings. I was peaceful until provoked and now I want to let Raila know that fire shall be returned with fire and I will make sure that I stop all the ODM rallies that will take place in Nairobi until I am given a chance to hold my rally."

Now let us look at what really happened.

The East African Standard says:

Waruinge had earlier called off his planned rally after police barred him from accessing the Laini Saba venue of his meeting.

Police were almost overwhelmed by chaos when at one time the rioting youth set upon a passing goods train with rocks, injuring the driver and forcing the train to come to a halt. The rain driver suffered a deep cut on the head.

At Gatwikira, which was the centre of the skirmishes, a police bullet ripped the skull of a young man whose body was left lying on the railway line.

As the two equipment trucks were escorted out of the venue sandwiched between a police van and a lorry load of armed police, some youths started pelting the vehicles with stones shattering their windscreens.

… the irate mob surged menacingly towards the trucks threatening to burn them down.
This prompted the police to lob tear gas canisters to repulse them, which triggered the bloody encounter that lasted for more than four hours.
One officer at the scene claimed some youth had guns and fired at police, forcing them to retaliate by firing at them.

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143962682&date=18/12/2006



The Nation Says:



Trouble started at around 8am at an open ground at the Laini Saba area, the venue of the planned rally. A gang opposed to the rally had stormed the ground, forcing tho
Even with police presence at the grounds, people who were suspected to have supported the rally were beaten with sticks and clubs. se who had gathered to flee.
An attempt to set the company's (Nairobi Projectors Services) vehicles on fire was thwarted by police. However, the driver escaped narrowly after the vehicle's windscreen was shattered by a stone.



Nairobi police boss Njue Njagi said the two were shot in the head and stomach, adding that some of the protesters had firearms.
At one point, the Nation spotted a man in the crowd firing at a group of police officers, forcing them to take cover


The Kenya Times says:

The deaths and bloodshed had begun when Waruinge and his convoy snaked into the venue of the rally but police stopped him from addressing the rally at Darajani, using teargas canisters to disperse the crowd that had gathered.

Youths from Katwekera area, and allegedly allied to area MP Raila Odinga, are said to have attempted to burn two vehicles in Waruinge’s convoy that were mounted with public address systems.
http://www.timesnews.co.ke/18dec06/nwsstory/topstry.html


What is common in all these papers is that chaos broke out. Hoodlums allied to Raila fought with hoodlums allied to Waruinge. Some people in the crowd had guns and fired at the police. I find it demagoguery at its best for Raila to come out and claim that his supporters were by-standers. Raila’s fanatical supporters have never been by-standers when it comes to violence. They thrive on it and live for it. It looks like Ndura was exploiting this aspect of Raila supporters. May be that is why Waruinge said that he was testing waters?

Demonsrators displaying a snake they had killed

Raila fanatic are known to suppress anybody with views that have not been approved by Raila. Many have fallen victim to Raila sanctioned violence. At one time or another, Anyang’ Nyong’o, Raphael Tuju, James Orengo and Shem Ochuodho have been forced to run for their lives. In all these cases Raila and Tingamanics run to claim that they were victimized.



Today it is the same story again. Railamaniacs are claiming that the Kibera killing are a systematic genocide against the Luo people. They point out to the 69 event where Kenyatta’s security men opened fire on the crowd in response to stones that were thrown at him. They also point out the recent referendum chaos in Kisumu.

Gor Sunguh with a bag of money. Such funds are used to oorganize youth groups at the grassroots.

Tingalettes claim that Tuju forced his way into Kisumu even though he knew there was to be trouble. In their opinion Tuju should have stayed away because Kisumu was a declared Orange zone where Raila had read the constitution and found it flawed and so the masses were not supposed to hear the other side of the story. I call this Odinga democracy. In this democracy only the Odingas and their errand boys (sorry for this gender bias. It is because I have never met a Railamaniac woman.) should speak.

In the Kisumu fracas, the press carried stories and pictures showing that Tinga maniacs had blocked the roads; stones cars and private property; attacked police stations; and even snatched a pistol from an injured cop. They were bold enough to pose for TV and print media cameras displaying their spoils of war. They expected to get away with it because theirs was a noble mission to stop Tuju from contaminating the masses.

Kisumu Polytechnic students display a pistol allegedly used to shoot one of their colleagues during a Yes campaign rally held at Moi Stadium at the weekend.

Okoth Osewe –a prominent pro-democracy activist- went online with a rant that blamed Tuju for provoking the people of Kisumu.

Osewe happened to be one of many prominent “democracy activists” to come out and condemn Tuju for tying to address a meeting in Kisumu. Osewe and his group said, “To protect four corrupt Ministers and a handful of sycophantic Assistant Ministers who were flown into the city in a chattered plane from Nairobi to address a near empty stadium, 3,000 armed policemen in full riot gear were mobilized to Kisumu. They were backed by several blood thirsty hika hika Para-military General Service Unit (GSU) officially trained to rape, humiliate, cripple, disable, scare, terrorize, maim and kill their targets using machine guns, batons and open hands.”

Tuju answered these Raila fanatics saying: "If what I stand for is so unpopular, why can't they let me address my two or three people? If they are so popular, why attempt to stop the rally?"

No Tuju. These hoodlums own democracy. They decide who should speak and when. Democracy happens to be anything that favors their god. They are quick to glorify violence as long as it is them who are dishing it.

Before that dreadful day in Kisumu, Tuju had been chased by Raila hoodlums like a chicken that is supposed to become a meal. Tuju was even prevented from addressing his constituents as Raila hoodlums unleashed terror. Around that same time, Khalwale’s vehicle was set on fire as Orange hoodlums unleashed terror. WHERE WERE THESE SO-CALLED DEMOCRATS? Not a single one of them came out to condemn

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=31149&date=26/10/2005

Raphael Tuju takes shelter after he was attacked in Rarieda

Kenyans have to address this issue of political. All the players in this game have blood on their hand. They have set brother against brother as they fight to control their tuff. We are only but foot soldiers who protect our political gods’ privilege to eat. Raila is as guilty has Waruinge. It is hypocritical of him to blame it wholesome on Waruinge when it is evident that he had a hand in the violence. How long will the poor continue to receive sh.100 in exchange of putting their lives on the line for the gods?

Kibaki -and not the Kikuyu- is doing the eating

It sure is a blessing to be born a Gema. As Cheruiyot puts it, "It is hard to succeed today in Kenya unless you are a Kikuyu." Being born Kikuyu means you don't have to chew food and you may not need to swallow it. You simply demand that it be digested by others then pumped into your blood. http://www.timesnews.co.ke/05dec06/insight/ins4.html

If you are a Kikuyu businessman you should not stock your shop. All you need to do is open your doors in the morning and be driven back to your house a rich man.

If you are a Kikuyu and you live in the slums, you are wasting your life. Haven't you realized that you are born with a Midas touch!! In addition they give you a magical lamp with a Jini who has endless offers to grant your wishes.

How soon has Cheruiyot forgotten that the same was said about Kalenjins. It is hardly 5 years since the Kalenjins' time to eat expired!

Tribalism in Kenya is a reality. But claiming that the Kikuyus, Merus and Embus met hand hatched a plot to dominate other Kenyans is simply taking it too far. In my opinion, it is classism and political dynasties that rule the country. The notions of "it is our time to eat" and "they have been eating for a long time" is a creation of politicians as they seek to keep their tribesmen in lumps. During the Nyayo era, a common man in Nyanza may have been better of than his brother from Baringo.

The MoU

I find it silly when Kenyans come out to defend the interests of politicians in the rubbished MoU. To them, the MoU was a pact between Kibaki and the people of Kenya. The reality is the MoU was between Kibaki and other politicians on how they were to share the spoils of war. Wanjiku did not feature in that document. Politicians are now using it to pull their tribesmen's heartstrings by telling them the evil Kikuyu stole the PM post and 50% of political appointments from them.

It is our assumption that had Raila been made a PM, Kenya will be a mini-heaven. That is not the case. Raila will have taken care of his own interests first, then the interests of his campaign donors, then the interests of his close friends. Your interests do not feature in his grand plan. That Kibaki denied him a job should be the least of Wanjiku's worries.

A majority of the politicians who claim that they were short changed are MPs. Ask them how they have used their powers in Bunge and you will risk losing your neck. Their record in Bunge stinks. They are professional politicians who rant 24/7 and do nothing to rectify the mistakes they rant about.

Wanjiku has more to ask from Kibaki and his ministers than the selfish MoU that he rubbished. Corruption is still rampant, the security situation is not getting any better, and our healthcare system is still in ICU etc. Why then should we rush to the rescue of politicians! Have they ever come to our rescue? Show me one politician who stood against the obscene tax free pay hikes they gave themselves and I will show you a man or woman who is on the side of Wanjiku.

The Constitution

Cheruiyot brings up the issue of the constitution and uses it show that Kikuyus are tribalist who are out to dominate on other Kenyans. He says that the constitution was pro-Kikuyu and that Kikuyu voted with their legs in the referendum.

The truth is 45% of Kenyans voted YES and 55% Voted NO. A close analysis will show you that in areas dominated by Luos, the vote was close to 100% NO. In Kikuyu dominated areas the vote was close to 100% YES. Therefore the Luo and Kikuyu dominated areas voted overwhelmingly for the No and Yes sides respectively. They were way off when you pit them against the national average. Why then is it in order for him to point out that Kikuyus were motivated by tribalism and not the Luo? Does he know that Prof. Olweny went around Luo Nyanza telling citizens not to read the constitution because Raila has read it and found it to be defective?

The fallacy of 2002 unification of Kenya

Voting along tribal blocks is and has been part of culture for a long time. Some people who want to stir balkanization of Kenyans are telling us that in 2002 Kenyans threw tribal blocks out of the window and joined to vote for a Kikuyu. They go on to tell us that the Kikuyus are now eating by themselves. This is a fallacy.

If indeed it is true that Kenyans -especially Luos- saw Kibaki in 2002 and just voted then it is only logical to have even 5% of Luos still supporting Kibaki. This is not the case.

What happened in 2002 was the same old tribal blocks thing. Tribal chiefs came together and hammered out a MoU. The MoU shared out big seats and created new seats. The tribal chiefs then went to their tribal base and told their followers that they will be made something should they vote for Kibaki. And it was done.

The same trick is now being played out. All parties are shopping for tribal chiefs as they try to create new coalitions. We have seen new tribal chiefs being created the latest being Ruto who was crowned the Kalenjin Elder. We saw Raila try to woo Ngilu and Kombo. The Kikuyu and Luo Ker are holding talks on how to bring Kikuyus into ODM. In Narc, Kibaki is offering carrots as he seeks to pocket tribal chiefs. The winner of the next election will not be the best leader for Kenya but a person who beats the rest in tribal math.

It is time we stopped our stupidity and practiced politics that is guided by interests as opposed to "it is our time to eat." We should realize that it is the rich and the well connected who are eating and not the Kikuyu. Kamani, Patni etc are neither Kikuyu nor Kalenjin but they ate before ordinary Kiprotich and Njoroge did.

It is stupid to assume that Kisiis abroad were shipped there by Nyachae and those in Kenya who own Matatus were given the Matatus by Nyachae. It is stupid to say that Kalenjins are thick by nature and only got admissions to the university through Moi. It is even stupider (sic) to think that you will have a chance to eat when your tribal chief ascends to power.

10 lies often spread about Raila Odinga

I found Makokha’s commentary on the Nation to be kind of sarcastic. Some people have taken his commentary as the truth and are using them as evidence of Raila’s nobility. I went over Makokha’s sarcasm and made it clearer for those who may have missed it.

http://nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=86879

Story by KWAMCHETSI MAKOKHA

Publication Date: 12/4/2006

On Saturday, Lang'ata MP Raila Odinga received the world-famous Africa Link Solidarity Award for Champions of Democracy alongside Ghanaian President John Kufuor. This award, which is so coveted, should silence all those people who have been spreading malicious falsehoods about Mr Odinga.

That Mr Odinga shared this award with the Ghanaian President only demonstrates that he is president material. Yet, people continue to spread lies about him. But the labels the detractors pin on him cannot stand scrutiny. Here are 10 common examples.

HE IS HUNGRY FOR POWER: Mr Odinga does not eat power. However hungry he might be, he has no use for power. He gave away power to Candidate Mwai Kibaki on a silver platter in 2002 when Kenyans were begging him to take the presidency himself. He campaigned tirelessly as if he was going to occupy State House, and then said, “Mwai. You are my friend. Take this thing because you have waited long enough for it.”

Raila Odinga did not give away power to Kibaki. If indeed Raila owned power and was the distributor of the same, today Raila would be our president. Raila has been trying to be president since 1980. It is a fact that in 2002 Raila was fixed by Moi when Moi opted to go with Uhuru instead of Raila. Raila’s options were:

• Remain in Kanu Make a solo bid for presidency


• Join the opposition unity where Kibaki was the top dog


• Join Simion Nyachae who did not have the tribal math correct
  

Raila is smart so he went for option 2. Using that option, he signed a MoU with Kibaki where Kibaki was to be president then change the constitution in 100 days to make him the PM. Kibaki failed to do this and the war began.

Hunger for power in politics is part of the game. It is not illegal for politicians to have ambitions for bigger things. In our various professions we strive to reach the highest possible position. Raila and his supporters should not pretend that Raila has no ambitions because we can all see them.

Raila’s mission in Kanu was not to destroy Kanu from within as he claims. He is simply twisting history to fit his ambitions. If we went back to the headline of the day, we will see that Raila totally fell for Moi’s trap. Raila believed that Moi was to first make him VP –a position that Moi left vacant after 1997 elections- then hand him Kanu flagship. When Raila-Moi relationship gained steam, Moi went ahead and appointed Saitoti VP instead of Raila. Saitoti-Raila wars began. Raila sponsored a vote of no confidence and sued Saitoti over the Goldenberg. These were moves to force Moi to sack Saitoti. He failed. Moi went on to promise Raila a bigger post – PM. A new MoU was made that would have guaranteed Raila a PM position. http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/25122000/News/News32.html

A "warm" hand-shake from Moi

Shortly before Moi made the KANU iko na wenyewe comment, Raila ran to the streets of Kisumu pleading with his followers to give moi a warm welcome because jaduong' en ema engi nyako mawadwaro (the oldman is the one with the girl we are courting)". http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/03082002/News/News103.html

That is how bad Raila Odinga wanted Moi to make him Kanu's presidential candidate.

Moi appointed Raila to the Parliamentary Select Committee. The PSC was an outfit that was crafted to stifle Wanjikus wishes in the constitution review. People allied to Ufungamano and Mageuzi were clobbered by Kanu-NDP goons. In one instance Raila issued a direct order for Mageuzi members to be stoned should they step in Luo Nyanza. Raila’s zeal in Kanu was not that of a man who was out to destroy Kanu from inside but of a man who expected to use Kanu as a vehicle to statehouse.
http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/19122000/News/News42.html

HE IS A TRIBALIST: Mr Odinga’s enemies like to paint him as a Luo leader to reduce his stature as nationalist. Yet, he has never sought to be a leader of Nyanza Province where he was born and where the Luo live. Since he first entered parliamentary politics in 1992, Mr Odinga has been elected time and time again in Lang’ata, a cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic Nairobi constituency occupied by the poorest of the poor. If the people in Nyanza believe he is a spirit and want to follow him, how can he be blamed for that?

Representing a cosmopolitan or rural constituency does not make one a tribalists. What makes tribalists is their actions. Yes Raila is an MP of a cosmopolitan constituency but his nationalism is questionable.

Raila knows what his power base is. That is why he said:

"I am not ready to contest and be defeated. If you do not register in large numbers I will not run for the top seat," Raila said in Kano, Kisumu.

"I want to go to war when I am sure I have a strong army. The army is you and the arsenals are voter and identification cards. And when I order you to fire, you cast the vote." Raila said during a funeral for Mzee Ernest Awuonda Ouya, a Luo Council of Elders official.

"We must vote better than our rivals next time. In Nyanza, the voter turnout was 56 per cent during the November referendum and in Central it was 63 per cent. How will I win if you fail to vote in large numbers?" he asked.

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143951785&date=30/4/2006

Whenever Raila celebrates any major accomplishments, he does not invite the people of Lang’ata. Raila travels more than 300 KM to celebrate with the people of Nyanza. A good example is when Moi elevated Raila to a cabinet position. Raila was escorted to Kisumu with a flock of government choppers in what is described as “coming home like a president.” http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/18062001/News/News35.html

Raila’s homecoming after the 2002 elections was in Bondo and not Langatta. It is the people of Nyanza who benefited from Raila’s bulls and maize bags in the celebration over referendum victory.

Raila is smatter than Ntimama and the rest of the tribal chiefs. Raila has errand boys who he uses to send his tribal messages. That is how you get one Ojodeh saying, “But I would like to ask Tuju (a sell out) to eat quietly from the enemies (the kikuyu) and leave Raila alone or else a political tsunami will sweep him along the way during the 2007 General Election.”

In the Mafia, the Capo de Capo does not have to involve himself in killings and money laundering. Raila's swingmen do all the work. In public, the Capo comes out as an innocent man who has never hut a fly. Raila has Kajwang, Ojodeh, Prof. Ayiecho Olweny and others. They do the trash talking while Raila avoid the topic but collects the political capital. http://www.timesnews.co.ke/02jan06/nwsstory/news3.html

Raila has always used the Ker (Luo Council of elders) to foster his political aspirations. In the recent times we have seen Raila use the Ker to meet with Kikuyu elders in the bid to unify the 2 tribes (as if these peoples are enemies). Raila has prides himself with consulting the Ker before making any moves http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/15052000/News/News27.html

Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga and Luo elder Riaga Ogallo

The use of Kerr as Raila’s personal property has been protested by a number of people. The Ker has always been on Raila’s side on every issue. The Council has also been partisan. One may think it is a NDP/LDP/Kanu and now ODM geriatric wing. It is strange because as an organ that represents Luos of different party affiliations it is supposed to be non partisan. Audi Ogada called on the dissolution of Ker saying, “The council should not be seen to be fronting for leaders of a particular political party but should encompass the whole community, irrespective of the parties they belong to.”
http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/230299/News/WE5.html

Raila believes that Kenyans should be balkanized into tribal fiefdoms for easy exploitation. Raila (a crowned Luo elder) is always present when other tribal elders are being crowned. The latest coronation was that of William Ruto –the latest Kalenjin elder on the block. Political tribal eldership is one thing that is hurting our nation. I don’t think any statesman should endorse this system. http://www.timesnews.co.ke/04jun06/nwsstory/news1.html

Above all Raila thinks that he owns Luo Nyanza MPs. He is known to force his cronies -like Otieno Kajwang' - down our throats. Raila is found of issuing statemements like: "These MPs of mine should be supported and not fought, if I have to win this war." This is a show that his interests in Nyanza (exploiting the masses for political survival) take prominace over development. It is for this reason why progressive voices like James Orengo, Shem Ochuodho, Raphael Tuju etc are fought using any available means.


HE HATES DEVELOPMENT: Mr Odinga’s detractors point to the poverty in Nyanza, the declining education standards, and then blame it all on him. This is a bit rich because those areas have their own leaders. His job is to represent the interests of Lang’ata people, and then Nairobi, and lastly Kenya. What more do his enemies want?

Raila does not hate development. Raila loves development when it concerns his family. Like Moi, Raila believes in the politics of Kaeni vile mlivyo. People who are poor and ignorant are the best voters. As a powerful MP and a former minister, Raila has nothing to show in terms of development. The flying toilets problem persists in Kibera persists even with the availability of the CDF. I have never seen or heard Raila advocate for his constituents. Raila is safe if his constituents continue languishing in poverty.

When the government wanted to improve the security situation in Kibera, Raila led a mob of goons who destroyed a police post. He said the people of Kibera did not need police protection. It was interesting to see Raila claim to champion security rights of the Mathare residents claiming the government was not deploying enough policemen. These are signs of a populist leader. Photo
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=37245&date=2/3/2006

HE DESTROYS PARTIES: Look, when the National Development Party was a paper organisation, who turned it into a roaring tractor? When Kanu had lost credibility, who is it that walked in to give it credibility? It was Mr Odinga championing the Kanu-NDP merger. When the Liberal Democratic Party was a briefcase outfit, who gave it a new lease of life?

Raila does not destroy parties. Raila is a party. In Kenya we don’t have parties but personalities. When there personalities defect from a party, it ends up dead.

HE IS DRIVEN BY REVENGE: Despite being detained for eight years, six of them in solitary confinement, Mr Odinga has never harboured feelings of revenge against Mr Daniel arap Moi. He was betrayed by Mr Moi after the NDP merger, but he has never exacted revenge. He was betrayed by Mr Kibaki over the prime minister’s job, but he has never wanted revenge.

Raila believes that if he cannot have things his own way then nobody else should. He will rather team up with his past enemies than let his recent enemy have a better deal. Back in the day when Raila was in Ford Kenya, he locked horns with Wamalwa over the leadership of the party. Raila was beaten in the elections. Since Raila does not believe in being led, he walked out and joined NDP.
http://www.nationaudio.com/elections/moisuccession/Wamalwa/story2.htm

Later on, Raila joined Kanu where he was promised the big seat. Moi helped him rig Kasarani I where he was selected to be the Kanu Secretary General. He hailed the undemocratic elections as being free and fair. When Moi used the same wembe in Kasarani II against Raila, Raila walked out and called Uhuru Moi’s proxy. Retribution for Kasarani II is what Raila claims drove him to Kibaki –his archenemy.

Raila was again driven by vengeance to walk out of Kibaki after the later refused to make him PM. Today Raila is back in bed with Kanu and Uhuru not because he loves them but because they have the means to help him payback to Kibaki. Raila and his supporters never fail to point out that they will teach Kibaki a lesson for refusing to make Raila a PM. The zeal driving Raila and his supporters is not from what Kibaki has or has not done but from the rubbished MoU. They call that MoU a document that was in the interest of all Kenyans. In their opinion that is a bigger sin than any other.
http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/11032003/News/News115.html



HE LIKES VIOLENCE: Mr Odinga has never thrown a stone in his life. People like Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang’ would sooner be involved in fisticuffs than Mr Odinga would get into a physical confrontation. In fact, in recent times, Mr Odinga has insisted on fighting entirely with his mouth, issuing withering invectives against his detractors.

That Raila has never thrown a stone doest not exonerate him from charges of violence. Why should he ruin his reputation by throwing stones when his attack dogs and vigilantes can handle the job? All Raila needs to do is issue an order and his henchmen will execute it. It is an open secret that Raila loves violence especially when it is targeting his political foes. The memories of Baghdad Boys are still alive. We saw Raila and his father extensively use this group as a security outfit and as an attack unit. http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/29112000/Features/News_Feature10.html

Brutal: Armed youths beat up an innocent bystander outside Parliament yesterday. The men circled are said to be aides of NDP leader Mr. Raila Odinga. (Pic: by REBECCA NDUKU AND GOVEDI ASUTSA)
http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/15012000/index.html

http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/14012000/News/News128.html

http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/18012000/News/News27.html

In the past Raila has issued numerous threats of storming parliament, statehouse etc. He went as far as issuing a fatwa on the late Dr. Oki Ooko Ombaka, Sam Ochuodho, Orengo, etc. His orders have been carried to the letter.

Jame Orengo roughed up

Raila once ordered violence on Mageuzi activists saying, “I am busy fighting at higher levels and you too should do your work down here! You know what to do if they try to hold this rally on the 23rd.” http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/19122000/News/News42.html

Those words say a lot about a man who loves peace and has never hurt a fly.

Raila rivals Fred Gumo when it comes to throwing punches in Bunge. Raila beat up Kimunya and Karua on 2 different occasions. They both got a beating because of remarks they made in the house. http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/print/news.php?articleid=30059

HE IS UNPATRIOTIC: So Hezekiah Ochuka claimed that he had worked with Mr Odinga on the failed 1982 coup attempt. But Mr Odinga has never joined the military, gone for military training in Uganda or Libya like some people in the present government. They accuse him of exposing Kenya’s weaknesses abroad, but he only does so because he hates the evil he sees more.

Raila came out with revelations that he was part of the coup attempt. He justified the coup attempt and even commissioned a book to serve as a PR tool on this issue. Raila’s role in the 82 coup is therefore not imagined.

I think Raila is patriotic but he needs to differentiate between his political enemies and Kenya. He has to be a leader and not an activist. He has to learn that his utterances affect the lives of millions of Kenyans. It is unfortunate when a president in waiting tells the world that the NSE –Africas 4th largest bourse – is a drug market. I wonder how he plans to erase this notion he has created when he becomes president.

HE IS A COMMUNIST: This is laughable. All communists are against the accumulation of individual wealth. Since when did anyone see Mr Odinga sharing his wealth – be it houses, cars or the family business? Has anyone seen him saying, "Look. We own East African Spectre Ltd. Now, let us give out one gas cylinder to every family in Kenya for free?" That would be communism.

Raila is a stunt communist who claims he favors a command economy when in reality he believes in capitalism. If you told Raila that he is a multi-millionaire he will quickly point out that he is not as rich as Mt. Kenya thieves. Raila is comfortable when the masses see him as a poor man who is trying to change this boogeyman we call government. Raila has for sure taken a cue from other populist leaders.

HE IS AN ACTIVIST: As a backhanded compliment calculated to hurt his chances of running for the presidency, Mr Odinga’s enemies insist that the only role he is suited for is mobilising people to riot.

We have different classes of leaders. Looking at Narc you can see that activists and populists never get to deliver. We have firebrands like Kibwana, Wamwere, etc who have shown that they are better of as opposition politicians than serving in the government. It is very different when activists are on the other side. Raila falls in the class of populist leaders. As a minister, he engaged more on popular politics than in policy. We saw him personally supervise the destruction of buildings and claim he was doing it in the interests of Wanjiku.
Did Raila leave any changes in terms of policy and legislation that will prevent future encroachment of public land? If as an architect I wanted to know the limits of road reserves, do I have an avenue to do it?

Raila never took responsibility for what was happening in his ministry. He instead blamed junior ministry officials. As a president, he will not take responsibility for his administration and will instead look for scapegoats in office messengers.

Raila’s record in parliament shows that he is more of an activist than a leader. Raila like other MPs does not believe in solving problems. That is why such leaders will make the loudest noise outside parliament but their contribution in Bunge’s basic role –law making – stinks. Show me one bill that Raila has presented to parliament and I will change my opinion.

As a president, he may start opposing the same policies that his administration puts in place. Raila is more interested in pleasing the masses than prescribing a bitter pill that will cure our problems.