VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST PM PREMISED ON WRONG POLITICAL JUDGEMENT.

Dear Sir/Madam, A fortnight ago, honorable Joshua Kuttuny reminded all and sundry that Rift Valley legislators have numerical strength in the tenth Parliament and could therefore “do something.” It now emerges that “the something” he was referring to was a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister. This is the standard practice in many democracies around the globe. Parliament uses this arsenal with a view to checking on executive misconduct, or its effect, especially if the official`s unbecoming behavior subverts the structure of government or undermines the integrity of the office or the Constitution itself. So if there is sufficient proof that a government official is behaving in a manner grossly incompatible with the proper function and purpose of the office or that he employs the power of his office for an improper purpose or for personal gain, then a vote of no confidence comes in handy. In Kenya such a threshold is seemingly non-existent. It may well be that a section of the political divide may invoke this power simply because they do not like one`s nose. This lacuna may seriously undermine the integrity of the office of the PM. For instance, a look at section 4b of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008, states that “the office of the Prime Minister shall become vacant if the National Assembly passes a resolution which is supported by a majority of all the members of the National Assembly, excluding the ex-officio members, and of which not less than seven days notice has been given, declaring that the National Assembly has no confidence in the Prime Minister.” From the foregoing it is apparent that the grounds for the vote of no confidence are conspicuously missing hence leaving this crude weapon to become a matter of political judgment. I bet this is akin to a demented old sucker monkey holding a loaded gun. But how honest are the politicians behind this vote of no confidence? You see, the Prime Minister is simply supervising the implementation of that which the cabinet and parliament agreed to. I thought that it would have been the failure on his part to implement the government`s decision that would have engendered a vote of no confidence against him and not the other way round. Moving a vote of no confidence against the PM based on a reality constructed on pure lies will most certainly prove counter-productive. Those bent on exploiting this provision must know that since the Mau eviction exercise has the blessings of the entire Parliament and Cabinet, then the vote of no confidence must be against the Parliament and the Cabinet. In other words, they must move a motion that seeks the entire Government to resign, or seek a parliamentary dissolution and request a general election. Which Member of Parliament is ready to shoot himself in the foot now? Yep, you guessed it right. Not one among them will dare do that. Our legislators must re-examine their conscience. They must know that the reason why the eviction process is going against the United Nation`s conventions on human rights, is because of sabotage by the line ministries and not as a result of the gross incompetence of the PM. We are aware of the fact that the PM does not have the powers to dismiss the ministers responsible and the president has not shown any indication that he is about to do that. The vote of no confidence must be moved against the saboteurs of Government`s noble plan. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

NEO-KU KLUX KLAN ARCHITECTS FIND A SAFE HAVEN IN THE MAU EVICTIONS.

Dear Sir/Madam, In the words of John Adams, “facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, or our inclination or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” I cannot agree more with these words of wisdom. For sometime the country has expressed outrage at the idea of some self seeking politicians crafting ethnic alliances to propel them to the helm of the country`s political leadership. Every other time the said political leaders vehemently denied it. But if one cared to scratch up on their rhetoric one would surely see the blatant insult of betrayal of our common good as a country. If you ever had doubted this then the Mau evictions saga lends credence to these banality. It behooves the intelligence of many that despite the Government, the civil society and the mainstream media explaining with intermittent patience the catastrophic effect of not conserving the country`s largest water tower there are those who are playing politics with the country`s lifeline. This continued malfeasance and dishonesty is a stark testament of politicians bereft of any iota of morality. That is why they have ganged up to construct a reality based on lies. In fact, tale tellers have it that they are even ferrying people from elsewhere to camp on the fringes of the Mau to give an impression to the whole world of the worst form of a government sponsored humanitarian crisis. And from the look of things they are really riding high on a carefully orchestrated political rollercoaster. Even though they have constantly had their snouts bashed by the right thinking public they are not just ready to give up their deceit. They are the men and women of “great common sense and good taste.” They are not so much interested in being on the right side of history but would rather let opportunism drive them to boring ordinariness in their quest to ascend to the helm of the country`s political leadership in 2012. You have witnessed them snuggle in the guise of a fundraiser. And I also hear that that there are a series of rallies lined up just to denounce the evictions and to slander and vilify their perceived political nemesis. Going back to the fundraiser, I must not hesitate to point out that there is nothing wrong in organizing for a fundraiser to help genuine evictees. However, there is everything wrong in using the fundraiser as a perfect smokescreen for the launching of a neo Ku Klux Klan (commonly referred to as triple K alliance). Much as I am encouraged by their sudden bout of philanthropy, I am still struggling very hard to understand why majority of the organizers of this fundraiser never shed a single tear for the victims of the Post Election Violence who are to date landless and homeless. Didn`t they not have children, women and the octogenarians sleeping in the biting cold? Did the organizers of this fundraiser demand for humane treatment of the IDPs as they are now doing for the Mau Complex illegal settlers? The Mau evictees and the IDPs aside, do these politicians give a hoot to the startling statistics of the landless and homeless in all the four corners of Kenya? Not even a cent has ever been extended to them. Did I hear someone shout subterfuge? It is the duty of the mainstream media to make these facts stubborn. The media must continually air drop these facts in the current stream of the public`s conscience. Never must the public be oblivious to the history of the degazetment and systematic excision of the Mau complex and the political machination behind the importation of a human shield to protect the politically correct land lords of the Mau complex. If anything it is the yesterday`s oligarchy that must be prosecuted and forced to compensate the illegal settlers of the Mau. It is time they stopped politicking and faced the reality. Most importantly, the intensifying rhetoric on the Mau eviction exercise must cease. This is because it does not bode well with the post election violence (PEV) conciliatory climate especially in the expansive Rift Valley region. In this rhetoric is a veneer of retaliatory attacks aimed at purging of the Rift Valley off “other ethnic communities.” They want to once more rouse the dreaded monster of negative ethnicity. Political leaders must understand that fear mongering in the guise of political supremacy battles is far from being patriotic. If they really want the public to believe that parliament and cabinet had agreed on compensating or giving alternative land to the illegal settlers, then, why not urgently convene a cabinet meeting and thrush out misunderstandings on the eviction exercise rather than engage in the protracted poisonous rhetoric? As for the MPs, isn`t the floor of the August House where they are supposed to put the government to task for reneging on such a substantive agreement? Or are they permanently incapable of making sense on the floor of the House? I suspect that the reason why these politicians do not want to engage in reasonable discourses on the floor of the August House is because they know that they are simply politicisizing that which they themselves participated in legislating. Kenyans are increasingly dismayed especially by the preposterous behavior of Cabinet ministers who overstep acknowledged protocol of collective responsibility to criticize the policies and decisions ratified in cabinet meetings. This only lends credence to their sinister motives. The two principals must crack the whip now before it is too late. Now than ever before, the country desires President Kibaki`s silence to be broken, at least on the Mau issue. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

BY BENSON MAISORI:What I think of the Concluded National Youth Forum

For those of us who have read Chinua Achebe's Things fall apart, you will agree with that Ibo's saying that if you see a tod hopping in broad daylight then behind it there must be a snake chasing after it. A few days before the National Youth Forum descended on Nairobi swearing under their breath to teach the current political class a lesson they will never forget, I had submitted here that whatever they were going to discuss was in vain. I said it would be in vain not because I am a pessimist but because, already I could correctly guess what it is that the forum would say. I knew that the forum would begin by introductions of those in attendance, ostensibly to prove to the world that the forum was not only national but that it also comprised of people who were respected leaders from wherever they came from. Then the programme would be read and prayers said. Then various speakers would be invited to speak on various topics and of course as if cut from the same piece of cloth they would repeatedly curse the current political leaders, shout at the top of their voices how those leaders have failed young people and then proceed to vow that come the next elections young people were going to vote them out and bring to power leaders who were credible, accountable, corruption free, morally upright and leaders who cared about the plight of young people. After the declarations the young people would then be led into adopting resolutions arrived at and warned that this time round the resolutions were not going to be left gathering dust on shelves of NGOs offices. Above all young people would be asked never to be violent because violence is the worst enemy! After the meeting people would be reimbursed their transport expenses to go back to their homes as they hope to be called again. Of course that will be the end of the story. The next time there is such a meeting another group of ''leaders'' will be called to attend and make the same declarations. How true these predictions came to pass! That is why I could very easily understand the frustrations that people led by Sande Oyolo had before resolving to disrupting the forum. But what shocked me most was when the members of the diplomatic coup arrived led by non other than Michael Rannenberger, a man I admire for his courage against the hostile politicians of our country. Of course I am aware that the reason the ambassador is normally bitter with the coalition government is not because he really cares for Kenyans but because the coalition government has decided to play hard ball against USA investment interests such as the Oil drilling in Isiolo. The entrance of the US ambassador elicited excitement which quickly reminded me that the interests of the people I was representing were at risk. Of course several young people who asked the ambassadors questions did so out of an innocent mind not really knowing what was at stake. They thought that the ambassadors were really interested in helping solve the problems of young people in Kenya. Some even attempted to ''inform'' the ambassadors what problems the young people were going through! Little did they know that those ambassadors know those problems more than we even know. They know that they are part and parcel of the problem. In fact one person who to me asked a critical question was the gentleman from Mandera who told the British High Commissioner, Rob Maclare to his face that the problems being faced in Mandera were a creation of the British colonialists. I felt like jumping up! Those are the kind of young men we need in this country. If we get about ten of them then we can begin talking of liberation. It is my humble submission that young people did not achieve anything worth talking of. I remember us endorsing some resolutions such as that ''from now onwards young people shall participate actively in politics at all levels!'' At some point I even told the man who was seated next to me that we did not have to spend all our time and money just to come and make such an obvious declaration. After all, this is something we have always shouted around. But my greatest interesting moment was when one of the conveners (who seemed to understand why we were there) asked the US ambassador whether the US was going to assist young people in rolling down to the villages to take to the people the same message that had been arrived at while in this forum. I quickly asked myself what type of assistance the young people required in order to go to Nyamtiro village where I come from to tell my people that it was important to participate in politics or constitutional matters. I asked myself why they had never asked me to assist them but the anxious and serious look on their faces told me that the assistance that they were talking about was different. Of course the ambassador agreed to ''assist'' and I saw the sigh of relief on their faces. It was accompanied by a round of applauding claps. Back to my argument. We must begin to ask ourselves whether this is really what we need. We must ask ourselves whether the change we seek is the same for all of us. We must ask ourselves whether the motives in the song of change we have joined is the same and whether those motives are inspired by the sincere need to liberate us from the our captivity. We must ask ourselves whether we are all faced by the same enemy and whether the methodology we talk of in our bid to confront the enemy is agreeable and workable across the board. Our country is faced with serious challenges that must be confronted now or we shall all sink. Boardroom forums that continue to enrich a few people are constructing sliding terrains for our country. As I have always said, we need sincere diagnosis of the malady that threatens to sink us. When we do this we shall then be able to identify correctly the therapeutic and prophylactic measures that shall pull us from drifting into the sweltering morass of political quagmire and eons of socio-economic ''Mal aire''! Posted by MAISORI BENSON at 4:00 AM http://maisori.blogspot.com/2009/11/for-those-of-us-who-have-read-chinua.html

THE MAU ULTIMATUM: THE CITIZENRY MUST DENOUNCE ETHNO-POLITICAL SHENANIGANS.

Dear Sir/Madam, “Conscience ought to be a mirror before which one pinches himself.” Today, this aphorism would mesh well in any other society but Kenya. Majority of our politicians are made of a different mettle. To them “conscience” at the very least, must be expunged from the Kenyan political dictionary. This is what Taban Lo Liyong would term as “lexicographicide”. Our politicians are very comfortable purveying untruths; they seek to obfuscate Kenya`s legitimate rights to a conducive socio-economic and political environment. I keep on hoping that there will be a small secret voice that will just whisper in their conscience, “You are a fraud”. How they spin lies ad infinitum without butting their eyelids is just amazing! But that is not all. Any conscientious person seen to be an obstacle in their quest to advance their selfish interests must also be thoroughly slandered. In the words of Lillian Hellman “truth made you a traitor as it often does in a time of scoundrels.” Her words lend a sharp poignancy and insight in the Kenyan political landscape. Admittedly, our politicians have robbed off politics any decency. Deceit is the new buzzword. For instance, after the KTN expose’, no one can believe the claptrap being bandied around about the Prime Minister having issued a directive to purge the evictees off the fringes of the Mau Complex in the ungodly hours of the night. This is another of the so many and not so well crafted lies that keep on flying- apart before the right thinking public. The unfortunate thing about lying is that you have to tenaciously, viscerally and perhaps unflinchingly, manufacture in quick succession, three times the lies you spewed yesterday to give them some semblance of truth today. In their desperation to lie they pay no attention to the rules of logic that would otherwise guard them against pitfalls. It is precisely at this unguarded moment that the “liar” in them shines as bright as the equatorial midday. Political corruption, patronage and impunity are instruments that perfect their political con game. That is why even with the melodrama that ranged from the sublime of the legislators` crocodile tears to the ridiculous personality-slandering, the public has finally learnt to spot their shenanigans. The bitter truth is that the illegal Mau settlers are only but mere pawns for the peers of the realm in the Mau Complex saga. This is because after annexing huge chunks of land in the Mau complex, they came up with ethnic mischief which sought to literally “import” gullible Kenyans from Kericho, Bomet and Baringo and put them in the Mau to act as an ethnic shield against any future threats of evictions from successive regimes. Anytime eviction talk is rife, the “Real landlords” of the Mau Complex troop en masse to their ethnic enclave. We must, as a peace loving nation, denounce these political shenanigans. They have brought nothing but dishonor and disrepute to our country. There must be no room for this political perfidy. It is not lost to all that the combined acreage of the illegal settlers is a trifling compared to the over 50,000 acres of land in the hands of the “real encroachers” whose names are in the” who is who” list of Kenyan politics. With this fact in mind you can then begin to appreciate the real fear behind the façade of the Mau aristocrats if perchance this human shield was to be removed. It is time that these plunderers faced the consequences of their sins of commission and omission. That is why I find their “Two Weeks Ultimatum Talk” quite unpalatable. This melodrama is a stark testament to political irrationality. The country can no longer afford to expose Kenyans to this inanity and ethno-political overtones. Unless they issued this ultimatum against themselves then they have no moral authority to purport to speak for a people they themselves have subjected to deceit for decades. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

AMERICAN AMBASSADOR SHOULD STOP IMPOSING ‘YOUTH LEADERS'

It is imperative and the wish of majority of Kenyans especially the youth to see a better future for our country. We want a nation free from corruption, free from impunity and free from bad and immoral leadership. The mentioned characteristics have epitomized Kenyan political leadership for a long time. We as Kenyans are duty bound to protect the future of this country through creating an opportunity for transformative leadership. Those who already hold power are hell-bent to cling onto it and hand over to the heirs of their choice. This culture of attempts by leaders handing over to certain people of their choice has hurt Kenya since the days of colonialism. It is this method of nurturing leadership that we have most times ended up being led by wrong people whose duty has always been to continue with the legacy of their predecessors. Currently, Kenya is going through tough times which call for leaders with a strong background and a good understanding of the needs for our country. This is the time that the young generation is challenged with a responsibility of nurturing a leadership that will transform this country into a well established economy for the future generations. this has become the greatest challenge for this generation and I appreciate the fact that many initiatives have come up to try and right what has been made wrong by our leaders who happened to hold the reigns of power in the past. It is laudable that even the international community is concerned about the future of Kenya and has thus decided to get involved in trying to take part in some of the processes that can help Kenya rid itself of bad leadership. However the most regrettable part is that the people who intend to help in the name of foreign support are doing worse that the bad leaders that we already have by trying to patronize the processes of change. It is a reflection of colonial mentality that some foreign ambassadors are trying to own the Kenyan youth by imposing what they imagine can be the leadership of the youth. They have entered into the fray of misusing the name of the youth to achieve their own selfish goals which are yet to be defined. They are now looking for the youth who are ready to be used without any question to implement what appears to be a foreign agenda. The hope that they could help the Kenyan youth overcome the political challenges has become a pipe dream. The foreign envoys especially the American embassy has decided to fall into ordinary Kenyan politics of gossip, cronyism, tribalism and sabotage as a way of showing their bosses in the US that they are working. They are spending millions of money in this country on what they claim to be pro reform projects by organizing bogus youth meetings to impress their political powers that they are working in the interest of bringing political reforms. So far, the Kenyan youth seem not to have any sincere friend, since while the current government officials are using the Kenya youth name to advance the culture of tokenism by pretending to be appeasing the youth through small institutional tokens like the kazi kwa vijana project and the youth enterprise development fund, the foreign embassies are using the name of the Kenyan youth in justifying their expenditures on what they claim to reforms on the interest of African governments whereby Kenya is included in this group. The same embassies have decided to use the money to impose people who know little about political leadership. It’s noticeable that the agenda of the US in this country is not to nurture true leadership, but to create supposed projects for supposed reforms without well intended result. its time for the Kenyan youth to have their own time to identify leaders and not American appointed projects sitting in hotels under American ambassador’s sponsorship and masquerading as leaders of the youth. Those gatherings are for programme officers of NGOs who are driven by the thirst for donor money and know little about political transformation in Kenya . Kenyan youth need support to work towards realization for true change; we don’t need donor sponsored circuses claiming to be representing us. Kenyan youths already know their leaders and are not ready for any impositions driven by greed for donor funds whose full agenda is yet to be established. Foreigners are welcome to help us but they are not welcome to impose political novices into what is supposed to be youth leadership. I support president Obama’s Policy of helping democratically challenged countries like Kenya to advance reforms, but we refuse any imposition of leaders on the Kenyan youth. FWAMBA NC FWAMBA Box 1176 , BUNGOMA, +254721779445

IS THERE SABOTAGE IN THE MAU COMPLEX EVICTIONS?

Dear Sir/Madam, Apparently no one can compute the “unestimated sum of human suffering that the Mau complex evictees are undergoing. It looks as if the Government is cold hearted and callous towards its own people or that it seriously underestimated the humanitarian crisis that was likely to emerge. Still it may be that some politicians are out to create the impression that the Government never cared to plan for the evictions at all. I find it difficult to believe that the Government can become a savage to its own people. Going by the sentiments of the chairperson of The Mau Task Force, the Ministries of water, security and special programmes ought to have been on the ground complimenting the eviction exercise. But they are conspicuously missing in action. So to me the only plausible reason would that the exercise has been reduced to a political ping pong with a view to using the illegal settlers as a smokescreen. Any Tom, Dick and Harry knows that this exercise bears all the hallmarks of political sabotage. But is this sabotage is likely to affect the country more than the individual(s) targeted? Social and economic prospects are more at risk than an individual`s political ambitions. A section of Rift Valley legislators, believe that the PM is out to create a humanitarian crisis to gain a global platform in Copenhagen climate talks. At the moment there is a barrage of condemnation and vitriol most foul leveled against the person of the PM. In fact it has now belatedly dawned on a section of the Rift Valley MPs that the PM is a pretender to the throne! This reaction was not unexpected since the issue was bound to bring about the shifting political alliances. You see, politicians like love and hatred, are two sides of the same coin. I do not think the PM is so naïve as to connive to drive illegal settlers from the forest and to become mince meat to his political archenemies. He cannot be so naïve as to loose such a huge and vital voting block in the Rift Valley! That is why I smell a rat. Could it be that there is sabotage? Taletellers allege that a section of the Rift valley legislators are out to deride the eviction exercise and make it appear the worst form of a humanitarian crisis ever witnessed in Kenya. In fact, in their own words, the 2007 post election IDP crisis will be pale a shadow compared to it! That is why they have gone ahead to tell “their” people not to move an inch from the perimeter fence of the Mau complex in order to proclaim to the whole world how wicked the government is to their people! Is it not pretentious for the MPs to raise the issue of compensation for a people who acquired the forest land illegally? Illegal settlers have over time been evicted in Mt. Kenya, Mt.Elgon and Embobut in Marakwet without compensation. The thinking seems to be that since the government is buying land for the internally displaced victims of post election violence so must it buy land for the illegal settlers evicted from the Mau forest. But what these politicians are not telling us is that they are the very ones who allowed these people into the forest to act as a shield against themselves and those who bought illegal land from their dubious companies. Alluding to compensation will be akin to legitimizing a wrong. We must not allow politicians to institutionalize this problem because in the words of Nikki Giovanni (1943), a US activist, writer and educationist “once you institutionalize a problem, then you do not intent to solve it.” However, it is the melodrama surrounding the MPs that has pundits pondering. To some it is first aimed sanitizing the cyclic post election violence in the region and secondly to force the Government to abandon the noble rehabilitation of the country`s forest cover. If indeed this is the reality then it is quite repulsive and unacceptable. The country must not give into this mind numbing political gimmicks. It is unimaginable, obnoxious, cold and callous for the” real Land Lords” of the Mau complex to use the hapless illegal settlers as a smokescreen to perpetuate their selfish interests. This noble eviction exercise must continue for to sabotage it, or to fritter will bring upon us all the reproaches of the after time. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

SIMPLIFIED CURRICULA: CONTRADICTORY DIRECTIVES ARE A POINTER TO LACK OF CONSULTATION.

Dear Sir/Madam, Recent reports from sections of the media that KNEC and KIE have issued contradictory directives with regard to the implementation of the simplified mathematics and science curricula, is a testament to the deep seated problems ailing the education system in Kenya: lack of both a solid research base and consultation. Whereas KIE insists that the package is optional for students, KNEC has made it mandatory for schools to only take one of the packages. This confusion paints a very bad picture of the two organs that are supposed to compliment each other. They seem not to realize that the problem associated with the development, operation and improvement of any educational system must be based on extensive and systematic applications of knowledge. Moreover it must be an all inclusive and participatory process. But in Kenya this seems to be far from the truth. The left hand hardly knows what the right hand is up to. Much as we hope that the confusion will be done away with, I still have a problem with this general science “thing”. It is ostensibly formulated for students whose interest and aptitude is not in pursuing courses that require high competence in pure sciences. Prima facie, this sounds a great policy directive. However, the devil lies in the details. A good curriculum ought not to be discriminative and must play a significant role in human resource development and placement. But looking at it from all angles, this curriculum bears the hallmarks of the Government`s discrimination against the less fortunate members in the country. Why do I say so? This is because it is a known fact that performance in examinations differ in such a way that students from the higher socio-economic schools demonstrate a higher performance. Obviously the educational production process in such schools enjoys sufficient resources. Since the dregs (and who constitute the majority) of the society do not have access to such schools, they have to pursue their education in ill equipped village schools that can only offer general science curricula. In my opinion it appears as if the Government is admitting its failure in addressing issues relating to access, equity and quality of education across the social divide as was promised in the Sessional paper no.1 of 2005. Under a targeted programme the Government was supposed to rehabilitate and provide laboratory equipment in schools in the rural and marginalized areas in a bid to address regional disparities. Admittedly, the programme is a cropper. Consequently, the Government seems to be suggesting that students from disadvantaged schools will never become engineers and doctors, and by all indications, it will be sending a strong message to the public that students from disadvantaged schools are lesser citizens than their counterparts. It is precisely because of the threat to validity and equity that saw the Government phase out such a similar curriculum in the nineties. Then we used to have pure and biological sciences. Much as we all agree that the acute inequalities in schools in the country have over the years made it impossible for the construction of a consistent, reliable and valid performance measurement, but should that be a ground for the entrenching of a discriminatory and retrogressive curriculum change? Certainly not. Two wrongs do not make a right. I am extremely afraid that the complacency now setting in is both foolish and dangerous. What good will it do to a learner/teacher whose interest is in learning/teaching pure sciences or pure mathematics but who is forced by the school management due to unavailability of resources to only learn/teach the general sciences or simplified mathematics? From the foregoing, the question shouldn’t be whether the Government can afford to do more to promote social mobility. It should be whether Government can afford not to. And the answer is no. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA.

PARTY STALWARTS AGAINST REAL DEVOLUTION BESMIRCH PUBLIC INTELLECT.

Dear Sir/Madam, The makers of our constitution at the time of our country`s independence did not intend to preserve an unchanging society, but instead meant the constitution to invariably adapt to the needs of our dynamic society. Even though the independence constitution gave the president a carte blanche to run the nation as he deemed fit, experience has shown that such unfettered powers are often misused. The president like a deity became omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. There are many among us today who bear the scars of this tyranny. In fact the protracted fight for the second liberation was informed by the dictatorial tendencies that the right thinking public saw in the leadership of president Moi and his predecessor. Devolvement of the powers vested in the presidency and its usual appurtenances was then the buzz word. Apparently when president Kibaki came to the helm of leadership, those close to the pedestal of power changed tact. They wanted to maintain the status quo. Even after the post election violence, they do not want to hear anything about a constitutional dispensation that cuts a swath through the imperial presidency. They prophetically harp on the existence of a constitutional crisis if executive power is shared between the presidency and the Prime Minister (Parliament). This pretence besmirches the intellect of Kenyans. Our reaction to these inanities is not amusement but bafflement, verging on rage. These can only be politicians who are out to have Kenya stop being a democracy in any meaningful sense. That is why they are too busy furthering their selfish interests at the country`s expense. In the words of Barry Goldwater, a 1964 Republican Party candidate, “Those who seek absolute power even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed.” Rather than think of that which is best suited for the country they are busy throwing spanners in the works of the constitutional making process. And their best arsenal is of course to impiously force the country in to a horrendous political ping pong. It is this execrable behavior that engendered the hostilities that plunged this country in to a near holocaust. Yet the same politicians unashamedly elect to deliberately ignore this fact. Mao Tse Tung (1893-1976) said that “Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.” There is a very thin line between the two so much so that it only requires the snafus and preposterous verboten to trigger an unprecedented bloodletting. Of course you and I know that our politicians have plenty of these in stock. Sad as it is, they have already set the tempo. And our hopes of having a new constitutional dispensation can only dissipate. Should we stand aside helplessly, gnashing our teeth, as a section of our politicians line up to deride the efforts of the Committee of Experts (CoE) just as they did with Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) in 2005? We cannot allow this to happen again. It is first and foremost our peace as a country that is at stake. Secondly it is our tax billions that will yet again go to waste. My exhortation to patriotic Kenyans is this: We must stand up and say no to these political machinations. So don't just sit there moaning about how the country's going to the dogs. Sign up and let's kick some ass. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

THE QUEST FOR A LOCAL TRIBUNAL RUINED BY THE EXECUTIVE`S HOCUS POCUS.

Dear Sir/Madam, What is this much hyped Ministers` and Assistant Ministers` Grand Retreat? Could it be that it is the Grand Coalition`s way of retreating from tackling the sizzling Imanyara Bill? Honorable Imanyara believes it is sabotage. So do I. This is because this government had plenty of time to organize for bonding sessions during the just concluded recess. Now that parliament has reconvened and with its in tray full with extremely urgent legislation, the executive sees this as a perfect opportunity for “them” to gobble chicken and chicanery in Mombasa. Weirdly unfamiliar it may be, but certainly not entirely unexpected. Eugene McCarthy (1916-2005), once a US senator said that “politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think that it is important”. I cannot agree more with him. This is because after many days of indecision, discussion and procrastination, there seems to be no glimmer of hope that Kenya`s Parliament will be sufficiently philanthropic as to establish a local tribunal to complement the ICC. With their eyes ravenously focused on 2012 it is hardly surprising that political machinations have yet again started overriding the national interests. They have no doubt adopted the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” stance. Using this lenses, it becomes crystal clear to all and sundry that the executive`s bonding session is all about its collective desire to evenly cover its muck. In their quest to ascend to the helm of the country`s leadership they conveniently forget that the price of greatness is responsibility and not irresponsibility. Their body language is reminiscent of the then US president Ronald Reagan who unable to deal with the biting deficit quipped “I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.” Like Reagan our politicians scamper at the sight of impunity while fervently hoping that it (impunity) is big enough to take care of itself! And with this kind of obnoxious attitude I have no iota of doubt that Kenya shall continue to greatly suffer the consequences of the criminalization of politics in the successive electioneering periods courtesy of the verbal snafus and preposterous sound bytes of the high and mighty. They care less whether their mumbo-jumbo can engender a holocaust. That is why at one time they blubber “Don`t be vague, go to Hague.” And in quick succession, they mumble about the establishment of a “local tribunal” then to “Reconciliation without Truth and Justice.” Putting their foot in their mouth or goofing as is commonly known is ostensibly our politicians` way of life. Admittedly many of them just bungle up to gain publicity. (But this not to say that there are those among them who are permanently incapable of speaking sense). They unashamedly engage in hocus-pocus while fervently hoping that the resultant avalanche of confusion will snuff out the nation`s quest for justice. They have conveniently forgotten that it is their unrepentant mood that has over the years resulted in the institutionalization of impunity. However, for the victims of post election violence, know thee that all is not lost. The wheels of justice may appear to be slow but they shall surely catch up with these Lords of impunity. They may desperately attempt to cover their nakedness with “sovereignty” but not for long. This is because the will of the over 40 million Kenyans shall ultimately triumph. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

ETHNIC IDIOSYNCRACY THE BANE OF OUR NATIONHOOD.

Dear Sir/Madam, In 1941, Jesse Jackson in appreciating the diversity of the American society said that “America is not a blanket woven from one thread, one color, and one cloth”. He opined that it was the conscious harnessing of unity in its diversity that ought to be the pillar of its strength. This conscious effort bore fruit. And the results are there for all to see today. In Kenya the thought of harnessing this diversity is akin to planting hybrid seeds in unhealthy soils. And the odious reality is that ethnicity and nationhood have become archenemies. Ethnic interests are always in dissonance with nationhood. Kenya like a nuclear tinder box only requires a splint from self seeking politicians for the unimaginable holocaust to happen. And we have such politicians in plenty judging from their irresponsible utterances. They cling to the most fallacious conviction that what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander. Their socialization is greatly influenced by the thinking that no other person other than that from their ethnic group is fit to take the mantle of leadership in this country because they imagine that the “other” ethnic group poses a threat in their scramble for the valuable but limited resources available in this country. For them the Golden Rule, or ethic of reciprocity is twaddle. In the public limelight such politicians will pass for our average nationalists but in the comforts of their ethnic conclaves they are shockingly different. That is why I thought that my mind was playing on me some dirty trick when sections of the media reported that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for finance honorable Uhuru Kenyatta had ostensibly appealed to his central Kenya counterparts to unite and support one of their own if their dream of ascending to the helm of leadership of this country was to materialize. In my view, this rhetoric is admittedly the most consequential of honorable Uhuru Kenyatta`s ephemeral ambition. Many have always thought of him as a transformational leader. It therefore behooves many conscientious Kenyans that he can talk about national healing and reconciliation and in the same breath embellish the hydra of negative ethnicity. As for the people, we have failed to wipe of those foolish grins off our faces. Why for instance should we decry the negative effects of ethnicity but dance ourselves lame when our so called leaders invoke the hydra of negative ethnicity? In any case, it is doubtable that such leaders want to use this ethnic platform to advance the interest of “their people”. It can only be that they want to ride on the back of negative ethnicity to access raw power so that they can advance their own selfish interests. We must come to the realization that we have a Hobson`s choice if we are to built a nation that all of us are to be proud of. And that is to rid this country of this hydra of negative ethnicity. One such effort has began with a facebook group known as “You don`t have to be from my tribe to be my President”. The founder members found it necessary to use this forum to bridge the ethnic gap in order to foster a tolerant and a more cohesive nation. It is upon us to extend our unequivocal welcome to everyone interested in the struggle to kill this hydra of negative ethnicity. Like Jesse Jackson, I dare say that Kenya is not woven from one thread, one color, and one cloth. But with a wee bit of understanding and a little more patience and tenderness towards each other, this blanket can afford all of us some warmth. The time to act is now. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

THE POWERFUL SYMBOLISM IN OCAMPO`S NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK TOUR.

Dear Sir/Madam, Ocampo`s tour to Nairobi National Park accompanied by the Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo who also doubled up as his cicerone; elicited varied reactions from the fourth estate and by extension, the public. For a moment I too thought that the Government had elected to give sop to Ceberius to secure a nod for the local trial of the Lords of Impunity behind the 2007 Post Election Violence (PEV). I waited with abated breath for the usual theatrics. I am certain that like me there are many others who shared this misgiving. Worry no more. Belatedly, the reality of his tour to the park hit me like a thunderbolt. How could I have failed to unravel the powerful symbolism in this tour? You see, Ocampo has spent a good part of his professional life taming individuals who know nothing other than the law of the jungle. A Busman`s tour to a park where beasts of the jungle are tamed enabled him not only to horn his skills in taming them but also inspired him into buckling his armor in readiness to tame the real Kenyan Lords of the jungle; read the perpetrators of the 2007 horrendous Post Election Violence(PEV). And sure enough, it was hot on the heels of his tour to the Nairobi National Park that his verbatim and body language caused hemi cranial headaches to many a suspect. He left no doubt that he had his hands firm on the plough. This is after he invoked Article 15 of the Rome Statute seeking ICC`s permission to commence investigations and prosecutions of crimes against humanity committed during PEV in Kenya. What this means is that Kenya`s case is almost certainly hermetically sealed. Sovereignty or not, the country will most certainly kowtow to ICC`s demands for the arrests of these suspects if and when need arises. As for those who have been trotting from region to region purveying piles of hogwash about ICC`s inability to dispose timely justice, Ocampo has nailed your lies to the counter. Indeed Hague will not be vague. A rude shock awaits you in a jiffy. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

COOPERATION WITH ICC: THIS MUMBO-JUMBO SOVEREIGNTY BALDERDASH MUST CEASE.

Dear Sir/Madam, Perhaps the missile code named Grand Coalition Government (GCG) auto –destructed itself after its much hyped failed launch. It set out to navigate the judicial path of Post Election Violence (PEV) and implement essential reforms commonly referred to as “agenda four” with more bravado than common sense. Now everything is at a stand still yet the clock is fast ticking. All indications are that we are heading into a Cimmerian darkness. Even though the Grand Coalition Government keeps on reassuring Kenyans that it is committed to fighting impunity, one cannot fail to see impunity`s usual appurtenances. Kenyans are now dog tired of this ridiculous jiggery- pokery going behind their backs. Everyone right from the government functionaries seems to have been given a carte blanche to speak as he or she desires to. And the result is there for everyone to see. An avalanche of confusion seems to be suffocating the GCG`s operations. That is why Kenya`s foreign affairs Permanent Secretary; Thuita Mwangi easily adopted a very blinkered attitude of the conscientious public and then belligerently arrogated himself the power to pen down balderdash in one of the leading local dailies on the eve of the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo`s visit in the country. In fact, Thuita only stopped short of declaring Ocampo a persona non grata in this country. This is obviously a case of engaging in a two penny theatrics on issues touching on the heartbeat of the nation. The two principals on reading the mood of the public ostensibly castigated Thuita for the impermissible conduct. Yet, a day later when the two met the ICC prosecutor, their body language was no different from Thuita`s. Beneath their well coded diplomatic verbiage was a tacit message to Ocampo and by extension the international community that Kenya was a sovereign state able to deal with its own internal problems without external interference. Now this is ad hominem par excellence. Like Thuita the two principals must be told that anybody perceived to be standing in the way of justice is an enemy of public conscience. Thinking of using a special wing of the high court that reeks with impunity to try suspected perpetrators of PEV is ad nauseum. It will be chimerical. This will be chicanery most foul. It will no doubt be interpreted by the post election victims as an attempt to defenestrate justice and pamper the afreet of impunity. The time for bread and circuses is out. The two principals seem to working at cross purposes with the conscientious public. We must stop behaving as though we are a people suffering from borderline personality disorder. Parliament made a resounding decision. “Let us not be vague, let us go to Hague”. So be it. This genie of impunity that keeps on rearing its ugly head ad infinitum must be put back in the bottle once and for all. Why backpedal and embellish incendiarism? It will be in our best interest as a country if we ceased beguiling ourselves with abrogation talk. Such talks will amount to nothing because ICC has no abandonment option. Kenya is now ICC`s captive customer. My exhortation to his Excellency the President and the right honorable Prime Minister is not to allow our beloved country to be held captive by the mumbo-jumbo sovereignty balderdash. TOME FRANCIS, BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

POSTED BY GEORGE NYONGESA:Kenya grassroots message to welcome Mr. Ocampo!..... BY:BUNGE LA MWANANCHI.

__________________________________________________________________ Kenya grassroots message to welcome Mr. Ocampo! On November 2, 2009, grassroots leaders drawn from the countrywide networks of Bunge la Mwananchi met and developed the following position on the debate of holding to account post election violence (PEV) perpetrators: Read more... Kenya grassroots message to welcome Mr. Ocampo! Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:12 Bunge La Mwananchi Secretariat E-mail Print PDF BUNGE LA MWANANCHI www.bungelamwananchi.org __________________________________________________________________ Kenya grassroots message to welcome Mr. Ocampo! On November 2, 2009, grassroots leaders drawn from the countrywide networks of Bunge la Mwananchi met and developed the following position on the debate of holding to account post election violence (PEV) perpetrators: THAT: 1. Remembering that the innocent lives of 1,300 Kenyans were lost, unknown numbers sustained gross injuries and billions of property was destroyed as result of violence that ensued following botched elections; 2. Noting that prior to the announcement of election results, in spite of politicians’ tribal war crusades, grassroots Kenyans who bore the huge brunt of PEV had conducted themselves in a responsible and peaceful manner; 3. Emphasizing that PEV was a war of the ruling class, on the one hand led by President Mwai Kibaki and on the other by Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, and that the grassroots Kenyan were victims who were manipulated through messages of ethnic consciousness, bribery, propaganda and populism; 4. Insisting that had President Mwai Kibaki conducted himself in a manner respecting the rule of law and respecting public institutions prior to the exercise of general elections and likewise respecting the electoral law and sanctity of human life, the disgrace on ballot democracy and the loss of lives was wholly avoidable; 5. Maintaining that had Prime Minister Raila Odinga acted as a statesman, after the disputed elections results, he would not have pursued power at all costs, would not have incited his supporters into uncoordinated mass actions and consequently no one would have been lynched, no life would have been lost and no property would have been destroyed; 6. Mindful of the lack of political willingness in the Grand Coalition Government to implement the National Accord’s Agenda of inter alia restoration of people’s liberty, compensating and resettlement of IDPs, comprehensive electoral laws, police and judiciary reforms and addressing general poverty and lack of employment among youth; 7. Appreciating and echoing the attention of the International Community (the US, the EU and the UN) in pressurizing the Coalition Government to urgently effect meaningful reforms and by extension welcoming the importance of the planned visit by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, we wish to state as follows: i) That the PEV was a class war between the ruling class- rich and powerful- into which the unsuspecting poor and powerless were drawn and inhumanely treated as mere collateral damage; ii) That it beats sociological imagination to exonerate President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga from the damning facts of the PEV: Raila Odinga called for mass action that turned violent amongst innocent Kenyans and Mwai Kibaki deployed the Kenya Police who shot and killed protestors; and therefore the ICC prosecutor must not disappoint the poor victims of PEV by not holding the President and the Prime Minister accountable for their actions, inactions, commissions and omissions. iii) That the coalition partners - President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are direct beneficiaries of the PEV, now most interested in protecting their PEV war Generals and least interested in ensuring justice for the poor victims of PEV. iv) That there are thousands of internally displaced persons who were irregularly forced out of camps and are still homeless, hungry and cold with inadequate respite from the Coalition Government. v) That several victims of police shooting are still nursing gross wounds at home without medication and some still have bullets lodged in their bodies. vi) That the indictment and trial of PEV perpetrators is a reassurance and a signal by the Global Family to the majority of grassroots Kenyans that the culture of impunity and irresponsible leadership has no place in our world today. vii) That for restoration of people’s interest in democracy, elections and governance, and further to expedite the reform agenda in Kenya, it is extremely important that high profile PEV perpetrators are indicted, arrested and tried outside Kenya. viii) That we support both a Local Tribunal to try the small perpetrators of PEV such as politicians’ hirelings who raped, looted and torched property; and the Hague option for the rich, powerful and high profile perpetrators who planned and financed PEV. ix) That we are keenly watching Mr Ocampo and are interested that justice is not only done but seen to be done. Notes for Editor: BUNGE LA MWANANCHI is a nationwide movement that mobilizes and organizes grassroots Kenyans around their felt socio-economic challenges to dialogue and strategize for bottom up political change. Bunge la Mwananchi is also a member of National Civil Society Congress (NCSC). THIS STATEMENT IS DATED AND SIGNED ON THIS MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2009

KEJUDE(CHAMA): THOSE WHO BLOCKED FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD CRIMINALLY ACCOUNTABLE ALONGSIDE THOSE WHO CAUSED THE POST ELECTION MAYHEM

Kenyans for Justice and Development welcome ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo’s intervention towards helping us find justice for the chaos of early 2008. The ICC’s intervention is a major step towards holding criminally accountable all those who masterminded and executed the 2007/2008 pre and post election mayhem. We concede that Kenya ’s weak legal framework, compromised judiciary, an unprofessional police force, lack of a credible witness protection mechanism, the total lack of political will to hold to account the culpable, and the presence of armed militia in some regions all point to the obvious lack of local capacity to deal with the problem unaided. In view of the above, we urge that Mr. Ocampo does the following: (i) He issues open warrants to enable Kenyans know who are being investigated, so that the suspects can vacate office and not interfere with the investigations and that the ICC process proceeds with the speed he has always pledged. (ii) He publicly supports the Imanyara Bill that is seeking to set up a local tribunal meeting international standards to deal with the many ordinary people who took part in the mayhem, as part of the three tier approach to dealing with the post election violence. Given their mandate is restricted to the conduct of hostilities not their causes, we are aware of the limitations faced by both the ICC and local tribunal in ensuring holistic justice. For justice to be done and be seen to be done by all we must bring in a causal effect to the Post Election Violence scenario. Those who masterminded the mayhem should be held criminally accountable simultaneously with those having a causal link to the mayhem. It is most important that those who blocked reforms and did things that in a causal nature set the country on a war footing must also be held liable for their actions. The people who blocked the constituting of an impartial ECK; rejected the 50% + 1 threshold for electing the president; used inciting language on the campaign trail; tampered with the election results after the peaceful voting; and those who hurriedly swore in Mr. Mwai Kibaki as the President to irregularly legalize the contested results must all have their feet held to the fire. This also includes sections of the media that participated in fanning the fires of conflict during the imbroglio. Consequently, we demand that President Kibaki, Premier Odinga and their Cabinet do the following: i) That they must immediately be put in place an independent and impartial mechanism, running parallel to the ICC process, to hold to account this category of people for their causal roles in the mayhem so that justice is done to all players. ii) That they stop deceiving Kenyans that they are “on top of things” in relation to sorting out the Post Election Violence issues, and let the international community whenever it deems fit , in the principle of being “our brothers keeper”, remind them of their failures. iii) That they give victims from all ethnic groups the chance to be heard since up until now only the voices of the perpetrators have been heard. iv) That they guard against the negative ethnicity that is threatening to hijack and subvert the justice process by ignoring minority victims – those moderates who were victimized by their own communities for shielding those targeted, and those whose communities were not prominent players in the mayhem. To achieve true reconciliation as a country, we must hold criminally liable both those who frustrated a fair electoral process and stole the elections, and those who masterminded and executed the mayhem. In proceeding this way, we will strike a body blow against the culture of impunity and give Kenyans a sense of equity before the law, and make Justice our shield and defender. Signed: Neto Agostinho National Convener, KEJUDE. Date: November 4, 2009............................. POSTED BY OKIYA OMTATAH OKOITI.

KENYANS AGAINST IMPUNITY. P.O BOX 4636-00200, NAIROBI. 29th October 2009. Press Statement:

The TJRC is not an arena for competing national and global interests. We, Kenyans Against Impunity (KAI), filed a case against the TJRC as formed and composed on 7th August 2009, after noting many anomalies, flaws and inconsistencies in the TJR Act of 2008 and questionable composition of the commission. While concentrating on the law as it is, and the commission as constituted, it is possible to lose sight of conspiracies between and among the three arms of government, which in the end make the laws and appoint the commissions as we know them. Due to this fact and after serious consultations, KAI decided to amend the application in court and include the Attorney General, the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Minister for Justice, National Cohension and Constitutional Affairs. The inclusion of these public servants demanded that further affidavits be sought. This has since been done and all the affidavits filed in court. However due to our application to amend the application, the case was stood over generally (SOG), so as to give our side time to serve all the parties. Since the case was stood over generally, we have discovered that the department of the registrar at the high court has maintained two files bearing the same number, JR. 470/2009. Why would this be if it is not to cause confusion and deny us justice? On many occasions we filed documents that missed in the court file; and so our position and that of the presiding judge were at variance. Although this situation has been rectified by the efforts of our lawyers we cannot be sure about what other tricks may be played on this case. A letter will be sent to the registrar to demand an explanation about why and how this happened. We are however concerned about the apparent conspiracy by the three arms on the formation of TJRC that appears meant to serve those whose past is associated with or directly involved in the wanton abuse of human rights in our country. These four servants and heads of the government arms mentioned above can, with respect, be seen as the embodiment of impunity in Kenya. It thrives through and around them. They have used the institutions and their power to resist, fight and oppose any intentions by Kenyans to establish a respected law and a TJRC committed to deal with Kenya’s past, for the sake of our presence and peaceful coexistence of all communities in future. When we say impunity has permeated and penetrated public institutions, this is what is reflected in the High Court’s registrar’s department. On this we squarely accuse the registrar of the High Court in Nairobi. The department must be part of the conspiracy to obstruct justice. Kenyans Against Impunity appreciates the place of the TJRC process as a key turning point in the rewriting our country’s history; a moment and an opportunity that will happen once in our lifetime, for the people to address gross violations of human rights and redefine their relationships politically, socially, culturally and economically, based on values and principles of humanity. Based on this, we strongly feel that the individuals selected to the TJRC were not subjected to a rigorous vetting. Section 10 of the TJR Act of 2008 states that there shall be three non-citizens, at least one of whom shall be of opposite gender, selected by the Panel of Eminent African Personalities. While as KAI, our argument has only focused on the six commissioners selected from the Kenyan short list, we are concerned that strangers were introduced into our system through the backdoor backed by a funny and inadequate law. The three non citizen commissioners are strangers whose backgrounds no Kenyan knows. Who are they? What are their interests in the Kenyan issues and whom do they represent in the issues that Kenyans will be addressing? These are not little matters for a sovereign state like ours and we reinforce our position that we shall not recognize and appear before the TJRC as formed and constituted; as a matter of principle. We raise these concerns early enough because the TJRC process will be like exposing the country’s past and present to strangers! The TJR Act states that the three commissioners once selected were to be scrutinized by the parliament. We take exemption that the National Assembly did not do its work and nominated strangers without explaining to Kenyans who they were; the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs supported this, the president appointed, and the Chief Justice swore them in without stating who they were. We remind all these offices that lack of concern on their part, about who these foreigners were, is equal to absconding duty. If the trend continues, we may find Kenya ruled by a stranger of no fixed aboard. We have instructed our lawyers to write to the clerk of the National Assembly to avail the CVs and backgrounds of the three for public scrutiny. KAI further wishes to move the country to appreciate that truth of a nation cannot be uncovered by strangers, never. In fact, these strangers unless loaded with other interests, should not have taken their jobs. We advise them to resign and let Kenyans deal with their past, for justice, national healing and reconciliation without a baggage of competing interests on our soil. We invite all patriotic Kenyans to collectively join hands with us, seek justice from all fronts and reclaim our sovereignty based on principles and values of humanity. Signed by KAI Members

BY GIDEON LEPALO: SAVE_LAKE_TURKANA_NOW

SAVE LAKE TURKANA NOW Dear participants/Delegates It is our joy to have you attend this press conference concerning the (DAMMING ON THE OMO RIVER). Further north the lushness of the Horr valley gradually peters out until finally you reach the total barren shattered land beds at the southern end of Lake Turkana top of the ridge here and there up infront of you—the (JADE SEA) formerly (Lake Rudolf) and finally renamed (Lake Turkana) It is a breathtaking sight-vast and yet totally barren. This region is some of the most inhospitable terrain in the whole of Kenya. The rugged terrain rough road and great distance from Nairobi means it is perhaps the least visited in Kenya .you will see nothing except for a few brave stunted thorn trees. When you reach the lake shore you will know (it is a soda lake) and at this end highly saline. The northern end of Lake Turkana near the (Omo River) on the (Illiret)-Loiyangalani also known as (the place of long green trees) isn’t anywhere near as saline because (it is fed by Omo River) from the Ethiopian highlands (it is that where the name of the washing powder came from).At this point most people abandon whatever (vehicle or trek) they are in and plunge into the lake. If you do this watch out for (crocodiles) they are quite partial to a meal of (red meat) as a change from (Nile perch) Lake Turkana is an (Arid and Semi Arid area)currently the Ethiopian government have so far constructed ( two smaller dams ) and they are in the process of building (Gibe 3rd ) which will be the biggest dam in the whole of Africa to rival the ( Aswan high dam) in Egypt. Their aim is to tap (hydro-electric power on the Omo River) which is the only source of water getting into Lake Turkana, which apparently does not have any (outlet)Damming on the Omo River is (Environmentally un-acceptable ) this will interfere with the water levels this will create a lot of in balance within the marine and aquatic life as the well as the (fish) which is the only source of food for the Pastoral/Nomadic people, low levels of waters will result to the Pastoral/Nomadic people fighting over the less available water then Lake Turkana is loosing a lot of water through (evaporation) on a cold day the temperatures read 40 degress Celsius on a hotter day it shoots up to 50 degress Celsius and compounded with ragging (droughts) now which is affecting the whole of Africa and Kenya included, we are staring at a bleak scenario here. Lake Turkana region is flooded with (small fire arms) and with the fights anticipated this will only but escalate the whole (security situation) Damming on the (Omo River) five years from now will contribute to (Desertification, environmental degradation, inter-tribal warfare will increase and additional increase of small fire arms, the Pastoral /Nomadic people will be left (destitute) since (livestock) which is their (only source of livelihood will be wiped out. Lake Turkana has two islands, namely ( South and Central Islands) which is (a birding area) flocks of Flamingoes, Abyssinian ground hornbills Abyssinian rollers and carmine bee eaters are visible on the shore line as well as birds of prey and scavengers are never far. Lake Turkana is also strategic (to migrant birds from northern Europe and Asia, hundreds of thousand pass through the region in (March and April) and in September and October).land birds such as (wagtails and swallows) are in plenty. Flocks of long distance migrant birds such as (spotted redshank and black tailed god wit) mingle with (black winged stilts and avocets) some of which breed more locally. (Terns and flocks of whiskered and white winged black terns skim trough the air sometimes mixing with (resident Caspian terns) Some areas of the shoreline have breeding colonies (of African skimmers).these two island beside being a birding area has the (largest concentration of crocodiles and Hippos in the whole of Africa)as well as home to the (ferral Goats)which were once domesticated but ended up being wild ,several species of (snake) are found here too. Currently (loiyangalani village on lake Turkana) has an ongoing (wind power .project check website http;//www. lake turkana wind power project) which will be wind generated and by the end of the year will contribute to half of Kenya power national grind and which is environmentally safe and viable. Lake Turkana has to be saved at all cost it is a tourist attraction and a source of revenue for the country beside the wind power generation. You will appreciate that the next (wars) will be (water wars based) and the (Nile basin) is a point of reference now. Lake Trukana is special (a jewel) yet to be (discovered) this is the only place in the whole world where you have (three physical features in one place) namely; Lake Turkana, Chalbi deserts and Mt.Kulal (Gatab) forest. Mau water catchment area is crucial Nationally and Regionally. Lake Turkana does not get the attention it deserves, this forum is the reference point and the much needed (articulation) to save and conserve this jewel. with the (ignorance of the Pastoral / Nomadic people and the distance these coupled with ( Marginalization of now and yester year’s has been a hindrance to development and has resulted to this area lagging behind and is yet to catch up with the rest of Kenya and the world in general for that matter. In the early (1970s) archeologist (Dr. Richard Leakey) made a significance (fossil find) on the shores of lake Turkana .it was the discovery of (fossilized skull) which came to be known some what prosaically as (1470) (it’s Kenya museum index number) .the most almost complete but fragmented skull was thought to be from an (early hominid).it was hoped that it would back up earlier fossil discoveries made by the Leakey’s in the (olduvai George in Tanzania in the 60s which suggested that the direct ancestral line went back further than the one and half million years that most people thought at that time. The pieces of the skull were painstakingly fitted together in a demanding task in itself which kept two people fully occupied for over (six weeks).the completed jigsaw. Completed and confirmed what they had suspected; here was an evolutionary complicated hominid named (Homo habilis) which was a direct ancestors of (Homo sapiens) modern day man! It was two and half millions years old .since then the (Homo fossil) finds have been made which rush the date back even further but at the same time the (1470) was a very important person. A journey of a thousand kilometers begins with one step, this is but, the (first step to save lake Turkana). Our next step is Mobilize, Educate Sensitize all the Pastoral /Nomadic people Stake holders, Donors funding the damming, both Governments of Kenya and Ethiopia. No one lives in isolation and with globalizations and connectivity catching up with us, matters of crucial importance can be talked through (dialogue) and an (amicable) solution reached at. Saving Lake Turkana is not enough, conserving it with the participation of the Pastoral /Nomadic groups is crucial as well as educating the Pastoral/Nomadic groups on the dangers of small fire arms and hopefully with other stake holders (moping this expansive area the many illegal fire arms with the end results of restoring total peace and promoting other sustainable mode of livelihoods. Finally we are appealing to you all to give us a hearing, and a shoulder to lean on as we articulate this serious issue. We are petitioning the two governments involved to put some mechanism in place and to take the needs of their people into accounts without jeopardizing the lives and the livelihoods of others we appeal to (funders of Gibe 3rd ) to halt their funding, we request for a proper (environmental impact assessment report to be thoroughly carried out. We urgently ask for (dialogue across board) since we feel the Pastoral /Nomadic people were not fully involved and consulted due their ignorance and mutual consent arrived upon after thorough satisfaction of the affected people, parties and stake holders. We ask for your (help, support and in kind) to help us save Lake Turkana now and for posterity. Please treat as an (S.O.S) give it serious thought and imagine the (lives at stake here). Jokingly we need both (Optimist and Pessimists) they contribute to our societies. .The Optimist invents the (Aeroplane) and the Pessimist the (parachute). I will let each one of you choose which one of the above fits you. please feel free to (call ,email us ) should you have any issues and the way forward .we will require (funding ) as we plan for the next round of this project formulation and implementation. With unity of purpose, your resolve, and contributions, we will surely and slowly have this resolved for the benefit of all. Together yes we can! Lepalo Gideon – Mail; elmoloboy@hotmail.com Nairobi Peace Initiative Office Phone Numbers Tel; 4444144/440098 Cell: 0713909982 /0735559539

Vigilant and paying the price – Beyond Kenya’s party night in Frankfurt

After Philo held laudatio for Njeri Kabeberi, winner Humanity Award 2009, at Frankfurt's Paulskirche, Philo and Carsten meet for the first time in real life, after one year of collaboration at Sawubona.. BY PHILO IKONYA President, International PEN, Kenya Center ”People committed to human rights will therefore not rest just because such elementary rights are guaranteed by law: they will instead continually fight for the sustained self evident respect of these inviolable rights….” Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. Lutz Simon M.A, President of the Chamber of Lawyers, Frankfurt an Main Paulskirche, or St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt Germany has just honoured Kenya in a very special way as Nejeri Kabeberi, of the Center for Multi-party Democracy, became the recipient of the first and newly founded Humanity Award from the Chamber of Lawyers in Frankfurt am Main. To stand on the podium of Paulskirche is to stand on haloed ground both for democracy and for the faith. This is not just any ordinary place; its power is written in its history and in the world’s struggle to keep justice and freedom from the fangs of those who work against the beauty of humanity. The significance of the place, I was later to learn from German singer Carsten Trotzkowski who cooperates with poets, turning their lyrics into song, is that it is only open to successful people, and only winning players are allowed to stand on the podium and speak. Carsten naturally connects and gives wings to fighters for justice through the written word and song, we met online as I contributed poems of hope that Sawubona liked. He, like a number of people from the more developed countries in the world, contributes his own bit to humanity by making music of poems on the Sawubona musicjam site set up to help move talent especially in poor settlement areas of South Africa and through Sawubona, which means “hello!” At St. Paulskirche is where Kenya bagged the first ever Humanity Award won by Njeri Kabeberi, a renown human rights activist. A glance at the history of St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt am Main reveals that this Protestant church in 1789- year of the French Revolution- was the centre of much pro-freedom activity and was later occupied by German’s first free parliament holding its sessions there. Later the ‘church’ became a place to celebrate great events and persons. I arrived in Frankfurt am Main ( built upon the river Maine) as ‘the secret’, and was whisked to a hotel where I changed quickly into my Maasai shuka dress, to be in time for the moment that over hundreds sat waiting for. I, the surprise guest who would be hidden until the moment came for me, described as a fellow Kenyan sister, to take to the stage. It had been hard to keep this as a secret in Kenya too from the time I had received an invitation to be in Frankfurt on the night Njeri Kabeberi was getting the Humanity Award 2009, so as to put an element of surprise in the event. I had been notified that my article, Letter to a Kenyan sister who received death threats during Kenya’s post poll violence had contributed to the recognition of Njeri as the winner. I was delighted to be in this great and solemn occasion for Kenya. Njeri Kabeberi had arrived in Frankfurt earlier and was treated to tour with her son and personal assistant. She was also attending the congress ‘World Religions and their contributions to legal systems’ in whose context the award was set. During Kenya’s election debacle in 2007, the violence that ensued had almost paralysed me. I could not write. But one day after as we had a meeting of the Civil Society Congress at Action Aid, and the news of the killing of David Mellitus Were newly elected filtered in, Njeri shared her own threats and fears, and somehow that night, unable to sleep, I wrote that letter. It was the saddest thing for me to see that people who held a different political opinion particularly if they were from Central Kenya and dared to differ with the trend there were under fire. What was worse is that the threats received were made sometimes through gangs apparently under the political command of those high in power. I wrote and shared my letter with Women International Perspectives (the WIP) as it was a letter that helped understand Kenya at that moment and it was published. I sent Njeri a copy, telling her although written to her heart, it expressed the pain of many Kenyans. In that letter, I was also searching for the milk of reason and faith in what is right to nurse myself, in a situation that threatened to go with my own brain and heart and not mine alone- seeing our beloved Kenya burn. The award ceremony was followed by a profound reflection on religious texts from different faiths made one that evening at St. Paul’s by their thirst for justice and the revelation that in the end, we want a healthy humanity. Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Sikhism presented texts, prayers and music. Here was an example of how to unite, heal the world, reconcile a nation that Kenya can emulate today to seal her tribal and religious chasms and to begin to find joy in diversity. Kenya was then in essence the big presence and winner in Frankfurt. It is beautiful to see that Kenya is uniquely present in the minds of many people all over the world and that they want her whole, pure, working and powerful. Her threatened stability during the post poll violence shocked the world. Kenya is loved and people ask after her enthusiastically. Kenya has become the first African country, through Njeri to receive the Humanity Award, which usually goes to an individual, who even without being a lawyer, the Chamber of Lawyers honours for keeping up and individual struggle due to a personal calling and to a certain extent for religious convictions. “The prize shall award the courage and willingness to make sacrifices …. It shall encourage them to continue to work and to point the way for others equally minded to commit self for persons in distress by physical or psychological violence. The prize shall morally support persons who are harrassed by a regime…” My role was to read the laudatio- which detailed how I knew Njeri Kabeberi to be a deserving winner- Njeri wept. In her acceptance speech, she was very clear that this was an award that recognised her as a symbol of many who suffer in Kenya as they struggle to uphold justice for all. Njeri eloquently proclaimed that she was “lucky because I am just one of the many who deserve this award…. This is why I shall take this opportunity to declare that the award ward is not mine alone…” The award was for Kenya’s undeterred focus in individuals on the prize of freedom. In the laudatio, I prayed for every Kenyan heart, I beseeched that this moment of Kenya’s pride, “be a defining moment for my beloved Kenya.” In my heart and soul, I hoped against hope that this would be a “moment of humble rebirth for you and our country… And to you dear Kenyan, I so wish to write a short letter burning with love, to your own heart because I love, hope and believe in you. “May it be the moment when we get the light to love and understand ourselves as humanity and less as this or that ethnic group without fear be here. I pray in tears that the candle Njeri lights will burn to dispel hatred of all types: whether based on colour of skin, language and the injustice of greed. I write a letter to your mind that Kenya’s new constitution will help us reorganise the nation’s resources starting with land, so that historical injustices may be blown away leaving room for us to fight against so many other injustices and pains, room for education and health for all, room for courage. I pray that you read beyond tribe in this award and reward yourself with a rebirth for ultimately you will have to do this yourself, not the constitution, not the politicians but you standing alone in the strength of whatever faith you may confess, be it traditional or modern. I pray. In Kenya, we have all the means that we need to bind us into one wonderful nation; a place where we can grow whilst treasuring and reaping a harvest we share from our diversity. Why do we go wrong? I would that those in power would hear our constant plea, if not from our simple lips and pens at least as inspiration the dew from the heavens and act; but they are impervious and so, I say to the simple who own the power and the prayer to take the lead set our people free in a change that respects freedom and democracy! The Chamber of Lawyers in Frankfurt am Main is studying the influence of world religions on law and seeking a path in the tolerance and sharing of all light in faiths in our increasingly multicultural world. As the President of the Chamber Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. Lutz Simon said in the awarding ceremony, “We trust that by honouring the symbol of humanity we will be able to demonstrate how important courage is in our times. So important is the defence of ethnic values that it calls not only for the well worded speeches of politicians, statesmen or business leaders but also of the sincere, well intentioned and courageous deed of individuals in everyday life. We are not awarding globally known benefactors – whose work we do greatly value- but want to honour those people who are largely unknown internationally and to encourage them to persevere on their chosen path. Today we honour Njeri Kabeberi!” Another indefatigable woman from Kenya, Njeri in her own style has blazed a new trail. Let then all of us receive a new light in our hearts as an award we give each other. Later, beyond the award night, I heard the sound of Miriam Makeba singing pata pata and she drew us off our seats like magic, we were on the floor of an Irish Pub dancing for joy as others in this culture prepared to dress up as witches and ghosts on Halloween. The pub was already spun by spider web matting and we shared so much joy and laughter. And again, I heard in Makeba’s energy the message that Africa must set the pace for the world’s liberation also from the material prisons we have built- come join the song of freedom! Njeri, Carsten and the Chamber of lawyers dream of a free Africa. I quote Shila Keetharuth from the Gambia in her tribute to Njeri- a bon entendeur, salut! “may those who have heard and understood pay heed!” written by Philo Ikonya.

POSTED BY JOSHUA NYAMORI:-Gross Violation of Human Rights and Acts of Impunity by Kibos Sugar Factory

1. Introduction A shameless act of impunity and violation of fundamental rights of poor people occurred at Kibos Township, four kilometers from Kisumu town center on Tuesday 28th October 2009. This incident exemplified the height of exploitation of unemployed and idle young people by well connected wealthy businessmen to perpetrate their selfish interests. Curiously, the incident has not received much attention in the media. Where it did, the stories did not bring out the real issues. In the morning of the material day, drivers, conductors and touts operating at Kondele center staged a demonstration demanding that the police release their certificates of registration as Community Based Organizations that had been confiscated by the Provincial Traffic Officer. Save for withdrawal of public transport, blocking of the road with rocks and lighting of bonfire on the road, the protest was generally peaceful and it ended after a negotiation between the group and senior police officers during which the confiscated documents were returned to the group. 2. Legitimate Protest Immediately after this, probably motivated by the Kondele protest, traders and residents of Kibos Township, located two Kilometers from Kondele, staged a protest and stopped a sugarcane transport lorry belonging to Kibos Sugar Factory from passing through the township on its way to the factory located within the township. The case of the protesting residents was that, because of the height of the customer built lorry carriers belonging to the factory, whenever they passed though the township, their roofs or overloaded sugar cane contents pulled the main electric power lines that pass-over the road into the township. Whether or not the power lines are cut, the whole trading center and the surrounding villages and slums would then be plunged into a blackout even as any electronic equipment that are connected to electricity are short circuited. Their numerous complaints to the factory management, police, provincial administration and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company had fallen on deaf ears. They therefore remained with no alternative but to stage a protest for their woes to be addressed. 3. Unjustified and Illegal Terror and Culture of Impunity Our investigation has revealed that when the factory management heard that their lorry had been denied entry into Kibos Township by the protesting residents and traders, it resorted to hiring idle youth from Kondele and carwash area and provided them with arms and transport to attack the traders and residents. When the youth arrived in Kibos, they indiscriminately attacked anyone on sight and looted shops and hotels. The residents and the traders re-grouped and overpowered the attacking gang sending them flying for their dear lives. In the ensuing melee, one of the attackers fell off a hired nissan van that was ferrying them and was run over by the same vehicle that drove away without stopping. The residents and traders poured all their anger on the now helpless youth and beat him to pulp. He is reportedly admitted with serious injuries at New Nyanza General Hospital with serious injuries. When the factory management heard of what had happened, it hired three canter lorries and several nissan vans to transport more hired youth from Kondele to Kibos. They were given petrol to burn down the center. When the re-enforcement landed at Kibos, they swung into a spree of looting and an orgy of destruction, arson and attack on the traders and residents. In the wake this second attack, several small scale shops, hotels and offices were in ashes and property of unknown value disappeared in the looting. Several people were also left writhing in pain and nursing serious injuries. The most curious part of this attack is the claim by residents and traders that the attacking gang arrived at Kibos in the company of a land cruiser full of armed policemen led by the Officer in Charge of the Police Dog Unit who watched as the gang unleashed terror and did not attempt to stop them from committing such heinous crimes. As the gang retreated, they are reported to have handed over some of their loot to the police officers. The police then drove away without paying attention to the desperate calls for help from the residents. Because of public outcry, the police arrested three youths suspected to have participated in the attack and a driver to one of the hired canter lorries. They are currently languishing at Kodiaga prison after failing to secure bail. The managers of the factory, led by Mr. Raju Chanan Singh who the residents of Kibos accuse of unbridled arrogance and who should bear the greatest responsibility for the attack, are however freemen. The residents speak of several incidents that Mr. Raju Chanan has arrogantly told them that he is beyond the confines of the law and that the political leadership, provincial administration, police and any other authorities cannot touch him. Apart from the current issue, the residents of Kibos have other serious issues with the factory but have no recourse to justice because the management of the factory has corruptly captured all the instruments of state that do its bidding. The factory is reportedly directing untreated waste from the sugar factory into R. Kibos whose water is used for domestic purposes by several people downstream. At the same time the solid waste from the plant is set on fire and burns throughout the day and night seriously polluting the air in the township and surrounding villages. The factory is also accused of mistreating its workforce and not implementing labour laws and policies that relate to the welfare of workers. The workers are allegedly paid poorly and continuously kept on casual labour status against the law. 4. Conclusion In conclusion, it is important to note that the attitude and behaviour of the management of Kibos Sugar Factory, and particularly Mr. Raju Chanan Singh, is a clear manifestation of a culture of impunity that Kenyans are struggling to eradicate under the framework of the National Accord and Reconciliation Agreement. We demand that comprehensive investigations be carried out on this matter and those found culpable and bearing the greatest responsibility for hiring youth to cause mayhem at Kibos be arrested, charged and taken to jail. The factory management should also be compelled to compensate the victims of the attack to ensure that they recover what they have lost. We also demand that the Government should move in with speed to address all the other issues that the community has raised against the factory so as to ensure that private entrepreneurs are not let lose to misuse and oppress Kenyan citizens under the pretext of promoting investments. To the youth who took part in the attack, we remind them that unemployment cannot be an excuse for crime of whatever nature. When the law finally catches up with them, the principal who hired them to perpetrate crime will not be there to bail them out. In the final analysis, it is also shameful to note that the people who bore the brunt of their violence are poor people like them who are struggling to make a living. SIGNED AND RELEASED IN KISUMU THIS 31ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009 Joshua O. Nyamori Coordinator – NYC Anthony O. Ombara Secretary General - NYC

BY GEORGE NYONGESA:-Kenya: Leadership recycling an impediment to development

by Bunge La Mwananchi It is close to 50 years since the British left us to determine our socio-economic and political progress. At the time of independence our country, development wise, we ranked the same as the Asian tigers such as Singapore and Malaysia. Today the Asian tigers are 100 years ahead of us in development. What happened to Kenya? There are many reasons one could give, but one is clearly a major one, and that is leadership. In matter of societal progress, natural endowment of resources such as gold, oil, copper, good soil, rivers etc cannot be a substitute to having an effective leadership. Our past and present leadership is characterized by individuals who were socialized in colonialism. Colonialism main thrust was domination for self-good. The colonialist first dominated the Africans politically and used that political domination to influence our economics and social affairs. Once they dismantle the Africans way of socio-political organization they had us captive. They embarked on the mission to exploit and repatriate the loot. Forget those stupid arguments that the Whites colonized Africa so as to civilize or to trade with African. There sole mission was to exploit human and natural resources enrich themselves and their mother country. Moving on, don’t our leaders exhibit similar characteristics? Isn’t there mission for leadership closely related to the colonization mission? First, like colonialists these leaders have an ego that they are best of us and they are the ones who know what is good for all of us. Do you read a similarity to the white’s racist thinking? Our leaders seek office to acquire riches; first themselves and then their friends, and all these take place at the expense of the dominated. During colonial time, the dominated was an African. The African were dominated and forced to work in the plantations of coffee, tea, sisal, pyrethrum etc for small pay so that they can pay tax to the colonial government. The Africans who were forced to grow coffee and tea they did not need were not even given a chance to decide what price to sell to the white man. Let us relate this to today. The characters that took over leadership from the British today continue the same economic policies of exploitation. They are the middlemen selling coffee and tea abroad and exploitative price. The coffee and tea workers continue to pay tax from their meager earnings from the coffee farm. During elections they come together and divide us into different tribes and assign themselves who will be the governor of which region. Isn’t that what happened during Berlin conference when the Europeans decided that instead of coming to wrestle each other and display there barbaric and savage behavior before a black man they Africa quietly and then collaborate in exploitation of African resources as long as no one crosses the border of the other. Same thing happens with our leadership just think about… Now all these things are obvious but what we must ask why is it continuing unmitigated? How can we stop it? To start with we must realize the irreplaceable role leadership plays in the development of any society. It is the leaders who manage the human and natural resource for the good of all. When you have people who think they are God’s gift to the people, they are best and they must lead you then you have a problem. When you have leadership that divides into ethnic groups so as to rule you then you have a problem right there. When you have selfish people who are seeking to enrich themselves presiding over distribution of resources then there is a problem. When you have leaders whose worldview was socialized in the mentality of exploiting the masses then there is a problem. When you have people who are in their diminishing return years making decisions that they won’t live to see their impact then you have a problem. Do you think that Jimmy Kibaki or Fidel Odinga takes the advice their fathers Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga without questioning it? If there sons think that these men are old, just the same way you look at your father; to make sound decisions for the family why should we allow these type of to make national decision that affects 40 million Kenyans? The current leadership has individuals who grew up in the tutelage of either Kenyatta or Moi. We all agree that our problems started with kenyatta leadership. It was worsened by Moi leadership. Doesn’t that just mean that all these people laying claim on 2012 presidency are full of primitive leadership of Kenyatta and Moi? If they did not advice Kenyatta or Moi on better society organizing when they were cabinet ministers what has happened to them to be good leaders today? This is a different generation and the world is revolving faster. The word today is operating on technology and most of these cannot even send an text message. Not long from today UN Assembly will be done through teleconference and these characters know nothing about technology how will they survive? Only fools and madmen keep doing the same thing and expect different results. We have first hand lessons that the current crop of leaders is all bogus without a vision or ideology for organizing Kenya to realize it is potential. We need a leadership that has a well thought ideology to organize us politically so as to realize our economic and social dreams. Let me emphasis that we must get it right politically for us to realize our economics and then followed by social tidings. Ideology is the framework for organizing the society and that is what we don’t have. The ideology we require is one that will give each person opportunity to play their rightful role in developing Kenya. That ideology must ensure that all of us get returns from our input and no one puts in less and gets more or everything. Therefore, why can’t we as Kenyans think seriously and decide not to recycle leaders especially those we know they cannot perform? (unedited text). George Nyongesa +254 720 451 235